Apparatus and method for installing lines in conduits

Abstract

An apparatus for placing lines in a conduit is disclosed. The device uses a battery powered, motor driven wheeled body to roll through the conduit pulling a jet line. The apparatus is used instead of “fish” tape, vacuum, or compressed air to draw a jet line through the conduit.

1 . An apparatus for installing lines in a conduit, comprising: 
 a body;    a motor installed in said body;    at least one drive wheel operationally connected to said motor; and    a connection point connected to said body for attaching a jet line thereto.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus for installing lines in a conduit according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one alignment arm attached to said body.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus for installing lines in a conduit according to  claim 2 , wherein said at least one alignment arm further comprises a wheel rotationally attached to an end of said alignment arm.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus for installing lines in a conduit according to  claim 2 , wherein said at least one alignment arm is attached to said body by an appropriate fastener.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus for installing lines in a conduit according to  claim 1 , wherein said motor is an electric motor, said apparatus further comprising a battery.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus for installing lines in a conduit according to  claim 5 , further comprising a switch for selectively supplying electrical energy from said battery to said motor.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus for installing lines in a conduit according to  claim 1 , said motor further comprising a drive flange and said drive wheel further comprising a drive extension, said apparatus further comprising a pulley operationally attached to said drive flange and said drive extension.  
   
   
       8 . A method of installing lines in a conduit, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a body comprising a motor installed in said body;    connecting a jet line to said body;    placing said body into one end of said conduit; and    causing said body to crawl through said conduit.    
   
   
       9 . The method of installing lines in a conduit according to  claim 8 , said body further comprising at least one alignment arm attached to said body.  
   
   
       10 . The method of installing lines in a conduit according to  claim 7 , wherein said motor is an electric motor, said body further comprising a battery.  
   
   
       11 . The method of installing lines in a conduit according to  claim 10 , said body further comprising a switch for selectively supplying electrical energy from said battery to said motor.  
   
   
       12 . The method of installing lines in a conduit according to  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of placing the switch in a position to supply power from said batter to said motor before placing said body into one end of said conduit.