GB2583111A - A cable reel trolley - Google Patents

A cable reel trolley Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2583111A
GB2583111A GB1905402.2A GB201905402A GB2583111A GB 2583111 A GB2583111 A GB 2583111A GB 201905402 A GB201905402 A GB 201905402A GB 2583111 A GB2583111 A GB 2583111A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
cable reel
cable
trolley
frame
reel trolley
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1905402.2A
Other versions
GB201905402D0 (en
Inventor
Horgan Billy
Horgan Chris
Finn Keith
Lane Jim
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Dexgreen Ltd
Original Assignee
Dexgreen Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dexgreen Ltd filed Critical Dexgreen Ltd
Priority to GB1905402.2A priority Critical patent/GB2583111A/en
Publication of GB201905402D0 publication Critical patent/GB201905402D0/en
Priority to IE20200057A priority patent/IE20200057A1/en
Publication of GB2583111A publication Critical patent/GB2583111A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B1/00—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor
    • B62B1/18—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor in which the load is disposed between the wheel axis and the handles, e.g. wheelbarrows
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
    • B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
    • B65H75/34—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables
    • B65H75/38—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material
    • B65H75/40—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material mobile or transportable
    • B65H75/403—Carriage with wheels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B1/00—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor
    • B62B1/008—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor having a prop or stand for maintaining position
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B1/00—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor
    • B62B1/10—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor in which the load is intended to be transferred totally to the wheels
    • B62B1/14—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor in which the load is intended to be transferred totally to the wheels involving means for grappling or securing in place objects to be carried; Loading or unloading equipment
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B1/00—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor
    • B62B1/18—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor in which the load is disposed between the wheel axis and the handles, e.g. wheelbarrows
    • B62B1/20—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor in which the load is disposed between the wheel axis and the handles, e.g. wheelbarrows involving parts being collapsible, attachable, detachable or convertible
    • B62B1/208—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor in which the load is disposed between the wheel axis and the handles, e.g. wheelbarrows involving parts being collapsible, attachable, detachable or convertible foldable
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B1/00—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor
    • B62B1/26—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor characterised by supports specially adapted to objects of definite shape
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B1/00—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor
    • B62B1/26—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor characterised by supports specially adapted to objects of definite shape
    • B62B1/264—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor characterised by supports specially adapted to objects of definite shape the objects being of cylindrical shape, e.g. barrels, buckets, dustbins
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H49/00—Unwinding or paying-out filamentary material; Supporting, storing or transporting packages from which filamentary material is to be withdrawn or paid-out
    • B65H49/18—Methods or apparatus in which packages rotate
    • B65H49/20—Package-supporting devices
    • B65H49/32—Stands or frameworks
    • B65H49/321—Stands or frameworks characterised by features enabling their folding or dismantling
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
    • B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
    • B65H75/34—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables
    • B65H75/38—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material
    • B65H75/44—Constructional details
    • B65H75/4457—Arrangements of the frame or housing
    • B65H75/4465—Foldable or collapsible
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B2202/00—Indexing codes relating to type or characteristics of transported articles
    • B62B2202/02—Cylindrically-shaped articles, e.g. drums, barrels, flasks
    • B62B2202/025—Reels, e.g. for filamentary or sheet material
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
    • H02G1/00—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines
    • H02G1/06—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for laying cables, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
    • H02G11/00—Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts
    • H02G11/02—Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts using take-up reel or drum

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Storing, Repeated Paying-Out, And Re-Storing Of Elongated Articles (AREA)

Abstract

A cable reel trolley 100 comprising a frame 101 having a pair of ground engaging wheel 130s, at least one ground engaging foot 105, a forwardly projecting handle 109 and a removeable spindle 107 releasably secured to the frame. The frame is foldable to and from a stowed, substantially flat configuration and an expanded operational configuration. The handle is preferably slidable, ideally telescopically in one of the other frame parts. There may be a braking mechanism (117, see fig.8) for engagement of a cable reel. The braking mechanism may comprise a braking disc (401, see fig. 30) to allow a plethora of disparate shaped and sized cable reels to be used with the cable reel trolley. The brake system may comprise a braking arm 121 for engagement with a braking pad and the pad may be pivotally mounted on the frame. The braking arm may comprise an elongate arm slidably mounted in a housing and may comprise a saw-toothed arrangement for providing a plurality of mounting points for engagement of the brake pad.

Description

"A cable reel trolley"
Introduction
This invention relates to a cable reel trolley.
Cable reels are commonly used to store a plethora of disparate types of cables including, but not limited to, wire, electrical cable, hosepipe, co-axial cable, insulated copper and fibre optic cable. The cable reels enable the cable to be stored compactly and transported from one location to another with relative ease. Furthermore, the cable reels obviate the likelihood of kinks forming in the cables which can have a detrimental effect on the performance of the cable.
