US1551206A - Trolley reel - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 25. 1925.

TROLLEY REEL Fileduuly 5o, 192:5

W. E. NEWNAM Eu/em MAL/AWE. {Yan/mm 4 Patented Aug. 25, 1925.

UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE'.

WILLIAM E. NE'VVNAM, OF COLLINSVILIE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO NATIONAL LEAD COMPANY, F JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

TROLLEY REEL.

Application `filed .Tu1y 30, 1923. SerialI No. 654,689.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, 'WILLIAM E. `Nnw- NAM, a citizen of the United States, and

residing at Collinsville, county of-Madison, State of Illinois, have invented the new and useful Improvement .in Trolley Reels, of which the following is a speciiicaton.

Ths invention relates in general to a flexi-v ble connection between a source of electric current and some current utilizing` device which is movable relatively to the source, and. more particularly to a reel for taking up the slack in a flexible conductorfor supplying a trolley truck.

One ot the objects of this invention `1s to provide a reel which will eiiectively, take up the slack in a cable supplying a moving truclr or similar device. i

Another object ot this invention is to pro-- vide such a reel which will not only take up the slack in the cable, but which will mainfV tainelectrieal connection between the power utilizing device and the source of supply.

Another object of this invention is to pro vide improved means for maintaining goodL electrical connections throughout the nieve` ment of the reel.

Further objects will appear from the detail description'talren in connection with the accompanying,- drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a reel enr bodying this invention; and i Figure 2 is a central vertical section of thel same. f

Referring tothe accompanying' drawing, 1 designates a base or pedestal adapted for mounting on any suitable support on the moving truck. Mounted in the base 1 is a vertically supported tube 2 forming a stand" ard to support the reel. This standard carries at its top a bearing 3 within which a vertical spindle 4 is mounted for rotation on avertical axis. `The spindle 4 carriesat its upper enda carrier 5 upon which a cable drum 6 is mounted for rotation as willf be hereinafter more 'fully described. By this construction the drum 6 may revolve on a horizontal axis on the carrier 5, and the carrier itselil `may revolve about a vertical axis on the spindle 4, so that the cable 7 may be reeled oil of or on the drum from any direction. The spindle 4 is in the shape of a hollow tube working' in the bearing 8 at the top and provided with a plug 8 at its bottom having' a bearing in the base 1 as shown in Figure 2. Means for conducting electric current to the utilizing device mounted on the truck, are mounted on the standard 2 and the spindle 4. The spindle 4 is provided with a metal ring 9 surrounding the spindle and fixed thereto by means of a pin 10 or `other suitable fastening'. Resting on the ring 9 is an insulating ring 1l of libre or other suitable insulating material which is provided with a recess-adapted to receive a metallic contact ring 12. A. second insulating ring 13 recessed to correspond with the ring' 11 is placed over the 4ring 12, so that the latter will be seated in the recesses in both ring-s as illustrated in Figure 2. The ring' 13 is provided with a second recess adapted to receive a second contact ring- 14 and a third insulating-ring l54 correspondingly recessed is `placed over the ring 14. A second metal ring 16 may then be placed upon the ring' 15. A bearing block 17 is next placed over the spindle `and upon the ring 16 and carries the bearing' 3. When the bearing` S has been assembled, the head 1S is placed thereupon and linally the base 19 or' the carrier 5 is threaded onto the end ofthe spindle and down upon the head 18. ,As the base 19 is screwed down, all of the various rings described are crowded one upon the other against the iXed ring 9, and

thus serve to clamp the contact rings 12 `and 14 irmly in their recesses in the insulating rings 11, 13 and The contact rings 12 and 14 are thus securely mounted on but insulated from the spindle and are adapted to rotate therewith.

