US3837624A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for installing pull lines
Assignee: MCKAY THOMAS J SR
•
Filing: 1973-09-28
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Granted: 1974-09-24
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Expires: 1993-09-28
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure is directed to apparatus for pressurizing and installing a pull line into conduit. Each of the two embodiments disclosed consists of a portable housing defining an internal pressure chamber in which a predetermined length of line or cord is stored. The housing has an outlet to which a flexible hose is connected, the hose terminating in a pressure fitting which sealably engages the conduit end. The line or cord is threaded through the hose and pressure fitting, and a carrier adapted to move through the conduit upon application of pressure is removably connected to the cord end. An electrically operated blower disposed within the housing generates pressure within the chamber, which in turn is applied through the pressure fitting to the conduit. The carrier is accordingly moved through the conduit by the pressure, carrying the cord with it for subsequent use as a pull line for electrical conducting wire or the like.
Inventors
- 👤 T Dandurand
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:36
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G1/00; H02G1/06; H02G1/08; H02G1/086
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
Apparatus for installing a pull line into a length of conduit or the like, comprising: a. a housing defining a pressure chamber with an inlet and an outlet; b. pressure generating means disposed within the pressure chamber for receiving air from the inlet and forcing air under pressure through the outlet; c. line storage means disposed within the housing in essential alignment with the chamber outlet for receiving and storing a predetermined length of pull line therein; d. flexible hose means connected to the chamber outlet, the hose means terminating in a pressure fitting constructed for sealable engagement with the conduit; and, e. means for controlling operation of the pressure generating means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
Apparatus for installing a pull line into a length of conduit or the like, comprising: a. a housing defining a pressure chamber with an inlet and an outlet; b. pressure generating means disposed within the pressure chamber for receiving air from the inlet and forcing air under pressure through the outlet; c. line storage means disposed within the housing in essential alignment with the chamber outlet for receiving and storing a predetermined length of pull line therein; d. flexible hose means connected to the chamber outlet, the hose means terminating in a pressure fitting constructed for sealable engagement with the conduit; and, e. means for controlling operation of the pressure generating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus defined by claim 1, wherein the pressure generating means comprises an electrically operated blower, and the controlling means comprises a control handle connected to and forming part of the flexible hose means, the control handle including an electric switch operably connected to the blower.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus defined by claim 2, wherein the electric switch is trigger operated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus defined by claim 2, wherein the control handle is pivotally and sealably connected to the flexible hose means, and the pressure fitting is pivotally and sealably connected to the control handle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus defined by claim 2, and further comprising counter means disposed in the control handle for indicating the length of line passing therethrough.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus defined by claim 1, and further comprising counter means for determining the amount of line passing through the flexible hose means and for indicating the length thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus defined by claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a transparent portion disposed to permit visual observation of the pull line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus defined by claim 1, wherein the housing comprises sealably connected section halves together defining said pressure chamber, the section halves being separable to permit access to the line storage means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus defined by claim 8, wherein the line storage means comprises a cartride container carried by one the housing section halves and having an open end facing the housing outlet, the cartridge container being adapted to receive a roll of pull line.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus defined by claim 9, wherein the line storage means further comprises retention means carried by the other of said housing section halves for at least partially overlying the open end of the cartridge container to retain a roll of pull line during operation of the apparatus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
95 words
The apparatus defined by claim 1, wherein: a. the pressure chamber comprises first and second interconnected pressure chambers, the housing inlet being associated with the first pressure chamber and the housing outlet being associated with the second pressure chamber; b. the pressure generating means comprises an electrically operated blower disposed in the second pressure chamber, whereby the apparatus is capable of use as a wet or dry pickup vacuum; c. and further comprising means for preventing liquid from passing from the first pressure chamber to the second pressure chamber, thereby precluding damage to said blower.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
159 words