One problem experienced by workers in the telecommunications industry in particular is how to manoeuvre the cable reel from one location to another. Often, the cable reel will by heavy and difficult to manoeuvre from one location to another. In many cases, the cable reel will comprise a substantially cylindrical spool bounded at each end by a disc having a greater diameter than the spool. In those cases, provided the cable does not protrude in a radial direction beyond the circumferential rim of the disc, the heavy cable reel may be rolled along the ground.
However, it is often not possible to roll the cable reel along the ground particularly if the cable reel is to be moved along uneven or soft terrain. Furthermore, if the cable reel is heavy, there are health and safety concerns associated with this method particularly if the cable reel is to be manoeuvred up or down a steep incline. In addition to the foregoing, if the cable protrudes in a radial direction beyond the circumferential rim of the disc, the cable reel cannot be rolled along the ground on the disc rims for fear of damaging the cable.
It is an object therefore of the present invention to provide a cable reel trolley that may be used to transport a cable reel from one location to another that obviates at least some of the problems with the known methods. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cable reel trolley that may be used with a plurality of different cable reels and with cable reels of different dimensions. -2 -
Statements of Invention
According to the invention there is provided a cable reel trolley comprising a frame having a pair of ground engaging wheels, at least one ground engaging foot, a forwardly projecting handle and a removeable spindle releasably secured to the frame, the frame being foldable to and from a stowed configuration and an expanded configuration, and in which there is provided a braking mechanism for engagement of a cable reel.
By having such a cable reel trolley, the cable reel may be mounted on the trolley by separating the removable spindle from the frame, inserting the spindle through a central aperture in the cable reel spool and then remounting the cable reel on the cable reel trolley frame. Once in position, the cable reel may then be transported from one location to another on the cable reel trolley. This will obviate the possibility of the cable being damaged from being rolled along the ground and will be safer than rolling the cable reel in or around inclines. Furthermore, the cable will be easier to transport and manoeuvre as the operator may pull the trolley along behind themselves rather than carrying the cable reel or bending down to roll the cable reel along the ground. Once the cable reel trolley with the cable reel mounted thereon is in the correct location and it is desired to pay out cable from the cable reel, the cable reel trolley may be set down and the ground engaging feet will provide a secure and sturdy base. The cable reel is then able to rotate around the spindle to pay out cable. Advantageously, the frame is foldable so that it may be stowed in a compact and secure manner when in transit in a service van or the like. Additionally, there is provided a braking mechanism for engagement of the cable reel which will ensure that the amount of cable that is paid out can be carefully controlled.
The braking mechanism will obviate the possibility of the cable reel being rotated too fast and allowing excessive length of cable to be paid out.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a cable reel trolley in which the cable reel trolley is configured to receive any one of a plurality of differently-dimensioned cable reels and the braking mechanism is configured to engage each of the plurality of differently-dimensioned cable reels. -3 -
This is seen as another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the telecommunications industry, where the present invention is considered to be particularly suited, it is common for different sized spools of cable to be used depending on the type of cable, the application, and depending on the supplier of the cable. For example, insulated copper wire, coaxial cable and fibre optic cable may all be provided on cable reels of differing dimensions with respect to each other. Indeed, even the same type of cable, e.g. fibre optic cable, may be provided on different sized spools from different manufacturers or on different sized spools for different lengths of cable from the same manufacturer. It is advantageous therefore that the cable reel trolley is configured so that it can be used effectively with a plurality of differently-sized cable reels.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a cable reel trolley in which the forwardly projecting handle is slidably mounted on the frame slidable to and from a deployed expanded configuration and a retracted stowed configuration. This is seen as a useful way in providing a handle that may be positioned in either a deployed configuration or a stowed configuration with relative ease.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a cable reel trolley in which the handle is telescopically mounted on the frame, the handle having an arm sleeved inside another portion of the frame for reciprocal movement to and from the deployed expanded configuration and the retracted stowed configuration. This is seen as a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention as it will allow the handle to be positioned in either a deployed or a stowed configuration with ease while at the same time offering a compact frame that will take up less space when in a stowed configuration during storage or transit.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a cable reel trolley in which the handle is pivotably mounted on the frame and moveable to and from a deployed configuration in which it is operable for use in maneuvering the cable reel trolley and a stowed configuration in which it is stored compactly in a position where it will not impede the paying out of cable. In this way, the handle will not impede cable as the cable is being paid out from the cable reel. The handle can be stored in a compact manner when not in use, for example when the cable reel trolley is being transported in the back of a technician's van. -4 -
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a cable reel trolley in which the braking mechanism comprising a brake pad and an adjustable braking arm for engagement of the brake pad. This is seen as useful as the adjustable braking arm will allow differently-sized cable reels to be operated upon by the braking mechanism.
