US2012452A - Spindle reel - Google Patents

Description

Aug. Z7, @35

SPINDLE REEL l Filed Feb. 7, 1954 F. M. LITTELL.

5 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 2, K3.. F. M. LHTTELL 2,012,452

SPINDLE REEL Filed Feb. 7, 1954 5 sheets-sheet 2 -v-u A i; 67 with@ J0 Patented Aug. 27, 1935 l SPINDLE REEL Frederick M. Littell, Chicago, Ill., assigner to F. J. Littell Machine Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application February 7, 1934, Serial No. 710,071

Claims.

holding the reel against movement to permit a coil of stock to be placed upon the reel. Difliculty has been encountered in loading reels as the coils of stock are heavy and of a shape making it a difficult task to lift them from the floor and place on the reel.

Another object of the invention is to provid means which will overcome the above d ifculties and make the placing of heavy coils on the reel comparatively easy,` requiring less effort and which will cut the loading time consider A more specific object is to provide loading b-ar which can be easily attach arm of the reel for lifting a coil of stock ably.

a novel ed to an and sliding the same in place on the supporting arms.

A further object is to provide means for retaining the coil of stock on its supporting arms in the form of keepers of improved construe tion and which can be readily attached to an arm and easily removed although having a firm grip for ator.

With these and various other objects in view,

the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawing and claims appended hereto.

In the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts- Figure 1 is an elevational view of a reel constructedin accordance with the present invention, the supporting and operating means for the arms being shown in section;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the reel of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an elevational viewshowing the loading bar in attached relation to the reel for lifting a coil of stock and sliding the same on the arms;

hub showing the spindle lock;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan View of Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the `the support for the spindle showing in section details of the lock for locking the operating mechanism for the supporting arms;

Figure 6 is a plan View, parts being shown in section, of the bifurcated end of the loading bar;

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the bar shown in Figure 6; l

Figure 8 is a plan view, parts being shown in section, of a keeper having yieldable means for quick attachment toand removal from its arm;

Figure 9 is an elevational view of the keeper shown in Figure 8; 1 Y

Figures 10 and 11 are plan and elevational views, respectively, of a modified construction of keeper; and

.l Figures 12 and 13 are plan and elevational views, respectively, of still another form of keeper employing a spring pressed lever for securely holding the keeper toits arm while providing for quick attachment and removal.

The invention comprises, as shown in Figure 1, a base IB of fairly large diameter having mounted therein a standard II vertically adjustable with respect to the `base by means of the securing screws I2. At its upper end the standard supports a knuckle I3 which is provided with a plurality of notches, not shown, and positioned concentric with the shaft I4 and for cooperation with similar notches on the supporting knuckle I5. By engagement of the notches-on the respective knuckles the same can be held in definite rotated position with respect to each other through tightening of the nut on shaft I4. As shown in Figure 1 knuckle I5 is held in position where the spindle` on the reel is horizontal and by reason of the structure described above it will be understood that the spindle can be held in any adjusted position from horizontal to vertical where the shoulder I6 will engage with the abutment I'I to limit further movement. i i

The axle of the reel proper includes a projecting supporting shaft I8 suitably secured to the knuckle I5 and having rotatably mounted thereon the hub 20. Ball bearing races 2| positioned onthe shaft and having engagement with the hub serve to frictionlessly mount the hub on the shaft. The hub is held on the supporting shaft by the nut 22 threaded to the outer end of the shaft and which connes the coil spring 23 between the nut and a collar 24 associated with the hubwhereby the spring acts to force the collar toward the hub and provides a brake or retarding means to prevent overrun ofthe reel. The tension exerted by the spring and therefore the braking force applied by the spring is adjustable iis:-

