CONNECTING METHOD

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 201310186104.1 filed on May 20, 2013 in the State Intellectual Property Office of China, the whole disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cable laying tool, a cable connection assembly and a cable connecting method, more particularly, relates to a cable connection assembly and a method for connecting assembly in a room of a user and a cable laying tool used during connecting the cable.

Description of the Related Art

In prior art, a cable connection assembly generally comprises an access box, a conduit containing a cable and a cable laying tool. The process of laying the cable mainly comprises steps of: pre-packaging the cable, for example, an optical cable or a copper cable, in the conduit; connecting the cable at an end of the conduit to another access box pre-mounted at a location outside a room of a user, such as a corridor; laying the conduit containing the cable on a predetermined installation surface, for example, a wall inside the room of the user; after laying, cutting a section of the conduit off; and connecting the cable in situ to the access box mounted on, for example, the wall inside the room of the user, at a position where the conduit is cut off, such that the cable is ready for connecting a communication device inside the room.

The above cable connection assembly and method have the following disadvantages: the cable must be pre-packaged in a conduit having a length as required before laying the conduit, and the cable cannot be packaged in the conduit simultaneously upon laying the conduit; the length of the cable must be predetermined and ordered according to a distance between the access boxes outside and inside the room, it is not convenient for the operation on the spot; and it needs to connect the free end of the cable to the access box on the spot, for example, inside the room, causing a long operation time, especially, in case where the connection operation is performed inside the room, it takes much time of the user, and it is rather inconvenient for the user. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made to overcome or alleviate at least one aspect of the above mentioned disadvantages.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a cable laying tool, a cable connection assembly and a cable connecting method capable of saving the time of connecting assembly.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tool adapted to lay a conduit having an openable joint part in a longitudinal direction thereof and a cable wound on a spool, comprising:

a support frame;

a spool mounting portion provided on the support frame and adapted to rotatably mount the spool wound with the cable;

a packaging portion provided on the support frame and configured to package the cable in the conduit; and

a conduit laying portion provided on the support frame and adapted to guide the conduit packaged with the cable and lay the conduit packaged with the cable on an installation surface.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the packaging portion comprising: a conduit opening mechanism configured to open the joint part of the conduit so as to introduce the cable into the conduit; and a conduit closing mechanism configured to close the joint part of the conduit containing the cable.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the packaging portion further comprising: a cable guide mechanism provided on the support frame and configured to guide the cable into the opened conduit.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the conduit opening mechanism comprising: a ring member, through which the cable is passed, having a peripheral surface adapted to open the joint part of the conduit.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the conduit laying portion comprises a laying wheel, and the conduit is engaged on a peripheral surface of the laying wheel, so that the conduit packaged with the cable is laid on the installation surface as the laying wheel is rolling on the installation surface.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the conduit closing mechanism comprises a first wheel and a second wheel adjacent to the first wheel, and the joint part of the conduit is pressed and closed as the conduit containing the cable is fed forward through a gap between the first and second wheels.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the tool further comprising: a liner peeling mechanism configured to peel a liner from a back surface of the conduit so as to expose a sticky surface of the conduit before the conduit reaches the conduit laying portion.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the liner peeling mechanism comprises a third wheel provided adjacent to the second wheel, and the second wheel cooperates with the third wheel to peel the liner being passed through a gap between the second and third wheels.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the laying wheel is connected to a support shaft mounted on the support frame; the first, second and third wheels are connected to a first shaft, a second shaft and a third shaft mounted on the support frame, respectively; and the support shaft and the first, second and third shafts together constitute a linkage mechanism, so that at least one of the first, second and third wheels is capable of being rotated as the laying wheel is rolling.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a gear mechanism is provided between the support shaft of the laying wheel and the first shaft of the first wheel, so that the support shaft drives the first shaft through the gear mechanism.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the tool further comprising: a balance wheel coaxial with the laying wheel and configured to contact the installation surface, so that the tool is capable of rolling stably by the cooperation of the balance wheel with the laying wheel.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the support frame is a hollow casing, the spool mounting portion is provided on a first outer sidewall of the casing, and the packaging portion and the conduit laying portion are mounted on a second outer sidewall of the casing perpendicular to the first outer sidewall.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the rotating axes of the laying wheel, the first wheel, the second wheel and the third wheel are substantially parallel to each other.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein an auxiliary wheel is mounted on the first outer sidewall, so that the tool is capable of being stably moved.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the tool further comprising: a conduit pre-fastening portion provided on the support frame and configured to temporarily fasten a free end of the conduit before laying the conduit.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the tool further comprising: a retractable handle portion pivotally mounted on the support frame.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cable connection assembly for connecting assembly to a predetermined position, comprising:

a tool according to any one of the above embodiments; and

a conduit having an openable joint part in a longitudinal direction thereof through which the cable is introduced into the conduit.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a spool, on which the cable is wound, mounted on the spool mounting portion of the tool. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, further comprising a first access box, the first access box further comprising: a seat portion configured to be mounted on an installation surface; and a cable connection portion configured to be detachably mounted on the seat portion and comprising the spool wound with the cable and a connector, wherein the connector is configured to connect the cable to another cable, and the cable is pre-coupled to the connector.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cable connection assembly further comprising a corner support member, the corner support member is configured to be mounted at a corner of a wall so as to guide and support the closed conduit containing the cable or the cable.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the corner support member comprises a first portion and a second portion hinged with each other, so that an angle between the first portion and the second portion is capable of being adjusted.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the corner support member comprises an outer corner support member or an inner corner support member.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cable connection assembly further comprising: a second access box configured to receive a free end of the cable.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first access box is mounted at a location inside a room of a user, and the second access box is mounted at a location outside the room of the user.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for connecting assembly by means of the cable connection assembly according to any one of the above embodiments, comprising steps of:

mounting the seat portion of the first access box on an installation surface at a predetermined access position;

mounting the cable connection portion of the first access box on the tool according to any one of the above embodiments;

laying the conduit packaged with the cable from another access position toward the predetermined access position by means of the tool, wherein the cable is packaged in the conduit by the tool during laying the conduit; and

mounting the cable connection portion on the seat portion after the conduit has been laid.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprising: before laying the cable, mounting a corner support member at a corner of a path along which the cable is laid.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprising: mounting a second access box at another access position, and connecting a free end of the cable to the second access box. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first access box is mounted at a location inside a room of a user, and the second access box is mounted at a location outside the room of the user.

With the cable laying tool of the present invention, it is not necessary to pre-package the cable in the conduit before laying the conduit, and the cable can be packaged in the conduit at the time of laying the conduit, i.e., the laying and the packaging are conducted simultaneously and thus saving the packaging time, and shortening the whole operation time.

Also, in the present invention, the cable (an optical cable or a copper cable) having a long length can be wound on the spool of the access box, therefore, the length of the cable to be laid can be freely adjusted according to the practical requirement, and the redundant cable can be stored in the access box. Accordingly, it is not necessary to predetermine and order a certain length of the cable according to the distance between the access boxes outside and inside the room, and it is very convenient for the user.

Furthermore, according to the cable connection assembly and the cable connecting method of the present invention, the cable is pre-stored on the spool, and pre-coupled to the cable connection portion of the access box. Thereby, after laying, the cable can be connected to the seat portion of the access box simply by inserting the cable connection portion into the seat portion of the access box, eliminating a step of individually connecting the cable to the access box, saving the operation time, especially, in case where the connection operation is performed inside the room of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. la is an illustrative perspective view of an access box of a cable connection assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. lb is an illustrative exploded view of the access box; Fig. lc is an illustrative view of the access box in use;

Fig.2a is an illustrative perspective view of an access box of a cable connection assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. lb is an illustrative exploded view of the access box; Fig. lc is an illustrative view of the access box in use;

Fig.3 a and Fig.3b show an illustrative perspective view and an illustrative exploded view of the access boxes of Fig.1 and Fig.2 at different view angles;

Fig.4a is an illustrative perspective view of a conduit of a cable connection assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig.4b is an illustrative cross section view of the conduit of Fig.4a;

Fig.5 is an illustrative perspective view of a tool of a cable connection assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Fig.6 is an illustrative perspective view of the tool of Fig.5 at a different view angle, showing a cable connection portion of an access box to be mounted on the tool;

Fig.7 is an illustrative view of a conduit mounted on a tool;

Fig.8 is an illustrative perspective view of the tool of Fig.5, wherein the conduit and spool are mounted on the tool;

Fig.9a is an illustrative view of a conduit opening mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the conduit is not shown; Fig.9b is an illustrative perspective view of the conduit opening mechanism of Fig.9a, wherein the conduit is added; Fig.9c is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig.9b indicated by "A";

