Cable puller

Abstract

The invention relates to the installation of cables, in particular the installation of cables indoors, using an apparatus suitable for this task. The invention relates to a cable puller (100) for installing a cable, the cable puller comprising a body (101), a track (102), and a first wheel (105) and a second wheel (106). The cable puller (100) further comprises a triangular structure (107) having a third side (111) between an opposite end (112) of a first side (108) and an opposite end (113) of a second side (109), and the third side (111) comprises a distance adjustment device (114) for moving the first wheel (105) and the second wheel (106) closer to and further from each other, said moving away having the effect that the first wheel (105) and the second wheel (106) press the cable against the track (102). [Figure 1]

Description

Title of the invention: Cable puller

[0001] Technological field: The invention relates to the installation of cables, in particular the installation of cables indoors, using an apparatus suitable for this task. Background of the technology

[0002] In this context, a cable is understood to mean a power cable or a telecommunications cable. Generally, light and small diameter cables are installed using an installation pipe. Heavy cables, which are long and large in diameter, are installed without an installation pipe. Outdoors, heavy cables are laid at the bottom of an excavation, and then the excavation is covered with rocks or earth.

[0003] The present application relates to the installation of a relatively heavy cable inside a building or, generally, indoors. The surface materials located in the path of installation have different friction characteristics. In addition to the mass of the cable, the friction characteristics affect the force required to move the cable.

[0004] If the cable to be installed is a power cable, copper or aluminum conductors are located inside the cable's protective sheath. Copper conducts electricity perfectly but does not withstand traction well. The optical fibers inside a telecommunications cable are also fragile. Therefore, damage to the cable or its protective sheath is a cause for concern when installing the cable.

[0005] A cable manufacturer indicates in its specifications the maximum force allowed to be used in the installation. The force is indicated in units of mass, for example in kilograms (kg) or pounds (lb). The mass of a long cable is large, which means that the cable does not move under the effect of minor power and is damaged under the effect of major power.

[0006] An installation path between the starting point and the finishing point is sometimes long and winding and may include ascents and / or descents. Then, in addition to a winch, other devices are required for the installation of the cable. The device relating to the invention is called a cable puller / cable feeder or cable pusher, because it pulls and pushes a cable. The cable puller can be realized, for example, using an electric motor and two wheels with a friction surface. This device is used in such a way that the cable is placed between the wheels and when the wheels rotate in opposite directions, they move the cable.

[0007] Particularly in confined spaces, the cable puller must be small and lightweight so that it can be handled as easily as possible. Summary of the invention

[0008] One aspect of the invention is to solve the technical challenge mentioned above, namely that a cable puller must be small, light and easily movable. If necessary, a number of cable pullers are placed on the installation path of a cable. It is thus possible to install even a very long cable without damaging it during installation.

[0009] One aspect of the invention is to use a track as well as wheels in the implementation of a cable puller. When the cable is intended to be moved by the track, the wheels have the function of pressing the cable against the friction surface of the track. The wheels are adjustable using a mechanism that resembles a geometric triangle and is called a "triangular structure".

[0010] A cable puller according to the invention comprises

[0011] a body,

[0012] a track with a friction surface,

[0013] a power source for operating the track, and

[0014] a first wheel and a second wheel for pressing the cable against the track.

[0015] The cable puller further comprises

[0016] a triangular structure such that in the triangular structure,

[0017] the first wheel is located on a first side and the second wheel is located on a second side, and

[0018] one end of the first side and one end of the second side may be attached to the body using at least one pin, and

[0019] in the triangular structure, a third side is located between an opposite end of the first side and an opposite end of the second side, and the third side includes a distance adjustment device for moving the first wheel and the second wheel closer to and further from each other, said moving further apart causing the first wheel and the second wheel to press the cable against the friction surface of the track. Brief description of the drawings

[0020] For a more complete understanding of the examples and embodiments of the present invention, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0021] [Fig.l] shows a cable puller without cable,

[0022] [Fig.2] shows the cable puller during the installation of a cable,

[0023] [Fig.3] shows various implementations of a triangular structure,

[0024] [Fig.4] shows a cable puller equipped with groups of wheels,

[0025] [Fig.5] shows a triangular structure which can be fixed by a quick lock,

[0026] [Fig.6] shows details of the quick lock,

[0027] [Fig.7] shows the quick lock equipped with a pull button. Detailed description of the invention

[0028] It is understood that the following embodiments in the specification are exemplary and that, although text describing one embodiment may refer to another embodiment, the reference is generally only an option. Features of different embodiments may be combined to form new embodiments.