through rotation of nut 22 to vary its position axially of the shaft. l

Projecting radially from hub 2l! are a plurality of rods or supporting members 25 suitably threaded to the hub and which support the right angled arms designated in their entirety by 26. Spaced lugs 2l and 28 project from one leg of each of the arms 2t, the upper lug receiving the uppermost end of the rod, while the lower lug is threaded to an elongated screw 3B rotatably mounted on the rod. Each arm is held against rotation on its rod 25 but has movement along the lengt-h of the rod through rotation of the elongated screw 3Q. Each screw has integrally formed at its lower end a pinion 3l which y is rotated simultaneously with the other pinions to cause movement of the arms on their respective rods, the direction of movement of the arms being determined by the direction of rotation of the pinion and its integral elongated screw. From the foregoing it will be understood that the supporting arms 26, four of which are generally employed in a reel, have movement toward the hub 2U or outwardly away from the hub, depending upon the particular direction of rotation given to the pinions. As shown in Figure l each supporting arm 263 has adjustably tted thereto a retaining member or keeper 32 for holding a coil of stock in position on the horizontal supporting arms. The operating means for imparting'simultaneous rotation to the pinions 2i includes a bevelled gear ,33 mounted for rotation on hub 2i! and having meshing engagement with the pinions. A disc 34 is non-rotatably secured to the end of the hub to'retain gear y33 on the hub and preventoutward movement thereof.

For locking the gear against rotation'spaced notches 35 are provided, Figures 2 and 3, on the side of the gear opposite the gear teeth and which are adapted to receive the locking pin 35S. As shown'in Figure 5 the' pin is mounted for axial movement within a bore 3l formed in knuckle l5 and is actuated by lever 38 from a position where the gear is held against movement to a position where the gear is free. The spring pressed ball it engages within notches 4i in the pin to definitely hold the pin located within one of the notches 35 or in retracted position where the gear is free to rotate with the hub. This locking of the pin is desirable as shaking or vibration of the shaft might cause the pin to work into one of the notches on the gear to inadvertently lock the same and cause actuation of the arms. With the gear locked against rotation it willbe seen that any rotation of the hub 2t and thus rotation of the radial arms 25 will cause rotation of the pinions 3| and thus movement of the arms ina direction radially to engage with a coil of stock. The reel is therefore rotated by the operator to cause outward or inward movement of the arms in a manner similar to rotating a capstan, thereby greatly increasing the leverage obtained, and facilitating the accurate centering of heavy coils of stock.

To position a coil of stock upon the supporting arms the same are located in their centerrnost position where the distance from the shaft I8 to one of the arms forms a circle of less diameter than the interior diameter of the coil. Withthe arms-in this position a coil of vstock is placed on the arms and rotation is then given to the reel to cause outward travel of the arms and since they all move outwardly in unison it will be seen that the coil is supported in concentric position with relation to shaft I8. To permit the coil to unwind from the reel for the purposes of feeding the same to punch presses and like machinery it is necessary to allow the reel and the gear 33 to rotate together, which is permitted by retraction of locking pin 35.

The invention provides a loading bar to facilitate the loadingvof heavy coils on the reel. For the purpose each arm 26 is provided. with an opening 42 and a loading bar t3, Figure 3, is attached to the upper arm after the reel has been locked against rotation by the spindle lock to be presently described. As shown in Figure 6 the end 44 of the loading bar is bifurcated to form spaced arms on which are formed inwardly directed portions 45 continuing downwardly to form a, yoke l which joins the ends of the bifurcated arms, thereby strengthening its end structure. One Yof the portions t5 is apertured the entire length of the same, while the other portion is apertured for a part of its length for receiving the locking bolt 6l having the knurled end Sand being provided with a central bore 59. The coil spring 5ir is held Within the bore by a pin forming one element of a pin and slot connection by Which the locking bolt is held in its portion 15. Any outward movement of the bolt takes place against the tension of spring 5i and immediately upon release the pin returns to its position as shown in Figure 6. For attaching the loading bar to a supporting armthe bolt is retracted and released after the same has been aligned with the opening Q2 on the arm. With thestructure of Figure 6 it is impossible to inadvertently detach the bar from its supporting arm and this is considered an important and desirable feature as considerable damage to kthe reel as well as shock and jar to the operator would result if lthe bar .became detached from the reel during lifting of the coil or sliding th coil on the bar.

