Daniel E Upton

US Patent:

7225533, Jun 5, 2007

Filed:

Nov 1, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/285769

Inventors:

Joseph Sylvia - Cranston RI, US
Ross Smith - Richmond RI, US
Larry Shelton - Warwick RI, US
Daniel Upton - Smithfield RI, US

Assignee:

Neptco Incorporated - Pawtucket RI

International Classification:

B23P 19/00
B65H 61/00

US Classification:

29819, 29252, 2541343 CL, 2541344

Abstract:

The invention provides an apparatus and methods for applying a material to a cable or into a conduit. The apparatus includes a hinged housing for coupling to a portion of a cable and/or a conduit. The apparatus is configured as a portable housing that is particularly suited for use in the field to apply a material to an existing underground cable or conduit or to a new or relocated cable or conduit during installation. The hinged housing permits the apparatus to couple to a portion of a cable or a portion of a conduit without splicing the cable or the conduit or removing the cable. When coupled to a cable or a conduit, the housing defines a chamber into which a material is inserted. Compressed air is supplied to the chamber to force the material into an innerduct of the conduit and to pull the material therethrough, applying the material to the cable and/or the conduit. Various materials can be applied to occupied and unoccupied conduit using the apparatus including a detectable tape, a service or tracer wire, a cable or a narrow-diameter cable duct sized for insertion into a conduit.

US Patent:

20040025330, Feb 12, 2004

Filed:

Mar 31, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/403760

Inventors:

Joseph Sylvia - Cranston RI, US
Ross Smith - Richmond RI, US
Larry Shelton - Warwick RI, US
Daniel Upton - Smithfield RI, US

International Classification:

B23P019/00

US Classification:

029/700000

Abstract:

The invention provides an apparatus and methods for applying a material to a cable or into a conduit. The apparatus includes a hinged housing for coupling to a portion of a cable and/or a conduit. The apparatus is configured as a portable housing that is particularly suited for use in the field to apply a material to an existing underground cable or conduit or to a new or relocated cable or conduit during installation. The hinged housing permits the apparatus to couple to a portion of a cable or a portion of a conduit without splicing the cable or the conduit or removing the cable. When coupled to a cable or a conduit, the housing defines a chamber into which a material is inserted. Compressed air is supplied to the chamber to force the material into an innerduct of the conduit and to pull the material therethrough, applying the material to the cable and/or the conduit. Various materials can be applied to occupied and unoccupied conduit using the apparatus including a detectable tape, a service or tracer wire, a cable or a narrow-diameter cable duct sized for insertion into a conduit.