EP1991487A1 - Enrouleur avec un carter comportant une ouverture triangulaire pour l'entrée d'une matière linéaire - Google Patents

Enrouleur avec un carter comportant une ouverture triangulaire pour l'entrée d'une matière linéaire

Info

Publication number
EP1991487A1
EP1991487A1 EP07751064A EP07751064A EP1991487A1 EP 1991487 A1 EP1991487 A1 EP 1991487A1 EP 07751064 A EP07751064 A EP 07751064A EP 07751064 A EP07751064 A EP 07751064A EP 1991487 A1 EP1991487 A1 EP 1991487A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
drum
aperture
linear material
housing
reel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP07751064A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Christian G. Okonsky
James B.A. Tracey
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Great Stuff Inc
Original Assignee
Great Stuff Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Great Stuff Inc filed Critical Great Stuff Inc
Publication of EP1991487A1 publication Critical patent/EP1991487A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
    • B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
    • B65H75/34—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables
    • B65H75/38—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material
    • B65H75/44—Constructional details
    • B65H75/4402—Guiding arrangements to control paying-out and re-storing of the material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
    • B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
    • B65H75/34—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables
    • B65H75/38—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material
    • B65H75/40—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material mobile or transportable
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
    • B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
    • B65H75/34—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables
    • B65H75/38—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material
    • B65H75/44—Constructional details
    • B65H75/4457—Arrangements of the frame or housing
    • B65H75/4471—Housing enclosing the reel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
    • B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
    • B65H75/34—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables
    • B65H75/38—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material
    • B65H75/44—Constructional details
    • B65H75/4481—Arrangements or adaptations for driving the reel or the material
    • B65H75/4486—Electric motors
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
    • H02G11/00—Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts
    • H02G11/02—Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts using take-up reel or drum
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
    • B65H2701/30—Handled filamentary material
    • B65H2701/34—Handled filamentary material electric cords or electric power cables

