US2179825A

US2179825A - Wire reel support, rack, or stand

Info

Publication number: US2179825A
Application number: US109925A
Authority: US
Inventors: Fred O Lewis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1936-11-09
Filing date: 1936-11-09
Publication date: 1939-11-14
Anticipated expiration: 1956-11-14

Description

NOV. 14, 1939. o; LEWIS WIRE REEL SUPPORT, RACK, 0R STAND 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 9, 1936 R. 5 M Mm E J 3 0 w |1Q|||1j r m 7 M 2/ 7 ATTORNEY.

Nov. 14, 1939. O LEw|$ WIRE REEL SUPPORT, RACK, 0R STAND Filed Nov. 9, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. WED 0 LfW/S ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 14, 1939 NITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE.

1 Claim.

The invention relates to a device peculiarly adapted to the electrical trade and utilities in general, usually termed reel support, rack, or stand, for easily handling a heavy standard Wire reel, or plurality of reels, commonly supplied by the trade, particularly while Wire is being unreeled therefrom, that can be cheaply manufactured and which will perform its functions in an efficient manner. It is simply constructed of few parts, is mechanically sturdy, comparatively li ht in weight and is easily operated. The device, with wire reels supported within the structure,'can be mounted on the end of a motor truck, or other transportation means, and while the truck is stationary or in movement on the road Way, a wire strand, or strands, under constant tension can be unreeled from its spindle; or the invention can be demounted and be used stationary on the terrain, and wire under tension can be pulled from a supported reel contained within the structure; therefore the invention may be termed a demountable wire reel support, rack or stand.

It is now common practice, especially in stringing wires on poles, to freely unreel wire from the spindle, anchor the free end of the same to a supporting bracket or insulator, lay the loose wire, usually on consecutive cross arm supports, and then employ a means to pull the wire taut as is commonly done by block and tackle or motive power. v

An object of the invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned above to easily pick. up, support, transport, and handle heavy wire or cable reels for the purpose of unreeling wires or cables therefrom.

Another object is to furnish a reel support for unreeling wire and at the same time maintain a drag or braking effect, on one or more of the reels, each reel rotatable independent of each other and contained within the structure, so that the unreeled wire is under a constant tension or is taut.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device which, when in use. eliminates the necessary labor and material now needed to item sion a wire strand on a series of poles or supports and also to prevent undue sagging of the wire strands between its successive adjacent supports while "the said wire is being strung on a series of poles or supports.

A specific object of this invention is to provide a support for a standard wire reel, or a plurality of reels, commonly supplied by the trade, together with tensioning device, which co-acts with said standard reel, or plurality of reels, to maintain constant tension on the wire being unreeled therefrom.

Another object is to provide a simple wire reel carrier capable of easily engaging and raising heavy wire reels off the floor level when necessary and then lowering the reels to the normal ground level for purposes of disengaging the reels from the carrier. Standard wire reels, with their wire strands spoolecl thereon, areexceptionally bulky and heavy. It is desirable therefore, to provide a reel support or rack which is quickly adjustable to receive reels of any required size, both as to width and diameter, to raise the same above the floor level, to rotatably support the same and permit the empty, or partially empty, reel to be lowered again to ground level and be disengaged from its support, without undue physical exertion on the part of the operator, in a manner not requiring time consuming operations.

As shown in the accompanying drawings, in the preferred form of the" device, more than one reel is indicated mounted thereon. However, it is apparent that each rotatable reel is independently acted upon by the tensioning device, each reel freely rotating independently of each. other; therefore, the device is suitable for use with only one reel mounted thereon.

The device has been amply demonstrated in actual practice and found to be efficient and successful.

The invention possesses other features, objects and advantages designed to attain the purposes mentioned herein, and consists of novel features and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing by dotted lines wire reels mounted within the structure.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same.

Fig. 3 'is a side view of the structure in a mounted position on transportation, with dotted lines indicating the device in a lowered position.

Fig. 4 is a side view with reel supported within, demounted on the terrain.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view showing tensioning device handle and friction rod mounted on the slotted cross member.

Fig. 6 is a detailed side view showing the method of mounting the protective bumper.

