DK202000251A1

DK202000251A1 - Cable drum

Info

Publication number: DK202000251A1
Application number: DKPA202000251A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Hundstrup Philip
Original assignee: Hundstrup Philip
Priority date: 2020-02-27
Filing date: 2020-02-27
Publication date: 2022-03-22
Also published as: EP4110716A1; WO2021170808A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cable drum made of wood or a wood product such as plywood. A cable drum according to the invention comprises two round gables or flanges and a central body positioned between the gables/flanges around which central body a cable is positioned during use. A cable drum according to the invention for a reeling a cable or the like comprises a central body (1), two flanges (2) and locking means fixing the position of each flange (2) relative to the central body (1) in an axial direction of the central body (1); the central body (1) and the two flanges are made of wood or a composite wood product, and each of the flanges (2) has an opening (5). The central body (1) comprises a groove (4) near each end of the central body (1) which groove (4) is configured to engage with one flange (2) and prevent movement of the flange (2) in axial direction of the central body (1).

Description

Cable drum The present invention relates to a cable drum made of wood or a wood product such as plywood. A cable drum according to the invention comprises two round gables or flanges and a central body positioned between the gables/flanges around which central body a cable is positioned during use. Background of the invention It is known to produce cable drums primarily from wood or plywood, but normally the cylindric body is fastened to the gables or flanges with metal bolts/screws.

The document GB 832110 discloses a cable drum suitable for receiving material in extended lengths such as cables or hoses, the drum comprises two side metal members 11 held in parallel or substantially parallel relationship at a predetermined distance by readily removable tie rods 16. Adjacent the peripheries of an inner surface of a hub part 12 of each side member llare formed opposed annular recesses in the form of grooves 21. The grooves 21 are disposed radially outwardly of the tie rods 16 and are adapted to retain and engage ends of wooden battens 22 which extend round the tie rods 16 constituting a cylindrical body of the drum.

The prior art documents do not teach how to provide a complete cable drum able to withstand the forces of a relatively heavy cable reeled on to the drum which cable drum may be made exclusively of wood or a wooden product.

Summary of the invention Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a cable drum which may be made exclusively of wood or wood product i.e. without the use of e.g. plastic and/or metal.

Thus, one aspect of the invention relates to a cable drum for a reeling a cable or the like when in use, which cable drum comprises a central body (1) , two flanges (2) and locking means fixing the position of each flange (2) relative to the central body (1) in an axial direction of the central body (1); the central body (1) and the two flanges are made of wood or a composite wood product, and each of the flanges (2) has an opening (5), wherein the central body (1) comprises a groove (4) near each end of the central body (1) which groove (4) is configured to engage with one flange (2) and prevent movement of the flange (2) in axial direction of the central body (1).

According to one embodiment of this first aspect of the invention, the groove (4) may be adapted to the width of the flange (2) or the groove (4) may be adapted to a tongue placed in the opening (5) of the flange (2).

According to one embodiment of this first aspect of the invention, the central body (1) may be constituted of a layer or board of bend wood or composite wood material, or the central body (1) may be constituted of a plurality of rods (9), normally more than 10 rods (9).

According to one embodiment of this first aspect of the invention, the cable drum further comprises secondary locking means keeping the central body (1) in locking contact with the opening (5) of the flanges (2) such secondary locking means may have the form of a wedge (7), or a locking plate (6) positioned at the end of the central body (1), or a plug with an opening e.g. a central opening, inserted into and pushing against opposing inner surfaces of the central body (1). According to one embodiment of this first aspect of the invention, a cable drum may further comprise a distance plate (7) positioned between the flange (2) and secondary locking means such as a locking plate (7).

According to one embodiment of this first aspect of the invention, either the central body (1) and/or the flanges (2) are made of plywood. According to one embodiment of this first aspect of the invention, after mounting the flanges (2) on the central body (1), the central body (1) protrudes between 5 — 60 mm relative to outer surface of the flange (2) at each end.

According to one embodiment of this first aspect of the invention, the length of the central body (1) is minimum 100 mm and maximum 2500 mm. According to one embodiment of this first aspect of the invention, the minimum dimension of the outer perimeter of the central body (1) minimum 50 and maximum 2000 mm. According to one embodiment of this first aspect of the invention, the depth of the groove (4) is between 20-50 % of the thickness of the material constituting the central body (1). If the central body (1) is round or approximately round the “thickness” extend in a radial direction. A second aspect of the present invention relates to a method for preparing a cable drum for a reeling a cable or the like, which cable drum comprises a central body (1) , two flanges (2) and locking means fixing the position of each flange (2) relative to the central body (1); where the central body (1) and the two flanges are made of wood or a composite wood product, and each of the flanges (2) has an opening (5), wherein a groove (4) is milled or cut into the material constituting the central body(1) near each end of the central body (1) and the end of the central body (1) is positioned inside the opening (5) of the flange (2), the flange (2) or a part of the flange (2) is then fitted into the groove (4) preventing movement of the flange (2) in axial direction of the central body (1).