y An insulating plug' 20 of libre or other suitable material is placed within the spindle 4 and seated against the pin 10. This plug is recessed to receive a metallic connector 21`connected by a stud 22 to the contactring l2, this stud being' suitably `hushed to insalate the same where it passes through the wall of the spindle 4. A second insulating` 4plug 23 is seated` on the `first plug' 2O and recessed to receive aconnector 24 similar to the connector 21 and similarly connected to the contact ring 14. Insulated conductors 25 and 2G pass downwardly withinV the spindle 4 so as to connect with the connectors 21 and 24respectively, the conductor 25 passing through the block 23 to reach the connector 21 as illustrated in Figure 2 Mounted in insulating bushings 27 are a pair of sliding contacts or brushes 28 and 29 adapted to contact respectively with the rings 12 and 14 .so asto carry the current from said rings to the insulated conductors 30 and 31 Which are connected to the brushes 28 and 29 and serve to convey the current to the utilizing device on the truck. The brushes 28 and 29 are provided with insulating heads 32 adapted to receive the pressure of contact springs 33 while insulating the brushes therefrom.

The bearing block 17 is adapted to seat in the upper endof the standard2 and is fixed in place therein by means of pins 34 or other suitable fastening. The spindle is thus adapted to turn in the bearing 3 and guided by the plug 8 in its bearing in the base 1, and during such rotation the brushes 28 and 29 willslide on the contact rings 12 and 14, being held in firm Contact therewith by the springs 33 so as to provide eilicient and reliable current collecting devices.

'The base 19 is provided with end brachets 35 machined withrecesses to receive a pair of up-rights 36, the base and up-rights together comprising' the carrier v5. An axle 37 having squared ends 38 is fixed in the up-rights 36. This axle carries bearings. 39

upon which a drum 6having barrel 40 and side plates or flanges 41 is adapted to rotate.

Mounted upon each of the side plates 41 and surrounding the bearing 39 is an insulating washer 42. Mounted on each of the 11p-rights 36 is a dished plate or housing 43 and mounted on the interior of each housing 43 is an insulating washer 44. Mounted so as to surround the bearing 39 and between the insulating washers 42 and 44 is a barrel 45 of insulating material. Mounted on the housing plate 43 but within the washer 44' and surrounding the barrel 45 is a metallic Contact ring 46. This ring is connected by a suitable stud 47 passing through butinsulated from the housing plate 43, with an insulated conductor 48 passing downwardly along the up-rights 36 and through a suitable insulating .bushing 49 to the interior of the base 19 Where it is connected with one of the lconductors 25 and 26, a second contact 'ring 50 being mounted upon the barrel 45 and bearing against the ring 46 throughout its circumference. The ring 50 has fixed thereto a conductor 51 connected by means of any suitable connector 52 with one of the conductors 53 of the cable 7. The conductor 51serves both to convey the current to or from the ring 50' and also to mechanically hold said ring against rotation. A coil spring 54 loosely surrounds the barrel 45 bearing at one side against the insulating washer 42 and at the other against the contactrlng 50 so as to maintain thering 50 kin yielding contact throughout its circumference with the stationary contact ring 46. It will be noted'that by means of the insulating Washers 42 and 44 and the barrel 45, the contact rings 46 and 50 and also the spring 54 are thoroughly insulated from all other parts of the reel. l

The current arriving by the cable 7 passes by one of the conductors 53 to one of the conductors 51 and the ring 50, to the correspending contact ring 46, thence via the stud 47, to the conductor 48, to one or' the con- Vduetors Within the spindle 4, say the conductor 26, to the contact ring 14, the brush 29, to the conductor 31 and to the utilizing device. Returning from the utilizing device, the current passes by the conductor 30, brush 28, contact ring 12, conductor 25, the other conductor 48, to the corresponding contact ring 46, corresponding ring 5U and conduct- ors 51 and 53 to the cable 7 and back to the source oi2 supply.

Each of the side plates 41 is provided with an outwardly extending' barrel or housing' 55 extending toward and cooperating with thehousing plate 43 so as to enclose the bearings and the contact rings on the reel. These parts are thus protected against accidental injury and the accumulation of dust and dirt thereon. The 11p-rights 36 inav have mounted thereon brackets 56 carrying a cable guide 57 adapted to guide. the free part of the cable 7, so that it will pass on to the reel from any direction. The guide 57 also serves to turn the reel on its spindle 4 when the direction of approach of the cable is out of line with the reel.