The operation of loading the reel by using the loading bar consists in inserting the bar through the .hole in the coil of stock i9 and attaching the same to the upper supporting arm. The end held by the operator is now lifted and the coil assumes a'position such as shown in Figure 3 in which it cradles on the bar by reason of the angular bend` 52 formed centrally of the bar. Continued lifting by the operator will cause the coil to slide on the bar and come to rest on the supporting arms.` The bar is now removed and the reel is rotated while gear 33 is held locked to cause outward movement of the arms and centering of the coil. .Keepers S2 are replaced on the arms and the reel is loaded ready for use.

For locking the reel to the shaftk it' to prevent turning of the reel during loading as above described the collar 2t is non-rotatably mounted on shaft l and is provided with a locking pin 53 adapted to engage within notches 54 formed in the end of the rotatable hub 2Q. As the collar is held against rotation on the-shaft, the hub 2E) andthus the reel is held against rotation. The outward end of pin 53 is provided with a knurled knob 55 and has the grooves 5t formed intermediate its length for cooperating with the spring pressed ball 5l to position the pin so that it will remain either retracted or in extended position where the same is located in one of the notches 54. A friction washer 58 is interposed between the end of hub 2t and collar ZA, which although nonrotatably held to shaft lil, has axial movement on the shaft. The collar in conjunction with the coil spring 23 whichforces the collar into contact with base of the keeper is provided with one lug 8|,

the friction washer and the washer into engagement with the hub acts as a brake to prevent p overrun of the reel when in use. This overrun is caused by intermittent pulling of the stock on the reel and each jerk or pull would otherwise cause rotation of the reel toa degree where the outer loops of the coil would become too loose and interfere with the radial rods 25 or the keepers 32.

The invention in addition to the brake for the reel provides a stock support in the form of a universally supported arm lill preferably of right angle shape and having one leg supported from the base and its other leg disposed under the reel to support the outermost loop- As shown in Figure 2, block El suitably secured to the base, journals a stud shaft 62 which can be held in ther desired rotated position by adjustment of the securing nut 63. The projecting end of shaft 62 carries a block 6ft in which is adjustably secured the stock support titl.` As an optional arrangement the invention provides means for resiliently biasing the free end of the arm upwardly since it is desirable where the coils of stock are' heavy to have the support therefor flexibly mounted.

` The outer end of the arm is loosely supported by block 64 and has xedly secured thereto a member 'l0 which engages with the coil spring ll confining the same between the member and the base of the reel l0. The base may be 'suitably recessed to properly position the coil spring while the member may be provided with a dowel pin for holding the spring in associatedposition with the member. In order that the tension exerted by the coil spring may be adjusted for heavy and light stock the member lil is xedly secured to the end of the arm i in adjusted position through means of the set screw l2. By varying the position of the member 'lll with respect to the free end of the arm 6l) the stock support can be biased upwardly with a force sufficient to hold the outermost loops of heavy coil stock as well as the lighter grades of stock.

A keeper plate 65 is suitably secured to knuckle l and provides a hook 69 which in connection with the cup 6l supported on base lil forms a holder for the loading bar d3 as `shown in Figure 3. When not in use the loading bar is supported in this manner and is at all times conveniently associated with the reel and in posiv tion for ready use.

The keeper plate is preferably formed of Octagonal shape with certain edges being providedwith key-way slots E33 for receiving the keepers 32. As the keepers are removed prior to loading the reel they are dropped into the slots 68 which holds them conveniently locatedk during the loading operation. The retaining member or keeper S2, Figure 1, employed for holding the coil of stock in position on the horizontal supportingr arms may embody the improvements shown in Figures 8 and 9, in which one of the spaced lugs 'l5 formed integral with the base of the keeper is enlarged as shown at 76 and provided with a bore having a restricted end for receiving and. retaining within the bore a metal ball 'il which is yieldingly biased in a direction toward lug 15 by the coil spring 18 confined within the bore by the set screw 8i). The metal ball 'il is located under `the edge of the arm 26 to detachably lock the keeper to the arm. Easy removal is possible, however, as it is only necessary to cant the side having the' enlarged lug to cause depression of the metal ball and release of the keeper.

