Patent Publication Number: US-2011057157-A1

Title: Cable pulling machine

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application for Patent Ser. No. 61/184,185, filed on Jun. 4, 2009, and entitled CABLE PULLING MACHINE, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments of the invention relate to a device for pulling cables or wires, and more particularly, to a handheld cable puller for pulling cables or wires through a raceway or conduit. 
     BACKGROUND 
     To accomplish the distribution of electricity, insulated electrical wire must be installed between the power source and power distribution box and routed to electrical boxes to supply the required electrical power to a device, such as an electrical outlet, lighting fixture or raceways. In many instances, electrical wires in buildings are routed through one or more conduits to connect electrical boxes and/or panels together. Conduits often span great distances and may include one or more elbows or turns. This increases the difficulty of pulling wires through the conduits. In many instances, the conduit is hidden behind walls and above the ceilings in buildings. A typical method of pulling cable through conduit requires multiple workers arduously pulling lengths of cable through the conduit by hand, which can be a time consuming and manual labor intensive process. 
     SUMMARY 
     An embodiment of a handheld portable cable puller for pulling cable through a raceway includes a housing, a spool fixedly interfaced to the housing. and a length of pulling cable disposed on the spool for being played out from the spool and rewound on the spool. The handheld portable cable puller further includes a motive device for driving the spool to rewind the pulling cable on the spool, and an interface for abutting proximate to an end of the raceway to substantially absorb resistive forces from the pulling cable during rewinding. 
     Another embodiment of a handheld portable cable puller for pulling cable through a raceway includes a housing, and a spool fixedly interfaced to the housing. The spool has a hook on a surface thereof configured to attach a pulling line thereto. The handheld portable cable puller further includes a motive device for driving the spool to rewind the pulling line on the spool, and an interface for abutting proximate to an end of the raceway to substantially absorb resistive forces from the pulling cable during rewinding. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings in which: 
         FIGS. 1A-1U  illustrate an embodiment of a handheld cable puller; 
         FIG. 1V-1W  illustrate another embodiment of the handheld cable puller; 
         FIG. 1X  illustrates a right-rear perspective view of still another embodiment of the handheld cable puller; 
         FIG. 1Y  illustrates another embodiment of the cable drum having a hook for attaching a jetline; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of a wiring diagram of the handheld cable puller; 
         FIGS. 3A-3B  illustrate an embodiment of the pulling arm and pulling head of the handheld cable puller of  FIG. 1A-1T ; 
         FIGS. 4A-4B  illustrate an embodiment of an extension bar; 
         FIGS. 4C-4D  illustrate another embodiment of the extension bar; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the pulling arm and extension bar; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an example operation of the handheld cable puller; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the funnel system, raceway, and rotating flexible feed end of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIGS. 8A-8B  illustrate an embodiment of the box roller of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIGS. 9A &amp; 9B  illustrate an alternative embodiment of a pulling arm; 
         FIGS. 10A-10B  illustrate another alternative embodiment of a pulling arm; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates another embodiment of a pulling arm; and 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an embodiment of a cable head for attachment of cables or wires to the pulling cable. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers are used herein to designate like elements throughout, the various views and embodiments of a cable pulling machine are illustrated and described, and other possible embodiments are described. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in some instances the drawings have been exaggerated and/or simplified in places for illustrative purposes only. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the many possible applications and variations based on the following examples of possible embodiments. 
       FIGS. 1A-1T  illustrate an embodiment of a handheld cable puller  100 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1H , the handheld cable puller  100  includes a drum housing  102  coupled to a motor housing  104  having a first handle portion  106 .  FIG. 1A  illustrates a right side view of the handheld cable puller  100 .  FIG. 1B  illustrates a left side view of the handheld cable puller  100 .  FIG. 1C  illustrates a top view of the handheld cable puller  100 .  FIG. 1D  illustrates a bottom view of the handheld cable puller  100 .  FIG. 1E  illustrates a front-right perspective view of the handheld cable puller  100 .  FIG. 1F  illustrates a rear-left perspective view of the handheld cable puller  100 .  FIG. 1G  illustrates a rear-left perspective view of the handheld cable puller  100 .  FIG. 1H  illustrates a front perspective view of the handheld cable puller  100 . In various embodiments, the handheld cable puller  100  is portable by a user. 
     The first handle portion  106  functions as a user interface to allow a user to hold and operate the handheld cable puller  100 . The handheld cable puller  100  further includes a frame  108  coupled to the drum housing  102 . The frame  108  includes a first frame end  110  and a second frame end  112 . In a particular embodiment, the first frame end  110  of the frame  108  is coupled to the drum housing  102 . In the particular illustrated embodiment, the frame  108  includes left and right frame portions  109   a ,  109   b , each having a lateral portion with a substantially rectangular form extending from the first frame end  110  to the second frame end  112 . 
     The handheld cable puller  100  further includes a motor  116  disposed within the motor housing  104 . The motor  116  has a front portion coupled to the frame  108  proximate to the first frame end  110  and a rear portion proximate to the handle portion  106 . In at least one embodiment, the motor  116  may be removably coupled to the frame  108  such that a user may detach the motor housing  104 , motor  116 , and handle portion  106  from the frame  108 . In a particular embodiment, the motor  116  is a right angle drill. In at least one embodiment, the motor  116  is an alternating current (AC) motor. In other embodiments, the motor  116  may be a direct current (DC) motor. A cable drum  118  is rotatably supported on the frame  108  and coupled to the motor  116 . Although the current embodiment is illustrated as using a cable drum  118 , it should be understood that any other type of cable spool may be used. In various embodiments, the motor  116  is configured to drive rotation of the cable drum  118  at a desired speed and/or direction of rotation in response to control by a user and with a desired torque. Although in the illustrated embodiment the motor  116  is an electric motor, it should be understood that in some embodiments other types of motive devices may be used such as air, hydraulically driven, or hand-cranked motive devices. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1L-1M , the cable drum  118  includes a spindle  120 , a first drum guide  122   a  at a first end of the spindle  120 , and a second drum guide  122   b  at a second end of the spindle  120 .  FIG. 1L  illustrates a top perspective view of the cable drum  118 .  FIG. 1M  illustrates a top-right perspective view of the cable drum  118 . In at least one embodiment, the spindle  120  includes a spindle hole  124  configured to facilitate attachment of an end of a length of pulling cable  134  to the spindle  120 . In a particular embodiment, the spindle  120  is formed of a cylindrical rod rotatably supported on the opposing sides of the frame  108  via a drum shaft  121 . In at least one embodiment, the spindle  120  is approximately 2″ in diameter. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second drum guides  122   a ,  122   b  are attached at opposing ends of the spindle  120  and are formed of substantially circular plates, each having a diameter greater than a diameter of the spindle  120 . The first and second drum guides  122   a ,  122   b  are adapted to retain the pulling cable  134  on the spindle  120  during winding of the pulling cable  134  on the cable drum  118 . In at least one embodiment, the pulling cable is a high strength wire cable coated with a material having a low coefficient of friction such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or Hexaflon. In a particular embodiment, the low friction material has a coefficient of friction of less than 0.1. In still another embodiment, the low friction material has a coefficient of friction of between 0.04 and 0.1. In a particular embodiment, the pulling cable  134  is 3/32″diameter braided stainless steel cable. In various embodiments, the relatively small diameter pulling cable  134  allows for a desired length of pulling cable  134  to be wound on the spindle  120  without increasing the weight of the handheld cable puller  100  to an undesired level. 
     The handheld cable puller  100  further includes a cable winding guide  126  rotatably supported on the frame  108 . The cable winding guide  126  includes a cable guide shaft  128  having a plurality of cross-cut channels  130  extending along a portion thereof. The cable winding guide  126  further includes a guide portion  132  having a guide shaft hole  133 . The cable guide shaft  128  passes through the guide shaft hole  133  and the guide shaft hole  133  engages the cross-cut channels  130 . The guide portion  132  may further include an adjustment screw  137  extending through the guide shaft hole  133  which may be adjusted to be in engagement with the cross-cut channels  130  of the cable guide shaft  128 . The pulling cable  134  passes through a cable guide slot  135  of the guide portion  132  of the cable winding guide  126 . In a particular embodiment, the cable guide slot  135  is of a substantially rectangular shape. 
     The handheld cable puller  100  further includes, on a right-hand side of the handheld cable puller  100 , a motor gear  136  coupled to a shaft of the motor  116 , and a first drum gear  138   a  coupled to the spindle  120  of the cable drum  118 . In a particular embodiment, the first drum gear  138   a  is disposed on the drum shaft  121 . A cable shaft drive gear  140  is coupled to the cable guide shaft  128  of the cable winding guide  126 . In the particular illustrated embodiment, a drive chain  142  couples the motor gear  136  to the first drum gear  138   a . The handheld cable puller  100  may further include a removable right gear cover  139  which may be attached to the drum housing  102  to cover the motor gear  136 , the first drum gear  138   a , and the drive chain  142 .  FIG. 1G  illustrates a right-rear perspective view of the handheld cable puller  100  in which the removable right gear cover has been removed.  FIG. 1I  illustrates a close-up perspective view of the handheld cable puller  100  with the removable right gear cover  139  removed in which the motor gear  136 , the first drum gear  138   a , and the drive chain  142  can be more clearly seen. In still other embodiments, other methods may be used to couple the motor  116  to the cable drum  118 , such as the user of one or more gears or direct drive of the cable drum  118  by the motor  116 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1L-1M , the handheld cable puller  100  further includes, on a left-hand side of the handheld cable puller  100 , a second drum gear  138   b  coupled to the spindle  120  of the cable drum  118 , and a cable shaft drive gear  140  coupled to the cable guide shaft  128 . In a particular embodiment, the second drum gear  138   b  is disposed on the drum shaft  121 . The handheld cable puller  100  further includes a coupling gear  141  mounted to the frame  108  and configured to rotationally couple the second drum gear  138   b  to the cable shaft drive gear  140 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1J , the handheld cable puller may further include a removable left gear cover  143  which may be attached to the drum housing  102  to cover the second drum gear  138   b , the cable shaft drive gear  140 , and the coupling gear  141 .  FIG. 1K  illustrates a close-up perspective view of the handheld cable puller  100  with the removable left gear cover  143  removed in which the second drum gear  138   a , the cable shaft drive gear  140 , and the coupling gear  141  can be more clearly seen. Although the present embodiment is illustrated as showing a single coupling gear  141 , in other embodiments a number of gears may be used in accordance with producing a desired gear ratio between the second drum gear  138   b  and the cable shaft drive gear  140 . 
