Patent Application
20220163283
The present invention relates generally to the field of launching or throwing devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device that is capable of propelling a projectile or other element across a distance, wherein the device provides users with a method of distributing fishing line, rope, string, lead lines or the like across an attic, drop ceiling, crawl space or other hard-to-reach area. The cable and/or wire installation tool of the present invention uses a slingshot like type of mechanism to launch or propel the fishing line or other cable in a specific direction or orientation. Additionally, the device of the present invention features a laser light to improve the aiming and accuracy of the device when launching the line from the slingshot portion of the device. The device saves both time and effort on the part of the user when trying to use push rods, draw lines or other items or from having to crawl through tight or cramped spaces to pull cable or wire, and other common problems associated with hanging cable or electrical wire. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, cables and electrical wiring are required in almost every structure, whether in houses, offices, schools, medical facilities, stores or other similar places. Typically, the cables or other wiring are used to connect two or more devices to enable the transfer of electrical or digital signals or power from one device or location to another. Cable and/or electrical wiring installation is required to set up the cabling or wiring infrastructure in homes, schools, offices or other locations.
Various tools and methods are used to properly install the cables, wires, fiber optics, etc. in attics, drop ceilings, crawl spaces, unfinished basements and other narrow areas or passageways. For example, many installers will utilize standard tools and/or methods such as push rods or crawling through spaces to pull or “hang” the cable or wire. More specifically, in order to push cables across open spaces, such as dropped ceilings, push rods are oftentimes used by installers to move the cable or wiring through an area which is usually too small for a person to move through. Installers push cables by establishing a cable pulling area and setting up the cable reels and ladders, lifting the ceiling tile, and establishing the cable route or path for positioning the cable or wire. Further, one or more rods may be attached together to span the length of the area that the cable will be pushed (or pulled) across. Next, the cable or wire is fastened, secured or otherwise connected to one end of the rod using a tape or other temporary hold, such as a string, a small portion of a wire or the like, and the rod is pushed across the area to be spanned or reached. Once the rod reaches the final destination, and the cable or wire arrives at the other end, the cable or wire is unfastened from the rod, and the rod is pulled out of the area from which it travelled.
Unfortunately, the cable rods specifically marketed for this task can be expensive and are not always adequate for the job. Additionally, many installers may find this task to be time consuming, tiresome and frustrating, as the rod can become jammed up in the space or the connection between rods breaks, thereby causing the installer to lose a portion of the rod in the space. If that happens, the installer is forced to connect another rod extension and try again, which further adds to the time necessary to complete the task. Additionally, there is also the possibility of the installer being injured while climbing a ladder or reaching into the area to push the cables or wires using the rod from one end to another, which may further cause suffering and discomfort to the installer.
Another method of installing cables or wires in attics, drop ceilings, crawl spaces, unfinished basements, and other narrow areas includes the installer crawling through the space to distribute the line or fishing cables. However, this method is time consuming, involves a large amount of manual labor, and is potentially dangerous for the installer. Still other installers attempt to use remotely operated vehicles, such as robots, drones or the like, to deliver or pull the cable or wires. However, such devices can be expensive to use, may become entangled in the small space or worse, be irretrievable from the space.
Currently, installers lack the proper tools and methods which can be easily used to distribute jet, lead or other lines across attics, drop ceilings, crawl spaces, and other similar locations, and may experience frustration, discomfort, inconvenience and/or injury in trying to accomplish the task with inferior methods or equipment. Additionally, some installers may be intimidated by the cable or wire installation process and may be reluctant to try distributing jet, lead or fishing line over such attics, drop ceilings, crawl spaces, etc., and may seek other more intrusive methods such as opening up walls or floors to stretch the line, which can be even more time consuming, laborious and expensive.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a cable or wire installation tool that enables a user to more easily and precisely install wire or cable across an attic, drop ceiling, crawl space or other similar limited access areas. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a jet, lead or fishing line pulling mechanism which eliminates the need for the installer to enter a narrow space to pull line or cable from one end to the other, and that reduces the potential for injury to the installer. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a line slinging or positioning tool that eliminates the need for the installer to buy expensive rods, drones or robots for jet, lead or fishing line distribution, and that reduces the time necessary to complete the installation process. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a jet, lead or fishing line distribution tool that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and that is both safe and easy to use.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a cable or wire installation tool that shoots a jet or lead line across a drop ceiling, attic or through a crawl space or other constricted area. The installation tool is preferably comprised of a slingshot having an elastic or other tension-based element to be pulled by a user, a canister having a recoil mechanism and configured to release a length of jet or lead line, a dart structure that is connected to the distal end of the jet or lead line to provide a stable projectile motion upon launching of the jet or lead line, and a laser sight for setting a target and establishing a precise flight path for the dart structure. The installation tool further comprises a level or other gauge to show the angle of inclination, and a handle for convenient handling of the installation tool by the user. The jet line is launched when the user releases the elastic or other tension element towards the target, and the jet or lead line can be of a fluorescent or neon texture such that it can be seen easily seen in dimly lit areas, like crawlspaces.
