Automatic Wire Lubricating Device

Abstract

An automatic wire lubricating device includes first and second components each having a body section of semi-annular configuration defining a portion of a continuous cylindrical interior reservoir formed by the body sections when they are fastened together into an annular body defining a central opening, a pipe fitting attached on an outer circumferential side of the body section of the first component in flow communication with the interior reservoir such that the pipe fitting can be coupled to a soap line coming from a pump, dispensing holes circumferentially spaced apart defined through the body sections providing flow communication from the interior reservoir to the central opening, and coupler pins formed on opposite ends of the body sections of the first and second components which fit together so as to make a tight seal of the interior reservoir when the first and second components are fastened together.

Description

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/249,413, filed Nov. 16, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to devices for applying a lubricant to an outer surface of insulated electrical wire or the like while pulling the same through a conduit, and, more particularly, is concerned with an automatic wire lubricating device.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In order to make it easier to pull insulated electrical wire through a conduit, it is an accepted practice to first lubricate the wire with a suitable lubricant, such as soap. A common way to accomplish this task is to do so by hand. Currently electricians place liquid soap in their hands and wipe it onto the wire.

The problem with this practice is that it can be a messy procedure and difficult job to do. When applying liquid soap by hand there is a tendency to spill the soap in a large area around where the wire is being fed into the conduit. Also, the liquid soap makes the hands slick which, in turn, makes it difficult to pull the wire off the reels and feed them into the conduit. As a result, it frequently requires one person to apply the soap to the wire and another person who does not handle the soap to pull the lubricated wire through the conduit. Thus, this accepted practice requires additional manpower to do the job correctly.

Over the years various devices have been proposed for use in lubricating wire. Representative examples of these devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,565,213 to Heller, U.S. Pat. No. 3,783,972 to Molstad, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,046,225 and 4,063,617 to Shenk, U.S. Pat. No. 4,069,894 to Black, U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,605 to Conti, U.S. Pat. No. 4,422,529 to Johansen, U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,059 to Jonnes et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,493 to Buckelew and U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,356 to Sells. While the prior art devices of the Molstad and Conti patents appear to constitute a step in the right direction for providing a wire lubricating device, neither seems to provide an optimum solution for the problem at hand.

Consequently, a need still exists for a wire lubricating device which provides a solution to the aforementioned problem in the prior art without introducing any new problems in place thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an automatic wire lubricating device designed to satisfy the aforementioned need. The automatic wire lubricating device is a mechanical device which allows liquid soap to be automatically and evenly applied over the wire without the liquid soap first touching the electrician's hands. The use of such device by all electrical, data, communications and maintenance personnel who pull wire through conduits will provide for a smoother pulling of the wire and less chance of damaging the wire. The use of the mechanical device also reduces manpower requirements and thus labor costs by greatly reducing cleanup time, material costs and risk of damaging the wire.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an automatic lubricating wire device which comprises: (a) first and second components each having a body section of semi-cylindrical configuration defining a portion of a continuous cylindrical interior reservoir formed by the body sections when fastened together; (b) means for detachably fastening the body sections together to releasably secure the body sections of the first and second components together in order to assemble the body sections into an annular body having a cylindrical configuration and defining a central opening; (c) a coupler on an outer circumferential side of the body section of the first component connected in flow communication with the interior reservoir and adapted for attachment to a soap line coming from a pump; (d) means defined through the body sections extending from the interior reservoir to the central opening for providing flow communication from the interior reservoir to the central opening when the body sections are fastened together; and (e) an externally threaded cylindrical nipple formed by one of the axially displaced ends of the assembled body sections of the first and second components for attaching a bushing thereon to keep from scaring the wire or to facilitate the attachment of a rubber grommet for ensuring a “no mess” application of soap on the wire during a pull thereof through the central opening of the assembled body sections.

The present invention also is directed to an automatic wire lubricating device which comprises: (a) first and second components each having a body section of semi-cylindrical configuration defining portion of a continuous cylindrical interior reservoir formed by the body sections when fastened together; (b) means for detachably fastening the body sections together to releasably secure the body sections of the first and second components together in order to assemble the body sections into an annular body having a cylindrical configuration and defining a central opening; (c) a coupler on an outer circumferential side of the body section of the first component connected in flow communication with the interior reservoir and adapted for attachment to a soap line coming from a pump; (d) means defined through the body sections extending from the interior reservoir to the central opening for providing flow communication from the interior reservoir to the central opening when the body sections are fastened together; and (e) tubular elements formed on opposite ends of the body sections of the first and second components which fit together so as to make a tight seal of the interior reservoir when the first and second components are fastened together.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an automatic wire lubricating device of the present invention shown in an assembled condition.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device as seen along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is another side elevational view of the device as seen along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a first component of the device representing approximately one half of the device.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the first component of the device as seen along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is another side elevational view of the first component of the device as seen along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a second component of the device representing approximately the other half of the device.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the second component of the device as seen along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is another side elevational view of the second component of the device as seen along line 9-9 of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 to 3, there is illustrated an automatic wire lubricating device, generally designated 10, of the present invention in assembled form. The device 10 basically includes first and second components 12, 14, each forming a body section 16, 18 of generally arcuate and more particularly of semi-cylindrical configuration, and detachable fastening means 20 at the opposite ends 16A, 16B and 18A, 18B of the respective body sections 16, 18 for releasably securing the first and second components 12, 14 together to provide the device 10 in the assembled condition of FIGS. 1 to 3.

