US2985404A - Means for dispensing coiled wire from a container - Google Patents

Description

May 23, 1961 F. K. TASH IRO 2,985,404

MEANS FOR DISPENSING COILED WIRE FROM A CONTAINER Filed June 16, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. FRHNI A. Tqa-H/m a Qlwi f May 23, 1961 F. K. TASHIRO MEANS FOR DISPENSING COILED WIRE FROM A CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 16, 1958 R mm m m M MQEM 1. JT 7 #N K w. n 5 m 0 J m m m m m w ttes finite MEANS FOR DISPENSING COILED WIRE FROM A CONTAINER This invention relates to devices for dispensing coiled wire, rope, or the like from containers.

More particularly, the invention has reference to an improved form of device whereby wire, rope or the like may be conveniently, naturally and speedily dispensed from a coil while it is enclosed in a container or carton for handling, protection and shipment.

As used herein, the term naturally refers to the condition of the dispensed wire. The wire is returned for all practical purposes to the completely neutral hence, natural state is assumed before it was coiled. This is accomplished due to the inherent capacity of the device to dispense the wire in precisely the reverse order from that in which the wire was coiled. The wire is orderly uncoiled from the innermost coil without disturbance to the remaining coils.

As used herein, the term speedy, refers to the rapidity of identification of the desired wire, of mounting, of dismounting, of storage, and of the capacity for high speed dispensing and recoiling operations made possible as the wire coil is retained in its original carton until completely dispensed.

As used herein, the term conveniently, refers to the ease of wire identification, the simplicity of operation, the capacity to recoil excess footage and the preservation of the container cartons for an orderly and compact storage.

While the present invention is adapted for use with coiled wire, rope, small diameter flexible tubing, tape or the like, it is primarily intended for the dispensing of wire. Therefore, it will be described as used in connection with wire coils but with the understanding that the term Wire is intended to designate any material with which the device may be employed in a like manner for the same purpose.

It is the principal object of the invention to provide a device of reel form, on which a carton or container, in which the coil of wire is confined, may be mounted for the dispensing operation, and from which the wire may be speedily and naturally withdrawn without causing kinking or entanglement of the wire.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device of a reel form, including a turntable equipped with a central capstan, or spindle, on to which a prepared carton containing a coil of wire may be mounted and rotated for a speedy withdrawal of the wire from the carton, and which, if desired, may be rotated in a reverse direction for the purpose of recoiling any portion of the withdrawn wire back into the carton.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device of the character and for the purpose stated above, wherein the capstan is coaxial with the turntable, and is designed to be upwardly projecting through the bottom of the mounted carton containing the wire coil and holds the carton and the turntable against relative motion during the dispensing operation.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a sleeve member .for the capstan or spindle, to accommoiii;

date the device to cartons of greater height, and to provide a capstan sleeve for wire that requires a cylindrical capstan, and also for the generation of coils to facilitate the rewinding operation, and to provide the sleeve member with a means for its manual rotation, a means for its concurrent rotation with the capstan, and a means for curbing the wire from spiraling above the sleeve member.

Still further objects and advantages of the invention reside in the details of construction and combination of the various parts embodying the device, and in the mode of use of the device for its intended purposes, as will hereinafter be fully described.

In accomplishing the above mentioned and other objects I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a wire dispensing device embodied by the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the device taken on the axial plane of the turntable and capstan.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the capstan, taken on line 3-3 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the manner of mounting the usual coil containing carton on the table and capstan.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the upper end portion of the capstan and the capstan sleeve that is applicable thereover.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the capstan sleeve as applied over the capstan.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken through the capstan sleeve and capstan above the level of the carton or container when assembled as in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the top side of one carton and the underside of another as prepared for application to the capstan and turntable.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section of a capstan of an alternative form of construction.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

For a better understanding of the present invention, it will first be mentioned in coils of wire, rope and other materials for which the present device is to be used, they are sold in trade in cardboard cartons of standardized dimensions; such cartons being square in plan and of varying depths, depending on the material contained therein. In the present drawings the carton is designated by numeral Iii. The proportionate dimensions of most cartons used with this device are substantially as indicated in Fig. 4. The material, herein referred to as Wire, is formed into a coil which is laid flatly in the carton; such a coil being designated by reference numeral 11 in Figs. 4, 6 and 7. To prepare the coil containing carton 10 for use with the present dispensing device, a .circular opening 12 is cut centrally in its top wall 10a and the bottom wall 10b is formed with three short slits 13 radiating from the center point thereof, as has been shown in Fig. 8.