Fig.10a is an illustrative perspective view of the inner structure of the tool of Fig.5; Fig.10b is an illustrative view showing the running state of a laying wheel, a first wheel, a second wheel and a third wheel;

Fig.11 is an illustrative view of laying the cable in a room of a user by means of a cable laying system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Fig.12 is an illustrative view showing the state of a laid cable and an access box;

Figs.13a, 13b and 13c show enlarged views of a corner support member shown in Fig.12, respectively; and

Fig.14a, 14b and 14c show perspective exploded views of the corner support member of Fig.13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE IVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the attached drawings, wherein the like reference numerals refer to the like elements. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiment set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

Figs.1-3 show illustrative views of an access box of a cable connection assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Hereafter, the access box will be described in detail with reference to Figs.1-3.

Fig. la is an illustrative perspective view of an access box of a cable connection assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. lb is an illustrative exploded view of the access box shown in figure la; Fig. lc is an illustrative view of the access box shown in figure la in use; Fig.2a is an illustrative perspective view of an access box of a cable connection assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig.2b is an illustrative exploded view of the access box shown in figure 2a; Fig. 2c is an illustrative view of the access box shown in figure 2a in use; Fig.3a and Fig.3b show an illustrative perspective view and an illustrative exploded view of the access boxes of Fig.1 and Fig.2 at different view angles.

As shown in Figs. la-lc, in an exemplary embodiment, an access box 1 comprises a seat portion 11 and a cable connection portion 12 configured to be detachably mounted on the seat portion 11. The cable connection portion 12 comprises a spool 13 on which a cable 14 (a first cable) is wound. In use, the seat portion 11 of the access box 1 is embedded into an installation surface 10, for example, a wall, and the cable connection portion 12 is mounted on the seat portion 11.

As shown in Figs.3a and 3b, the cable connection portion 12 comprises a body 17 and a cover 16 covering the outer surface of the body 17 and forming the appearance of the access box 1. The spool 13 is provided on one side of the body 17. A free end of the cable 14 wound on the spool 13 is coupled with a connector 15, and the connector 15 is mounted on the one side of the body 17 (see Fig.3a). Two adapters 19 are provided on the other side of the body 17 opposite to the side provided with the spool 13, and the other end of the cable 14 is pre-coupled to one of the adapters 19 through a connector 18. A termination of a cable (a second cable) from a communication device at user end, for example, a computer, can be coupled to the adapter 19. The number of the adapters 19 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and may be one, two or more.

A process of laying the cable 14 wound on the spool 13 of the access box 1 comprising: firstly, pulling the cable connection portion 12 out of the seat portion 11, and connecting the cable connection portion 12 to a tool to be described later; secondly, coupling the connector 15 on the free end of the first cable 14 to another access box (a second access box) located at, for example, a corridor outside a room; and then packaging the cable 14 in a conduit (to be described later) and laying the conduit on, for example, the wall of the room, at the same time by use of the tool. After the cable is laid, the cable connection portion 12 is detached from the tool, and inserted into the seat portion 11 that has been embedded into the wall of the room. At this time, since the cable 14 is pre-coupled to the adapter 19, it is not necessary to connect the cable to the adapter by, for example, fusion splicing, on the spot. Instead, after the cable connection portion 12 is inserted into the seat portion 11, the cable (the second cable) from the customer premise equipment, for example, a computer, can be conveniently coupled to the adapter 19, saving the operation time at the user end.

As shown in Figs.2a-2c, in another exemplary embodiment, an access box comprises a seat portion 11 ' and a cable connection portion 12 configured to be detachably mounted on the seat portion 1 Γ. The cable connection portion 12 comprises a spool 13 on which a cable 14 (a first cable) is wound and a connector 15 (see Fig.3) for coupling the cable 14 to a second access box (not shown). The spool 13 and the connector 15 both are provided on a body 17 of the cable connection portion 12. The cable connection portion 12 may further comprise a cover 16 covering the outer surface of the body 17 and forming the appearance of the access box . Also, as shown in Fig.3, the cable 14 is pre-coupled to the connector 15. The access box of Fig.2 is similar to the access box 1 of Fig.1 in configuration, and the only difference is that the seat portion 11 of the access box 1 of Fig.1 is different from the seat portion 11 ' of the access box of Fig.2. The seat portion 11 of the access box 1 is configured to be mounted and embedded in the wall by penetrating the wall through an installation hole in the wall, and the seat portion of the access box is configured to be directly mounted on the surface of the wall and protruded from the surface of the wall.