Referring also to FIGS. 4 to 9, there is illustrated the first component 12 by itself in FIGS. 4 to 6 and the second component 14 by itself in FIGS. 7 to 9. The first component 12 of the device 10 has a quick connect member 22 which fits, such as by being screwed, into a pipe fitting 24 (such as ⅜ inch in size) being attached, such as by being welded, onto an outer circumferential side 16C of the body section 16 of the first component 12. The quick connect member 22 can easily and quickly be attached to a soap line (not shown) coming from a pump (also not shown). The body sections 16, 18 of the respective first and second components 12, 14 each defines one half of a continuous cylindrical interior reservoir 26 formed by the body sections 16, 18 of the first and second components 12, 14 when they are fastened together which is in flow communication with the quick connect member 22 and pipe fitting 24 on the first component 12. The body sections 16, 18 also have respective dispensing or applicator holes 28, 30 defined through the interior walls portions 16D, 18D thereof which provide flow communication between the interior reservoir. 26 and a central opening 32 formed through the device 10 by the first and second components 12, 14 thereof when the latter are fastened together.

The first and second components 12, 14 additionally have attached to one of the axially displaced sides of their body sections 16, 18 respective halves of an internally threaded cylindrical clamping flange 34 and formed at their respective angularly displaced ends 16A, 16E and 18A, 18B sleeves 36, 38 of the detachable fastening means 20 which are offset so as to align axially with one another when the first and second components 12, 14 are assembled together. The detachable fastening means 20 also includes a pair of pins 40 which are inserted through the pairs of aligned sleeves 36, 38 to hold the two body sections 16, 18 of the first and second components 12, 14 together.

Further, coupler pins 42, 44 are formed at the angularly displaced opposite ends 16A, 16B and 18A, 18B of the body sections 16, 18 of the first and second components 12, 14 which have O-rings around them and fit together so as to make a tight seal of the interior reservoir 26 when the first and second components 12, 14 are fastened together.

The device 10 is connected to and held in place on a threaded end of a conduit (not shown) by attaching the two halves of the internally threaded cylindrical clamping flange 34 about the threaded end of the conduit as explained above by inserting the pins 40 into the aligned sleeves 36, 38. When a pump feeds liquid soap through the quick connect member 22 into the interior reservoir 26, the liquid soap travels 360 degrees through the interior reservoir 26 around the device lo and squirts out through the interior dispensing or applicator holes 28, 30 onto the wire being pulled through the central opening 32 of the device 10 into the threaded end of the conduit.

The first and second components 12, 14 additionally have attached to the other of the axially displaced sides of their body sections 16, 18 respective halves of an externally threaded cylindrical nipple 46. The nipple 46 allows the attachment of a bushing thereon to keep from scaring the wire or the attachment of a rubber grommet for ensuring a “no mess” application of soap on the wire during a vertical pull thereof.

The actual physical size of the device 10 depends on the trade size of the conduit one is pulling wire through, resulting in a different size device for each trade size of conduit. Also, it should be understood that the device 10 can be manufactured by various suitable conventional methods using various suitable conventional materials and having various different configurations.

In summary, the automatic wire lubricating device 10 is a double pin clamping device that clamps over all trade size conduits and has a small male adapter or quick connect 22 that connects to either a manual or electrical pump for supplying liquid soap into the device 10 and has a plurality of interior holes 28, 30, such as four in number, from which liquid soap is dispensed evenly and completely over the wire so as to lubricate the wire as it is pulled through the central opening 32 of the device 10. The advantages of the device 10 are: (1) mess free application; (2) less cleanup; (3) less manpower required; (4) less expense; and (5) more consistent job of lubricating the wire being pulled.

It is thought that the present invention and its advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely preferred or exemplary embodiment thereof.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. Apparatus comprising

a lubricator to apply lubricant to a strand as it is pulled through the lubricator and a separate conduit, the lubricator including

a coupling feature on an internal wall of one end of the lubricator to match a corresponding coupling feature on an external wall of the conduit, and a coupling feature on an external wall of another end of the lubricator to match a corresponding coupling feature on an internal wall of a separate bushing.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 in which the strand comprises an insulated electrical wire.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 in which the coupling feature of the lubricator comprises threads.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 in which the threads comprise external threads.

