GB2277102A - "Cable coiler with coil stripper" - Google Patents

Abstract

A coiler for forming a core-less cable coil 3 has a winding former 10 comprising pins 18 on disc 16 rotatable with shaft 14, and arcuate plates (27, not shown) mounted on the pins for receiving the coil windings. Disc 52 may be raised up the pins by ram 57 via pulleys 62 to strip the coil from the former. Slidable disc 31, clampable to shaft 47, forms an upper flange. Cable is traversed by three rollers on guide 25 reciprocated by adjustable-shaft ram 42. Photosensor means measures cable length and controls a cutter. Rams are extendable to advance a cable end for engagement with the former by insertion between ends of the arcuate plates (27). Pins 18 are movable radially, and disc 31 movable axially, to accomodate other arcuate plates (27) to produce different-sized coils. Disc 52 has slots to receive coil-binding straps. The coiler also has means to traverse wind coils about a reel rotated about a horizontal axis (Figs. 12 to 15, not shown). <IMAGE>

Description

The present relates to cable coiling apparatus, and in particular though not limited to apparatus for coiling a predetermined length of cable to form a coreless cable coil.

It is frequently necessary to provide relatively short lengths of cable in coiled form. In general, it is preferable that such coiled cable should be provided without a core. This normally requires winding the cable coil by hand which, in general, is time consuming, and furthermore, results in rather an awkward and cumbersome cable coil.

There is therefore a need for a method and apparatus for winding a cable coil without a core.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a method and apparatus.

According to the invention, there is provided cable coiling apparatus comprising a framework, a former for forming a coreless cable coil, the former being rotatably mounted on the framework for rotation about a rotational axis, the former comprising a core rotatable with the former for receiving the cable, first guide means movable longitudinally relative to the rotational axis of the former for guiding the cable onto the core so that each loop of the coil is wound onto the core adjacent its preceding adjacent loop and in side by side relationship with its adjacent preceding loop, stripper means for stripping a wound cable coil from the core, first drive means for rotating the former, and second drive means for driving the first guide means longitudinally relative to the rotational axis of the core while the core is rotating. Preferably, anchor means is provided in the former for anchoring an end of the cable prior to the cable being wound onto the core. Advantageously, the stripper means comprises a stripper disc axially movable over at least portion of the core from one axial end towards the other for sliding the wound coil of cable along the core, and means for moving the stripper means is provided.

In one embodiment of the invention, the stripper disc is rotatable with the core.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the stripper disc is coaxial with and slidable longitudinally on the core and is provided with a circular outer periphery, and the means for moving the stripper means comprises a pair of spaced apart pulleys, each comprising a circumferential groove in rolling engagement with the periphery of the stripper disc, the pulleys being movable longitudinally relative to the rotational axis of the former by third drive means.

Additionally, the invention provides a method for forming a cable coil using the apparatus of the invention, the method comprising the steps of anchoring the cable in the anchor means of the former, rotating the former to wind the cable onto the core of the former, moving the first guide means longitudinally relative to the rotational axis of the former for guiding the cable onto the core, removing a coiled cable from the former by moving the stripper means longitudinally relative to the rotational axis of the former along the core, and removing the coiled cable from the former.

Further, the invention provides a coiled cable produced using the apparatus according to the invention, and furthermore, the invention provides a coiled cable produced using the method of the invention.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of cable coiling apparatus according to the invention, Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the cable coiling apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of portion of the cable coiling apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a detail of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is another perspective view of the detail of Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is another perspective view of the detail of Fig. 4, Fig. 7 is a partly cut-away perspective view of another detail of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 8 is a partly cut-away perspective view of a further detail of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 9 is a plan view of a further detail of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 10 is a plan view of the detail of Fig. 9 in a different position, Fig. 11 is a perspective view of portion of the detail of Fig. 9, Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a further detail of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 13 is a perspective view of portion of the detail of Fig. 12, Fig. 14 is perspective view of another portion of the detail of Fig. 12, and Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a reel for use with the apparatus of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated cable coiling apparatus according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The apparatus 1 is particularly suitable for forming a coreless cable coil 3, see Fig. 6, from cable 8, and it is also suitable for winding cable onto a reel as will be described below. The apparatus 1 comprises a framework 2 supporting a top plate member 4 which defines a working surface 5. A cable inlet 6 mounted on the top plate member 4 leads the cable 8 for coiling from a reel (not shown) through a cutting means 9 described below, and in turn onto a rotatable former 10 around which the cable 8 is wound to form the coreless cable coil 3. Before dealing with the rest of the apparatus 1, the former 10 will first be described in detail.