Brief description of the figures Figure 1A shows an end view of a first embodiment of a cable drum according to the invention, figure 1B shows a side view of the first embodiment and figure 1C shows a side view of the central body of the first embodiment.

Figure 2A shows an end view of a second embodiment of a cable drum according to the invention, figure 2B shows a side view of the second embodiment and figure 1C shows a side view of the central body of the second embodiment.

The present invention will now be described in more detail in the following. Detailed description of the invention Definitions: Wood or composite wood material — materials within this definition may either be a material originating from a natural grown tree such as pine, oak, or the like, or it may be a composite product comprising wood e.g. in form of veneer - such as plywood - or powder made into a shaped product e.g. by glue or a material functioning as glue.

In general — if these words are used in connection with a feature, it is to be understood that this feature may be used with all embodiments of the invention. It should be noted that embodiments and features described in the context of one of the aspects of the present invention also apply to the other aspects of the invention. A cable drum according to the invention comprises a cylindric body 1 and two flanges 2, the two flanges 2 has a central opening 5 and are fixed to a position near each end of the cylindrical body when the cable drum is in an operational state. The cable drum comprises locking means fixing the position of the flanges relative to the central body 1, i.e. preventing movement of the flanges 2 in the axial direction or longitudinal direction of the central body 1, when the cable drum is in an operational state. The locking means may comprise a groove 4 which groove 4 prevents the flange 2 from moving in the axial direction of the central body 1 when the flange 2 or a protruding part of the flange has been fitted into the groove 4. The fitting will be done during manufacturing of the cable drum. A cable drum according to the invention may also comprise secondary locking means fixing the radial position of the central body 1 relative to the flanges 2, e.g. the secondary locking means push the material constituting the central body 1 radially outward or the secondary locking means comprises glue or wedge(s) preventing the material constituting the central body 1 from moving radially inward i.e. toward a centre. When the cable drum is in operation, a cable or a hose or a similar extended item may be reeled around the periphery of the cylindrical body 1 and the flanges 2 will prevent the cable or similar item from sliding of the cylindrical body 1 i.e. the flanges 2 will be subjected to an outward force in the axial direction. The shape of the central body 1 is not essential, often the central body 1 is cylindric i.e. the body has a round cross-section but the central body 1 may e.g. have a polygonal or oval cross-section. That the flanges are positioned “near” the end will normally mean that the central body 1 extends through an opening 5 in the flange 2 and that 1-10 mm of the central body 1 extends on the external side i.e. the outer surface of the flange 2. The length of the central body 1

DK 2020 00251 A1 4 extending on the external side of the flange will depend on the material constituting the central body 1 and of the size of the cable drum, primarily the diameter/perimeter and length of the central body 1. A person skilled in the art will understand that a groove 4 constituting the locking means may be as near to the end of the central body 1 as possible to reduce material consumption, but the length of material left between a groove 4 and the end of the central body 1 must be adequate to withstand the pressure of the cable reeled on to the cable drum and pushing on the flange 2 when the cable drum is in operation. The flange 2 may fit tightly into the groove 4 or the flange 2 may be smaller or narrower than the groove 4 in which case it may be necessary to fit a wedge or the like into the groove 4 together with the flange 2 to keep the flange 2 in correct and fixed position.

Fig. 1A, 1B and 1C shows a first embodiment of a cable drum according to the invention. Fig. 1A shows an end view of the assembled cable drum, fig. 1B shows an upper view of the assembled cable drum and fig. 1C shows an upper view of the cylindrical body 1 of a cable drum.

This embodiment comprises a central body 1 constituted of a layer of wood or wood product which is bend into a partially cylindric form, the shape is partially cylindric as it is provided with an opening 3 in the complete length of the central body 1. The opening 3 in the complete length of the central body 1 provides the central body with a flexibility in a radial direction i.e. the radius of the central body 1 may be varied, in particular the radius may be reduced.

