US2340436A - Level winder - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 1, 1944.

s. M. STONE ETAL LEVEL WINDER Filed July 2. 1942 Caz/'2 61135565 WW? 22 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 V Samzzei JIZ 5125726 3 ,060

Feb. 1, 1944.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 no Z M m 0% 1944- s. M. STONE ETAL 2,340,436

' LEVEL WINDER Filed July 2. 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Feb. 1, 1944 LEVEL WINDER Samuel M. Stone, River Forest, and Carl S. Bates, Chicago, Ill., assignors, by mesne assignments, of seven-eighths to Stone Wheel Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois, and one-eighth to Carl S. Bates Application July 2, 1942, Serial No. 449,440

18 Claims.

This invention relates to a level winder and more particularly to a level winder for the winding drums of winches and the like.

A primary object of the invention is the provision of improved apparatus adapted to be associated with a winding drum and providing for levelly and-evenly winding a cable or the like around the drum with each layer of the wound cable properly and evenly disposed upon a preceding layer of wound coils.

A further object is the provision of such apparatus which may be mounted independently of its associated drum and is readily applicable to existing winches, hoists and the like.

A further object is the provision of a level winder that is readily adjustable to drums of different widths and cables of different sizes.

A still further object is the provision of a level winder in which the load on a cable guide is distributed over a plurality of spaced driving members whereby eifective leverage is maintained on the cable guide against distortional strain of the cable load.

Still another object is the provision of a level winder having a swivelly mounted cable guide head and a plurality of spaced, parallel, synchronously moving, endless chain members for carrying and driving the guide head.

A further object is the provision of a new and improved sectional frame structure for supporting a level winding apparatus.

These and other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a selected embodiment of the invention, and in which: i

' Fig. 1 is a plan view of a winding drum having a level winder constructed in accordance with the present invention associated therewith;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; a

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view taken at the left-hand side of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2; and V Fig. 6 is a sectional detail taken along the lm 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral l0 designates the winding drum of a winch or the like. The drum l0 comprises a cylindrical drum portion II and a pair of side or end flanges l2, and is rotatably supported in suitable bearing members. notshown, by means of outwardly ex! tending shafts l3 and IA. The winding drum is adapted to be rotated by any suitable power means, also not shown, to effect the winding ofa cable l5 or the like upon the drum portion ll between the flanges l2.

A level winder designated generally by the reference numeral I6 is associated with the drum I 0 adjacent its forward side and provides for levelly and evenly winding the cable I5 on the drum with each successive layer of the wound cable properly and evenly disposed upon a preceding layer of wound coils.

In accordance with the present invention the level winder l6 comprises a swivelly mounted guide head ll, a carrier l8 for supporting the guide head, and a plurality of spacer driving members IQ for moving the carrier l8 and head I! through a predetermined orbital path. In the illustrated embodiment two such driving members l9 are shown and each comprises an endless roller chain having rollers 20 pivotally connected together by links 2 l.

I The entire level winding mechanism is carried by a structural main frame structure which ex-- tends longitudinally of the drum l0 and com prises a pair of end sections 22 and 23 and one or more intermediate sections 24, as best shown in Fig. 2. The main frame is thus adjustable to winding drums of different widths by merely inserting a desired number and length of intermediate sections 24 between the end sections 22 and 23. Only one intermediate section 24 is shown in the drawings, but any desired number of such sections may be employed to obtain the desired length of frame as hereinafter described.

As best shown in Fig. 5 each of the main frame sections, including the intermediate section or sections, comprises upper and lower substantially I-shaped sections 25 joined together by webs 26 andstrengthening ribs 27. The variousiend and intermediate sections of the main frame are united into a rigid unitary structure by means of four channel members 28 which extend longitudinally of the frame sections and engage about.

the upper and lower I-shaped portions 25 of the frame sections at each side thereof. The re spective upper and lower channels 28 are rigidly clamped to the respective frame sections by bolts 29 which extend through suitable openings provided in the channels and the I-shaped portions of the frame sections. The channels 28 and bolts 29 thus provide a rigid frame'structureand at the same time provide for readily adjusting the length of the frame by permitting the insertion Thus the end sections 22 and 23 may be properly adjusted with respect to the intermediate section or sections. The main frame is maintained in its proper adjusted length by means of adjusting screws 3| which are threaded into upwardly and downwardly extending lugs 32 provided on the end sections 22 and 23, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The adjusting screws 3| have heads 33 which engage against cooperating lugs 34 attached to the intermediate frame section 24, and

a locking nut 35 maintains the screws in proper adjusted position.