Referring to Figs. 3 to 7, the former 10 is mounted fast on a main drive shaft 14 which defines the rotational axis of the former 10. The shaft 14 driven by a first drive means in this case an electric motor 15 is rotatable in a bearing 13 in the top plate member 4. The electric motor 15 is mounted by a mounting bracket 21 extending down from the top plate member 4. The former 10 comprises a fixed circular disc 16 fast on the shaft 14. A core 17 around which the cable 8 is wound is formed by six cable supporting pins 18 extending from the fixed disc 16 parallel to the rotational axis of the former 10. The pins 18 are releasably secured in the fixed disc 16 and may be mounted in a plurality of different radial locations to accommodate different core diameters of coils 3, see Fig. 6. Each cable supporting pin 18 terminates in a slot engaging end 19 which engage one of six corresponding releasable receiving means, namely, corresponding slots 20 in the fixed disc 16, see Fig.

7. The slots 20 extend radially of the rotational axis of the former 10 and are equi-spaced circumferentially around the main drive shaft 14. A screw 22 having a flanged head 23 clamps the fixed disc 16 between the head 23 of the screw 22 and a flange 24 extending from the cable supporting pin 18 for securing the cable support pin 18 in a desired position in the slot 20. So that the cable 8 is concentrically wound, the cable supporting pins 18 are positioned in the slots equi-spaced from the rotational axis of the former 10.

A pair of arcuate cable engaging plate members 27 are slidably mounted on the pins 18 and define the surface of the core 17 onto which the cable 8 is wound, see in particular Fig. 4. Engagement members 28 mounted on the plate members 27 slidably engage the cable supporting pins 18. The cable engaging plate members 27 define slots 29 which form anchor means through which an end portion of the cable 8 is fed to anchor the cable in the former 10 during winding of the cable 8 onto the former 10, see Fig. 4. Although only two arcuate cable engaging plate members 27 are illustrated, cable engaging plate members 27 of different axial widths, namely the dimension "a" are provided to accommodate different axial widths of cable coil. Cable engaging plate members 27 of different radii are also provided to accommodate different radial positions of the pins 18 in the slots 20 for cable coils of different core diameters.

A slidable disc 31 of circular shape is slidably mounted on the shaft 14 and slidably engages the cable supporting pins 18 by radially arranged slots 32 similar to and corresponding to the slots 20 in the fixed disc 16, see Fig. 5. The slidable disc 31 and the fixed disc 16 define the portion of the core onto which cable 8 is to be wound. A central opening (not shown) in the slidable disc 31 slidably engages the shaft 14 and a ring member 34 mounted on the slidable disc 31 having an opening 35 extending therethrough also slidably engages the shaft 14. A clamp means comprising a clamping member 36 comprising an eccentric shaft 37 for engaging the shaft 14 with a clamping action is pivotally mounted in the ring member 34. A handle 38 pivots the eccentric shaft 37 for clamping the slidable disc 31 in a desired location onto the shaft 14. Such eccentric shafts for clamping purposes will be well known to those skilled in the art.

