GB2354997A - Collapsible cable reel support - Google Patents

Abstract

A collapsible support for a cable reel comprises telescopically adjustable members 2, 3 pivotally connected at their outer ends to legs 8, which are pivotable from the positions shown into positions coplanar with the members 2, 3. As described all the members are formed from electrical cable conduit and the pivotable connections are provided by junction boxes 6,7. Each pair of legs 8 is connected by a member passing through the respective box 6, 7 and the legs are held in the erected position by a pin passing through aligned holes 11 in the connecting member and the box.

Description

2354997 LAY FLAT EXTENDIBLE CABLE REELER This invention relates to

dispensing of materials that are stored on cable reels.

Cable reelers come in many forms but usually take up space and hold a limited number of reels, some rely on the cable reels outside rim to work. This is OK only if the outside rim is strong enough and not broken iin any way. If a cable reeler is not available. a piece of conduit held in the vice of a conduit bender usually does the job, but this is heavy, bulky,, and not always required on eveny installation.

This invention can hold laro-e and small cable reels and hold one or manv cable reels. Also when in use it will not rock or wobble and it is light weight and can be packed flat for easy storage.

According]y. the invention is a cable reeler which comprises two halves which slot together holding a chosen number of cable reels'. and which also have collapsible legs for easy storage.

A working model was made from steel electrical conduit components and the dra-wings are made fi7om. this model.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described b)y way of example vvith reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Fi2ure 1. Shows the cable reeler fully erect with an example cable reel in use.

Fiaure-'). Shows the cable reeler fully erect VVIth its two parts separated.

Flattre 3. Shows the side plan of the legs.

Figure. 4. Shoivs the cable reeler in its lay flat position in its two parts.

Figure 5. Shows the cable reeler in its lax- flat position.

Fi2ure 6. Shows an example of the cable reeler stored.

Figzure 7. Shows an expanded Vievv of the leg hinge.

Figure 8. Shows a cross section plan view of the leg hinge.

1) Figure 9. Shows an expanded view of the hinging bolts.

Figure 10. Shows a plan -%iew of the leg hinge with the slots in which the hinging bolts slide.

As shown in figure 1. The cable reel I unreels spinning from its central axis. The cable reeler comprises two parts 2 and 3 which, when the cable reels are in place. can slide into each other. and which can be pushed together for small amounts of cable reels or further apart if more cable reels are required 4. As the tubes 2' and 3 are circular the,',, allov%, the legs to have a swinging motion 5, giving the frame a non rocking motion when on even or uneven surfaces.

The cable reeler is comprised of parts:- two 25min conduit tee boxes 6 and 7 which are used as hinging boxes. Hinged to these are four legs 8 made from 25 min 0 conduit and threaded into the hinizina boxes 6 and 7. and the angle the le2s can move is restricted by the hinging Olt 9.

The reeling bar 2 is fixed to the hin 21ing box 6 by a 25 nim to 20 mm reducer 10 as part 2 is made from 20 mm conduit. Part 3 reeling bar is made from 25 min conduit and is fixed to hinging box 7 by a'.25 mm thread.

The le2s are fixed when in use b-N, a fixin2 bolt placed into the locking hole 11.

As shown in figure 2. Shows the reeler in two parts with the legs fully erect 12 and how the-v will be in the flat position 13.

9 As shown in figure 3. Shows the legs resting at over 90' 14 to the main body 2. This gives the frame extra stability. The base of the legs are cut parallel to the groiind for extra grip 15.

e As shown in figure 4. Shows the legs in the lay flat position 13.

As shown in fi2ure -S. Shows the cable reeler in its lay- flat position 13, with the two parts together lor easy storage.

9 As shown in figure 6. Shows an example of storing the cable reeler behind the driving seat of a -van.

As shown in figure 7. The chain 16 Is attached on to the locking bolt 17, which 3 inserts into the locking hole I I The lockinp hole travels through the hinging boxes 6 or 7, through the joining conduit 18 and out through the conduit box lid 19.When the locking bolt is removed the legs can he pushed flat.

The anale in which the le:as can travel is determined by the hinging bolts 9 along the slots 20.

As shown in figure 8. A cross section of the hinge box, showing the inside works and the conduit box lid fixing holes.211. The joining conduit makes the legs work- Sim-ultaneousIv.

As shown in figure 9. The sliding inovenient 22 of the hinging bolts 9 and the angle of the slot '23 which is over 90'.

9 As shown in figure 10. The slots 20 for the hinging bolts are cut along the conduit thread helix angle. This allow the bolts to run smoothly as the bolts move side to side when moved around.

To use the cable reeler take the two halves and erect the legs from position 13 to position 1 -'2. and place the locking bolts 17 into the locking holes 11. Then place the cable ree!s over the bar 3. Then insert bar 2 into bar 3 and push together and then allow the trame to rest on the t1oor. After use reverse the sequence. Pullthetwo lialvesapart. takeoff the cable reels, remove the locking bolts 17 and fold the let's flat to position 131 and store away.

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Claims (6)

1. A lay flat e,-,--tendible cable reeler comprises two halves slotted together, that can slide apart, and with collapsible legs to enable the cable reeler to be stored into a smaller space.

2. A lav flat extendible cable reeler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body parts slide into each other enablinp- it to be extended or shortened.

31. A lay flat extendible cable reeler as claimed in claim I and claim 2, xvherein the body parts slide into each other givine a non-rock-ing frame on e-ven and une-ven surfaces.

4. A lay flat extendible cable reeler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the legs are liin2ed to the main fi7ame.

5. A lay flat extendible cable reeler as claimed in claim I and claim 4, wherein the leas are leanina into the main frame.

6. A lay flat extendible cable reeler substantially as described herein with reference to Figures I to 10 of the accompanying drawings.

6. A lav he. ex-tendible cable reeler as claimed in claim 1, claim 4. and claim 5.. wherein the leas are lock-able in the erect position..

7. A k -tendible cable reclcr as claimcd in claim I and claim 4, wherein the I z lay flat ex I slots in which the lea hinaina bolts rotate are ctit along the helix angle.

8. A lay flat extendible cable reeler substantially as described herein with reference to fip-ures 1 to 10 of the accompam.ing drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been fil:a-d as T-Oiio'ws 1. A LIV flit extendible cable recler is a coll-11'sible support f6r a cable reel or reels Comprising a I)air oflelescoikal1v aditistable elon- pulle members. pivotaliv connected it flicir outer ends to legs which are pivotal between erect positions. in wliich a reel or rcels can be supported on the elongate members, and collapsed 1)ositions coplanar willi said rnembers.

2. A lay flat extendible cable reeler as in clairn 1, wherein the elongated members are iree to pivot relative to each other, giving file cable reeler a non-rocking self-a(Ijustable fi-at ine on even an(l unevenstirfacei even when moved to another position.

3. A lav flat extendible cable reeler as in claim 1. wherein f lie Ie-gs areable to pivot frorn lay flat to erect positions, relative to file elongate members.

4. A lav flat extendible cable reeler as in.claim I and claim 3. wherein file legs are leaning info tile elongated MeMbers: wfien ere cl.

5. A lay flat extendible cable reeler as in claim I and claim 4. wherein tile legs when pivoted to the erect posifion are able to he locked into position..