The end sections 22 and 23 also include downwardly extending portions or feet 38 and 31 which provide a support for the main frame. The supporting portions 35 and 31 are adapted to be mounted on any suitable base member, such as the channel 38, which maybe entirely independent of the base for the Winding drum l0, whereby the level winder is applicable to existing winches and the like. Each of the end sections 22 and 23 also includes vertically extending bearing portions 39 in which shafts 40 and ll having upper and lower sprockets d2 fixed thereto are rotatably mounted.

Each of the end sections 22 and 23 of the main frame also includes upwardly and downwardly extending bosses upon which idler sprockets 43 are rotatably mounted by means of bolts 44. The intermediate frame section 2d likewise includes upwardly and downwardly extending bosses upon which idler sprockets 6-5 are rotatably mounted by means of bolts d5. If more than one intermediate section is used, each of. these sections preferably includes an idler sprocket 45. The driving chains l9 train around the respective upper and lower sprockets 42, 43 and i and the relative sizes of these sprockets are so coordinated that the carrier l8 for the guide head will travel around the end sprockets d2 at a desired speed.

The carrier l8 for supporting the guide head comprises an elongated plate member '41 which extends vertically between the driving chains 19 and is attached to each of these chain members, thereby to effectively support the guide head against distortional strain of the cable load. jAs best shownin Figs. 3 and 5 the carrier plate 4'! is .provided with inwardly extending lugs 48 which project over and under the links 2| of the chain members IE3. The carrier plate 41 is operatively attached to the chain members I9 by means of pins 49 which form extensions of the pins for pivotally connecting the chain links 2| with the rollers 20. To prevent rotation of the carrier l8 aboutits connection with the chain members |9, the plate 41 is preferably of such width that the lugs 48 are connected to two adjacent pins 49 forming the connection between a link 2| and rollers 20 as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The guide head Comprises a pair of vertically extending shafts 5|! and 5| which, as above described, provide a swivelly mounted cable guide upon the carrier l8. The shaft 5E) is rigidly mounted in the upper end of the carrier plate 4'! and may be integral therewith as illustrated size as to properly receive and guide the cable t5 therebetween, and are freely rotatable on the shafts 5e and 5|. Thus as the head I1 is moved about the traverse of the chains IS, the cable i5 is guided freely along the length or width of the drum lo, and the sheaves 51 are adapted to move upwardly as each succeeding layer of the cable is Wound upon the drum.

The downwardly extending foot portion 36 of r the end section 22 also includes an arm 58 which projects outwardly beneath the bearing portion 39. This arm 58 supports a housing 59 within which a worm drive for the shaft) is operatively mounted. As illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the worm drive comprises a worm wheel 60 attached to a downwardly extending portion of the shaft 4|! and a worm 6| mounted upon a shaft 62 rotatably carried by the housing 59. A spocket 53 is attached to the shaft 62 and is operatively connected to the winding drum ||l by means of a chain '84 which extends about a sprocket 55 fixed to the drum shaft l4.

During the travel of the carrier l8 and guide head along the back reaches of the chains l9, the plate 4'! of the carrier is preferably given additional guiding support by means of'a guide plate 65, Figs. 1 and 3, which extends along the rear side of the winder parallel to the chains I 8. The guide plate 56. may be in the form of a channel member 61, as shown, t give it additional rigidity and is positioned intermediate the upper and lower driving chains| 9. Anysuitable means such as upwardlyextending brackets "65 may be provided for supporting the *guide plate 66 on the base member 38.

