A cable tie comprises a strap has a lock at a first end and a second end configured to be threaded through the lock such that teeth on the strap are engaged by the lock. The strap has a first portion extending from the lock and a second portion joined to the first portion by a pre-formed curve in the strap. The second portion extends from the curve to the second end, with at least a distal section of the second portion adjacent the second end being angled away from the first portion at an acute angle. When measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first portion there is a first distance between the curve's turning point and the first end of the strap and a second distance between the curve's turning point and the second end of the strap. The first distance is at least 5 times greater than the second distance.

A cable tie comprises a strap has a lock at a first end and a second end configured to be threaded through the lock such that teeth on the strap are engaged by the lock. The strap has a first portion extending from the lock and a second portion joined to the first portion by a pre-formed curve in the strap. The second portion extends from the curve to the second end, with at least a distal section of the second portion adjacent the second end being angled away from the first portion at an acute angle. When measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first portion there is a first distance between the curve's turning point and the first end of the strap and a second distance between the curve's turning point and the second end of the strap. The first distance is at least 5 times greater than the second distance.

A smart cord reel cable including at least one sensor for measuring cord or cord reel usage, a memory for receiving sensor input to create usage records, and a processor for analyzing the usage records to provide information for maintenance status indication and/or usage analytics.

A smart cord reel cable including at least one sensor for measuring cord or cord reel usage, a memory for receiving sensor input to create usage records, and a processor for analyzing the usage records to provide information for maintenance status indication and/or usage analytics.

A method utilizes a funnel system and robotic end effector grippers to feed an unjacketed portion of a shielded cable through a sleeve. The funnel is designed with one or more thin extensions (hereinafter “prongs”) on which a sleeve is placed prior to a cable entering the funnel. Preferably two or more prongs are employed, although a single prong may be used if properly configured to both guide a cable and fit between the sleeve and cable. The prongs close off the uneven surface internal to a sleeve and provide a smooth surface for the cable to slide along and through the sleeve, preventing any damage to the exposed shielding. The sleeve is picked up and held on the prongs using a robotic end effector. If the sleeve is a solder sleeve, the robotic end effector has grippers designed to make contact with the portions of the solder sleeve that are between the insulating rings and the central solder ring.

An insert device for sealing a conduit, wherein at least one component of the insert device is configured to separate and position at least one wire in the conduit in order to create a space or inner volume for a sealant to be introduced thereinto. The insert device can have a nozzle configured to allow precise injection of the sealant into the inner volume. The insert device can be operated for quick and reliably repeatable sealing of conduits.

An insert device for sealing a conduit, wherein at least one component of the insert device is configured to separate and position at least one wire in the conduit in order to create a space or inner volume for a sealant to be introduced thereinto. The insert device can have a nozzle configured to allow precise injection of the sealant into the inner volume. The insert device can be operated for quick and reliably repeatable sealing of conduits.

A magnetic plug and method of plugging unwanted knockout holes in electrical containment enclosures. The method requires only one hand and is performed without tools. Everything can be done from outside the electrical containment enclosure. The actual plugging step is completed in a few seconds. One of nine invented plugs is selected to best match the nine standardized hole diameters found in electrical containment enclosures. Selecting the correct plug size results in the best fit and feel since perception matters. Savings in time and money is expected to pay back the cost of a plug.

A compact, open path cable pulling apparatus, having a low center of gravity, composed of two detachable, single person hand-portable components, and useful in either a vertical or horizontal configuration. The apparatus is competent to pull cable horizontally through space underground with a pulling force in the range of at least about 20 to 100 tons using low pressure flow hydraulics and has utility in the cable pulling industries, including in the drilling and horizontal directional drilling industries, and as part of a method for pulling cable through space, including pulling cable through space in the pipe bursting and trenchless pipe replacement industries.

A cable cutter and crimper is provided including an anvil having an anvil cutting edge. A blade is pivotally coupled to the anvil and includes a blade cutting edge. A clevis is coupled to the anvil and includes arms extending on opposite sides of an actuator screw. A pivot nut is threadably coupled to the actuator screw and pivotally coupled to the blade. Rotation of the actuator screw in a first rotational direction causes the pivot nut to translate along the actuator screw in a first translation direction, resulting in the blade cutting edge moving away from the anvil cutting edge. Rotation of the actuator screw in a second rotational direction causes the pivot nut to translate along the actuator screw in a second translation direction, resulting in the blade pivoting relative to the anvil to move the blade cutting edge toward the anvil cutting edge.