     Upon rotation of the motor gear  136  by the motor  116 , the cable drum  118  is driven at a predetermined speed of rotation relative to the speed of rotation of the motor  116 . In addition, the cable guide shaft  128  is driven at a predetermined speed of rotation relative to the speed of rotation of the cable drum  118 . The speed of rotation of each of the cable drum  118  and the cable drive shaft  128  relative to the motor  116  are determined based on the respective gear ratios of the motor gear  136 , the first drum gear  138   a , the second drum gear  138   b , the cable shaft drive gear  140 , and the coupling gear  141 . It should be understood that the particular scales and gear ratios illustrated are shown for ease of illustration and are not necessarily representative of the particular scales and gear ratios that may be used. It should also be understood that in various embodiments, the sizes and/or gear ratios of the motor gear  136 , the first drum gear  138   a , the second drum gear  138   b , the cable shaft drive gear  140 , and the coupling gear  141  may be chosen to achieve a desired speed of rotation of the cable drum  118  and the cable guide shaft  128  relative to the speed of rotation of the motor  116 . Although the illustrated embodiments use gears and a drive change  142  to couple the motor  116  to the cable drum  118  and the cable guide shaft  128 , it should be understood that in other embodiments other methods for coupling may be used such as belt drives, worm drives, cable drives, etc. Also, the motor  116  utilizes a worm gear configuration (not shown) to convert a rotation about one axis to a rotation perpendicular thereto. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the handheld cable puller  100  further includes a second handle portion  144  affixed to the frame  108 . The second handle portion  144  allows a user to grasp the second handle portion  144  with a second hand to allow greater control of the movement of the handheld cable puller  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second handle portion  144  is a substantially u-shaped grip having a substantially cylindrical cross-section affixed to the left and right sides of the frame  108 . In still other embodiments, the second handle portion  144  may be of any form suitable for grasping by a hand of a user. In still other embodiments, the second handle portion  144  may be omitted. 
     In at least one embodiment, the handle-held cable puller  100  includes one or more user controls including a finger control switch  146  on a bottom portion of a first handle portion  106 , and a forward/reverse switch  154  on a top portion of the first handle portion  106 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the handheld cable puller  100  may further include in other embodiments a thumb safety switch  148 , a speed control switch  150 , and a thermal overload switch  152 . Operation of the finger control switch  146 , thumb safety switch  148 , speed control switch  150 , thermal overload switch  152  and the forward/reverse switch  154  are described further with respect to  FIG. 2 . 
     The handheld cable puller  100  further includes attachment arms  114   a ,  114   b  coupled to the second frame end  112 . In at least one embodiment, a first end of attachment arm  114   a  is coupled to a right side of the second frame end  112 , a second end of attachment arm  114   b  is coupled to a left side of the second frame end  112 , and a second end of the attachment arm  114   a  and a second end of the attachment arm  114   b  are coupled proximate to one another to form a substantially v-shape. A pulling arm  158  having a first pulling arm end is configured to be coupled to an attachment end  115  of the attachment arms  114   a ,  114   b . In a particular embodiment, the pulling arm  158  is coupled to the attachment arm  114  via a snap-lock mechanism at the attachment end  115 . In at least one embodiment, the pulling arm  158  may be secured in its attachment to the attachment end  115  via an attachment pin  117  that may be placed through holes in the attachment end  115  and the pulling arm  158 . In still other embodiments, the pulling arm  158  and the attachment arm  114  may be formed as an integrated unit permanently affixed to the second frame end  112  of the frame  108 . 
     A second pulling arm end of the pulling arm  158  is coupled to a pulling head  160 . The pulling cable  134  runs through the pulling arm  158  and the pulling head  160 . In at least one embodiment, one or more of the pulling arm  158  and the pulling head  160  may be provided with one or more rollers to facilitate movement of the pulling cable  134  along the pulling arm  158  and the pulling head  160 . In at least one embodiment, the pulling head  160  is configured to be placed against an open end of a conduit during a pulling operation during which the pulling cable  134  pulls one or more cables or wires through a length of the conduit as the pulling cable  134  is wound upon the cable drum.  118 . The pulling arm  158  functions as an interface for abutting proximate to an end of a conduit or other raceway to substantially absorb resistive forces from the pulling cable  134  during rewinding. An example operation of the handheld cable puller  100  will be further described with respect to  FIG. 6 . In at least one embodiment, the handheld cable puller  100  further includes a power cord  162  adapted for coupling the handheld cable puller  100  to a power source. In a particular embodiment, the power cord is adapted for coupling the handheld cable puller  100  to an alternating current (AC) power source. In other embodiments, the handheld cable puller  100  may include a power source such as a battery coupled thereto for powering the motor  116  (where the motor  116  comprises a DC motor). In still other embodiments, the handheld cable puller  100  may be provided with an air or hydraulic connection for some embodiments in which the handheld cable puller  100  may be powered by an air or hydraulic motor. 
