Abstract: A hand-held tool having an elongated rod-like body with an arcuately-shaped head tapered to a rounded point for use in removing insulated wires from the end of a braided shielded cable. The tip is intentionally rounded to prevent puncturing the insulation or catching on the braided wires when the tip is inserted between the wire insulation and the shield. The outer 1/2 of the tapered head portion has a substantially elliptical cross section, as opposed to simply circular, to distribute the load bearing forces across a greater surface area on the wire insulation when the wire is pulled out of the shield. The other 1/2 of the tapered head portion is a transition to the cylindrical body from the curved ellipsoidal section. In a preferred embodiment, the tool is constructed of a polycarbonate plastic with a smoothed surface on the tapered head portion to facilitate the insulated wires sliding across the surface during use.

Abstract: A method of extracting a portion of one or more insulated wires from within a shielded cable with a minimum of damage to the wire insulation. A predetermined length of outer insulation covering one end of the shielded cable is removed, exposing a portion of the braided wire shield beneath which is then pushed back against the edge of remaining outer insulation causing a portion of the braided wires to distend and loosen. The loosened wires are separated to form an aperture in the shield thereby exposing a section of the insulated wires. The shielded cable is bent back at the aperture to further expose the insulated wires. Then the rounded tip of an elongated tool is inserted between the insulated wires and the shield causing the insulated wires to separate from the shield. Preferably the elongated tool has an arcuately-shaped tapered head with a substantially elliptical tip portion to distribute the load bearing forces on the insulation.

Abstract: An illumination panel for the enhancement of image brightness of a liquid crystal display for a watch or similar device is disclosed. The panel has an internal light source with a suitably shaped and reflectorized coating to substantially direct internal and external light in the desired direction. More particularly, a transparent layer or member with an internal light source mounted at one end is selectively coated with a metallic reflecting material to reflect light from the internal source and from external sources through a crosshatched surface or a matte finished window on the surface of the member. The window may be defined by the reflectorized coating. The member is mounted adjacent to the exterior surface of the bottom substrate of the liquid crystal display. Diffused light is transmitted from the internal light source of the illumination panel through the bottom substrate of the display.