Abstract: A cable puller assembly includes a housing assembly, a motor assembly and an anti-fouling device. The motor assembly is secured to the housing assembly and has an output shaft extending outwardly therefrom. The output shaft is rotated about an axis of rotation by the motor assembly. The anti-fouling device has a capstan and a body. The output shaft is operatively associated with the capstan in order to rotate the capstan about the axis of rotation. The body is positioned around an end portion of the capstan proximate to the housing assembly. The body defines a sloped surface that biases incoming rope that wraps around the sloped surface down onto the capstan.

Abstract: A puller head and cable puller including the puller head are provided for pulling cable in an upward or a downward direction. The puller head includes a frame, a capstan mounted to the frame, and first and second retaining shaft apertures. The puller head is pivotally mounted to a boom of the cable puller through a pivot shaft. The capstan of the puller head is positioned rearward of the boom. The position of an upper most surface of the capstan relative to the boom is changed by pivoting the puller head between upward and downward pulling positions. The puller head is maintained in either the upward or downward pulling position through the use of a retaining shaft.

Abstract: A fall of potential method of determining earth ground resistance which utilizes an earth ground tester and eliminates the need for utilizing removable ground stakes. Rather than utilizing a “far stake” the method provides connection of the earth ground tester to the telephone wires. Rather than utilizing a “near stake” the method provides for connection of the earth ground tester to the cable shield.

Abstract: A cutting tool includes a frame, a shaft, a cutter and a cam. The shaft is rotatable about an axis. The cutter is coupled to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft about its axis causes rotation of the cutter about the shaft's axis. The cam is positioned around the shaft such that the cam contacts the frame upon rotation of the shaft. The cam has a cam surface which is distanced away from the axis of the shaft a varying amount such that contact of the cam with the frame upon rotation of the shaft causes the shaft, and thus the cutter, to reciprocate in a generally transverse direction relative to the axis of the shaft.

Abstract: An auger bit includes a shaft having a central axis, a cutting insert mounted to said shaft, and a feed screw that is separate from the cutting insert and which is mounted to the shaft. The cutting insert and the feed screw are engaged with each other. A single locking member, such as a set screw, secures the feed screw member to the shaft, and thereby secures the cutting insert to the shaft. If the feed screw or the cutting insert become worn, feed screw or the cutting insert can be replaced.

Abstract: A spiral drill bit for forming holes of a variety of sizes has a main body which provides first and second helical grooves. First and second flutes extend along the length of the main body to provide first and second helical groove segments. Cutting segments are provided between the helical groove segments. The method for forming the spiral drill bit includes turning the helical groove segments onto a round stock. An axial clearance and an initial diametral clearance are provided upon turning the helical grooves. A grinding process is used to form a radial clearance and a final diametral clearance. The reduction to the amount of grinding required to form the spiral drill bit results in a reduction to the cost of production and a reduction in the time necessary to produce the spiral drill bit.

Abstract: An RJ modular connector is provided that has wire channels that slope downward and end at openings in the bottom of the connector through which the stripped wires extend. In use, the outer jacket insulation is removed from an end portion of the cable, leaving lengths of exposed wires. The length of the exposed wire is unimportant. The wires are arranged in an essentially flat configuration and inserted longitudinally into the connector and then directed downward by the downward slope of the channels, so that the distal ends of the respective wires extend through the bottom of the connector. The protruding wire ends are then compared with a standard to confirm the correct color identification pattern for them and corresponding wire position. After the comparison is made, the protruding wire ends are crimped/secured and sheared off. Conductive contact blades are inserted, and pierce the wires.

Abstract: An RJ modular connector is provided that has wire channels that slope downward and end at openings in the bottom of the connector through which the stripped wires extend. In use, the outer jacket insulation is removed from an end portion of the cable, leaving lengths of exposed wires. The length of the exposed wire is unimportant. The wires are arranged in an essentially flat configuration and inserted longitudinally into the connector and then directed downward by the downward slope of the channels, so that the distal ends of the respective wires extend through the bottom of the connector. The protruding wire ends are then compared with a standard to confirm the correct color identification pattern for them and corresponding wire position. After the comparison is made, the protruding wire ends are crimped/secured and sheared off. Conductive contact blades are inserted, and pierce the wires.

Abstract: An RJ modular connector is provided that has wire channels that slope upward and end at openings in the top of the connector through which the stripped wires extend. In use, the outer jacket insulation is removed from an end portion of the cable, leaving lengths of exposed wires. The length of the exposed wire is unimportant. The wires are arranged in an essentially flat configuration and inserted longitudinally into the connector and then directed upward by the upward slope of the channels, so that the distal ends of the respective wires extend through the top of the connector. The protruding wire ends are then compared with a standard to confirm the correct color identification pattern for them and corresponding wire position. After the comparison is made, the protruding wire ends are crimped/secured and sheared off. Conductive contact blades are inserted, and pierce the wires.

Abstract: A non-contact voltage detector having a self-test feature is provided. The non-contact voltage detector may include an antenna, a detection circuit and a self-test circuit. The self-test circuit may be configured to send a test signal through a portion of the antenna and to the detection circuit. Alternatively, the self-test circuit may be configured to send a test signal to the detection circuit without sending it through a portion of the antenna.

Abstract: A device for measuring and isolating noise-creating imbalances in a paired telecommunications line has an internal circuit which comprises a balanced center tapped termination consisting of precisely equal resistor pairs. The circuit includes an adjustable sine wave burst generator which generates a low voltage longitudinal ac signal that is transmitted across the balanced pathways. A differential amplifier in the circuit measures this difference and displays it in units of noise or balance. The output of the differential amplifier is transmitted to an analog-to-digital converter. A microprocessor collects the samples in an array, and filters the results for presentation on a display. Advantageously, the microprocessor provides for adjustable and selectable bandpass filtering.

Abstract: The “Ground Resistance Test” provides a circuit and test setup for measuring the resistance of earth grounds. The ground resistance test uses the central office battery from a working telephone pair to source current into the “Tested Ground”. First the quiescent voltage (Vo) on the Tested Ground with respect to a removable ground rod is measured and recorded. Then the ring side of a working pair is connected to the Tested Ground and the office battery draws current (I) from the Tested Ground. The voltage (Vi) on the Tested Ground with respect to the removable ground rod is again measured with dc current flowing. Voltage fall Vf is computed as (Vi?Vo). The ohms (R) of the Tested Ground is then displayed as R=Vf/I. In the event that central office battery is unavailable, the Ground Resistance Tester will provide an optional current rod and internal battery source.

Abstract: A hole saw includes a depth stop for limiting the depth of penetration of the hole saw into a workpiece. The blade of the hole saw includes a plurality of slots, one of which is used to receive the depth stop. The depth stop is mounted to the blade by positioning a portion of the depth stop within the slot and sliding the depth stop from an unsecured position to a secured position. Once in the secured position, a locking member is moved within the depth stop to secure the depth stop in place. In use, the blade is advanced through the workpiece until the depth stop contacts the proximal surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: An RJ modular connector is provided that has wire channels that slope upward and end at openings in the top of the connector through which the stripped wires extend. In use, the outer jacket insulation is removed from an end portion of the cable, leaving lengths of exposed wires. The length of the exposed wire is unimportant. The wires are arranged in an essentially flat configuration and inserted longitudinally into the connector and then directed upward by the upward slope of the channels, so that the distal ends of the respective wires extend through the top of the connector. The protruding wire ends are then compared with a standard to confirm the correct color identification pattern for them and corresponding wire position. After the comparison is made, the protruding wire ends are crimped/secured and sheared off. Conductive contact blades are inserted, and pierce the wires.

Abstract: A lock box with a locking mechanism using a puck lock is provided that also has a handle for moving a locking bar from a locking to an unlocking position. Furthermore, the puck lock is permanently attached to the exterior of the lock box eliminating the possibility of losing the puck lock. The construction of the puck lock makes tampering with the locking system of the lock box impractical.

Abstract: An anti-reversing pawl mechanism is claimed that includes a pawl that is engaged by a flexible coupling but that is also biased toward a driven member such that when the engagement of the flexible coupling is removed, the pawl engages the driven member and stops it from moving.