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to reels for winding and unwinding linear material, and specifically to apparatuses and methods for improving the uniformity of wound material and ease of unwinding.
  • a reel typically comprises a cylindrical reel drum onto which a flexible linear material (such as cord, hose, etc.) is wound.
  • the drum ordinarily rotates about a central axis to wind or unwind (also referred to herein as “spooling” and “unspooling”) the linear material with respect to the cylindrical drum surface.
  • Some reels include housings that protect the drum and spooled' linear material from the environment.
  • the housing may include an opening or aperture through which the linear material extends, so that it may be pulled from the housing and subsequently retracted back into the housing.
  • Rotation of the drum can be motorized or manual, such as by a hand crank or other like device.
  • Some reel housings have a portion that includes the linear material aperture and is movable with respect to the remainder of the housing, thereby permitting a user to change the position from which the linear material is pulled from the reel.
  • U.S. Patent No. 6,279,848 to Mead discloses a cylindrical reel drum that rotates about a horizontal axis and is enclosed within a spherical housing comprising upper and lower semispherical shell portions.
  • the upper shell portion includes a guide aperture for the spooled linear material and is linked to the drum.
  • the upper shell portion and drum together rotate about a vertical central axis with respect to the lower shell portion.
  • the upper shell portion and drum form a unit that is freely rotatable (about the vertical axis) with respect to the lower shell portion, through 360° and more.
  • FIG. 1 Another example of a reel housing having a portion that includes a linear material aperture and is movable with respect to the remainder of the housing is shown and described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2006-0266605 Al. That reference discloses a spherical reel housing comprising lower, intermediate, and upper housing portions, an internal vertical spindle member fixed with respect to the lower and upper housing portions, and a drum rotatable on the spindle member and surrounded by the intermediate housing portion.
  • the intermediate housing portion includes a linear material aperture and is also rotatable, independently of the drum, about the spindle member. • • • . '
  • a variety of reels include spring return mechanisms for automatically spooling the linear material.
  • a coil of flat spring steel stock is provided with one end secured to the reel drum and the other end secured to a spindle on which the drum rotates.
  • U.S. Patent No. 6,273,354 to Kovacik et al. discloses such a reel.
  • Such reels are often provided with a ratchet and pawl mechanism (or similar apparatus) for permitting the user to initiate rewinding of the reel by a slight tug on the linear material.
  • the present invention provides a reel comprising a drum and a housing substantially enclosing the drum.
  • the drum has a spool surface onto which a linear material may be wound, the spool surface having two ends.
  • the drum is rotatable about a drum axis relative to at least a portion of the housing.
  • the at least a portion of the housing has a generally triangular aperture sized to receive a linear material wound onto the drum.
  • the aperture has a first side oriented generally parallel to the drum axis, and second and third sides meeting at a vertex generally midway between opposing ends of the spool surface of the drum.
  • the present invention provides a method comprising rotating a drum about a drum axis to wind a linear material onto a spool surface of the drum or unwind the linear material from the spool surface of the drum.
  • the linear material is drawn through a generally triangular aperture in a housing substantially enclosing the drum, the drum being rotatable about the drum axis with respect to a portion of the housing that includes the aperture.
  • the aperture has a first side oriented generally parallel to the drum axis, and second and third sides meeting at a vertex generally midway between opposing ends of the spool surface of the drum.
  • the present invention provides a reel comprising a drum and a housing substantially enclosing the drum.
  • the drum has a spool surface onto which a linear material may be wound, and is rotatable about a drum axis relative to at least a portion of the housing.
  • the at least a portion of the housing has a generally triangular aperture sized to receive a linear material wound onto the drum.
  • the present invention provides a method comprising rotating a drum about a drum axis to wind a linear material onto a spool surface of the drum or unwind the linear material from the spool surface of the drum.
  • the linear material is drawn through a generally triangular aperture in a housing substantially enclosing the drum, the drum being rotatable about the drum axis with respect to a portion of the housing that includes the aperture.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a reel according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is an exploded top perspective view of the reel of Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the reel of Figure 1.
  • Figure 4 is a top perspective view of the reel of Figure 1, with the upper housing portion removed.
  • Figure 5 is a bottom perspective view of the drum of the reel of Figure 1. : "
  • Figure 6 is a front view of a triangular aperture according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Embodiments of the present invention provide a reel comprising a reel drum substantially enclosed within a housing having a portion with a triangular aperture for receiving and guiding linear material onto a spool surface of the drum as the drum rotates relative to the housing about a drum axis.
  • the housing portion having the triangular guide aperture is also rotatable about the drum axis, relative to the drum.
  • the rotatable housing portion having the triangular guide aperture is also rotatable, about the drum axis, with respect to one or more other portions of the housing.
  • the drum and housing portion with the triangular guide aperture are preferably independently rotatable with respect to the remainder of the housing.
  • the housing portion with the triangular guide aperture is freely rotatable through at least 360°, and preferably any fraction or multiple thereof, with respect to a remainder of the housing.
  • the reel is adapted to spool electrical cord.
  • reels of the present invention can spool other types of linear materials, such as hoses, ropes, and the like.
  • the centrally located guide or aperture can substantially impede or slow down the process of unwinding the linear material, due to the restrictive position and size of the aperture relative to the length of the spool. In many cases, the linear material tends to become stuck or immovable during unwinding.
  • winding and spooling refer to the process of rotating the drum in a direction to accumulate the linear material onto the spool surface of the drum
  • unwinding and unspooling refer to the process of retracting the linear material from the drum, which involves rotating the drum in the opposite direction.
  • the present invention addresses this problem by providing a reel having a housing with a generally triangular guide aperture for the linear material.
  • a first vertex of the triangular aperture is preferably located generally midway between the ends of the spool surface of the drum. The first vertex points in the direction in which the linear material is wound so that, during winding, the linear material tends to slide against the first vertex.
  • the linear material is guided onto the drum from a position generally midway between the opposing ends of the spool surface, advantageously producing more even and uniform winding as explained above.
  • the side of the triangular aperture that is opposite- the first vertex is preferably oriented substantially parallel to the drum's axis of rotation and has a length preferably large enough to significantly improve the ease of unwinding. During unwinding, the linear material is free to slide against the full length of this side of the triangle, advantageously reducing the likelihood of the linear material getting stuck.
  • Figure 1 shows a reel 10 comprising a housing 11 enclosing a rotatable reel drum 20 ( Figures 2, 3, and 5) onto which a flexible linear material 2 can be spooled.
  • the linear material 2 comprises an electrical cord with a female plug connector 3, as known in the art.
  • the housing 11 comprises a first or lower housing portion 12, a second or upper housing portion 14, and a middle housing portion 16 interposed therebetween.
  • the housing portions 12, 14, and 16 collectively form a substantially spherical shape.
  • the housing 11 can have other shapes, giving due consideration to the goal of collectively substantially surrounding and preferably enclosing the drum 20.
  • the reel 10 also includes a first or lower support structure 18 mounted to the lower housing portion 12, as well as a second or upper support structure 19 mounted to the upper housing portion 14.
  • the lower support structure 18 is configured to support the reel 10 on a lower support surface.
  • the reel is capable of operating upside down, and the upper support structure 19 is also configured to support the reel 10 on a lower support surface.
  • the middle housing portion 16 includes a triangular aperture 15 through which the linear material 2 can extend.
  • the reel 10 is adapted to spool electrical cord 2.
  • the reel 10 provides electrical power to the cord 2 from an external electrical power outlet.
  • the reel 10 includes an electrical cable 13 that extends out of a lower opening (not shown) of the lower housing portion 12.
  • the cable 13 preferably includes a standard electrical plug 17 that is adapted to plug into a standard elec .t -ri « .c ⁇ ⁇ *al power outlet.
  • the cable 13 preferably provides power to the electrical cord 2 spo.oled on the reel 10. While the illustrated connectors 3 and 17 are respectively female and male, these "genders" can be reversed.
  • FIGS 2 and 3 are exploded top and bottom views, respectively, of the reel 10.
  • the reel 10 includes a spindle member 22 having a first end 24 and a second end 26 (Figure 4).
  • the first end 24 is connected to, and preferably integrally formed with, the lower housing portion 12.
  • the spindle member 22 is configured to extend through an opening 28 ( Figure 5) in the drum 20 so that the drum is rotatable about a spindle axis 31 (also referred to herein as a "drum axis") defined by the spindle member 22.
  • the opening 28 is sized to closely receive the spindle member 22.
  • the spindle member 22 is also configured to extend through an opening 30 ( Figure 4) of the middle housing portion 16.
  • the opening 30 is sized to closely receive the spindle member 22.
  • the spindle member 22 has a lower larger diameter portion for a close fit with the opening 28 of the drum 20, and an upper smaller diameter portion for a close fit with the opening 30 of the middle housing portion 16, it being understood that the opening 28 is larger than the opening 30.
