Patent Publication Number: US-11381062-B2

Title: Hand assist pushing tool for cables

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/150,265, filed Oct. 2, 2018, pending, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/626,279, filed Feb. 5, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/566,725, filed Oct. 2, 2017. The disclosures of the prior applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure is directed to a hand assist pushing tool for cables, and more particularly for pushing fiber optical cables into a duct or conduit. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Installing fiber optical cables, for example, in a building or structure typically requires running the cables along a complex route. For example, the cables may be run underground or through ceilings, walls, or crawl spaces. Accordingly, it is conventional to use a duct to install the cables into the building or structure in order to protect the cables during the installation. However, the cables must be propelled through long and narrow ducts in order to reach the desired location. In some installations, the ducts are buried deep underground to provide added protection to the cables, which may be damaged if installed incorrectly. Furthermore, buried cables may be beneficial in urban areas or in harsh climate conditions. Placing the cables into the ducts and propelling the cables through the ducts can be costly and time consuming, particularly in complex installations. 
     Traditional methods for propelling fiber optic cables into ducts include pulling the cable with a winch rope. However, this technique is limited to short lengths and requires manpower at both ends of the duct. Other traditional methods include using pressurized fluid, blowing gas into the duct, or using an electrical or battery powered machine to propel the cables into and through the ducts. However, pressurized fluid and blown gas only allows the cables to be installed limited lengths within the ducts. Furthermore, electrical and battery powered machines are costly to produce and may be heavy to operate due to the bulky engine or battery pack required to operate such machines. 
     The disclosed system is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above and/or other problems of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed to a pushing tool for propelling cable into a duct. The pushing tool includes a drive wheel that is coupled with a base and a rotatable handle. A first cable guide and a second cable guide are configured to hold the cable. A duct guide is configured to hold the duct. Furthermore, a tension wheel is configured to interact with the drive wheel such that an orifice is formed between the tension wheel and the drive wheel, the orifice is configured to receive the cable. Upon rotation of the rotatable handle, the drive wheel interacts with the tension wheel to propel the cable into the duct. 
     According to various aspects, the pushing tool of the present disclosure may be a hand powered device that does not include a motor or a battery to propel the cable into the duct. 
     The pushing tool may further include a hand rest that is configured to pivot from a first side of the base to a second side of the base. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary hand assist pushing tool in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the exemplary hand assist pushing tool of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are enlarged views illustrating a portion of the exemplary hand assist pushing tool of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary hand assist pushing tool in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the exemplary hand assist pushing tool of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are enlarged views illustrating a portion of the exemplary hand assist pushing tool of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are enlarged views illustrating a portion of the exemplary hand assist pushing tool of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  are enlarged views illustrating a portion of the exemplary hand assist pushing tool of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary hand assist pushing tool in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the exemplary hand assist pushing tool of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  are enlarged views illustrating a portion of the exemplary hand assist pushing tool of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 12  is another diagrammatic view of the exemplary hand assist pushing tool of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary disclosed hand assist pushing tool  10  in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. The pushing tool is operable to introduce cable  20  into and through a duct  30 . Cable  20  may be any conventional wire or cable including, for example, fiber optic cables, power cables, or electrical conductive wires. Duct  30  may include any enclosed canal, conduit, tubing, or other enclosed stricture in which cable is typically inserted. Cable  20  and duct  30  may each be of standard lengths and diameters, as is well known in the industry. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the pushing tool  10  includes a base  40 , a mount  100 , a drive wheel  80 , and a tensioning member  120 . The mount  100  is configured to be fixedly mounted to the base  40  such that the mount  100  does not rotate or translate relative to the base  40 . The base  40  may be hollow in order to provide a lightweight design of the pushing tool  10 . Alternatively, the base  40  may be a solid member in order to provide increased durability to the pushing tool  10 . 
     A stationary handle  55 , an arm rest  60 , and a first cable guide  85  may be coupled to the base  40 . The stationary handle  55 , the arm rest  60 , and the first cable guide  85  may be adjustably coupled to the base  40  by any conventional method such as, for example, an interference fit, a clamping arrangement, a threaded set screw, or the like. In some embodiments, the stationary handle  55 , the arm rest  60 , and the first cable guide  85  may be coupled with the base  40  such that the stationary handle  55 , the arm rest  60 , and the first cable guide  85  do not move relative to the base  40  during operation of the pushing tool  10 . 
     A drive wheel  80  is configured to be coupled with the mount  100  such that the drive wheel  80  is capable of rotating relative to the mount  100 . For example, the drive wheel  80  may be rotatably coupled relative to a shaft  45  extending from the mount  100 . The mount  100  may include a bearing or bushing configured to cooperate with a hub of the drive wheel  80  in order to provide smooth rotation of the drive wheel  80  relative to the mount  100 . The drive wheel  80  may be removably coupled with the mount  100  by a coupling member  81  that cooperates with the shaft  45  or any other conventional means such that the drive wheel  80  remains coupled with the mount  100  during operation of the pushing tool  10 . 
     A rotatable handle  50  may be coupled with the drive wheel  80  such that the rotatable handle  50  is rotatable with the drive wheel  80  relative to the mount  100  and the base  40 . Thus, the rotatable handle  50  can be used to operate a drive wheel  80 . The drive wheel  80  may be comprised of metal, for example, aluminum. 
     The drive wheel  80  may cooperate with the first cable guide  85  and a second cable guide  90 , which is coupled with the mount  100 , to guide cable  20  into duct  30 . It is also envisioned that only a single one of the cable guides  85 ,  90  may be used or a more than two cable guides (e.g., three, five, etc.) may be used with pushing tool  10 . The first cable guide  85  and the second cable guide  90  may each include an slot  86 ,  91  into which the cable  20  may be inserted. In the exemplary disclosed embodiments, the slot  86  of the first cable guide  85  extends transverse to the slot  91  of the second cable guide  90 . In some aspects, the first cable guide  85  may be disposed at angle of, for example, 90° relative to the second cable guide  90 . 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate the pushing tool  10  with the rotatable handle  50 , the stationary handle  55 , and the arm rest  60  arranged in a right hand configuration. That is, during use, a user may, for example, place his left forearm in arm rest  60  and grip stationary handle  55  with his left hand while operating the rotatable handle  50  with his right hand. It should be appreciate that the arm rest  60  may be rotated relative to the base  40 , for example, by 180°, so that, in some embodiments, the arm rest  60  may move from a first side of the base  40  to a second side of the base  40  relative to a longitudinal direction L of the base  40 . Additionally, the stationary handle  55  may be rotated with regard to base  40 , for example, by 180°, so that, in some embodiments, the stationary handle  55  may move from the first side of the base  40  to the second side of the base  40 . In some embodiments, the arm rest  60  and the stationary handle  55  may be configured to move together. Such movement of arm rest  60  and stationary handle  55  may allow both a right-handed user and a left-handed user to operate pushing tool  10 . Accordingly, after arm rest  60  and stationary handle  55  are rotated around base  40 , the user may, for example, place his right forearm in arm rest  60  and grip stationary handle  55  with his right hand while operating rotatable handle  50  with his left hand. Rotation of arm rest  60  around base  40  may be completed by pivoting arm rest  60  from the first side of base  40  to the second side of base  40 . Rotation of stationary handle  55  around base  40  may be completed by pivoting stationary handle  55  from the first side of base  40  to the second side of base  40 . 