     The handheld cable puller  100  further includes a line length meter  156  disposed on the attachment arms  114 . The line length meter  156  is configured to measure the length of the pulling cable  134  unwound or released from the cable drum  118 . In other embodiments, the line length meter  156  may also measure the line length of the pulling cable  134  re-wound on the cable drum  118  during a winding operation.  FIG. 1I  illustrates a close-up right-side perspective view of the line length meter  156 .  FIG. 1T  illustrates a close-up left-side perspective view of the line length meter  156 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1N-1O , the handheld cable puller  100  further includes a fixed cable guide  164  disposed on the end of the attachment arms  114   a ,  114   b  forward of the line length meter  156 .  FIG. 1N  illustrates a top perspective view of the fixed cable guide  164 . The fixed cable guide  164  further facilitates guiding of the pulling cable  134  as it is wound or unwound from the cable drum  118 . In a particular embodiment, the fixed cable guide  164  includes one or more cable guide rollers  166   a ,  166   b  to facilitate guiding of the pulling cable  134 .  FIG. 1O  illustrates a top view of the cable guide  164  that includes a roller cover  167  which may be attached to the fixed cable guide  164  to cover the cable guide rollers  166   a ,  166   b . In at least one embodiment, the one or more cable guide rollers  166   a ,  166   b  may be replaced when desired, such as when they show signs of excessive wear, by removal of the roller cover  167 , removal and replacement of the one or more cable guide rollers  166   a ,  166   b , and replacement of the roller cover  167 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1P-1Q , the handheld cable puller  100  may further include a disengagement mechanism  168  disposed on the drum shaft  121  proximate to the first drum gear  138   a .  FIG. 1P  illustrates a close-up right perspective view of the disengagement mechanism  168 .  FIG. 1Q  illustrates a front-right perspective view of the disengagement mechanism  168 . In a particular embodiment, the disengagement mechanism  168  includes a yoke  170  coupled to the drum shaft  121 . In a particular embodiment, the yoke  170  is substantially fork-shaped. The disengagement mechanism  168  further includes a disengagement handle  172  attached to the yoke  170 . Upon placing of the disengagement mechanism  168  into an engaged position by a user, the disengagement mechanism  168  moves the first drum gear  138   a  into engagement with the drum shaft  121 . In the engaged position, rotation of the first drum gear  138   a  by the motor gear  136  results in rotation of the cable drum  118 .  FIG. 1R  illustrates a close-up view of the disengagement mechanism  168  in the engaged position in which a disengagement mechanism cover  174  covers the disengagement mechanism  168  with the exception of the disengagement handle  172 . Upon placing of the disengagement mechanism  168  is a disengaged position by the user, the disengagement mechanism  168  moves the first drum gear  138   a  out of engagement with the drum shaft  121 . In the disengaged position, the pulling cable  134  may be played out or unwound from the spool by a user.  FIG. 1S  illustrates a close-up view of the disengagement mechanism  168  in which the disengagement mechanism cover  174  covers the disengagement mechanism  168  with the exception of the disengagement handle  172 . When disengagement handle  172  is rotated clockwise, it cooperates with a beveled surface  171  on disengagement mechanism cover  174  to cause yoke  170  to cant, thus pulling engagement teeth  169  out of engagement with teeth  173  on gear  138   a.    
     In some embodiments, the handheld cable puller  100  may include a shield  176  affixed to the housing above the cable drum  118  to protect a user from the cable drum  118 . In a particular embodiment, the shield  176  is of a substantially arcuate shape. In at least one embodiment, the shield  176  may be constructed of a transparent or translucent material to allow viewing of the operation of the cable drum  118  by a user during use. 
       FIG. 1U  illustrates a left-rear perspective view of the handheld cable puller  100  in which the motor  116  has been removed from the handheld cable puller  100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1U , the handheld cable puller  100  includes an adaptor  180  configured to couple the shaft of the motor  116  to the motor gear  136 . In a particular embodiment, the adaptor  180  is an ½″ octagonally-shaped threaded adaptor that is configured to reverse thread onto the shaft of the motor  116 . In at least one embodiment, the adaptor  180  may be configured to shear when the applied torque is greater than a predetermined value in order to prevent damage to the handheld cable puller  100 . The handheld cable puller  100  may further include a u-shaped support bracket  182  configured to bind the motor  116  in a fixed position when used to drive the handheld cable puller  100 . 
       FIG. 1V-1W  illustrates another embodiment of the handheld cable puller  100 .  FIG. 1V  illustrates a right perspective view of the handheld cable puller  100 .  FIG. 1W  illustrates a left-rear perspective view of the handheld cable puller  100 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1U , the motor  116  is integrated with the handheld cable puller  100  and disposed within a housing  102 . In the particularly illustrated embodiment, the housing includes vent holes to allow venting of the motor  116 . The first handle portion  106  includes a finger control switch  146 , a thumb safety switch  148 , and a thermal overload switch  152 . The handheld cable puller  100  may include a power cord  162  adapted for coupling the handheld cable puller  100  to a power source. 
       FIG. 1X  illustrates a right-rear perspective view of still another embodiment of the handheld cable puller  100 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1X , the handheld cable puller  100  may include a power source  184  removably coupled to the housing  102  for powering the motor  116 . In a particular embodiment, the power source  184  is a cordless battery. 
       FIG. 1Y  illustrates another embodiment of the cable drum  118 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1Y , the surface of the spindle  120  of the cable drum  118  includes a hook  186  and a depressed area  188 . Instead of a pulling cable  134  being wound on the spindle  120 , an end of a jetline, or other type of pulling cable or line, that has been previously run through a conduit may be attached to the hook  186 . One or more pulled cables may then be attached to an opposite end of the jetline, and the handheld cable puller  100  may be operated to wind the jetline around the spindle  120  thereby pulling the pulled cables through the conduit. Thus, there are two uses contemplated by the tool. The first is to unwind cable from the spool utilizing the jetline, attaching a wire or wires thereto, and rewinding the cable. The second is to attach the jetline to the spool and rewind the jetline on the spool to pull the wire. 
