GB2459552A

GB2459552A - Adjustable width winding device

Info

Publication number: GB2459552A
Application number: GB0904424A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adrian Thickett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-04-15
Filing date: 2009-03-16
Publication date: 2009-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 2029-03-16
Also published as: GB0904424D0; GB0806857D0; GB2459552B

Abstract

A winding device 1' comprises two spaced parallel parts 2', 3' joined by a cross part 4' and a spindle 6' which is supported by at least one of the two parts 2', 3' and is movable axially between a position extending into the space between parts 2', 3' enabling a strap 11' or other elongate element to be wound on to it form a coil by rotating the spindle 6', and a position in which it is retracted from the space, retraction of the spindle 6' from the space and from within the coil allowing the coil to be removed from the device, and at least one of parts 2', 3' is mounted on the cross part 4' for linear sliding movement towards and away from the other of parts 2', 3'). Means may be provided to lock part 3' in position relative to cross part 4', the locking means may comprise a spring (10' fig 8) and a pivotable arm (12' fig 8) with a protuberance (12c' fig 8) which can be fitted into any one of a number of aperture (4a' fig 8) in cross part 4'. Stops (4b' fig 8) may be provided on cross part 4' to limit the movement of part 3'. Cargo lashing strap 11' may include a hook 16 and a hook attachment 14 may be used to secure the hook to the spindle 6'.

Description

Title: Winding Device

Description of Invention

This invention relates to winding devices.

The invention has been devised primarily in relation to devices for winding straps used for securing loads, for example on lorries. Frequently, when such straps have been used to secure a load, they are left lying on the lorry and not only is this untidy but they may become tangled. Preferably, therefore, the straps should be wound into a coil which enables them to be stowed in an out-of-the way position and ready for re-use. When a strap is in its wound condition this helps in securing the next load as the most common way of passing the strap over the load is by holding the metal hook provided at one end of the strap and throwing the coil over the load so that it uncoils as it passes over the load.

The following description will be directed to this application of the invention but it is to be understood that there is no limitation in this regard as the invention may be applied to devices for winding other elongate elements such, for example, as a rope, lay-flat hose, electrical cable or a drop line of a hot air balloon.

Various forms of winding devices have previously been proposed. One known form of device comprises a one-piece, generally U-shaped body having two spaced, parallel parts joined by a cross part, and a spindle which is mounted on one of said spaced parts and is movable axially between a first position in which it extends into the space between said parts enabling a strap to be wound on to it to form a coil by rotating the spindle, and a second position in which it is retracted from the said space, movement of the spindle from the first to the second position withdrawing it from within the coil so that the coil can be removed from the device. One disadvantage of this form of device is that it cannot cope satisfactorily with straps of different widths.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved winding device of this form which, in particular, can be used to coil straps of different widths.

According to the invention there is provided a winding device comprising two spaced, generally parallel parts joined by a cross part, and a spindle which is supported by at least one of said two spaced parts and is movable axially between a first position in which it extends into the space between said two parts enabling a strap or other elongate element to be wound on to it form a coil by rotating the spindle, and a second position in which it is retracted from the said space, movement of the spindle from the first to the second position withdrawing it from within the coil so that the coil can be removed from the device, characterised by the fact that at least one of said two parts is mounted on the cross part for linear sliding movement towards and away from the other of said two parts.

This arrangement allows the distance between the two spaced parts of the body of the device to be varied by adjusting the one movable part or, if both parts are movable, one or both of said parts so that straps or other elongate elements of different widths can be accommodated in the space between the parts.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention the device may be provided with means for locking the or each movable part in position relative to the cross part on which it is mounted. Preferably these means are adapted to lock the or each movable part in any one of a number of predetermined positions. Alternatively the said means may be adapted to lock the or each movable part in an infinite number of positions within a limited range of positions.

The locking means is preferably operable automatically to lock the or each movable part in position. To achieve this, the said means may be spring means arranged to act by its spring action between the movable part and the cross part to lock the movable part in position, its spring action being capable of being overcome by movement of the movable part relative to the cross part.

Preferably only one of the two spaced parts is movable relative to the cross part, the latter being fixed to the other part.

