Abstract:
An apparatus and methods for pushing conductors into conduit and other structures are disclosed. The apparatus (“pusher”) can include rollers to apply a pushing force to one or more conductors or bundles of conductors. One or more rollers can be coupled to a drive mechanism. The pusher is configured to pull conductors or bundles of conductors off of one or more spools, and push the conductors or bundles of conductors without de-bundling or sorting the conductors. The conductors can be fed through the pusher in any format including side-by-side, vertical on top of one another, twisted together, or other formats. The pusher can include a guiding device that is configured to route the conductors from the pusher to a conduit through which the conductors are being pushed or pulled.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure is directed to methods and apparatuses for pushing conductors. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to a pusher for pushing conductors into conduit and other structures. 
     Electrical needs of modern facilities such as houses, apartment buildings, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, office buildings, and the like, have increased as the use of electrical devices has increased. During construction of many buildings, particularly commercial space, conduit is often run between electrical panels and anticipated power consumption sites to comply with various building codes and/or for safety or efficiency considerations. Conductors are typically pulled through the conduit after the conduit is in place. 
     Special tools exist for pulling conductors through conduit including wire pullers and other devices. In practice, a rope or wire is often threaded through a conduit, and a number of conductors are attached to the rope or wire with tape or other attachment mechanisms. The rope is pulled back through the conduit with the conductors attached thereto, thus pulling one end of the conductors to a desired location. Typically, manpower is needed on both ends of the conduit during a conductor pull; one or more people to pull the conductors, and one or more people to feed the conductors into the conduit to prevent tangling, snagging, and/or other damage to the conductors. Due to the increasing electrical needs of modern homes and businesses, pulling conductors through conduit is a time consuming and labor intensive task that may occupy a growing percentage of construction projects. 
     It is with respect to these and other considerations that the disclosure made herein is presented. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for pushing conductors into conduit and other structures. The apparatus (“pusher”) can include a drive roller and one or more rollers for cooperating with the drive roller to apply a pushing force to one or more conductors or bundles of conductors. The drive roller can be coupled to a drive mechanism such as a motor and gearbox. One or more of the rollers can be connected to the drive roller with a chain, belt, gears, or other mechanisms such that the one or more rollers are powered by the drive mechanism as well. 
     The pusher is configured to pull conductors or bundles of conductors off of one or more spools, and push the conductors or bundles of conductors without de-bundling or sorting the conductors. The conductors can be fed through the pusher in any format including side-by-side, vertical on top of one another, twisted together, or other formats. Additionally, the pusher is configured to grip conductors of varied sizes and with varied coatings including small gauge conductors, and “no-lube” conductors that are impregnated or coated with lubrication. The pusher is further configured to push conductors with or without a pulling rope attached to the conductors. 
     The pusher can include a guiding device that is configured to route the conductors from the pusher to a conduit through which the conductors are being run, i.e., pushed or pulled. The guiding device can include an inlet, a tube, and an outlet. The tube can be flexible or semi-rigid, and can route the conductor into a conduit without requiring manpower between the pusher and the conduit. The pusher can also include remote controls for controlling one or more pushers and pullers simultaneously to accommodate various safety and efficiency considerations. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram schematically illustrating a conductor pusher, according to exemplary embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric drawing illustrating a conductor pusher, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 3A  is a plan drawing illustrating a top view of the bottom portion of the conductor pusher illustrated in  FIG. 2 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 3B  is a plan drawing illustrating a bottom view of the top portion of the conductor pusher illustrated in  FIG. 2 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevation drawing illustrating a front view of the conductor pusher of  FIG. 2 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS. 5A-5C  are schematic illustrations showing roller configurations and conductor paths, according to exemplary embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective drawing illustrating an inlet of a guiding device, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic block diagram illustrating an operating environment for using the pusher, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is directed to methods, systems, and apparatuses for pushing conductors through conduit and other structures. This description provides various components, one or more of which may be included in particular implementations of the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein. In illustrating and describing these various components, however, it is noted that implementations of the embodiments disclosed herein may include any combination of these components, including combinations other than those shown in this description. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram schematically illustrating a conductor pusher  100 , according to an exemplary embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the pusher  100  includes one or more hardware components  102  (“hardware”), one or more software components  104  (“software”), one or more network interfaces  106 , and one or more control modules  108 . The hardware  102  can include hardware components of the pusher  100 . As will be explained below with reference to  FIGS. 2-7 , the hardware  102  can include, but is not limited to, one or more rollers, one or more drives, any number of guides, dividers, height/tension adjustment mechanisms, supports, guiding devices, gears, chains, and/or other hardware. The software  104  can include software components of the pusher  100 . The software  104  can include, but is not limited to, applications, routines, subroutines, programs, computer-readable instructions, computer-executable instructions, and the like, for controlling various functions of the pusher  100 . 
