REFINEMENT + MANUFACTURE TOOL AND SPLICE FOR TELEPHONE CABLE WF-16 ( ) / U.

The SPLICE and TOOL join two parallel pairs of Telephone Cable WF-16 U in a single actuation of the tool. The tool is relatively small in size and includes a mechanism which cuts the cable to length, strips the insulation to a given dimension, and splits the pair of conductors for insertion into the splice. The completed splice has a relatively high tensile strength and affords a seal against entry of water. The crimping of the entire splice in one actuation of the tool results in eight distinct crimps being made, a wire crimp and an insulation seal crimp on each of the four conductors. With the additional requirement that this be a relatively small tool, the design was forced to concede to a high hand force in order to complete the crimp. Further, to maintain this high hand force within the capability limits of an average male adult, it was necessary to hold the mechanical characteristics of the completed splice at or near the minimum acceptable level. The tensile strength and sealing effectiveness could be increased by crimping deeper, but a deeper crimp would require more hand force. Author