Cable pulling tool outlet guide device

Abstract

The guide device is a tool designed to facilitate the routing of cable pulling tools through internal wall cavities, significantly enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of installing wiring in buildings. Featuring a strategically designed chute that fits into an aperture in drywall, this device guides cables directly to their destination while being easily removable to allow for the subsequent installation of outlets or termination devices. Its design may eliminate the need for wall fasteners, using instead an engagement mechanism that stabilises the device against the edges and surrounding surfaces of the wall cavity. The device may also integrate technological features, such as a light and / or camera within the chute, provide visual assistance for navigating complex pathways, and the ability to connect to external devices for real-time monitoring.

Description

Cable pulling tool outlet guide deviceField of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates generally to a type of device designed to guide cable pulling tools from internal wall cavity outlets.Background of the Invention

[0002] A cable pulling tool (interchangeably referred to as yellow tongue, fish tape draw wire, pull wire, electricians snake, wire puller and the like) is a tool used by electricians and DIY enthusiasts alike for routing wiring through the confined spaces of walls, ceilings, and conduits. Typically made from flexible steel or fiberglass, the cable pulling tool can be housed in a reel that allows it to be unspooled and directed through narrow spaces. Its design enables it to navigate through complex paths within internal wall cavities, around obstructions, and through conduits to reach an outlet aperture or other destination points for electrical or data cable installations.

[0003] The use of the cable pulling tool generally involves inserting the leading end into a starting point, and then pushing and guiding it through the cavity until it reaches the desired exit point, such as an aperture in drywall. Once the cable pulling tool emerges, cables can be attached to its end, usually with electrical tape or a special hook, and then pulled back through the pathway it has created. This method is invaluable for installing or upgrading wiring systems without causing significant damage to walls or requiring extensive remodelling.

[0004] However, directing the cable pulling tool out from an outlet aperture is difficult due to it being obscured from view behind the wall panel. When an electrician feeds the cable pulling tool through the internal cavity of a wall to route wiring, they cannot directly see the tool's progress or its precise location behind the drywall. This lack of visibility complicates the task of guiding the distal end of the cable pulling tool to emerge precisely from the targeted outlet aperture.

[0005] The situation is further compounded by the inherent characteristics of the cable pulling tool itself. While designed for flexibility, allowing it to navigate through tight spaces and around obstacles within the wall, this same flexibility can make it difficultto precisely control, especially over longer distances or when attempting to navigate through densely packed insulation, around plumbing, or past electrical fixtures. The tool's rigidity, essential for pushing the cable pulling tool forward without bending or coiling upon itself, paradoxically makes it harder to manipulate the distal end through the last few inches to the outlet. The operator must rely on experience and feel to coax the end of the cable pulling tool towards and eventually out of the desired exit point, often requiring several attempts and adjustments to achieve success.

[0006] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.Summary of the Disclosure

[0007] There is provided herein a cable pulling tool guide device and method of utilisation thereof to streamline the process of routing cable pulling tools through internal wall cavities.

[0008] The guide device is temporarily inserted into an aperture cut through a drywall panel into an internal cavity behind the wall. This cavity might be bordered by another rear panel and framed by studs and noggins.

[0009] The guide device includes a chute that, once installed, projects into the wall cavity, guiding the cable pulling tool toward the aperture effectively.

[0010] This chute may be tailored to fit snugly through rectangular apertures whereby its design comprising a central rectangular floor with triangular sidewalls, ensuring that the cable pulling tool can be directed smoothly out of the wall.

[0011] The guide device is designed to be temporarily installed wherein it is removed after the cable pulling operation is completed, allowing for the installation of standardised outlets or other termination devices.

[0012] The guide device is preferably designed to be quickly and easily installed within the aperture without the need for wall fasteners by opposingly engaging a lower edge of the aperture rearwardly and a front surface of the wall panel and / or an internal surface of an opposite wall panel. In this regard, the guide device can be easilydropped into place to engage the aperture to support the cantilevered chute horizontally without the need for additional wall fasteners.

