Hand held fiber optic cleaving tool
 A hand held tool for cleaving optical fibers including an elongated body having a longitudinal axis extending lengthwise thereof. A fiber support surface is attached to the body and extends in a plane which is transverse to such longitudinal axis. Fiber cutting means are attached to the body and are selectively moveable in the general direction of the longitudinal axis away from the fiber support surface, and towards the fiber support surface for severing an optical fiber extending across the fiber support surface such that the end face of the fiber is smooth and lies in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the fiber. Tension means for subjecting the optical fiber to tension during the cleaving operation are provided including a first tension arm and a second tension arm each arm being pivotally attached to the body for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis, the tension arms being spring biased away from each other. Clamping means are provided for holding the optical fiber in place and include a first and second jaw member attached to the tension arms. Actuating means attached to the body are moveable in the direction of such longitudinal axis towards and away from the cutting means for causing pivotal movement of the tension arms about such transverse axis to urge the arms together, and for urging the cutting means away from the fiber support surface, when the actuating means moves towards the fiber support surface, and for allowing the tension arms to be pivoted about such transverse axis away from each other to subject the fiber to tension while the cutting means moves towards the fiber support surface to cleave the fiber, when the actuating means are moved away from the fiber support surface. 
GTE Products Corporation
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Y10T G02B Y10T Y10T Y10T Y10T Y10T Y10S B26F
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Richard P.
Walker