     The network interface  106  can be operatively linked and in communication with one or more communications networks such as, for example, private networks, the Internet, cellular communications networks, wireless area networks, an intranet, other networks, combinations thereof, and the like. The network interface  106  can be used to communicate with other devices and/or networks. It should be understood that the pusher  100  can be configured to communicate any desired information to another device via the network interface  106 . In some embodiments, the network interface  106  includes a wireless transmitter for communicating with a remote control with which an operator controls the pusher  100 . It should be understood that this embodiment is illustrative, and that the remote control can communicate with the pusher  100  via hardware other than the network interface  106 . 
     The control module  108  can be used to control the functions of the pusher  100 . The control module  108  can include one or more processors  110 , which can be operatively linked and in communication with one or more memory devices  112  via one or more data/memory busses  114 . The processor  110  can execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory  112 . Execution of the computer-readable instructions can cause the pusher  100  to perform various functions, for example, the functionality of the pusher  100  described herein. Although the control module  108  is illustrated as a separate entity, with respect to the hardware  102  and the software  104 , it should be understood that the functions described with respect to the control module  108  can be performed by the hardware  102  and the software  104 . For example, the hardware  102  can include a memory and a processor, and the software  104  can include applications  116  and other data  118  illustrated in the memory  112 . As such, it must be understood that the illustrated configuration is exemplary, and is described in the presented manner for ease of description. 
     The words “memory” and “storage device,” as used herein collectively include, but are not limited to, processor registers, processor cache, random access memory (RAM), other volatile and non-volatile memory devices, semi-permanent or permanent memory types; for example, tape-based media, optical media, flash media, hard disks, combinations thereof, and the like. While the memory  112  is illustrated as residing proximate to the processor  110 , it should be understood that the memory  112  can be a remotely accessed storage system, for example, a server and/or database on a communications network, a remote hard disk drive, a removable storage medium, a database, a server, an optical media writer, combinations thereof, and the like. Moreover, the memory  112  is intended to encompass network memory and/or other storage devices in wired or wireless communication with the pusher  100 , which may utilize the network interface  106  to facilitate such communication. Thus, any of the data, applications, and/or software described below can be stored within the memory  112 , the software  104 , and/or accessed via network connections to other data processing systems (not shown) that may include a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), and the like, for example. 
     The applications  116  can include various programs, routines, subroutines, algorithms, software, tools, and the like (“instructions”), for operating the pusher  100 ; calibrating various components of the pusher  100 ; tuning one or more drive mechanisms of the pusher  100 ; adjusting the speed of the pusher  100 ; safety applications and controls of the pusher  100 ; reporting and recording modules; and the like, as well as programs or applications to make the pusher  100  operable to perform any of the functions described below. The applications  116  also can include instructions used to operate the pusher  100  and/or devices connected to the pusher  100 , if any. The instructions can include, for example, operating systems, firmware, drivers for peripherals, and the like. The other data  118  can include, for example, usage data and statistics, other programs or software, and the like. 
     While the above description of the pusher  100  has described various forms of computer executable instructions, e.g., the software  104  and the applications  116 , it should be understood that the software  104  and/or applications  116  can be omitted, and that the pusher  100  can be controlled by one or more hardware controls. In some embodiments, for example, the pusher  100  is controlled by a power switch or a variable drive switch. These examples are illustrative, and should not be construed as being limiting. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary embodiment of the pusher  100  will be described. The pusher  100  includes a top portion  200  and bottom portion  202 . In some embodiments, the top portion  200  and the bottom portion  202  include a top frame and a bottom frame, respectively. The top portion  200  and/or the bottom portion  202  may be formed from any suitable material including, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, carbon composite, or other materials. It should be understood that the top portion  200  and the bottom portion  202  can be solid structures, and therefore may be configured as substantially planar structures. Additionally, or alternatively, the top portion  200  and the bottom portion  202  can include a frame with a plate, grid, fencing, or other material, if desired, which can reduce the total weight and/or cost of the pusher  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the top portion  200  is a frame with a grid panel disposed at the top layer to protect a user from moving parts. In the illustrated view, however, the grid panel has been removed for allowing a clear view of the pusher  100 . This view is merely exemplary, and should not be construed as being limiting in any way. 