[0013] The guide device may incorporate technological advancements to assist the installation process. A light and / or camera integrated into the device can illuminate the cavity and provide visual guidance, ensuring accurate placement and routing of cables. This is particularly useful in complex installations, where visual access is otherwise limited.

[0014] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0016] Figure 1 shows a top perspective view of a cable pulling tool guide device in accordance with an embodiment;

[0017] Figure 2 shows a side view of the guide device;

[0018] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the installation of the device into an internal wall cavity;

[0019] Figure 4 shows a system diagram of the guide device in accordance with an embodiment;

[0020] Figure 5 shows a wall having the guide device installed in an aperture formed through a front panel thereof;

[0021] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the wall of Figure 5;

[0022] Figure 7 shows a bottom view of the guide device;

[0023] Figure 8 shows a top view of the guide device; and

[0024] Figure 9 shows a rear view of the guide device.Description of Embodiments

[0025] Figure 1 shows a guide device 100 which is configured for guiding cable pulling tool 109 from internal wall cavities 101 . With reference to Figures 5 and 6, an aperture 102 is cut through a drywall panel 103. The drywall panel 103 defines an internal wallcavity 101 therebehind. As is further shown in Figure 6, the internal wall cavity 101 may be further defined by a further rear drywall panel 103B and, with reference to Figure 5, between upper and lower noggins 104 and studs 105.

[0026] The aperture 102 is preferably rectangular and further preferably sized to accommodate a standardised GPO outlet or similar termination device.

[0027] The guide device 100 comprises a chute 106 which extends into the internal wall cavity 101 when the guide device 100 is installed within the aperture 102 in the manner shown in Figures 3 and 6.

[0028] The chute 106 is preferably designed to fit through a rectangular aperture 102. In this regard, the chute 106 may be defined between a central rectangular floor 107 and triangular sidewalls 108. When the device 100 is installed, the central rectangular floor 107 is angled towards the aperture 102.

[0029] Figure 6 illustrates cable pulling tool 109 (or similar) which is fed vertically along the internal wall cavity 101 (in this case, down the wall cavity 101 but, in embodiments the guide device 100 may be installed upside down with respect to the configuration shown in Figure 6 wherein the cable pulling tool 109 is fed upwardly through the internal wall cavity 101 ) so that the chute 106 guides the cable pulling tool 109 out through the aperture 102. As is shown in Figure 6, a distal end 110 of the cable pulling tool 109 accessibly extends from the aperture 102.

[0030] According to the configuration shown in Figure 5, a hole 11 1 may be drilled in the upper noggin 104 to feed the cable pulling tool 109 therethrough.

[0031] Electrical wiring (which can include data wiring such as Ethernet cables and the like) can then be attached to the distal end 1 10 of the cable pulling tool 109 wherein the cable pulling tool 109 is used to pull the electrical cable back along the internal wall cavity 101.

[0032] As the guide device 100 is designed only for temporary installation, the guide device 100 is removed before or after the electrical cable is pulled back through the aperture 102. Thereafter, a GPO socket, RJ 45 connector block or other electrical termination device may be installed within the aperture 102.

[0033] The guide device 100 is preferably engaged in the aperture 101 without using wall fasteners and the embodiment shown in Figure 1 is devoid of any wall fastener apertures.

[0034] In this regard, the guide device 100 may be configured to support the chute 106 by opposingly engaging a lower edge of the aperture 102 rearwardly and a front surface of the panel 103 at a location vertically offset from the lower edge. More specifically, with reference to Figure 2, the guide device 100 may comprise an exterior face 1 12 connected to the chute 106 and wherein a rear surface 1 13 of the exterior face 1 12 engages the front surface of the panel 103. Furthermore, the guide device 100 may define a rear edge 1 14 which engages the edge of the aperture 102 rearwardly. With reference to Figure 9, the rear edge may be defined by a pair of tabs 129.

[0035] As can be appreciated from the configuration shown in Figure 2, the rear edge 1 14 engaging a lower edge of the aperture 102 rearwardly and the rear surface 1 13 of the face 1 12 engaging a front surface of the panel 103 vertically adjacent the lower edge (in this case above the lower edge of the aperture 102) provides offset purchase to resist cantilever force applied by the weight of the chute 106. In accordance with this configuration, the device 100 can effectively be dropped downwardly within the aperture 102 so that the rear edge 1 14 engages the lower edge of the aperture rearwardly and whereby the offset purchase obtained by the rear edge 1 14 and the rear surface 1 13 resists the cantilever force applied by the chute 106, thereby suspending the chute 106 across the internal wall cavity 101.

