GB2157264A

GB2157264A - Cable drum ramps

Info

Publication number: GB2157264A
Application number: GB08507697A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Hill
Original assignee: WARRINGTON WHEEL Co LIMIT
Current assignee: WARRINGTON WHEEL Co LIMIT
Priority date: 1984-04-11
Filing date: 1985-03-25
Publication date: 1985-10-23
Also published as: GB2157264B; GB8507697D0

Abstract

A cable drum (10) comprises a barrel (12) onto which cable is wound and a pair of flanges (13, 14) at each end of the barrel. Against one flange (13) is a cable ramp (16) that has from its start end a decreasing radius. The ramp (16) has a groove or depression (22) along its length in which the cable is intended to rest or nestle. The inner end of the wound cable is thereby raised to the outside of the drum. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cable drum ramps

Description This invention concerns cable drum ramps.

When an electric cable drum is wound onto a cable drum for despatch or further working it is sometimes necessary to have both ends of the cable available for testing to ensure there are no breaks in the cable. To achieve this the cable drum is provided with a ramp onto the upper end of which one end of the cable is fastened and on rotation of the drum, the cable follows the ramp down onto the barrel of the drum were normal winding across the barrel continues. This leaves one end of the cable up on the ramp and the other end is, of course, free after the rest of the cable has been wound onto the drum.

It is often desired to have continuous production of cable so that positioning of a fresh drum and securement of the cable end to the ramp have to be carried out rapidly. It has been found that, in practise, there is insufficient time to secure the cable to the ramp by the conventional method of trying with wire or rope.

The object of this invention is to provide a ramp for a cable drum to which fastening of a cable end is not necessary for winding of the cable onto the drum.

According to this invention there is provided a ramp for a cable drum having a longitudinal groove or depression in which a cable can rest or nestle.

The groove or depression may be of any suitable cross-section, such as arcuate, V-shaped or Ushaped.

The ramp of the invention in combination with the tensions of the cable in winding on and the friction of the cable and the ramp, can keep the end of the cable in the groove or depression during initial winding so that that end of the cable is kept free.

The ramp decreases gradually in distance from the drum barrel surface itself and may be supported on pillars at one side of the drum so that the ramp has one edge up against a flange of the cable drurn. The opposite edge of the ramp is preferebly turned over to present a rounded edge that makes the possibility of damage to the cable very remote both in production and in transit. The turned over edge of the ramp preferably fits corresponding rebates in the supporting pillars.

The ramp may have one or more similarly profiled nose pieces attached to the upper end thereof to provide continuity of winding. These nose pieces may be removable.

For double start winding a double ramp may be provided comprising a pair of ramps side by side.

The invention also provides a cable drum having a ramp that has a longitudinal groove or depression in which a cable can rest or nestle.

This invention will now be furtherdescribed, by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a cable drum; Figure 2 is an end view of the cable drum of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of part of a cable ramp; Figure 4 is a section of the ramp of Figure 3 with cable in position; and Figure 5 shows the ramp profile in section view.

Referring to the drawings, a cable drum 10 comprises a barrel 12 onto which cable 11 is wound and a pair of flanges 13, 14 at each end of the barrel 12. Against flange 13 is a cable ramp 16 that has from its start a decreasing radius about the barrel 12 with respect to the barrel radius. At its outermost end or start are nose pieces 18 that are removable.

The ramp 16 itself has a groove or depression 22 along its length and in which the cable 11 is intended to nestle. The edge of the ramp 16 away from the flange 13 is turned over at 24 to provide a smooth edge to the ramp to limit damage to cable when being wound on or in transit. The turned over edge 24 fits rebates 26 of pillars 28 on which the ramp 16 is supported.

The nose pieces 18 will be grooved similarly to the ramp to provide a continuity of winding.

In operation, the groove or depression 22 combined with the tension of winding and friction between the cable and the groove can keep the cable on the ramp without the need for conventional tying with wire or rope.

CLAIMS 1. A ramp for use with a cable drum, the ramp having a longitudinal groove or depression in which a cable can rest or nestle.

2. A ramp as claimed in claim 1 having a decreasing radius from its start to finish.

3. A ramp as claimed in claim 1 or 2 having one edge turned over.

4. A ramp as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 supported on pillars.

5. A ramp as claimed in claims 3 or 4 wherein the pillars are rebated to accomodate the turned over edge of the ramp.

6. A ramp as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 having one or more similarly profiled nose pieces attachable to its start end.