     The bottom portion  202  includes a drive roller  204  coupled to a drive  206 . In some embodiments, the drive  206  includes a motor and a gearbox, though other structures are contemplated. The motor and the gearbox of the drive  206  can be selected and sized according to desired performance characteristics, preferences, and/or requirements. Thus, the drive  206  can include any desired motor type and design, and can be sized according to any desired considerations. Similarly, the gearbox can include a worm gear, a transmission, or other gears. The gearbox can be selected and sized according to anticipated needs, loads, and/or applications. In some embodiments, the components of the drive  206  are selected to provide the pusher  100  with high-torque, high-speed feed capabilities. It should be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary. 
     The bottom portion  202  also can include rollers  208 A and  208 B, which may be coupled to the drive roller  204  via one or more chains, belts, gears, combinations thereof, and the like (not illustrated in  FIG. 2 ). The drive roller  204  and the rollers  208 A,  208 B can cooperate with rollers  208 C and  208 D on the top portion  200  to provide the functionality described herein. It should be understood that none, some, or all of the rollers  208 A-D can be coupled to additional motors or other drive mechanisms, and can be coupled to the drive  206  and the drive roller  204 , if desired. In some embodiments, one or more of the drive roller  204  and the rollers  208 A-D are grooved rollers, as will be explained below. 
     The rollers can be formed from metal, plastic, rubber, other materials, and/or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the drive roller  204  and the rollers  208 A,  208 B are six-inch grooved rollers on eight-inch centers with a one-inch shaft, and are connected to the bottom portion  202  using pillow block bearings. In some embodiments, the rollers  204 ,  208 A-D are designed to accommodate conductors of various gauges, to accommodate a number of conductors in a bundle or arranged side-by-side, and/or to accommodate “no lube” conductors. For example, a grooved roller design can be employed to allow the pusher  100  to grip the “no lube” conductors and/or conductors of various gauges. Additionally, the grooved roller design can be employed to allow the pusher  100  to simultaneously feed multiple conductors of various gauges, which may be oriented in bundles and/or arranged side by side. 
     The rollers  208 C,  208 D can be six-inch profiled rollers on 8-inch centers with a one inch shaft, and are connected to the top portion  200  using pillow block bearings. The rollers  208 C,  208 D are arranged on the top portion  200  such that the roller  208 C is centered in a gap between the drive roller  204  and the roller  208 A, and the roller  208 D is centered in a gap between the rollers  208 A and  208 B. This arrangement is illustrative, and should not be construed as being limiting in any way. The rollers  204 ,  208 A-D can be arranged and/or configured in various arrangements and configurations depending upon the desired performance characteristics. Some exemplary roller configurations are illustrated below with reference to  FIGS. 5A-5C . 
     The pusher  100  and/or the drive  206  thereof can be controlled by a controller  210 . The controller  210  can include, or can be substituted by, the functionality of the control module  108  described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . Additionally, the controller  210  can include a master power switch, a safety lock, a variable drive control switch, a plug for insertion in a power outlet or other power source, and/or other controls (not illustrated). The controller  210  can be linked and/or in communication with the drive  206 , and can be used to activate, deactivate, enable, and disable the drive  206 , if desired. 
     The pusher  100  can include supports  212 A,  212 B for supporting the top portion  200  and/or for joining the top portion  200  to the bottom portion  202 . In some embodiments, the top portion  200  couples to one or more of the supports  212 A,  212 B via one or more sleeves, plates, and/or lock selector mechanisms  214 A,  214 B. In the illustrated embodiment, the supports  212 A,  212 B are formed from steel, and a number of through holes  216  are formed in the supports  212 A,  212 B. In some contemplated embodiments, sleeves are formed on the top portion  200 . The sleeves can be configured to slide over and/or down the supports  212 A,  212 B, and can include one or more apertures. The lock selector mechanisms  214 A,  214 B can include cotter pins, hitch pins, R-clips, linchpins, bolts, screws, rivets, nails, and/or other mechanisms that can interface with the supports  212 A,  212 B. In some embodiments, the lock selector mechanisms  214 A,  214 B are hitch pins that pass through the apertures in the sleeves and/or a plate connected to the top portion  200 , and through the through holes  216 . The lock selector mechanisms  214 A,  214 B are locked to hold the top portion  200  in a desired position. 
