GB1597110A

GB1597110A - Reels

Info

Publication number: GB1597110A
Application number: GB50044/76A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1977-12-08
Filing date: 1977-12-08
Publication date: 1981-09-03

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN REEI,S (71) I, JOHN HILL. a British subject of "Walden", Parkfields Lane, Fearnhead, Near Warrington, Cheshire, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to reels for use in making loose coils or "cheeses" of cable, wire, or wire rope, hereinafter termed wire.

The invention is particularly applicable to reels comprising a drum or barrel having two end flanges one at least of which is detachable for removal of the coil from the drum. As provided herein a preferred drum is formed of segments each radially displaceable between expanded and contracted positions by means within the drum to facilitate removal of the coil. With such a reel it is readily possible to wind a cheese of wire on the reel and, when winding is completed, contract the drum or barrel of the reel and remove one end flange to release the cheese for despatch in reel-less form. However, whilst the radial thickness of the cheese can be varied simply by varying the length of wire wound, it has been necessary to use separate reels of different dimensions in order to produce cheeses of different axial extent.

It is an object of the invention to overcome this drawback and provide a reel of the type preferred herein which can be adjusted dimensionally so that a single reel can serve equally well in the production of a variety of different sized cheeses.

According to the present invention there is provided a reel for use in making coils of wire comprising a drum or barrel having two end flanges at least one of which is detachable for removal of the coil from the drum, > Rtherein the d;um is formed of segments radially displaceaL.se between expanded and contracted positions by means located within the drum to facilitate said removal, one of the end flanges having spokes and being adjustable axially relative to the drum so that the effective winding width can be set to any one of a number of sizes, the drum having axial slots to receive the spokes of the adjustable flange.

Each segment may be supported by and displaceable radially relative to a support member, conveniently a circular plate, located intermediate the end flanges and extending radially of the drum axis. The slots may be provided in a portion of the drum extending to that side of the support member on which is located the adjustable flange.

Conveniently the slots are defined by stepped edge portions of adjacent segments.

The segments may also be supported by a further support member disposed adjacent the non-adjustable flange of the reel, conveniently secured to the first member by tie bars extending therebetween.

It is desirable to be able to wind coils of different internal diameter using the same reel and to this end the reel may be modified by making the segments adjustable radially so that the effective winding diameter of the reel can be set to any one of a number of different sizes.

In preferred such modified embodiments the radial adjustment of the segments is achieved by varying the effective length of link means pivotally connected to the segments, the ends of the link means being relatively displaceable so as to cause movement of the segments between the expanded and contracted positions. Preferably each segment has a pair of link means pivotally connected at their radially inner ends to respective sliding bosses arranged to be moved towards and away from each other.

Means for moving the bosses will usually be operable from outside the reel.

Movement of the sliding bosses is conveniently effected by a rod oppositely screwthreaded at its opposite ends each of which engages a corresponding threaded part of the respective boss. However, this rod can be replaced, if so desired, by pneumatic, hydraulic or electric means to perform the same function. The rod may be located within a tubular axle of the drum and accessible from one open end thereof. Then a suitable tool may be inserted to rotate the rod and move the bosses. Alternatively the rod may be outside the axle and operated by inserting a suitable tool, by hand, between the drum segments and/or the spokes of the end flange, or through a suitably aligned hole.

The or each link means may comprise on the boss an arm having a series of radially spaced holes for selective pivotal attachment thereto of a link enabling stepwise variation of the effective winding diameter by selection of different holes.

Embodiments of the invention may provide for continuously variable pre-setting of the effective winding diameter, preferably by link means in the form of a pair of arms both pivotally secured at their radially outer ends to the segment and each pivotally attached to a respective one of a second pair of arms the innermost ends of both of which are pivotally secured to the means, e.g. sliding bosses, for displacing the segments. The two pivots connecting corresponding ones of the two pairs of arms are then movable relative to each other by adjustment means, to preset the diameter. Access to this adjustment means, from outside the reel, may conveniently be by way of gaps between the drum segments, when expanded, and/or flange spokes, or by way of a suitably aligned hole in the flange. This adjustment means conveniently comprises a screw-threaded member oppositely handed at end portions each engaging a respective nut secured to or integral with a corresponding one of the pivots.

