GB2147271A

GB2147271A - Metal cable drums

Info

Publication number: GB2147271A
Application number: GB08424144A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Hill
Original assignee: WARRINGTON WHEEL Co LIMIT
Current assignee: WARRINGTON WHEEL Co LIMIT
Priority date: 1983-09-29
Filing date: 1984-09-25
Publication date: 1985-05-09
Also published as: GB8424144D0; GB2147271B; GB8326151D0

Abstract

A cable drum (1) comprises a pair of metal flanges (2) connected by a barrel-shaped hub (3). The flanges (2), which may be formed in a single pressing operation, have a circumferential channel (4) at their periphery into which are fitted wooden battens (5) to protect the contents of the drum. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Metal cable drums This invention concerns metal cable drums.

Cable drums are usually lagged with protective wooden battens around the periphery thereof before despatch. This is straightforward for wooden cable drums as the battens can be nailed in place.

However, for metal cable drums special provisions have to be made for attachment of the battens.

For heavier and larger cable drums, this problem is partly overcome by providing the flanges with special rims of angle or joist section on to which ends of the battens can be fixed. Unfortunately, the provision of special rims increases the cost of manufacture to such an extent that it is difficult for such metal cable drums to be competitive with wooden drums.

In the case of smaller diameter drums, economical fixing of battens to conventional designs has not been achieved.

The object of this invention is to provide a metal cable drum that can permit easy and economical lagging.

According to this invention there is provided a metal cable drum having a pair of flanges that each incorporate a circumferential channel at or near their periphery into which ends of battens can be located.

Preferably the flanges are made as single pressings, the channels being formed during the pressing operation. The single pressing operation can be both rapid and cheap and the channel can allow rapid and secure fitment of battens.

The channels may be of any suitable section but preferably have parallel faces between which the battens may fit.

Reinforcement of the flanges may be provided generally and/or to support the channels. General reinforcement of the flanges can be embossings, such as embossed radial spokes possibly with one or more complimentary annular embossings. For channel reinforcement, gusset-like bracing may be formed in a or the pressing or spinning operation, the gussets sloping inwards towards the flange centre. Additionally or alternatively, the channels may be reinforced say by a ring, such as of steel, fixed to the outer face or an inner face of the channel. Fixing of the reinforcing ring may be by welding or possibly, in the case of an internal ring, by spinning the metal of the flange over the ring to hold it in position. An alternative channel reinforcement may be provided by spinning the edge of the flange to form a circular beaded rim.

For drums for heavier loadings, the flanges may be of double skin construction. The two skins may be parallel to each other. Alternatively, the outer skin can be of concave, convex or suitably embossed shape. The double skin flanges may also incorporate reinforcing rings as for single skin flanges and these rings can be on both outer and inner faces of the channel.

In all cases, it is preferable to have a pair of diametrically opposed gaps in the channel section outer rims to facilitate fitting of the last one or two battens to complete the circle of lagging around the drum.

This invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a vertical section throughout a cable drum of the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of a cable drum; Figure 3 is an enlargement of part of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows an alternative channel section to that of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a reinforced channel section; Figure 6 is a vertical section through one flange of an alternative cable drum of the invention; and Figure 7 is a side view of an alternative form of flange for a cable drum.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a cable drum 1 comprises a pair of metal flanges 2 connected by barrel 3. The flanges 2 each formed in a single pressing operation have a circumferential channel 4 at their periphery. Opposite ends of battens 5 are fitted into opposing channel 4 to provide protective lagging for the cable drums contents.

Reinforcement of the channels 4 is provided by gusset-like braces 6 also formed in the pressing operation. The channel 4 of Figures 1 to 3 have generally flat sides but the alternative of Figure 4 is a channel 4' of U-section.

Turning to Figure 5, reinforcement of the channel 4 may be provided by a circumferential ring 7 welded to the outer face of the channel 4 and/or by a circumferential ring 8 fixed to the inner face of the outer side of the channel 4 by spinning over of the parent metal at 9. Alternatively the ring may be omitted but the parent metal spun over to form a circular beaded rim.

In Figure 6 an alternative form of flange is shown that has a double skin formation. Outer skin 10 is basically the same as flange 1 of Figure 1 or (as shown in dotted lines) may be of concave shape 10' and has an inner skin 11 welded thereto.

The flange of Figure 6 may also have any or all of the reinforcement means shown in Figures 1 to 5.

Finally in Figure 7 a reinforced cable drum flange 2 is shown. Reinforcement is in the form of an annular embossing 15 from which emanate embossed radial spokes 16. The embossings may be formed in the same pressing operation as for the flange itself. Other features of the flange are as described with reference to Figures 1 to 5.

The cable drums of the invention are particularly suitable for relatively light cables, such as optic fibres, coaxial cables and delicate wires. Cable flange diameters up to 2.5 metres are envisaged but it will be appreciated that the present invention may well be applicable to other cable drum sizes.

1. A metal cable drum having a pair of flanges that each incorporate a circumferential channel at or near their periphery into which ends of battens can be located.