A pair of spiral springs 58 are each fixed at their inner ends to the axle 37 and at their outerends to a cross-bolt 59 joining the side plates 41. A plate or diaphragm 60I is placed on the axle 37 and between the springs 58 so as to prevent the various con.- volutions of the springs from interfering with each other. The cable is first all wound on the reel so that upon being unwound, the springs 58 will be tensioned so as to maintain a corresponding tension on the cable to rereel the same Whenever there is any tendency for it to slaclen. In thisway the unreeled portion of the cable is always maintained taut in whatever position the truck may be with respect to the current supply.

It is obvious that various changes may b made in details without departing from the spirit of this invention; it is, therefore, to be 'understood that this invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described the what is claimed is:

1. A 'cable reel, comprising, a carrier, a drum mounted for rotation thereon, means for winding a conductor on said drum, a

invention,

eontaet ring rigidly mounted on but insulated from said carrier, a Contact ring mounted on but insulated from said drum to move therewith, and means for maintaining said rings in yielding engagement during the rotation of said drum.

2. A cable reel, comprising, a carrier, a drum mounted for rotation thereon, means for winding a conductor on said drum, a Contact ring rigidly mounted on but insulated from said carrier, a Contact ring mounted on but insulated from said drum to move therewith, and an insulated spring adapted to maintain said rings in yielding engagement during the rotation of said drum.

3. A cable reel, comprising, a carrier, a drum mounted `for rotation thereon,a bearing for said drum, a Contact ring mounted on hut insulated from said Carrier, an insulated barrel surrounding said bearing and engaging said ring, a Contact ring mounted on said barrel and insulated from but adapted to move with said drum, and means for maintaining said rings in yielding en gagement during the rotation of said' drum.

4i. A cable reel, comprising, a carrier, a drum mounted t'or rotation thereon, a bearing for said drum, a Contact ring mounted on but insulated from said carrier, an insulated barrel surrounding said bearing and engaging said ring, a Contact ring mounted on said barrel and insulated from but adapted to move with said drum, and an insulated spring on said barrel adapted to maintain said rings in yielding engagement during the rotation of said drum.

5. A cable reel, comprising, a carrier, a drum mounted for rotation thereon, means for winding a conductor on said drum, a Contact rigidly mounted on lout insulated from said Carrier, a -eooperating Contact mounted on but insulated from said drum and movable therewith, means for maintain ing said contacts in engagement with each other during the rotation of the drum, and a housing for said contacts.

6. A Cable reel, comprising, a carrier, a drum mounted for rotation thereon, means for winding a conductor on said drum, a Contact mounted on but insulated from said carrier, a cooperating Contact mounted on but insulated from said drum and movable therewith, means for maintaining said contacts in engagement With each other during the rotation of the drum, a housing on said drum, and a housing on said carrier cooperating with said first housing to enclose said rings.

7. A cable reel, comprising, a standard, a spindle revolubly mounted on said standard and Carrying a cable drum, a Contact on said standard, a Contact ring on said spindle, and an insulated clamping ring adapted to support said Contact ring.

8. A cable reel, comprising, a standard, a spindle revoluhly mounted on said standard and carrying a cable drum, a Contact on said standard, a Contact ring on said spindle, and an insulated Clamping ring having a recess adapted toreeeive and support said .Contact ring.

9. 'eahle reel, eomprising,.a standard, a spindle revoluhly mounted on said standard and carrying a cable drum, a Contact on said standard, a Contact ring on said spindle, an insulated clamping ring adapted to support said eontaet ring, a carrier on said spindle, a drum mounted for rotation on said earrier, means for winding a conductor on said drum, a Contact ring mounted on but insulated from said carrier, a Contact ring mounted on but insulated from said drum to move therewith, and means for maintaining said rings in yielding engagement during the rotation of said drum.

ln testimony whereof I affix my signature this 21st day of July, 1923.

' ILLIAM E. NEVNAM.

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