The invention in the preferred comprises substantially a rectangular supporting frame 1. consisting of channel sides 2, and

end members

3 and 4, made of a suitable material or htweight metal, such as duraluminum, bolted together at their respective ends, reenforcing plates, l5, shown in triangular form, being fastened by bolts or welding to the top and bottom flanges of the channel sides and end members at the outer end of the frame to strengthen the structure as shown.

Center brace 6, is secured by bolts to end

members

3 and 4, preferably in their geometric centers and substantially divides the rectangular frame into two smaller rectangles.

Parallel shaft hangers 1, provided with a plurality of shaft holes 8, normally extending downward, are bolted to channel side members 2, and center brace 6, by bolts 1a, and comprise the supports or journal for reel shaft 9, which is passed thru selected corresponding shaft hanger openings and extends transversely from one side of the frame I, to the other, supporting reel l0, rotatably mounted thereon. Shaft 9, is provided at one end with shaft handle made integral therewith. Slotted cross members 5, welded to the top flange portions or side members 2, are adapted to receive horizontally movable friction rods it, said rod ends extending thru slotted openings 5a in cross members, are threaded to receive fastening nuts I 3, adjustable to the face of said cross members to maintain said rods at any desired positions in relation to wire reel Iii.

Feet i4, comprising substantially, relatively short channel pieces I8, containing a plurality of perforations IS in the webs at one end, the opposite end being provided with fixed

open jaws

23 and 2|, with curve portion 22, made integral therewith, are detachably mounted within the channels of side members 2, by bolts I6, and end of center brace member 6.

At two adjacent corners of the frame structure are secured leg sockets 23, angularly positioned thereon, adapted to receive stiff legs 24, to form a supporting reel stand when the device is used demounted on the terrain. The upper portions of stiff legs 24, adapted .to be inserted in leg sockets 23, are provided with a plurality of openings 25, to receive leg pins extending thru openings 26, in leg socket 23, to secure leg 24, within leg socket 23.

The drag or braking of the wire reel I0, or reels, supported within the device is accomplished, upon each reel acting independently, by causing the freely rotatable reel Ill, to move axially inward on shaft 9, so that the outer face of flange 29, is firmly forced against friction rod l2, adjustably positioned against flange 29, of reel EU. The inward axial movement of freely rotatable wire reel 0, on shaft 9, results from the pressure exerted on the outer face of flange 34, of said reel when anti-friction roller 3|, is forcibly contacted thereon.

Anti-friction roller 3|, is mounted on roller bracket 32, said bracket being secured to spring leafs 33, by bolts passing thru openings provided in the base of said bracket and corresponding openings in said

spring leafs

33 and 34.

Spring leafs

33 and 34, bolted together by said bracket bolts extending thru the roller bracket and said leafs, with the bracket and anti-friction roller attached as above mentioned, are mounted edgewise on top flange of channel side members 2, by means of a shackle bolt 35 passed thru the eye of spring leaf 34, and said shackle bolt pivots said spring leaf. The end portion of spring leaf 34, opposite the eye end is fashioned as the handle 34, adapted to be operatable within the opening adjacent to to, in the extended portion of slotted cross member 5.

Substantially near the handle portion of spring leaf 34, is provided an opening 36, which constitutes a chain hole, one portion of which is slotted, adaptable to receive a link of tension chain 31, one end being anchored by chain hook 38, to cross member 5. A safety chain 39, with chain hook 40 attached to its free end, is securely mounted on the web of channel side member 2, to engage a portion of a support furnished by the shaft of pulley 44, on the end of motor truck frame to prevent the accidental lowering of frame I when mounted thereon.

Frame hook 4|, rigidly mounted on end member 3, at substantially its center portion, supplies a means to engage frame I, by cable 42, when mounted on motor truck 43, said truck being provided with a cable winch to reel in said cable, and raise said frame, by reeling in cable 42 on the winch, said cable passing over and being supported by pulley 44, mounted on end of motor truck 43.