[0029] [Fig.l] shows a cable puller 100 for cable installations (a cable is omitted in the figure). The cable puller 100 comprises a body 101, a track 102 with a friction surface 103, a power source 104 for rotating the track 102, and a first wheel 105 and a second wheel 106 for pressing a cable against the track 102. The power source 104 is coupled to the track 102 via a transmission comprising toothed wheels and axles.

[0030] The cable puller 100 further comprises the following triangular structure 107 which is formed of three sides and resembles a geometric triangle.

[0031] The first wheel 105 is located on a first side 108 of the triangular structure 107 and the second wheel 106 is located on a second side 109. The end of the first side 108 and the end of the second side 109 are fixed to the body 101 by at least one axle 110.

[0032] In the triangular structure 107, a third side 111 is located between the opposite end 112 of the first side 108 and the opposite end 113 of the second side 109. The third side 111 comprises a distance adjustment device 114 which allows the first wheel 105 and the second wheel 106 to be moved closer to or further away from each other.

[0033] When the first wheel 105 and the second wheel 106 move away from each other, i.e. the distance between them increases, a cable is pressed by the first wheel 105 and the second wheel 106 against the friction surface 103 of the track 102.

[0034] The track 102 is composed of (rectangular) parts which are fixed to each other and an outer surface of each part serves as a friction surface 103. The friction surface 103 is made for example of synthetic rubber or silicone.

[0035] In one embodiment, the first wheel 105 comprises a groove and the second wheel 106 comprises the same type of groove for a cable.

[0036] In one embodiment, the body 101 of the cable puller 100 is made of aluminum. Aluminum weighs about one-third compared to steel, which makes it possible to considerably reduce the weight of the cable puller 100 by using aluminum. The body 101 comprises, for example, U-shaped sections 116 and a plate 117 which are fixed to each other by bolts and nuts.

[0037] In one embodiment, the power source 104 for use in the cable puller 100 is a brushless electric motor 118, because a brushless electric motor is more durable than a brushed electric motor and has less friction and provides greater power.

[0038] During installation of the cable, the cable must remain on the track 102. Therefore, the cable puller 100 includes guide rollers on each side of the track 102, such as a guide roller 119. During installation, the cable puller 100 must remain in place, which is why the cable puller includes shackles, such as a shackle 120.

[0039] In one embodiment, the distance adjustment device 114 is a tensioner. The distance adjustment device 114 comprises an opening 121 through which a bar can be pushed, and depending on the direction of rotation of the bar, the ends of the distance adjustment device 114 move towards or away from each other. In another embodiment, the distance adjustment device 114 is motorized and / or remote-controlled.

[0040] [Fig.2] shows the cable puller 100 in preparation for the installation of a cable 200. The cable 200 is either a power cable or a telecommunications cable. The end of the cable 200 is pushed between the first wheel 105 and the track 102 and between the second wheel 106 and the track 102.

[0041] Then, the first wheel 105 and the second wheel 106 are moved away from each other using the distance adjustment device 114. The cable 200 is placed in a groove 115 in the first wheel 105 and in a corresponding groove in the second wheel 106, and the purpose of these grooves is to keep the cable in the middle of the track 102 in the installation. In one embodiment, the power source 104 to be used in the cable puller 100 is electrically operated. In another embodiment, the power source 104 is operated by compressed air or hydraulically, i.e. by compressed liquid.

