A connecting arrangement by which an electric load, which can be displaced in at least one direction of travel in relation to a feeder device, is supplied, by a cable, with electrical energy and/or data. The feeder device has at least one connection member for connecting to a corresponding connecting element of a cable carried by the electric load. An energy-supply system supplies the electric load. A simplified automatic connection of the cable to the feeder device by a connecting arrangement has a manipulator for connecting the connecting element to the connection member. A related energy-supply system has such a connecting arrangement and a related method has the following steps: a) positioning the connecting element in relation to the feeder device, b) using a manipulator to grip the connecting element and/or the cable, and c) using the manipulator to connect the connecting element to the connection member.

A connecting arrangement by which an electric load, which can be displaced in at least one direction of travel in relation to a feeder device, is supplied, by a cable, with electrical energy and/or data. The feeder device has at least one connection member for connecting to a corresponding connecting element of a cable carried by the electric load. An energy-supply system supplies the electric load. A simplified automatic connection of the cable to the feeder device by a connecting arrangement has a manipulator for connecting the connecting element to the connection member. A related energy-supply system has such a connecting arrangement and a related method has the following steps: a) positioning the connecting element in relation to the feeder device, b) using a manipulator to grip the connecting element and/or the cable, and c) using the manipulator to connect the connecting element to the connection member.

A winch (100, 200) includes a rope (105), an overwinding sensor (106) coupled to the rope (105) where the overwinding sensor (106) is moveable between a first position and a second position upon winding and/or unwinding of the rope (105). The overwinding sensor (106) includes a first electrically conducting member, a contact member (104) having a second electrically conducting member which is contactable by the first electrically conducting member when the overwinding sensor (106) is in the second position. The second electrically conducting member is not contactable by the first electrically conducting member when the overwinding sensor (106) is in the first position. The winch (100, 200) is configured to stop and/or prevent and/or hamper winding of the rope (105) upon establishment of an electrical contact between the first electrically conducting member and the second electrically conducting member when the overwinding sensor (106) is in the second position.

A device to automate or semiautomate a fish tape is provided that can include an attachable handle with battery operated motor, rollers, gears and controls that can be integrated into its own or existing fish tape spools. Another embodiment provides a left and right plate and an assembly about a member to be driven by a crank or other automated means to mobilize a fish tape which over comes the limitations of existing manual and automatic fish tapes making it safer, more efficient and easier for an operator to pull wire.

A wire retracting device includes a base having a platform, a limiting board disposed on the base, a cover including a top surface and a side wall, a slide block slidably disposed on a sliding area, and a transmission wire disposed in an accommodating space formed between the cover and the base. An annular wall is arranged on the platform, and has a limiting portion that has a first stop portion and a second stop portion respectively formed on two sides thereof. A gap, in which the cover is limited to being movable, is formed between the limiting board and the platform. The top surface has a grooved opening, and a lever is arranged on an inner edge thereof. The side wall is disposed along an edge of the top surface. The sliding area is formed between the inner edge of the grooved opening and the annular wall.

An apparatus for the transportation and dispensing of spooled wire or cable, the apparatus including a handle structure wherein the handle structure has a first end and a second end, a first support structure attached to the first end of the handle structure, a second support structure attached to the second end of the handle structure, a first spool center insert attached to the first support structure, a second spool center insert attached to the second support structure, a first leg moveably attached to the first support structure, a second leg moveably attached to the second support structure, and wherein a spool of spooled wire or cable is attached to the first and second spool center inserts during transportation and dispensing of the spooled wire or cable.

An apparatus for the transportation and dispensing of spooled wire or cable, the apparatus including a handle structure wherein the handle structure has a first end and a second end, a first support structure attached to the first end of the handle structure, a second support structure attached to the second end of the handle structure, a first spool center insert attached to the first support structure, a second spool center insert attached to the second support structure, a first leg moveably attached to the first support structure, a second leg moveably attached to the second support structure, and wherein a spool of spooled wire or cable is attached to the first and second spool center inserts during transportation and dispensing of the spooled wire or cable.

In an aspect, in general, a spooling apparatus includes a filament feeding mechanism for deploying and retracting filament from the spooling apparatus to an aerial vehicle, an exit geometry sensor for sensing an exit geometry of the filament from the spooling apparatus, and a controller for controlling the feeding mechanism to feed and retract the filament based on the exit geometry.

In an aspect, in general, a spooling apparatus includes a filament feeding mechanism for deploying and retracting filament from the spooling apparatus to an aerial vehicle, an exit geometry sensor for sensing an exit geometry of the filament from the spooling apparatus, and a controller for controlling the feeding mechanism to feed and retract the filament based on the exit geometry.

An auxiliary power case can include a frame; a panel coupled to the frame, where the panel defines at least a portion of a recess; a rechargeable battery disposed at least in part in the recess; and a power interface operatively coupled to the rechargeable battery.