The components of this dispensing device comprise a vertical standard 15, a turntable 18, with a central capstan, a set collar 26, and a capstan sleeve. The vertical standard 15, is fixed centrally on a horizontal circular base member 16. The standard has an upper end portion 15x, of reduced diameter, thus providing the standard medially'of its ends with an upwardly facing, annular shoulder 17, as best shown in Fig. 2. Supported by the standard for rotation thereabout, is a horizontal turntable 18. This is here shown to be square in 'formrbut may be circular, and is formed centrally, as noted -in1F;ig. 2, with a hole or passage :19 through which the larger lower end portion of the standard 15 extends with clearance. Mounted centrally on the turntable 18 is a capstan or standard comprising a base plate 20' of annular form that is disposed flatly upon the turntable concentrically about the hole 19; this plate being fixed to the turntable by means of screw bolts 21. Fixed to the ring or plate 20, are three vertical fins 22. These are arranged at equal angular intervals about the axial line of the turntable and ring with their inner edges welded 'or otherwise fixed to the tube or sleeves 25 and 25x that rotatably contain the upper end portion 151: of the standard therein.

The tube 25x terminates at its lower end somewhat above the ring 20 with its end surface resting on the shoulder 17, of the standard 15. The set collar 26, is used to secure the rotatable capstan turntable assembly to the standard 15. I employ a set screw 28, that is threaded through the set collar and tightened against the standard 15x. As noted in Fig. 2, the fins 22 are recessed at their lower ends as at 29, to give clearance for the set collar 26. The lower end portions of the fins are clear of the standard 15, so that the turntable can turn freely thereon.

It is also a feature of the invention that the tube 25 terminates at its upper end somewhat above the top edges of the fins in a sharply beveled end surface 32. Also, as shown in the several views, the upper edges of the fins 22 are upwardly and inwardly beveled at a sharp angle a to aid in the applying of a carton thereover, as presently explained.

Assuming the device to be so constructed, it is used as follows: A container or carton 10 in which the coil of wire is contained in the usual manner is prepared by first cutting out the central portion of the top wall to form a circular opening 12 of substantial diameter as shown in Figs. 4, 7 and 8. Then the bottom Wall of the carton is incised with the three radially directed slits 13, as shown in Fig. 8.

The carton is then applied to the device by positioning it horizontally, centrally, and directly over the capstan spindle 32 and then by forcing it down over the capstan, in such a manner as to allow the capstan fins 22 to engage the radial slits 13, until it is seated on the turntable. The parts will then assume the positions and relationships as shown in the full lines in Fig. 4. The inner end of the wire coil is then grasped and the wire drawn out through the opening 12 to the length desired. As the wire is drawn out, it spirals from the coil to the capstan and then helically climbs the capstan to rise out of the carton through the opening 12. The tension on the wire during its withdrawal causes this helix to close about the capstan and bind on the capstan fins. This binding provides the traction of the wire on the capstan which causes the rotation of the turntable and the carton. This rotation is compatible with the turns in the wire coil so that the wire is delivered in its natural state, free from entanglements of any kind, when withdrawn. This dispensing process can be reversed by manual counter rotation of the device for the purpose of returning the wire back into the carton.

If it is desired to remove a carton from the standard, at any time, it is easily lifted oif. It is also possible to place two or more cartons on top of the first one if this should be desired and then dispense wire from the uppermost carton.

It is preferred that the top of the turntable be covered with a pad 40 of rubber or other suitable material of a like character, as shown in Fig. 2, against which the carton will rest.

In Figs. 5 and 6, I have shown a sleeve member for application about the fins as applied to the capstan. This sleeve member is in the form of a tube 42 which is of such diameter as to fit closely about the fins as shown in Fig. 7. The length of the tube is such that when it rests atits lower end against the interior bottom of the applied carton, its upper end projects somewhat above the upper end of tube 2'5 as indicated in dotted lines on Fig. 5. The sleeve isformed lengthwise with an inwardly projecting flange 43 adapted to engage against any one of the fins 22 when the sleeve has been applied, as shown in Fig. 7. At its upper end the tubular member 42 is equipped with a somewhat larger and horizontally disposed turning ring 44 attached by a plurality of arms 45 extending upwardly and outwardly from the tube. This ring is provided at one point with an upwardly projecting crank handle 46. a

When the sleeve device 42 is used, it is applied over the fins and downwardly through the circular opening 12 so as to rest on the interior bottom of the uppermost container or carton that has been positioned on the turntable. Then the cartons may be rotated for unwinding or rewinding the wire coil by use of the crank 46.