[0042] In one embodiment, the power source 104 to be used in the cable puller 100 is a permanent magnet motor 201 that operates on alternating current. The advantages of the permanent magnet motor 201 are its reduced size and weight compared to an induction motor or a direct current motor. Thus, the permanent magnet motor 201 has a large power relative to its weight. The cable puller 100 further comprises a frequency converter 202 for adjusting the power. The power of the permanent magnet motor 201 is continuously adjusted using the frequency converter 202. Therefore, the power source 104 does not require a gearbox that would increase the weight of the cable puller 100.

[0043] In one embodiment, the first side 108 and the second side 109 of the triangular structure 107 are binomial. The first side 108 comprises a first rod 203 and a second rod 204, and the second side 109 comprises two rods corresponding. The first rod 203 and the second rod 204 are fixed at their ends at least by an axis 110 to the body 101. An object 205, which can be rotated by hand, covers the head of the axis. The first rod 203 and the second rod 204 are further fixed to each other at their opposite ends by a common axis 206. The distance adjustment device 114 has at its end an opening through which the common axis 206 extends. The distance adjustment device 114 is correspondingly fixed to the second side 109 of the triangular structure 107.

[0044] The cables to be installed may have different diameters, which means that the triangular structure 107 comprises fixing openings at different heights for the first wheel 105 and the second wheel 106. In this example, the fixing openings are located at four heights.

[0045] The first wheel is secured to the triangular structure 107 by a bolt that extends through a securing opening included in the first rod 203. The second rod 204 has a corresponding opening for securing the first wheel to the triangular structure 107 by a bolt.

[0046] [Fig. 3] shows in a first view 300 and in a second view 310 two alternative implementations for the triangular structure 107.

[0047] The first view 300 shows the triangular structure 107 and a portion of the track 102 seen from the side. A bracket 301 is welded to the body 101 of the cable puller 100, and on the opposite side there is a corresponding bracket comprising an opening for an axle.

[0048] In the first view 300, the end of the first side 108 and the end of the second side 109 are fixed with at least one pin 110 via the support 301 and via another support to the body 101. In this implementation, only one pin, namely pin 302, is needed to fix the triangular structure 107 to the body 101. The head of pin 302 is visible because the part that can be rotated by hand and that is shown in the previous figure is detached from pin 302.

[0049] The second view 310 shows another type of triangular structure 107 and a portion of the track 102 seen from the side. At least one pin 110 for securing the triangular structure 107 to the body 101 comprises, in this embodiment, a first pin 311 and a second pin 312 which are, e.g., bolts. The first pin 311 secures the first side 108 of the triangular structure 107 via a bracket 313 to the body of the cable puller 100 and the second pin 312 secures the second side 109 via another bracket 314 to the body 101. Nuts may be used in the fastening.

[0050] Also in the second view 310, the distance adjustment device 114 operates in the same manner as before. More specifically, when the distance adjustment device 114 is extended by a user, the first wheel 105 and the second wheel 106 move closer to the track 102.

[0051] [Fig.4] shows a cable puller 100 in which the triangular structure 107 is provided with groups of wheels. The purpose of this embodiment of cable puller is to press a cable on more than two wheels against the track 102. The track 102 then grips the cable more firmly.

[0052] The cable puller 100 comprises a first axle 401 for fixing a first group of wheels 402 via its hook 403 to the first side 108 of the triangular structure 107. The cable puller 100 further comprises a second axle 404 for fixing a second group of wheels 405 via its hook 406 to the second side 109 of the triangular structure 107.

[0053] The triangular structure 107 is implemented such that the first wheel 105 and at least one other wheel 407 are included in the first group of wheels 402 and the second wheel 106 and at least one other wheel are included in the second group of wheels 405.

[0054] In one embodiment, the first wheel 105 and the second wheel 106 do not have a groove because they both include a friction surface 408. In one embodiment, all of the wheels in the first wheel group 402 have the friction surface, and all of the wheels in the second wheel group 405 have the friction surface.

[0055] [Fig. 5] shows the triangular structure 107 to be fixed by a quick lock 500, in which the triangular structure 107 is seen from the side and the triangular structure 107 is located above the cable puller 100 before locking it. A locking bar 501 functions in the cable puller 100 as at least one axle 110, and it fixes the triangular structure 107 to the body 101.

