Abstract: An apparatus for the storage and withdrawal of an elastically flexible rope material, such as a push-and-pull wire having a circular cross-section and made particularly of glass-fiber plastic, preferably for pulling cables, photoconductors or other leads into cable or line protection tubes or into empty tubes. The apparatus further contains a storage drum in which the rope material is arranged so as to rest against the inner periphery in windings, and a housing which preferably completely surrounds the storage drum and has an exit opening for the rope material to be withdrawn from and pushed back into the housing, and at least one receiving space for tools, working materials and/or accessories.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for the storage and withdrawal of an elastically flexible rope material (1), particularly a push-and-pull wire preferably having a circular cross-section and particularly consisting of glass-fiber plastic, preferably for introducing cables, photoconductors, and/or other lines into cable tubes or cable protection tubes or empty tubes, the apparatus comprising a storage drum (2), with the elastically flexible rope material (1) nestling against the inner wall (3) thereof, and a housing (4) having arranged therein a rotational axle (5) for rotationally supporting the storage drum (2).

Abstract: Equipment is provided for storing an elastic member or "snake" which is coiled on a drum and can be uncoiled and pushed through a protective pipe incident to attaching a cable thereto and retracting the snake to pull the cable into the protective pipe. The equipment includes a housing, a generally hollow annular drum and a crank arm for both rotating the storage drum and defining a bushing in conjunction with a bushing of the housing. The latter bushings are selectively coupled and uncoupled to permit the components to be rapidly disassembled so that storage drums carrying different snakes can be substituted relative to the equipment depending upon the task at hand.

Abstract: A cable-laying apparatus (1, 1') is provided which includes a frame (9) defined by trusses (10, 11, 12, 46, 46') which are relatively foldable between operative and inoperative positions. The frame carries conveyor rollers (13, 14, 15) arranged to define a generally isosceles-shaped area therebetween through which a cable passes. A lowermost of the conveyor rollers (13) is connected by a quick connect/disconnect mechanism (33) to the frame and normally occupies a slightly inclined position transverse to an associated cable ditch. When the quick connect-disconnect mechanism (33) is operated, the transverse conveyor roller (13) drops or pivots to a vertical position under the influence of gravity which in turn drops the cable to the bottom of an associated ditch.

Abstract: A mechanism for lifting or lowering a cable drum which includes a stand located at lateral end faces of a cable drum which is adapted to be raised and lowered. Each stand includes a foot and a pair of vertical posts carrying upper and lower crossbeams with each lower crossbeam carrying a hydraulic hoist. The lower crossbeam is selectively secured to the posts, a pin carried by each upper crossbeam is inserted into a journal of the cable drum, and each hydraulic hoist is actuated to raise each upper crossbeam and its associated pin thereby raising the cable drum.

Abstract: A clamp for gripping a flexible member, such as flexible bars for pulling cables into cable-protective conduits, the clamp including a clamp body having a generally elongated longitudinal groove of a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration adapted to receive therein a portion of a flexible member, a handle, the handle and clamp body having respective opposite first and second end portions with the first end portions thereof being pivotally connected to each other to effect the relative movement of the second end portions between respective first adjacent and second remote relative positions, the handle having an elongated narrow strip in opposed aligned relationship to and sized generally to mate with the longitudinal groove when the second of the handle and clamp body end portions are pivoted from the first adjacent position to the second remote position to thereby clamp the flexible member therebetween, the elongated strip having a convex portion adjacent the handle first end portion and opposing a

Abstract: A coupling device including a male coupling member and a female coupling member, the male coupling member including a shank-like body having three longitudinal slots each receiving a pivot fin, a circular spring normally biasing a first end portion of each fin into each associated slot and thereby automatically placing a second end portion of each fin in its normal coupling position, the female coupling member including a fitting connected by spacer bars to a coupler ring which receives the shank-like body, the ring having an opening which causes the fins to deflect toward an unclamped position during insertion, and after insertion the second end portions of the fins are brought into clamping engagement with the ring by the biasing force of the circular spring.