In Fig. 9, I have illustrated an alternative form of carton mounting standard 50; this being square in cross-section and fixed at its lower end to the ring 20. It is equipped with a coaxial tubular mounting hub 51, corresponding to the sleeve 25 to receive the reduced upper end portionof the standard 15x in the same manner as indicated in Fig. 2. The length of the square standard 50 would be such that it could be put to the same purpose and use as the capstan sleeve 42 shown in Fig. 6

It is anticipated that a dispensing device of the type herein disclosed and described may also be used with a loose, free or open coil which is not confined within a container. The coil is placed upon turntable and about the capstan in a position similar to a box of wire. The wire is drawn from the coil in the same manner as when contained in the box. At 41 I have indicated a hole in the platform through which the outer end of the wire may be projected so as to provide a means for anchoring or securing this end. In lieu of a hole, a clip or other means may be used for securing the outer end of the coil to retain the outer turns of the coil in position.

Devices of the character described greatly facilitate the dispensing of wire coiled in containers without neces' sitating the removal of the coil. It provides for the dispensing of the wire from coils without entanglement. It enables excess wire withdrawn from the containers to be rcwound and disposed back within the container in an orderly condition.

The preparation of the cartons with openings 12 and 13 may be done at the time of their application to the turntable or at the time of manufacture of the carton. Though it makes for easy application of the containers to the capstan, it is not necessary to provide the slits 13 in the bottom of the containers. If the containers are applied with some force, the pointed end 32 and fins 22 will readily pierce and cut the bottom of the container.

What I claim as new is:

1. In combination, a paper box of coiled wire or the like and a dispensing device for the coiled wire, said box comprising a bottom and a top with a central opening therein, the wire in the box being coiled concentric of said opening, said dispensing device comprising a base, a vertical standard mounted on said base, a capstan rotatably mounted on said standard, a horizontal turntable secured to and supported by said capstan at the lower end thereof, said turntable providing supporting means for said box with the capstan projecting upwardly through the box and concentric with the coil of wire, and said capstan including a center tube and a plurality of radially directed fins attached along their respective inner, vertical edges to said tube, said fins projecting through the bottom of the box in holding engagement therewith to maintain the box in fixed position on said turntable and said fins providing means to be grippingly engaged by wire withdrawn from the box whereby the turntable, box and capstan are caused to rotate incident to the withdrawal of wire from the box;

2. A combination as in claim 1 wherein a recess is provided in the capstan intermediate its ends .and a .set'

collar is secured to said standard within said recess to retain the turntable and capstan on the standard,

3. A combination as in claim 1 wherein said fins include upward and inwardly inclined edges at their upper ends and the tube is pointed at its upper end.

4. In combination, a paper box of coiled Wire or the like and a dispensing device for the coiled wire, said box comprising a bottom and a top with a central opening therein, the wire in the box being coiled concentric of said opening, said dispensing device comprising a base, a vertical standard mounted on said base, a capstan rotatably mounted on said standard, a horizontal turn table secured to and supported by said capstan at the lower end thereof, said turntable providing supporting means for said box with the capstan projecting upwardly through the box and concentric with the coil of wire, and said capstan including a center tube and a plurality of radially directed fins attached along their respective inner, vertical edges to said tube, said fins projecting through the bottom of the box in holding engagement therewith, an extension means applied to the capstan to increase the height thereof, said extension means including a cylindrical sleeve and means on the inner surface of the sleeve to engage said fins to retain the sleeve in position relative to the capstan.

5. A combination as in claim 4 wherein the extension means includes an outwardly flared top.

6. A combination as in claim 4 wherein the sleeve member is provided with a crank for rotating the sleeve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,488,541 Hasen Apr. 1, 1924 FOREIGN PATENTS v 280,703 Switzerland May 1, 1952

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