Patent Publication Number: US-2017353017-A1

Title: Pulling device attachment

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/346,649, entitled PULLING DEVICE ATTACHMENT, filed on Jun. 7, 2016. U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/301,285 is herein incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Pulling grips are used for pulling overhead or underground cable, for stringing service or communication lines into buildings, for pulling wire through conduit, and for general underground construction. 
     SUMMARY 
     Aspects of the disclosure relate to a pulling device for pulling wire, cable, and/or duct products through an opening (e.g., bore, conduit, duct, etc.). The pulling device includes a gripping sleeve having a first end and a second end, the first end of the gripping sleeve configured to receive the product. The second end of the gripping sleeve is coupled with an eye, the eye configured to guide the pulling device through the opening. The pulling device further includes a cord configured to remove a protective material that can at least partially enclose the gripping sleeve and/or the product. The cord can be coupled to at least one of the gripping sleeve or the eye, and extend distally beyond the first end of the gripping sleeve. 
     In some embodiments, the cord includes a looped end. The looped end can be configured for receiving a locating wire. The looped end can be coupled to a swivel. The swivel can bias the locating wire in respect to the gripping sleeve and/or the product, minimizing tangling of the locating wire around the product. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The Detailed Description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The use of the same reference numbers in different instances in the description and the figures can indicate similar or identical items. 
         FIG. 1  is a top view illustrating a pulling device in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view illustrating an eye of a pulling device, such as the pulling illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3A  is a top view illustrating the cord of a pulling device, such as the pulling device illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3B  is a top view illustrating the cord of a pulling device, such as the pulling device illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the cord including a swivel in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4A  is a top view illustrating a pulling device, such as the pulling device illustrated in  FIG. 1 , including a product received by the pulling device in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4B  is a top view illustrating a pulling device, such as the pulling device illustrated in  FIG. 1 , including a protective material in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4C  is a top view illustrating a pulling device, such as the pulling device illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the cord of the pulling device being configured to remove a protective material. 
         FIG. 4D  is another top view illustrating a pulling device, such as the pulling device illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the cord of the pulling device being configured to remove a protective material. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for removing a protective material from a pulling device in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Overview 
     Pulling devices (e.g., pulling grips, cable eyes, etc.) serve as reusable tools for pulling wire or cable products, such as conductors, bare wires, insulated wires, fiber optic cable, nylon and wire rope, and so forth, through bores and/or conduits. Pulling grips are utilized for overhead, underground, or in-plant wiring applications. 
     Once the product is inserted into the pulling grip, the pulling grip can be wrapped in a protective material (e.g., an adhesive tape). Wrapping the pulling grip with tape prevents the wire or cable product from catching and/or snagging while being pulled through rough or uneven surfaces, reducing damage to or loss of product. While the tape is useful in protecting the wire product and preventing product loss, it can create additional problems. For example, the tape can be difficult to remove. The tape must typically be removed with a knife, which can result in damage to the product or to the pulling grip. Removing the tape can also be damaging to the user&#39;s hands, particularly if a knife is used to cut the tape and the pulling grip, resulting in metallic spurs along the pulling grip that can damage the user&#39;s hands. Further, the pulling grip often becomes very muddy or dirty during use, making the tape difficult to locate and wasting valuable time of the user. Additionally, locating wires used in conjunction with the pulling grip often become tangled around the grip or the product, resulting in loss of product. 
     A pulling device for pulling wire, cable, and/or duct products through an opening (e.g., bore, conduit, duct, etc.) is described. The pulling device includes a gripping sleeve having a first end and a second end, the first end of the gripping sleeve configured to receive the product. The second end of the gripping sleeve is coupled with an eye, the eye configured to guide the pulling device through the opening. The pulling device further includes a cord configured to remove a protective material that can at least partially enclose the gripping sleeve and/or the product. The cord can be coupled to at least one of the gripping sleeve or the eye, and extend distally beyond the first end of the gripping sleeve. 
     Example Embodiments 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 4D , pulling devices  100  configured to facilitate the pulling of a cable and/or wire product through a bore or conduit are described. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the pulling device includes a grip  102  (e.g., a Kellum grip) and a cord  104 . The grip  102  comprises a gripping sleeve  106  configured to receive one or more products (e.g., wires, cables, ducts, pipes, etc.; not shown). The product can comprise a variety of materials including, but not necessarily limited to: bare wire, insulated wire, cable, fiber optic cable, nylon and wire rope, ducting, and so forth. 