Although it has described exemplary embodiments of the access box with reference to the above drawings, the access box of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, as long as an access box comprises a seat portion and a cable connection portion detachably mounted on the seat portion, and the cable connection portion comprises a spool on which a cable is wound, then the access box can be used with the cable laying tool to be described later.

Fig.4a is an illustrative perspective view of a conduit of a cable connection assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig.4b is an illustrative cross section view of the conduit of Fig.4a.

As shown in Figs.4a and 4b, the cable 4 used with the tool (see Fig.5) has a substantially tabular cross section, and has an openable joint part 41 in a longitudinal direction thereof. The joint part 41 is formed along a joint of opposite planes of the substantially tabular conduit. The cable can be packaged into the conduit through the opened joint part 41. Preferably, the conduit 4 is made of flexible material, for example, PVC, so that the conduit can be easily rolled in a roll and be conveniently transported.

The joint part 41 has a locking structure, and the locking structure may be any one in prior art. Fig.4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the locking structure of the joint part. As shown in Fig.4, the locking structure comprises a locking protrusion 44 integrally formed on one plane of the tabular conduit and protruding from an end of the one plane of the tabular conduit toward a corresponding end of the other plane of the tabular conduit and a locking recess 43 formed in the other plane to receive the locking protrusion 44. The locking recess 43 is formed by two elastic pieces integrally extending from the other plane and bent toward each other. The end of the locking protrusion 44 is formed as an enlarged spherical part, so as to prevent the locking protrusion 44 from being easily disengaged from the locking recess 43. However, an operator can open or close the joint part 41 with a relative small force manually or by an open or close mechanism.

Also, as shown in Fig.4, the conduit 4 further comprises an adhesive layer 42, for example, a double faced adhesive tape, coated on a flat surface (back side surface), and a liner (not shown) is covered on the adhesive layer 42. During laying the conduit, the liner can be peeled from the back side surface of the conduit 4 manually or by a peeling mechanism, so that the conduit 4 can be adhered to the wall.

Figs.5- 10 show views of a tool of a cable connection assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and views of the tool combined with the conduit and the access box.

As shown in Figs.5-6, the tool 3 comprises a support frame 30 configured to be a cylindrical casing. An installation plate 302 is fixedly connected on a side of a peripheral surface of the support frame 30. A spool mounting portion 31 is provided on the installation plate 302. The spool mounting portion 31 is configured that the spool 13 of the access box 1 ( ) of Figs.1-3 is capable of being pivotally mounted on the spool mounting portion 31. As shown in Fig.5, the spool mounting portion 31 is shaped as a shaft member. It should be appreciated for those skilled in this art that the shape and configuration of the spool mounting portion 31 may be changed according to the configuration of the spool 13 of the access box.

As shown in Fig.5, the tool 3 comprises a laying wheel (a conduit laying portion) 35 exposed from an end of the cylindrical casing, for guiding the conduit 4 containing the cable and laying the conduit 4 on an installation surface of, for example, a wall. The conduit 4 is engaged to the peripheral surface of the laying wheel 35, as shown in Fig.7. During laying, the laying wheel 35 is rolling on the installation surface by driving the tool 3 by holding a handle 40, so as to press the conduit 4 onto the installation surface.

Also, as shown in Figs.5, 8-9, the tool 3 further comprises a conduit opening portion 37 provided on the end of the cylindrical casing, for opening the joint part 41 of the conduit 4 to introduce the cable 14 into the conduit 4.

Also, as shown in Figs.5 and 10, the tool 3 further comprises a first wheel 32, a second wheel 33 and a third wheel 34 exposed from the end of the cylindrical casing. The first wheel 32 and the second wheel 33 together constitute a conduit closing mechanism of the present invention, for closing the joint part of the conduit in which the cable has been packaged. The second wheel 33 and the third wheel 34 together constitute a liner peeling mechanism of the present invention, for peeling the liner 42 from the back side surface of the conduit 4 to expose the adhesive layer of the conduit 4.