In the modification of Figures 10 and 11 the the side of the base opposite thereto terminating substantially flush with the side of the keeper and being notched for receiving the strip 82 of resilient metal which is secured to the member by means of the block 83 and securing screw 84. The free end of the'metal strip is curved as at to form a retaining shoulder for attaching and holding the keeper on its supporting arm. Easy attachment and removal of the keeper is possible due'to the resiliency of the metal strip.

In the larger size of keeper it is preferred to provide the same with a pivoted lever which makes for a more positive construction. This form is shown in Figures 12 and 13 in which the base of the keeper is provided on one side with an integral lug 86 of the usual construction and on the side opposite thereto with spaced members 81. Portions 88 integral with the member extend rearwardly to provide journals for the lever 90 held in place by the pivot pin Sl. Between the web of the keeper and the lever is located the coil spring 92 to yieldingly bias said end of the lever outwardly, thus forcing the opposite end having lug 93 in a direction toward its companion lug 85. With the parts shown in Figure l2 the keeper is securely held to the arm 2B, being locked thereto as the retaining portions of the respective lugs are located under the top flange of the arm. This form of construction requires positive actuation of the lever d@ before the keeper can be attached or removed from its support. s

It is to be understood that I do'not wish to be limited by the exact embodiment of the device shown, which is merely by way of illustration and` not limitation, as various and other forms of the device will of course be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim: l

1. A spindle reel, including in combination, a supporting standard, a shaft supported at the upper end of said standard, a hub rotatably mounted on said shaft and having members projecting radially therefrom, a supporting arm associated with each of said radial members, a locking member carried by said shaft and adapted to engage the hub to lock the hub against rotation, and resilient means also carried by said shaft and positioned to the outside of the member, said resilient means forcing said member into engagement with the hub to provide a friction brake for the hub.

l 2. A spindle reel, including in combination, a supporting standard, a shaft supported at the upper end of said standard, a hub rotatably mounted on said shaft and having members projecting radially therefrom, a' supporting arm associated with each of said radial members, a collar non-rotatably secured to said shaft, and a locking pin carried by said collar and adapted to engage in notches in the hub to lock the hub against rotation. l

3. A spindle reel, including in combination, a. supporting standard, a shaft supported at the upper end of said standard, a hub `rotatably mounted on said shaft and having members projecting radially therefrom, a supporting arm associated with each of said radial members, a collar non-rotatably secured to said shaft but `having axial movement thereon, said collar being positioned adjacent the end of said hub and mounting a locking pin adapted to engage in notches in said hub to lock the hub against rotation, a

friction washerV interposed between the collar and said hub, and resilient means carried on the end of said shaft for yieldingly forcingthe collar into engagement with said washer and the washer into engagement with said hub thereby providing a friction brake for said hub.

4. A reel of the character described including in combination, a supporting standard, a shaft pivotally supported at the upper end of said standard, means for locking the shaft in desired rotated position with respect to the standard, a reel rotatably mounted on said shaft and adapted to support a coil of stock, means for looking thereel to the shaft preventing rotation thereof, said means including a collar non-rotatably secured to the shaft but having axial movement thereon, and resilient means yieldingly forcing the collar into frictional engagement with said reel to provide a friction brake for said reel.

5. A spindle type reel, including in combination, a supporting standard, a shaft projecting from the upper end of said standard, a reel journalled for rotation on said shaft and including radial arms, a supporting member mounted on each of said arms, and means for placing a coil of stock on said arms to be supported thereby, including a loading bar having detachable securement to one of said arms, and a lock for holding the reel against rotation.

6. A spindle type reel of the character described including in combination, a supporting standard, a shaft projecting from the upper end of said standard, a reel journalled for rotation on said shaft and including radial arms, a supporting member mounted for movement on each of said arms, and means for placing al coil of stock on said arms to be supported thereby, said means including a lock for holding the reel against rotation, and a loading bar having detachable securement to the uppermost of said arms whereby a coil of stock placed on said bar can be' lifted by upward movement of the bar and slid into place on said arms.

7. A reel of the character described, including in combination, a supporting standard, a shaft projecting from the upper end of said standard, a reel journalled for rotation on said shaft and including a plurality of radial arms, supporting members movably mounted on each of said arms for supporting a coil of stock, locking kmeans for locking the reel against rotation, a loading bar adapted tofhave detachable securement to one of said arms, said means locking the' reel to said shaft and said loading bar having pivotal movement in a vertical plane with respect to its supporting arm for loading said reel with a coil of stock. Y

8. A spindle reel including in combination, a supporting standard, a shaft supported by said standard, a hub rotatably mounted on said shaft and having members projecting radially therefrom, supporting arms mounted for movement on each member for supporting a coil of stock on the shaft, keepers carried by said supporting arms for retaining the coil of stock thereon, and a keeper plate supported by said standard and having openings provided therein for receiving said keepers, whereby said keepers when removed from their supporting arm may be supported by the keeper plate.

9. Asp-indie reel including in combination, a supporting standard, a knuckle supported on said standard, a shaft projecting from said knuckle, a hub rotatably mounted on said shaft and having members projecting radially therefrom, supporting arms mounted for movement on each member for supporting a coil of stock on the shaft, means including a loading bar for loading said reel with a coil of stock, and a keeper plate secured to said knuckle and provided with a hook portion ior releasably engaging the loading bar to hold the same upright and in associated relation with the reel when not in use, said bar when in upright position resting on the base of the. reel.

10. The combination with a reel having a plurality of supporting arms for supporting a coil of stock thereon, of a loading bar, said bar having releasable means on one end thereof for de,- tachably securing the bar to one of said support-- ing arms, whereby a coil of stock carried by said bar can be placed on the supporting arms by upward pivotal movement of the free end of said bar.

1l. In a reel having a plurality of supporting arms for carrying a coil of stock, in combination, keepers for attachment to each of said arms to retain the coil on the arms, each keeper having a base provided with spaced engaging lugs, one of said lugs being resilient to removably secure the keeper in place on the arm.

l2. In a reel having a plurality of supporting arms for carrying a coil of stock, in combination, keepers for attachment to each of said arms to retain the coil on the arms, each keeper having a base provided with spaced arm engaging lugs, one of said lugs being integral with the base and said other lug being resilient, whereby said keeper is securely held in place on the arm and is readily attached or removed therefrom.

13. In a keeper member, in combination, a body portion having a base, a lug integral with the base and depending from one side thereof, bifurcated means depending from the side of the base opposite thereto and positioning a second lug for cooperation with said iirst mentioned lug, said second lug being resiliently biased toward said fhst mentioned lug for attaching the member to a support.

14;. In a keeper member, in combination, a body po-rtion having a base, a lug integral with the base and depending from one side thereof, bifurcated means depending from the side of the base opposite thereto and positioning a second lug for cooperation with said first mentioned lug, said second mentioned lug being pivotally secured to the bifurcated means and being resiliently biased in a direction tow-ard said first mentioned lug whereby said member may be securely held to a support while being readily attached or removed therefrom.

l5. A reel of the character described including in combination, a supporting standard, a hub having members projecting radially therefrom, a shaft supported by the standard and journalling said hub, a supporting arm movably mounted on each of said radial membersa gear wheel for causing movement of said arms simultaneously, said wheel being provided with notches on the face opposite the gear teeth, a locking pin mounted on the standard for movement longitudinally thereof in a horizontal plane, said pin when extended being located in the notches to lock the gear wheel against rotation, whereby rotation of the hub will cause movement of the supporting arms on their members, and datent means for holding the pin in extended or retracted position.

FREDERCK M. LITTELL.

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