First guide means for guiding the cable 8 onto the core 17 of the former 10 comprises a cable accommodating guide member 39 comprising a guide bracket 25 mounted on a guide member support shaft 40, see Figs. 3, 4 and 5. The support shaft 40 is longitudinally slidable in a bearing 33 in the top plate member 4. Second drive means comprising an hydraulic ram 42 mounted in the framework 2 by a bracket 41 extending from the top plate member 4 drives the shaft 40 longitudinally parallel to the rotational axis of the former 10. This in turn drives the cable accommodating guide member 39 for guiding the cable 8 onto the core 17 so that each loop 43 of the coil 3 is adjacent its preceding adjacent loop 43 and in side by side relationship relative to its adjacent preceding loop 43 as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5. A guide rod 44 extending upwardly from the top plate member 4 and parallel to the rotational axis of the former 10 slidably engages a bore 45 in the guide member 39 for guiding the guide member 39 parallel to the rotational axis of the former 10. Three guide rollers 46 are rotatable on shafts 47 mounted on the guide bracket 25 and engage the cable with rolling engagement and form with the guide rod 44 an eye for guiding the cable 8 onto the core 17.

Proximity switches 49 and 50 are mounted on the ram 42 to monitor the position of the piston (not shown) of the ram 42. The proximity switches 49 and 50 permit adjustment of the length of the stroke of the piston (not shown) of the ram 42, and accordingly, the guide member 39. Accordingly, cable coils of different axial width "a" may be accommodated by selecting the corresponding relative positions of the proximity switches 49 and 50. The proximity switch 49 is mounted in a fixed position at the end of the ram 42 corresponding to the fully retracted position of the piston when the piston of the ram 42 is fully retracted at the end of its inward stroke. Thus, the proximity switch 49 monitors when the piston is fully retracted into the ram 42. The proximity switch 50 is slidably mounted on the ram 42 and may be secured at any desired position along the length of the ram 42.

The proximity switch 50 monitors the piston of the ram 42 on its outward stroke. Suitable control circuitry (not shown) is connected to the proximity switches 49 and 50, and the control circuitry also controls the flow of fluid to the ram 42. The control circuitry, on the proximity switches 49 and 50 detecting the piston, reverses the stroke of the piston of the ram 42. Thus, by moving the proximity switch 50 along the length of the ram 42, the length of the stroke of the piston of the ram 42 may be varied. A scale 48 mounted on the ram 42 facilitates selection of the length of stroke.

Stripper means for stripping a wound cable coil 3 from the core 17 comprises a circular stripper disc 52 which is slidable on the shaft 14 and on the cable supporting pins 18, see Figs. 3 to 6. Radial slots 54 in the stripper disc 52 similar to, and corresponding to the slots 20 in the fixed disc 16 slidably engage the pins 18. An opening (see Fig. 2) in the stripper disc 52 slidably engages the shaft 14. Third drive means is provided for driving the stripper disc 52 from the position illustrated in Fig. 3 adjacent the fixed disc 16 to the position illustrated in Fig. 6 for removing the cable coil 3 from the core 17.

Referring to Fig. 3, the third drive means comprises a ram 57 comprising a piston rod 58 which drives a cross member 59 which in turn drives a pair of pulley support shafts 60. The pulley shafts 60 are positioned spaced apart at approximately 180 degrees around the rotational axis of the former 10. Linear bearings 61 in the top plate member 4 slidably engage the pulley shafts 60 and constrain the shafts 60 to move parallel to the rotational axis of the former 10.

Pulleys 62 are rotatable on the shafts 60 and each pulley 62 is provided with a circumferential groove 63 which engages the periphery of the stripper disc 52 with rolling engagement. Accordingly, on extension of the piston rod 58 from the ram 57 the stripper disc 52 is raised to the other axial end of the core 17, illustrated in Fig. 6, for stripping a wound cable coil 3 from the core 17. Retraction of the piston rod 58 returns the stripper disc 52 adjacent the fixed disc 16 ready for winding the next cable coil. A bracket (not shown) mounts the ram 57 to the framework 2.

Four radial guide grooves 64 are formed in the stripper disc 52 to permit cable securing straps 65 to be secured around the cable 8 for securing a formed cable coil 3 prior to being removed from the former 10.

