US Patent 7017462 Method of cutting a fiber optic cable

A held method of cutting a fiber optic cable having an optical fiber surrounded by at least one protective layer comprises providing a cutting tool having opposingly directed blunt surfaces and opposingly directed sharp surfaces. The cutting tool is movable between an opened position and a closed position. This method also comprises the steps of positioning the fiber optic cable between the opposingly directed blunt surfaces and moving the cutting tool toward the closed position sufficiently to crush the optical fiber without cutting through the protective layer. The method further comprises the steps of moving the cutting tool toward the opened position sufficiently to release the fiber optic cable from between the blunt surfaces, positioning the fiber optic cable between the opposingly directed sharp surfaces and moving the cutting tool toward the closed position sufficiently to cut through the protective layer.