     Further referring to  FIG. 1Y , an alternate embodiment has been described that allows the cable to be removed and the jetline to be utilized for the pulling operation. In this operation, the jetline is blown through the conduit such that it extends out at the end at which the tool operator resides. The other end is attached to wire at the feeder end. The jetline will be run through the extension and attached to the tab  188 . As such, the rewind operation with the clutch engaged will result in the jetline being wound onto the spool and pulling the wire through. This is useful for phone wire and CAT5 wire for computer and phone installations. These are fairly light wires to pull through conduit and can be facilitated with the strength of the jetline. The jetline is fully wound onto the spool and then another conduit operated on. This will allow the second conduit to have the jetline tied to the first jetline that is already on the spool and then the wire associated with that conduit pulled through the conduit from the feeder end to the tool operator end and more jetline wound onto the spool in the rewind mode of operation. This can be continued until the spool is full. At this time, multiple conduits have had wire pulled therethrough and the jetline can be unwound from the spool or, alternatively, the spool could be removed and a new spool placed thereon. Further, the spool could be such that it was a two piece spool that could come apart in the middle such that the spool on jetline could be easily removed. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of a wiring diagram  200  of the handheld cable puller  100 . The thermal overload switch  152  has a first terminal connected to a 120 volt power source. The thermal overload switch  152  is configured to remain closed until a current draw of the motor  116  exceeds a predetermined value at which time the switch opens to remove power from the motor  116 . A second terminal of the thermal overload switch  152  is connected to a first terminal of the thumb safety switch  148 . The thumb safety switch  148  is configured in at least one embodiment to be normally open until depressed by a user, such as by a thumb, during operation of the handheld cable puller  100 . Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment power is not supplied to the motor  116  unless the thumb safety switch  148  is depressed. In a particular embodiment, the thumb safety switch  148  is spring loaded to remain in an open position when a user is not depressing the thumb safety switch  148 . A second terminal of the thumb safety switch  148  is connected to a first terminal of the finger control switch  146 . The finger control switch  146  is configured to activate the motor  116  upon depression of the switch by a user. In at least one embodiment, the finger control switch  146  is a variable speed switch in which the rotational speed of the motor  116  may be controlled by the extent of the squeezing of the finger control switch  146 . A second terminal of the finger control switch  146  is connected to the speed control switch  150 . The speed control switch  150  is configured to control the speed of rotation of the motor  116 . In a particular embodiment, the speed control switch  150  may be set at a low, a medium, or a high speed by the user. A second terminal of the speed control switch  150  is coupled to the motor  116 . The forward/reverse switch  154  is further coupled to the motor  116 . The forward/reverse switch  154  is configured to allow the user to alternate the direction of rotation of the motor  116  to either wind or unwind the pulling cable  134  from the cable drum  118 . For example, in a forward position of the forward/reverse switch  154 , the motor  116  is driven to unwind the pulling cable  134  from the cable drum  118 . In a reverse position of the forward/reverse switch  154 , the motor  116  is driven to wind the pulling cable  134  on the cable drum  118 . The motor  116  is further connected to a common terminal of the 120 volt power supply. Although the illustrated embodiment uses an AC motor  116 , it should be understood that, in other embodiments, a DC motor may be used. In addition, although the illustrated embodiment includes a number of user controls, it should be understood that in other embodiments, one or more of the user controls may be omitted. 
       FIGS. 3A-3B  illustrate an embodiment of the pulling arm  158  and pulling head  160  of the handheld cable puller  100  of  FIG. 1A-1T .  FIG. 3A  illustrates a left-front perspective view of the pulling arm  158  with pulling head  160 .  FIG. 3B  illustrates a right-front perspective view of the pulling arm  158  with pulling head  160 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3B , the pulling arm  158  is coupled to the attachment arms  114   a ,  114   b  of the handheld cable puller  100  and secured by the attachment pin  117 . The pulling arm  158  includes a pulling arm frame  302  having a male attachment end  304  and a pulling head end  306 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3B , the angle between the male attachment end  304  and the pulling head end  306  is substantially 90 degrees. In still another embodiment, the angle between the male attachment end  304  and the pulling head end  306  is greater than zero degrees. In still another embodiment, the angle between the male attachment end  304  and the pulling head end  306  is variable. The male attachment end  304  is adapted to couple the pulling arm  158  to the attachment arms  114   a ,  114   b  of the handheld cable puller  100 . Additionally, the male attachment end  304  can be coupled at different angles to rotate the end of the attachment such that the pulling head  160  is directed downwards, left, right, or upwards. 
     The pulling arm  160  includes a first roller  312 , a second roller  314  and a third roller  316 . The first roller  312  is rotatably supported at a first end of the pulling arm frame  302  proximate to the male attachment end  304 , the second roller  314  is rotatably supported proximate to a middle portion of the pulling arm frame  302 , and the third roller  316  is rotatably supported at a second end of the pulling arm frame  402  proximate to the pulling head  160 . The first roller  312 , the second roller  314  and the third roller  316  are adapted to allow the pulling cable  134  to pass over the upper surfaces thereof. In a particular embodiment, the first roller  312 , the second roller  314  and the third roller  316  include sealed, stainless, low-heat bearing assemblies to reduce friction between the pulling cable  134  and the pulling head  160 . In a particular embodiment, the pulling arm frame  302  and the pulling head frame  310  may be formed of aluminum or any other suitable material and many include one or more holes to allow for viewing of the pulling cable  134  and/or weight reduction. In various embodiments, the pulling arm  158  may be constructed in various desired lengths. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3B , the pulling arm  158  and pulling head  160  are integrated. In an alternative embodiment, the pulling arm  158  and the pulling head  160  may be separate units with the pulling arm  158  coupled to the pulling head  160  via a pulling head hinge. The pulling head hinge is adapted to allow the pulling head  160  to articulate in relation to the pulling arm  158 . In a particular embodiment, the pulling head hinge is configured to allow a user to lock the pulling head  160  in a desired position. 
       FIGS. 4A-4B  illustrate an embodiment of an extension bar  400 . The extension bar  400  includes an extension bar frame  402  having a male end  404  and a female end  406 . In at least one embodiment, the extension bar  400  is of a predetermined length to provide for a predetermined makeup of the pulled cable upon completion of the pulling operation. The extension bar  400  is configured to extend the length of the pulling bar  158  by coupling the male end  404  to the attachment arms  114   a ,  114   b  of the handheld cable puller  100 , and coupling the female end  406  of the extension bar  400  to the male attachment end  304  of the pulling arm  158 . The extension bar  400  may be provided in any number of desired lengths such as 24 inches in order to leave a desired length of cable, or makeup, exposed after a pulling operation when the cable is fully retracted. 