Apparatus for installing a pull line into a length of conduit or the like, comprising: a. a housing defining a pressure chamber with an inlet and outlet; b. pressure generating means disposed within the pressure chamber for receiving air from the inlet and forcing air under pressure through the outlet; c. flexible hose means connected to the chamber outlet, the hose means terminating in a pressure fitting constructed for sealable engagement with the conduit; d. line storage means disposed within the housing in essential alignment with the chamber outlet, the line storage means including a predetermined length of pull line dispensable therefrom, the lead end of the pull line passing through the chamber outlet and flexiBle hose means and adapted for connection to a pull line carrier movable through the conduit on application of pressure; and, e. means for controlling operation of the pressure generating means, whereby said conduit is pressurized to move the carrier and pull line therethrough.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
159 words
Apparatus for installing a pull line into a length of conduit or the like, comprising: a. a housing defining a pressure chamber with an inlet and outlet; b. pressure generating means disposed within the pressure chamber for receiving air from the inlet and forcing air under pressure through the outlet; c. flexible hose means connected to the chamber outlet, the hose means terminating in a pressure fitting constructed for sealable engagement with the conduit; d. line storage means disposed within the housing in essential alignment with the chamber outlet, the line storage means including a predetermined length of pull line dispensable therefrom, the lead end of the pull line passing through the chamber outlet and flexiBle hose means and adapted for connection to a pull line carrier movable through the conduit on application of pressure; and, e. means for controlling operation of the pressure generating means, whereby said conduit is pressurized to move the carrier and pull line therethrough.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus defined by claim 12, wherein the line storage means comprises a storage reel rotatably mounted in said pressure chamber, the pull line being wound on the reel and dispensable as the reel rotates.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
166 words
Apparatus for installing a pull line into a length of conduit or the like, comprising: a. a housing defining a first chamber having an inlet and a second chamber having an outlet and means for establishing fluid communication between the first and second chambers; b. electrically operated blower means disposed in the second chamber for receiving air from the first chamber inlet and forcing air under pressure through the second chamber outlet; c. flexible hose means connected to the second chamber outlet and terminating in a pressure fitting constructed for sealable engagement with the conduit; d. a line storage reel rotatably mounted in the second chamber in essential alignment with said outlet, the line storage reel including a predetermined length of pull line wound thereon and dispensable therefrom, the lead end of the pull line passing through the second chamber outlet and the flexible hose means and adapted for connection to a pull line carrier; and, e. switch means for controlling operation of the blower means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
166 words
Apparatus for installing a pull line into a length of conduit or the like, comprising: a. a housing defining a first chamber having an inlet and a second chamber having an outlet and means for establishing fluid communication between the first and second chambers; b. electrically operated blower means disposed in the second chamber for receiving air from the first chamber inlet and forcing air under pressure through the second chamber outlet; c. flexible hose means connected to the second chamber outlet and terminating in a pressure fitting constructed for sealable engagement with the conduit; d. a line storage reel rotatably mounted in the second chamber in essential alignment with said outlet, the line storage reel including a predetermined length of pull line wound thereon and dispensable therefrom, the lead end of the pull line passing through the second chamber outlet and the flexible hose means and adapted for connection to a pull line carrier; and, e. switch means for controlling operation of the blower means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 14, and further comprising means for rewinding pull line on the storage reel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus defined by claim 15, wherein the rewinding means comprises an electric motor operably connected to the storage reel and second switch means for controlling operation of the motor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus defined by claim 16, and further comprising means for guiding the pull line as it is rewound on the storage reel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus defined by claim 14, and further comprising brake means associated with the line storage reel and selectively moveable between reel braking and nonbraking positions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus defined by claim 18, wherein the brake means comprises a solenoid having a plunger normally extended to a position of frictional engagement with the storage reel, and said switch means causes retraction of the plunger simultaneous with operation of the blower means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus defined by claim 14, and further comprising air diffuser means for receiving air under pressure from the blower means and directing such air generally tangentially toward the line storage reel to assist rotation thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus defined by claim 14, wherein the housing comprises an upright cylindrical container, the second chamber being concentrically disposed within the first chamber.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus defined by claim 21, wherein the housing further comprises a transparent dome sealably connected to the cylindrical container in communication with the second chamber, said outlet being centrally disposed in the top of said transparent dome.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus defined by claim 14, and further comprising means for preventing liquid from passing from the first pressure chamber, thereby precluding damage to said electrically operated blower means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-23 | 1978-03-25 | 1978-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-23 | 1982-03-25 | 1982-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-23 | 1986-03-25 | 1986-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |