# US 10,374,402 B2 · Wire pulling head apparatus with crimp zone indicators and method of using same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,374,402 B2 - Document ID: US10374402B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/899,765 - Filed: 2018-02-20 - Published: 2018-06-21 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2012-02-29 - Assignees: Encore Wire Corporation - Applicants: Encore Wire Corporation - Inventors: Mark D. Bennett; William T. Bigbee, Jr. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10374402B2 ## CPC - H02G 1/081: {using pulling means at cable ends, e.g. pulling eyes or anchors} - H02G 1/08: through tubing or conduit, e.g. rod or draw wire for pushing or pulling {(inserting electrical cables into tubes using wallbores E21B17/206; for optical cables G02B6/4401)} - H02G 3/00: Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles (installations of bus-bars H02G5/00; overhead installations H02G7/00; installations in or on the ground H02G9/00) - H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES ## Abstract An enhanced apparatus and method for securing a wire to a pulling cable for pulling wire. Specifically, the pulling cable and wire are attached via a pulling head body. The wire is inserted into an end of the pulling head body and secured by crimping the pulling head body against the wire. Further, crimp zone indicators positioned on the outer surface of the pulling head body indicate the optimal zone of crimping to achieve substantial contact between the pulling head body and the wire. A pulling cable is secured to the pulling head body via a ball swage that comprises a tapped surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pulling head body for pulling wire, the pulling head body comprising: a bore extending along the pulling head body; wherein a pulling cable is inserted into the bore; and wherein the pulling cable is secured to the pulling head body via a tapped ball swage neck. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The pulling head body of claim 1 further comprising one or more crimp zone indicators, wherein the crimp zone indicators are positioned on an outer surface of the tapped ball swage neck. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The pulling head body of claim 1, wherein the tapped ball swage neck provides friction between the tapped ball swag neck and the pulling cable. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The pulling head body of claim 3, wherein the tapped ball swage neck is a textured tapped ball swag neck. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The pulling head body of claim 3, wherein the tapped ball swage neck is a striated tapped ball swag neck. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The pulling head body of claim 3, wherein the tapped ball swage neck is a ridged tapped ball swag neck. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The pulling head body of claim 3, wherein the tapped ball swage neck is a furrowed tapped ball swag neck. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The pulling head body of claim 3, wherein the tapped ball swage neck prevents the detachment of the pulling wire from the tapped ball swag neck. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The pulling head body of claim 1, wherein the tapped ball swage neck is crimped to an end of the pulling cable. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The pulling head body of claim 9, wherein the tapped ball swage neck comprises indicators for the location of a tapped surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The pulling head body of claim 1, wherein the tapped ball swage neck is a spiral groove tapped ball swage neck. ### Claim 12 A ball swage pulling system, the ball swage pulling system comprising: at least one pulling cable, the at least one pulling cable having a pulling end and an attachment end; and at least one pulling head body, the at least one pulling head body comprising a bore extending along the at least one pulling head body; wherein the at least one pulling cable is inserted into the bore of the at least one pulling head body; and wherein the at least one pulling cable is secured to the at least one pulling head body via a tapped ball swage neck. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The ball swage pulling system of claim 12, wherein the at least one pulling cable comprises at least two pulling cables. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The ball swage pulling system of claim 13, wherein the at least one pulling head body comprises at least two pulling head bodies. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The ball swage pulling system of claim 14, wherein a first pulling cable is inserted into the bore of the first pulling head body and the second pulling cable is inserted into the bore of the second pulling head body. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The ball swage pulling system of claim 15, wherein the first pulling cable is secured to a first pulling head body via the first tapped ball swage neck and wherein the second pulling cable is secured to a second pulling head body via the second tapped ball swage neck. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The ball swage pulling system of claim 16, wherein the first and second tapped ball swage necks comprise crimp zone indicators. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The ball swage pulling system of claim 13, wherein the first pulling cable is secured to the second pulling cable. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The ball swage pulling system of claim 18, wherein the first and second pulling cables form a loop. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The pulling head body of claim 12, wherein the tapped ball swage neck provides friction between the tapped ball swag neck and the at least one pulling cable.