     The drive wheel  80  may include one or more ridges/notches along its outer circumferential surface that apply pressure points on cable  20  to reduce slippage of cable  20  in the pushing tool  10 . As discussed further below, the outer circumferential surface  82  of the drive wheel  80  may form a v-shape. Thus, the ridges on drive wheel  80  may be disposed in a direction transverse to the circumferential direction of the drive wheel  80  along the v-shaped outer surface. In some aspects (or embodiments), the ridges on drive wheel  80  may be spaced apart to match the spacing of complementary grooves of a cable, such as for example, a MiniFlex® grooved cable. For example, the centers of the ridges may be spaced apart by the same distance d as the distance d between consecutive grooves of the cable. Alternatively, the ridges may be spaced apart by a distance nd, where n is a whole number, and d is the distance between consecutive grooves of the cable. The ridges on drive wheel  80  may interact with the grooves on the cable to reduce slippage of the cable. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the mount  100  may include one or more openings  105  through which the shaft  45  may be inserted. Such openings  105  allow the rotatable handle  50  (and, thus, drive wheel  80 ) to be disposed at various positions on the pushing tool  10  to accommodate users of varying sizes. The second cable guide  90  may be integral with the mount  100 . In some embodiments, the second cable guide  90  and the mount  100  form one unitary member. In alternative embodiments, the second cable guide  90  may be secured to the mount  100  using any conventional securing mechanism. 
     The mount  100  may also include a duct guide  110  through which duct  30  may be disposed. Duct guide  110  may include an aperture sized so that the duct  30  may be securely positioned within duct guide  110 . For example, the duct guide  110  may be a quick release connector, as would be understood by persons skilled in the art. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the duct guide  110  may be disposed on an opposite end of the mount  100  from the second cable guide  90 . The duct guide  110  may be integral with mount  100  in some embodiments such that the duct guide  110  and mount  100  form one unitary member. In alternative embodiments, the duct guide  110  may be secured to mount  100  using any conventional securing mechanism. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the tensioning assembly  120  is coupled with the mount  100  via a pin  160  and coupling member  162 . In other embodiments, the tensioning assembly  120  may be secured to the mount  100  through any conventional securing mechanism. As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , tensioning assembly  120  includes a threaded shaft  130  and a moveable connector  135 , which is mounted to the pin  160  for vertical movement relative to a housing  140 . A tension wheel  180  is mounted to the pin  160  for rotation relative to the pin  160  and the housing  140 . 
     The tensioning assembly  120  includes actuator  170  that is configured to adjust a tension force on the tension wheel  180 , which in turn adjusts the force that the tension wheel  180  applies to the cable  20  that is fed between the outer circumferential surface  82  of the drive wheel  80  and the tension wheel  180 . The actuator  170  is fixedly coupled with movable connector  135  for vertical movement therewith. Additionally, tensioning assembly  120  may include a spring member  150 . The tensioning assembly  120  may be secured on the pushing tool  10  so that the tension wheel  180  forms an opening  175  with the drive wheel  80 . Cable  20  may be disposed within the opening  175  as the cable  20  is propelled into duct  30 . 
     Actuator  170  may be manipulated (for example, by manually screwing actuator  170  relative to housing  140 ) so that actuator  170  may move in a downward direction or an upward direction relative to housing  140 . Actuator  170  may be moved downward (closer to drive wheel  80 ) and upward (further from drive wheel  80 ) with regard to housing  140 . Upon movement of actuator  170  in the downward direction, threaded shaft  130  may also move in the downward direction with actuator  170 . Such downward movement of threaded shaft  130  may cause moveable connector  135  to also move in the downward direction, which in turn causes the pin  160  to move in the downward direction. Such movement then causes tension wheel  180  to move downward and toward drive wheel  80  so that the size of the opening  175  is relatively smaller. 
     Conversely, movement of actuator  170  in the upward direction may cause threaded shaft  130 , moveable connector  135 , and pin member  160  to also move upward. Such movement may then cause tension wheel  180  to move upward and away from drive wheel  80  so that the size of the opening  175  is relatively larger. Therefore, movement of actuator  170  may be used to control the size of the opening  175 . Such movement allows for different sized cables to be disposed through the opening  175 . Additionally, such movement allows the tension wheel  180  to apply a desired amount of tension on the cable  20  when cable  20  is being propelled through duct  30 . 
     As also shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , spring member  150  on tensioning assembly  120  may bias moveable connector  135  in the downward direction. Such bias may help to apply the desired amount of tension on cable  20 . 