  • the openings 28 and 30 are approximately the same size, and the spindle member 22 has a substantially uniform diameter. Skilled artisans will appreciate that other configurations of the spindle member 22 and openings 28 and 30 are possible, keeping in mind the goal of permitting both the middle housing portion 16 and drum 20 to rotate with respect to the spindle member 22 and independently with respect to each other.
  • the upper housing portion 14 is preferably adapted to connect to the second end 26 of the spindle member 22 when the member 22 extends through the drum 20.
  • the upper housing portion 14 and the spindle member 22 are detachably secured to one another so that they cannot rotate with respect to each other.
  • the upper housing portion 14 includes four through-holes 32 sized and configured to receive screws 34 ( Figure 4) that are in turn adapted to screw into threaded holes 36 in the second end 26 of the spindle member 22.
  • Skilled artisans will appreciate that any of a wide variety of means can be employed for detachably securing the upper housing portion 14 to the spindle member 22.
  • the reel 10 thus permits the middle housing portion 16 and drum 20 to rotate freely about the spindle member 22 and independently with respect to each other.
  • rotation-assistance elements such as ball bearings, rollers, and the like may (but need not) be provided at interfaces between the housing portions 12 and 16, between the housing portions 14 and 16, between the middle housing portion 16 and the drum 20, between the lower housing portion 12 and the drum 20, between the spindle member 22 and the drum 20, and/or between the spindle member 22 and the middle housing portion 16.
  • tracks or other guide means can be. provided to control the relative movement of these members.
  • Lubricants can also be used to reduce friction at these interfaces.
  • each of the upper and lower housing portions 12 and 14 preferably includes an annular wall 39 and a plurality of radial ribs 37 for added strength.
  • Alternative configurations for internal walls and ribs are also possible, keeping in mind the goal of improving the strength and rigidity of the housing portions 12, 14.
  • the housing portions 12 and 14 do not have any internal members for added strength.
  • the upper and lower support structures 18 and 19 are (but need not be) substantially similar. Accordingly, only the lower support structure 18 is described in detail herein.
  • the lower support structure 18 preferably comprises two mounting portions 40 and two handle portions 38.
  • the illustrated mounting portions 40 comprise elongated tubular members that are configured to be mounted on opposing sides of the lower housing portion 12. Skilled artisans will appreciate that the mounting portions 40 can alternatively have non- tubular shapes.
  • the lower housing portion 12 includes recesses 42 that are sized and shaped to receive the mounting portions 40.
  • the mounting portions 40 can be secured (preferably detachably) to the lower housing portion 12 by any of a wide variety of means, such as by screws, nut and bolt combinations, and the like.
  • the illustrated mounting portions 40 include vertical internally threaded stubs 41 that fit snugly into corresponding recesses 43 inside the recesses 42.
  • the recesses 43 are configured to receive screws for creating a detachable connection between the mounting portions 40 and the lower housing portion 12.
  • the mounting portions 40 can be curved to conform more closely to the semispherical shape of the lower housing portion 12, providing a more stable and secure connection.
  • the illustrated handle portions 38 are positioned generally on opposing sides of the lower housing portion 12 and are substantially parallel to one another.
  • the handle portions 38 comprise elongated tubular members oriented generally perpendicular to the spindle member 22 and positioned so as to maintain a lower extreme of the lower housing portion 12 at least slightly above the lower support surface.
  • the handle portions 38 are preferably sized and shaped to allow a person to grip them directly with his or her hands.
  • Each mounting portion 40 preferably has one end coupled to an end of one of the handle portions 38 and another end coupled to an end of the other of the handle portions 38. Eac ⁇ end of the handle portions 38 is preferably coupled to only one of the mounting portions 40.
  • the lower support structure 18 further comprises four coupling members 44, each of which couples one of the ends of one of the handle portions 38 to one of the ends of one of the mounting portions 40.
  • the coupling members 44 contact the lower support surface, while the handle portions 38 and mounting portions 40 do not.
  • the illustrated coupling members 44 comprise elbow-shaped tubular members.
  • the upper support structure 19 is preferably substantially similar to the lower support structure 18. Accordingly, the illustrated support structure 19 preferably includes handle portions 38, mounting portions 40 adapted to mount within recesses 42 of the upper housing portion 14, and coupling members 44, substantially as described above.
  • the handle portions 38 of either support structure 18, 19 can advantageously be used to conveniently grip onto and move the reel 10.
  • the support structures 18, 19 are configured to prevent the housing 11 (e.g., housing portions 12, 14, and 16) from contacting a generally flat support surface regardless of the orientation of the reel 10.
  • the illustrated support structures 18, 19 prevent the housing 11 from contacting the ground even if the reel 10 is turned onto its side. In this configuration, the support structures more effectively protect the housing 11 from damage.