It has been found that frame I is sometimes damaged when cable 42 pulls the said frame too close to the pulley supporting shaft mounted on the end of the truck 43; therefore, it is sometimes advisable to furnish a means to protect the frame from damage by installing bumper 41, on channel side member 2, substantially close to the portion near the leg sockets 23, of said frame as shown on Figure 6. ed on bumper brackets 46, said brackets being secured to the web of channel member 2, at the portion substantially near the triangular strengthening plates.

When using the device mounted on a vehicle, such as the end of a motor truck, feet l4, of the device, engage feet bracket 45, suitably secured to the said vehicle, cable 42, the free end being fastened to frame hook 4|, the opposite end being reeled on a vehicle winch, either hand or power operated, raises or lowers the device, by reeling the cable over guiding sheeve or pulley 44, suitably mounted on end of vehicle 43, onto its winch, over a standard wire reel Hi, to a position whereby shaft 9 can be inserted thru shaft hanger opening 8, transversely thru the core of said wire reel 13, to the opposite side of the frame of the device thus engaging the wire reel within the said device. Cable 42 being wound on the vehicle winch, passing over the cable guide pulley 44, mounted on the end of the vehicle, raises the wire reel support and the wire reel to any desired position above the floor or terrain level.

The device may be provided with a bumper 41, as shown in Figure 6, so that the upper portion of raised support frame does not violently contact the guiding pulley sup-port shaft 44.

The freely rotatable wire reel is now ready to pay out the wire spooled thereon, the free end of the wire is anchored to a support, usually a cross arm insulator or bracket, or any other suitable anchorage, the vehicle with the device mounted thereon is then moved away from the wire anchorage causing the wire to be unspooled and wire reel to freely rotate on its axis, shaft 9 on the device. As the wire freely unreels it becomes necessary to check the rotation of the wire reel, or its unreeling speed, so that the slack in the wire is taken up and the wire will become taut and not unduly sag between its successive adjacent supports due to its own weight. In order to eliminate the undue sag, and to control the rotation of reel in, handle portion of the resilient tensioning member 34 pivoted on the device is moved inward and forces the antifriction member Bumper 41 is suitably mount- 3! secured thereto by bolts not shown, against the side of reel flange 39, thereby pushing axially inward the reel It, so that the inward face of flange 29, is forced in contact with friction rod i2, thereby controlling the rotation of the wire reel, which with decelerated rotation causes the unreeled Wire to become taut.

This same operation of causing the unreeled wire to become taut is performed when the wire reel support containing a wire reel mounted thereon is adapted with the adjustable stiff legs 24 to be used demounted on the terrain when disconnected from the conveying vehicle. In this case the resilient tension member 34 is adjusted, while wire is being manually pulled from the freely rotatable reel, at which time it becomes necessary to properly maintain the anti-friction rooler 3!, in a position against reel II], by passing tensioning chain 31, thru chain hole 36, and securing one link of said chain in the slotted portion of said chain hole, by its

tension members

33 and 34, against the side of the rotating reel. This causes the deceleration of the rotation of the wire reel, whereby the slack in the unreeled wire is taken up, thereby eliminating wire sag. The tensioning of the wire is then maintained at any degree desired by adjusting chain 31 in chain hole 36, as mentioned above, in the opening or chain hole of the handle portion of the tension member, as shown by Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings. When the wire reel rotates on its shaft 9, the tensioning member, being resilient, maintains the anti-friction member 3!, against the outer face of wheel flange 29, even though the reel does not run accurately on its shaft 9, which sometimes causes high and low positions on the rotating flange face.

Having described my invention, I claim the following:

In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a vehicle; a wire reel supporting frame detachably mounted to the vehicle; hangers carried by said frame; a removable reel shaft supported by said hangers; wire reels rotatably mounted on said shaft; parallel friction rods each adjacent to and coacting with one side of each wire reel; resilient brake members pivoted on said frame each coacting with the side of a wire reel opposite to the side of the wire reel which coacts with the friction rod; and means to maintain said brake members against one side of said wire reels, said means comprising a chain passing through an opening in each of said brake members, a link of each chain coacting with the side of each brake member adjacent to each of said openings, to maintain each of said brake members in engagement with the side of the wire reel adjacent thereto and to maintain the opposite side of said wire reel in engagement with one of the friction rods.

FRED O. LEWIS.