     During use, cable  20  is disposed within the opening  175  with the cable  20  also aligned with the duct  30 . As discussed above, manipulation of actuator  170  may cause a downward movement of tension wheel  180  toward drive wheel  80 . Thus, when cable  20  is disposed in the opening  175  between tension wheel  180  and drive wheel  80 , tension wheel  180  applies a desired downward pressure on cable  20 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the opening  175  is formed by a v-shaped outer surface  182  of tension wheel  180  and a v-shaped outer surface  82  of drive wheel  80 . The cable  20  is secured in the opening  175  due to a desired gripping force of the v-shaped outer surfaces of the wheels  80 ,  180 , and cable  20  is fed into duct  30 . A user can then rotate the rotatable handle  50  which is turn rotates the drive wheel  80  relative to the mount  100 . As the drive wheel  80  is rotated, the interaction of tension wheel  180  and drive wheel  80  with the cable  20  propels cable  20  forward and into duct  30 . Thus, the interaction of tension wheel  180  and drive wheel  80  prevents or reduces cable  20  from moving backward away from duct  30 . 
     Tension wheel  180  and drive wheel  80  may form a complimentary and interlocking engagement within the opening  175 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 3B , drive wheel  80  may include outer edges  185  that radially overlap with tension wheel  180 . Furthermore, outer edges  185  of drive wheel  80  may be radially outward of tension wheel  180  when tension wheel  180  is engaged with cable  20 . This complimentary and interlocking engagement between tension wheel  180  and drive  80  may allow the wheels to be easily and properly aligned during use. 
     It is also envisioned that the outer surface of tension wheel  180  and of drive wheel  80  may comprise other shapes than a v-shape. For example, these outer surfaces may comprise a rectangular, square, circular, oval, or elliptical shape. Additionally, in some embodiments, the outer surfaces may be chamfered along one or more edges. For example, outer edges  185  of drive wheel  80  may be chamfered. It is also within the scope of the disclosure that the outer surface of tension wheel  180  comprises a different shape from the outer surface of drive wheel  80 . 
     Actuator  170  may be lowered and raised relative to drive wheel  80 . Accordingly, as discussed above, actuator  170  may be lowered during an operation state so that tension wheel  180  applies a downward pressure on cable  20  that is disposed within orifice  175 . Furthermore, actuator  170  may be raised during an inactive state so that tension wheel  180  no longer applies the downward on pressure on cable  20  that is disposed within orifice  175 . 
       FIGS. 4-8B  are directed to a second embodiment of a hand assist pushing tool  300 . With regard to the second embodiment, descriptions of structures are omitted that are similar to those described above for the first embodiment. 
     Similar to the first embodiment, the second embodiment is used for introducing cable  320  into and through a duct (not shown in  FIG. 4 ). As shown in  FIG. 4 , pushing tool  300  may include a base  340  that is coupled with a rotatable handle  350 , a stationary handle  355 , and an arm rest  360 . During use, a user may, for example, place his left forearm in arm rest  360  and grip stationary handle  355  with his left hand while operating rotatable handle  350  with his right hand. Arm rest  360  may be circular with a strap  361  to accommodate different sized arms. Thus, strap  361  may be used to form different sizes of arm rest  360 , and may be secured in a desired position with an adhesive, Velcro, snaps, or any other well-known attachment means. Additionally, strap  361  may enable a user to form a tight fit between arm rest  360  and a user&#39;s arm. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , pushing tool  300  includes a first cable guide  385  and a second cable guide  390 . A drive wheel  380  may be used with first cable guide  385  and second cable guide  390  to propel cable  320  into the duct. As discussed further below, tensioning assembly  420  may also be used to propel cable  320 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , a mount  400  may be coupled with base  340  to secure rotatable handle  350  and drive wheel  380  to base  340 . Thus, shaft  345  may be disposed through rotatable handle  350  and through mount  400  so that drive wheel  380  rotates relative to base  340  due to rotation of rotatable handle  350 . Mount  400  may include one or more openings  405  through which shaft  345  may be inserted. Such openings  405  allow rotatable handle  350  (and, thus, drive wheel  380 ) to be disposed at various positions on pushing tool  10  to accommodate users of varying sizes. 
