GB2073795A - Skeining Device - Google Patents

Abstract

A wire skeining device, for forming a skein in a wire end, is normally located between a wire storage reel and a coil winding machine. Tensioning of the wire is normally achieved as it leaves the storage reel. With certain types of skeining machines this can cause operating problems, particularly with heavy gauge wire. To overcome these problems it is proposed to provide a tensioning device (3) at the exit end of the skeining device. The tensioning device (3) may include a pulley (6) braked by a friction disc (8) urged by a spring (10) against the pulley (6). The spring pressure and hence the braking effort and wire tension may be adjusted by manual rotation of a variable abutment (11). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Skeining Device This invention relates to skeining devices.

United Kingdom Patent Application No.

40143/78 describes a skeining device through which wire passes on its way to a coil winder. In the passage through the skeining device, the wire passes through a guide eye which deflects the wire. In a conventional skeining device the wire passes over rollers or reels so is not subject to such sharp deflection.

In coil winding it is necessary that the wire be maintained under tension as it enters the coil winder. Normally the tension is applied to the wire as it leaves the storage reel and before it enters a skeining device, but it has been found that the use of a guide eye on tensioned wire can cause operating problems, particularly with heavy gauge wires.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a skeining device with a wire tensioning device at its exit.

In this way the wire passing through the skeining device is under a minimum tension and can pass without damage through the wire guide eye, if such is provided.

This invention is particularly to be applied to skeining devices of the type described in the copending application 40143/78, but may be applied to other types of skeining devices.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation showing part of a skeining device with a tensioning device attached thereto; and Figure 2 is an end elevation of a pair of tensioning devices.

Figure 1 shows at 1 part of the casing of a skeining device of the type illustrated in copending application 40143/78 which in fact contains two skeining devices and has two wire outlets 2. The wire passing from each outlet 2 passes over a tensioning device generally indicated at 3, and the two tensioning devices are mounted on a beam 4 attached to the casing 1.

With particular reference to Figure 2, it will be seen that the beam 4 carries a shaft 5 extending on either side thereof and pulleys 6 are freely rotatable on the shaft 5, each wire being passed once round its associated pulley. A spigot extension 7 of each of the shafts 5 carries a stationary friction disc 8 with friction pads 9 in engagement with the pulley 6. The friction disc is slidable along the spigot 7 and is spring loaded by a spring 10which abuts against a variable abutment 11 threadedly received upon the spigot 7 so as to provide variation in the spring pressure and hence the friction resistance to the motion of the pulley and tension of the wire leaving the tensioning device.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A wire skeining device arranged to be located between a wire storage reel and a coil winder, in which a tensioning device is provided at the exit side of the skeining device.

2. A wire skeining device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a movable wire guide eye which deflects the wire so as to form a coil between retaining devices, which coil is subsequently twisted into a skein.

3. A wire skeining device as claimed in claim 2, in which one of the retaining devices is rotatable to twist the coil into a skein.

4. A wire skeining device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the tensioning device comprises a pulley round which the wire is taken and means for applying an adjustable braking force to the pulley.

5. A wire skeining device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Skeining Device This invention relates to skeining devices. United Kingdom Patent Application No. 40143/78 describes a skeining device through which wire passes on its way to a coil winder. In the passage through the skeining device, the wire passes through a guide eye which deflects the wire. In a conventional skeining device the wire passes over rollers or reels so is not subject to such sharp deflection. In coil winding it is necessary that the wire be maintained under tension as it enters the coil winder. Normally the tension is applied to the wire as it leaves the storage reel and before it enters a skeining device, but it has been found that the use of a guide eye on tensioned wire can cause operating problems, particularly with heavy gauge wires. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a skeining device with a wire tensioning device at its exit. In this way the wire passing through the skeining device is under a minimum tension and can pass without damage through the wire guide eye, if such is provided. This invention is particularly to be applied to skeining devices of the type described in the copending application 40143/78, but may be applied to other types of skeining devices. The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation showing part of a skeining device with a tensioning device attached thereto; and Figure 2 is an end elevation of a pair of tensioning devices. Figure 1 shows at 1 part of the casing of a skeining device of the type illustrated in copending application 40143/78 which in fact contains two skeining devices and has two wire outlets 2. The wire passing from each outlet 2 passes over a tensioning device generally indicated at 3, and the two tensioning devices are mounted on a beam 4 attached to the casing 1. With particular reference to Figure 2, it will be seen that the beam 4 carries a shaft 5 extending on either side thereof and pulleys 6 are freely rotatable on the shaft 5, each wire being passed once round its associated pulley. A spigot extension 7 of each of the shafts 5 carries a stationary friction disc 8 with friction pads 9 in engagement with the pulley 6. The friction disc is slidable along the spigot 7 and is spring loaded by a spring 10which abuts against a variable abutment 11 threadedly received upon the spigot 7 so as to provide variation in the spring pressure and hence the friction resistance to the motion of the pulley and tension of the wire leaving the tensioning device. Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. Claims

1. A wire skeining device arranged to be located between a wire storage reel and a coil winder, in which a tensioning device is provided at the exit side of the skeining device.

2. A wire skeining device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a movable wire guide eye which deflects the wire so as to form a coil between retaining devices, which coil is subsequently twisted into a skein.

3. A wire skeining device as claimed in claim 2, in which one of the retaining devices is rotatable to twist the coil into a skein.

4. A wire skeining device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the tensioning device comprises a pulley round which the wire is taken and means for applying an adjustable braking force to the pulley.

5. A wire skeining device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.