In this manner, the novel cable or wire installation tool of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives, and provides a relatively safe, easy, convenient and cost-effective solution to distributing jet, lead or fishing line across an attic, drop ceiling, crawl space or similar constricted area. The cable or wire installation tool of the present invention is also user friendly, inasmuch as it is cost-effective and does not require the user to put much effort or labor into pulling cables or wires, thereby saving considerable time. Additionally, the laser light feature and the level or angle of inclination indicator of the installation tool enables the user to accurately launch or project the line from the slingshot with greater accuracy.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key or critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a cable or wire installation tool to throw or propel a jet line across a drop ceiling, attic or through a crawl space or other constricted area. The tool comprises a slingshot having an elastic or other tension based element to be pulled by a user, a canister including a recoil mechanism configured to release a jet or lead line therefrom, a dart structure connected to a distal end of a length of j et or lead line to provide a stable projectile motion on launch of the jet or lead line, a laser sight for setting a target and establishing a flight path, and a handle for secure control of the tool by a user. The jet or lead line is launched or otherwise propelled when the user releases the energy the slingshot from the pulled position towards the target. The jet or lead line can be of a fluorescent or neon color so that it can be easily seen by an installer in a dimly lit area such as an attic or crawl space.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, a sling shot device to launch a jet, lead or fishing line is disclosed. The device comprises a canister mechanism with a laser light, a level or angle of inclination on a surface, a slingshot elastic element on the top surface such that when the slingshot elastic element is pulled back and released to launch the jet, lead or fishing line is launched from the canister mechanism towards the target illuminated by the laser light and wherein the level or angle of inclination improves the overall accuracy of the device.
In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, a method of projecting a glowing jet, lead or fishing line over a drop ceiling, attic or crawl space is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of pointing a slinging projectile device towards a target and focusing a laser light placed on the bottom surface of the device towards the target to illuminate the target. Next, the user pulls a slingshot or other tensioned member integrated on the top of the device backwards to increase the tension, and releases the slingshot to launch a glowing jet, lead or fishing line to reach the target. The jet, lead or fishing line is released from a spool and placed inside a canister of the jet or lead line slinging device when the slingshot or elastic element is released. The method provides for an efficient, easy, hassle free way to distribute jet, lead or fishing line across an attic, drop ceiling, or other constricted space.
The elastic or tension element can be comprised of a relatively heavy and vulcanized rubber with a leather strap for the user to hold. The jet, lead or fishing line can be comprised of a relatively lightweight but visible material, such as nylon, or other natural or synthetic material. The cable and wire installation tool can be easily operated by a single person, and may be comprised of a high-impact, lightweight polypropylene that does not rust or easily dent. The tool may further comprise logos, indicia, trademarks, geometric patterns, customizable colors and fonts, embroidery and prints and/or images on its surface.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a need in the art for a cable or wire installation tool that enables a user to more easily and precisely install wire or cable across an attic, drop ceiling, crawl space or another similar limited access area. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a jet, lead or fishing line projectile mechanism that eliminates the need for the installer to enter a narrow space to pull line or cable from one end to the other, and that reduces the potential for injury to the installer. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a line slinging or positioning tool that eliminates the need for the installer to buy expensive rods, drones or robots for jet, lead or fishing line distribution, and that reduces the time necessary to complete the installation process. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a jet, lead or fishing line distribution tool that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and that is both safe and easy to use.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel cable and wire installation tool that enables an installer to fire a jet or other lead line across a drop ceiling, attic, crawl space or other confined or constricted space. The installation tool is comprised of a slingshot having an elastic or tensionable element to be pulled and released by a user to project a dart like device that is attached to a length of jet line. The installation tool further comprises a laser sight to enable the user to select a target and establish a path that the jet line is to travel, and a handle for the user to hold, grasp and control the tool. In use, the user pulls back on the slingshot with the dart positioned therein and releases the slingshot from the pulled position towards the target, thereby releasing the energy of the elastic or tension element to propel the dart with the jet line attached thereto towards the target. The jet line can be of a fluorescent or neon color such that it can be seen easily in the dark or a dimly lit area.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The installation tool 100 further comprises a canister mechanism 102 that is attached to the handle 110, wherein the canister 102 is generally cylindrical and has an opening therein for storing the jet line 108 until it is propelled forward from the installation tool 100. More specifically, the canister 102 has a recoil mechanism that has a length of jet or other line 108 rolled thereon. To shoot the jet line 108, a user holds the handle 110 of the installation tool 100 in his or her passive hand, and uses their dominant hand to pull backwards on the rubber or elastic element 1044 to provide sufficient force to propel the dart structure 120 and the jet line 108 attached thereto towards the target.