Furthermore, this will also allow different braking pressures to be applied to a cable reel. In this way, more or less braking pressure may be applied depending on the user preference or the braking pressure required for the weight of a cable.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a cable reel trolley in which the brake pad is pivotably mounted on the frame.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a cable reel trolley in which the adjustable braking arm is pivotably mounted on the frame.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a cable reel trolley in which the adjustable braking arm comprises an elongate arm slidably mounted in a housing and a spring acting on the arm drawing it inwardly into the housing. This is seen as a particularly simple construction of braking arm.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a cable reel trolley in which the adjustable braking arm comprises a plurality of mounting points for engagement of the brake pad. Again, this is seen as a particularly simple construction of braking arm that will allow adjustment of the braking mechanism for differently sized cable reels or to adjust the braking force exerted on the cable reel.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a cable reel trolley in which the adjustable braking arm comprises a saw-toothed arrangement for providing the plurality of mounting points for engagement of the brake pad.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a cable reel trolley in which the braking mechanism comprises a braking disc for mounting on the spindle and for engagement of the cable reel, the braking disc being acted upon by the brake pad. This is seen as another particularly useful configuration of cable reel trolley according to the -5 -invention. In this way, the braking disc may be connected to the cable reel and the braking disc can be used by the brake pad to slow the rotation of the cable reel. This will allow cable reels with non-circular end caps to be used with the cable reel trolley. It will also, if desired reduce the level of adjustability required of the braking arm and brake pad.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a cable reel trolley in which there is provided a plug mounted on the spindle for engagement of a cable reel. By having a plug, cable reels with different internal spool diameters may be used with the cable reel trolley.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a cable reel trolley in which the plug is frusto-conical in shape. This is seen as a particularly simple way of connecting the cable reel to the spindle in a secure manner that will work with a range of different internal spool diameters.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a cable reel trolley in which the plug is slidably arranged on the spindle and there is provided means to secure the plug-in position along the spindle. By having such a configuration, cable reels of differing widths may be used on the cable reel trolley to good effect.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a cable reel trolley in which the frame comprises a pair of C-shaped frame parts pivotably connected to each other at their open ends by way of a pair of hinge brackets, one of the hinge brackets being located adjacent the first free end of one of the pair of C-shaped frame parts and the first free end of the other of the pair of C-shaped frame parts, and the other of the hinge brackets being located adjacent the second free end of one of the pair of C-shaped frame parts and the second free end of the other of the pair of C-shaped frame parts, and in which the first and the second free ends of one of the pair of C-shaped frame parts are pivotably mounted on the hinge bracket. This is seen as a particularly effective construction that is inexpensive to manufacture and will allow the frame to be folded up in a relatively flat configuration. -6 -
A cable reel trolley in which there is provided a releasable locking pin for releasably securing the first and second free ends of one of the pair of C-shaped frame parts in a deployed or a stowed configuration.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a cable reel trolley in which there are provided a pair of side frames and in which each side frame comprises a substantially triangular frame having a wheel at one corner thereof, a splayed foot at another corner thereof, and a spindle-receiving socket at the third corner thereof, the handle being pivotably mounted on the frame about a pivot point adjacent to the corner with the spindle-receiving socket, and in which there is provided means to releasable secure the handle in a stowed configuration or a deployed configuration, and in which the braking mechanism comprises a friction pad for engagement with the circumferential rim of a disc of a cable reel spool, the braking mechanism being adjustably mounted along a side of the triangular frame to permit engagement of differently dimensioned cable reels on the cable reel trolley, the removeable spindle having at least one anchoring member slidable along the spindle for engagement of a disc of a cable reel and in which there is provided means to releasably secure the anchoring member in position along the length of the removable spindle.
This is seen as a useful construction of cable reel trolley that is sturdy yet lightweight.
