String to tube or cable connector for pulling tubes or cables through ducts

• US 6,786,473 B1
• Filed: 03/21/2003
• Issued: 09/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emme E2MS, LLC
• Original Assignee: Home Comfort Zones Incorporated
• Inventors: Alles, Harold Gene
• Primary Examiner(s): Watson, Robert C.
• Application Number:
  US10/249,196
• Publication Number:
  US 20040183058A1
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 254/134.4, 254/134.3 FT, 254/134.3 R, 254/134.3 PA, 254/388-417
• US Class Current: 254/134.3FT
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/08 through tubing or conduit, e.g. rod or draw wire for pushing or pulling inserting electrical cables into tubes using wallbores E21B17/206; for optical cables G02B6/4401
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/086 using fluid as pulling means, e.g. liquid, pressurised gas or suction means

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.

Claims

1. A connector for connecting a pull string to a tube for pulling the tube through a duct, the connector comprising:

1) a first means for connecting the pull string to the tube; and

2) a second means for converting a tension force applied to the pull string into a rotational force about a pivot point between the connector and an obstructing edge, the connector rotating about the pivot point as the tension force is increased, the second means for converting further comprising,

a) a header with an axial hole for the pull string to pass through, the header made of a solid material;

b) an elastic cylinder connected to the header, the elastic cylinder axially unstable under compression; and

c) a joiner that connects the cylinder to the tube;

whereby the tension force is converted to the rotational force; and

whereby the header becomes unstable at the pivot point and slips past the obstructing edge, enabling the connector to pass by the obstructing edge.

2. The connector of claim 1 wherein the elastic cylinder comprises one of plastic, rubber, and braided metal wire.

3. The connector of claim 1 wherein the elastic cylinder further includes a spring.

4. A connector for connecting a pull string to a tube for pulling the tube through a duct, the connector comprising:

1) a first means for connecting the pull string to the tube; and

2) a second means for converting a tension force applied to the pull string into a rotational force about a pivot point between the connector and an obstructing edge, the connector rotating about the pivot point as the tension force is increased, the second means for converting further comprising,

a) a header with an axial hole for the pull string to pass through, the header made of a solid material; and

b) an elastic cylinder connected to the header, the elastic cylinder axially unstable under compression, and the elastic cylinder connects to said tube;

whereby the tension force is converted to the rotational force; and

whereby the header becomes unstable at the pivot point and slips past the obstructing edge, enabling the connector to pass by the obstructing edge.

5. A connector for connecting a pull string to a cable for pulling the cable through a duct, the connector comprising:

1) a first means for connecting the pull string to the cable; and

2) a second means for converting a tension force applied to the pull string into a rotational force about a pivot point between the connector and an obstructing edge, the connector rotating about the pivot point as the tension force is increased, the second means for converting comprising,

a) a header with an axial hole for the pull string to pass through, the header made of a solid material,

b) an elastic cylinder connected to the header, the elastic cylinder axially unstable under compression, and

c) a joiner that connects the cylinder to the cable;

whereby the tension force is converted to the rotational force; and

whereby the header becomes unstable at the pivot point and slips past the obstructing edge, enabling the connector to pass by the obstructing edge.

6. The connector of claim 5 wherein the elastic cylinder comprises one of plastic, rubber, and braided metal wire.

7. A method for using a pull string to pull a tube or cable through a duct past an obstructing edge, the method comprising:

1) connecting the pull string to a compressible, elastic cylinder of a connector,

2) connecting the compressible, elastic cylinder to the tube or cable;

3) pulling the pull string to pull the tube or cable through the duct, until a rigid, hard header of the connector encounters the obstructing edge at a pivot point;

4) providing a tension force on the pull string;

5) converting the tension force to a rotational force such that the header rotates about the pivot point;

6) the compressible, elastic cylinder deforming in response to the tension force; and

7) increasing the tension force such that the rotation about the pivot point is sufficient to cause the header to slip past the obstructing edge at the pivot point, enabling the connector to pass the obstructing edge;

whereby the tube or cable is pulled through the duct past the obstructing edge.

8. A connector for coupling a pull string to a tube or cable, whereby the tube or cable can be pulled through a duct having an obstructing edge, the connector comprising:

an elongated body which is flexible and unstable under compression, the elongated body including an axial bore through which the pull string may be passed;

a solid header having a substantially axial hole through which the pull string may be passed, the solid header being coupled to a first end of the elongated body and having the axial hole in connection with the axial bore, wherein an end of the solid header which is not adjacent the elongated body has a substantially rounded surface;

a joiner coupled to a second end of the elongated body and couplable to the tube or cable;

means for coupling the pull string to the connector at least as far away from the solid header as is the joiner, whereby tension on the pull string is applied to the connector behind the flexible, elongated body, compressing the elongated body and causing the elongated body to become unstable and curve, enabling the solid header to rotate about the obstructing edge until the solid header slips past the obstructing edge.

9. The connector of claim 8 wherein:

the elongated body has a cylindrical shape.

10. The connector of claim 8 wherein:

the solid header comprises polished metal.

11. The connector of claim 8 wherein:

the elongated body comprises one of plastic, rubber, and braided metal wire.

12. The connector of claim 8 wherein:

the means for coupling comprises a pin.

13. The connector of claim 12 wherein:

the pin is pressed through the tube or cable behind the solid joiner.

14. The connector of claim 8 further comprising:

the joiner comprises a press-fit connector.

15. The connector of claim 14 wherein:

the press-fit connector is of integral construction with the elongated body.

16. The connector of claim 8 wherein:

the means for coupling is disposed behind the joiner.

17. The connector of claim 8 wherein:

the means for coupling is disposed within a length of the joiner.

18. A connector for coupling a pull string to a tube or cable, whereby the tube or cable can be pulled through a duct having an obstructing edge, the connector comprising:

a hard, rigid header including a curved front surface having a substantially axial hole there through which the tube or cable may be passed;

a cylindrical body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the header;

means for coupling the cylindrical body to the tube or cable near the second end of the cylindrical body; and

means for coupling the pull string to one of (i) the tube or cable and (ii) the cylindrical body, near the second end of the cylindrical body;

wherein, when the connector is pulled through the duct by the pull string and encounters the obstructing edge, tension on the pull string is applied near the second end of the cylindrical body, causing the cylindrical body to deform under compression, in turn causing the header to rotate about the obstructing edge, whereby the connector slips past the obstructing edge.