An automated pipe clearer that is permanently mounted to a building. The pipe clearer has a spool of cable that extends a head assembly down a pipe. The sealed head assembly contains a motor and has a tip at a forward end. A computer control actuates a feeder to extend the cable and connected head assembly down a pipe towards a clog. When the clog is cleared the feeder re-spools the cable leaving the head assembly in the pipe ready for the next clearing operation.

A method of deploying a containment boom is provided whereby an elongated material, such as a sheet, yarn, or yarn bundle, is formed into a roll and the material is pulled from the interior of the roll to create a helical structure. A pull rope is threaded through the interior of the roll and is deployed along with the material, such that the material is wrapped around the pull rope. The pull rope prevents the boom from stretching and distorting the helical structure formed by the material, as well as preventing the material from self-wringing. Multiple rolls of material may be provided in a single boom package arranged in coaxial alignment. When the materials are connected in parallel, they are integrated into a single boom having concentrically wrapped materials, thereby providing for greater stability and functionality.

A method and device for adjusting the unstored length of tubing directed to improving the use of infusion sets that deliver fluids to a user. The device includes a storage module and other features for adjusting, storing and securing the length of the tubing. The method of adjusting the length of the tubing to a desired length typically comprises removably attaching the tubing to the adjuster, adjusting the tubing by wrapping the tubing around a hub or post of the adjuster, and fixing the length of the unstored tubing by attaching the tubing to a securing device such as a friction structure or fastener.

A spool apparatus is described to include in one particular example a cable spool with a first cylindrical lip and a second cylindrical lip on an opposite side of the cable spool. A center of the spool includes a clutch bearing in the center of both the first cylindrical lip and the second cylindrical lip that provides a rotational axis for the cable spool to rotate around. The apparatus may also include a feed slot near the first cylindrical lip that provides a passage for cable to pass from the second cylindrical lip to the first cylindrical lip.

A spool apparatus is described to include in one particular example a cable spool with a first cylindrical lip and a second cylindrical lip on an opposite side of the cable spool. A center of the spool includes a clutch bearing in the center of both the first cylindrical lip and the second cylindrical lip that provides a rotational axis for the cable spool to rotate around. The apparatus may also include a feed slot near the first cylindrical lip that provides a passage for cable to pass from the second cylindrical lip to the first cylindrical lip.

An example fiber storage device includes a bend radius limiter extending along a height from a first end to a second end. The first end is seated at a mounting surface. One or more arms extend outwardly from the second end of the body. Each of the arms defines a retaining member that contacts the mounting surface. Each retaining member has a first contact surface that faces away from the storage surface and a second contact surface that faces towards the storage surface. A storage region is defined between the mounting surface, the storage surface, one of the arms arm, and the second contact surface of the respective retaining member.

Apparatus for deployment, recovery and/or storage of a resource comprising a flexible length of equipment capable of being wound on a spool, the apparatus comprising a rigid container shaped and configured to be handled by a specified vehicle type, the container having at least a base and a pair of opposing end walls, and an open side or an opening in a side wall thereof, wherein, on said base between said opposing end walls, there is provided a mounting member on which said spool is or can be mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis. In an exemplary embodiment, the external dimensions of said container conform to the ISO 668 International Standard, and the equipment comprises a surface-covering track comprised of interconnected panels.

Running-end spool containment devices and systems are described herein that allow a user to secure a running-end of a strap within a lockable device to anchor the running-end of the strap at a selectable length when the device is in a locked mode, and to enable the running-end of the strap be lengthened or shortened when the device is in an unlocked mode. In an embodiment, the device includes an axel about which the running-end of a strap can be wound and unwound, a lock case that can engage the axel to prevent axel rotation in the locked mode and that can be disengaged from the axel to allow the axel to rotate freely in the unlocked mode, and a spring case that causes the axel to rotate and the running-end of the strap to wind around the axel when the lock cases is in the unlocked mode.

A sleeve for a cable spool having a cylindrical drum 8 and a pair of opposing end flanges. The sleeve includes a plurality of sleeve portions 7. Each sleeve portion 7 includes a body portion 10 for supporting cable thereon. The sleeve portions 7 are positionable on the cable spool such that the body portions 10 collectively define a cable support surface around the cylindrical drum 8, the cable support surface having a diameter greater than the cylindrical drum 8.

A deployable structure comprises: a support, a tape spring fixed to the support, able to pass from a wound configuration wound about an axis Z, to a deployed configuration, and a mobile arm able to rotate with respect to the support about the Z-axis, able to form a first contact with the tape spring so as to control the deployment of the tape spring.