GB1590896A - Cable let-off device - Google Patents

Cable let-off device Download PDF

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Publication number
GB1590896A
GB1590896A GB4111877A GB4111877A GB1590896A GB 1590896 A GB1590896 A GB 1590896A GB 4111877 A GB4111877 A GB 4111877A GB 4111877 A GB4111877 A GB 4111877A GB 1590896 A GB1590896 A GB 1590896A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
cable
brake
drum
lever arm
weight
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.)
Expired
Application number
GB4111877A
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.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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
Priority claimed from IE197376A external-priority patent/IE761973L/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of GB1590896A publication Critical patent/GB1590896A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D49/00—Brakes with a braking member co-operating with the periphery of a drum, wheel-rim, or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H59/00—Adjusting or controlling tension in filamentary material, e.g. for preventing snarling; Applications of tension indicators
    • B65H59/02—Adjusting or controlling tension in filamentary material, e.g. for preventing snarling; Applications of tension indicators by regulating delivery of material from supply package
    • B65H59/04—Adjusting or controlling tension in filamentary material, e.g. for preventing snarling; Applications of tension indicators by regulating delivery of material from supply package by devices acting on package or support
    • 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

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Braking Arrangements (AREA)

Description

(54) A CABLE LET-OFF DEVICE (71) I, JOSEPH NUGENT, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, of 36 Silverdale Road, Ballinlough, Cork City, Republic of Ireland, 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:- This invention relates to a cable let-off device.
The term "cable" is used in this Specification to encompass not only cables such as electrical conductors, but any material usually wound onto drums, for example all types of ropes, paper and plastics film material. Thus the cable let-off device of the invention is suitable for use in relation to to any material which is to be let off or "paid-out" from a drum.
It is essential in many operations involvving the paying out of cables, such as the stringing between pylons of power cables, to be able to arrest the paying-out of the cable relatively quickly, when required.
Thus, is is already known to provide cable drum let-off devices incorporating brakes.
Such brakes are usually adapted to be operated by some form of motor; accordingly they require to have available a power source such as electricity or an auxiliary engine or donkey engine. For many applications, therefore, it is advantageous to use a brake which is manually operable.
Since, as stated already, the paying-out of the cable has quite often to be stopped relatively quickly it is necessary to provide an operator for lithe or each cable let-off.
device. It will be appreciated that this is relatively costly where more than one cable is being paid out at any one time. There is thus, a need for an automatically-operating braking arrangement which will not require the constant attendance of an operator.
The present invention is directed towards providing an improved construction of cable let-off device incorporating a brake, which may be used with or without any form of power source.
According to the invention there is provided a cable let-off device comprising a carrier rotatably mounting a cable drum carrying a cable, a brake mounted on the carrier for engagement with the cable drum and weight-activated means for operating the brake to arrest the drum, said weightactivated means including a cable guide spaced apart from the drum for the cable, extending from the drum in a catenary, to pass there through so that the weight of the cable guide and or cable, acting on the guide, ensures that the weight-activated means applies the brake to arrest the drum, and that pulling force, acting on the cable to draw it off the drum, raises the guide and causes release of the brake.
The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side view of a cable let-off device according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of portion of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a view in the direction of the arrow A of Fig. 3.
In the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the cable let-off device of the invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The device 1 includes a carrier comprising a trailer chassis 2, ground-engaging wheels 3 and a tow hitch 4. A cable drum 5, indicated by interrupted lines in Figs. 1 and 2, is mounted by a shaft 6. (Fig. 2) between bearings 7 on the trailer chassis 2. The cable drum 5 is of conventional construction, comprising a hollow shaft mounted between a pair of substantially circular end flanges or sides. The flanges or sides of the cable drum 5 form a brake drum or braking surface for a brake comprising a pad 14. A lever arm 10, incorporating struts 11, is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on the trailer chassis 2 by a support member 12 mounted between bearings 13. The brake pad 14 is mounted on one end of the lever arm 10.
Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, mounted on the other end of the lever arm 10 is a pair of jockey wheels 15 arranged within a casing 16. The jockey wheels 15 and casing 16 form a cable guide, indicated generally by the reference numeral 17, which is spaced away from the drum 5. The lever arm 10 and cable guide 17 constitute parts of a weight-operable means for controlling operation of the brake formed by the flanges or sides of the cable drum 5 and the brake pad 14.
In operation, a cable 20 extends from the cable drum 5 and passes between the jockey wheels 15 of the cable guide 17. Until a pulling force is exerted upon the cable 20 to draw it off the drum, the weight of the cable 20, which will assume a natural catenary, together with the weight of the cable guide 17 and that portion of the lever arm 10 between the cable guide 17 and the support member 12, will cause the lever arm 10 to pivot downwards to engage the brake pad 14 against the cable drum, in this embodiment the flanges or sides of the cable drum 5, to arrest the latter. If a pulling force is applied to the cable 20 to draw it off the reel 5, and to pull it through the cable guide 17. the pulling force, acting on the cable guide 17, will raise the latter and hence the lever arm 10, thus disengaging the brake.
It is envisaged that the carrier may incorporate a rotatable shaft on which a cable drum is fixedly mounted. It is also envisaged that such a shaft would carry a bearing surface for engagement with a brake pad.
Further in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the weight-operable means for controlling operation of the brake comprises a hydraulic braking system incorporating master and slave cylinder assemblies, the piston of the master cylinder assembly carrying the cable guide. Further, it is envis aged that the response of the device to an external pulling force namely, the degree of pulling force required to release the brake can be varied by varying the weight of the lever arm or alternatively by incorporating, in the lever arm, weights movable along its length.
Further, it is envisaged that spring means may be provided to bias the lever arm so as to vary the response of the weight-operable means to an external pulling force applied to the cable. Similarly the cable guide may be movable along the lever arm to vary the said response. It will also be appreciated that variation in the length of the lever arm will vary the response of the brake and further the invention envisages the use of hydraulic and/or pneumatic dampers operatively con nected to the lever arm.
While the embodiment above describes a manually operated system, it is envisaged that the invention may be used with a power assisted apparatus. For example, the cable drum itself can be driven by an external power source. Similarly a power-assisted brake system may be used, for example, electrically, pneumatically operated brakes are well known and can advantageously be used. It willl be appreciated that, where rotation of the cable drum during the payingout operation is power assisted, the weightoperable means for controlling operation of the brake is preferably operably connected to the power source whereby power is not transmitted to the means for rotating the drum when the brake is engaged.
It will be appreciated that fhe device according to the present invention has considerable advantages over those heretofore made available. Firstly, the brake has a quicker response than a manually-operated brake and at the same time does not suffer from the disadvantage of conventional poweroperated brakes. Further, it is usual, in operations where electrical conductors are being laid, that a plurality of cables are paid out simultaneously; accordingly there is a considerable saving in manning requirements with the present invention. It may still be advisable that one man be in attendance.
However it will be appreciated that, where a multiplicity of the devices are being used, the reduction in manning can be substantial.
WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A cable let-off device comprising a carrier rotatably mounting a cable drum carrying a cable, a brakeSmounted on the carrier for engagement with the cable drum and weight-activated means for operating the brake to arrest the drum, said weightactivated means including a cable guide spaced apart from the drum for the cable, extending from the drum in a catenary, to pass therethrough so that the weight of the cable guide and of cable, acting on the guide, ensures that the weight-activated means applies the brake to arrest the drum, and that pulling force, acting on the cable to draw it off the drum, raises the guide and causes release of the brake.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the cable drum is fixedly mounted on a rotatable shaft, said shaft carrying a bearing surface for engagement with a brake pad.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the cable drum is rotatably mounted on a shaft, a portion of the external surface of the cable drum acting as a bearing surface for engagement with a brake pad.
4. A device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the weight-operable means for controlling operation of the brake comprises a hydraulic braking system incorporating master and slave cylinder assemblies, the piston of the master cylinder assembly carrying the cable guide.
5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the brake is a power-assisted brake.
6. A device as claimed in claim 2 or 3 in which the weight-operable means of the
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (1)

  1. **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.
    the reference numeral 17, which is spaced away from the drum 5. The lever arm 10 and cable guide 17 constitute parts of a weight-operable means for controlling operation of the brake formed by the flanges or sides of the cable drum 5 and the brake pad 14.
    In operation, a cable 20 extends from the cable drum 5 and passes between the jockey wheels 15 of the cable guide 17. Until a pulling force is exerted upon the cable 20 to draw it off the drum, the weight of the cable 20, which will assume a natural catenary, together with the weight of the cable guide 17 and that portion of the lever arm 10 between the cable guide 17 and the support member 12, will cause the lever arm 10 to pivot downwards to engage the brake pad
    14 against the cable drum, in this embodiment the flanges or sides of the cable drum 5, to arrest the latter. If a pulling force is applied to the cable 20 to draw it off the reel 5, and to pull it through the cable guide 17. the pulling force, acting on the cable guide 17, will raise the latter and hence the lever arm 10, thus disengaging the brake.
    It is envisaged that the carrier may incorporate a rotatable shaft on which a cable drum is fixedly mounted. It is also envisaged that such a shaft would carry a bearing surface for engagement with a brake pad.
    Further in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the weight-operable means for controlling operation of the brake comprises a hydraulic braking system incorporating master and slave cylinder assemblies, the piston of the master cylinder assembly carrying the cable guide. Further, it is envis aged that the response of the device to an external pulling force namely, the degree of pulling force required to release the brake can be varied by varying the weight of the lever arm or alternatively by incorporating, in the lever arm, weights movable along its length.
    Further, it is envisaged that spring means may be provided to bias the lever arm so as to vary the response of the weight-operable means to an external pulling force applied to the cable. Similarly the cable guide may be movable along the lever arm to vary the said response. It will also be appreciated that variation in the length of the lever arm will vary the response of the brake and further the invention envisages the use of hydraulic and/or pneumatic dampers operatively con nected to the lever arm.
    While the embodiment above describes a manually operated system, it is envisaged that the invention may be used with a power assisted apparatus. For example, the cable drum itself can be driven by an external power source. Similarly a power-assisted brake system may be used, for example, electrically, pneumatically operated brakes are well known and can advantageously be used. It willl be appreciated that, where rotation of the cable drum during the payingout operation is power assisted, the weightoperable means for controlling operation of the brake is preferably operably connected to the power source whereby power is not transmitted to the means for rotating the drum when the brake is engaged.
    It will be appreciated that fhe device according to the present invention has considerable advantages over those heretofore made available. Firstly, the brake has a quicker response than a manually-operated brake and at the same time does not suffer from the disadvantage of conventional poweroperated brakes. Further, it is usual, in operations where electrical conductors are being laid, that a plurality of cables are paid out simultaneously; accordingly there is a considerable saving in manning requirements with the present invention. It may still be advisable that one man be in attendance.
    However it will be appreciated that, where a multiplicity of the devices are being used, the reduction in manning can be substantial.
    WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A cable let-off device comprising a carrier rotatably mounting a cable drum carrying a cable, a brakeSmounted on the carrier for engagement with the cable drum and weight-activated means for operating the brake to arrest the drum, said weightactivated means including a cable guide spaced apart from the drum for the cable, extending from the drum in a catenary, to pass therethrough so that the weight of the cable guide and of cable, acting on the guide, ensures that the weight-activated means applies the brake to arrest the drum, and that pulling force, acting on the cable to draw it off the drum, raises the guide and causes release of the brake.
    2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the cable drum is fixedly mounted on a rotatable shaft, said shaft carrying a bearing surface for engagement with a brake pad.
    3. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the cable drum is rotatably mounted on a shaft, a portion of the external surface of the cable drum acting as a bearing surface for engagement with a brake pad.
    4. A device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the weight-operable means for controlling operation of the brake comprises a hydraulic braking system incorporating master and slave cylinder assemblies, the piston of the master cylinder assembly carrying the cable guide.
    5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the brake is a power-assisted brake.
    6. A device as claimed in claim 2 or 3 in which the weight-operable means of the
    brake comprises a lever arm pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on the carrier, the brake pad being mounted adjacent one end of the lever arm below the bearing surface and the cable guide being mounted adjacent the other end of the lever arm, so that pulling force on the cable raises the cable guide and hence pivots the lever arm upwards and causes release of the brake.
    7. A device as claimed in claim 6 in which the lever arm incorporates weights movable along its length, to vary the response to an external pulling force.
    8. A device as claimed in claim 6 or 7 in which the lever arm is spring biased to vary the response to an external pulling force.
    9. A device as claimed in claim 6, 7 or 8 in which the cable guide is movable along the lever arm to vary the response to an external pulling force.
    10. A device as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9 in which the lever arm is operably connected to a hydraulic and/or a pneumatic damper to vary the speed of response to an external pulling force.
    11. A device as claimed in any preceding claim further including power-assisted means for rotating the cable drum.
    12. A device as claimed in claim 11 in which the power-assisted means is operably connected to the weight-operable means whereby engagement of the brake causes motive power to the power-assisted means to be cut off.
    13. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the carrier incorporates ground-engaging wheels and a tow hitch.
    14. A cable let-off device substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
GB4111877A 1976-10-06 1977-10-04 Cable let-off device Expired GB1590896A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IE197376A IE761973L (en) 1976-10-06 1976-10-06 Brake for cable drum
IE236676 1976-10-27

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB1590896A true GB1590896A (en) 1981-06-10

Family

ID=26319195

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB4111877A Expired GB1590896A (en) 1976-10-06 1977-10-04 Cable let-off device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB1590896A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2123384A (en) * 1982-07-07 1984-02-01 Xerox Corp Spool brake mechanism
GB2186262A (en) * 1986-01-08 1987-08-12 John Patrick Greene Dispenser for elongate material such as barbed wire

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2123384A (en) * 1982-07-07 1984-02-01 Xerox Corp Spool brake mechanism
GB2186262A (en) * 1986-01-08 1987-08-12 John Patrick Greene Dispenser for elongate material such as barbed wire

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
CSNS Application of which complete specification have been accepted and published, but patent is not sealed