GB2353098A

GB2353098A - Cable installation aid

Info

Publication number: GB2353098A
Application number: GB9918829A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cary Knapton; Dino Gallo; Paul Collins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-08-11
Filing date: 1999-08-11
Publication date: 2001-02-14
Also published as: GB9918829D0

Abstract

A device for installing cables or other linear media in a cavity 13 comprises a transmitter/installer 17 and a handheld receiver 18. The transmitter/installer 17 comprises a retractable antenna 2 with a draw wire fixture 1 which is inserted into a cavity 13 and extended along the proposed route for the cable. The location of the draw wire fixture 1 is determined using the receiver 18, by inductive or radio frequency means. The receiver 18 may also be configured to detect live cables, metal pipes and wooden objects within the cavity 13. One end of a cable 19 is attached to the draw wire fixture 1 and the antenna 2 is retracted, thereby pulling the cable through the cavity.

Description

2353098 CABLING INSTALLATION AID This invention relates to a cabling (or

other linear media) installation aid.

There has been considerable growth in recent years within the telecommunications industry and also within other similar or related industries (e.g. Computer, Audio Visual, Security and also traditional Electrical, Plumbing and Heating). The need to run multi disciplined cabling and other linear media (e.g. Water pipes) within buildings and other structures in a cost effective and tidy manner has become crucial. Most retrofit linear media installations are made using trunking, conduit or left surface mounted. These methods are expensive (in terms of labour and the cost of additional covering materials) and unsightly. One alternative is to run the linear media in cavities (e.g. behind dry wall linings) or in other existing voids. This method is normally achieved using ad hoe routing methods, which rely on both luck and judgement. It is cheap in terms of materials, does not look unsightly but can be very expensive in installation time taken. There is an obvious need for simple and quick method to run cables and other linear media accurately, consistently and economically within this environment.

The object of this invention is to provide an installation aid which will enable cable or other linear media to be accurately and quickly routed in inaccessible spaces by means of electronic tracing and measurement.

Accordingly, this invention provides a cabling (or other linear media) installation aid comprising of 1) Transmitter / Installer - a draw wire fixture attached to the end of a retractable spring antenna attached to a transmitter circuit. A signal is transmitted via the retractable antenna by either inductive or radio frequency means. This signal is detectable by 2) Receive - a handheld device capable of detecting the signals made by 1) above through a covering material (e.g. plasterboard, brick, wood, plastic etc.) with excellent positional accuracy and thus indicating to the user the precise location of the hidden antenna and hence a cable route. The cabling (or other linear media) can then be pulled through the cavity or void by attaching it to the Transmitter I Installer draw wire fixture.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a schernatical representation of the Transmitter / Installer. Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the transmitter circuit. Figure 3 shows a schernatical representation of the Receiver. Figure 4 shows a block diagram of the receiver circuit. Figure 5 illustrates the Cabling Installation Aid in use in a typical situation.

In Figure 1, the retractable antenna 2 is designed to be inserted into the cavity or void into which the cable (or other linear media) is to be installed within. It is made of a material which is rigid enough to ensure it can be run in a straight lines either in the horizontal or vertical axis but allows enough flexibility to clear any obstacles. Measured units are applied along the length of the antenna to indicate the distance that it has been inserted, and thus allows the length of cable to be determined. A draw wire fixture 1 is located on the end of the antenna enabling a draw wire or cable to be attached and pulled back through. The retracted part of the antenna is shown coiled 3 within a handheld enclosure 6. A spring automatically rewinds the antenna when required so that when not in use the whole antenna is stored inside the enclosure. Also within the enclosure are the transmitter circuit 4 and the battery 5. The signal emitted by the transmitter antenna is capable of penetrating plasterboard, brick, wood, plastic etc, materials behind which a cavity or void often exists in buildings and other structures.

A receiver, refer to Figure 3, is used to detect the signal emitted by the transmitters antenna. This signal is picked-up by the receiver antenna 7 and processed by the receiver circuit 8. The on/off and gain control 9 is adjusted for sensitivity so that a tone can be heard from the loud speaker 10 when the device is in close proximity to the transmitters antenna. A maximum volume tone is produced when the receiver antenna is directly above the transmitter antenna, hence its position can be easily determined by sweeping the receiver back and forth across the likely transmitter antenna location until a maximum signal is produced. The device is battery powered 11 and built into a handheld enclosure 12.