Fig.10a shows the inner structure of the cylindrical casing, as shown in Fig.10a, the laying wheel 35 is connected to a support shaft 50. The first wheel 32, the second wheel 33 and the third wheel 34 are connected to a first shaft 52, a second shaft 53 and a third shaft 51, respectively. Also, a driving force is transmitted through a linkage mechanism, for example, a gear mechanism 6 among the support shaft 50, the first shaft 52, the second shaft 53 and the third shaft 51, so that at least one of the first wheel 32, the second wheel 33 and the third wheel 34 can be rotated as the laying wheel 35 is rolling on the installation surface. The support shaft 50, the first shaft 52, the second shaft 53 and the third shaft 51 may be mounted on the cylindrical casing and enclosed in the cylindrical casing together with the gear mechanism 6. Although Fig.10a only shows the gear mechanism between the support shaft 50 and the first shaft 52, a gear mechanism may be provided between the first shaft 52, the second shaft 53 and the third shaft 51. That is, the gear mechanism may be provided among some or all of the shafts as required.

As shown in Fig.5, the tool 3 may further comprise a balance wheel 39 exposed from the other end of the cylindrical casing. The balance wheel 39 is connected to the other end of the support shaft 50. During laying the conduit 4, the balance wheel 39 contacts the installation surface, so that the tool is capable of being stably moved by the cooperation of the balance wheel 39 with the laying wheel 35.

Also, as shown in Fig.5, a pivot installation portion 301 is fixedly provided on the peripheral surface of the cylindrical casing of the support frame 30. The pivot installation portion 301 is adapted to be pivotally connected with a pivot shaft 41 of the handle 40. In addition, an auxiliary wheel installation 303 may be provided on the installation plate 302. An auxiliary wheel 38 may be rotatably mounted on the auxiliary wheel installation 303, for helping the tool to be stably moved. In an exemplary embodiment, the handle 40 may be configured to be a retractable handle, so that the length of the handle 40 can be adjusted according to the height of the position for laying the conduit.

Also, as shown in Fig.5, the tool 3 may further comprise a conduit pre-fastening portion 36 connected to the end of the cylindrical casing, for temporarily fixing a free end of the conduit before laying the conduit, so that the conduit 4 can be easily engaged on the peripheral surface of the laying wheel 35.

The present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. For example, the support frame may be a hollow casing different form the illustrated cylindrical casing, the spool mounting portion may be mounted on a first outer sidewall of the casing, and the packaging portion and the conduit laying portion may be mounted on a second outer sidewall perpendicular to the first outer sidewall.

Fig.8 is an illustrative perspective view of the tool 3 of Fig.5 in use, wherein the conduit 4 and spool 13 have been mounted on the tool. Hereinafter, the packaging portion of the tool 3 for packaging the cable 14 from the spool 13 into the conduit 4 of Fig.4 will be described with reference to Fig.8.

As shown in Fig.8, the packaging portion comprises a conduit opening mechanism 37 and a conduit closing mechanism 32, 33. The conduit opening mechanism 37 is configured to open the joint part of the conduit 4, so that the cable 14 can be packaged into the opened conduit 4. The conduit opening mechanism 37 also is configured to be used as a cable guiding mechanism, so that the cable 14 is guided into the opened conduit 4. The conduit closing mechanism comprises a first wheel 32 and a second wheel 33 adjacent to the first wheel 32. After passing through the conduit opening mechanism 37, the conduit 4 containing the cable 14 is fed forward through a gap between the first wheel 32 and the second wheel 33, and the joint part 41 of the conduit 4 is pressed and closed by the first and second wheels 32, 33. Then, the closed conduit 4 is fed to the laying wheel 35 and laid on the installation surface. Thereby, after passing through the conduit opening mechanism 37 and the conduit closing mechanism 32, 33, the cable 14 is packaged into the conduit 4 and fed to the laying wheel 35 to lay it on the installation surface.

Also, as shown in Fig.8, the liner peeling mechanism consists of the second wheel 33 and the third wheel 34 adjacent to the second wheel 33. The liner 45 is adapted to be fed forward through a gap between the second wheel 33 and the third wheel 34. The third wheel 34 can be rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of feeding the conduit 4, so as to peel the liner 45 from the back side surface of the conduit 4. The rotating axes of the laying wheel 35, the first wheel 32, the second wheel 33 and the third wheel 34 are substantially parallel to each other.

