Powered cable splitter

Abstract

The invention is directed to a powered cable splitter. The splitter is comprised of a motor, a blade, a channel, a clamp to secure the tubing within the channel, and a hand grip for activating the motor. To use the splitter, a user places the cable inside of the channel, secures it with the clamp, and then squeezes the hand grip to activate the motor. The motor causes the blade to spin and cut to a specific depth. Rollers within the channel allow the cable to be moved into position before the tubing is cut, creating a cut of limited depth along a preferred length, and thus splitting the cable without damaging the wires within.

Claims

1. A powered cable splitter which is comprised of a motor, a circular blade which is housed internally, a channel which extends for most of the length of the splitter, a clamp to secure the cable within the channel, a hand grip for activating the motor, and a housing to cover the motor 11 and the blade.

2. The cable splitter of claim 1, wherein the housing is secured with a plurality of bolts or similar fasteners.

3. The cable splitter of claim 1, wherein the splitter may be secured to the edge of a table, workbench or counter, using mounting clamps or other fasteners which are provided.

4. The cable splitter of claim 1, wherein suitable storage space is provided within the housing of the splitter, such that one or more spare blades may be stored within the splitter.

5. The cable splitter of claim 1, wherein the blade may be easily and quickly changed by the user at the job site without special tools.

6. The cable splitter of claim 1, wherein an optional, removable 10-volt or 12-volt lithium-ion battery pack may be provided at the lower end of the splitter.

7. The cable splitter of claim 1, wherein the battery pack may be recharged using a recharging device which provides a power cord, which may be plugged into any standard three-pronged wall outlet.

8. The cable splitter of claim 1, wherein the user places the cable inside of the channel, secures it with the clamp, and then squeezes the hand grip to activate the motor.

9. The cable splitter of claim 1, wherein the motor causes the blade to spin and cut to a specific depth, which may be securely adjusted by the user.

10. The cable splitter of claim 1, wherein powered rollers within the channel cause the cable to move as the insulation is being cut, creating a cut of limited depth along a preferred length, thus removing the insulation without damaging the wires within.

11. The cable splitter of claim 1, wherein the splitter, the motor, the clamp, the hand grip, the housing, the bolts, the battery pack, and the recharging device are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials such as steel, brass, plastic, copper alloy, and aluminum alloy.

12. The cable splitter of claim 1, wherein the blade and the rollers are preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material with substantial structural strength, such as steel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a top view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the splitter 10, and the clamp 12.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the splitter 10, the clamp 12, the channel 13, the hand grip 14, and the housing 16.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a side perspective exploded view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the splitter 10, the motor 11, the clamp 12, the blade 15, the housing 16, and the bolts 17.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the splitter 10, the clamp 12, and the hand grip 14.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment in a partially opened condition, displaying the splitter 10, the clamp 12, the channel 13, the hand grip 14, and the blade 15.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the splitter 10, the clamp 12, the channel 13, and the hand grip spring assembly 14A.

[0021] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the splitter 10, the clamp 12, the channel 13, and the hand grip 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a powered cable splitter.

[0023] The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of a powered splitter 10 which is comprised of a motor 11, a circular blade 15 which is housed internally, a channel 13 which extends for most of the length of the splitter 10, a clamp 12 to secure the cable within the channel 13, a hand grip 14 for activating the motor 11, and a housing 16 to cover the motor 11 and the blade 15. The housing 16 is secured with a plurality of bolts 17 or similar fasteners. The splitter 10 may be secured to the edge of a table, workbench or counter, using mounting clamps or other fasteners which are provided.

[0024] Preferably, suitable storage space is provided within the housing 16 of the splitter 10, such that one or more spare blades 15 may be stored within the splitter 10. The blade 15 may be easily and quickly changed by the user at the job site without special tools.

[0025] An optional, removable lithium-ion battery pack may be provided at the lower end of the splitter 10. The lithium-ion battery pack may be 10 or 12 volts. The battery pack may be recharged using a recharging device which is provided. The recharging device provides a power cord, which may be plugged into any standard three-pronged wall outlet.

[0026] To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user places the cable inside of the channel 13, secures it with the clamp 12, and then squeezes the hand grip 14 to activate the motor 11. The motor 11 causes the blade 15 to spin and cut to a specific depth, which may be securely adjusted by the user. Rollers within the channel allow the cable to be moved into position before the tubing is cut, creating a cut of limited depth along a preferred length, and thus splitting the cable without damaging the wires within.

[0027] The splitter 10, the motor 11, the clamp 12, the hand grip 14, the housing 16, the bolts 17, the battery pack, and the recharging device are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials such as steel, brass, plastic, copper alloy, and aluminum alloy. The blade 15 and the rollers are preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material with substantial structural strength, such as steel. The power cord is preferably manufactured from braided copper alloy wire sheathed in plastic.

[0028] Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

[0029] While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.