The cable reel frame will allow cable reels of a plurality of different sizes to be transported from one location to another. The frame construction is simple and inexpensive to manufacture yet will provide a solid base to the cable reel when it is paying out cable. By having an adjustably mounted braking mechanism, the braking mechanism will be able to engage a plurality of differently-sized cable reels and will also be simple to adjust so that it can engage those differently-sized cable reels. The friction pad is a simple mechanism that will work with a number of disparately shaped and sized cable reels. In addition, by having a slidable anchoring member, a number of cable reels with differing widths may be accommodated on the cable reel trolley. This is a particularly useful advantage of the present invention as it will allow cable reels of different sizes from different or the same manufacturers to be catered for. -7 -
Detailed Description of the Invention
The invention will now be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of cable reel trolley according to the invention in an expanded configuration; Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the cable reel trolley in a stowed configuration; Figure 3 is a side view of the cable reel trolley in the stowed configuration; Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the cable reel trolley in a stowed configuration; Figure 5 is a side view of the cable reel trolley in a partially expanded configuration; Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of the cable reel trolley of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a front perspective view of the cable reel trolley of Figure 5; Figure 8 is a rear perspective view of the cable reel trolley in an expanded configuration; Figure 9 is a rear perspective view of a second embodiment of cable reel trolley in a partially expanded configuration; Figure 10 is a front perspective view of the cable reel trolley shown in Figure 9; Figure 11 is an enlarged view of portion of the cable reel trolley of Figure 9 showing part of the braking mechanism; -8 -Figure 12 is an enlarged view of portion of the cable reel trolley of Figure 9 showing another part of the braking mechanism; Figure 13 is an enlarged view of portion of the cable reel trolley of Figure 9 showing another part of the braking mechanism; Figure 14 is an enlarged view of portion of the cable reel trolley showing the locking mechanism for the spindle; Figure 15 is an enlarged view of portion of the cable reel trolley of Figure 10 similar to Figure 11 showing part of the braking mechanism; Figure 16 is an enlarged view of portion of the cable reel trolley of Figure 9 showing another part of the braking mechanism; Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 16 with part of the braking mechanism casing removed; Figure 18 is a view similar to Figure 17; Figure 19 is a rear perspective view of a third embodiment of cable reel trolley according to the invention in an expanded configuration; Figure 20 is a front perspective view of the cable reel trolley of Figure 19; Figure 21 is a perspective view of the cable reel trolley of Figure 19 in a stowed configuration; Figure 22 is a side view of the cable reel trolley of Figure 21; Figure 23 is a rear view of the cable reel trolley of Figure 21; -9 -Figure 24 is a rear perspective view of the cable reel trolley of Figure 19 in a partially expanded configuration; Figure 25 is a side view of the cable reel trolley of Figure 19; Figure 26 is an enlarged side view of portion of the cable reel trolley of Figure 25 with portion of the casing removed; Figure 27 is a perspective view of the portion of the cable reel trolley shown in Figure 26; Figure 28 is a perspective view of portion of the cable reel trolley, similar to Figure 27, taken from the opposite side; Figure 29 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of cable reel assembly according to the invention; Figure 30 is an enlarged rear view of portion of the cable reel assembly of Figure 29; Figure 31 is an enlarged perspective view of portion of the cable reel assembly of Figure 29; Figure 32 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of cable reel assembly according to the invention; Figure 33 is a side view of the cable reel assembly of Figure 32; Figure 34 is an enlarged front perspective view of portion of the cable reel trolley of Figure 32; Figure 35 is an enlarged rear perspective view of portion of the cable reel trolley of Figure 32; Figure 36 is an enlarged front perspective view of portion of the cable reel trolley of Figure 32 with parts of the casing removed; Figure 37 is an enlarged front perspective view of portion of the cable reel trolley of Figure 32; Figure 38 is an enlarged front perspective view of portion of the cable reel trolley of Figure 32; Figure 39 is an enlarged front perspective view of portion of the cable reel trolley of Figure 32; Figure 40 is a rear perspective view of the cable reel trolley of Figure 32 with the brake pad being brought into engagement with the brake disc; Figure 41 is a rear perspective view of the cable reel trolley of Figure 32 with the brake pad being held against the brake disc by the braking arm exerting a first force on the brake disc; Figure 42 is a rear perspective view of the cable reel trolley of Figure 32 with the brake pad being held against the brake disc by the braking arm exerting a second force on the brake disc; Figure 43 is a rear perspective view of the cable reel trolley of Figure 32 with an alternative cable reel mounted thereon; Figure 44 is an enlarged view of portion of the cable reel engagement mechanism of the cable reel trolley of Figure 32; Figure 45 is an enlarged view of portion of the cable reel trolley of Figure 32; Figure 46 is an enlarged view of portion of the cable reel trolley of Figure 32 without the cable reel mounted thereon; Figure 47 is a side view of the cable reel trolley of Figure 32 in a stowed configuration; Figure 48 is a perspective view of the cable reel trolley of Figure 47; Figure 49 is an exploded view of a reusable cable reel; and Figure 50 is a front view of the reusable cable reel.
Referring to Figures 1 to 8 inclusive, there is shown a cable reel, indicated generally by the reference numeral 100, comprising a frame 101 having a plurality of frame parts, a pair of ground engaging wheels 103, a pair of ground engaging feet 105, a spindle 107 releasably secured to the frame and a handle 109. The handle 109 is slidably mounted on some of the other frame portions so that it may be slid from a deployed, expanded configuration as shown in Figures 1 and 8, to a retracted, compact configuration as shown in Figures 2, 6 and 7.