Where pairs of continuously variable link means are provided on each segment it is preferable that they be adjustable simultaneously. For example, where each adjustment means comprises a screw-threaded member these may be coupled together telescopically or flexibly.

The screw-threaded members for adjusting the linkages may themselves be replaced by pneumatic, hydraulic or electric means.

The various features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is an axial section of a reel according to the invention embodying both axial and radial adjustment arrangements, Figure 2 is a cross-section of the reel of Figure 1 taken on the section line B-B of Figure 1; and Figures 3 and 4 illustrate modifications of the diameter adjusting means of Figures 1 and 2.

The sectional view of Figure 1 is taken on the line A-A of Figure 2 and shows a reel having a drum 1 flanked at opposite ends by end flanges 26 and 33. The drum 1 is made up of a number of drum segments each having two inwardly directed flanges, one such flange, 44, close to the end adjacent flange 26 and the other inwardly directed, flange 43 spaced inwardly from the end adjacent flange 33. The axle of the drum is constituted by a tube 11 on opposite ends of which are carried bosses 29 and 30 from which circular support plates 35 and 28 extend radially outwardly. The support plate 28 is provided at intervals around its outer periphery with holes to receive tie bars and the plate 35 has corresponding holes around each of which extends an internally screwthreaded tubular boss 45 directed axially of the drum towards plate 28. A tie bar 46, screw-threaded at each of its opposite ends, engages in each boss 45, passes through a tubular distance piece 47 and through one of the holes in plate 28 to engage a nut 48 at the outer face of plate 28. Each distance piece 47, when the corresponding nut 48 is tightened on the thread of its bar 46, extends between the inner face of plate 28 and the confronting end face of a boss 45 so that the plates 28 and 35 are held a fixed distance apart at a number of points around the periphery of such plates.

The flanges 43 and 44 are slotted radially, the slots accommodating the bosses 45 and distance pieces 47, respectively, to permit radial displacement of the drum segments to alter the drum diameter. The spacing between flanges 43 and 44 is such that they abut confronting faces of the support plates 35 and 28 respectively.

The end flange 33 has four spokes extending from a hub 38 which is a sliding fit on boss 29. Hub 38 has a radially outwardly extending flange 37 provided with holes which can be brought into register with the holes in plates 28 and 35 with the spokes of end flange 33 aligned with the slots between adjacent segments. The segments of the drum 1 are stepped at 39 to define slots to allow the end flange 33 to be slid along boss 29 between an outer extreme position as shown in Figure 1 and an inner extreme position in which flange 37 abuts plate 35. In order to secure end flange 33 in a chosen position between the two aforesaid extremes a set of threaded tie rods 49 with corresponding tubular distance pieces 41, of appropriate length, is selected and the rods passed through the holes in flange 37 and through the distance pieces 41 to engage in the bores of bosses 45 and nuts 42 applied to the outer ends of rods 49. As an alternative to the use of nuts 42 the rods 49 may be in the form of headed bolts. Preferably the bosses 45 are screw-threaded opposite handedly inwardly from each end.

By means of the above described measures the effective axial length, for winding purposes, of the drum 1 can be adjusted between the extremes referred to without demounting flange 33 from the axle of the reel simply by removing the set of rods 49 and distance pieces 41 and replacing them with another set chosen to give the desired axial length.

For the minimum length position no distance pieces 41 are required, the flange 37 in this case being bolted directly into the bosses 45.