     Mount  400  may also include a duct guide  410  through which the duct may be disposed. Duct guide  110  may include an aperture sized so that the duct may be securely positioned within duct guide  410 . 
     Tensioning assembly  420  may be coupled with base  340  through mount  400 . As shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , tensioning assembly  420  includes a shaft  430 , a spring member  450 , a threaded member  440 , a cam lever  470 , and a tension wheel  480 . Shaft  430  may be coupled with tension wheel  480  through a moveable connector  435  and a pin member  460 . Thus, movement of shaft  430  may also cause movement of moveable connector  435 , pin member  460 , and tension wheel  480 . 
     Threaded member  440  may be manipulated by a user, for example, by manually screwing threaded member  440  relative to mount  400 . Thus, threaded member  440  may be moved to multiple positions by moving downward and upward relative to mount  400 . Movement of threaded member  440  relative to mount  400  may cause tension wheel  480  to form different sized orifices  475  with drive wheel  380 . For example, movement of threaded member  440  upward may form a relatively larger orifice  475 , and movement of threaded member  440  downward, may form a relatively smaller orifice  475 . Thus, movement of threaded member  440  may accommodate for different sized cables  320 . 
     Once threaded member  440  is set in the desired position, cam lever  470  may move from a first, unlocked position to a second, locked position.  FIGS. 6A-7B  show cam lever  470  in the locked position and  FIGS. 8A and 8B  show cam lever  470  in the unlocked position. Movement of cam lever  470  to the locked position may cause shaft  430  to move downwards to engage tension wheel  480 . More specifically, shaft  430  may move downward (closer to drive wheel  380 ). Such downward movement of shaft  430  may cause moveable connector  435  to also move in the downward direction, which in turn may cause pin member  460  to move in the downward direction. This downward movement may cause tension wheel  480  to move downward and toward drive wheel  380  so that cable  320  is securely positioned within orifice  475 . As discussed above, the size of orifice  475 , when tension wheel  480  is moved to the downward position, may be determined by the position of threaded member  440 . 
     Tension wheel  480  and drive wheel  380  may form a complimentary and interlocking engagement within orifice  475  in order to propel cable  320  into the duct. Additionally, the downward force on tension wheel  480  may allow tension wheel  480  to apply a sufficient amount of tension on cable  320  when cable  320  is being propelled through the duct. 
     Movement of cam lever  470  from the second, locked position to the first, unlocked position may release the pressure exerted on cable  320  from tension wheel  480 . Thus, shaft  430  may move upward, relative to drive wheel  380  so that tension wheel  480  releases at least some pressure on cable  320 . Spring member  450  may be a return spring that aids to move shaft  430  upward, relative to drive wheel  380 . Due to the upward movement of shaft  430 , pin member  450  and moveable member  435  may also move upward. 
     Additionally, threaded member  440  may be maintained in the set position when cam lever  470  is moved from the first, unlocked position to the second, locked position. Therefore, the size of orifice  475 , when tension wheel  480  is in the downward position, is maintained in a set position when cam lever  470  is moved from the first, unlocked position to the second, locked position. For example, a user can set the desired position of threaded member  440  (and thus of orifice  475  when tension wheel  480  is in the downward position), propel a first cable into a first duct, move to a different location, and then propel a second cable into a second duct while the position of threaded member  440  remains set in the desired position. Therefore, the size of orifice  475  also remains the same. Such may be advantageous if the first and second cables are of the same size, so that the user does not have to readjust the position of threaded member  440 . 
     Movement of cam lever  470  between the first and second positions allows for a quick release of tension wheel  480  from drive wheel  380 . Thus, tension wheel  480  may be quickly released from engagement with drive wheel  380 . 