The frame parts comprise a pair of C-shaped frame parts 111, 113 connected together at their free ends by way of a pair of hinge joints 115. One of the C-shaped frame pads 111 has the ground engaging feet 105 and the other of the C-shaped frame parts has the pair of ground engaging wheels 103. The hinge joints 115 allow the frame pads to be positioned in either a deployed, expanded configuration as shown in Figures 1 and 5 to 8 inclusive, to a retracted, compact configuration as shown in Figures 2 to 4 inclusive. It will be appreciated that when in the retracted, compact or stowed configuration as shown in Figures 2 to inclusive, the cable reel trolley will be particularly suited for storage or transport in a van.
In addition to the foregoing, the cable reel trolley comprises an adjustable braking mechanism 117 comprising a brake pad 119 and an adjustable braking arm 121, the operation of which will be described in more detail below with respect to the embodiment shown in Figures 40 to 42 inclusive. The spindle 107 is received in a pair of spindle receiving jaws 123 each having a releasable spindle lock 125. In use, the spindle locks are released in order to remove the spindle and insertion of the spindles into the jaws will cause the spindle locks to automatically assume a locked configuration.
-12 -Referring now to Figures 9 to 18 inclusive, there is shown a second embodiment of cable reel trolley, indicated generally by the reference numeral 200, where like pads have been given the same reference numeral as before. The cable reel trolley comprises a pair of substantially triangular frame parts 201, 203 connected by way of a plurality of bracing struts 205 therebetween. Instead of being slidable on the frame, the handle 109 is pivotably mounted on the frame about pivot points 207 and there are pivot limiters 209 to limit the amount by which the handle may pivot from the stowed position (as shown) and a deployed configuration. As the handle pivots upwardly about the pivot points, the pivot limiters 209 abut against the frame once the handle is in the desired position, thereby preventing further pivoting of the handle 109.
Referring specifically to Figures 11 to 18 inclusive, a number of the components of the adjustable braking mechanism 117 are shown in greater detail. In Figures 11 and 15, the brake pad 119 is shown in more detail. The brake pad 119 is pivotably mounted on the frame and is cranked intermediate its ends into a substantially L-shaped member. A magnet 211 is provided to engage the brake pad when the brake pad is not in use. Referring to Figures 12 and 13, features of the adjustable braking arm are shown in greater detail. In Figures 12 and 13, it can be seen that the adjustable braking arm has a knurled handle 213 and on its opposite side it has a saw-toothed configuration 215 offering a plurality of adjustment points 217, as will be understood from description of Figures 40 to 42 below. Referring to Figures 14 and 16, it is seen how the adjustable braking arm 121 is pivotably mounted onto the frame about pivot point 219. Finally, referring to Figures 17 and 18, the casing has been removed off the end of the adjustable braking arm 121 exposing a helical spring 221.
Referring now to Figures 19 to 28 inclusive, there is shown a third embodiment of cable reel trolley, indicated generally by the reference numeral 300, where like parts have been given the same reference numeral as before. The cable reel trolley 300 is similar in many respects to the cable reel trolley 100 shown in Figures 1 to 8 inclusive with the exception that the handle 109 of the cable reel trolley 300 is telescopically mounted in the frame part 113, with portions of the handle being sleeved inside portions of the frame part 113. In this way, the cable reel trolley 300 may be collapsed into an even more compact configuration. Referring specifically to Figure 28, there is shown a releasable locking pin 301. Preferably, the locking pin is a spring-loaded locking pin. The locking pin 301 as illustrated in Figure 28 is used to engage an aperture (not shown) in the frame part 111, thereby holding the frame part in position relative to the frame part 113 and the hinge joint 115. Referring now to Figures 26 and 27, where part of the hinge joint 115 has been removed for clarity, there is shown a locking plate 303 with a locking aperture 305. When it is desired to collapse the cable reel trolley, the locking pin (not shown) is released from the aperture in the frame 111 and the frame 111 is pivoted about pivot point 307. When the frame 111 has been pivoted to a collapsed, compact configuration, the pin will now be aligned with the locking aperture 305 so that when the pin is released, it will engage in the locking aperture 305 thereby holding the frame 111 in a collapsed, stowed configuration along the frame part 113.
Referring now to Figures 29 to 31 inclusive, there is shown a fourth embodiment of cable reel trolley, indicated generally by the reference numeral 400, where like parts have been given the same reference numeral as before. The cable reel trolley 400 differs from the cable reel trolleys 100, 200, 300 in that the cable reel trolley has a brake disc 401 mounted on the spindle. Instead of the brake pad 119 acting upon the end cap of a cable reel spindle, the cable reel is fixed in position relative to the brake disc 401 and the brake pad 119 ads upon the brake disc 401. In this way, cable reels of many different end cap shapes and sizes may be used in conjunction with the cable reel trolley 400.