In a specific embodiment the spring means is mounted on the movable part and is provided with a protuberance which is engageable under its spring action in any one of a series of recesses or apertures in the cross part corresponding to the said predetermined positions to prevent movement of the movable part relative to the cross part, the spring action being such that it can be overcome by applying sufficient force to move the movable part thereby enabling it to be moved to another position.

Preferably the spindle is mounted for rotation in the movable part and arranged in its first position to extend into an aperture in the other of the two spaced parts so that it is supported by both parts. This aperture may be provided by a hollow handle secured to said other part and arranged to be gripped by one hand whilst the spindle is being rotated by the other hand, the spindle being provided with a handle for this purpose. The device is therefore portable and can be used without it having to be secured to a support.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of winding device according to the invention; Figure 2 is an elevational view of the device; Figure 3 is a section taken on the line A-A in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a section taken on the line B-B in Figure 2; Figure 5 is a section taken on the line C-C in Figure 2; Figure 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of winding device according to the invention; Figure 7 is a top view of the winding device shown in Figure 6 from the direction D in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a part cross-sectional view of the winding device shown in Figures 6 and 7 taken on the line E-E in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the winding device shown in Figure 6, 7 and 8, taken on the line F-F in Figure 8; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the winding device shown in Figures 6 to 9 with a strap wound round the spindle; Figure 11 is a perspective view of the winding device shown in Figures 6 to 9 with an additional hook attachment; Figure 12 is a perspective view of the winding device shown in Figure 11 with a strap attached; and Figure 13 is a perspective view of the winding device shown in Figure 11 with the hook attachment dismounted from the spindle.

The winding device illustrated in the drawings has been designed primarily for winding a strap used for securing loads. It has a body 1 comprising two spaced, parallel parts 2, 3 interconnected by a cross member 4. The parts 2, 3 and the member 4 are formed from rectangular section tube and provided with end closures 5. The member 4 is rigidly secured to the part 2 and extends through a complementarily shaped aperture in the part 3 so that the latter is slidable linearly relative to the part 2 to vary the distance between the two parts whilst maintaining parallelism between the parts.

The part 3 supports a spindle 6 which is movable axially between a first position as shown in the drawings in which it extends into the space between the two parts so that a strap can be wound on to it by rotating the spindle, and a position in which it is retracted from that space so that the coil into which the strap has been wound can be removed from the device.

The spindle 6 is formed with a longitudinal groove 6a which extends right to the free end of the spindle 6 and into which one end of a strap can be inserted, thereby holding the end of the strap as the strap is wound on to the spindle 6.

Then, as the spindle 6 is retracted, the end of the strap slides out of the groove 6a to release the coil.

In order to assist in retaining the end of the strap on the spindle 6 during winding of the strap onto the spindle 6, the inner faces of the groove 6a may be provided with a plurality of protuberances or "teeth".

Where provided, the teeth are spaced along both sides of the groove 6a, and in a preferred embodiment, are interleaved so that the teeth on one side of the groove 6a lie opposite the mid-point between the teeth on the other side of the groove 6a. The end of the strap located in the groove must therefore be deformed in a zig-zag manner, around the teeth, and this may assist in retaining the strap in the groove 6d. Such teeth need not be provided, however, and in the preferred embodiments of the invention, retention of the strap in the groove 6a is achieved by making the edges of the groove 6a sufficiently sharp that they "bite" into the strap, but do not cause significant damage to the strap or constitute a hazard to a user.

The spindle is mounted for rotation in an aperture in the part 3 by a bearing 7 and is provided with a cranked handle 8 for turning it. In the first position of the spindle its free end extends into and is supported by a hollow handle 9 secured to the part 2. Thus, when winding a strap on to the spindle the handle 9 is gripped in one hand and the cranked handle 8 is turned by the other hand.