Further, the central body 1 comprises a round-going groove 4 near each end of the central body 1. The width of the groove 4 approximately corresponds to the thickness of each flange

2. The embodiment also comprises a distance plate 8 and a locking plate 6 which together function as secondary locking means.

The secondary locking means keeping the material of the central body 1 of this embodiment in a specific radial position may e.g. be the flexibility of the bend layer of material alone, i.e. after the material constituting the central body 1 has been bend and positioned in the opening 5 of the flange 2, the flexibility of the material forces the sides next to the opening 3 outwards and locks the central part 1 in the opening of the flange. Alternatively, secondary locking means may be constituted of a wedge 7 in the opening 3 of the central body 1 after having mounted the central body 1 in the opening 5 of the flanges 2, or the secondary locking means may be constituted of a plug adapted to the inner surface of the central body 1, which plug is positioned in the inner space of the central body 1 after mounting the central body in the openings 5 of the flanges 2.

Fig. 2A, 2B and 2C shows a second embodiment of a cable drum according to the invention.

Fig. 2A shows an end view of the assembled cable drum, fig. 2B shows an upper view of the assembled cable drum and fig. 2C shows an upper view of the cylindrical body 1 of a cable drum.

This embodiment comprises a central body 1 constituted of a plurality of rods 9 of wood or wood product, the resulting shape of the central body 1 is polygonal. Each rod 9 may be mounted through the opening 5 of the flanges one by one. Further, the central body 1 comprises a round-going groove 4 near each end of the central 5 body 1. The width of the groove 4 approximately corresponds to the thickness of each flange

2. The embodiment also comprises a distance plate 8 and a locking plate 6 which together function as secondary locking means. The secondary locking means keeping the material of the central body 1 of this embodiment in a specific radial position may e.g. be the flexibility of the rods 9 as the size and shape of the rods 9 may be adapted to keep the rods 9 in the desired position. Alternatively, secondary locking means may be constituted of a plug adapted to the inner surface of the central body 1, which plug is positioned in the inner space of the central body 1 after mounting the central body in the openings 5 of the flanges 2.

Flanges In general, a flange 2 may be prepared from a layer of wood or composite wood material such as plywood by milling. The thickness of the layer may be between 5 — 40 mm, the outer diameter of the flange 2 may be between 100 — 2300 mm, and the central opening 5 in the flange corresponds to the diameter or perimeter of the central body 1 and is normally between 50 — 2000 mm.

Normally, the outer perimeter of the flange 2 is circular but the shape of the perimeter is not essential to a cable drum according to the invention.

Central body According to the embodiment of fig. 1, the central body 1 is prepared from a layer of wood or composite wood material such as plywood.

Example: 2 boards of flexible plywood board are cut to desired dimensions. The boards are covered in glue on each side and then put together. Then the joined boards are bended under pressure to a cylinder of a desired diameter. The ends of the formed cylindrical central body 1 is cut off to desired length and a well-defined opening 3 is shaped in the longitudinal direction of the central body 1. A wedge 7 adapted to fit into the opening 3 is also prepared or the opening 3 is adapted to a standard wedge 7.

Grooves 4 are milled near each end of the central body 1. E.g. the grooves 4 should at least be as wide as the flanges 2, e.g. between 5- 40 mm, or as wide as a tongue extending from the surface of the opening 5 in the flange 2 and the depth of the groove 4 should be e.g.

around 20-50 % of the thickness of the layer or board used for preparing the central body 1.

After mounting the flanges 2 on the central body 1, the central body 1 protrudes between 5 — 60 mm relative to outer surface of the flange 2 at each end.

When mounting the flanges 2 on the central body 1, the central body 1 is clamped and compressed to a smaller cross-section and the central body 1 is then inserted through the opening 5 of the flange 2. When both flanges 2 are positioned at correct position relative to the groove 4, the wedge 7 can be mounted forcing the cross-section of the central body 1 back into the original shape creating a close fitting with the flanges and preventing the cross- section of the central body 1 to be reduced again.

A distance plate 8 or spacer may be glued to the outer surface of the flange 2 to level out the ends of the cable drum, the thickness of the spacer is determined by how much the central body 1 protrudes from relative to the flange 2, and finally a locking plate 6 may be glued to each end of the cable drum and e.g. to the distance plate 8. The locking plate 8 may be of same perimeter e.g. diameter as spacers and the locking plate 8 is made of a board of wood or composite wood material e.g.in 8 mm plywood.

