BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a cartridge and marker of a cable stripping tool according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a cable stripping tool according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a cartridge and marker of a cable stripping tool according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1, a marker 20 is shown inserted into a replaceable cartridge 24. Marker 20 can also be removably connected to a handle 14. Marker 20 is preferably a pen, grease pencil, or other similar marking implement. Cartridge 24 is shown placed along a coaxial cable 12. A plurality of cartridges 24 are preferably available to mark properly different cable sizes. Cartridge 24 preferably includes a plurality of clamps 16 to permit attaching cartridge 24 to cable stripping tool handle 14 (FIG. 2). Cable 12 has been cut at an end 32 and is ready for stripping to prepare cable 12 for insertion into a coaxial cable connector. A tip 22 of marker 20 preferably applies an ink coating or a color stripe similar to white-out pressure sensitive correction tape.
Referring to FIG. 3, a curved portion 26 of cartridge 24 preferably includes a cutting blade 28 for cutting through the cable jacket of cable 12, and a cutting blade 30 for cutting through the cable to expose the center conductor of cable 12. With these parts of cable 12 properly cut, and the properly spaced mark left on cable 12 by tip 22, end 32 of cable 12 is ready for insertion into the coaxial cable connector.
Referring to FIG. 2, cartridge 24 shown connected to handle 14 of a cable stripping tool 10. Tool 10 also preferably includes a cable holder 34 which supports the side of cable 12 (FIG. 1) opposite cutting blades 28, 30. Pressing lever 36 towards the main part of tool 10 forces cutting blades 28, 30 against cable 12. As tool 10 is moved in a circular motion around cable 12, cutting blades 28, 30 cut into the proper layers of cable 12 while tip 22 draws a mark around cable 12 indicating the proper depth of insertion of the prepared coaxial cable into the cable connector (not shown).
While the present invention has been described with reference to a particular preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment and that various modifications and the like could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.