Returning now to the cutting means 9 and referring to Fig. 8, the cutting means 9 comprises a housing 66 mounted on the top plate member 4. A guillotine 67 mounted within the housing 66 comprises an anvil 68 secured to the top plate member 4. A cutting blade 69 pivotal on a fixed pivot 70 is mounted on the anvil 68 and acts with the anvil 68 for cutting the cable 8.

An hydraulic ram 71 mounted below the top plate member 4 by a bracket (not shown) pivots the blade 69 about the pivot 70 for cutting the cable 8.

Returning now to the cable inlet 6 and referring to Figs. 9 to 11, the cable inlet 6 comprises a tubular member 74 having a bore 75 extending therethrough for accommodating the cable 8. Mounting brackets 76 secure the tubular member 74 to the top plate member 4.

Monitoring means for monitoring the length of cable being fed onto the former 10 comprises a cable engaging pulley 77 and pinch roller 78 for engaging the cable 8 with non-slip rolling engagement. The pinch roller 78 is rotatable on a pin 79 extending from a pivot arm 80. A pivot pin 81 extending from a mounting bracket 82 secured to the top plate member 4 pivotally carries the pivot arm 80. A compression spring 86 acts between a side member 83 extending upwardly from the mounting bracket 82 and the pivot arm 80 for biasing the pinch roller 78 against the cable 8 which in turn urges the cable 8 into engagement with the pulley 77. An adjusting screw 85 carried on the side member 83 acts on the spring 86 for varying the compressive force in the spring 86.

The pulley 77 is fast on a shaft 89 rotatable in the top plate member 4 in a bearing (not shown). A disc 90 having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart openings 91 is fast on the shaft 89.

Measuring means for counting the number of revolutions of the cable engaging pulley 77 comprises a light source 92 and a photosensor 93 mounted on a bracket 94 secured to the top plate member 4. The light source 92 and the photosensor 93 act in combination with the disc 90 for counting the number of revolutions and the number of increments of a revolution through which the pulley 77 rotates. Light from the source 92 is passed through the openings 91 in the disc 90 onto the sensor 93. As the disc 90 rotates the light falling on the sensor 93 is intermittently interrupted. The photosensor 93 is connected to suitable electronic control circuitry (not shown) which receives electrical signals from the sensor in response to the intermittent interruptions of the light, thereby permitting the number of revolutions and increments of revolution through which the pulley 77 rotates to be determined. This in turn enables the length of cable passing between the pulley 77 and pinch roller 78 to be determined. The disc 90 and sensor 93 are so arranged to monitor both clockwise and anti-clockwise rotation of the pulley 77, thus if the cable 8 is partly withdrawn through the cable inlet 6 the amount by which the cable is partly withdrawn is deducted while forward movement of the cable 8 is cumulatively added. On a predetermined length of cable 8 having passed by the pulley 77 the control circuitry (not shown) activates the ram 71 to operate the guillotine 67, thus cutting the cable 8.

Referring still to Figs. 9 and 10, feeder means for feeding the cable 8 through the housing 66 of the cutting means 9 is provided to facilitate an operator pulling sufficient cable 8 through the cable inlet 6 and housing 66 to permit the cable 8 to be anchored on the former 10 prior to winding. The feeder means comprises a pair of hydraulic rams 95 which drive a cross member 96 extending between piston rods 97 of the rams 95 in the direction of the arrows A and B. A one-way releasable cable grip means comprising a pair of cable engaging cleats 98 pivotally mounted on the cross member 96 grip the cable 8 when the cross member 96 is being driven forwardly in the direction of the arrow A and release the cable 8 when the cross member 96 is being returned in the direction of the arrow B under the action of the rams 95. The stroke of the rams 95 is sufficient to deliver the cable 8 through the housing 66 after the cable 8 has been cut by the guillotine 67 so that an operator can grip the cable 8 on the downstream side of the housing 66. An eye bracket 99 mounted on the cross member 96 directs the cable 8 through the cleats 98.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 12 to 15, the apparatus 1 also comprises reel winding means for winding cable 8 onto a reel 106. The reel 106 comprises a core 107 and side discs 108. Two central concentric openings 109 are provided in the respective side discs 108. A keying opening 110 which will be described below is provided in one of the discs 108. The reel winding means for winding the cable 8 onto the reel 106 is provided in a sub-framework 111 extending from the framework 2. The reel winding means comprises reel drive means which comprises a pair of spaced apart reel engaging members 112 and 114 rotatable in bearings 115 in the sub-framework 111. The reel engaging members 112 and 114 releasably engage the openings 109 in the side discs 108 of the reel 106 and define the rotational axis of the reel 106. The reel engaging member 112 is an idler while the reel engaging member 114 is driven by a reel drive electric motor 116 mounted on the sub-framework 111.

