AU691855B2 - Improvements in cable reel covers - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

a .9 TO9 BE9MLTDB PLCN Nam ofApiat ONS E.EadRBR .WIH Acua I.eto~) JonS 9 n Rbr .Wih Adrs fo evc:*dIA A RI,28Hg tet e, 11 itra utai Inenio Til:"MRVMNSINCBERE OES Th folwn sttmn0safl ecito fti netin nldn h etmto fpromn it knw o9e Thc present invention relates, in general terms, to an improved method of and means for the protective covering of a length of flexible material, as for example cable, rope or the like adapted to be wound onto a spool or the like for purposes of storage, cartage, etc.

More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to an improved method of and means for the protective covering of a cable reel assembly.

Throughout the ensuing description, reference will be made to an especially preferred embodiment of and usage for the present invention, involving the protection of heavy duty power cable and the like as wound on a cable reel. It should be realized, however, that the arrangement in accordance with the present invention lends itself to usage in a variety of different contexts, and that the invention is not to be considered to be in any way limited to the preferred embodiment or embodiments described. It should be realized, in particular, that the size of the material to be protected in terms of its diameter (thickness) and/or length is not of the essence of the invention.

In accordance with long-established practices and techniques, so-called cable reels are employed for the storage of large industrial cables. Such cable reels comprise, as their principal parts, a central substantially cylindrical spool member extending between respective end discs or flange members which are of a substantially circular shape when viewed in S: cross-section. The cable is wound onto the spool member to a level adjacent to or just below the periphery of the flange members. The flange members themselves then act to provide some form of protection for a cable thus stored but, in a purely practical sense, the outermost, exposed coils of such a stored cable are still prone to damage, as by impact with or impingement of sharp objects and the like. Furthermore, cables thus stored are susceptible to unwanted encroachment thereinto of dirt, dust, moisture etc.

In the past numerous attempts have been made to provide protection for filled cable reels of the aforementioned general type. Various minaterials, such as for example battens, have been suggested and in fact employed. However, invariably problems have arisen insofar as the securing of such battens to the cable reel itself is concerned. Such battens must be capable of being disposed between the terminal flange members of the overall cable reel and, more importantly, must be capable of being fixed relative to both the spool member and the flange members, in particular fixed against unwanted separation.

A further problem associated with cable reel covers in accordance with the known art has been in ensuring correct alignment of any such cover, be that cover in the form of a plurality of battens or whatever. Incorrect alignment, apart from encouraging ultimate separation of the battens from the cable reel, can in itself give rise to unwanted damage to the cable stored on such a reel, or alternatively can in itself allow for the ingress of dirt, dust, moisture etc.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide cover for a cable reel which is reusable yet at the same time prevents unravelling of the cable stored on such a reel. In an especially preferred embodiment the cables employed may be in the form of electrical cable, etc. for industrial use, involving heavy duty cable of indeterminate length.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a protective cover for a cable reel which serves to minimise, if not remove altogether, the likelihood of damage to a stored cable or the like during transportation, during storage and even during use.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a reel batten including: an elongate member having at least one rebate or slot at or in the vicinity of each free end of said batten and on the under-side thereof; and at least one shaped channel, rebate or slot provided on the upperside of said batten in the vicinity of one free end thereof and spaced from said free end, said at least one shaped channel rebate or slot being adapted to receive and releasably retain a securing means therein, wherein the minimum width or throat dimension of said shaped channel, rebate or slot is less than the width dimension of said securing means, thereby preventing unwanted egress of said securing means therefrom.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a protection cuver for a cable reel, said cover comprising a plurality of battens of the aforementioned type arranged side-by-side and joined together by S one or more securing means, In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a reel assembly comprising a cable reel having a central spool member having, at each end thereof, a flange member, said spool member being adapted to accommodate a length of cable, rope or the like wrapped around the spool 3113198GS7586.SPE.3

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member to a height below the level of said flange member, and a protective cover according to claim 6, said cover being adapted to be wrapped around said reel and tensioned onto the periphery thereof, whereby to be retained in position around said spool whereby to protect the cable, rope or the like stored thereon.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and put into practical effect there shall now be described in detail a preferred embodiment of a reel cover in accordance with the invention. The ensuing description is given by way of non-limitative example only and is with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a cable reel and associated cable reel cover in accordance with the present invention, when the cable reel cover itself is in its operative position relative to the cable reel; Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the join between opposed ends of a cable reel cover in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 3 is a view taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. 2; and pen Fig. 4 is an end-on view of a cable reel cover in accordance with the present invention, when in position on a cable reel.

i •l tWith reference to the drawings, and in particular to Fig. 1, a cable reel, generally o 3a 3113i98S7586,SPE,3 in accordance with the present invention, when the cable reel cover itself is in its operative position relative to the cable reel; Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the join between opposed ends of a cable reel.

cover in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 3 is a view taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is an end-on view of a cable reel cover in accordance with the present invention, when in position on a cable reel.

With reference to the drawings, and in particular to Fig. 1, a cable reel, generally designated 10, comprises a centrally-disposed substantially cylindrical spool member (not shown) having, at each end thereof, a terminal annular flange member 11, each such flange member 11 preferably being of a substantially cylindrical shape. A protective cover in accordance with the present invention, generally designated 12, is adapted in use to be disposed around the periphery of the central spool member (having a cable wound therearound), with the respective free edges of the cover 12 being adapted, in use, to abut 1 g: the flange members 11.

