Shielded cable cutting device

A battery powered hand-held rotary cutting tool for use on BX cable and the like comprising a power unit and attached battery pack with a projecting drive shaft to which is affixed a rotary cutting blade. Said power unit and battery pack fit within a containment shell which is fitted with a top cover which closes onto the containment shell and simultaneously depresses an activation switch in said power unit. A projecting portion of said cover further operates to press a segment of shielded cable into contact with the rotary cutting blade contemporaneously with the activation of said power unit. Said top cover is fashioned with a spring on the inner cover such that when the cover is released by the mechanic or operator, the power activation switch is released thereby. The invention is designed to facilitate one-handed cutting of shielded cable by means of squeezing the device onto segments of cable wherever the mechanic desires to cut the shield.

I claim:

1. A hand-held cutting tool for use on shielded electric cable comprising:

an electric motor and attached battery pack adapted to fit into a containment shell with hinged cover,

a drive shaft projecting outwardly from said electrical motor so as to pass through a slot in one end of said containment shell,

a rotary cutting blade affixed to the end of said outwardly projecting drive shaft,

a springloaded contact switch which projects upwardly from said electric motor so as to be capable of being depressed by contact with the inner surface of said hinged cover, and

a downwardly projecting leaf spring attached to said inner surface of said hinged cover.

2. The invention recited in claim 1 wherein said downwardly projecting leaf spring bears slideably upon the surface of said electric motor and attached battery pack.

3. The invention recited in claim 1 wherein said containment shell is fashioned with stops which limit the angle through which said hinged cover can open.

4. The invention recited in claim 1 wherein said hinged cover overextends said outwardly projecting shaft and rotary blade, said hinged cover further being fashioned with arcuate cut-outs directly over and facing said rotary blade.