       FIGS. 4C-4D  illustrate another embodiment of the extension bar  400 .  FIG. 4B  illustrates a left perspective view of the extension bar  400  coupled to the handheld cable puller  100 .  FIG. 4C  illustrates a right perspective view of the extension bar  400  coupled to the handheld cable puller  100 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4B , the female end  406  of the extension bar  400  is coupled to the attachment arms  114   a ,  114   b  of the handheld cable puller  100  and secured by the attachment pin  117 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the pulling arm  158  and extension bar  400 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3B , the pulling arm  158  and pulling head  160  are integrated. In the alternative embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the pulling arm  158  and the pulling head  160  may be separate units with the pulling arm  158  coupled to the pulling head  160  via a pulling head hinge  318 . The pulling head hinge  318  is adapted to allow the pulling head  160  to articulate in relation to the pulling arm  158 . In a particular embodiment, the pulling head hinge  318  is configured to allow a user to lock the pulling head  160  in a desired position. In a particular embodiment, the pulling arm  158  and the extension bar  400  may be constructed of 3/16 th  inch aluminum having a width of 1½ inches. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the pulling arm  158  and extension bar  400  may be provided with a number of holes therein to allow for viewing of the pulling cable  134  as well as reduce the weight of the pulling arm  158  and the extension bar  400 . In a particular embodiment, the male attachment end  304  of the pulling arm  158  and the female end  406  of the extension bar  400  may be provided with a spring assembly to allow quick attachment and removal of the extension bar  400  from the pulling arm  158 . It should be understood that in various embodiments additional extension bars  400  may be added in series in order to extend the pulling arm  158  to a desired length. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an example operation of the handheld cable puller  100 . In the example operation, an electrical panel  602  is coupled to a first open end of a conduit  604  and a second open end of the conduit  604  is coupled to a junction box  606 . In at least one embodiment, the conduit  604  is electrical metallic tubing (EMT) conduit. In other embodiments, the conduit  604  may PVC conduit. In still other embodiments, the conduit  604  may be any type of raceway such as conduit, tubing, or a junction box. In the example operation, it is desired to pull one or more cables (or wires) through the conduit  604  from the junction box  606  to the electrical panel  602  while leaving a desired length of cable or cables, or makeup, exposed at the electrical panel  602  to allow for termination of the cables. In an initial step of operation, the pulling cable  134  is unwound from the cable drum  118  of the handheld cable puller  100  and extended into the end of conduit at the electrical panel  602  through the conduit  604  and exiting at the junction box  606 . In one embodiment, the pulling cable  134  may be unwound from the cable drum  118  by running of the motor  116  in the unwinding direction of rotation. In another embodiment, the pulling cable  134  may be unwound from the cable drum  118  by disengagement of the motor  116  from the cable drum  118  using the disengagement mechanism  168  wherein the drum  118  will “freewheel” and manual pulling of the pulling cable  134  to unwind the pulling cable  134  from the cable drum  118 . In still other embodiments, the pulling cable  135  may be attached to a jetline that has been previously extended through the conduit  604 . A number of procedures exist for extending a pulling cable or jetline through a length of conduit as would be understood to those having ordinary skill in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,793,732 describes a process of propelling a length of cable through a conduit via air pressure which patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In at least one embodiment, the pulling cable  134  may be coated with a lubricant prior to being fed through the conduit  604  in order to facilitate pulling of the pulling cable  134  therethrough. Prior to the beginning of extending the pulling cable through the conduit  604 , the line length meter  156  may be reset by the user. After the pulling cable  134  is extended through the conduit  604 , the user may read the line length meter  156  to determine the length of pulling cable  134  that has been extended through the conduit  604 . This allows the user to determine the length of cable that will be necessary to fully extend the cable through the conduit from the junction box  606  to the electrical panel  602  during the pulling operation. 
     After feeding of the pulling cable  134  through the length of conduit from the electrical panel  602  to the junction box  606 , the pulling cable is fed through a rotating flexible feed end  614  and out of the face of the junction box  606 . The rotating flexible feed end  614  includes a roller that facilitates pulling of the pulling cable  134  and attached cables into the open end of the conduit coupled to the junction box  606 . The pulling cable  134  is then fed through a flexible raceway  608  to a funnel system  610 . The pulling cable  134  is then coupled or attached to one or more cables (or wires) wound on individual wire spools  616  of a wire dolly  612 . In one embodiment, the one or more pulled cables are coupled to the pulling cable  134  using a cable head (see  FIG. 12 ). The wire spools  616  are mounted on a wire dolly frame  618 . To facilitate movement of the wire dolly  612 , the wire dolly frame  618  may be provided with fixed casters  620  on one end and rotating casters  622  on an opposite end. The wire dolly  612  may be further provided with a brake  624  configured to, upon engagement, lock the rotating caster  622  into a fixed position. The flexible raceway  608  and funnel system  610  functions to gather multiple cables together as they are pulled into the conduit  604  by the pulling cable  134 . 
     During the wire pulling operation, the handheld cable puller  100  is held by a user  624  via one or more of the first handle portion  106  and the second handle portion  144 , and the pulling head  160  is placed against the open end of the conduit  604  terminating at the electrical panel  602 . The user  624  then activates the motor of the handheld cable puller  100  in a reverse direction to wind the pulling cable  134  around the cable drum  118 . As the pulling cable  134  is wound around the cable drum  118 , the guide shaft hole  133  and attached guide portion  132  of the cable winding guide  126  oscillates in a left and right direction along the cable guide shaft  128 . As a result, the pulling cable  134  is wound evenly upon the cable drum  118 . In various embodiments, the frequency of oscillation of the guide shaft hole  133  and guide portion  132  of the cable winding guide  126  relative to rotation of the cable drum  118  may be varied by changing the respective gears ratios or by modifying the pitch of the cross-cut channels  130 . During the winding of the pulling cable  134  around the cable drum  118 , the cables from the wire dolly  612  coupled to the pulling cable  134  are pulled through the conduit  604 . When the end of the pulling cable  134  coupled to the wires reaches the handheld cable puller  100 , the user may deactivate the motor  116 , leaving a length of exposed wire equal to the length the attachment arm  114 , the pulling arm  158  and the one or more extension bar(s)  400 , if used. By resting the pulling head  160  against the end of the conduit  604 , substantially all the forces exerted during the pulling operation are transferred to the pulling head  160  instead of the pulling arm  158  or the handheld cable puller  100 . Accordingly, forces imparted to the user  624  during the pulling operation are greatly minimized. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the rotating flexible feed end  614  may be replaced by a box roller  800  as will be further described with respect to  FIG. 8 . In still other embodiments, a rotating flexible feed end and box roller  800  may be omitted. After the attached cables are pulled from the end of the conduit  604  coupled to the electrical panel  602  and reach the handheld cable puller  100 , the user may stop the motor  116  by releasing the finger control switch  146 . In other embodiments, the handheld cable puller  100  may be configured to stop automatically upon the conclusion of the pulling operation. As a result of the pulling operation, a length of cable approximately equal to the length of the attachment arm  114  and the pulling arm  158  is exposed and may be terminated at the electrical panel  602  by the user, an electrician, or another worker. Similarly, the opposing end of the cable may be terminated at the junction box  606 . Although the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6  shows an electrical panel  602  coupled to a junction box  604  via a length of conduit  604 , it should be understood that the principles of various embodiments of the handheld cable puller  100  may be used in any application in which it is desired to pull one or more cables or wires through a conduit. 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , the general operation of utilizing the tool will be described. The operator of the tool when desiring to pull wire through the raceway or conduit will access the jetline that hangs out of the raceway or conduit. This is tied onto the end of the cable. When tying this on the end of the cable, the counter is reset to 0. However, when the extension is disposed on the tool, there will be a certain amount of “make up” accounted for. This is for the purpose of insuring that there is a certain length of wire that extends from the opening to the conduit after the pulling thereof. Thus, the counter is set to 0 and then the cable extracted from the spool with the clutch disengaged to allow the spool to be free spinning such that the counter will have a preset amount of line associated therewith. This will be substantially equal to the length of the extension when the end butts the opening to the conduit. 
     The cable end is then attached to the jetline and the jetline pulled back through the conduit or raceway. Some type of communication will be effected between the tool operator and the individual at the other end of the conduit that feeds the wire into the conduit. When the cable appears to the feeder, the tool operator will communicate the counter value, indicating the length of wire required to be pulled back through the conduit. It may be that the tool operator reads a value of, for example, 288 feet, which includes a 2 foot make up section. However, it may be that the feeder at the other end has pulled out 6 feet of cable such that the length is actually 282 feet. This is of no importance. It is just important that the feeder has at least 282 feet worth of wire that can be pulled through the conduit. With knowledge of the length of cable reeled out from the spool, the tool operator and the feeder have an idea of how much wire must be on the wire spool at the feeder end of the conduit in order to ensure that a sufficient amount of wire is available. Also, it is possible to use a spool that is less than a full spool, i.e., a partial spool, from which to provide wire. However, it is important not to use a partial spool that is less than the length of the conduit. 
     Once the wire is attached to the cable at the feeder end, the tool operator will be so informed and will then engage the spool with the clutch and then place the tool in the rewind mode. In this mode, the end of the tool is butted against the opening to the raceway such that all of the force associated with pulling the wire through the conduit will be borne by the tool itself and not by the tool operator. All the tool operator has to do is hold the tool at the appropriate height. If the tool has a fixed angle on the end, i.e., 90°, this may require the tool operator to hold the tool at the level of the conduit opening. This could be a fixed angle or a variable angle. Additionally, if the angle is fixed relative to the tool and always points downward, this will require the tool to be held upside down when pulling from a top opening and right side up when pulling from a downward extending conduit or sideways if the conduit were extended left or right. This is why the extension can be rotated in 90° segments to account for upwards, downwards, left or right orientation. This facilitates easier placement of the tool end. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the funnel system  610 , raceway  608 , and the rotating flexible feed end  614  of  FIG. 6 . The funnel system  610  is of a funnel shape having a relatively large cross-sectional opening on one end with decreasing cross-section to the other end coupled to the flexible raceway  608 . In the illustrated embodiment, the funnel system  610  has a rectangular cross-section, but it should be understood that in other embodiments other cross-sections may be used. For example, in one embodiment, the funnel system  610  may have a circular cross-section. In at least one embodiment, the funnel system  610  may be provided with a handle to facilitate carrying of the funnel system  610  by a user. In a particular embodiment, the funnel system  610  may be affixed to the wire dolly frame  618  to stabilize the funnel system  610  during the pulling operation. 
