Rope auto spooler machine

Abstract

A rope auto spooler is configured to spool rope onto a cable spool. The rope auto spooler includes a frame, a spool mounting and driving assembly rotatably mounted on the frame around a first axis, the spool mounting and driving assembly configured to mount the spool thereon, a guide linearly translatable along the frame along a second axis, the guide being configured to accept rope therethrough, and a drive apparatus to which the guide is operatively coupled, the drive apparatus configured to linearly translate the guide relative to the frame along the second axis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rope auto spooler configured to spool rope onto a cable spool, the rope auto spooler comprising:
 a frame;   a spool mounting and driving assembly configured to mount the spool thereon and configured to rotate the spool relative to the frame around a first axis, the spool mounting and driving assembly including a seat onto which the spool is mounted and a motor configured to rotate the seat;   a guide linearly translatable along the frame along a second axis, the guide being configured to accept rope therethrough; and   a drive apparatus to which the guide is operatively coupled, the drive apparatus is configured to linearly translate the guide relative to the frame along the second axis.   
     
     
         2 . The rope auto spooler of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second axes extend in substantially the same direction. 
     
     
         3 . The rope auto spooler of  claim 2 , further comprising a capstan mounted on the frame and rotatably mounted on the frame around a third axis. 
     
     
         4 . The rope auto spooler of  claim 3 , wherein the third axis extends in the substantially same direction as the first and second axes. 
     
     
         5 . The rope auto spooler of  claim 3 , wherein the third axis extends in a different direction from the first and second axes. 
     
     
         6 . The rope auto spooler of  claim 1 , further in combination with a cable puller. 
     
     
         7 . The rope auto spooler of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second axes are horizontal. 
     
     
         8 . The rope auto spooler of  claim 7 , further comprising a capstan rotatably mounted on the frame around a third axis. 
     
     
         9 . The rope auto spooler of  claim 8 , wherein the third axis is horizontal. 
     
     
         10 . The rope auto spooler of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second axes are vertical. 
     
     
         11 . The rope auto spooler of  claim 10 , further comprising a capstan rotatably mounted on the frame around a third axis. 
     
     
         12 . The rope auto spooler of  claim 11 , wherein the third axis is horizontal. 
     
     
         13 . The rope auto spooler of  claim 1 , further comprising a capstan rotatably mounted on the frame around a third axis. 
     
     
         14 . The rope auto spooler of  claim 13 , wherein the guide is mounted between the capstan and the spool mounting and driving assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The rope auto spooler of  claim 1 , further comprising processing circuitry configured to control the motor to rotate the seat. 
     
     
         16 . The rope auto spooler of  claim 15 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to control the drive apparatus to linearly translate the guide. 
     
     
         17 . The rope auto spooler of  claim 1 , wherein the drive assembly includes a second motor. 
     
     
         18 . The rope auto spooler of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor mounted on the frame configured to sense the presence of a rope in the guide. 
     
     
         19 . The rope auto spooler of  claim 1 , wherein the seat is provided by a platform. 
     
     
         20 . The rope auto spooler of  claim 1 , wherein the seat is provided by a roller.