  • the upper support structure 19 is configured differently or can even be omitted from the reel 10. It will be appreciated that a wide variety of different types of support structures 18, 19 can be used without departing from the scope of the invention.
  • FIGS 2, 3, and 5 show a preferred embodiment of the reel drum 20.
  • the illustrated drum 20 comprises a substantially cylindrical member 46 having a spool surface 47 onto which linear material can be spooled, a first end plate 48 at one end of the member 46, and a second end plate 50 at the other end of the member 46.
  • the cylindrical member 46 and end plates 48 and 50 preferably rotate in unison together about the spindle member 22.
  • the cylindrical member 46 and end plates 48 and 50 can be formed integrally as a single unitary piece or can be formed separately and secured together.
  • the middle housing portion 16 encircles the drum 20 and preferably rotates about the spindle member 22 independently of the drum 20..
  • the lower housing portion 12 is preferably adapted to house a motor 51 that drives the reel drum 20 through a gear reduction assembly.
  • the motor 51 is housed within the spindle member 22.
  • the motor 51 is inserted into an opening 52 in the underside of the lower housing portion 12.
  • a motor cover 54 can be provided to support the motor 51 and/or close and possibly seal the opening 52 to protect the motor and gears from dust and debris.
  • the gear reduction is not shown in the drawings.
  • the gear reduction may comprise any suitable number of gears assembled to convert the motor rotational output into rotation of the drum 20 about the drum axis 31.
  • the gear reduction can effect rotation of the drum '20 by rotating a ring gear 58 comprising an annular wall on the bottom side of the end plate' 48, with teeth facing radially inward from the annular wall.
  • the annular wall is part of a ring-shaped piece 70 that is secured to the bottom side of the end plate 48.
  • the piece 70 can be formed integrally with the end plate 48.
  • the motor 51 produces rotation of the drum 20 about the spindle member 22.
  • the motor 51 is upside down (i.e., its output faces downward).
  • the motor 51 can be oriented other than as shown. Skilled " artisans will also understand that a variety of different types of motors and gear reduction assemblies can be employed without
  • a user can unwind the linear material 2 from the drum 20 by pulling the material out through the triangular aperture 15 of the middle housing portion 16.
  • the drum 20 begins to rotate with respect to the upper and lower housing portions 12, 14 and the spindle member 22.
  • the middle housing portion 16 is also freely rotatable, and its rotational position may vary because the aperture 15 will tend to follow the radial direction in which the user pulls the linear material 2.
  • the middle housing portion 16 freely rotates to allow the aperture 15 to follow the radial direction of the withdrawn linear material. In this manner, the freely rotatable middle housing portion 16 facilitates using the linear material within a larger area.
  • the reel 10 can be placed centrally within a room or outdoor area (e.g., on the ground or mounted to a ceiling) and the linear material can be relatively easily withdrawn toward any direction or portion of the room or area.
  • the user can switch on the motor 51 accordingly.
  • the resultant rotation of the drum 20 causes the linear material to be pulled back into the housing 11 through the aperture 15 of the middle housing portion 16.
  • the middle housing portion 16 may tend to rotate along with the drum 20, due to friction therebetween. This can cause the linear material to swing around the reel 10, which can result in harm to surrounding persons or objects.
  • the reel 10 includes a mechanical and/or electrical mechanism to rotationally lock the middle housing portion 16 with respect to the upper and lower housing portions 12, 14 during spooling.
  • the illustrated embodiment includes a solenoid device 62 secured to the lower housing portion 12.
  • the solenoid device 62 is electrically operable, as well known in the art,' to cause a piston stem 64 to extend in and out of an outer opening of its housing.
  • the stem 64 is sized and shaped to slide into any one of a ring of indentations 66 provided on the inner surface of the middle housing portion 16.
  • the indentations 66 can have any of wide variety of shapes and sizes, keeping in mind the goal of permitting the solenoid stem 64 to stop the middle housing portion 16 from rotating by entering one of the indentations 66.
  • the stem 64 enters one of the indentations 66 it "locks" the middle housing portion 16.
  • the extended stem 64 prevents the middle housing portion 16 from rotating with respect to the upper and lower housing portions 12, 14.
  • An electronic control system can be provided to actuate the solenoid device 62 (i.e., cause the stem 64 to extend) when the motor 51 is switched to a spooling operation, and to retract the solenoid device 62 (i.e., cause the stem 64 to retract into its housing) when the motor 51 is switched off or to a powered unspooling operation.
  • the illustrated electrical cord reel 10 is adapted to provide electrical power to an electrical cord 2 wound on the drum 20, the cord 2 being operable to deliver power to an external device.
  • the reel 10 can include suitable means for enabling a power connection between the cord 13 (Figure 1) and the wound cord 2, as known in the art.
  • the bottom of the end plate 48 of the drum 20 can include electrically conductive rings 78 ( Figure 5), also referred to as "slip rings,” adapted to contact electrical brushes (not shown) that are in turn in electrical communication, with the cord 13.