     The rotating flexible feed end  614  includes a cup  626 , which is adapted to be coupled to an end of the conduit  604 . The rotating flexible feed end  614  further includes an elbow portion  628  having a roller  630  rotatably supported thereon. The rotating flexible feed end  614  further includes a bracket  632  hingedly coupled to the elbow portion  628  and having a end adapted to be coupled to the flexible raceway  608 . During a pulling operation, the pulling cable  134  passes through from the raceway  608 , through the elbow portion  628 , into the cup  626  and further into the conduit  604 . In a particular embodiment, the cup  626  allows rotation of the rotating flexible feed end  614  about the end of the conduit  604 . 
       FIGS. 8A-8B  illustrate an embodiment of the box roller  800  of  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 8A  illustrates a side view of the embodiment of the box roller  800  of  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 8B  illustrates a bottom view of the embodiment of the box roller  800  of  FIG. 6 . In various embodiments, the box roller  800  may be used as an alternative to the rotating flexible feed end  614  of  FIG. 7B . The box roller  800  includes a box frame  802  and a roller  804  rotatably supported thereon. The box frame  802  further includes one or more screw slots  806   a - 806   d  configured to facilitate attachment, such as by screwing or bolting, of them box roller  800  to the face of the junction box  606 . In a particular embodiment, the roller  804  is positioned such that when the box roller  800  is fastened to the junction box  606 , the top of the roller  804  substantially lines up with the center of the conduit end of the conduit  604 . The pulling cable  134  may then be fed over the roller  804  into the conduit  604 . 
       FIGS. 9A &amp; 9B  illustrate an alternative embodiment of a pulling arm  900 .  FIG. 9A  illustrates a side view of the pulling arm  900 .  FIG. 9B  illustrates a front perspective view of a pulling arm  900 . In various embodiments, the pulling arm  900  may be used in place of the pulling arm  158  of  FIG. 1A . The pulling arm  900  includes a pulling arm frame  902  having a substantially arcuate profile. The pulling arm  900  includes a male end  904  configured to be coupled to either the attachment arm  114  of the handheld cable puller  100  or a female end  406  of an extension bar  400 . The pulling arm frame  902  includes a rollers  906   a - 906   f  rotatably supported on a bottom portion of the arcuate-shaped portion of the pulling arm frame  902 . The pulling arm  900  includes a pulling head end  908  at an end of the pulling arm  900  opposite to that of the male end  904 . The pulling head end  908  is adapted to be placed against or proximate to the end of a conduit  604 . The pulling arm  900  further includes a cable channel  910  through which the pulling cable  314  is fed. The pulling cable  314  is further fed over the rollers  906   a - 906   f  and through the conduit  604 . In at least one embodiment, the arcuate curve from the male end  904  to the pulling head end  908  forms a substantially 90 degree angle. In a particular embodiment, the rollers  906   a - 906   f  are disposed at substantially 15 degree angles from each other along the arcuate curve. During an example use of the pulling arm  900 , the pulling head end  908  is placed against an end of the conduit  604 . 
       FIGS. 10A-10B  illustrate another alternative embodiment of a pulling arm  1000 .  FIG. 10A  illustrates a side perspective view of the pulling arm  1000 .  FIG. 10B  illustrates a front perspective view of the pulling arm  1000 . The pulling arm  1000  includes a collar  1002  hingedly coupled to a cable channel  1004  at a substantially 90 degree angle. The pulling arm  100  further includes a roller  1006  rotatably supported within the cable channel  1004 . The collar  1002  is adapted to be coupled to an end of a conduit  604 . In a particular embodiment, the collar  1002  is adapted to be coupled an electrical metallic tubing (EMT) connector  1008  of a conduit  604 . The cable channel  1004  further includes a male end  1010  adapted to be coupled to the attachment arm  114  of the cable puller  100  or a female end  406  of the extension bar  400 . During a pulling operation, the collar  1002  is coupled to the EMT connector  1008  and a pulling cable  134  is fed through the cable channel  1004 , over the roller  1006 , through the collar  1002 , and into the conduit  604 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates another embodiment of a pulling arm  1100 . The pulling arm  1100  includes a clamp  1102  coupled to a frame  1104 . The frame  1104  includes a male attachment end  1106  adapted to be coupled to the attachment arm  114  of the cable puller  100  or a female end  405  of the extension bar  400 . The frame  1104  further includes a channel end  1108  having a cable channel  1110 . The pulling arm  1100  further includes a roller  1112  rotatably supported within the cable channel  1110 . During a pulling operation, the clamp  1102  is coupled to an electrical box, such as a junction box or electrical panel, with the cable channel  1110  located proximate to an end of a conduit  604 . The pulling cable  134  is fed through the cable channel  1110 , over the roller  1112 , and into the conduit  604 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates an embodiment of a cable head  1200  for attachment of cables or wires to the pulling cable  134 . The cable head  1200  includes a conductor loop portion  1202  and a pulling cable attachment portion  1204 . In a particular embodiment, the cable head  1200  is constructed of a loop of cable, such as aircraft cable. The conductor loop portion  1202  includes a plurality of loops  1206  through which the cables or wires to be pulled through the conduit  604  are secured. The pulling cable attachment portion  1204  includes a loop to which the pulling cable  134  is attached. During a pulling operation, the loops  1206  cause the cables to be tightly bound to the cable head  1200 . The loops  1206  the cables to be staggered to provide of easier pulling around bends. 
     It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description herein are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive manner, and are not intended to be limiting to the particular forms and examples disclosed. On the contrary, included are any further modifications, changes, rearrangements, substitutions, alternatives, design choices, and embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope hereof, as defined by the following claims. Thus, it is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such further modifications, changes, rearrangements, substitutions, alternatives, design choices, and embodiments.