Abstract: A connector for connecting a pull string to a tube or cable for pulling the tube or cable through a duct. When an obstructing edge stops progress, the connector converts additional pull string tension into a rotation force that enables the connector header to pivot on the obstructing edge until it slips and passes by the obstructing edge.

Abstract: An apparatus fish's telecommunication or electrical wiring, optical cables or conduit behind walls without need for a plurality of drilled holes or cutting slots. The apparatus has a central drive shaft comprising a magnetic mouse; a string; and a permanent magnet. The magnetic mouse comprises a sheet cut from a soft magnetic sheet material, coated with a low friction surface finish. It is attached to the string and dropped through a first hole location in the wall into a common bay between joists behind the wall. Following insertion, the magnetic mouse is driven from the first hole location to a second hole location by a permanent magnet, which is translated over the ceiling or interior of the wall. Translation of the permanent magnet moves the magnetic mouse inside the ceiling or wall, carrying the string through the common bay from said second hole location to said first hole location, thereby establishing a fishing line.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for pulling communication cable through conduit. The apparatus has a winch mounted to a stand. The stand includes a base connected to an upper frame by at least three supports. At least one of the supports is pivotally mounted to at least one of the base and the upper frame such that the upper frame collapses toward the base. The stand is positioned above the conduit, the communication cable is attached to the winch, and the winch is used to pull the communication cable through the conduit.

Abstract: A cable leader includes an elongated cylindrical body with a pointed leading end and a hollow tubular end. The tubular end cavity includes an axially tapered inner wall. In one embodiment, the inner wall includes a plurality of axially spaced circumferential bites of progressively decreasing diameter to engage and grip the end of a cable pushed into the tubular end. In another embodiment, the inner wall includes internal threads of progressively decreasing diameter for threading onto the end of a cable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus or tool for pulling wire through a wall or panel formed by spaced apart vertical studs, a plate at one end of said studs, and opposed wall panels mounted on said studs. An opening is cut through one of the wall panels between the studs and a hole is drilled in the plate using a long, flexible drill bit. A wire stringing tool formed by an elongated stiffly flexible rod at least partially covered with an elongated, flexible, expandable and contractible woven sleeve is inserted through the opening between the panels and through the drilled hole. The rod and sleeve is slightly retracted to form a loop in the sleeve at the inserted end of the sleeve-covered rod. The loop in the sleeve is hooked with an elongated hooking rod and the sleeve is pulled through the hole to position its other cut end at a point remote therefrom.

Abstract: A system for pulling wire over or through structural members of a building, including an elongate shuttle, including a leading end and a trailing end. Connecting means are associated with the shuttle, and are configured for connecting to the shuttle a wire to be pulled by the shuttle. An interlock device, separate from the shuttle is selectively and releasably engagable with the shuttle. Engaging means, are associated with the shuttle and selectively and releasably engagable by the interlock device for transferring force from the interlock device to the shuttle to move the shuttle. A method for pulling wire through or over structural members of a building is also provided and includes the steps of connecting a portion of the wire to an elongate shuttle; physically engaging the shuttle with an interlock device at a first location; and feeding the shuttle, and thus the wire to be pulled, with the interlock device from the first location to a second location.

Abstract: A device and method for clamping and pulling an elongated item such as a wire or cable through a path such as in a conduit for a main body with a bore, and inwardly directed pivoting teeth. The teeth are arranged in circular bands. The end of the item is gripped after insertion of the item, and is cut off and ejected when the pulling is completed.

Abstract: An electrical wire pulling apparatus for pulling for electrical cable into an electrical circuit housing includes an elongated member having a top end and a bottom end. An upper bracket is attached to the elongated member and is removably attachable to the housing. A lower bracket is attached to the elongated member. The lower bracket is removably attachable to the pair of side walls of the housing. A saddle is removably attached to the elongated member. A motor is removably positioned in the saddle. A shaft is attached to the motor and extends outwardly away from the saddle. The motor selectively rotates the shaft. The shaft is orientated generally perpendicular to the elongated member. Electrical cable may be extended through the aperture and attached to the shaft such that the cable is pulled through the aperture and wound on the shaft.

