TWISTED PAIR CABLE FEEDING MECHANISM AND METHOD

摘要

A mechanism (10) for feeding a length of twisted pair cable (15), comprises a driven capstan (11 ) and a continuous belt (17) defining, respectively, first and second contact surfaces for the twisted pair cable (15). The continuous belt (17) is supported and arranged so that a portion thereof embraces an arc (16) of the substantially circular periphery of the capstan (11 ). Drive means are provided to effect rotation of the capstan (11 ), so as to feed a length of twisted pair cable (15) along the arcuate path (16) defined between the first and second contact surfaces where the arc (16) of the capstan (11) intersects the continuous belt (17). The arcuate path (16) is sufficiently narrow such that the capstan (11 ) and the continuous belt (17) embrace the length of twisted pair cable (15), and sufficiently long such that at least two nodes (19) of said length of twisted pair cable (15) are accommodated therein. This arrangement ensures feeding of the twisted pair cable (15) along the arcuate path (16) without causing rotation of the cable (15) about its axis.