[0056] The body 101 comprises at least one inlet for the locking bar 501. The embodiment shown in [Fig.5] comprises two inlets, one above the locking bar 501 and the other on the opposite side of the body 101. A fork portion 502, necessary for locking, is formed at the end of the first side 108 of the triangular structure 107.

[0057] In the embodiment shown in [Fig. 5], the fork portion 502 is a part that is fixed by welding to the first side 108. The first side 108, the fork portion 502 and the second side 109 are fixed to each other, e.g. by a bolt-nut connection 503. In another embodiment, the fork portion 502 has been included in the first side 108 when making the first side 108.

[0058] [Fig.6] shows details of the quick lock in three views.

[0059] In a first view 600, the body 101 and the track 102 are observed from a bird's eye view. The locking bar 501 extends through the body 101, so that its end 601 and its other end 602 are visible. A taper 603 is formed at the end 601. The diameter of the locking bar 501 is smaller at the thinning 603 than elsewhere in the locking bar 501. The other end 602 comprises a corresponding thinning.

[0060] A second view 610 shows the locking bar 501 and the fork portion 502 viewed from the side. The fork portion 502 includes an opening 611 that extends to a circle-shaped inlet 612. At the taper, the diameter of the locking bar 501 is indicated by a dotted line. This diameter is less than the width of the opening 611.

[0061] A third view 620 shows the locking bar 501 and the fork portion 502 viewed from the side. The fork portion 502 has been moved through the opening 611 towards the locking bar 501. Then, the locking bar 501 is located inside the fork portion 502, more precisely it is located in the circle-shaped entrance 612. After that, the fork portion 502 can be locked onto the locking bar 501 by moving the locking bar 501 so that the thinning provided to it moves outside the fork portion 502. In one embodiment, a stop 621 is attached (by welding) to the body of the cable puller. The stop 621 ensures the mobility of the locking bar 501 because it prevents too much downward movement of the fork portion 502.

[0062] [Fig.7] shows the quick lock that is made for the cable puller 100 and that comprises a pull knob 701 and a stop 621. In one embodiment, screw threads are formed on the head of the locking bar, and the pull knob 701 comprises threads for said screw threads in order to fix the pull knob 701 on the head of the locking bar. By pulling (or pushing) the pull knob 701, the thinning of the locking bar moves outside the fork portion 502. The triangular structure 107 is thus locked between the fork portion 502 and the locking bar and, on the opposite side of the body 101, between a corresponding fork portion and the opposite end of the locking bar.

[0063] The triangular structure 107 is detachable from the body 101 by pulling the pull button 701 (or pushing it) so that the thinning moves inside the fork portion 502.

[0064] The invention is defined in the following claims.

Claims

Claims

1. A cable puller (100) for installing a cable, the cable puller comprising a body (101), a track (102) with a friction surface (103), a power source (104) for operating the track (102), and a first wheel (105) and a second wheel (106) for pressing the cable against the track, characterized in that the cable puller (100) further comprises a triangular structure (107) such that in the triangular structure (107) the first wheel (105) is located on a first side (108) and the second wheel (106) is located on a second side (109), and one end of the first side (108) and one end of the second side (109) can be fixed to the body (101) using at least one axle (110), and in the triangular structure (107), a third side (111) is located between an opposite end (112) of the first side (108) and an opposite end (113) of the second side (109),and the third side (111) comprises a distance adjustment device (114) for moving the first wheel (105) and the second wheel (106) closer to and further apart from each other, said moving apart having the effect that the first wheel (105) and the second wheel (106) press the cable against the friction surface (103) of the track (102).,

2. The cable puller according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (101) included in the cable puller is made of aluminum.

3. The cable puller according to claim 1, characterized in that the power source (104) included in the cable puller is a permanent magnet motor (201).

4. The cable puller according to claim 3, characterized in that the cable puller comprises a frequency converter (202) for adjusting the power of the permanent magnet motor (201).

Images