Abstract: A means for encasing a connection zone formed by joining an end of a fish tape to an object, e.g., a cable or wire, to be fished through an opening and/or conduit. The encasing means preferably is a protective guide being a hollow tube generally cone or funnel shaped for encasing the connection zone. By encasing the connection zone, the protective guide creates a smooth transition from the relatively small fish tape wire to the relatively large object being fished. The protective guide reduces the likelihood of the connection zone getting snagged on an opening or conduit through which a wire or cable is to be fished. The protective guide can have one or more lateral slits through its outer surface and extending from a second larger end toward a first smaller end for decreasing the outside diameter of the protective guide upon the exertion of pressure against the protective guide.

Abstract: A wire guide for electrical boxes utilizes a wire-guiding and support pulley mounted to the front of an attachment plate to feed or retrieve wire or cable from an electrical box. An access aperture provides access to the electrical box for hands or tools. Attachment screws 302 secure attachment plate to the electrical box through a plurality of attachment holes. Multiple attachment hole patterns allow use of the guide with various types of electrical boxes and allow attachment of the guide for vertical and horizontal offsets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for retrieving a cable that has become stuck or wedged during the process of installation of the cable in an underground conduit. A projectile is sent down the opposite end of the conduit by pressurized air to engage a receiver attached to the leading edge of the stuck cable. After engagement of the projectile and the receiver the two are latched together. A retrieval line attached to the projectile can then be pulled from the open end of the conduit to free the wedged cable and extract the cable from the open end of the conduit.

Abstract: A tool is disclosed which comprises a chute with a ratcheting mechanism that jacks a cable through the chute to the desired remote location. The ratcheting mechanism comprises two “dogs” that work in tandem, the first to grip and advance the cable and the second to prevent the cable from retracting as the first is repositioned back along the cable. The first “dog” is mounted on a plunger in a chamber which is connected to the chute. The second “dog” is mounted in a retained attached to the chamber opposite the chute.

Abstract: An improved cable pulling device and method is shown. The cable pulling device is smaller, less expensive, and easy to use for lateral line replacement. The cable pulling device includes a cable contacting portion that provides supplemental frictional force during a rotational pulling stroke. Among other advantages, this allows a smaller, more compact design that provides higher gripping and pulling power. Embodiments as described above further allow for a smooth jaw configuration that reduces cable damage. A cable pulling device is also shown that includes a configuration of a force distributing device. One embodiment includes substantially orthogonal plates that help to reduce device twisting during a pulling operation. In a further embodiment, a force distributing device is adapted for attachment to a ground working implement arm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus or tool for pulling wire through a wall or panel formed by spaced apart vertical studs, a plate at one end of said studs, and opposed wall panels mounted on said studs. An opening is cut through one of the wall panels between the studs and a hole is drilled in the plate using a long, flexible drill bit. A wire stringing tool formed by an elongated stiffly flexible rod at least partially covered with an elongated, flexible, expandable and contractible woven sleeve is inserted through the opening between the panels and through the drilled hole. The rod and sleeve is slightly retracted to form a loop in the sleeve at the inserted end of the sleeve-covered rod. The loop in the sleeve is hooked with an elongated hooking rod and the sleeve is pulled through the hole to position its other cut end at a point remote therefrom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for retrieving a cable that has become stuck or wedged during the process of installation of the cable in an underground conduit. A projectile is sent down the opposite end of the conduit by pressurized air to engage a receiver attached to the leading edge of the stuck cable. After engagement of the projectile and the receiver the two are latched together. A retrieval line attached to the projectile can then be pulled from the open end of the conduit to free the wedged cable and extract the cable from the open end of the conduit.

Abstract: A Retractor device for capturing wire within an enclosed space and extracting the wire outside the space. The device utilizes a flexible tape coiled around a spool in the device housing.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a sleeve comprising a nub, the sleeve sized to receive a bar. The apparatus further includes a movable spindle with a bracket. The bracket is sized to fit over either of the bar and the nub.

Abstract: A cable rack mounted cable puller and installation system for removably attaching to a cable rack and efficiently removing/installing cable upon the cable rack. The cable rack mounted cable puller and installation system includes a first support frame attachable to a first rail upon a cable rack, and a second support frame attachable to a second rail upon the cable rack. A shaft is rotatably supported between the upper portions of the support frames to receive a length of cable. A plurality of securing brackets are pivotally attached to a base of the support frames to selectively surround the rails. A plurality of securing fasteners within the securing brackets allow for tightening of the support frames to the rails. A coupler is attached to an end of the shaft for connecting a powered tool thereto to drive the shaft for pulling or dispensing cable. The support frames are preferably comprised of an extendable structure for accommodating cables positioned at various heights.