The protective cover 12 comprises a plurality of battens or the like members 13 adapted in use, and in a manner to be described in more detail hereinafter, to be joined together in parallel. In an especially preferred embodiment each batten 13 will be constructed from timber or the like material, and will be substantially parallelapipedal, and most preferably rectangular, in shape. It should be realised, however, that the material from which such battens 13 are formed is not of the essence of the invention. Indeed, battens or the like may be formed from a plastics material using any known method and means.

As illustrated in Fig. 4 the or each batten 13 takes the form of a one-piece elongate member having a rebate 14 on the underside of each end thereof, such rebate 14 being intended to assist in location of the or each batten 13 relative to the associated end flange 11 of a cable reel. On the upper side of each batten 13, at a position slightly displaced from each end thereof, there is provided at least one further rebate or slot 15 adapted, in use, to receive and releasably retain a securing means 16 in a manner to be described in more detail hereinafter. In the especially preferred embodiment as illustrated in Fig. 4 the upper rebates 15 are of a regular trapezoidal shape, whereby to minimise the possibility of unwanted egress therefrom of the securing means, which may take the form of a strap, cable or the like 16.

In accordance with the present invention, and this with particular reference to Fig.

1, a cable 12 reel cover takes the form of a plurality of battens 13 of the aforementioned type arranged in parallel side-by-side relationship and with a securing means 16 of any given type, as for example a metallic or metallised strap, disposed within each upper rebate 15. In an especially preferred embodiment the cable cover 12 will be made up of that number of battens 13 sufficient to extend around the periphery of the relevant cable reel. At each free end of a thus formed array of battens, the first two abutting or adjacent battens 1 3 are fixedly interconnected in any known manner, whereby to prevent unwanted separation of the thus arrayed battens when not in use.

Again in accordance with an especially preferred embodiment, as illustrated for example in Fig. 3, the upper rebate 15 in the batten 13 at each end of the cable cover 12 is of an enlarged width dimension when compared with all other battens in that cable cover. This enlarged rebate or slot assists and allows for in tensioning of the securing means or strap 16, using any known method or tooling. At the same time, however, when in place and subsequent to tensioning, the very shaping of the upper rebate 15 on the remaining battens 13 in the reel cover 12 in accordance with the present invention reduces the possibility of the securing means or strap 16 becoming separated from the cable reel cover.

The present applicant's arrangement is responsible for a number of important practical and economic advantages when compared with the prior art.

Firstly, it provides effective protection for cable stored on a reel, and yet is readily capable of both installation and removal. Secondly, apart from the securing straps or means, no further means for securing are necessary, and yet the integrity of a thus-covered reel is maintained. Thirdly, the shaped upper rebate or slot minimises the possibility of unwanted unwinding of or separation of the securing straps, and in fact assists in maintaining correct tensioning of such securing straps.

Finally, it is to be understood that the aforegoing description refers merely to preferred embodiments of the invention, and that variations and 0 °modifications will be possible thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the ambit of which is to be determined from the ensuing claims.

Where the terms "comprise", "comprises", "comprised" or "comprising" are used in this specification, they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components referred to, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other 31131980S7586.SPS5 feature, integer, step, component or group thereof.

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3M/398GS7586.SPE,6

Claims (9)

1. A reel batten including: an elongate member having at least one rebate or slot at or in the vicinity of each free end of said batten and on the under-side thereof; and at least one shaped channel, rebate or slot provided on the upper- side of said batten in the vicinity of one free end thereof and spaced from said free end, said at least one shaped channel rebate or slot being adapted to receive and releasably retain a securing means therein, wherein the minimum width or throat dimension of said shaped channel, rebate or slot is less than the width dimension of said securing means, thereby preventing unwanted egress of said securing means therefrom.

2. The batten as claimed in claim 1, including at least one shaped channel, rebate or slot at or in the vicinity of each end of said batten.

3. The batten as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the or each said shaped channel, rebate or slot is of a substantially regular trapezoidal shape when viewed in cross-section.

4. The batten as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, constructed S from timber or the like material. oo

5. The batten as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, constructed from plastics material.

6. A protective cover for a cable reel or the like, said cover comprising a plurality of battens as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and a separate securing means adapted to be disposed within the or each adjoining channel, rebate or slot of adjacent battens, said securing means being adapted to be tensioned in any known manner whereby to assist in retention of said 25 battens relative to a cable reel. o o 3

7. A reel assembly comprising a cable reel hiving a central spool member having, at each end thereof, a flange member, said spool member being adapted to accommodate a length of cable, rope or the like wrapped around the spool member to a height below the level of said flange member, and a protective cover according to claim 6, said cover being adapted to be wrapped around said reel and tensioned onto the periphery thereof, whereby to be retained in 31/3/98SIFS.SPE,7 position around said spool whereby to protect the cable, rope or the like stored thereon.

8. A reel batten, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A protective cover for a cable reel or the like, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. A reel assembly as claimed in claim 7, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 1st day of April 1998 JOHN S. DEHNE and ROBERT W. WEIGHT By their Patent Trade Mark Attorneys CALLINAN LAWRIE b 31/3/98GS7586.SPE,8 ABSTRACT A reel assembly includes a cable reel (10) having a central spool member having, at each end thereof, a flange member the spool member being adapted to accommodate a length of cable, rope or the like wrapped therearound to a height below the level of the flange member and a protective cover (12) adapted to be wrapped around the reel and tensioned onto the periphery thereof, whereby to be retained in position around the spool whereby to protect tt- cable, rope or the like stored thereon, the cover (12) being in the form of a plurality of battens (13) each comprising an elongate member having at least one rebate or slot (14) at or in the vicinity of each end and on the under-side thereof, and at least one shaped channel, rebate or slot (15) on the upper-side and in the vicinity of one end thereof and adapted to receive and releasably retain a securing means (16) therein. .i o «ot o*