Improved wire stripping apparatus

• US 4,104,012 A
• Filed: 10/12/1976
• Issued: 08/01/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Michael R. Ferrante
• Original Assignee: Michael R. Ferrante
• Inventors: Ferrante, Michael R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spicer, Jr., Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US05/731,138
• Time in Patent Office: 658 Days
• Field of Search: 81/9.51, 81/9.5 A, 425/302 R, 425/317, 425/298, 425/299
• US Class Current: 425/299
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 3/16 Cutting rods or tubes transversely cutting tubes longitudinally B26D3/001
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/1258 not using wire or cable-clamping means
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/1275 by applying heat

Abstract

Improved method and apparatus for stripping insulation from the end of the electrical conductor of an insulated wire to expose a predetermined length of the conductor whereby the remaining insulation does not shrink when the wire is subjected to heat. Means, including an improved insulation stripping blade, are provided for compressing the remaining insulation immediately adjacent the exposed end of the conductor and simultaneously heating the remaining insulation immediately adjacent the exposed conductor to cause the adjacent remaining insulation to adhere to the conductor.

Claims

1. In a wire stripping apparatus having means for removing the insulation from the end of the electrical conductor of an insulated wire to expose a predetermined length of said electrical conductor, the improvement comprising:

means for compressing a predetermined length of said insulation remaining on said electrical conductor immediately adjacent said exposed electrical conductor to secure the predetermined length of said remaining insulation in position on said electrical conductor; and

means for simultaneously heating said compressed remaining insulation immediately adjacent said exposed electrical conductor,

said compressing means and said heating means cooperating to cause said adjacent remaining insulation to adhere to said electrical conductor along said predetermined length of remaining insulation.

2. The improvement in accordance with claim 1 wherein said insulation removing means comprises blade means for engaging said insulated wire and severing said insulation at a predetermined point along said insulated wire and means for sliding said severed insulation from said electrical conductor to expose said electrical conductor, said blade means incorporating said means for compressing said insulation immediately adjacent said exposed electrical conductor, and wherein said heating means includes means for heating said blade means to heat said insulation.

3. The improvement in accordance with claim 2 wherein said insulation compressing means comprises an aperture extending through said blade means for engaging said insulated wire, said aperture comprising a first portion extending partially through said blade means and a second portion coupled to said first portion and extending through the remainder of said blade means, said first aperture position being dimensioned to sever said insulation whenever said aperture engages said insulated wire and said second aperture portion being dimensioned to compress said insulation without severing said insulation.

4. The improvement in accordance with claim 3 wherein said heating means includes means for compressing and heating said remaining insulation immediately adjacent said blade means.

5. The improvement in accordance with claim 3 wherein said blade means comprises first and second blades, each of said blades having a leading edge aligned to meet the leading edge of the other one of said blades when said blades close, each of said blades having a non-uniform surface channel in said leading edge thereof, said channels being aligned and combining to form said aperture whenever said blades close to engage said insulated wire.

6. The improvement in accordance with claim 5 wherein said heating means comprises first and second plate means, each of said plate means being positioned immediately adjacent and coextensive with a corresponding one of said blades, said heating means further including heat transfer means associated with each of said plate means and heating element means, said heat transfer means conducting heat from said heating element means to said blades through said plate means.

7. The improvement in accordance with claim 6 including means for varying the amount of heat generated by said heating element means.

8. The improvement in accordance with claim 6 wherein each of said plate means has a leading edge aligned to meet the leading edge of the other one of said plate means when said blades close, each of said plate means having a groove in said leading edge, said grooves being aligned and combining to form an aperture through said plate means which is aligned with said aperture through said blades, said plate means aperture being dimensioned to be substantially equal to said second aperture portion of said blades, said plate means aperture compressing said remaining insulation immediately adjacent said blades while simultaneously heating an additional portion of said remaining insulation to cause said additional remaining insulation to adhere to said electrical conductor.