7. A cable drum including a ramp having a longitudinal groove or depression in which a cable can rest or nestle.

8. A cable drum as claimed in claim 7 wherein the ramp has a decreasing radius from start to finish.

9. A cable drum as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the ramp has one edge against a flange of the cable drum.

10. A cable drum as claimed in claim 9, wherein the other edge of the ramp is turned over.

11. A cable drum as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein the ramp is supported on pillars.

12. A cable drum as claimed in claim 10 or 11 wherein the pillars are rebated to accomodate the

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Cable drum ramps Description This invention concerns cable drum ramps. When an electric cable drum is wound onto a cable drum for despatch or further working it is sometimes necessary to have both ends of the cable available for testing to ensure there are no breaks in the cable. To achieve this the cable drum is provided with a ramp onto the upper end of which one end of the cable is fastened and on rotation of the drum, the cable follows the ramp down onto the barrel of the drum were normal winding across the barrel continues. This leaves one end of the cable up on the ramp and the other end is, of course, free after the rest of the cable has been wound onto the drum. It is often desired to have continuous production of cable so that positioning of a fresh drum and securement of the cable end to the ramp have to be carried out rapidly. It has been found that, in practise, there is insufficient time to secure the cable to the ramp by the conventional method of trying with wire or rope. The object of this invention is to provide a ramp for a cable drum to which fastening of a cable end is not necessary for winding of the cable onto the drum. According to this invention there is provided a ramp for a cable drum having a longitudinal groove or depression in which a cable can rest or nestle. The groove or depression may be of any suitable cross-section, such as arcuate, V-shaped or Ushaped. The ramp of the invention in combination with the tensions of the cable in winding on and the friction of the cable and the ramp, can keep the end of the cable in the groove or depression during initial winding so that that end of the cable is kept free. The ramp decreases gradually in distance from the drum barrel surface itself and may be supported on pillars at one side of the drum so that the ramp has one edge up against a flange of the cable drurn. The opposite edge of the ramp is preferebly turned over to present a rounded edge that makes the possibility of damage to the cable very remote both in production and in transit. The turned over edge of the ramp preferably fits corresponding rebates in the supporting pillars. The ramp may have one or more similarly profiled nose pieces attached to the upper end thereof to provide continuity of winding. These nose pieces may be removable. For double start winding a double ramp may be provided comprising a pair of ramps side by side. The invention also provides a cable drum having a ramp that has a longitudinal groove or depression in which a cable can rest or nestle. This invention will now be furtherdescribed, by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a cable drum; Figure 2 is an end view of the cable drum of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of part of a cable ramp; Figure 4 is a section of the ramp of Figure 3 with cable in position; and Figure 5 shows the ramp profile in section view. Referring to the drawings, a cable drum 10 comprises a barrel 12 onto which cable 11 is wound and a pair of flanges 13, 14 at each end of the barrel 12. Against flange 13 is a cable ramp 16 that has from its start a decreasing radius about the barrel 12 with respect to the barrel radius. At its outermost end or start are nose pieces 18 that are removable. The ramp 16 itself has a groove or depression 22 along its length and in which the cable 11 is intended to nestle. The edge of the ramp 16 away from the flange 13 is turned over at 24 to provide a smooth edge to the ramp to limit damage to cable when being wound on or in transit. The turned over edge 24 fits rebates 26 of pillars 28 on which the ramp 16 is supported. The nose pieces 18 will be grooved similarly to the ramp to provide a continuity of winding. In operation, the groove or depression 22 combined with the tension of winding and friction between the cable and the groove can keep the cable on the ramp without the need for conventional tying with wire or rope. CLAIMS

1. A ramp for use with a cable drum, the ramp having a longitudinal groove or depression in which a cable can rest or nestle.

3. A ramp as claimed in claim 1 or 2 having one edge turned over.

4. A ramp as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 supported on pillars.

turned over edge of the ramp.

13. A cable drum as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 12 wherein the ramp has one or more similarly profiled nose pieces attachable to its start end.

14. A cable drum as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 13 having a pair of ramps.

15. A ramp for use with a cable drum substantially as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

16. A cable drum substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.