Fish Tape Shield Coupler for Live Enclosure Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of fish tape can result in accidental electrical discharges due to contact with live elements in electrical enclosures, posing risks to electricians and damaging circuitry.

Innovation Solution

A protective device comprising a coupler portion and a shield portion is mounted on electrical infrastructure, with the coupler portion being nonconductive and securely attaching to a connector, and the shield portion receiving the fish tape end to prevent conductive contact with enclosure elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the fish tape is inserted into the conduit to reach the electrical enclosure, then the fish tape can perform its function of guiding conductors, but the fish tape may come into conductive contact with live electrical elements causing accidental electrical discharges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of fish tape operationVSAvoidelectrical discharge risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A nonconductive shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the fish tape and the electrical enclosure elements. The shield is attached to the fish tape and extends into the electrical enclosure, creating a protective barrier that prevents direct conductive contact between the fish tape and live electrical elements while still allowing the fish tape to perform its guiding function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The nonconductive shield is positioned in advance before the fish tape can contact electrical elements. By extending the shield into the electrical enclosure ahead of the fish tape, the system preemptively blocks potential harmful electrical contact paths, preventing accidental discharges before they can occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Ease of operation

If the fish tape end is exposed in the electrical enclosure interior, then the fish tape can be manipulated and used, but the exposed end is vulnerable to contact with electrical elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanipulability of fish tapeVSAvoidexposure to electrical contact

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The nonconductive shield serves as a mediator that allows the fish tape end to remain accessible for manipulation while simultaneously protecting it from electrical contact. The shield's positioning enables the electrician to guide and control the fish tape through the enclosure without direct exposure of the conductive tape to hazardous elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12451676B1System and device for reducing possibility of accidental electrical discharges to a fish tape during use of the fish tape

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 OLSON BRADLEY ALLAN

AI summary

A protective device for reducing the possibility of accidental electrical discharges to a fish tape during use may include a coupler portion configured to be releasably coupled to a connector of an electrical enclosure of electrical infrastructure, and a shield portion configured to receive a free end and end portion of the fish tape from conductive contact with elements in the electrical enclosure, with the shield portion being releasably attached to the coupler portion. A system including various elements of the electrical infrastructure, and a method of utilizing the protective device in the infrastructure, are also disclosed.