     The top portion  200  and/or the bottom portion  202  also can include guides  218  (illustrated on the bottom portion  202  in  FIG. 2 ). The guides  218  can be used to guide conductors into the rollers  204 ,  208 A-D and/or to guide the conductors out of the rollers  204 ,  208 A-D to prevent the conductors from contacting any structure outside of the area bound by the guides  218 . The guides  218  can help prevent the conductors from getting tangled, cut, snagged, or otherwise damaged during feeding or pushing. The guides  218  can be formed from any desired materials and in any desired configuration. In some embodiments, the guides  218  include rollers. The rollers can be formed from steel, rubber, plastic, carbon composite, aluminum, or other materials. In some embodiments, the rollers are formed from ESD-safe plastics and bearings to reduce the risk of electrostatic discharge (“ESD”) in facilities handling ESD-sensitive goods. These examples are illustrative. 
     The pusher  100  also can include a height/tension adjustment mechanism  220  for adjusting the distance and/or tension between the top portion  200  and the bottom portion  202 . In some embodiments, adjustment of the distance/tension between the top portion  200  and the bottom portion  202  also adjusts the distance/tension between the rollers  204 ,  208 A,  208 B at the bottom portion  202  and the rollers  208 C,  208 D at the top portion  200 . It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the entire top portion  200  is moved along the supports  212 A,  212 B to adjust the distance between the top portion  200  and the bottom portion  202 . In some embodiments, the height/tension adjustment mechanism  220  may be used solely for adjusting the tension between the rollers  204 ,  208 A-D. 
     The distance between the rollers  204 ,  208 A,  208 B and the rollers  208 C,  208 D can be adjusted to accommodate one or more conductors of various diameters and/or bundles of conductors, the speed at which the conductors or bundles of conductors are pushed through the pusher  100 , the amount of slippage between the conductors or bundles of conductors and the rollers  204 ,  208 A-D, and for other purposes. It should be understood that the rollers  204 ,  208 A-D further may include position adjustment mechanisms to allow users to adjust the horizontal and/or vertical position of one or more of the rollers  204 ,  208 A-D. 
     The height/tension adjustment mechanism  220  can include any suitable structures for adjusting the distance/tension between the top portion  200  and the bottom portion  202 . In some embodiments, the height/tension adjustment mechanism  220  includes a rod or threaded screw  222  (“rod”) that passes through a plate  224  on the top portion  200 , and engages a sleeve or threaded nut  226  (“sleeve”) on the bottom portion  202 . In the illustrated embodiment, the rod  222  includes a handle  228  for turning the rod  222 , and thereby adjusting the tension between the top portion  200  and the bottom portion  202 . In some embodiments, the sleeve  226  is replaced with a plate, and the rod  222  is replaced with a stow bolt or other threaded bolt. The tension between the top portion  200  and the bottom portion  202  may be adjusted by a wing nut or other device placed on the threaded portion of the stow bolt. These examples are illustrative, and should not be construed as being limiting in any way. 
     The pusher  100  also can include casters  230 . In some embodiments, the casters  230  are inflatable tires. The pusher  100  can include feet or stands in addition to, or instead of, the casters  230 . The pusher  100  also can include a handle  232  for moving, bracing, and/or towing the pusher  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the pusher  100  includes a guiding device  234 . The guiding device  234  includes a body  236  (“tube”). The tube  236  can be rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible. In the illustrated embodiment, the tube  236  is a flexible tubular structure formed from galvanized steel or aluminum, though other materials and degrees of rigidity are contemplated. The guiding device  234  includes an inlet/throat portion  238  (“inlet”) through which pushed conductors enter the guiding device  234 . In some embodiments, the inlet  238  is formed with dimensions that are substantially similar to the tube  236 . In some embodiments, the inlet  238  has a first diameter at one end and a second diameter at a second end. Thus, the inlet  238  may be funnel- or nozzle-shaped, if desired. In the illustrated embodiment, a leading edge  240  of the inlet  238  is formed as a smooth edge to prevent snagging, tearing, ripping, bending, or otherwise damaging conductors being passed into or through the guiding device  234 . The inlet  238  is illustrated and described in more detail below with reference to  FIGS. 6A-6B . 
     The guiding device  234  also includes an outlet portion  242  (“outlet”) through which pushed conductors exit the guiding device  234  and enter into a conduit (not illustrated), if desired. The outlet  242  can include an outlet assembly  244 , which can interface with a conduit. In some embodiments, a conduit guiding device adapter or other suitable device (not illustrated) is used to allow mating between the conduit and the outlet  242  or outlet assembly  244  of the guiding device. The conduit guiding device adapter can be coupled to a conduit through which the conductor is to be pushed, and the outlet assembly  244  of the guiding device  234  can be attached to a conduit guiding device adapter or other device that couples the outlet  242  of the guiding device  234  to an inlet portion of the conduit. 