19. The apparatus of claim 15 in which the lubricator also includes a second coupling feature configured to mate with a corresponding coupling feature of the conduit.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 in which the second coupling feature of the lubricator comprises threads.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 in which the threads comprise internal threads.

22. The apparatus of claim 15 in which a body of the lubricator is formed of two connectable components.

23. Apparatus comprising

a lubricator to apply lubricant to a strand as it is pulled through a separate bushing and conduit, the lubricator including an external thread to match a corresponding internal thread of a bushing, and an internal thread to match a corresponding external thread of the conduit.

24. Apparatus comprising

a lubricator to apply lubricant to a strand as it is pulled through a conduit, the lubricator comprising two body sections that can be connected to one another to form the lubricator, each of the body sections comprising a sleeve, the sleeves of the two body sections being aligned when the two body sections are connected to form the body, and a pin that slides removably into and out of the sleeves to hold the body sections together and to permit the body sections to be taken apart.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 in which the lubricator includes an axis that is aligned along the length of the strand and the pin includes an axis that is parallel to the lubricator axis.

26. The apparatus of claim 24 in which each body comprises a second sleeve, the second sleeves of the two body sections are aligned when the two body sections are connected to form the body, and a second pin slides into the second sleeves to also hold the body sections together.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 in which the lubricator includes an axis that is aligned along the length of the strand and the second pin includes an axis that is parallel to the lubricator axis.

28. The apparatus of claim 24 in which the strand comprises an insulated electrical wire or the like.

29. The apparatus of claim 19 in which

the coupling feature to mate with the bushing includes external threads that mate with internal threads of the bushing,

the coupling feature to mate with the conduit includes internal threads that mate with external threads of the conduit, and

the internal threads and the external threads on the lubricator are of the same pitch and matching diameter.

30. A method comprising

mounting a lubricator temporarily on an end of a conduit through which a strand is to be pulled,

pulling the strand through a bushing, the lubricator, and the conduit,

unmounting the lubricator and removing it from the strand without removing the bushing from the strand, and

mounting the bushing on the end of the conduit.

31. The method of claim 30 also including mounting the bushing on the lubricator before pulling the strand.

32. The method of claim 30 also including unmounting the bushing from the lubricator before mounting the bushing on the end of the conduit.

33. The method of claim 30 in which the lubricator is mounted onto the threaded end of the conduit by threading or clamping.

34. The method of claim 31 in which the bushing is mounted on the end of the conduit by threading.

35. The method of claim 30 in which the lubricator and the bushing are mounted on the end of the conduit using threads on the end of the conduit.

36. The method of claim 30 in which the bushing is mounted on the end of the conduit without necessarily passing the bushing over a free end of the strand and along a length of the strand to reach the conduit.

37. An apparatus comprising

a lubricator to apply a lubricant to a strand as it is pulled through a conduit, the lubricator having

two separable pieces that are joined to mount the lubricator around the strand,

a reservoir that holds a supply of a lubricant, the reservoir being split between the two separable pieces, and

a seal to seal the reservoir when the two pieces are joined, the seal comprising a silicone packing mounted in at least one of the pieces.

38. The apparatus of claim 37 in which the reservoir comprises a ring-shaped tube that is formed in a wall of each of the two separable pieces, the tube being split when the pieces are not joined.

39. An apparatus comprising

an adaptor to adapt an end of a conduit to enable it to receive a coupling of a lubricator when the end of the conduit is held in a wall of a manhole, the adaptor including an annular body having one end to insert into the end of the conduit and another end having a coupling to receive the coupling of the lubricator.

40. The apparatus of claim 39 in which the coupling of the adaptor comprise threading.

41. The apparatus of claim 39 in which the one end of the annular body is tapered.

42. The apparatus of claim 39 in which the adaptor comprises two pieces.

43. The apparatus of claim 39 in which the two pieces comprises halves of a cylinder.

44. The apparatus of claim 39 in which the adaptor is formed of plastic.

45. A method comprising

mounting a lubricator on an end of a conduit,

mounting a bushing on another end of the lubricator,

pumping lubricant from a supply to the lubricator, and

pulling a strand through the lubricator and through the conduit, the lubricant being dispensed onto the strand from the lubricator during the pulling.

46. The method of claim 45 also including removing the bushing from the lubricator, removing the lubricator from the conduit, and mounting the bushing on the conduit.

47. A method comprising

pulling a strand from a supply of the strand through a conduit,

at the supply end automatically lubricating the strand as it enters the conduit, and

enabling a single person to control both the delivery of the strand from the strand supply to the conduit and the rate of delivery of lubricant from a supply of the lubricant.