A level winder is thus provided which is adapted to *be applied to any existing winch or thelike and which provides for levelly andevenlywinding a cable 'orthe like upon a winding'drum. The guide head for the cable is so "supported by the plurality of spaced endless chain members as to prevent -distor-tion thereof under the cable load. The swivelly mounted guide head to gether with the rotatably and slidably'moun-t'ed sheaves 57 provide for freely feeding the cable to the drum. The sectional main frame together with the adjusting screws 3| provide for adjust ing the level winder to drums of any desired width or length. The winder .may be readilyadjusjted to any desired cable size by merely changing the drive sprockets B3 and|i5 andthe Il'guide sheaves 5?. The sprockets -53 and55 are easily removed and the guide sheaves 51 are readily changed by merely unscrewing the locking nuts "54' 'and'56.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the .parts 'w'ithout departing from the spirit of the'invent'ion or'sacrificing any of its advantages, and therig'ht is hereby reserved to make-all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A level winder for awind-ingdrum-comprising "a main frame a plurality of spaced parallel endless members carried-by said main frame for movement through a predetermined orbital path, a carrier member attaehed-to said-plurality of endless mentbersfor movement there with, and a guide member for a cable or the'like mounted upon said carrier member.

2'. A level winder for a winding drum comprising a main frame, a plurality of spaced'parallel endless members carried by said main frame for movement through a predetermined orbital path,

a carrier member attached to said plurality of.

endless members for movement therewith, and a self aligning guide member for a cable or the likeswivelly mounted upon said carriermember.

3. A level winder for a winding drum comprsing a main frame, a plurality of spaced parallel endless members: carried by said main frame for movement through a predetermined orbital path, each of said endless members comprising an endless chain, a carrier member attached to said plurality of endless membersfor movement therewith, and a selfaligning guidemember for a cable or the like swivelly mounted upon said carrier member.

4. A level winder fora winding drum comprising a main frame, a plurality of spaced parallel endless members carried by said main frame for movement through a predetermined orbital path, a carrier member attached to said plurality of endless members for movement therewith, and a self aligning guide member for a cable or the like swivelly mounted upon said carrier member, said guide member comprising a pair of parallel shafts and rotatable guide,

sheaves slidably mounted upon each. .of said af s, I I s 5. A level winder for a winding drum comprising a main frame, a plurality of spaced parallel endless members carried by said main frame for movement through a predetermined orbital path, a carrier member attached to said plurality of endless members for movement therewith, a self aligning guide member for a cable or the like swivelly mounted upon said carrier member, and means for synchronously driving said endless members from said winding drum.

6. A level winder for a winding drum comprising a main frame, a plurality of spaced parallel endless members carried by said main frame for movement through a predetermined orbital path, a carrier member attached to said plurality of endless members for movement therewith, a self aligning guide member for a. cable or the like swivelly mounted upon said carrier member, means for supporting said main frame independently of the support for said winding drum, and means including a sprocket and chain for synchronously driving said endless members from said winding drum.

7. A level winder for a winding drum comprising a main frame, a plurality of spaced parallel endless members carried by said main frame for movement through a predetermined orbital path, a carrier member attached to said plurality of endless members for movement therewith, a self aligning guide member for a cable or the like swivelly mounted upon said carrier member, each of said endless members comprising a chain having rollers pivotally connected together by connecting links, and said carrier member being attached to each of said chains by a pair of pivot pins connecting two of said rollers with one of said links.

8. A level winder for a winding drum comprising a main frame, a plurality of spaced parallel endless members carried by said main frame for movement through a predetermined orbital path, a carrier member attached to said plupath, a carrier member attached to said plu rality of endless members for movementrtherewith, a self aligning guide-member fora cable; or the like swivelly mounted upon saidcarrier member, said frame comprising a plurality of separate sections detachably connected, togeth er, and means for adjusting the distance between a plurality of said frame sections to varythe length of theframe. y

10, In a level winder of the character de scribed, a sectional main frame comprising a pair of end sections adapted to have one or more intermediate sections clamped therebetween to,

vary the length of the frame, means including a plurality of longitudinally extending channel members, for uniting said end sections and. a desired number of intermediate sections into fa rigid frame structure, and means for adjusting the spacing between said end sections and, at least one intermediate section,

11. In a;level winder, of the characterjde -r scribed, a' sectional main frarnecomprising a,

pair of end sections adapted to have one or more intermediate sections clamped therebetween to vary the length of the frame, means for uniting said end sections and a desired number of in-- termediate sectionslnto a rigid frame structure,.

and at least one of said end sections including;

a bearing member for supporting a drive shaft,

having spaced sprockets attached thereto.