For the purpose of contracting the drum to release a wound coil tubular sleeves 8 and 9 are slidably mounted on tube 11, the sleeves 8 and 9 carrying lugs 15 and 16 each having an internally screw-threaded bore in which engages a rod 19 having left and right handed screw threads 17 and 18 at its opposite end portions and a squared end 20 aligned with a hole 21 in the flange 26. By inserting a suitable tool through the hole 21, to engage the squared end 20, the rod 19 may be rotated to cause lugs 15 and 16 and thus sleeves 8 and 9 to move towards and away from each other. The sleeves 8 and 9 also carry arms 6 and 7 respectively, a pair of arms 6, 7 being provided for each segment of drum 1. Each arm has a series of radially spaced holes 22 for the pivotal attachment thereto of the inner end of a respective one of a pair of links, 4 and 5, the outer ends of such links 4 and 5 being pivotally attached to inward facing lugs 2 and 3, respectively, on the inner faces of the segments of drum 1.

Thus as the sleeves 8 and 9 are moved towards each other the drum segments are drawn inwardly by the links 4 and 5 and the effective diameter of the drum is decreased.

Conversely as the sleeves 8 and 9 move apart the drum is expanded.

Each of the arms 6 and 7 is of bifurcated form and a rod 23 passes between the bifurcations of each pair of these arms. At one end rod 23 carries a nut 25 which serves as an end stop to limit movement of sleeves 8 and 9 and at its other end it is secured to a substantially U-shaped clamp 24.

Each substantially U-shaped clamp 24 is adapted for embracing engagement with two sides of a radial spoke of the detachable drum end flange 26, the end of each clamp rod 23 being connected to one limb of the claimp 24, as distinct from the bight portion between the limbs. The length of the bight portion of each clamp 24 is such that the spacing of the limbs is greater than the width of that side of a spoke with which it is required to engage by at least the thickness of the plate 28, which is slotted to allow the passage therethrough of the outer limb and pari of the bight portion of each clamp.

In operation, the drum is set in its expanded state, at the required winding diameter, by rotating the rod 19 to separate bosses 8 and 9, causing links 4 and 5 to pivot apart.

Each link 4 draws the corresponding clamp rod 23 axially inwardly so that the outer limb of its Ct- t Sped clamp 24 abuts the outside of the associated spoke, clamping end flange 26 to the drum. Then wire on manufacture thereof is wound around the drum. Standard steel straps or ties are then applied through strapping guides provided to facilitate passing under the coil and are secured firmly round the coil in the usual manner by standard strapping tools. Td separate the "loose" and strapped coil from the drum for despatch to a customer or user, the screwthreaded rod 19 is rotated and, through the medium of the linkage 4, 5 the drum segments 1 are retracted and the clamps on the spokes of the dismountable drum end flange 26 removed from their operative engagement with the spokes of such flange enabling the spokes to become clear of the plate 28 secured to the boss 30 by slightly twisting the flange with respect to the clamps.

On withdrawal of the drum end or flange as a whole from the retracted drum the coil of wire may be removed from said drum.

Reassembly after removal of a wire coil merely involves a reversal of the operation, the dismountable flange being applied to the boss by sliding it thereon and then being twisted until the spokes are located between the limbs of their respective clamps, whereupon the screwed rod is rotated in the reverse direction to displace the clamps into their gripping positions on the spokes simultaneously with the arrival of the barrel segments at their expanded positions.

It will be appreciated that should one or more clamps 24 fail adequately to grip their respective spokes when the other clamps have tightly engaged their spokes, the required adjustment to enable all the clamps to grip their respective spokes in the desired tight manner may be effected simply by tightening the lock nuts 25 at the opposite ends of the clamp rods.

By selecting different sets of the holes 22 for attaching the inner ends of links 4 and 5 to arms 6 and 7 different initial winding diameters of drum 1 can be achieved.

