Perforation Apparatus for Cable Jackets and Related Systems and Methods

• US 20160072263A1
• Filed: 11/13/2015
• Published: 03/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RSCC Wire & Cable LLC (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Rockbestos Surprenant Cable Corp. (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Dulac, Dustin, Westwood, Cliff
• Granted Patent: US 10,008,839 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 17/006 having cutting edges parallel to a pivot axis
• CPC Class Codes: B26F 1/36 Punching or perforating pliers
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/12 for removing insulation or armouring from cables, e.g. from the end thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/1209 making a transverse cut
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/02 Other than completely through work thickness

Abstract

A perforation apparatus for use with cable jackets and related systems and methods thereof is provided. The tool includes a pliers assembly having at least a first jaw member positioned opposing a second jaw member, wherein relative movement of the first and second jaw members is controlled with at least a first handle and a second handle. A first knife edge is on the first jaw member and a second knife edge is on the second jaw member. Each of the first and second knife edges are oriented substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to a length of first and second handles. The first and second knife edges are movable towards one another. A spacing device is connected to the pliers assembly, wherein the spacing device controls a closing distance between the first knife edge and the second knife edge.

Claims

1. A method for creating a perforation within a cable jacket of a cable, the method comprising the steps of:

contacting the cable jacket of the cable with a first jaw member and second jaw member of a perforation apparatus, wherein at least a portion of the cable jacket is positioned between the first and second jaw members; and

closing a distance between the first and second jaw members, thereby positioning a first knife edge on the first jaw member and a second knife edge on the second jaw member at least partially within the cable jacket to form at least two perforation segments, wherein each of the first and second knife edges are oriented substantially perpendicular to an elongated length of the perforation apparatus, and wherein each of the first and second knife edges are oriented substantially parallel to an elongated length of the cable.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of pulling the perforation apparatus away from the cable jacket after the step of closing the distance between the first and second jaw members and without opening the first and second jaw members, wherein a portion of the cable jacket formed between the at least two perforation segments is removed from the cable.

2. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of controlling the closing distance between the first and second jaw members with a spacing device connected to the perforation apparatus.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein closing the distance between the first and second jaw members further comprises the step of piercing the cable jacket with the first knife edge and the second knife edge to form the perforation segments, wherein the perforation segments are formed through at least 50% of a thickness of the cable jacket.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the perforation segments are formed through at least 75% of the thickness of the cable jacket.

3. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of selecting a predetermined closing distance with the spacing device.