Abstract: A center drive device for use with a fish tape apparatus is provided. The center drive device includes a body portion for engaging a central opening defined by the fish tape apparatus and securing the center drive device thereto. The center drive device is frictionally secured to the fish tape apparatus, such as by an interference fit. The center drive device also includes a drive fitting positioned coaxially with the central opening of the fish tape apparatus. The drive fitting is adapted for engagement with a powered driver for reeling in a flexible tape attached to the wire pulling device. A fish tape apparatus is also provided having a reel and an integrally formed center drive device.

Abstract: A fishtape is adapted for being fed through an internal passageway of a structure. The fishtape includes an elongated, flexible rod with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced, longitudinal ribs. The ribs are adapted to promote the fishability of the fishtape through the internal passageway of the structure.

Abstract: Wire or cable pulling apparatus, comprising in combination a stand including an upright pedestal and a base supporting the pedestal; a frame mounted on the pedestal; a rotary axle supported by the frame, and a wire or cable pulling capstan carried by the axle, there also being a coupler associated with the axle for coupling an electrically powered driving tool in rotary driving relation with the axle and capstan; a boom having one end carried by the frame, and an idler carried proximate the opposite end of the boom, for entrainment by the cable or wire being pulled in response to capstan rotation when the boom is in operating position, extending at a first angle relative to the frame, the boom having a stored position in which the boom extends at a second angle relative to the frame.

Abstract: A cable guide is provided for guiding lines or cables in a guide channel, the guide preferably having a continuous, elongated slide strip, which can be disposed in a curved orientation to form opposite upper and lower strands and a deflection zone between them. The cable guide has a plurality of guide links that can pivot relative to one another and are preferably arranged on the side of the slide strip facing away from the opposite strand and mounted on the slide strip in detachable fashion. In order to improve a generic cable guide such that it has a longer service life and less noise emission, elements are provided, in addition to any existing slide strip, that absorb the tensile forces acting in the longitudinal direction of the cable guide when it is in essentially extended position. The tensile force-absorbing elements are preferably designed as positive locking elements, e.g., in the form of projections protruding into the pivoting plane and corresponding recesses arranged on adjacent guide links.

Abstract: This is concerned with a fish tape reel assembly in the nature of an annular tape reel formed by mating together two substantially identical hollow annular segments and including a winder-puller mechanism which is mounted between the outer lip of the two annular segments so that the fish tape contained therein may be wound and unwound by rotating the winder-puller mechanism around the periphery of the reel. The winder-puller mechanism includes a handle and a means for a grasping the fish tape so that the fish tape extended from the reel may be pulled through conduit using the grip of the handle.

Abstract: A fish tape feed mechanism that is electrically powered and which feeds a fish tape into as well out of a section of electrical conduit. The fish tape feed mechanism includes a housing, an electrically powered motor drive assembly, a fish tape drive assembly, and a drive mechanism mechanically linked between the electrically powered motor drive assembly and the non-electrically conductive drive wheel of the fish tape drive assembly.

Abstract: A method for drawing a cable which inherently lacks tensile strength into cable channels or cable pipes includes providing a tensile yarn skin on the end of the cable before the step of drawing the cable into the channels or pipes. The yarn skin can either be a net hose or a spin-wrap applied onto the cable. One application of the method is the connection of the cable incoming at a terminal tower to a switching center or exchange.

Abstract: A fish tape feed mechanism that is electrically powered and which feeds a fish tape into as well out of a section of electrical conduit. The fish tape feed mechanism includes a housing, an electrically powered motor drive assembly, a fish tape drive assembly, and a drive mechanism mechanically linked between the electrically powered motor drive assembly and the non-electrically conductive drive wheel of the fish tape drive assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a frame having a drive shaft mounting portion and a power tool restraint portion, wherein the power tool restraint portion is adapted to register a portable rotary power tool, such as a power drill, with the frame. A drive shaft is mounted with the frame in the drive shaft mounting portion, wherein the drive shaft may be rotated about its longitudinal axis and a first end of the drive shaft is sized to be coupled with a rotary output of the power tool. A frame switch having an “off” position and an “on” position is also mounted on the frame, the frame switch engaging a power switch on the power tool when the frame switch is moved from the “off”position to the “on” position and when such a tool is mounted in the restraint portion and coupled to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A power driven fish tape includes a handle and a spool. The handle rides along the peripheral surface of the spool and feeds a metal strip fish line into or out of the spool. The handle includes a first gear which drives a second gear on the spool. The drive gear can be attached to a portable drill which permits the fish tape to be fed or rewound using the power drill.