The part 3 of the body 1 is arranged to be automatically locked in any one of a number of predetermined positions relative to the part 2 to which it can be moved in order to vary the spacing of the two parts so as to cater for straps of different widths. The cross member 4 is formed with a series of longitudinally spaced holes 4a corresponding to the said positions, which in the example are on a front surface of the cross member 4. As shown in Figure 4 two spring elements 10 are located in the aperture in the part 3 through which the cross member extends, at opposite sides of the member. These elements may be made from spring metal sheet or any other suitable resiliently deformable material. Each element is formed at its ends with rolled portions lOa arranged to engage opposite sides of the part 3 and thereby hold the element in position and prevent it moving when the part 3 is slid over the cross member (the ends of the element may instead be bent at right angles to engage opposite sides of the part 3). Each element is also formed with a protuberance or dimple lOb arranged to engage in any one of the holes 4a at the relevant side of the cross member 4, Thus, when the part 3 is moved relative to the cross member to adjust the device the protuberances lOb are depressed against the spring action of the elements 10 so that they are disengaged from the holes 4a.

When the parts 3 and 4 have been adjusted to the required spacing the protuberances automatically engage in the corresponding holes in the cross member under the spring action thereby locating the parts in position. When a force is applied to the movable part 3 at a location spaced from its longitudinal axis, for example when the spindle is extracted from a strap that has been wound on to it, the movable part is automatically locked in position by becoming jammed as a result of the rotational force generated between the cross member 4 and the aperture in the movable part through which it extends.

Stops 4b provided on the front surface of the cross member 4 limit the extent of the adjustment that is permitted, these stops coming up against the rolled portions of the elements 10 when the limits are reached. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the stops 4b could be provided on a different surface of the cross member 4 to the apertures 4a, and therefore engage with the movable part 3, rather than the rolled portions of the spring elements 10, when the limits are reached.

An alternative embodiment of winding device 1' is illustrated in Figures 6 to 10.

This embodiment is very similar to that described above in that it includes two spaced, parallel parts 2', 3' which are interconnected by a cross member 4' and which are closed with end closures 5', a spindle 6', bearing 7', cranked handle 8', and hollow handle 9', all of these parts being arranged and functioning in the same way as the equivalent parts in the first embodiment of winding device 1 described above. The main difference between the two embodiments lies in the mechanism by means of which the part 3' is locked in a selected position relative to the part 2'. In this embodiment, the longitudinally spaced holes 4a' are provided in an uppermost surface (i.e. the surface facing the spindle 6') of the cross member 4', and the part 3' is provided with one spring element 10', which comprises a helical spring which bears on an arm 12'. The arm 12' is mounted in the part 3' so that it can pivot relative to the part 3' about its first end 12a' and an axis X which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis G of the part 3'. The second end 1 2b' of the arm 12' is provided with a generally hemi-spherical protuberance 12c' which is configured to fit into the apertures 4a' in the cross member 4'. The spring element 10' extends between the second end 12b' of the arm 12' and the part 3', and, as the part 3' is moved along the cross member 4', when one of the apertures 4a' in the cross member 4' moves into alignment with the second end 12b' of the arm 12', pushes the protuberance 12c' into the aperture 4a' to lock the part 3' relative to the cross member 4' and the part 2'.

The force exerted by the spring element 10' is sufficiently weak, however, that by a user exerting a moderate force to slide the part 3' along the cross member 4', the protuberance 12c' may be pushed out of the aperture 4a' against the biasing force of the spring element 10' thus allowing further adjustment of the part 3'.

The winding device 1' with a strap 11' wound on the spindle 6' is illustrated in Figure 10.

Various further modifications may be made to the device within the scope of the invention. The body may be made from oval section tubing or flat folded sheet metal. The body may be made of a suitable plastics material.

Instead of using a grooved spindle, the device may be provided with a spindle having two spaced parallel members projecting from it.

Alternatively, rather than being adapted to engage with the free end of a strap, the spindle 6 may be configured to engage with a hook of the sort which is often provided on one end of a strap used for securing a load on a lorry. In order to achieve this, the winding device 1' may be provided an optional hook attachment 14' which may be mounted on the spindle 6' as illustrated in Figure 11. The attachment 14' includes a body 1 4a' with a generally cylindrical central bore 14b' which is of slightly larger diameter than the spindle 6', and which is provided with an inwardly extending tongue part which is adapted to be inserted into the groove 6a' as the attachment 14' is mounted onto the spindle 6'. It will be appreciated that engagement of the tongue part in the groove 6a' prevents rotation of the attachment about the spindle 6', The body 14a' includes a wing 14d' which extends from around the central bore 14b', the wing 14d' tapering from a large thickness around the central bore 14b' to a smaller thickness at its free end, and is profiled to engage with a hook 16' of a strap 11' which is hooked around the free end of the wing 1 4d' as illustrated in Figure 12. In a further alternative embodiment, the attachment 14' may be provided with two wings 14d' which are diametrically opposite one another.