Additionally, a laser light emitter 106 is positioned along the bottom surface of the canister 102 to help the user locate an approximate target location and establish a flight path for the line 108 to travel. Once the path is established, the elastic or rubber element 1044 of the slingshot 104 is pulled backward to launch the jet or fishing line 108 from the canister 102 towards the target. The laser light 106 helps in improving the accuracy of the launch of the jet line 108. In addition, a level or angle alignment guide 105 aids in maintaining the desired target line and in holding the device along a fixed path.
The installation tool 100 of the present invention can be used to pass lightweight conductor and communication cables and wires through otherwise inaccessible spaces and without the manual labor and time-consuming nature of existing installation processes. In one embodiment, a canister cap (not shown) may be included to cover the opening 1020 of the canister 102 when the canister 102 is not in use. A jet or other line 108 spool is placed in the recoil mechanism of the canister 102 and is used to assist in the launch of the jet line 108. At one end of the jet line 108, a dart or lead structure 120 is present to give stability to the motion of the jet or lead line 108 during its flight path. The dart structure 120 should be used for flight stabilization for each flight before launching the jet line 108 using the slingshot 104.
The dart structure 120 may be removably attached to the jet or fishing line 108 and a hook is present at the end of the dart structure 120 to which the jet line or fishing line 108 is tied. It should be appreciated that the dart structure 120 may be of different dimensions and/or weights depending on the particular application. One criteria for the selection of the dart or other weighted element 120 can be the desired distance of the target from the user. The dart structure 120 can be comprised of a lightweight plastic, metal or other durable material depending on the needs and/or preferences of the user, but should be heavy enough to pull the jet line 108 when launched from the slingshot 104, and light enough so that it is capable of travelling the desired distance.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the resistance of the slingshot band is about 5 pounds (2.3 kg) at the point of elongation. If the band is then further stretched up to 200% elongation, the resistance would be about 8 pounds. There is approximately a 20-30% increase in the amount of resistance, and the resistance preferably ranges from about 1 pound to about 18 pounds with about 5 to 14 pounds of resistance being preferred. Pulling back on the rubber or elastic bands causes the draw force “F” to increase as the draw distance “d” increases, similarly to when a spring is stretched. The maximum draw force (F.) of the person operating the slingshot portion of the installation tool 100 should be at the point at which his/her draw length is a maximum (dmax). This results in the maximum amount of energy stored in the rubber or elastic bands (provided by the slingshot operator), and therefore results in the most powerful shot. To achieve this ideal situation, a rubber band made of appropriately selected material would have to be used which matches the strength limits of the slingshot operator.
The energy stored in the rubber bands and delivered to the projectile (assuming zero energy loss), is given by the area under the curve, which is given by E=(½)dmaxFmax, where E is the stored energy. Assuming zero energy loss, this energy is equal to the kinetic energy of the projectile upon release, which is given by E=(½)MV2, where M is the mass of the projectile and V is the speed of the projectile upon release. Equating stored energy with kinetic energy we have the equation dmaxFmax=MV2.
The elastic or rubber bands 1044 may be tubing or flat bands depending on the preference of the user, or the particular application. However, tubing is preferred as it tends to last longer, and provides for relatively easy replacement when needed. The frame of the installation tool 100 is preferably manufactured from a fiberglass, plastic, metal, metal alloy, glass filled nylon or a combination thereof, and the elastic or rubber bands 1044 are preferably made from a vulcanized rubber.
The laser sight 106 may use a battery 111, such as 3-LR44 type batteries, for providing the laser functionality. In one embodiment, there can be a control button 113 (see e.g.,
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “jet slinger”, “jet slinger tool”, “jet slinger device”, etc. are interchangeable and refer to the installation tool 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the installation tool 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the installation tool 100 and its various components as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the installation tool 100 and its various components are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the installation tool 100 and its various components are important design parameters for user convenience, the installation tool 100 and its components may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/116,316, which was filed on Nov. 20, 2020 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63116316 | Nov 2020 | US |