A typical use of the Cabling Installation Aid is shown in Figure 5. Figure 5a shows a sectional view of a typical cavity 13 behind the plasterboard 14 used in a 'dry-lined'wall structure. The supporting wall 15 is normally brick or block. Figure 5b is an elevation of the same wall. Typically a cable (e.g. a telephone extension or burglar alarm cable) will need to be installed from a hole cut in the plasterboard 16 to the top of the cavity (e.g. the floor or loft void above) where the cavity is often blocked by timber or similar.

To install a cable using the Cabling Installation Aid:

11 1. Measure the approximate external distance between the hole cut in the plasterboard and the floor or loft void using the measured units marked on the retractable antenna 2 from the Transmitter / Installer 17.

2. Push retractable antenna through the hole cut in the plasterboard 16 and up the wall keeping the antenna a vertical as obstacles within the cavity allow until the approximate distance measured in step 1 above is reached and thus the draw wire fixture 1 is hopefully now at the top of the cavity.

3. Sweep the Handheld Receiver 18 horizontally back and forth across the wall over the anticipated area of the plasterboard behind which the antenna is located. A tone will be heard from the receiver. This tone will peak in volume when the receiver is directly over the transmitter antenna, thus clearly indicating its location inside the top of the cavity. This will often be some way off vertical.

4. Using measurements made from a known point to the centreline of the antenna at the top of the wall, from within the floor or loft void drill or cut a hole big enough for the draw wire fixture to pass through from the cavity below, taking care not to damage the draw wire fixture which will of course be immediately below.

5. Push the draw wire fixture on through the hole and attach it to the cable to be installed 19.

6. Slowly withdrawal the retractable antenna thus pulling the required cable into place.

Other embodiments of the invention will take the basic form of that detailed above but with any or all of the additional features as described below:

1. The Handheld Receiver will incorporate a visual indicator which in addition to the audible tone will provide a visual confirmation of peak signal.

2. The Transmitter / Installer will incorporate a suitable electrical connector to allow other metallic conductors (e.g. existing cables or pipes) to be connected and used as the antenna. The Handheld Receiver will then be able to 'trace' the route followed by that conductor.

3. The Handheld Receiver will incorporate additional electronic circuitry such that the location of 'hidden' live mains cables can be detected.

4. The Handheld Receiver will incorporate additional electronic circuitry such that the location of 'hidden' metal (e.g. water or gas pipes) can be detected.

5. The Handheld Receiver will incorporate additional electronic circuitry such that the location of 'hidden' wood (e.g. studwork timbers or floor / ceiling joists) can be detected.

Claims

1 A cabling (or other linear media) installation aid comprising of 1) Transmitter Installer - a draw wire fixture attached to the end of a retractable spring antenna attached to a transmitter circuit, a signal is transmitted via the retractable antenna by either inductive or radio frequency means, this signal is detectable by 2) Receiver a handheld device capable of detecting the signals made by 1) above through a covering material (e.g. plasterboard, brick, wood, plastic etc.) with excellent positional accuracy and thus indicating to the user the precise location of the hidden antenna and hence a cable route, the cabling (or other linear media) can then be pulled through the cavity or void by attaching it to the Transmitter / Installer draw wire fixture.

2. A cabling (or other linear media) installation aid as claimed in Claim I wherein the Handheld Receiver will incorporate a visual confirmation of peak signal.

3. A cabling (or other linear media) installation aid as claimed in any previous claim, wherein the Transmitter I Installer will incorporate a suitable electrical connector to allow other metallic conductors (e.g. existing cables or pipes) to be connected and used as the antenna.

4. A cabling (or other linear media) installation aid as claimed in any previous claim, wherein the Handheld Receiver will incorporate additional electronic circuitry such that the location of 'hidden' live mains cables can be detected.

5. A cabling (or other linear media) installation aid as claimed in any previous claim, wherein the Handheld Receiver will incorporate additional electronic circuitry such that the location of 'hidden' metal (e.g. water or gas pipes) can be detected.

6. A cabling (or other linear media) installation aid as claimed in any previous claim, wherein the Handheld Receiver will incorporate additional electronic circuitry such that the location of 'hidden' wood (e.g. studwork timbers or floor / ceiling joists) can be detected.

7. A cabling (or other linear media) installation aid substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 - 5 of the accompanying drawing.

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