Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force – Method or apparatus for placement of conductive wire – Conduit snakes
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-15
2001-04-17
Scherbel, David A. (Department: 3723)
Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force
Method or apparatus for placement of conductive wire
Conduit snakes
C361S600000, C138S09600T, C174S068300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06217006
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and improved safety device and method used while feeding fishtape to an electrical circuit panel box. More specifically, the device and method of the present invention allow a single user to know when the fishtape has reached the electrical circuit panel box and electrically insulates the fishtape from hitting any live wires located at the electrical circuit panel box.
In the past, while installing wires through conduit extending to an electrical circuit panel box, it has been the practice for a person to feed a fishtape through the conduit until the fishtape comes out the opposite end located at the electrical circuit panel box. This is not always easily accomplished since one person cannot tell if the fishtape has reached the electrical circuit panel box. This could lead to numerous trips to the electrical circuit panel box to see if the fish tape has reached its destination.
Another problem can also arise while feeding fishtape through conduit to an electrical circuit panel box, this being that when the fishtape enters the electrical circuit panel box, the fishtape can come into contact with exposed, live electrical wires, and in turn the fishtape (made of metal) can electrically shock the person feeding the fishtape.
Various different types of wire feeding devices have been proposed to redirect and guide wire and fishtape being fed through conduit, however, none of these devices allow for complete insulation from live electrical wires, nor do they provide an indicator that enables a user feeding a fishtape to know when the fishtape has reached its destination.
These and other types of devices disclosed in the prior art do not offer the flexibility and inventive features of my closed ended tubular threaded safety device and method. As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the closed ended tubular threaded safety device and method of the present invention differs from those previously proposed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to my present invention I have provided a method for one person to feed a fishtape through a conduit into an electrical circuit panel box remotely located from a point of infeed of the fishtape into the conduit and electrically insulating the fishtape from contact with live electrical wires at the electrical circuit panel box, including the steps of: a) placing a translucent closed ended tubular device onto a first end of an empty conduit extending within the electrical circuit panel box; b) going to a location remote from the electrical circuit panel box and then feeding a fishtape through a second end of the conduit until the fishtape hits the translucent closed ended tubular device positioned at the first end of the conduit; c) visually inspecting the translucent closed ended tubular device within the electrical circuit panel box to locate the fishtape; and d) removing the translucent closed ended tubular device that contains the fishtape, whereby one person can feed a fishtape through the conduit until the fishtape hits the translucent closed ended tubular device without hitting any live wires located in the electrical circuit panel box, thereafter the person can then identify which conduit within the electrical circuit panel box contains the fishtape by visually inspecting the closed ended tubular threaded safety device.
According to other features in invention I have provided a method as described above, wherein a translucent closed ended tubular device is placed on a series of empty conduits extending from the location remote from the electrical circuit panel box to the electrical circuit panel box so that all conduits are electrically isolated at the area of the electrical circuit panel box.
In another feature of my invention I have provided a closed ended tubular threaded safety device for temporary placement on a conduit with a male threaded end extending within an electrical circuit panel box when feeding a fishtape, comprising: a tube having a closed end, the tube having an open end opposite the closed end, the tube having internal female threads adjacent the open end sized for mated threaded engagement with the male threaded end of the conduit, the tube further being made of a translucent material, whereby when the tube is threadingly engaged upon a male threaded end of a conduit extending within an electrical circuit panel box, one person can feed a fishtape through the conduit until the fishtape hits the closed end of the tube without the fishtape hitting any live wires located in the electrical circuit panel box, thereafter the person can then identify which conduit within the electrical circuit panel box contains the fishtape by visually inspecting the closed ended tubular threaded safety device.
Still further features of my invention include the closed ended tubular threaded safety device as described above, wherein the tube has at least a 1 inch length and has a diameter ranging between ½ inch and 4 inches.
Yet other features relate to my closed ended tubular threaded safety device as described above, wherein the tube is made of a plastic material.
Even further features of my invention concern my closed ended tubular threaded safety device as described above taken in combination with an electrical circuit panel box having at least one conduit with a male threaded end extending therein, whereby one person can feed a fishtape through the conduit until the fishtape hits the closed end of the tube without hitting any live wires located in the electrical circuit panel box, thereafter the person can then identify which conduit within the electrical circuit panel box contains the fishtape by visually inspecting the closed ended tubular threaded safety device.
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Meroni & Meroni P.C.
Meroni, Jr. Charles F.
Scherbel David A.
Shakeri Hadi
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