A drive member 117 extending radially from the engagement member 114 carries a keying means, namely a keying pin 119 for engaging the keying opening 110 in the reel for rotating the reel 106. The pin 119 is engagable in a slot 120 in the drive member 117 to facilitate engagement of the pin 119 in keying openings at different radial positions. A proximity switch 122 mounted on the framework 2 adjacent the reel engaging member 114 counts the number of revolutions of the drive member 117 for counting the number of revolutions of the reel 106. The reel engaging member 112 as well as being rotatably mounted in the bearing 115, is also longitudinally slidably mounted therein to facilitate adjustment towards and away from the reel engaging member 114 in the direction of the arrows C to accommodate different axial widths of reel 106. A locking means (not shown) is provided for securing the reel engaging member 112 in a desired relative longitudinal location.

A second guide means comprising a cable accommodating guide member 125 is slidable in a track 130 for guiding cable 8 onto the core 107 of the reel 106 in similar fashion as the guide member 39 guides cable 8 onto the core 17 of the former 10. A bore 105 in the guide member 125 slidably accommodates the cable 8. A lead screw 126 in the track 130 engages the guide member 125 for traversing the guide member 125 along the track 130 from side to side across the core 107 of the reel 106. The track 130 and lead screw 126 is parallel to the rotational axis of the reel 106 defined by the reel engaging members 112 and 114. A screw drive means, namely, an electrically powered motor 127 drives the lead screw 126 for traversing the guide member 125 along the track 130. The operation of the guide member 125 is substantially similar to the guide member 39.

Proximity switches 128 and 129 are mounted on the track 130 for detecting the guide member 125.

Suitable control circuitry connected to the proximity switches 128 and 129 and the motor 127 reverse the motor 127 and in turn the lead screw 126 for reversing the direction of travel of the guide member 125 on either of the proximity switches 128 or 129 detecting the guide member 125. The proximity switch 128 is mounted in a fixed position on the track 130. The proximity switch 129 is slidable in a slot 132 on the track 130 and may be secured in any desired location along the slot 132 by a screw (not shown).

Accordingly, the distance of traverse of the guide member 125 along the track 130 may be varied by varying the position of the proximity switch 129.

Thus, enabling the apparatus to be used for winding a cable 8 onto reels 106 of different axial widths.

Although not illustrated, suitable control apparatus and circuitry is provided to interlink the various motors and rams so that they work in substantial synchronisation with each other. Such control apparatus and circuitry will be well known to those skilled in the art.

In use, where it is desired to form a cable coil without a central core or a reel, the cable coil 3 is wound on the former 10. The former is initially set up to form a cable coil of the desired core diameter and core width "a". The cable supporting pins 18 are secured in the desired radial positions in the slots 20 of the fixed disc 16 to form a cable coil of the desired core diameter. The stripper disc 52 is placed on top of the fixed disc 16. Two arcuate cable engaging plate members 27 of width "a" corresponding to the desired cable coil axial width and diameter corresponding to the cable coil diameter are selected and placed on the cable supporting pins 18 with the stripper disc 52 adjacent the fixed disc as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. Cable 8 is fed through the cable inlet 6, the cable engaging pulley 77 and pinch roller 78, the cable cleats 98, the guillotine housing 66 and in turn through the guide member 39.