Indeed, even cable reels with irregularly shaped (i.e. non-circular shaped) end caps can be used with the cable reel trolley 400.
Referring specifically to Figures 30 and 31, it can be seen that the cable reel trolley 400 comprises a pair of plugs 403, each for engagement of the internal through-bore of a cable reel spool. The plugs are substantially frusto-conical in shape thereby allowing the plugs to engage spool through-bores of different diameters. It is envisaged that the brake disc 401 may be connected to the plug 403 and the plug 403 can in turn be connected to the cable reel (not shown).
Referring now to Figures 32 to 48 inclusive, there is shown a fifth embodiment of cable reel trolley, indicated generally by the reference numeral 500, where like parts have been given the same reference numeral as before. The cable reel trolley 500 is similar in many respects to the cable reel trolley 400 of Figures 29 to 31 with the exception that -14 -the brake disc 501 is substantially solid as opposed to have spokes as with the embodiment of Figures 29 to 31.
Referring specifically to Figures 34 to 36, there are shown various parts of the cable reel trolley 500 in greater detail. Referring specifically to Figures 37 to 39 inclusive, there is shown in greater detail the manner in which the plug 403 engages different sized inner through-bore 503 of a cable reel's end cap. Referring first of all to Figure 37, the frustoconical plug 403 is pushed into the through bore until it forms a tight fit (as shown in Figure 38). A grub screw 505 is used to secure the plug 403 to the cable reel. In the embodiment shown, the plug is slidable along the spindle. Means such as a jubilee clip or the equivalent may be provided to hold the plug in position.
Referring now to Figures 40 to 42 inclusive, there is shown in greater detail the operation of the brake pad 119 and the adjustable brake arm 121. When it is desired to engage the brake, the brake pad 119 is pivoted upwards until it sits against the rim of the brake disc 501 as shown in Figure 40 (or if no brake disc is provided, against the rim of a cable reel's end cap). The adjustable arm is then raised upwardly and a pin 507 protruding outwardly from the brake pad is used to engage one of the teeth of the adjustable braking arm 121, as shown in Figure 41. The helical spring 221 inside the casing acts to pull the arm inwardly thereby pulling the brake pad 119 against the brake disc. In order to apply more force to the brake disc 501, the arm is pulled outwardly from the casing and the pin 507 is located engaging another tooth on the adjustable arm. The force exerted by the helical spring to retract the adjustable arm will be greater, and as the diameter of the brake disc has remained constant, the force exerted by the brake pad 119 on the rim of the brake disc will be greater. It will be understood that if the brake pad was operating on a smaller brake disc or directly on a smaller end cap of a cable reel the pin 507 could be positioned in the appropriate tooth in the adjustable arm to cause the brake pad 119 to apply sufficient braking force on the cable reel or brake disc.
Referring to Figure 43, there is shown a cable reel with a smaller end cap diameter mounted on the cable reel trolley 500. Referring to Figure 44, there is shown an arrangement of cable reel about to be engaged by the plug 403 on the spindle. The plug 403 is secured in a fixed relationship with the brake disc 501. Referring to Figure 45, it is shown how the grub screw 505 is accessible through the brake disc 501. Referring to Figure 46, the configuration at the other end of the spindle is shown for completeness. Referring to Figures 47 and 48, the cable reel trolley 500 is shown in a compact, stowed configuration. The brake disc 501 has been removed from the spindle and is stored flat alongside the frame. Hooks or other catches (not shown) may be provided to secure the brake disc 501 to the remainder of the frame.
Referring now to Figures 49 and 50, there is shown a reusable cable reel according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 600. The reusable cable reel comprises a male part 601, a female part 603 and an intermediate bridging part 605.
The male part 601 comprises a disc-shaped flange 606 having a cylindrical connector 607 extending inwardly orthogonally therefrom. The cylindrical connector 607 is arranged co-axially with the central axis of the disc-shaped flange 606. A free end of the cylindrical connector 607 has an externally-arranged threaded portion 609 thereon and there is provided an inner sleeve 611 for the intermediate bridging part co-axial with and circumferentially surrounding the cylindrical connector 607.
The female part 603 also comprises a disc-shaped flange 612 having a substantially hollow cylindrical connector 613 extending inwardly orthogonally therefrom. The cylindrical connector 613 is arranged co-axially with the central axis of the disc-shaped flange 612. A free end of the cylindrical connector has an internally-arranged threaded portion (not shown) therein for complementary engagement of the threaded portion 609 of the male part's cylindrical connector 607. There is additionally provided an inner sleeve 615 for the intermediate bridging part co-axial with and circumferentially surrounding the cylindrical connector 613.
The intermediate bridging part 605 comprises a hollow cylindrical tube configured to sit on and surround the inner sleeves 611, 615 when the male part, female part and the intermediate bridging parts are brought together. In order to construct the parts together, the intermediate bridging part is placed over the inner sleeve 611 of the male part 601.
