Portable Cable Puller

Abstract

A portable apparatus for pulling a cable through a conduit includes a frame that has a base and caster wheels. The apparatus further includes a boom that has at least one roller configured to guide a rope connected to the cable along the boom. The boom also includes a main boom pivotally connected to the base and an upper boom pivotally connected to the main boom. A drive unit connects to the boom and includes a rotatable spool configured to pull the rope along the boom. The apparatus further includes a lift pivotally connected to the frame and the boom. The lift is operable to move the boom relative to the frame.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for pulling a cable through a conduit, comprising:
 a frame;   a boom pivotally connected to the frame and including at least one roller configured to guide a rope connected to the cable along the boom; and   a plurality of ground-engaging wheels supporting the frame, at least some of the wheels being caster wheels that are rotatable about a vertical axis relative to the frame to steer the apparatus thereby.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the caster wheels include one caster wheel at each side of the frame at a first end of the frame. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the boom is pivotally connected to the frame at the first end of the frame. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the boom extends from where it is pivotally connected to the frame upwardly and in a direction toward a second end of the frame opposite from the first end and is adapted to support a handle spaced apart from the pivotal connection of the boom to the frame. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the wheels include non-caster wheels that are fixed to the frame so as not to rotate about a vertical axis relative to the frame at a second end of the frame that is opposite from the first end of the frame. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the caster wheels have brakes. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the apparatus includes a lift assist mechanism to raise the boom. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the boom includes a capstan adapted to be operated to apply tension to a rope. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a joint pivotally connecting a first member to a second member of the boom and including a pin having an axis and being movable axially from a first position to a second position and vice versa, in the first position the pin fixing the first and second members angularly relative to one another and in the second position permitting the first and second members to pivot relative to one another. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein in both the first position and the second position the pin is constrained by the joint. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the pin is biased toward the first position. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the joint includes an adjustment slot through which the pin moves when the pin is in the second position. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the boom extends from where it is pivotally connected to the frame upwardly and in a direction toward a second end of the frame opposite from the first end and is adapted to support a handle spaced apart from the pivotal connection of the boom to the frame. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the handle is along an axis of a roller at a joint of the boom.