Abstract: An articulated cable puller includes a boom assembly having a boom with a sheave positioned thereon. The boom is mounted upon a load beam and is movable between generally horizontal and vertical positions. A rotatable base is positioned upon a vehicle and has a rectangular link pivotally attached thereto. An A-frame is pivotally attached to the top of the link and features a tube attached to its top side. The load beam features downward extending ears that are secured to the tube of the A-frame by a pin. Hydraulic cylinders are connected between the base and the load beam and frame and may be actuated to adjust the positioning of the boom assembly. Hydraulic cylinders are also positioned between the vehicle and the base and are actuated to adjust the position of the base.

Abstract: A cable reel handler for mounting at the rear of a truck for loading and unloading of cable reels. The handler comprises a pair of lift cylinders pivotally supported in fixed positions on the truck, a pair of lift arms pivotally connected to the truck rearwardly of the lift cylinders, and a piston and cylinder arrangement for moving the lift arms transversely whereby the spacing between the lift arms can be varied so that cable reels of different sizes can be engaged by the lift arms. A pivoting link is connected at one end to each one of the lift cylinder pistons, and each link is connected at its opposite end to one of the lift arms. The connections at each of the ends of the pivoting links comprise swivel connections whereby the loading and unloading can take place at any variation of the spacing between the lift arms. The piston and cylinder connection between the lift arms permits independent movement of the lift arms.

Abstract: A reel loader apparatus comprising a mechanism for loading reels onto a supporting bed and for unloading the reels, the mechanism including pivotally mounted arms having engaging openings at their outer ends for receiving reels to thereby achieve lifting of the reels during loading and unloading operations. The reels carry laterally extending spindles for use in lifting the reels, and a loading and unloading structure includes bars extending between the spindles of the pair of reels. One bar is located on each side of the pair of reels, and the bars are connected to the respective spindles so that the bars hold the reels in assembly. A rod or the like is carried by each bar so that the arms are adapted to lift the assembly for loading and unloading of the reels.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system for pulling telephone cable or the like through a conduit, wherein the system includes a truck having a power-driven winch, a winching cable for connection to an end of the telephone cable to be pulled through the conduit, and a mechanism mounted to the truck remote from the winch for guiding the winching cable as same is pulled through the conduit. The improvement in the guiding mechanism comprises a tubular collar dimensioned to receive therethrough the winching cable and the telephone cable, a mechanism for releasably mounting the collar to the truck, and a roller mechanism carried by the tubular collar for arcuately supporting the winching cable and the telephone cable adjacent the collar.

Abstract: A locking mechanism comprising a latch mechanism having a plate-like body defining a completely enclosed aperture dimensioned to receive a spindle and having a manually operable mechanism for releasably attaching the body to the arm to prevent translational movement of the body in a plane perpendicular to the spindle. Other mechanisms restrict axial movement of the spindle and prevent rotation of the spindle.

Abstract: A power rodding apparatus is often used in conjunction with laying telephone cable through underground conduits. For such applications the exact location of the end of the rod is important and is determined by a position detecting circuit. The circuit includes a magnetic sensor coupled to a shaft which rotates as a function of the amount of rod which has been extended or retracted from the rodding machine. The sensor also detects the direction of rotation and provides the information to digital logic which encodes the information and transmits it to a remote location. The received information is decoded and utilized to drive a digital display providing instantaneous information regarding the position of the end of the rod. A memory circuit is also provided which stores the total number of operating cycles as a general measure of rod wear.

Abstract: A reel loader having drive means located on a bed employed for supporting cable reels and the like. The reels include a center section for holding the cable with a flange at either end of the center section, each flange defining a rim adapted for engaging the bed. The bed carries reel drive rollers comprising rim engaging surfaces so that at least one rim of a reel loaded onto a bed will engage a rim engaging surface. Driving means for the rollers operate to rotate the reels in either direction whereby cable can be fed from or drawn onto a reel. Control means are associated with the drive means so that the pressure of a rim against a drive roller can be varied for thereby controlling the driving force applied by a drive roller.