The cable 8 is fed for approximately one revolution around the cable engaging plate members 27 and the free end of the cable 8 is inserted between one of the slots 29 formed between the plate members 27, the remaining portion of the free end of the cable 8 is wound round the shaft 14, see Fig. 4. The slidable disc 31 is placed on and slide along the cable supporting pins 18 and the shaft 14 and is brought into abutment engagement with the arcuate plate members 27. The slidable disc 31 is then clamped on the shaft 14 by operating the handle 38 of the eccentric shaft 37.

The length of longitudinal travel of the guide member 39 is set to correspond with the width "a" of the cable engaging plate members 27 by adjusting the position of the proximity switch 50 to the ram 42.

The speed of traverse of the ram 42 is also adjusted by means of a flow restrictor (not shown) in the hydraulic line (not shown) feeding the ram 42 to accommodate different core diameters of cable coils.

The apparatus is switched on activating the electric motor 15 to drive the shaft 14 and in turn the former 10. As the former 10 rotates, cable 8 is wound onto the core 17. During rotation of the former 10, the guide member 39 under the control of the ram 42 is moved upwardly and downwardly longitudinally relative to the rotational axis of the former 10 to guide the cable onto the core 17 so that the loops 43 of the coil 3 lie side by side relative to each other.

As the former 10 rotates the cable 8 is drawn by the former 10 and in turn wound onto the core 17. The pulley 77 and pinch roller 78 in combination with the light source and light sensor 92 and 93 monitor the length of cable being fed onto the former 10. On a predetermined length of cable being fed onto the former 10, the guillotine 67 is activated, thereby cutting the cable 8. The former 10 is rotated until the remaining cable has been fully wound onto the core 17.

To remove the cable coil 3 from the former 10, the slidable disc 31 is loosed on the shaft 14 by releasing the clamping action of the eccentric shaft 37 on the shaft 14. The ram 57 is activated thereby moving the stripper disc 52 along the cable supporting pins 18, thus stripping the cable engaging plate members 27, the wound cable coil 3 and the slidable disc 31 from the cable supporting pins 18. On the stripper disc 52 reaching the end of its stroke as illustrated in Fig. 6, the slidable disc 31 is removed and the cable engaging plate members 27 are disengaged from the cable supporting pins 18 and removed.

Suitable cable straps 65 as, for example, those illustrated in Fig. 6, are secured round the cable coil 3 to hold the loops 43 of the coil 3 together.

The cable straps 65 are entered between the cable coil 3 and the stripper disc 52 through the radial guide grooves 64 formed in the stripper disc 52. The wound cable coil 3 is then removed. The ram 57 is again activated, and the ram lowers the stripper disc 52 to lie adjacent the fixed disc 16 and ready for the next cable coil to be wound.

When the former 10 has been set up for the next cable coil to be wound thereon, the feeder rams 95 are operated to feed cable from the guillotine 67 through the housing 66. An operator then grips the end of the cable, feeds it through the guide member 39 and around the core 17 as already described.

To wind a cable coil onto a reel 106, the reel 106 is engaged between the reel engaging members 112 and 114.

The proximity switch 129 is set on the track 130 so that the guide member 125 is set to traverse the desired distance longitudinally relative to the core 107 of the reel 106 between the discs 108. The relative speeds of the drive motor 116 of the reel engaging member 114 and the drive motor 127 of the lead screw 126 are adjusted so that the feed of the lead screw 126 and the rotational speed of the reel 106 are such that each loop of the cable on the reel lies in side by side relationship with its next adjacent loop. The cable 8 is fed through the cable inlet 6, the cable engaging pulley 77 and pinch roller 78, the cable cleats 98, the guillotine 67 and in turn through the guide member 125. The free end of the cable is engaged in a suitable hole (not shown) in the core 107 of the reel 106. The apparatus is then activated and the reel rotates while the lead screw also rotates traversing the guide member 125 backwards and forwards along the track 130 to feed cable 8 onto the reel 106. Rotation of the reel 106 draws cable 8 onto the reel 106. As the cable is being wound onto the reel 106, the cable engaging pulley 77 in combination with the light source 92 and sensor 93 monitors the length of the cable being wound onto the reel 106. On a predetermined length of cable 8 being wound onto the reel 106, the guillotine 67 is activated to cut the cable 8. The reel 106 continues to rotate until the remaining cable cut by the guillotine 67 has been wound onto the reel 106.