     The guiding device  234  can be connected to the pusher  100  using any suitable device. In one embodiment, the guiding device  234  is connected to the pusher using a chain vise. In other embodiments, the guiding device  234  is bolted, welded, or clamped to the pusher  100  or a component thereof. These embodiments are illustrative. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , one or more reels or spools  246  (“spools”) of conductors  248  can be positioned proximate to the pusher  100 . It should be appreciated that the conductors  248  can include one or more bundles of conductors  248 . The conductors  248  can be pre-bundled and wound onto the spools  246  in bundled form, if desired. Alternatively, conductors  248  from two or more spools  246  can be simultaneously fed into the pusher  100 . It further should be understood that more than one guiding device  234  may be used with the pusher  100 . For example, the pusher  100  may be used to push two or more conductors  248 , bundles of conductors  248 , and/or combinations thereof. Some of the conductors  248  may be pushed by the pusher  100  into a first guiding device  234 , and some of the conductors  248  may be simultaneously pushed by the pusher  100  into another guiding device. Thus, the illustrated embodiment is illustrative, and should not be construed as being limiting in any way. 
     In operation, one or more conductors  248  or bundles thereof are fed into an inlet end  250  of the pusher  100 , and passed into or through the rollers  204 ,  208 A-D. As will be explained in more detail below with reference to  FIG. 7 , some embodiments employ the use of a puller or another pusher that operates in concert with the pusher  100 . Thus, as is generally known, a pulling rope can first be pulled through a conduit or other structure through which the conductors  248  are to be pushed, and the pulling rope can be attached to the conductors  248  and fed through a puller or pusher on the destination end of the conduit. In other embodiments, no puller or second pusher is used. Regardless of whether a puller or second pusher is used, the conductors  248  can be passed into the pusher  100  between the guides  218 , or two or more conductors  248  can be passed into the pusher  100 , and the guides  218  can be used as dividers between the fed conductors  248 . 
     In some embodiments, the top portion  200  is removed from the pusher or rotated out of position while the conductors  248  are put into position for operation of the pusher  100 . Thus, although not visible in  FIG. 2 , the top portion  200  can include pivot mechanisms that allow the top portion  200  to rotate. In the illustrated embodiment, the top portion  200  includes pivot mechanisms that allow the top portion  200  to rotate about an axis A. The pivot mechanisms can include pins, rods, hinges, combinations thereof, and the like. The conductors  248 , and/or a pulling rope or wire, if used, can be placed in the pusher  100 , such that an end of the conductors  248  is extended past the pusher  100 . The conductors  248  can be manually fed into the guiding device  234 , if desired. The top portion  200  can be rotated back into position and the height/tension adjustment mechanism  220  can be used to adjust the tension of the pusher  100 . Alternatively, the conductors  248  can be fed into contact with drive roller  204  and one or more of the rollers  208 A-D without removing or rotating the top portion  200 . 
     The drive  206  of the pusher  100  is activated, and the drive roller  204  pushes the conductor  248  toward an outlet end  252  of the pusher  100 . It should be appreciated that the conductors  248  may be fed into the pusher after the drive  206  is activated, though in some embodiments, this may cause damage to the conductors  248  and may, therefore, be avoided. The drive  206  rotates the drive roller  204 . As will be explained below in more detail with reference to  FIG. 4 , the drive roller  204  can be coupled to one or more of the rollers  208 A-D via chains, belts, gears, and the like, such that the drive  206  also rotates one or more of the rollers  208 A-D. The force generated by the drive  206  and the drive roller  204  pushes the conductors  248  through the pusher  100  and out the outlet end  252  of the pusher  100 . From the outlet end  252  of the pusher, the conductors  248  can enter the guiding device  234  and proceed into a conduit or other structure through which the conductors  248  are being fed. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 3A-3B , additional details of the pusher  100  and the components thereof will be described in more detail.  FIG. 3A  is a plan drawing illustrating a top view of the bottom portion  202  of the pusher  100 , according to an exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 3B  is a plan drawing illustrating a bottom view of the top portion  200  of the pusher  100 , according to an exemplary embodiment. Some structures of the pusher  100  are not shown or labeled in  FIGS. 3A-3B  to avoid obscuring the illustrated and described details. 
     The drive roller  204  and the rollers  208 A,  208 B are visible. The drive roller  204  can be connected to the bottom portion  202  using any suitable mechanisms. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive roller  204  is placed onto a drive shaft  302 , which is connected to the bottom portion  202  by brackets  304 A and  304 B. The brackets  304 A,  304 B can include bearings and/or other structures for allowing rotation of the drive shaft  302 . The drive shaft  302  passes through the bracket  304 B and is coupled to the drive  206  using any suitable mechanisms. In some embodiments, the drive shaft  302  is coupled to a worm gear (not illustrated) within the drive  206 , which in turn is connected to a motor  305 . This embodiment is exemplary. 
