GB2030960A - Reel for winding filiform articles - Google Patents

Abstract

An inexpensive and easily constructed reel for filiform articles such as wires and cables, particularly welding wires is provided. The reel comprises a tubular hub (1) having at each end a set of spokes (2) fixed tangentially to the hub and extending outwardly to a circumferential ring (3) with a series of tie members (4) running from one of the sets of spokes to the other to serve as an underlying support for the wire being wound. A cylindrical winding core portion (6) usually surrounds the tie members (4), and end plates (5) with drive holes (7) abut the spokes. Advantageously the spokes, rings and tie members are of steel wire and the winding core and end-plates are of cardboard. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Reel for winding filiform articles The present invention relates to a reel for winding wires, cables and the like, in particular welding or soldering wires.

For the purposes of transporting and stocking welding or soldering wires, it is known to use heavy reels, which are manufactured almost exclusively of wood, sheet metal or plastics material. Such reels are sufficiently rigid to ensure that they have adequate strength to withstand handling, and provide adequate protection for the wires which are wound on the reels.

Unfortunately, their inherent weight makes them difficult to handle. Moreover, they are expensive, due to the cost of the material itself, and due to the cost of manual operations required for assembly.

From another point of view, wood reels which are intended to have welding or sdldering wires wound thereon are generally produced in a woodwork shop which is normally outside the wire factory, and accordingly from where they must be taken to the place of use for storage purposes.

An aim of the present invention is to try to overcome some of the above-mentioned disadvantages by proposing an inexpensive reel which can be produced in situ from standard components which are possibly available on site and at a rate according to immediate needs of the user.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a reel for wire, cable or the like comprising a tubular hub having at or adjacent each end thereof a set of spokes fixed tangentially to the outer surface thereof, two circumferential rings coaxial with the hub at or adjacent the respective hub ends and to each of which a set of spokes leads and is fixed, and a series of tie members running from one of the two sets of spokes to the other at a radial distance intermediate that of the radii of the hub and the circumferential rings to serve as an underlying support for the wire, cable or the like.

Conveniently the spokes, circumferential rings and tie members are formed of steel wires.

The tangential spokes may be arranged in a number of ways such as in parallel pairs, but preferably they are arranged so that the spokes of each set extend outwardly in the same clockwise or anticlockwise sense and are disposed symmetrically around the hub. The two sets may be fixed in opposite senses but, for simplicity, both sets are similar and are arranged so that they are superimposed when axially projected.

The tie members may, either by design or by accident in rapid construction, be slightly skewed but preferably they are all substantially parallel to the hub axis, forming a cylindrical cage structure.

With advantage the tie members are fixed to the spokes on the same side as the hub so that they are disposed within the tangential angle of the spoke and the hub.

Most conveniently a winding core portion is provided which comprises a simple cylinder of light material such as reinforced cardboard around the tie members.

The reel also generally includes end plates to withstand the lateral forces of the wire or cable wound onto the reel bearing out against the spokes and to protect the wires wound on the reel.

The end plates are conveniently disc shaped and bear outwardly against the spokes from the interior of the reel with the hub and tie members -passing therethrough. It is desirable for at least one of the end plates to have drive holes to be used in the course of reeling and unreeling the wire. The end plates are suitably made of reinforced cardboard, pressed wood fibres, or other light weight bonded fibrous vegetable matter or plastics material substitute therefor.

The advantage of the reel according to the invention is that its metal components are members which are available in the workshops involved in the production of wire and like articles, so that the reel can be produced at a highly advantageous cost, relative to conventional wood reels.

A second advantage is that the reel according to the invention is lighter than the known wood reels, which has a favourable influence on reeling, unreeling and handling operations.

In spite of the reel being of low weight, the reel according to the invention may carry a high weight of wire (300 kg of wire for a reel weighing 1 3.5 kg).

Finally, as the rings, spokes, tie members and hub are made either of steel wires or of a steel tube, they may be assembled by a simple welding operation, so that it is possible for the reels to be produced at the rate at which they are required, thereby necessitating a smaller storage volume., The invention is illustrated by way of example with reference to Figure 1 which is of a reel constructed according to the invention and shown in cross section taken through the tubular hub parallel to the plane of the spokes and ring.

The drawing shows a central hub (1) comprising a length of metal tube to which spokes (2) are tangentially fixed. There is a set of spokes at each end of the hub. The two sets of spokes (2) extend outwardly and connect the hub (1) to two circular rings (3) (only one of which is shown) the spokes being fixed at their outer ends to the rings.

Tie members (4) which connect the spokes (2) of opposite ends of the reel in pairs, at about halfway between the hub (1) and the circular rings (3), support a winding core portions (6), for example of cardboard. The tie members are also of steel wire.

The tie members (4) are fixed to the spokes (2) in such a way that the tie members are disposed within the tangential angle of the spoke (2) and the hub (1).

The reel has two circular end plates (5) which bear from the interior against the spokes (2). The tie members (4) and the hub (1) pass through the end plate (5) which protects the wires wound on the reel. The end plate (5) has holes (7) for driving the reel.

The side members (5) are formed of a light material such as reinforced cardboard, plastics material or pressed wood fibres.

Claims (10)

1. A reel for wire, cable or the like comprising a tubular hub having at or adjacent each end thereof a set of spokes fixed tangentially to the outer surface thereof, two circumferential rings coaxial with the hub at or adjacent the respective hub ends and to each of which a set of spokes leads and is fixed, and a series of tie members running from one of the two sets of spokes to the other at a radial distance intermediate that of the radii of the hub and the circumferential rings to serve as an underlying support for the wire, cable or the like.

2. A reel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tie members am. all. substantially parallel to the hub axis and the reel includes a substantially cylindrical winding core portion around the said tie members.

3. A reel as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the tangential spokes of each set all extend outwardly in the same clockwise or anticlockwise sense and the tie members are secured to the spokes on the same side as the hub so that they are disposed within the tangential angle of the spoke and the hub.

4. A reel as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the tangential spokes of each set extend outwardly in the same clockwise or anticlockwise sense, the spokes are disposed symmetrically around the hub, and both sets are similar and are superimposed when axially projected.

5. A reel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the reel includes end plates bearing against the spokes.

6. A reel as claimed in claim 5 wherein the end plates are disc shaped and bear outwardly against the spokes from the interior of the reel with the hub and tie members passing through them.

7. A reel as cjaimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein at least one of the end plates has drive holes.

8. A reel as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the spokes, circumferential rings and tie member are formed of steel wires.

9. A reel as claimed in claims 5, 6 or 7 wherein the spokes, circumferential rings and tie members are formed of steel wires and the end plates-are formed of cardboard, pressed wood fibre or other light weight bonded fibrous vegetable matter or plastics material substitute therefor.

10. A reel for wire, cable orthe like substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the attached Figure 1.