Fig.9a is an illustrative view of a conduit opening mechanism 37 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the conduit 4 is not shown; Fig.9b is an illustrative perspective view of the conduit opening mechanism of Fig.9a, wherein the conduit 4 is added; Fig.9c is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig.9b indicated by "A".

As shown in Figs.9a-9c, the conduit opening mechanism 37 is configured to guide the cable 14 and open the join part of the conduit 4. The conduit opening mechanism 37 comprises a ring member 37a. The ring member 37a is configured to slidably engage with the cable 14 and slidably guide and open the conduit 4. The cable 14 passes through a through hole of the ring member 37a and is guided by the ring member 37a. The peripheral surface of the ring member 37a is configured to open the joint part of the conduit 4. The ring member 37a may be an opened ring member. As shown in Fig.9, the conduit opening mechanism 37 further comprises a bracket 37b for supporting the ring member.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in this art that the conduit opening mechanism of Figs. 8-9 is only an exemplary embodiment, and any other suitable conduit opening mechanism is possible. For example, a hook member for engaging two edges of the joint part of the conduit 4, a triangle bracket for opening the conduit, and so on. Furthermore, the conduit opening mechanism may be only used to open the conduit, and a cable guide mechanism separate from the conduit opening mechanism may be additionally provided, for guiding the cable 14 into the conduit 4 that has been pre-opened by the conduit opening mechanism. Furthermore, the tool 3 may further comprise a conduit guide mechanism, for properly guiding the conduit before opening the conduit 4. Thereby, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated and described embodiments.

Fig.10b is an illustrative view showing the running state of the laying wheel 35, the first wheel 32, the second wheel 33 and the third wheel 34. As shown in Fig.10b, during laying the conduit 4, firstly, the laying wheel 35 is rolled on the installation surface to press the conduit 4 on the installation surface. While the laying wheel 35 is rolling, a driving force is transmitted to the first shaft 52 through the gear mechanism 6 to drive the first shaft 52 to rotate. Similarly, the second shaft 53 and the third shaft 51 may be rotated by a gear mechanism. Fig.10b shows rotation directions of the laying wheel 35, the first wheel 32, the second wheel 33 and the third wheel 34.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that some of the first wheel 32, the second wheel 33 and the third wheel 34 may not be rotated, and that the gear mechanism is not necessary. For example, the first wheel 32, the second wheel 33 and the third wheel 34 may be friction wheels driven by a friction force of the conduit.

Hereinafter, the operation of the tool of the present invention will be described in detail. Firstly, mounting the cable connection portion 12 of the access box 1 on the spool mounting portion 31 of the tool 3 (see Figs.5-6); Then, unwinding the free end of the cable 14 from the spool 13, opening the free end of the conduit 4 manually, and packaging the free end of the cable 14 into the free end of the opened conduit 4; Then, passing the free end of the conduit 4 through between the first wheel 32 and the second wheel 33 of the tool 3, winding the conduit around the laying wheel 35, and pre-fixing the free end of the conduit 4 on the pre-fastening portion 36; Then, peeling a section of the liner 45 from the free end of the conduit manually, and passing the peeled liner 45 through between the second wheel 33 and the third wheel 34; Then, mounting a subsequent section of the conduit on the conduit opening mechanism 37 to open the subsequent section of the conduit, and introducing a subsequent section of the cable into the opened subsequent section of the conduit. So far, the preparation work prior to lay the conduit by use of the tool is finished.

During laying the conduit, firstly, pre-adhering the adhesive layer exposed by peeling the liner from the back side surface of the conduit 4 onto the wall; Then, holding the handle 40 to tightly contact the laying wheel 35 and the balance wheel 39 with the wall surface and drive the tool to roll the laying wheel 35 and the balance wheel 39 on the wall, so as to continuously pull the conduit 4 packaged with the cable 14 therein by means of the laying wheel 35 and continuously press and adhere the conduit 4 on the wall.

When the laying wheel 35 is rolled to continuously lay the conduit, the first wheel 32, the second wheel 33 and the third wheel 34 are driven to rotate as shown in Fig.10b, so as to continuously pull the conduit 4 and the cable 14, and unwind the cable 14 from the spool 13. During this process, the cable 14 is continuously guided into the opened conduit 4 by means of the conduit opening mechanism 37. Then, the conduit containing the cable continuously passes through between the first wheel 32 and the second wheel 33 and pressed and closed by the first wheel 32 and the second wheel 33. Then, the third wheel 34 peels the liner from the closed conduit 4. Thereafter, the conduit is continuously fed forward to the laying wheel 35 and laid by the laying wheel 35.