The hook attachment 14' is designed to be easily removable from the spindle 6', so that a user has the choice as to which method of securing the strap 11 to the spindle 6' to use. One of the parts 2', 3' may be provided with mechanical locating means in or on which the hook attachment 14' may be mounted when not in use on the spindle 6', as illustrated in Figure 13.

If the hook 16 is significantly wider than the strap 11' it may be advantageous to provide the surfaces of the parts 2', 3' which face the other part 3', 2' with guide extensions, which extend over a substantial proportion of the length of the parts 2', 3' between the cross member 4' and the spindle 6', inwardly towards the other part 2', 3'. The ends of the guide extensions adjacent the spindle 6' are spaced from the spindle 6', so that the hook 16 can be accommodated between the two parallel parts 2', 3', whilst the guide extensions engage with the narrower strap 11', to ensure that the strap 11' is neatly coiled on the spindle 6'.

Instead of the holes 4a the cross member may be provided with a series of teeth or other depressions defining the predetermined positions.

In a further modification the device may incorporate instead of, or in addition to the automatic locking arrangement, a manual locking mechanism that will facilitate locking of the movable part 3 in positions other than the predetermined positions.

The spring elements could be replaced by a coiled spring arranged to cause a baIl to engage in the holes in the cross member or, if the cross member is made of a resiliently deformable material, its properties may be utilised to cause teeth or notches to provide the locking action. In yet a further modification a mechanical assembly comprising of a knob and screw thread or helix could be utilised to provide for manual adjustment of the movable part 3.

The stops 4b on the cross member may come into direct contact with the movable part 3 if the rolled portions are omitted or they are located at the top and bottom sides of the cross member.

In a further modification the spindle may be power-driven, the device being furnished with a suitable motor for this purpose.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A winding device comprising two spaced, generally parallel parts joined by a cross part, and a spindle which is supported by at least one of said two spaced parts and is movable axially between a first position in which it extends into the space between said two parts enabling a strap or other elongate element to be wound on to it form a coil by rotating the spindle, and a second position in which it is retracted from the said space, movement of the spindle from the first to the second position withdrawing it from within the coil so that the coil can be removed from the device, characterised by the fact that at least one of said two parts is mounted on the cross part for linear sliding movement towards and away from the other of said two parts.
2. A winding device according to claim 1 wherein the device is provided with means for locking the or each movable part in position relative to the cross part on which it is mounted.
3. A winding device according to claim 2 wherein these means are adapted to lock the or each movable part in any one of a number of predetermined positions.
4. A winding device according to claim 2 wherein the said means is adapted to lock the or each movable part in an infinite number of positions within a limited range of positions.
5. A winding device according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the locking means is operable automatically to lock the or each movable part in position.
6. A winding device according to claim 5 wherein the locking means may comprise spring means arranged to act by its spring action between the movable part and the cross part to lock the movable part in position, its spring action being capable of being overcome by movement of the movable part relative to the cross part.
7. A winding device according to any preceding claim wherein only one of the two spaced parts is movable relative to the cross part, the latter being fixed to the other part.
8. A winding device according to claim 6 wherein the spring means is mounted on the movable part and is provided with a protuberance which is engageable under its spring action in any one of a series of recesses or apertures in the cross part corresponding to the said predetermined positions to prevent movement of the movable part relative to the cross part, the spring action being such that it can be overcome by applying sufficient force to move the movable part thereby enabling it to be moved to another position.
9. A winding device according to any preceding claim wherein the spindle is mounted for rotation in the movable part and arranged in its first position to extend into an aperture in the other of the two spaced parts so that it is supported by both parts.
10. A winding device according to claim 9 wherein the aperture is provided by a hollow handle secured to said other part and arranged to be gripped by one hand whilst the spindle is being rotated by the other hand, the spindle being provided with a handle for this purpose.
11. A winding device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
12. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or In the accompanying drawings.