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US4185809A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and apparatus for pulling lightweight cable

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-01-27
•
Granted: 1980-01-29
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Expires: 1998-01-27
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Abstract

Abstract A method of installing lightweight cable in a conduit by placing a leakproof tubing in a conduit, joining the sections of tubing together to make a continuous length of tubing and attaching to one end of the tubing a fitting having a liquid tight passage for sliding cable therethrough and an inlet passage for pumping fluid into the tubing. Fluid under pressure provides a lubricant while forcing a pulling plug through the tubing. A lightweight cable attached to the pulling plug pulls the lightweight cable through the lubricating fluid in the tubing without breaking the cable. If the fluid used is liquid it is removed from the tubing by using pressurized gas to force a wiper plug along the cable and inside of the tubing. The apparatus of the invention includes a deformable pulling plug that slides along the inside of tubing, pulling the lightweight cable therewith. A deformable wiper plug is provided having an opening for sliding along the cable and inside the tubing to forceably remove liquids in the tubing.

Inventors

  • 👤 Nelson Jonnes

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 19:11
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17D; F17D5/00; B; B66; B66F; B66F19/00; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4479; G02B6/4485; G02B6/46; G02B6/50; G02B6/52; H; H02; H02G; H02G1/00; H02G1/06; H02G1/08; H02G1/086

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 91 words
A method for pulling a lightweight cable from a first location to a second location comprising: placing a tubing between the first location and the second location; placing a pulling plug in the tubing, the pulling plug having a cable attached thereto which is to be pulled through the tubing; forcing liquid under pressure into the tubing to force the pulling plug and the cable through the tubing; and placing a wiper plug in the tubing and forcing the wiper plug under gas pressure to remove the liquid in the tubing.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 91 words
A method for pulling a lightweight cable from a first location to a second location comprising: placing a tubing between the first location and the second location; placing a pulling plug in the tubing, the pulling plug having a cable attached thereto which is to be pulled through the tubing; forcing liquid under pressure into the tubing to force the pulling plug and the cable through the tubing; and placing a wiper plug in the tubing and forcing the wiper plug under gas pressure to remove the liquid in the tubing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 28 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein a low frictional liquid is pumped through the tubing to lubricate the cable and to force the pulling plug through the tubing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 18 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein an alcohol water solution of polyethylene oxide is forced through the tubing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 17 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein nitrogen gas under pressure forces the wiper plug through the tubing.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 148 words
An apparatus for pulling a lightweight fiber optical cable through conduit comprising: a tubing extending from the first location to a second location, said tubing having an inside surface for receiving a pulling plug; an attachment connected to said tubing, said attachment having a fluid passage operable for connection to a fluid source; a pulling plug, said pulling plug having an outer surface for sealably sliding along the inside surface of said tubing, said pulling plug having means therein for securing a lightweight cable thereto so that when fluid under pressure is introduced into said tubing the fluid pressure forces the pulling plug through the tubing thereby pulling the lightweight cable therewith; said pulling plug having a chamber therein to allow flexing of said pulling plug in response to curvature in said tubing; a wiper plug for forcing the fluid from the tubing without removing the cable therein.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 148 words
An apparatus for pulling a lightweight fiber optical cable through conduit comprising: a tubing extending from the first location to a second location, said tubing having an inside surface for receiving a pulling plug; an attachment connected to said tubing, said attachment having a fluid passage operable for connection to a fluid source; a pulling plug, said pulling plug having an outer surface for sealably sliding along the inside surface of said tubing, said pulling plug having means therein for securing a lightweight cable thereto so that when fluid under pressure is introduced into said tubing the fluid pressure forces the pulling plug through the tubing thereby pulling the lightweight cable therewith; said pulling plug having a chamber therein to allow flexing of said pulling plug in response to curvature in said tubing; a wiper plug for forcing the fluid from the tubing without removing the cable therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 18 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein said appparatus includes a source of alcohol water solution of polyethylene oxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 20 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein said apparatus includes a gas source for forcing the wiper plug through the tubing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 21 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said wiper plug has a central opening for sliding along the cable in the tubing.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2980399A Cited
US3346045A Cited
US3467196A Cited
US3422631A Cited
US3589135A Cited
US3640299A Cited
US4030702A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1983-01-28 1983-07-30 1984-01-29 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1987-01-28 1987-07-30 1988-01-29 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1991-01-28 1991-07-30 1992-01-29 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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