GB2405137A

GB2405137A - Roll holder with foldable spindle

Info

Publication number: GB2405137A
Application number: GB0319634A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Denise Ann Sanderson
Original assignee: BAE Systems PLC
Current assignee: BAE Systems PLC
Priority date: 2003-08-21
Filing date: 2003-08-21
Publication date: 2005-02-23
Also published as: GB0319634D0

Abstract

An apparatus (2) for holding a roll (6) of material comprising a spindle (4), about which the roll is free to rotate, which in use is substantially vertical to support a roll of material. The spindle may comprise a joint mechanism (18) to facilitate loading/unloading of rolls by pivoting the spindle to a horizontal position and may be provided with a plate to support the roll at an adjustable height. There may also be pinch (22) means that allows the material to be pulled through, thereby unrolling material from the roll, but otherwise retains the material in a pinch.

Description

2405 1 37 - 1

ROLL HOLDING APPARATUS

This invention relates to the field of aerospace manufacture, particularly to an apparatus for supporting rolls of material.

A variety of sheet materials are used during the manufacture of aerospace components. The materials are typically held on rolls, normally over a metro in length. As so many materials need to be used in the manufacture of typical components, there is a problem of storing the rolls of material near to the point of use in such a way that they are easy to use. Currently, these rolls of material are held on frames, the ends of which are upright A-shapes with the to rolls held on horizontal spindles on either side of the frame. In use, the spindle rotates so that material can be pulled off the roll and cut to the required length.

To change a roll of material, the roll and spindle is lifted off the frame and the roll slid off the spindle. However, due to their size and nature, the rolls of material can be particularly heavy, often requiring two people to remove each s roll from the frame. The frames also take up a lot of room and are awkward to move. If the roll of material is supported on the side of the frame furthest from the component being manufactured, the frame has to be turned around to avoid damaging the material by passing it through the frame, past any other rolls.

Accordingly the present invention provides an apparatus for holding a roll so of material ready to be unrolled, comprising a spindle about which the roll is free to rotate wherein in use for unrolling material the spindle is substantially vertical.

With the roll of material held vertical, more can be used in the same space. The apparatus is easier to move than the prior art support frame as usually only one roll is supported at any time.

s Preferably, the spindle is provided with a joint to facilitate the loading or unloading of rolls of material. This enables the upper part of the spindle to be lowered, so the roll of material can be loaded onto or unloaded from the spindle more easily without excessive lifting, so avoiding back strain of operators.

Another advantage is the apparatus may be operated by one person.

so Advantageously, a plate may be provided, adapted to support the roll of material on the spindle. When the roll is at ground level the plate protects the - 2 cleanliness of the bottom end of the roll. Where the position of the plate can be adjusted up and down the spindle, the additional advantage is the roll may be positioned at a suitable height as required.

Optionally, there may be pinch means that allows the material to be pulled through but otherwise retains the material in a pinch. Such an arrangement stops the roll of material unwinding unintentionally while keeping the end of the material freely accessible. The pinch means may also be used as a cutting guide.

The invention will now be described by way of example and with to reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows the apparatus of Figure 1 in an alternative position for the loading or unloading of a roll of material.

Figure 3 is a detailed view of the spindle folding mechanism.

Figure 4 shows the folding mechanism of Figure 3 in a locked vertical position.

Figure 1 shows the apparatus 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention comprising a spindle 4 about which a roll of material 6 is free to rotate. In the position shown in Figure 1 the spindle 4 is substantially vertical.

so The free end of the material 8 is held away from the spindle 4 so when the material is to be dispensed, the end 8 can be pulled away from the spindle causing the roll of material 6 to rotate about the spindle, thus unwinding the roll and dispensing the material.

The roll of material 6 is supported on an adjustable plate 10. The plate As shown in Figure 1 is circular with a central hole of slightly larger diameter than the spindle diameter. Underneath the plate is a locking collar arrangement (not shown), on which the plate sits. The plate can be moved along the axis of the spindle and the locking collar locked so that the plate rests on the locking collar.

The adjustable plate enables the apparatus to hold different length rolls at a so height easy for an operator to use. When the roll is placed at ground level, the - 3 use of the plate 10 assists in keeping the bottom end of the roll 12 clean. To enable the roll of material 6 to rotate freely about the spindle 4, the plate 10 comprises a turntable device, an additional advantage of which is reduced wear of the end of the roll 12. Equally, the plate 10 may be coated with or made from material with a low coefficient of friction, for example it could be coated with Teflon The spindle shown in Figure 1 has a base 14 to support the apparatus in an upright position, with bolt holes 16 through which to secure the apparatus relative to the floor. The base may be weighted to support the apparatus or to alternatively the spindle 4 may be directly attached to the surface on which the apparatus stands.