The set of holes 22 in each of the arms 6 and 7 provides for a stepwise adjustment of the diameter of the drum formed by segments I but if an infinitely variable type of adjustment is required the arms may be shortened in radial length and each provided with only one hole 22 and the links 4 and 5 replaced by the type of link means shown in Figures 3 or 4.

In the arrangement of Figure 3 the links 4 and 5 are each replaced by an adjustable linkage. Each linkage comprises a pair of longer arms 50 both pivotally attached at their outer ends to the corresponding one of lugs 2 and 3, and each pivotally attached at its inner end to one of a pair of shorter arms 51 the innermost ends of both of which are pivotally attached to the corresponding one of lugs 6 and 7. In this embodiment, and that of Figure 4, the lugs 6 and 7 are substantially identical to lugs 2 and 3. For infinitely variable adjustment of the linkage 50, 51 a lefthand/righthand screw-threaded bolt 52 engages in nuts, each secured to or integral with a pivot member 55 at the junction of an arm 50 with an arm 51. The thread 53 of one hand co-operates with the nut of one pivot member 55 and the thread 54 of the opposite hand co-operates with the nut of the other pivot member 55. Upon rotation of the head 56 of bolt 52 the members 55 are moved towards or away from each other to expand and contract the drum 1.

In Figure 3, a flexible coupling 58 is provided to couple the rods 52 of the pair of linkages for simultaneous adjustment of both ends of the segment merely by rotating the head 56 of one at the rods 52 (the right-hand as shown in Figure 3) by a suitable tool inserted through hole 21'. Clearly other coupling arrangements, e.g. telescopic might be used instead.

In the arrangement of Figure 4 the links 4 and 5 are replaced by internally screwthreaded sleeves 60 and 61 each pivotally secured at one end to a lug 2 or 3 or a lug 6 or 7 and receiving into its threaded interior from the opposite end a bolt formed with an operating nut 62 at its longitudinal centre and screw-threaded portions 63 and 64 of opposite hands extending to opposite ends thereof. Rotation of the nut 62 and thus of the bolt itself causes expansion or contraction of the drum 1.

The infinitely variable adjustment provided in the embodiments of Figures 3 and 4 may be supplemented by a stepwise adjustment by incorporating the feature of the arrangement of Figure 1 of two or more holes in the lugs 2, 3 or 6, 7 to vary the pivotal attachment points of the linkages 50, 51 or the sleeves 60, 61.

In all the above-described embodiments the tube 11 may be longitudinally slotted at diametrically disposed parts 12 over a midportion of its length to receive pairs of socket drive screws 13, 14 by which the sliding bosses 8, 9 are connected to left and right hand threaded nuts 15, 16 disposed on the threaded parts 17, 18 of rod 19' which is now located inside the tube 11. As can be seen from Figure 1, the squared end 20 is accessible from the end of the tube to facilitate connection with means for rotating the rod 19'.

The longitudinal centre of the rod 19' has a collar (not shown) which functions as a stop for limiting the inward axial displacement of the nuts 15, 16 on rotation of the rod 19' and tltps the inward axial displacement of the inner ends of the link bars 4, S or their equivalent linkages to a position of maximum retraction of the barrel segments 1.

Relative displacement of the nuts 15, 16 in an outward direction axially of the rod 19' beyond limits consistent with the links lying at right angles to said axis (representing the expanded position of the barrel segments) is prevented by bosses 29, 30 on the outer ends of the tube.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A reel for use in making coils of wire comprising a drum or barrel having two end flanges one at least of which is detachable for removal of the coil from the drum, wherein the drum is formed of segments radially displaceable between expanded and contracted positions by means located within the drum to facilitate said removal, one of the flanges having spokes and being adjustable axially relative to the drum so that the effective winding width can be set to any one of a number of sizes, the drum having axial slots to receive the spokes of the adjustable flange.

2. A reel as claimed in claim 1, wherein each segment is supported by and displaceable radially relative to a support member located intermediate said end flanges and extending radially of the drum axis.