12. In a level winder of the character de-- scribed, a sectional main frame comprising a pair of end sections adapted to have one or more intermediate sections clamped therebetween to vary the length of the frame, means for uniting said end sections and a desired number of intermediate sections into the rigid frame structure, at least one of said end sections including a bearing member supporting a drive shaft having spaced sprockets attached thereto, worm drive means for said drive shaft carried by said one end section, and means including a sprocket and chain for driving said worm drive means.

13. In a level winder of the character described, a sectional main frame comprising a pair of end sections adapted to have one Or more intermediate sections clamped therebetween to vary the length of the frame, means for uniting said end sections and a desired number of intermediate sections into a rigid frame structure, each of said end sections including a bearing member for supporting a shaft having spaced sprockets attached thereto, and a plurality of spaced idler sprockets carried by each of said end sections interiorly of said first named sprockets.

14. In a level winder of the character described, a sectional main frame comprising a pair of end sections adapted to have one or more intermediate sections clamped therebetween to vary the length of the frame, means for uniting said end sections and a desired number of intermediate sections into a rigid frame structure, each of said end sections including a bearing memher for supporting a shaft: hawine spaceda sproelce et attachedtheretm a plurality'oi: spaced idler sprocketscarriedbmeach-oti' said end; sections interiorly ofisaidizfirst,named sprockets; andaaplu rallty -of spaced idler sprockets carried by each trolling; the; path of movement" of said chainsand=the carrier member-attached thereto.

1-6. A level winderfoxa, winding-drum comprising a mainframe, a-- plurality of spaced parallel endless chains carried by saidmain frame for" movement through apredetermined orbital patha carrier member attached to said plurality; of endl'esschains for-movement therewith, a self-T aligned guide member for a. cable or-thelike; swivelly mounted upon: said carrier memher; and means including a plurality of idlersprockets' and a, longitudinally extending guide rail forcontrollingthe path ofmovement of said chains and the carrier member" attached theretm r 17. A, level Winder for a winding drum comprising a: Ina-inframe having a: plurality of separate sections providingfor varying the lengthof agaamaae I a pair of spaced-s parallel: endlesswchainscarried by: saida'main framefor movement through: a

' predetermined? orbital path, a. carrier member extending transversely: of: said pair 01% chains; meansiforr rigid-lyattaching. saidtlcanrier member to each-.ofilsaidi chains; alsel-fi' allgnedaguidez mamber. ion a, cable-V the: likeaswivellyl mounted: upon: said: carrier; said? guidemember including: a:, pair:- of parallel: shafts; and: 2,! pair of sheaves rotatably: andgslidably mountedi upon said shaits, drive means for; synchronously: operating.- saidi chains carried by oneof said' framesections, and means: for driving said drive means from: said winding drumi 18a In at level: winderot the character d'e scribed; a plurality: of endless members mov able through an orbital? path, a carrier membernigidly= attachedto said plurality of endl'esszmemhere for movement therewith, and a. guide member' for a cablemrthe like mounted upon said carrier member, saidguide member comprising an shaft extending outwardly from saidcarrier member, a second shat-t parallel to saidfirst named shaft; a pair of spaced plate members at tached: to-said second shaft and pivotally mounted upon said firstnamedshaft, a pair of sheaves retatably and slidably mounted upon said shafts between said plate members; and means" for detachably' maintaining saidplate-- members and said sheaves uponsaid'shafts;

SAMUEL M., STONE: CARD S; BATES.

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