While a particular construction of former has been described, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that formers of other construction may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Further, it will be appreciated that other stripper means besides the stripper disc may be used.

Needless to say, other suitable constructions of former core may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. While it is preferable, it will be appreciated that it is not essential to provide the slidable disc 31.

While the apparatus has been described as comprising feeder rams 95, in certain cases the rams 95 may be dispensed with. Needless to say, other suitable guide members and guide means for guiding the cable onto the core of the former may be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

While the apparatus has been described as comprising means for winding a cable onto a reel, while this is preferable it is not essential. Where such means are provided, it will be appreciated that other suitable reel engaging means for engaging the reel may be used and similarly other suitable guide brackets for guiding the cable onto the reel may likewise be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (41)

1. Cable coiling apparatus comprising a framework, a former for forming a coreless cable coil, the former being rotatably mounted on the framework for rotation about a rotational axis, the former comprising a core rotatable with the former for receiving the cable, first guide means movable longitudinally relative to the rotational axis of the former for guiding the cable onto the core so that each loop of the coil is wound onto the core adjacent its preceding adjacent loop and in side by side relationship with its adjacent preceding loop, stripper means for stripping a wound cable coil from the core, first drive means for rotating the former, and second drive means for driving the first guide means longitudinally relative to the rotational axis of the core while the core is rotating.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which anchor means is provided in the former for anchoring an end of the cable prior to the cable being wound onto the core.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the stripper means comprises a stripper disc axially movable over at least portion of the core from one axial end towards the other for sliding the wound coil of cable along the core, and means for moving the stripper means is provided.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 in which the stripper disc is rotatable with the core.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 or 4 in which the stripper disc is coaxial with and slidable longitudinally on the core and is provided with a circular outer periphery, and the means for moving the stripper means comprises a pair of spaced apart pulleys, each comprising a circumferential groove in rolling engagement with the periphery of the stripper disc, the pulleys being movable longitudinally relative to the rotational axis of the former by third drive means.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 in which the pulleys engage the stripper disc at two positions 180 degrees relative to each other about the rotational axis of the former.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 or 6 in which the pulleys are rotatably mounted on respective pulley support shafts, the pulley support shafts being slidably mounted in the framework longitudinally relative to the rotational axis of the former, the third drive means comprising a ram mounted on the framework connected to the two pulley support shafts.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the former comprises a fixed disc extending transversely of and fast with the core.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 in which the core is formed by a plurality of cable supporting pins extending from the fixed disc parallel to the rotational axis of the former, the cable supporting pins being equi-spaced about the rotational axis of the former and equi-spaced radially from the rotational axis of the former.

10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 in which a plurality of releasable receiving means are provided in the fixed disc for receiving the cable supporting pins at different radial distances from the rotational axis of the former for accommodating different diameters of cable coil.

11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 or 10 in which arcuate cable engaging plate members are slidably supported on the cable supporting pins to define portions of a cable receiving surface of the core.

12. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 11 in which adjacent end edges of the arcuate cable engaging plate members define a longitudinal slot to form the anchor means for receiving the cable.

13. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 11 or 12 in which a plurality of arcuate cable engaging members are provided of different longitudinal widths to accommodate different widths of cable coil.

14. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 11 to 13 in which engagement members are provided on each arcuate cable engaging plate member for slidably engaging the cable supporting pins.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 9 to 14 in which the stripper means is mounted adjacent the fixed disc and slidable on the cable supporting pins away from the fixed disc for sliding the wound cable coil along the cable supporting pins.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 9 to 15 in which a slidable disc extending transversely of the core is slidable longitudinally on the core and defines with the fixed disc a portion of the core onto which the cable coil is to be wound, the slidable disc being disengagable with the core at the axial end of the core remote from the fixed disc for removal of a wound cable coil.

17. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 16 in which releasable clamp means is provided for retaining the slidable disc in position on the core relative to the fixed disc.

18. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the first guide means comprises a cable accommodating guide member mounted on a guide member mounting shaft slidable in the framework longitudinally relative to the rotational axis of the former, and the second drive means comprises a ram mounted on the framework and operatively connected to the guide member mounting shaft.

19. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 18 in which the cable accommodating guide member comprises a guide bracket rotatably carrying a pair of spaced apart parallel guide rollers for rollably engaging and guiding the cable onto the core.

20. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 18 or 19 in which the length of the stroke of the ram of the second drive means is adjustable for forming cable coils of different widths.

21. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which monitoring means for monitoring the length of cable wound onto the former is provided.

22. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 21 in which the monitoring means comprises a cable engaging pulley for engaging the cable with non-slip rolling engagement, and measuring means for counting the number of revolutions of the cable engaging pulley.

23. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 22 in which a pinch roller is provided co-operating with the cable engaging pulley for pinching the cable between the pinch roller and pulley.

24. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 21 to 23 in which cutting means for cutting the cable is mounted on the framework, the cutting means being responsive to a predetermined length of cable being monitored by the monitoring means.

25. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 24 in which feeder means are provided for feeding a predetermined length of cable through the cutting means.

26. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 25 in which the feeder means comprises a one-way releasable cable grip means driven by a ram longitudinally relative to the direction of feed of the cable, the grip means engaging the cable in the direction of feed and releasing the cable in the return direction.

27. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the former is fast on a main drive shaft rotatable in the framework and the first drive means comprises an electrically powered motor for driving the main drive shaft.

28. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the apparatus further comprises reel winding means for winding cable onto a reel, the reel winding means comprising a reel drive means for rotating a reel for winding the cable onto the reel, the reel drive means being releasably engagable with the reel.

29. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 30 in which the reel drive means comprises a pair of spaced apart releasable reel engaging members for releasably engaging the reel axially at respective axial ends of the reel, one of the reel engaging members being driven by a reel drive motor, and a keying means mounted on the driven reel engaging member for releasably engaging the reel for rotating the reel with the driven reel engaging member.

30. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 28 or 29 in which second guide means movable longitudinally relative to the rotational axis of the reel for feeding cable onto the reel so that each loop of the cable wound onto the reel is adjacent its preceding adjacent loop and in side by side relationship with its preceding adjacent loop.

31. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 30 in which the second guide means is movable longitudinally by a lead screw, and screw drive means are provided for driving the lead screw.

32. Cable coiling apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

33. A method for forming a cable coil using the apparatus of any of Claims 1 to 32, the method comprising the steps of anchoring the cable in the anchor means of the former, rotating the former to wind the cable onto the core of the former, moving the first guide means longitudinally relative to the rotational axis of the former for guiding the cable onto the core, removing a coiled cable from the former by moving the stripper means longitudinally relative to the rotational axis of the former along the core, and removing the coiled cable from the former.

34. A method as claimed in Claim 33 in which arcuate cable engaging members of the appropriate width and radius are mounted on the cable supporting pins and the slidable disc is positioned on the cable supporting pins and releasably clamped in a fixed relative position to the fixed disc.

35. A method as claimed in Claim 33 or 34 in which the method further comprises the step of monitoring the length of cable being wound onto the former.

36. A method as claimed in Claim 35 in which the cable is cut by the cutting means after a predetermined length of cable has been monitored by the monitoring means.

37. A method as claimed in Claim 36 in which portion of the cable is fed through the cutting means prior to winding of the cable onto the former.

38. A method for coiling a cable substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

39. A coiled cable produced using the apparatus of any of Claims 1 to 32.

40. A coiled cable produced using the method of any of Claims 33 to 38.

41. A coiled cable substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.