2. A metal cable drum as claimed in claim 1

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Metal cable drums This invention concerns metal cable drums. Cable drums are usually lagged with protective wooden battens around the periphery thereof before despatch. This is straightforward for wooden cable drums as the battens can be nailed in place. However, for metal cable drums special provisions have to be made for attachment of the battens. For heavier and larger cable drums, this problem is partly overcome by providing the flanges with special rims of angle or joist section on to which ends of the battens can be fixed. Unfortunately, the provision of special rims increases the cost of manufacture to such an extent that it is difficult for such metal cable drums to be competitive with wooden drums. In the case of smaller diameter drums, economical fixing of battens to conventional designs has not been achieved. The object of this invention is to provide a metal cable drum that can permit easy and economical lagging. According to this invention there is provided a metal cable drum having a pair of flanges that each incorporate a circumferential channel at or near their periphery into which ends of battens can be located. Preferably the flanges are made as single pressings, the channels being formed during the pressing operation. The single pressing operation can be both rapid and cheap and the channel can allow rapid and secure fitment of battens. The channels may be of any suitable section but preferably have parallel faces between which the battens may fit. Reinforcement of the flanges may be provided generally and/or to support the channels. General reinforcement of the flanges can be embossings, such as embossed radial spokes possibly with one or more complimentary annular embossings. For channel reinforcement, gusset-like bracing may be formed in a or the pressing or spinning operation, the gussets sloping inwards towards the flange centre. Additionally or alternatively, the channels may be reinforced say by a ring, such as of steel, fixed to the outer face or an inner face of the channel. Fixing of the reinforcing ring may be by welding or possibly, in the case of an internal ring, by spinning the metal of the flange over the ring to hold it in position. An alternative channel reinforcement may be provided by spinning the edge of the flange to form a circular beaded rim. For drums for heavier loadings, the flanges may be of double skin construction. The two skins may be parallel to each other. Alternatively, the outer skin can be of concave, convex or suitably embossed shape. The double skin flanges may also incorporate reinforcing rings as for single skin flanges and these rings can be on both outer and inner faces of the channel. In all cases, it is preferable to have a pair of diametrically opposed gaps in the channel section outer rims to facilitate fitting of the last one or two battens to complete the circle of lagging around the drum. This invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a vertical section throughout a cable drum of the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of a cable drum; Figure 3 is an enlargement of part of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows an alternative channel section to that of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a reinforced channel section; Figure 6 is a vertical section through one flange of an alternative cable drum of the invention; and Figure 7 is a side view of an alternative form of flange for a cable drum. Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a cable drum 1 comprises a pair of metal flanges 2 connected by barrel 3. The flanges 2 each formed in a single pressing operation have a circumferential channel 4 at their periphery. Opposite ends of battens 5 are fitted into opposing channel 4 to provide protective lagging for the cable drums contents. Reinforcement of the channels 4 is provided by gusset-like braces 6 also formed in the pressing operation. The channel 4 of Figures 1 to 3 have generally flat sides but the alternative of Figure 4 is a channel 4' of U-section. Turning to Figure 5, reinforcement of the channel 4 may be provided by a circumferential ring 7 welded to the outer face of the channel 4 and/or by a circumferential ring 8 fixed to the inner face of the outer side of the channel 4 by spinning over of the parent metal at 9. Alternatively the ring may be omitted but the parent metal spun over to form a circular beaded rim. In Figure 6 an alternative form of flange is shown that has a double skin formation. Outer skin 10 is basically the same as flange 1 of Figure 1 or (as shown in dotted lines) may be of concave shape 10' and has an inner skin 11 welded thereto. The flange of Figure 6 may also have any or all of the reinforcement means shown in Figures 1 to 5. Finally in Figure 7 a reinforced cable drum flange 2 is shown. Reinforcement is in the form of an annular embossing 15 from which emanate embossed radial spokes 16. The embossings may be formed in the same pressing operation as for the flange itself. Other features of the flange are as described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. The cable drums of the invention are particularly suitable for relatively light cables, such as optic fibres, coaxial cables and delicate wires. Cable flange diameters up to 2.5 metres are envisaged but it will be appreciated that the present invention may well be applicable to other cable drum sizes. CLAIMS

2. A metal cable drum as claimed in claim 1 wherein the channels have parallel faces between which the battens may fit.

3. A metal cable drum as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the channels have a pair of diametrically opposed gaps.

4. A metal cable drum as claimed in claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the flanges are reinforced to support the channels.

5. A metal cable drum as claimed in claim 4 wherein said reinforcement comprises gussets sloping inwards towards the flange centre.

6. A metal cable drums claimed in claim 4 wherein said reinforcement comprises a ring fixed to an outer or inner face of the channel.

7. A metal cable drum as claimed in claim 6 wherein the ring is fixed by welding.

8. A metal cable drum as claimed in claim 6 wherein the ring is fixed by spinning metal of the flange over the ring.

9. A metal cable drum as claimed in claim 4 wherein said reinforcement comprises a circular beaded outer rim formed by spinning over of the flange edge.

10. A metal cable drum as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the flanges are generally reinforced.

11. A metal cable drum as claimed in claim 10 wherein said general reinforcement comprises embossings of the flange.

12. A metal cable drum as claimed in claim 11 wherein the embossings are in the form of radial spokes.

13. A metal cable drum as claimed in claim 12 further comprising one or more annular embossings.

14. A metal cable drum as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the flanges are double skinned.

15. A metal cable drum substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings.