V-Shape Clamping Arms for Cable Puller Conduit Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable puller attachment systems require multiple adaptors to accommodate various conduit diameters, leading to increased setup time and limitations in load-bearing capacity and torsional stiffness, especially for higher force pulling applications.

Innovation Solution

A cable puller attachment system featuring a clamping assembly with pivotable, V-form clamping arms that engage and trap conduits at four points, providing secure connection through radially nesting gripping members and a push block mechanism for adjustable force application, allowing the system to accommodate conduits of varying diameters without the need for multiple adaptors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple adaptors with various diameters are provided to accommodate different conduit sizes, then the system can fit various conduit diameters, but the device complexity and setup time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconduit size accommodationVSAvoidnumber of adaptors

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adaptor is designed with a universal T-shaped clamp mechanism that can accommodate conduits of various diameters through a single device. The clamp features pivotable arms with gripping members that can adjust to different conduit sizes, eliminating the need for multiple adaptors with various diameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The adaptor incorporates pivotable clamping arms that can dynamically adjust their position and angle to fit different conduit diameters. The gripping members can radially nest against the conduit threads, allowing the adaptor to adapt its configuration based on the specific conduit size being attached to.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple adaptors are used for different conduit diameters, then various conduit sizes can be accommodated, but the setup time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconduit size accommodationVSAvoidsetup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The universal adaptor design allows a single device to attach to conduits of various diameters, eliminating the time required to select and swap between multiple adaptors. The T-shaped clamp with pivotable arms can quickly adjust to the appropriate conduit size in one attachment operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If a single adaptor design is used for all conduit sizes, then device complexity is reduced, but the load-bearing capacity and torsional stiffness decrease for higher force pulling applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptor configurationVSAvoidload-bearing capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping members feature radially extending ribs that mesh with the conduit threads in a radial nesting configuration. This curved, radial engagement pattern distributes loads more effectively across the conduit surface, enhancing both load-bearing capacity and torsional stiffness while maintaining a single adaptor design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The adaptor employs a composite structural approach combining the T-shaped clamp body with pivotable arm mechanisms and ribbed gripping members. This composite design allows different components to be optimized for their specific functions while working together to provide high strength and stiffness for heavy-duty cable pulling applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Adaptability or versatility

If the adaptor extension diameter is reduced to nest within smaller conduits, then smaller conduit sizes can be accommodated, but the opening through which the cable is pulled is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconduit size rangeVSAvoidcable pulling opening

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The adaptor is segmented into distinct functional components: the T-shaped clamp body, pivotable clamping arms, and gripping members. This segmentation allows the clamping mechanism to be positioned outside the conduit opening while the gripping members engage the conduit threads, maintaining a large cable pulling opening while accommodating various conduit sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7926788B2Conduit attachment system for a cable puller

Publication Date: 2011.04.19 GREENLEE TEXTRON INC

AI summary

An attachment system for a cable puller provides for securing the cable puller to various sized conduits. The attachment system includes a clamping assembly having pivotable arms angled to generally be formed in V-shapes at the ends which engage and trap the conduit at four separate points. The clamping arms have gripping members that radially nest against the conduit threads and an overhang portion which acts as a location stop for the conduit. Each clamping arm has a face which extends past the pivot point. A screw and a nut between the extended portion of the clamping arms act on a push block which in turn acts against the arm faces such that when the nut is screwed inward, it causes the gripping members to be forced against the conduit in order to secure the conduit in place.