     The roller  208 A is placed onto a shaft  306 A, which is connected to the bottom portion  202  by brackets  304 C and  304 D. The roller  208 B is placed onto a shaft  306 B, which is connected to the bottom portion  202  by brackets  304 E and  304 F. The roller  208 C is placed onto a shaft  306 C, which is connected to the top portion  200  by brackets  304 G and  304 H. The roller  208 D is placed onto a shaft  306 D, which is connected to the top portion  200  by brackets  304 I and  304 J. 
     The bottom portion  202  also can include guides  308  at the outlet end  252 . In some embodiments, the guides  308  are substantially similar to the guides  218  at the inlet end  250 , which were described above with reference to  FIG. 2 . In other embodiments, the guides  308  are not similar to the guides  218 . The types of structures and/or devices used for each of the guides  218  and/or  308  can be a selected based upon an intended purpose, design characteristics, and/or performance requirements, among other considerations. 
     The top portion  200  also can include one or more roller guides  310 A and  310 B. The roller guides  310 A,  310 B can be used to provide a smooth surface between the conductors  248  and the surfaces of the top portion  200  to prevent the conductors  248  from getting cut, snagged, or otherwise damaged during movement through the pusher  100 . It should be understood that the roller guides  310 A,  310 B can be replaced by other structures, devices, coatings, surface treatments, paints, and the like, and that similar or identical structures may be placed on the bottom portion  202  in addition to, or instead of, the guides  310 A,  310 B on the top portion  200 . 
     As mentioned above with reference to  FIG. 2 , the top portion  200  also can include pivot mechanisms  312 A and  312 B. The pivot mechanisms  312 A,  312 B are illustrated in  FIG. 3B  as pins  314 A,  314 B that are connected to the top portion  200  via plates  316 A and  316 B. In some embodiments, the functionality of the pivot mechanisms  312 A,  312 B is provided by hinges that are connected to the supports  212 A,  212 B and the top portion  200 . In other embodiments, plates or sleeves with apertures are connected to the top portion  200 , and a hitchpin, R-clip, linchpin, or the like, is passed through the apertures in the plates, through the through holes  216  of the supports  212 A,  212 B, and are secured with a rod, pin, bolt, or the like, to prevent or reduce unwanted movement. Thus, it should be understood that the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3B  is exemplary. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , additional features of the pusher  100  will be described in detail.  FIG. 4  illustrates a side elevation view of the pusher  100 , according to an exemplary embodiment. Some structures of the pusher  100  are not shown or labeled in  FIG. 4  to avoid obscuring the illustrated and described details. 
     In the view illustrated in  FIG. 4 , one embodiment of the configuration of the drive roller  204  and the rollers  208 A-D can be seen in profile view. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive  206  includes a housing that obscures the view of the drive roller  204 . Thus, the drive roller  204  is illustrated with hidden lines. 
     The drive roller  204  can be connected to the roller  208 A by a chain  402 A, though a belt, gears, pulleys, and/or other mechanisms can be used in addition to, or instead of, the chain  402 A. In the illustrated embodiment, links of the chain  402 A interface with cogs of a drive gear  404  on the drive roller  204 , and cogs of a gear  406 A on the roller  208 A. Thus, rotation of the drive roller  204  by the drive  206  results in rotation of the roller  208 A. In another embodiment, the chain  402 A is replaced with a belt that wraps around pulleys at the drive roller  204  and the roller  208 A. Other embodiments are contemplated, but will not be described in detail herein for the sake of brevity. 
     A second chain  402 B interfaces with cogs of the gear  406 A on the roller  208 A, and cogs of a gear  406 B on the roller  208 B. It should be understood that the gear  406 A can include two sets of cogs, two sets of pulleys, and the like, to simultaneously accommodate the chains  402 A,  402 B. Additionally, it should be understood that more than one of the rollers  204 ,  208 A-D can be coupled to the drive  206 , and that more than two of the rollers  204 ,  208 A-D can be connected by one or more chains  402 A,  402 B. In one embodiment, for example, the roller  208 B is coupled to another drive mechanism (not illustrated), which can be coupled to the roller  208 A and the drive roller  204  with a chain, belt, gears, or the like. Thus, the drive mechanism and the drive  206  can be synchronized with one another, and can simultaneously power the roller  208 A. 