  • the drum 20 can be configured to provide an electrical connection between the slip rings 78 and a power connector (not shown) on the drum 20, to which the wound cord 2 is connected. Further details of a preferred configuration for providing electrical power to the wound cord 2 are provided in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2006 : 0266605 Al.
  • Figure 6 shows the triangular aperture 15, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • the middle housing portion 16 includes a generally triangular aperture 15 sized to receive a linear material (in the illustrated embodiment, the electrical cord 2) wound onto the drum 20.
  • the aperture 15 has a first side 92, a second side 94, and a third side 96.
  • the first side 92 is preferably oriented generally parallel to the drum axis 31 ( Figure 2).
  • the first side 92 and second side 94 meet at a vertex 97.
  • the first side 92 and third side 96 meet at a vertex 95.
  • the vertex 93 is preferably positioned generally midway between opposing ends of the spool surface 47 of the drum 20.
  • the vertex 93 is preferably positioned generally midway between inner surfaces of the end plates 48 and 50.
  • the aperture 15 is advantageously sized and oriented so that, during winding, the linear material 2 tends to translate against the vertex 93.
  • a locking apparatus or mechanism (such as the solenoid device 62 described above) is provided to positionally lock the middle housing portion 16 while the linear material 2 is being wound onto the drum 20, so that the vertex 93 remains fixed with respect to the rotating drum.
  • the middle housing portion 16 is preferably unlocked with respect to the housing portions 12, 14, allowing the housing portion 16 to rotate in a direction that would ease the retraction of the linear material.
  • the linear material 2 is free to retract through a portion of the triangular aperture 15 other than just the vertex 93 (in Figure 6, any portion of the aperture 15 to the right of the vertex 93).
  • a larger vertical dimension of the aperture 15 is available for retracting the linear material 2, resulting in significant improvements in the ease of retraction of the linear material.
  • the novel triangular shape of the aperture 15 allows for a greater amount of linear material 2 to be spooled into the housing 11, such as an increase of about 25%.
  • the vertices 93, 95, and 97 are rounded, with a radius preferably equal to or greater than that of the linear material 2. Such rounded vertices are preferred over sharp vertices because the latter would involve heightened stress concentrations in the middle housing portion 16. Also, the thickness of the middle housing portion 16 is preferably increased along the edges or sides 92, 94, 96 of the aperture 15, to provide increased strength for withstanding loads imposed against such edges by the taught linear material 2 during winding or unwinding.
  • the ease with which the linear material 2 can be unwound from the reel 10 depends upon the length of the first side 92 of the triangular aperture 15 relative to the length of the drum 20.
  • the first side 92 extends across preferably at least 35%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 80%, and even more preferably at least 95% of a length of the spool surface 47 of the drum 20. It will also be appreciated that the ease with which the linear material can be unwound depends upon the extent to which the first side 92 of the triangular aperture 15 is centered with respect to the length of the drum 20.
  • a distance y between (1) a plane 102 that is parallel to the drum, axis 31 ( Figure 1) and that extends through a center 98 of the " first side 92, and (2) a plane 104 that is perpendicular to the drum axis 31 and that extends through a center of a length of the spool surface 47 of the drum 20, is preferably less than 20%, more preferably less than 10%, and even more preferably less than 5% of the length of the spool surface.
  • the plane 104 is below the center 98 of the length of the first side 92 of the aperture 15; however, it will be appreciated that the plane 104 could be above or directly level with the center 98.
  • the linear material 2 is preferably wound in a direction in which the vertex 93 points.
  • the linear material 2 is preferably wound in a clockwise direction (viewing the reel and aperture 15 of Figure 6 from above) about the drum.
  • the linear material 2 is preferably wound in a direction so that, during winding of the linear material onto the drum, the linear material tends to slide against the vertex 93.
  • Skilled artisans will also- appreciate that the ease of retraction of the linear material depends also upon the shape of the triangular aperture 15.
  • the aperture 15 is shaped substantially like an isosceles triangle and the second side 94 and third side 96 are oriented with respect to one another at an angle preferably within 20-50°, more preferably within 25-45°, and even more preferably within 30-40°. Other possible ranges include 25-55°, 30-50°, and 35-45°.
  • the spool surface 47 of the drum 20 is preferably cylindrical and the distance between the vertex 93 and the first side 92 is preferably within 40-300%, more preferably within 60-200%, more preferably within 75-150%, and even more preferably within 85- 125% of a diameter of the spool surface 47. In one embodiment, the distance between the vertex 93 and the first side 92 is about the ' same as the diameter of the spool surface. Other suitable ranges for said angle are 70-130%, 85-115%, and 95-105% of the diameter of the spool surface 47.

