Cable puller

The invention is a device for running a line under carpet, through drywall, or through any other thin, non-magnetic barrier. The device uses a strong super magnet that is attached to a handle, which also serves as a storage container for the line pulling device, as well as a mechanism to pull the line with adequate force without causing pain to the puller's hands.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a device for running a line under carpet, through drywall, or through any other thin, non-magnetic barrier and in particular using a magnetic field to do this.

BACKGROUND

Prior art includes electrician's fish tape for laying flat wires under the carpet when the carpet is laid down. Other methods include using flat cable that is pasted to the wall and painted over, or going through the subfloor and through the drywall.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,630 by James and issued on Jun. 4, 1996, is for a fishing tool for magnetic objects. It discloses a tool for fishing magnetic objects through a wall that includes a body portion that has a cavity formed therein. An electromagnet is secured in the cavity and is connected to a variable power source that is adapted to selectively activate the electromagnet. This is not specifically designed or easy to use for the pulling of cables and wires, particularly under carpeting.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,971,543 by Shanahan and issued on Jul. 27, 1976, is for a tool and kit for electrical fishing. It discloses a tool for fishing electrical wires through walls that includes a magnetically attractable sensor assembly having a contactor element secured through a connecting sleeve to one end of a length of chain. The other end of the chain carries a fastener member which can be secured to a line or wire or the like for suspending the sensor assembly within a wall. A substantially hollow cylindrical member which serves as a housing for the sensor assembly when the tool is not in use has a magnet fixed within one end thereof. In use, the end of the cylindrical housing member which carries the magnet is inserted through a small hole in the wall to attract the sensor assembly which is suspended within the wall. This system can be difficult to use and is limited in its scope of use.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,078,073 by Zizzo and issued on Feb. 19, 1963, is for an electrical wire finder. U.S. Pat. No. 2,930,584 by Hensley, et al. and issued on Mar. 29, 1960, is for a method and apparatus for inserting wires in conduits. U.S. Pat. No. 1,946,037 by Scott and issued on Feb. 6, 1934, is for an electric fish wire. All of these systems are difficult to use.

There still exists a need for a cable puller that is quick and easy for pulling a cable or wire under a surface such as carpeting.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The current invention is a device for running a line under carpet, through drywall, or through any other thin, non-magnetic barrier. This is done in order to pull wires through; under the carpet, through the wall, etc. It has a strong super magnet that is attached to a handle, which also serves as a storage container for the line pulling device, as well as a mechanism to pull the line with adequate force without causing pain to the puller's hands.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of a cable and wire puller device is demonstrative in nature and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention or its application of uses.

There are a number of significant design features and improvements incorporated within the invention.

The current invention is a device for running a line, wire or cable under carpet, through drywall, or through any other thin, non-magnetic barrier. This is done in order to pull wires through; under the carpet, through the wall, etc. It is a strong super magnet that is attached to a handle, which also serves as a storage container for the line pulling device, as well as a mechanism to pull the line with adequate force without causing pain to the puller's hands.

As shown inFIG. 1, the device1has a strong super magnet10that is in a magnet housing15. This magnet housing15is attached to one of the ends of the body20. The magnet housing15is on the top end of body20as shown inFIG. 2.

The body20is cylindrical in shape and has a textured surface to allow it to be used in the pulling line50if needed. The body20serves as a storage container for the line pulling device. The body20serves as a storage container for the line pulling device The body20serves as a mechanism to pull the line with adequate force without causing pain to the puller's hands. The body20, in the preferred embodiment, is made of a sturdy plastic material and is design to fit the user's hand.

As shown inFIG. 3, the bottom of the body20has the inner housing30. The inner housing30holds the mole40, line50and spool60and is detachable from the body. In the preferred embodiment, the inner housing30unscrews from the body20.FIG. 4shows a view of the inner housing30detached (unscrewed) from the body20of the device1. It is also a view of the spool60and line50detached from the inner housing30. The inner housing30serves as a container for the spool60, the line50and the mole40.

The inner housing30holds the spool60through a holding means such as grooves32. The inner housing30has threads34which are used to screw the inner housing30to the body20. The spool60is contained in the opening35of the inner housing30. The spool60fits into the grooves32of the inner housing30. The spool60is a standard spool with the line50placed around the spool60. The inner housing30has a mole storage area37where the mole40is stored and hidden.

The mole40, as shown inFIG. 5, is in a long elliptic shape with holes42on the two points to attach to the line50. The mole40is used to pull the line50. In the preferred embodiment, the mole40will have a concave side where a magnet would be inserted and a covered side. The covered side would be covered with a friction resistance material to aid in sliding the mole40along a surface. In the preferred embodiment, the mole would be made of a magnetic material such as steel.

The line50would be made of a heavy strength line.

As shown inFIG. 6, in order to get a wire or cable80from one area of a covering such as carpet70to another, a hole71is made at the desired wire location. Another hole72is made at a starting point. The starting point is chosen based on its convenience. The line50is attached to the mole40. The mole40is then placed into the starting hole72. The device1is held so that the magnet10is attracted to the mole40. The device1is then moved towards the hole71at the desired wire location. In the case of carpeting or similar such covering, the carpeting will tent upwards due to the magnetic attraction of the mole40to the magnet10allowing for easier movement of the mole40. The mole40is brought to and out of the finish hole71. The cable or wire80is attached to the line50at the finish hole71and pulled by the line50back to the starting hole72.

After the line50has been guided from the starting hole72to the desired wire location hole71as shown inFIG. 6, and after the mole40has been disconnected from the line50, the mole is attached to the cable or wire80.FIG. 7shows the cable or wire80attached to the line50in order to be pulled under the carpet70first through the desired wire location hole71and finally through the starting hole72. Then, in the preferred embodiment, the line50is wrapped around the body20and pulled back to the starting hole72. After the cable or wire80passes through the starting hole72, the line50is disconnected from the wire or cable80

This method can be used for pulling wire or cable through walls or ceiling or any such desired surface and location.

ADVANTAGES

The device allows for a home stereo system's surround speakers to be installed under the carpet with no cables visible and without shoving wires under the molding. A phone installer could just run a jack to any location in a living room without exiting and re-entering the house, or again using the molding as a disguise. Other applications also include running network cable under carpet. Coaxial cable could also be used.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the point and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.