Afterwards, a central hole may be drilled in the locking plate 8 to make it possible to apply a cable to the cable drum from a reel machine. The diameter of the central hole can vary from 50 mm to 200 mm.

According to the embodiment of fig. 2, the central body 1 is prepared from a plurality of rods made of wood or composite wood material such as plywood.

A board normally having a thickness between 10 — 40 mm is cut into the desired length of the cable drum which length may be between 100 and 2000 mm.

Then grooves 4 are milled at each end of the board, the depth of the grooves 4 are around 20- 50% of the thickness of the board, normally corresponding to between 2 — 20 mm. Then the board is cut into rods 9 across the grooves 4. The number of rods 9 and the width of each rod is determined by the desired diameter of the central body 1, normally between 10 30 rods are used to form a central body 1, and normally the rods 9 are of same width e.g. between 20 — 200 mm. The length of the rods 9 define the length of the central body 1 and is normally between 100 — 2000 mm.

Rods are mounted on the flanges 2 one by one through the central opening 5 in the flange 2 until the central body 1 is complete formed having a polygonal outer perimeter.

Whether the central body 1 is constituted of a bended plate or of a plurality of rods, the cable drum may comprise secondary locking means which may push or lock the central body 1 towards the inner surface of the central opening 5 of the flanges 2.

The secondary locking means may be constituted of a locking plate 6 glued to the flange 2. A distance plate 8 or spacer may be glued directly to the flange 2 to level at the ends of the cable drum, the thickness of the spacer is determined by how much the central body 1 protrudes from the outer surface of the flange, and the locking plate 6 may be glued to the outer surface of the spacer at each end of the cable drum, the locking plate 6 are normally of the same diameter as distance plate 8.

Alternatively, the secondary locking means may be constituted of a plug with an opening e.g. a central opening inserted into the opening 3 in the central body 1. The plug should be adapted to

DK 2020 00251 A1 7 fit tightly into the opening 3 and thereby prevent the central body 1 from collapsing in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction e.g. a radial direction.

In general, a central hole may be drilled or otherwise prepare through the locking plate 6 to make it possible to apply a cable to the drum from a reel machine.

Claims

1. A cable drum for a reeling a cable or the like, which cable drum comprises a central body (1) , two flanges (2) and locking means fixing the position of each flange (2) relative to the central body (1) in an axial direction of the central body (1); the central body (1) and the two flanges are made of wood ora composite wood product, and each of the flanges (2) has an opening (5), characterized in that the central body (1) comprises a groove (4) near each end of the central body (1) which groove (4) is configured to engage with one flange (2) and prevent movement of the flange (2) in axial direction of the central body (1).

2. A cable drum according to claim 1, wherein the groove (4) is adapted to the width of the flange (2).

3. A cable drum according to a previous claim, wherein the central body (1) is constituted of a layer or board of bend wood or composite wood material, or the central body (1) is constituted of a plurality of rods (9), normally more than 10 rods (9).

4. A cable drum according to any previous claim, wherein the cable drum further comprises secondary locking means keeping the central body (1) in locking contact with the opening (5) of the flanges (2) such secondary locking means may have the form of a wedge (7), or a locking plate (6) positioned at the end of the central body (1), or a plug with a opening inserted into and pushing against opposing inner surfaces of the central body (1).

5. A cable drum according to any previous claim, wherein either the central body (1) and/or the flanges (2) are made of plywood.

6. A cable drum according to any previous claim, wherein after mounting the flanges (2) on the central body (1), the central body (1) protrudes between 5 — 60 mm relative to outer surface of the flange (2) at each end.

7. A cable drum according to any previous claim, wherein the length of the central body (1) is minimum 100 mm and maximum 2500 mm.

8. A cable drum according to any previous claim, wherein the minimum dimension of the outer perimeter of the central body (1) minimum 50 and maximum 2000 mm.

9. A cable drum according to any previous claim, wherein the depth of the groove (4) is between 20- 50 % of the thickness of the material constituting the central body (1).

10. A method for preparing a cable drum for a reeling a cable or the like, which cable drum comprises a central body (1), two flanges (2) and locking means fixing the position of each flange (2) relative to the central body (1); where the central body (1) and the two flanges are made of wood or a composite wood product, and each of the flanges (2) has an opening (5), characterized in that a groove (4) is milled or cut into the material constituting the central body(1) near each end of the central body (1) and the end of the central body (1) is positioned inside the opening (5) of the flange (2), the flange (2) or a part of the flange (2) is then fitted into the groove (4) preventing movement of the flange (2) in axial direction of the central body (1).