Landscapes

  • Storage Of Web-Like Or Filamentary Materials (AREA)
  • Storing, Repeated Paying-Out, And Re-Storing Of Elongated Articles (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un enrouleur (10) qui est pourvu d'un carter (11) comportant une ouverture triangulaire (15) pour l'entrée et l'extraction d'une matière linéaire (2) enroulée sur le tambour (20) de l'enrouleur. Le tambour (20) comporte une surface de bobine (47) sur laquelle on peut enrouler la matière linéaire (2), la surface de bobine (47) ayant deux extrémités. Le carter (11) renferme sensiblement le tambour (20), qui peut tourner autour d'un axe (31) de tambour par rapport à au moins une partie du carter (11). Ladite partie du carter (11) comporte une ouverture dans l'ensemble triangulaire (15), dimensionnée pour recevoir la matière linéaire (2) enroulée sur le tambour (20). L'ouverture (15) a un premier côté (92) orienté dans l'ensemble parallèlement à l'axe (31) du tambour et un deuxième et un troisième côtés (94, 96) se rencontrant en un sommet (93) dans l'ensemble à mi-chemin entre les extrémités opposées de la surface de bobine (47) du tambour (20).
EP07751064A 2006-02-21 2007-02-16 Enrouleur avec un carter comportant une ouverture triangulaire pour l'entrée d'une matière linéaire Withdrawn EP1991487A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US77562906P 2006-02-21 2006-02-21
PCT/US2007/004278 WO2007098110A1 (fr) 2006-02-21 2007-02-16 Enrouleur avec un carter comportant une ouverture triangulaire pour l'entrée d'une matière linéaire

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1991487A1 true EP1991487A1 (fr) 2008-11-19

Family

ID=38190601

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07751064A Withdrawn EP1991487A1 (fr) 2006-02-21 2007-02-16 Enrouleur avec un carter comportant une ouverture triangulaire pour l'entrée d'une matière linéaire

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20070194163A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1991487A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2009527430A (fr)
CA (1) CA2642200A1 (fr)
MX (1) MX2008010776A (fr)
WO (1) WO2007098110A1 (fr)

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WO2013022790A1 (fr) 2011-08-05 2013-02-14 Great Stuff, Inc. Appareil de montage de bobine
US20130087651A1 (en) * 2011-10-06 2013-04-11 Woodstream Corporation Garden hose holder with removable center post
US9067759B2 (en) 2012-04-17 2015-06-30 Great Stuff, Inc. Automatic reel devices and method of operating the same
US10087040B2 (en) * 2016-09-30 2018-10-02 The Morey Corporation Retractable cord storage reel assembly
USD926023S1 (en) * 2020-03-20 2021-07-27 Intradin (Huzhou) Precision Technology Co., Ltd. Intelligent electric winder
EP4143115A4 (fr) 2020-04-28 2024-05-15 Great Stuff, Inc. Commande de déroulement et d'enroulement de dévidoir
CN112919237B (zh) * 2021-02-02 2022-08-19 士商（湖州）精密技术有限公司 一种电动绕线器和电动绕线器的控制方法
USD1004556S1 (en) * 2021-09-09 2023-11-14 Intradin (Huzhou) Precision Technology Co., Ltd. Electrostatic wire winder
CN114347697B (zh) * 2021-12-22 2023-03-17 杭州市桐庐远成制笔有限公司 一种多功能商务笔

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2007098110A1 (fr) 2007-08-30
JP2009527430A (ja) 2009-07-30
CA2642200A1 (fr) 2007-08-30
US20070194163A1 (en) 2007-08-23
MX2008010776A (es) 2008-10-17

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