The female part 603 is brought together with the male part with the ends of the cylindrical connectors 607, 613 abutting each other. The male part and the female part are then rotated in opposite directions to engage the threaded portion on the male part cylindrical connector with the threaded portion of the female part. The male part and the -16 -female parts are rotated until a firm fit is achieved and the intermediate bridging part 605 is held between the flange 606 of the male part 601 and the flange 612 of the female part 603 (as shown constructed in Figure 50).
In this state, a cable could be wound around the reusable cable reel. Alternatively, the intermediate bridging part may be inserted into an existing cable reel prior to securing the male part and the female part together so that the intermediate bridging part effectively becomes an inner spindle of another cable reel. Means (not shown) may be provided to engage the end of a length of cable so that the cable may be wound around the reusable cable reel. Indeed, means (not shown) could be provided to prevent a cable reel from rotating around the intermediate bridging part when the cable reel is mounted on the reusable cable reel.
The reusable cable reel is particularly useful if a cable reel from which cable is to be payed out is damaged and cannot function as desired with the cable reel trolley.
Similarly, the reusable cable reel allows cable to be packed without the cable having an alternative wooden reel and used with the cable reel trolley. Indeed, for cable reels with non-circular shaped flanges, these cable reels may be placed on the re-usable cable reel 600 and the re-usable cable reel placed on the cable reel trolley so that the cable on the non-standard cable reels with non-circular flanges can be payed out from the cable reel trolley. It is envisaged that one of the flanges 606, 612 of the male part 601 or the female part 603 of the reusable cable reel 600 may effectively be used as the braking disc or may be contacted by the brake pad directly.
Various modifications to the embodiments described herein are envisaged and are deemed within the scope of the appended claims. For example, an alternative braking mechanism including an alternative brake pad or method of tightening the braking mechanism may be provided if desired.
It will be understood from the foregoing that there are numerous additional advantages of the cable reel trolley described herein. For example, the cable reel trolley permits single operator use as the design and function of the product allow the cable to be dispensed in a controlled fashion. This is due in large part to the braking system. This results in a productivity as well as a health and safety benefit by obviating the need for two people to operate the cable reel, one pulling the cable and the other controlling the amount of cable being dispensed where the cable drum is mounted. Essentially, by providing the cable reel trolley according to the invention, one person can use the product as the braking system facilitates controlled dispensing.
In addition, the braking system of the cable reel trolley avoids a spinning action when cable is being pulled by the operator. A spinning action often happens with the traditional deployment method where the cable drum has no breaking system and the drum spins on its core on a traditional cable rig. The failure of this method is that the cable dispensing is uncontrolled, and the cable reel is free to move/spin when the cable is pulled allowing excess cable to be released. The danger is that too much cable is dispensed, and it can become problematic from a health and safety point of view as the cable often ends up in a tangled mess on the ground causing a danger to the user and the public. The braking system of the cable reel trolley according to the invention allows enough pull force to be applied to the cable itself to allow ease of pulling the cable, without undue pull force or stress being applied to the cable thereby causing damage to the cable.
It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the present invention provides a cable reel trolley that will be able to accept a plurality of different sizes of cable reel, will be lightweight, robust and will provide a firm base for the cable reel.
In this specification, the terms "comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising" and the terms "include, includes, included and including" are all deemed totally interchangeable and should be afforded the widest possible interpretation.