3. A reel as claimed in claim 2, wherein the slots are provided in a portion of the drum extending to that side of the support member on which is located the said adjustable end flange.

4. A reel as claimed in claim 3, wherein edge portions of adjacent segments are stepped to define the slots therebetween.

5. A reel as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein each drum segment is further supported by and displaceable radially relative to a second support member disposed adjacent the non-adjustable flange of the reel.

6. A reel as claimed in claim S, wherein the support members are secured together by a plurality of tie bars extending therebetween and disposed around the drum axis.

7. A reel as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein each drum segment has a radially inwardly directed flange close to the or each support member.

8. A reel as claimed in claim 7 as appendant to claim 6, wherein the or each radially inwardly directed flange is slotted to accommodate a tie bar.

9. A reel as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the adjustable end flange is secured to the first-mentioned support member by a plurality of tie bars of predetermined length disposed around the drum axis.

10. A reel as claimed in claim 9, as appendant to claim 6 or 7, wherein the firstmentioned support member has a plurality of internally screw-threaded bosses, each tie bar being correspondingly screw-threaded at its ends to engage such a boss.

11. A reel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the segments are adjustable radially so that the effective winding diameter of the reel can be set to any one of a number of different sizes.

12. A reel as claimed in claim 11, includ

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

engages in nuts, each secured to or integral with a pivot member 55 at the junction of an arm 50 with an arm 51. The thread 53 of one hand co-operates with the nut of one pivot member 55 and the thread 54 of the opposite hand co-operates with the nut of the other pivot member 55. Upon rotation of the head 56 of bolt 52 the members 55 are moved towards or away from each other to expand and contract the drum 1.

In Figure 3, a flexible coupling 58 is provided to couple the rods 52 of the pair of linkages for simultaneous adjustment of both ends of the segment merely by rotating the head 56 of one at the rods 52 (the right-hand as shown in Figure 3) by a suitable tool inserted through hole 21'. Clearly other coupling arrangements, e.g. telescopic might be used instead.

In the arrangement of Figure 4 the links 4 and 5 are replaced by internally screwthreaded sleeves 60 and 61 each pivotally secured at one end to a lug 2 or 3 or a lug 6 or 7 and receiving into its threaded interior from the opposite end a bolt formed with an operating nut 62 at its longitudinal centre and screw-threaded portions 63 and 64 of opposite hands extending to opposite ends thereof. Rotation of the nut 62 and thus of the bolt itself causes expansion or contraction of the drum 1.

The infinitely variable adjustment provided in the embodiments of Figures 3 and 4 may be supplemented by a stepwise adjustment by incorporating the feature of the arrangement of Figure 1 of two or more holes in the lugs 2, 3 or 6, 7 to vary the pivotal attachment points of the linkages 50, 51 or the sleeves 60, 61.

In all the above-described embodiments the tube 11 may be longitudinally slotted at diametrically disposed parts 12 over a midportion of its length to receive pairs of socket drive screws 13, 14 by which the sliding bosses 8, 9 are connected to left and right hand threaded nuts 15, 16 disposed on the threaded parts 17, 18 of rod 19' which is now located inside the tube 11. As can be seen from Figure 1, the squared end 20 is accessible from the end of the tube to facilitate connection with means for rotating the rod 19'.

The longitudinal centre of the rod 19' has a collar (not shown) which functions as a stop for limiting the inward axial displacement of the nuts 15, 16 on rotation of the rod 19' and tltps the inward axial displacement of the inner ends of the link bars 4, S or their equivalent linkages to a position of maximum retraction of the barrel segments 1.