     In embodiments, the gripping sleeve  106  can comprise a braided wire tube configured for receiving the product. For example, the tube can form a lumen into which the product can be inserted. The gripping sleeve  106  can comprise a durable wire mesh material such as steel mesh, galvanized steel mesh, or another suitable mesh material, or other materials including, but not limited to, aramid fiber (e.g., a plastic coated aramid fiber). A variety of meshes can be used including, but not necessarily limited to: closed mesh, split mesh, single weave mesh, double weave mesh, triple weave mesh, quadruple weave mesh, and so forth. The mesh type can be selected based on the desired use of the pulling device  100 . For example, single weave mesh can be utilized for light duty applications, and double weave mesh or greater weaved meshes can be utilized for heavy duty applications. Likewise, a closed mesh can be selected for applications where the end of the product is accessible, while split mesh can be selected for applications where the end of the product is not accessible. The length of the gripping sleeve  106  can also be selected based on the desired use of the pulling device. For example, increasing the length of the gripping sleeve  106  can increase the gripping strength  106 . The diameter or cross-sectional area of the gripping sleeve  106  can be selected based on the diameter or size of the product. In some embodiments, the gripping sleeve  106  can have a diameter or cross-sectional area that is greater than the product in a first configuration, and a diameter or cross-sectional area that is smaller than the product in a second configuration. This configuration can facilitate receiving and gripping of the product by the gripping sleeve  106 . For example, when two sections of the gripping sleeve  106  (e.g., two ends, an end and an intermediate portion, etc.) are pushed together, the diameter or cross-sectional area of the gripping sleeve  106  increases to receive the product. Alternatively, when the ends of the gripping sleeve  106  are pulled apart, the diameter or cross-sectional area decreases, gripping the product. 
     In embodiments, the gripping sleeve  106  includes a first end  108  and a second end  110 . The first end  108  is configured to receive the product. For example, the first end  108  can comprise a distal open end that is placed over the product (e.g., as described with reference to  FIGS. 4A through 4D ). The second end  110  of the gripping sleeve  102  is coupled to an eye  112 . For example, the second end  110  can comprise a proximal end that closes the lumen of the gripping sleeve  106  by terminating in or otherwise coupling with the eye  112 . The eye  112  comprises a loop configured for guiding the gripping sleeve  106  through an opening (e.g., bore, conduit, duct, pipe, etc.). In some implementations, the eye  112  can be configured to receive a rope, cable, and/or hook to facilitate pulling of the pulling device  100 . The eye  112  can be formed from a durable material such as wire, wire rope, and so forth. In some embodiments, the eye  112  can be fixedly or rotatably coupled to the gripping sleeve  106 . For example, the eye  112  can be coupled to the gripping sleeve  106  by a connector  114  (e.g., a knuckle). In some embodiments, the connector  114  may comprise a point of connection between the eye  112  and the gripping sleeve  106 . In some embodiments, the eye  112  can be formed from the gripping sleeve  106  or materials therefrom. For example, the connector  114  may comprise a guide for directing the wire of the gripping sleeve  106  into a loop, forming the eye  112 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the cord  104  can be coupled to the grip  102 . In embodiments, the cord  104  can be fixedly or removably coupled to the gripping sleeve  106  and/or the eye  112 . In embodiments, the cord  104  is configured to extend distally from a point of attachment on the gripping sleeve  106  and/or the eye  112 . The cord  104  is configured to span lengthwise along the gripping sleeve  106 . Thus, the length of the cord  104  can vary with the length of the gripping sleeve  106 . In some embodiments, the cord  104  is configured to extend distally beyond the first end  108  of the gripping sleeve  106 . The cord  104  can comprise a durable material such as wire (e.g., metallic wire), wire rope, a synthetic material, an aramid fiber (e.g., a coated aramid fiber), twine (e.g., natural twine) and so forth. The cord  104  can include a coating, such as a coating to protect and/or strengthen the material of the cord  104 . In exemplary embodiments, the cord  104  comprises a wire suitable for up to 400 lb duty. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the cord  104  can be coupled to the gripping sleeve  106  and/or the eye  112 . It is contemplated that the cord  104  can be coupled to the gripping sleeve  106  and/or the eye  112  in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the eye  112  can include a casing  116  configured to enclose at least a portion of the cord  104  and couple the cord  104  with the eye  112 . In other embodiments, the cord  104  can be coupled to the gripping sleeve by the connector  114 . In still other embodiments, the cord  104  can be coupled directly to the gripping sleeve  106  and/or the eye  102 . For example, the cord  104  can be crimped (e.g., where connector  114  includes a crimped connection) or braided into the mesh. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the cord  104  can include a looped end  118  configured to facilitate pulling of the cord  104 . The looped end  118  can also facilitate attachment of a locating wire (e.g. tracer wire). In implementations, the locating wire can be removably attached to the looped end  118 . In some implementations, the locating wire can be coupled directly to the cord  104 . In other implementations, the cord  104  can include a swivel  120  for rotatably coupling the cord  104  to the locating wire (e.g., as described with reference to  FIG. 3B ). The rotational movement of the swivel  118  can prevent the locating wire from becoming biased with respect to the gripping sleeve, allowing the locating wire to be pulled through the opening with the product without becoming snagged or tangled. The size (e.g., gauge) of the locating wire can be selected based on the intended use. In some implementations, the locating wire comprises 12 gauge wire. The locating wire can comprise a variety of materials including, but not necessarily limited to: copper clad steel, copper, coated copper, stainless steel, stranded copper, stranded stainless steel, and so forth. In implementations, the locating wire can be pulled through the bore or conduit with the product to identify the location of the product (e.g., for future locating of the product after the product is buried). For example, the locating wire can be pulled through a bore with a duct, identifying the location of the duct for future cable installation. Because the locating wire is removably coupled to the cord, the locating wire can be disconnected without removing the product from the pulling device  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A through 4D , the cord  104  is configured to remove (e.g., tear, rip, etc.) the protective material (e.g., tape  122 ) from the gripping sleeve  106 . Enclosing the gripping sleeve  106  with tape  122  can enhance the gripping ability of the gripping sleeve  106 , and can prevent loss of product  124  during pulling. For example, tape  122  can prevent the product  124  from snagging, catching, or protruding from the mesh during pulling. When a product  124  is inserted in the gripping sleeve  106 , the cord  104  can extended distally beyond the first end  108  of the gripping sleeve  106  (e.g., as described with reference to  FIG. 4A ). For example, the looped end  118  can extend distally beyond the first end  108  of the gripping sleeve  106  and overlap the product  124 . When tape  122  is applied to the gripping sleeve  106 , the cord  104  can also be enclosed beneath the tape  122 , leaving the looped end  118  exposed and protruding beyond the first end  108  of the gripping sleeve  106  (e.g., as described with reference to  FIG. 4B ). For example, the cord  104  can be positioned flush against the gripping sleeve  106  and the product  124 . The tape  122  can overlap the product  124 , which can help to hold the product  124  in place within the gripping sleeve  106 . When the looped end  118  is pulled axially towards the second end  110  of the gripping sleeve  106 , the cord  104  will tear or rip through the tape  122 , removing the tape  122  from the gripping sleeve  106  (e.g., as described with reference to  FIGS. 4C and 4D ). Use of the cord  104  permits removal of the tape  122  without the use of a cutting implement (e.g., knife) and without directly removing the tape by hand. Thus, the cord  104  can prevent damage to the pulling device  100 , the product  124 , and the user&#39;s hands. For example, if a knife is used to cut the tape  122  and/or the grip  102  instead of the cord  104 , surface irregularities such as metallic spurs can result along the grip  102  due to interaction between the knife blade and the material of the grip  102  that can damage the user&#39;s hands (e.g., when stripping the cut tape from the grip  102  and product  124 ). 
     Example Method 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example method  500  that employs a pulling device with a cord for removing a protective material, such as the pulling device  100  shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4D . 
     In the method  500  illustrated, a product is inserted into a gripping sleeve of the pulling device (Block  502 ). In embodiments, the product  124  can comprise a variety of cable or wire products including, but not necessarily limited to: bare wire, insulated wire, cable, fiber optic cable, nylon and wire rope, ducting, and so forth. The product can be inserted into a first end  108  (e.g., a distal open end) of the gripping sleeve  106 . In some embodiments, the gripping sleeve  106  can have a diameter or cross-sectional area that is greater than the product in a first configuration, and a diameter or cross-sectional area that is smaller than the product in a second configuration. This configuration can facilitate receiving and gripping of the product by the gripping sleeve  106 . For example, when the ends of the gripping sleeve  106  are pushed together, the diameter or cross-sectional area of the gripping sleeve  106  increases to receive the product. Alternatively, when the ends of the gripping sleeve  106  are pulled apart, the diameter or cross-sectional area decreases, gripping the product. A cord of the pulling device is positioned flush against the gripping sleeve and the product, with the looped end overlapping the product (Block  504 ). For example, the cord  104  can be positioned parallel to the gripping sleeve  106  and/or the product  124 . In embodiments, the cord  104  extends distally from the gripping sleeve  106  (e.g., from a proximal second end  110  of the gripping sleeve  106 , or a point of attachment along the gripping sleeve  106 ), and beyond the first end  108 , overlapping the product  124 . 
     A protective material (e.g., tape) is positioned over the gripping sleeve and the cord, overlapping the product and leaving the looped end exposed (Block  506 ). The exposed looped end  118  facilitates pulling of the cord  104 . 
     The cord is pulled towards a second end of the gripping sleeve, causing the cord to tear through the protective material (Block  508 ). For example, the cord  104  is pulled axially towards the point of attachment. The tape  122  is thus removed from the gripping sleeve  106  without the use of a knife or other tools. 
     Conclusion 
     Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or process operations, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.