     Although not illustrated in  FIG. 4 , it should be appreciated that the rollers  208 C,  208 D can include gears or pulleys that can interface with chains, belts, or gears at the bottom portion  202 . Thus, the rollers  208 C,  208 D can be powered by the drive  206  in addition to, or instead of, the rollers  208 A,  208 B. Therefore, the illustrated embodiment should not be construed as being limiting in any way. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the rollers  204 ,  208 A-D can cooperate to form a conductor path  408  along which the conductors  248  ( FIG. 2 ), or bundles thereof, are fed. The conductors  248  are fed through the inlet end  250  along the path  408 , through the rollers  204 ,  208 A-D along the path  408 , and out the outlet end  252  along the path  408 . Exemplary roller paths will be illustrated and described in more detail below with reference to  FIGS. 5A-5C . 
     As mentioned above, the pusher  100  also can communicate with a remote control  410  via a communication link  412 . The remote control  410  can include a footswitch or other device for activating the drive  206  of the pusher  100 . Although not illustrated in  FIG. 4 , it should be appreciated that the remote control  410  can include or can be coupled to one or more safety mechanisms such as weight sensors, safety switches, and the like. Thus, a worker remote from the pusher  100  may be required to stand on a weight sensor and activate the remote control  410  before a control signal is communicated to the pusher  100 . 
     The communication link  412  can accommodate wired and/or wireless communications protocols, and can occur over one or more network interfaces such as the network interface  106  described above. The communication link  412  can thus be provided over-the-air (“OTA”) or via a wired network and/or direct link. Any suitable wired communications protocols may be used including, but not limited to, TCP/IP, IPv6, MPLS, UDP, combinations thereof, and the like. Similarly, any suitable wireless protocols may be used including, but not limited to, the IEEE 802.11x, 802.16, 802.20, 802.16e, and/or 802.15.x standards, i.e., WIFI, WIMAX, Mobile Broadband Wireless Access (MBWA), Mobile WIMAX, and BLUETOOTH standards, as well as signals transmitted via infrared, IrDA, the ECMA-342 and ECMS 352 standards (“near field communications (NFC)”), other RF signals, combinations thereof, and the like. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 5A-5C , additional features of the pusher  100  will be described in detail.  FIGS. 5A-5C  illustrate roller configurations for the pusher  100 , according to exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the illustrated configurations are illustrative of only some contemplated embodiments. Thus, the illustrated configurations should not be construed as being limiting in any way. 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates a first roller configuration  500 A. The roller configuration  500 A is substantially similar to the configuration of the rollers  204 ,  208 A-D of the pusher  100  as illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , one or more conductors  248  or bundles of conductors  248  are passed between the rollers  204 ,  208 A-D along a path  502 A. The drive roller  204  is coupled to the drive  206 . When the drive  206  is activated, the drive roller  204  rotates in the direction R. As explained above, none, some, or all of the rollers  208 A-D can be coupled to the drive roller  204 , if desired. In the illustrated embodiment, the rollers  208 A,  208 B rotate in the direction R, and the rollers  208 C,  208 D rotate in the direction R′. 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates a second roller configuration  500 B. In the roller configuration  500 B, one or more conductors  248  or bundles of conductors  248  are passed between rollers  204 B-C,  208 E-I along a path  502 B. As shown in  FIG. 5B , the pusher  100  can include two or more drive rollers  204 B-C, each of which may be coupled to one or more drives such as the drive  206 . In the illustrated embodiment, the drive roller  204 B is coupled to a first drive (not illustrated), and rotates in the direction R. The drive roller  204 C is coupled to a second drive (not illustrated), and rotates in the direction R′. As explained above, none, some, or all of the rollers  208 E-I can be coupled to one or more of the drive rollers  204 B-C, if desired. In the illustrated embodiment, the rollers  208 E-G rotate in the direction R′ and the rollers  208 H-I rotate in the direction R. 
       FIG. 5C  illustrates a third roller configuration  500 C. In the roller configuration  500 C, one or more conductors  248  or bundles of conductors  248  are passed between the rollers  204 D-E,  208 J-M along a path  502 C. As shown in  FIG. 5C , the pusher  100  can include two or more drive rollers  204 D-E, each of which may be coupled to one or more drives such as the drive  206 . In the illustrated embodiment, the drive roller  204 D is coupled to a first drive (not illustrated), and rotates in the direction R′. The drive roller  204 E is coupled to a second drive (not illustrated), and rotates in the direction R. As explained above, none, some, or all of the rollers  208 J-M can be coupled to one or more of the drive rollers  204 D-E, if desired. In the illustrated embodiment, the rollers  208 J,  208 K rotate in the direction R and the rollers  208 L,  208 M rotate in the direction R′. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , additional features of the pusher  100  will be described in detail.  FIG. 6  is a perspective drawing illustrating the inlet  238  of the guiding device  234 , according to an exemplary embodiment. As explained above, the inlet  238  can include a leading edge  240 , illustrated in  FIG. 6  as a rim. The inlet  238  also includes a throat  600 . In the illustrated embodiment, the throat  600  is tapered so that a first end  602  of the throat  600  has a first diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the rim, and a second end  604  of the throat  600  has a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the tube  236 . A body  606  can be connected to or formed at the second end  604  of the throat  600 , and can connect to the tube  236  of the guiding device  234 . The inlet  238  can be formed from a single piece of material, or can be a composite structure formed from two or more components. 