       FIGS. 9-12  are directed to a third embodiment of a hand assist pushing tool  800 . With regard to the second embodiment, descriptions of structures are omitted that are similar to those described above for the first embodiment. 
     Similar to the first embodiment, the second embodiment is used for introducing cable  820  into and through a duct (not shown in  FIG. 9 ). As shown in  FIG. 9 , pushing tool  800  may include a base  840  that is coupled with a rotatable handle  850 , a stationary handle  855 , an arm rest  860 , and a mount  900 . The base  840  is configured as a square tube to prevent rotation of the stationary handle  855 , the arm rest  860 , and the mount  900  relative to the base  840 . Spring pins  856 ,  901  may be configured to couple the stationary handle  855  and the mount  900 , respectively, to the base  860  such that the stationary handle  855  and mount  900  cannot translate along the length of the base  840 . During use, a user may, for example, place his left forearm in arm rest  860  and grip stationary handle  855  with his left hand while operating rotatable handle  850  with his right hand. Arm rest  860  may be circular with a strap  861  to accommodate different sized arms. Thus, strap  861  may be used to form different sizes of arm rest  860 , and may be secured in a desired position with an adhesive, Velcro, snaps, or any other well-known attachment means. Additionally, strap  861  may enable a user to form a tight fit between arm rest  860  and a user&#39;s arm. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , pushing tool  800  includes a cable guide  890 . A drive wheel  880  may cooperate with the cable guide  890  to direct the cable  820  into the duct. As discussed further below, tensioning assembly  920  may also be used to propel cable  820 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , a mount  900  may be coupled with base  840  to secure rotatable handle  850  and drive wheel  880  to base  840 . Thus, shaft  845  may be disposed through rotatable handle  850  and through mount  900  so that drive wheel  880  rotates relative to base  840  due to rotation of rotatable handle  850 . 
     Mount  900  may also include a duct guide  910  through which the duct may be disposed. Duct guide  910  may include an aperture sized so that the duct may be securely positioned within duct guide  910 . 
     Tensioning assembly  920  may be coupled with base  840  through mount  900 . As shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , tensioning assembly  920  includes a shaft  930 , a spring member  950 , an actuator  970 , and a tension wheel  980 . Shaft  930  may be coupled with tension wheel  980  through a moveable connector  935 , for example, via threaded connection, and a pin member  960 . Thus, movement of shaft  930  may also cause movement of moveable connector  935 , pin member  960 , and tension wheel  980 . 
     A threaded member  940 , such a grub screw, is threaded into the actuator and loads the spring member  950  with a force against the shaft  930 . The actuator  970  may be manipulated by a user, for example, by manually turning the actuator relative to mount  900 . Thus, actuator  970  may be moved to multiple positions by moving downward and upward relative to mount  900 . Movement of actuator  970  relative to mount  900  may cause tension wheel  980  to form different sized orifices  975  with drive wheel  880 . For example, movement of actuator  970  upward may form a relatively larger orifice  975 , and movement of actuator  970  downward, may form a relatively smaller orifice  975 . Thus, movement of threaded member  940  may accommodate for different sized cables  820 . 
     Such downward movement of actuator  970  causes the shaft  930  to be urged downward under force of the spring  950 , which causes the moveable connector  935  to also move in the downward direction, which in causes pin member  960  to move in the downward direction. This downward movement causes the tension wheel  980  to move downward and toward drive wheel  880  so that cable  820  is securely positioned within orifice  975 . As discussed above, the size of orifice  975 , when tension wheel  980  is moved to the downward position, may be determined by the position of actuator  970 . 
     Tension wheel  980  and drive wheel  880  may form a complimentary and interlocking engagement within orifice  975  in order to propel cable  820  into the duct. Additionally, the downward force on tension wheel  980  may allow tension wheel  980  to apply a desired amount of tension on cable  820  when cable  820  is being propelled through the duct. 
     Movement of cam lever  970  between the first and second positions allows for a quick release of tension wheel  980  from drive wheel  880 . Thus, tension wheel  980  may be quickly released from engagement with drive wheel  880 . 