The invention is in no way limited solely to the embodiments hereinbefore described and may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (1)

  1. Claims: (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (1) A cable reel trolley comprising a frame having a pair of ground engaging wheels, at least one ground engaging foot, a forwardly projecting handle and a removeable spindle releasably secured to the frame, the frame being foldable to and from a stowed configuration and an expanded configuration, and in which there is provided a braking mechanism for engagement of a cable reel.A cable reel trolley as claimed in claim 1 in which the cable reel trolley is configured to receive any one of a plurality of differently-dimensioned cable reels and the braking mechanism is configured to engage each of the plurality of differently-dimensioned cable reels.A cable reel trolley as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the forwardly projecting handle is slidably mounted on the frame slidable to and from a deployed expanded configuration and a retracted stowed configuration.A cable reel trolley as claimed in claim 3 in which the handle is telescopically mounted on the frame, the handle having an arm sleeved inside another portion of the frame for reciprocal movement to and from the deployed expanded configuration and the retracted stowed configuration.A cable reel trolley as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the handle is pivotably mounted on the frame and moveable to and from a deployed configuration in which it is operable for use in maneuvering the cable reel trolley and a stowed configuration in which it is stored compactly in a position where it will not impede the paying out of cable.A cable reel trolley as claimed in any preceding claim in which the braking mechanism comprising a brake pad and an adjustable braking arm for engagement of the brake pad.A cable reel trolley as claimed in claim 6 in which the brake pad is pivotably mounted on the frame.(8) A cable reel trolley as claimed in claim 6 or 7 in which the adjustable braking arm is pivotably mounted on the frame.(9) A cable reel trolley as claimed in claims 6 to 8 in which the adjustable braking arm comprises an elongate arm slidably mounted in a housing and a spring acting on the arm drawing it inwardly into the housing.(10) A cable reel trolley as claimed in claim 8 or 9 in which the adjustable braking arm comprises a plurality of mounting points for engagement of the brake pad.(11) A cable reel trolley as claimed in claim 10 in which the adjustable braking arm comprises a saw-toothed arrangement for providing the plurality of mounting points for engagement of the brake pad.(12) A cable reel trolley as claimed in any preceding claim in which the braking mechanism comprises a braking disc for mounting on the spindle and for engagement of the cable reel, the braking disc being acted upon by the brake pad.(13) A cable reel trolley as claimed in any preceding claim in which there is provided a plug mounted on the spindle for engagement of a cable reel.(14) A cable reel trolley as claimed in claim 13 in which the plug is frusto-conical in shape.(15) A cable reel trolley as claimed in claims 13 or 14 in which the plug is slidably arranged on the spindle and there is provided means to secure the plug in position along the spindle.(16) A cable reel trolley as claimed in any preceding claim in which the frame comprises a pair of C-shaped frame parts pivotably connected to each other at their open ends by way of a pair of hinge brackets, one of the hinge brackets being located adjacent the first free end of one of the pair of C-shaped frame parts and the first free end of the other of the pair of C-shaped frame parts, and the other of the hinge brackets being located adjacent the second free end of one of the pair of C-shaped frame parts and the second free end of the other of the pair of C-shaped frame parts, and in which the first and the second free ends of one of the pair of C-shaped frame parts is pivotably mounted on the hinge bracket.(17) A cable reel trolley as claimed in claim 16 in which there is provided a releasable locking pin for releasably securing the first and second free ends of one of the pair of C-shaped frame parts relative to the hinge bracket in a deployed or a stowed configuration.(18) A cable reel trolley as claimed claim 1 in which there are provided a pair of side frames and in which each side frame comprises a substantially triangular frame having a wheel at one corner thereof, a splayed foot at another corner thereof, and a spindle-receiving socket at the third corner thereof, the handle being pivotably mounted on the frame about a pivot point adjacent to the corner with the spindle-receiving socket, and in which there is provided means to releasable secure the handle in a stowed configuration or a deployed configuration, and in which the braking mechanism comprises a friction pad for engagement with the circumferential rim of a disc of a cable reel spool, the braking mechanism being adjustably mounted along a side of the triangular frame to permit engagement of differently dimensioned cable reels on the cable reel trolley, the removeable spindle having at least one anchoring member slidable along the spindle for engagement of a disc of a cable reel and in which there is provided means to releasably secure the anchoring member in position along the length of the removable spindle.
GB1905402.2A 2019-04-16 2019-04-16 A cable reel trolley Withdrawn GB2583111A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1905402.2A GB2583111A (en) 2019-04-16 2019-04-16 A cable reel trolley
IE20200057A IE20200057A1 (en) 2019-04-16 2020-04-07 A cable reel trolley

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1905402.2A GB2583111A (en) 2019-04-16 2019-04-16 A cable reel trolley

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GB2583111A true GB2583111A (en) 2020-10-21

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5285981A (en) * 1992-03-02 1994-02-15 Pavelka Steven M Wire dispenser
US5308012A (en) * 1992-05-20 1994-05-03 Fuller Carsen S Folding wirecart convertible into float and handtruck
WO2005021353A1 (en) * 2003-08-27 2005-03-10 Feather, Gloria, Dawn Apparatus to support a reel
US20120175854A1 (en) * 2011-01-06 2012-07-12 Jordon David S Dolly for supporting a spool carrying a windable material
WO2018077487A1 (en) * 2016-10-27 2018-05-03 Husqvarna Ab Hose cart

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5285981A (en) * 1992-03-02 1994-02-15 Pavelka Steven M Wire dispenser
US5308012A (en) * 1992-05-20 1994-05-03 Fuller Carsen S Folding wirecart convertible into float and handtruck
WO2005021353A1 (en) * 2003-08-27 2005-03-10 Feather, Gloria, Dawn Apparatus to support a reel
US20120175854A1 (en) * 2011-01-06 2012-07-12 Jordon David S Dolly for supporting a spool carrying a windable material
WO2018077487A1 (en) * 2016-10-27 2018-05-03 Husqvarna Ab Hose cart

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IE20200057A1 (en) 2021-02-03

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