Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force – Method or apparatus for placement of conductive wire – Conduit snakes
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-13
2001-02-27
Watson, Robert C. (Department: 3723)
Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force
Method or apparatus for placement of conductive wire
Conduit snakes
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193217
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to implements for the application of pushing and pulling force and, in particular, to apparatus for the placement of cables.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Twisted-pair and optical fiber cables are commonly installed in buildings to accommodate voice and data communications systems as well as local area networks (LANs). To position these cables within the structures provided to distribute and support such, installers frequently attach a drag line to a bundle of cables and then pull such along a predetermined pathway through the structures. Unfortunately, cables pulled in this manner have a tendency to twist thereby making it difficult to pull additional cables through tight spaces along the same pathway.
Exceeding the maximum pulling tension recommended by a cable manufacturer may have dire consequences since a damaged cable may not perform to specifications, if at all. Deficiencies in performance may not be initially apparent but may manifest themselves at a later date when expansion of a communications system to its design limits cannot be achieved. Thus, it is important to minimize tension while pulling multiple, twisted-pair and optical fiber cables.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In light of the problems associated with the known methods and apparatus used to install cables for communications systems and LANs in building structures, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a cable puller which will simultaneously draw a plurality of cables along a predetermined pathway through a building structure without spiraling and with substantially equal tension being applied to each of the cables. Thus, the likelihood of cable damage is reduced since an installer is ensured that the maximum pulling tension of the cables will not be not exceeded during use of the cable puller.
It is another object of the invention to provide a cable puller of the type described to which a predetermined number of cables may be attached for pulling without resort to special tools or hardware. Thus, one or more cables may be towed by the cable puller at any one time.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in a cable puller for the purposes described which is lightweight in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and dependable in use.
Briefly, the cable puller in accordance with this invention achieves the intended objects by featuring a flat plate which tapers evenly in width from its rear end to its front end in the manner of an isosceles triangle. The plate has an aperture adjacent its front end for attachment to a drag line and an opening adjacent its rear end for attachment to a plurality of cables. The opening has a rear side with spaced-apart fingers defining slots for individually receiving the cables in a non-binding way.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2727720 (1955-12-01), Barth
patent: 3861650 (1975-01-01), Jackson
patent: 4171123 (1979-10-01), Woelkers
patent: 4684211 (1987-08-01), Weber et al.
patent: 5330244 (1994-07-01), Rodwell
patent: 182435 (1955-06-01), None
patent: 663781 (1961-12-01), None
patent: 491607 (1992-03-01), None
patent: 197710 (1977-11-01), None
Carlson & Gaskey & Olds
Watson Robert C.
Zimmer Mickey
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