Thereby, the cable can be packaged into the conduit at the same time of laying the conduit by rolling the laying wheel 35. As a result, the conduit laying operation and the cable packaging operation can be performed at the same time, improving the laying efficiency.

Fig.11 is an illustrative view of laying the cable in a room 100 of a user by means of a cable connection assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig.11 shows the cable connection portion 12 of the access box (a first access box) 1, the cable 14 wound on the spool 13 of the access box 1, the conduit 4 for packaging the cable 14, and another access box (a second access box) 2 located in a corridor outside the room 100 and above an entrance of the room 100. Please note that the seat portion of the access box 1 is not shown in Fig.11. During laying the conduit, firstly, mounting the seat portion 11 of the access box 1 (see Figs.1-2) on the wall (the installation surface) at a predetermined access position (a first access position, not shown) inside the room 100 (it is also possible to mount the seat portion 11 after laying the conduit); Then, mounting the cable connection portion 12 of the access box 1 on the spool mounting portion 31 of the tool 3; Then, preparing the conduit, and as described above, using the tool to lay the conduit and the cable at the same time, that is, simultaneously performing the cable packaging and the conduit laying.

As shown in Fig.11, the conduit may be laid from a position of the wall inside the room corresponding to the access box 2 until the predetermined first access position. At the first access position, the cable connection portion 12 of the access box 1 is mounted on the seat portion 11. So far, the conduit laying work is finished.

Fig.12 is an illustrative state view of a conduit 4 containing a cable and an access box after finishing the laying work. As shown in Fig.12, after finishing the laying work, a termination of a cable (a second cable) from a customer premise equipment, for example, a computer, can be directly coupled to the access box 1, and further communicated with the second access box at the corridor through the cable 14 (the first cable 14).

Also, in an exemplary embodiment, the cable connection assembly may further comprise a corner support member. The corner support member is configured to be mounted at a corner of the wall so as to guide and support the closed conduit containing the cable or the cable (the conduit at the corner may be cut off, and only the cable is laid at the corner). Before laying the conduit, an installation portion of the corner support member is mounted at the corner of a path along which the cable is laid, and a cover portion of the corner support member is mounted after finishing the laying work. Fig.12 shows a flat surface corner support member 70, an outer corner support member 71 and an inner corner support member 72.

Figs.13a, 13b and 13c show enlarged views of the flat surface corner support member 70, the outer corner support member 71 and the inner corner support member 72 shown in Fig.12, respectively. Fig.14a, 14b and 14c show perspective exploded views of the flat surface corner support member 70, the outer corner support member 71 and the inner corner support member 72 shown in Fig.12, respectively. As shown in Fig.14, the flat surface corner support member 70, the outer corner support member 71 and the inner corner support member 72 each comprises a cover portion 70a, 71a, 72a and an installation portion 70b, 71b, 72b. The outer corner support member 71 and the inner corner support member 72 each comprises a first portion and a second portion connected by a hinge 73, so that an angle between the first portion and the second portion is capable of being adjusted. Thereby, the angle of the corner support member can be easily adjusted according to the angle of the wall, so as to properly support the conduit. The first portion and the second portion combine to a single member.

According to another general concept of the present invention, there is provided a method for connecting assembly by means of the cable connection assembly according to any one of the above embodiments, comprising steps of:

mounting the seat portion of the first access box on an installation surface at a first access position;

mounting the cable connection portion of the first access box on the tool according to the above embodiments;

laying the conduit packaged with the cable from a second access position toward the first access position by means of the tool, wherein the cable is packaged in the conduit by the tool during laying the conduit; and

mounting the cable connection portion on the seat portion after the conduit has been laid.

Furthermore, the above method may further comprise a step of:

before laying the conduit, mounting a corner support member at a corner of a path along which the cable is laid.

In an exemplary embodiment, a cover portion of the corner support member may be mounted after finishing the laying work of the cable.

Furthermore, the above method may further comprise a step of:

mounting a second access box at the second access position, and connecting a free end of the cable to the second access box, wherein the first access box is mounted at a location inside a room of a user, and the second access box is mounted at a location, for example, at a corridor, outside the room of the user.

Although several exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, an element recited in the singular and proceeded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments "comprising" or "having" an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.