     As mentioned above, the guiding device  234  can include an outlet assembly  244  that is configured to connect to a conduit. The guiding device  234  can be used to eliminate the need for manpower between the pusher  100  and a conduit or other structure into which the conductors  248  are fed, or can at least reduce the amount of manpower needed between the pusher  100  and a conduit or other structure. In some embodiments, the body  606  connects directly to a conduit instead of the tube  236 . Additionally, some or all of the edges of the inlet  238  can be smooth or polished to reduce friction between the surfaces of the inlet  238  and the conductors  248  during feeding. Furthermore, the materials used to form the inlet  238  can be varied to reduce friction, if desired. For example, the inlet  238  can be coated or impregnated with any desired materials to provide reduced friction or for other purposes. 
     In some embodiments, the inlet  238 , the tube  236 , and/or the outlet assembly  244  includes a lubrication mechanism  608  for applying lubricant to the conductors  248  as the conductors  248  are fed into the tube  236  and/or into a conduit (not illustrated). The lubrication mechanism  608  supplies a lubricant to one or more spray heads  610  disposed in the body  606 . Lubricants can be supplied to the spray heads  610  via lubrication lines  612 . In some embodiments, the lubrication mechanism  608  receives lubrication via a supply line  614 . The supply line  614  can be pressurized, and/or the lubrication mechanism  608  can include a pump to pressurize the lubrication for delivery to the spray heads  610 . In some embodiments, the amount of lubrication applied to the conductors  248  is such that the supply line  614  may be omitted, and the lubrication mechanism  608  can include a self-contained tank for the lubricant. These embodiments are exemplary, and should not be construed as being limiting in any way. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , an operating environment  700  for the pusher  100  will be described in detail. The pusher  100  is located at a feed end  702  of a conduit  704 . The pusher  100  pushes one or more conductors  248  into the conduit  704  via the guiding device  234 . As explained above, the guiding device  234  can lubricate the conductors  248 , if desired. In some embodiments, the conductors  248  include a “no-lube” coating or sheath, or require no lubrication or “no-lube” coatings. The conductors  248  pass through the conduit  704  and arrive at a destination  706 . In some embodiments, a puller  708  is located at the destination  706 . The puller  708  can be configured to pull the conductors  248  in concert with the pusher  100 . In other embodiments, a second pusher  100  is located at the destination  706 , and is configured to push the conductors  248  onto a spool, into a coil, into a pile, into a second conduit, or elsewhere. 
     The use of a puller  708  and/or a second pusher  100  at the destination  706  can reduce strain and/or stresses on the conductors  248 . For example, the use of a puller  708  can cause strains or stresses on the conductors  248  when the conductors  248  snag or get caught in the conduit  704  or elsewhere. Similarly, the pusher  100  can cause strains or stresses on the conductors  248  during feeding. Thus, a pusher  100  and a puller  708  and/or a second pusher  100  can reduce strains and stresses by applying a pulling force on one end of the conductors  248  at the same time as an equal pushing force is applied to another end of the conductors  248 . While such benefits are possible in some embodiments, it should be understood that these benefits are not always recognized as a result of employing an operating environment similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Thus, the above benefits should not be construed as limiting in any way the scope of the disclosure and/or the claims. 
     An operator  710  can be located proximate to the destination  706  and/or elsewhere in the operating environment  700 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the operator  710  controls the remote control  410 , which sends control signals  712  to one or more pushers  100  and/or pullers  708 . Thus, the pusher  100  can be used as a “dead man” at a feed end, if desired, and can be controlled remotely by the operator  710  or another entity. In some embodiments, the ability to control one or more pushers  100  and/or pullers  708  can provide a safer work environment, and can eliminate the need for operators on one or more ends of the conduit  704 . 
     The subject matter described above is provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting. Various modifications and changes may be made to the subject matter described herein without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter, which is set forth in the following claims.