Abstract: A cable guide is provided for guiding lines or cables in a guide channel, the guide preferably having a continuous, elongated slide strip, which can be disposed in a curved orientation to form opposite upper and lower strands and a deflection zone between them. The cable guide has a plurality of guide links that can pivot relative to one another and are preferably arranged on the side of the slide strip facing away from the opposite strand and mounted on the slide strip in detachable fashion. In order to improve a generic cable guide such that it has a longer service life and less noise emission, elements are provided, in addition to any existing slide strip, that absorb the tensile forces acting in the longitudinal direction of the cable guide when it is in essentially extended position. The tensile force-absorbing elements are preferably designed as positive locking elements, e.g., in the form of projections protruding into the pivoting plane and corresponding recesses arranged on adjacent guide links.

Abstract: The invention herein is an improved structure for facilitating and easing the process of threading electrical lines or cables into and through the interior of a pipe member comprising a longitudinally extending insert member, such insert member having a rounded undersurface to fit conformingly into the interior of the pipe member, and further wherein such insert member is provided with a channel on the upper surface with such channel having a rounded bottom, and further where such insert member has a downwardly sloped cammed surface on the one end to receive the cable as it moves into the insert member before being drawn into the pipe member.

Abstract: A snake apparatus with a phosphorescent coating used for feeding electrical wires through spaces contained within existing structures. The snake apparatus with phosphorescent coating is easy to use, electrically non-conductive and capable of providing sufficient luminescence to enable the snake apparatus to be visible without the benefit of ambient light several hours later.

Abstract: A method for drawing a cable which inherently lacks tensile strength into cable channels or cable pipes includes providing a tensile yarn skin on the end of the cable before the step of drawing the cable into the channels or pipes. The yarn skin can either be a net hose or a spin-wrap applied onto the cable. One application of the method is the connection of the cable incoming at a terminal tower to a switching center or exchange.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an electric wire fish implement including fiberglass sections which are connected to each other to form an elongated implement which is used to introduce wires into inaccessible locations. The fiberglass sections are connected to each other by way of connectors at each end of the sections. The connectors are made of brass so that they can easily be attached to the fiberglass section ends by impressed dimples. one of the connectors is a female connector having a cylindrical recess therein. The other connector is made up in the same way but a threaded male stud is inserted therein and securely and permanently fastened therein. The male stud has a shore hardness considerably greater than the sleeve material. This stud helps to avoid breakage of the connection between the fiberglass sections when subjected to extreme or undesirable bends. There is also disclosed a way of quickly connecting or disconnecting various sections to or from each other, respectively.

Abstract: A fish tape reel assembly includes a housing having a peripheral wall defining an outer wall of a cavity having a center. A housing handle is attached to the peripheral wall, and a fish tape cassette is rotatably mounted in the cavity. The cassette rotates in the cavity to wind and unwind fish tape thereon to retract or extend the tape to and from the housing in a feed direction which is perpendicular to the housing handle. A handle on the cassette pivots to lock the cassette into a locked position which prevents the cassette from rotating. A fish tape end piece is wedge shaped to create a path between surfaces requiring separation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to allow one person to feed a fishtape through a conduit into an electrical circuit panel box 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) 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 i

Abstract: A cable puller including a flat plate with a front end and a rear end. The plate has an aperture adjacent the front end for attachment to a drag line and an opening adjacent the rear end for attachment to a number of cables. The opening has a rear side with a number of spaced-apart fingers defining slots therebetween for the individual placement of the cables.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus means for pulling an elongated article (3) through a curved tube (1),—such as the lower portion of a J-tube where the pulled end of the article is provided with a rigid installation head (2). The pulling apparatus includes a rod and ball device (5), the rod (6) being inserted through the ball (7) so that the rod extends from both sides of the ball,—one end (8) of the rod being attached to the head,—and the other end (9) of the rod being attached to a pulling wire (4).