     In some embodiments, pushing tool  10 / 300 / 800  may be used with a support structure  190 , such as a tripod structure to provide added stability. Support structure may include legs that are disposed on the ground and arms that receive pushing tool  10 . 
     In some embodiments, duct guide  110 / 410 / 810  may include one or magnets  200 / 500 / 900  that are attracted to duct  30  to further stabilize duct  30  within duct guide  110 / 410 / 910 . More specifically, when cable  20 / 320 / 820  is propelled into and through duct  30 , such propulsion applies a backward force on duct  30 , away from duct guide  110 / 410 / 910 . Thus, duct  30  may inadvertently become displaced from duct guide  110 / 410 / 910 . Accordingly, magnets  200 / 500 / 900  help to further secure duct  30  within duct guide  110 / 410 / 910  so that duct  30  does not become inadvertently displaced from duct guide  110 / 410 / 910 . 
     Pushing tool  10 / 300 / 900  may be disposed within a carrying bag  210  in order to easily transport pushing tool  10 . Carrying bag  210  may include a strap and/or wheels. 
     In use, cable  20  is disposed into and through first cable guide  85 / 385 / 885  and second cable guide  90 / 390 / 890 , and an end of duct  30  is secured in duct guide  110 / 410 / 910 . Tensioning assembly  120 / 420 / 920  is attached to mount  100 / 400 / 900  so that cable  20 / 320 / 820  is disposed within orifice  175 / 475 / 975 . The user manipulates tensioning assembly  120 / 420 / 920  so that cable  20 / 320 / 820  is secured in orifice  175 / 475 / 975  between tension wheel  180 / 480 / 980  and drive wheel  80 / 380 / 880 . When the user rotates rotatable handle  50 , the v-shaped outer surface of tension wheel  180 / 480 / 980  and the v-shaped outer surface of drive wheel  80 / 380 / 880  engage cable  20 / 320 / 820  and cause cable  20 / 320 / 820  to be fed through and into duct  30 . More specifically, tension wheel  180 / 480 / 880  and drive wheel  80 / 380 / 880  interact to grip cable  20 / 320 / 820 , causing cable  20 / 320 / 820  to be propelled into duct  30 . The interaction of tension wheel  180 / 480 / 980  and drive wheel  80 / 380 / 880  also prevents or reduces cable  20 / 320 / 820  from moving backward away from duct  30 . 
     Thus, pushing tool  10 / 300 / 800  may be a hand powered device that does not include the use of a motor or battery to propel cable  20 / 320 / 820  into duct  30 . Such provides a relatively smaller apparatus with reduced manufacturing costs from the conventional electric motor or battery powered apparatuses. In some embodiments, pushing tool  10 / 300 / 800  may be a hand powered device that includes a simple motor attached to drive wheel  80 / 380 / 880 . Such allows provides a smaller apparatus with reduced manufacturing costs Additionally, the simplicity of pushing tool  10 / 300 / 800  allows cable  20 / 320 / 820  to be easily advanced into duct  30  on location with a minimal number of users and with no external power requirements. 
     Drive wheel  80 / 380 / 880  may be of sufficient diameter so that cable  20 / 320 / 820  may be propelled into duct at one foot per revolution of drive wheel  80 / 380 / 880 . 
     Pushing tool  10 / 300 / 800  may also be used to pull cable  20 / 320 / 820  out of duct  30  by rotating drive wheel  80 / 380 / 880  in an opposite direction to the direction of inserting cable  20 / 320 / 820 . 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the system of the present disclosure. Other embodiments of the pushing tool will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the method disclosed herein. 
     Additional embodiments include any one of the embodiments described above, where one or more of its components, functionalities or structures is interchanged with, replaced by or augmented by one or more of the components, functionalities, or structures of a different embodiment described above. 
     It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims. 
     Although several embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure will come to mind to which the disclosure pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein above, and that many modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the present disclosure, nor the claims which follow.