The spindle 4 has a joint 18 which is more clearly shown in operation in Figure 2. The joint allows the spindle 4 to be folded from the substantially vertical position to enable a roll of material to be loaded onto or unloaded from the spindle 4 more easily.

The joint is shown in more detail in Figures 3 and 4. The jointed spindle comprises two parts, a first member 30 and a second member 32. The first member 30 has a shaft 34 having the same axis as the spindle but of smaller diameter than the spindle. The shaft 34 is positioned between a pair of flanges JO 36 defined by the second member, adapted to seat the first member. The flanges 36 each have a hole 38 of equal diameter, the shaft 34 located between the flanges having a slot opening 40 parallel to the axis of the shaft such that a pin 42 penetrates the three apertures in a manner to pivotally secure the members together for relative angular articulation. The length of the shaft 34 z and flanges 36 is such that the two spindle members 30 and 32 are locked in a substantially vertical position when the shaft 34 is nested within the socket assembly provided by the second member, as shown in Figure 4. The pin 42 and slot 40 allow movement longitudinal to the slot, enabling the first member to be raised from a nesting position within the socket assembly so that the shaft 34 So is free to rotate about the pin 42, the end of the shaft 34 passing through either of the slots between the flanges 36. The joint may be folded past the horizontal position to ease the loading or unloading of a roll of material. Additional means (not shown) may be provided to lock the joint 18 with the upper part of the spindle in a substantially horizontal or any other position that might be required for ease of loading/unloading. The roll of material may be stored in the horizontal position if required. It is preferable in this case for the joint to be positioned near the base plate and the length of the roll to be supported by the upper part of the spindle 30 (as shown in Figure 2). This is advantageous for storing rolls for long periods of time to prevent the material sagging on the roll.

Figures 1 and 2 show a retaining arrangement 20 attached to the apparatus. The retaining arrangement consists of two closely-spaced, generally to parallel-sided members 22, substantially parallel to the spindle 4. The free end of the material 8 is fed between the pair of members 22 and the members pinch the free end of material to keep the end of the material 8 freely accessible and preventing the roll 6 unintentionally unwinding, a tendency of material having the nature of, for example, tissue paper. The pair of members 22 may consist of opposing brushes or similar devices. For example, the material may be a film having one or both surfaces protected by a substrate, from which it needs to be separated, and this can be affected by the retaining arrangement 20.

Alternatively the retaining arrangement may be used as a guide along which to run a blade or it may comprise a blade cutting system (not shown) . The retaining arrangement 20 may be held at an angle to the vertical to help dispense material from the roll 6 onto a horizontal object.

Having now described an embodiment of the invention, numerous modifications will become apparent to the skilled person. For example, the base 14 may be circular or any other shape, with any number of bolt holes or other means of securing the apparatus relative to the floor.

The retaining arrangement 20 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is attached to the spindle 4 but may instead be attached to the plate 10 or base 14.

Alternatively the retaining arrangement may be removably attached to the top end of the spindle 4 whereby it is removed for the loading of a roll of material 6 onto the spindle 4 and replaced for use. l - 5

The end of the spindle is shown in Figures 1 and 2 as being conical in shape, to facilitate the loading of a roll of material. However, the end need not be shaped as shown. - 6

Claims

1. Apparatus for use in the aerospace industry for holding a cylindrical roll of material ready to be unrolled, wherein the roll is at least one metre in length, the apparatus comprising a spindle about which the roll is free to rotate wherein in use for unrolling material the spindle is substantially vertical.

2. Apparatus as in Claim 1 wherein the spindle is foldable to facilitate loading/removing of a roll onto/from the spindle.

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3. Apparatus as in Claim 2 wherein the foldable part of the spindle can be locked in a substantially vertical position.

4. Apparatus as in Claim 2 or 3 wherein the spindle can be locked in a substantially horizontal position.

5. Apparatus as in any of the above claims having a plate adapted to support the roll of material on the spindle.

6. Apparatus as in Claim 5 comprising means for which the position of the plate along the axis of the spindle can be adjusted.

7. Apparatus as in Claim 5 or 6 wherein the plate comprises friction reducing means to enable the roll to rotate freely.

8. Apparatus as in Claim 7 wherein the plate is a turntable.

9. Apparatus as in any of the preceding claims comprising pinch means through which the material to be unrolled may pass, the pinch means allowing the material to be pulled through but otherwise retaining the material in a pinch.

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10. Apparatus as in any of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus is secured relative to the floor.

11. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.