Relative displacement of the nuts 15, 16 in an outward direction axially of the rod 19' beyond limits consistent with the links lying at right angles to said axis (representing the expanded position of the barrel segments) is prevented by bosses 29, 30 on the outer ends of the tube.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A reel for use in making coils of wire comprising a drum or barrel having two end flanges one at least of which is detachable for removal of the coil from the drum, wherein the drum is formed of segments radially displaceable between expanded and contracted positions by means located within the drum to facilitate said removal, one of the flanges having spokes and being adjustable axially relative to the drum so that the effective winding width can be set to any one of a number of sizes, the drum having axial slots to receive the spokes of the adjustable flange.
2. A reel as claimed in claim 1, wherein each segment is supported by and displaceable radially relative to a support member located intermediate said end flanges and extending radially of the drum axis.
3. A reel as claimed in claim 2, wherein the slots are provided in a portion of the drum extending to that side of the support member on which is located the said adjustable end flange.
4. A reel as claimed in claim 3, wherein edge portions of adjacent segments are stepped to define the slots therebetween.
5. A reel as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein each drum segment is further supported by and displaceable radially relative to a second support member disposed adjacent the non-adjustable flange of the reel.
6. A reel as claimed in claim S, wherein the support members are secured together by a plurality of tie bars extending therebetween and disposed around the drum axis.
7. A reel as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein each drum segment has a radially inwardly directed flange close to the or each support member.
8. A reel as claimed in claim 7 as appendant to claim 6, wherein the or each radially inwardly directed flange is slotted to accommodate a tie bar.
9. A reel as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the adjustable end flange is secured to the first-mentioned support member by a plurality of tie bars of predetermined length disposed around the drum axis.
10. A reel as claimed in claim 9, as appendant to claim 6 or 7, wherein the firstmentioned support member has a plurality of internally screw-threaded bosses, each tie bar being correspondingly screw-threaded at its ends to engage such a boss.
11. A reel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the segments are adjustable radially so that the effective winding diameter of the reel can be set to any one of a number of different sizes.
12. A reel as claimed in claim 11, includ

ing link means pivotally connected to said segments, said means for displacing the drum segments being arranged to effect relative displacement of the ends of said link means so as to cause movement of said segments radially inwardly and outwardly in dependence upon the direction of such axial displacement, and the effective length of said link means is adjustable to set the effective winding diameter of the reel.
13. A reel as claimed in claim 12, including for each segment a pair of link means pivotally connected at their radially inner ends to respective sliding bosses, the bosses being movable towards and away from each other.
14. A reel as claimed in claim 13 wherein the sliding bosses are arranged to be moved by a rod oppositely screw-threaded at its opposite ends each of which ends engages a corresponding threaded part of the respective boss.
15. A reel as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein each boss carries an arm having a series of radially spaced holes for selective pivotal attachment thereto of a link of said link means.
16. A reel as claimed in claim 12, 13 or 14 wherein the or each said link means comprises a pair of arms both pivotally secured at their radially outer ends relative to the segment and each pivotally attached to a respective one of a second pair of arms the innermost ends of both arms of the second pair being pivotally secured relative to the means for displacing the segments, the pivotal couplings between the first and second pairs of arms being movable relative to each other for adjustment of the drum diameter.
17. A reel as claimed in claim 16 wherein the means for adjusting the diameter of the drum comprises a screw-threaded member oppositely handed at end portions each engaging a respective nut secured to or integral with a corresponding one of the pivotal couplings.
18. A reel as claimed in claim 16 or 17, as appendent to claim 13, wherein the pairs of link means are adjustable in length by a common adjustment means.
19. A reel as claimed in claim 18, wherein respective adjustment means of the link means of a pair are connected by a flexible coupling.
20. A reel as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the or each link means includes a pair of internally threaded sleeves one pivotally secured relative to a segment and the other to the means for displacing the segments between said expanded and contracted positions, each sleeve, receiving into its threaded interior a corresponding end portion of a bolt having opposite end portions oppositely screw-threaded and, between its ends, means whereby the bolt can be rotated.
21. A reel for use in making coils of wire arranged and adapted to operate substantially as described herein wifli reference to and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and as modified by Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.