[0036] A channel 1 15 defined between the rear face 1 13 and the rear edge 1 14 may be configured according to the width of the panel 103. In this regard, the width of the channel may be between 8 - 12 mm to accommodate a 10 mm thick panel 103.

[0037] As is further illustrated in Figure 6, a distal edge 1 16 of the chute 106 may be configured for engaging an interior surface 1 17 of the further rear drywall panel 103B. In this regard, horizontal force applied against the rear edge 1 16 may be opposed by the aforedescribed rear edge 1 14.

[0038] The guide device 100 may be designed for wall panels 103 set 100 mm apart. In this regard, a length between the distal edge 116 and a rear surface of the face 112 may be between 95 - 105 mm.

[0039] As is shown in Figure 7, the rear edge 1 16 may comprise a series of protrusions or spikes 118 designed to grip the interior surface 1 17 of the further rear wall panel 103B. As is illustrated in Figure 2, these spikes 118 may have an inverted triangular shape in vertical cross section to promote downward (given the orientation of Figure 2) gripping of the internal surface 1 17 of the further rear drywall panel 103B.

[0040] The guide device 100 may further comprise a handle 119 which can be held to position the chute 106 through the aperture 102. Preferably an upper surface of the handle 1 19 seamlessly contiguously interfaces an upper surface of the floor 107 of the chute 106 so that the distal end 1 10 of the cable pulling tool 109 can slide out across the handle 119 from the aperture 102.

[0041] As is shown in Figure 1 , the exterior face 112 may define an open side 128 interfacing an interior of the chute 106. This open side 128 avoids any obstruction which could interfere with the cable pulling tool 109 exiting the aperture 102.

[0042] The chute 106 may define a window 120 through which a light 121 or camera 122 is operably located. The window 120 may comprise a lens seamlessly contiguously interfaces the upper surface of the floor 107 so that the distal end 110 of the cable pulling tool 109 can slide across the window 120 without interference. The lens may be beamforming in an embodiment to direct the narrow band of light up the internal wall cavity 101 .

[0043] The light 121 may be used to shine light along the internal wall cavity 101 , including for assisting the camera 120 but also for guidance of cable pulling tool insertion 109 into the internal wall cavity 101.

[0044] The camera 122 may obtain image or video data useful for determining the internal positioning of the cable pulling tool 109 to guide the distal end 110 thereof towards the guide device 101. When using the camera 122 and drilling through a timber noggin 104 halfway up the wall cavity 101 , the camera 122 allows for real-timeviewing of the drill bit's positioning relative to the noggin 104. This ensures accuracy in drilling directly above the aperture 102.

[0045] The illumination emitted by the device 100 may also be used to precisely pinpoint the optimal drilling position in the top or bottom noggin 104 directly above or below the outlet aperture 102. Also, inserting the device 100 into the wall cavity 101 and activating the light 121 may illuminate the best location to cut out the aperture 102.

[0046] Figure 4 shows the guide device 100 comprising an internal power supply 123 for powering the light 121 and / or camera 122.

[0047] With reference to Figure 2 and 7, the guide device 100 may comprise an electronic housing 123 which may house the light 121 , camera 122, rechargeable batteries and associated componentry.

[0048] The external face 1 12 may comprise a switch 131 (which may take the form of a power button) for controlling the light 121 (or the camera 122 in embodiments). Furthermore, the face 1 12 may comprise a data cable (such as USB-C compatible) port 124 for connecting a data cable 125 between the camera 122 and an electronic device 126 such as a mobile communication device to view image and / or video data obtained by the camera 122 on a digital display 127 of the electronic device 126. The port 124 may also be used for recharging the battery. The face 1 12 may further comprise a charge state indicator 132 indicating the residual charge state of the rechargeable battery of the device 100.

