Patent ID: 7424964

Claim:
A device for the hauling a long elongate object, comprising: traction means for undergoing translational movement and for contacting and frictionally driving an elongate object to be hauled, gripping means configured for automatically keeping the traction means and the elongate object continuously in contact with one another over at least a section of the elongate object, the gripping means being further configured to automatically adapt to variations in diameter of the elongate object during operation of the traction means and to be relatively movable with respect to the elongate object, in a direction opposite to the direction of hauling; and movement instigating means for coordinatingly actuating the traction means and the gripping means; wherein the traction means, gripping means and the movement instigating means perform separate functions that cooperate in order to ensure continuous traction on the elongate object that is to be hauled, without applying damaging pressure to the elongate object.