[0049] Alternatively, the guide device 100 may comprise a wireless transceiver to wirelessly transmit image and / or video data to the electronic device 126 for remote viewing. The wireless transceiver may be a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi wireless transceiver.

[0050] In summary, the present device 100 and method of use thereof offers a number of advantages over the conventional arrangement of installing wiring which typically involves cutting a hole in an internal plasterboard wall at a specific location using a template, identifying this cut-out location from within the ceiling space, drilling a hole in the timber top noggin directly above the cut-out, attaching the necessary cables to a cable pulling tool and feeding it through the drilled hole towards the cut-out until anassistant (if available) confirms the arrival of the yellow tongue and helps pull it through.

[0051] In contradistinction however, the present device 100 fits into the plasterboard wall cavity aperture 102 (preferably with dimensions compatible with standard wall outlet cut-outs and the typical depth of wall cavities used in residential (90mm) and commercial (64mm) applications. The device 100 features an angled surface to direct the yellow tongue out of the wall cut-out effectively upon contact thereby avoiding the need for an assistant or iterative inspection of the aperture 102.

[0052] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims1 . A method comprising: cutting an aperture through a drywall panel; temporarily installing a guide device in the wall, wherein the guide device defines an angled chute which extends into an internal wall cavity defined by the panel; feeding cable pulling tool vertically along the internal wall cavity to the guide device so that the chute guides the cable pulling tool out through the aperture; using the cable pulling tool to pull electrical cable back along the internal wall cavity; removing the guide device from the wall before or after using the cable pulling tool to pull the electrical cable back along the internal wall cavity.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising installing a GPO outlet in the aperture and connecting the GPO outlet to the electrical cable.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising engaging the guide device to the drywall panel without using fasteners.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the guide device is devoid of wall fastener apertures.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the guide device is configured to support the chute by opposingly engaging a lower edge of the aperture rearwardly and a front surface of the panel vertically offset from the lower edge.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the guide device comprises an exterior face connected to the chute and wherein a rear surface of the exterior face engages the front surface.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the guide device defines a rear edge configured to engage the lower edge.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the guide device defines a channel between the rear edge and the rear surface and wherein a width of the channel is configured according to a width of the panel.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the channel has a width of 8 - 12 mm.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the cavity is further defined by a rear drywall panel and wherein a distal edge of the chute is configured to engage an interior surface of the rear drywall panel.1 1 . The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the guide device defines an exterior face and wherein the chute has a length between the distal edge and a rear surface of the face of between 95 - 105mm.

13. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the guide device is configured to support the chute opposingly between a lower edge of the aperture and the interior surface.

14. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the guide device further comprises a handle and wherein an upper surface thereof contiguously interfaces an upper surface of the chute.

15. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the guide device defines an exterior face connected to the chute and wherein the exterior face defines an open side interfacing an interior of the chute.

16. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the internal wall cavity is further defined between wall studs and a timber noggin and wherein the method further comprises drilling a hole through the noggin for the cable pulling tool.

17. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a light is operatively orientated to shine light from a central portion of the chute to illuminate the internal wall cavity.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein a light lens contiguously interfaces the upper surface of a floor of the chute.

19. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the guide device defines a face and wherein the face comprises a switch for controlling the light.

20. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a camera is operatively orientated from the chute to obtain a view within the internal wall cavity.21 . The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the guide device defines a face and wherein the face comprises a data cable port interfacing the camera.

22. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the guide device comprises a wireless transceiver operably coupled to the camera.

23. A guide device comprising a chute wherein the guide device is configured to support the chute through a drywall panel aperture without fasteners by opposingly engaging a lower edge of the aperture rearwardly and a front surface of the drywall panel vertically offset from the lower edge.

24. A guide device comprising a chute wherein the guide device is configured to support the chute through a drywall panel aperture without fasteners by opposingly engaging a lower edge of the aperture and an interior surface of a further rear drywall panel.

25. A system comprising a drywall panel having an aperture cut therethrough and having a guide device installed therein wherein the guide device defines an angled chute which extends into an internal wall cavity defined by the panel and a cable pulling tool vertically transitioning the internal wall cavity and directed by the angled chute from the aperture.

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