US3648975A

US3648975A - Tape dispensing device

Info

Publication number: US3648975A
Application number: US93244A
Authority: US
Inventors: Dory J Neale Sr
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-11-27
Filing date: 1970-11-27
Publication date: 1972-03-14
Anticipated expiration: 1989-03-14

Abstract

An improved tape dispensing device for use on a cable lashing machine having a structure substantially as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,663,544 issued Dec. 22, 1953 to Joseph J. Harley is disclosed and comprises a core and a roll of lashing tape thereon rotatably mounted in a compartment of the machine and a support member spaced therefrom and having spaced pins to tension the tape and guide roller to direct the tape from the device and toward a cable and supporting strand to be lashed together, as exemplary of the inventive concept.

Description

United States Patent Neale, Sr.

[ Mar. 14, 1972 [54] TAPE DISPENSING DEVICE [72] Inventor: Dory J. Neale, Sr., 3710 Shore Acres Boulevard, St. Petersburg, Fla. 33703 [22] Filed: Nov. 27, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 93,244

[52] US. Cl ..254/134.3CL [5 1] Int. Cl. ..E2lc 29/16 [58] Field of Search ..254/134, 3 R, 3 CL [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,231,962 2/1941 St. John ..254/134.3 CL 3,024,000 9/ i962 Pfundt ..254/1 34.3 CL

3,482,818 12/1969 Neale ..254/134.3CL

Primary Examiner-Othell M. Simpson AttorneyFishburn, Gold and Litman [57] ABSTRACT An improved tape dispensing device for use on a cable lashing machine having a structure substantially as shown and described in US. Pat. No. 2,663,544 issued Dec. 22, 1953 to Joseph J. Harley is disclosed and comprises a core and a roll of lashing tape thereon rotatably mounted in a compartment of the machine and a support member spaced therefrom and having spaced pins to tension the tape and guide roller to direct the tape from the device and toward a cable and supporting strand to be lashed together, as exemplary of the inventive concept.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEBHAR 14 I972 sum 2 OF 3 INVENTOR.

BY Dory I Neale Sr.

ATTOR N EYS PATENTEDMAR 14 I972 SHEET 3 [IF 3 INVEN'RR DoryI Neale S ATTO RN EYS TAPE DISPENSING DEVICE The present invention relates to apparatus for spinning lashing members about an aerial cable and its supporting strand or messenger to attach the cable to said messenger and, more particularly, to an improved tape dispensing device for use on a cable lashing machine having a structure substantially as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,663,544 issued Dec. 22, 1953 to Joseph J. Harley.

It is common practice to use machines for lashing cables to a messenger. The machines are supported on the messenger and pulled along the messenger by a rope, cable, chain, or the like, to cause rotation of a spinning head to wrap lashing wire or tape around the messenger to fasten the cable thereto. Lashing or spinning machines usually carry a spool or reel on which a coil or roll of wire or tape is mounted and the spool or reel'is revolved around the cable and supporting strand or messenger to wind the wire or tape from the coil or reel in a spiral or helical formation about the cable and strand as the machine is moved therealong by the pulling rope, chain, cable, or the like.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide an improvement for cable lashing machines having a structure substantially as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,663,544 issued Dec. 22, I953 to Joseph J. Harley, said improvement being a tape dispensing device for converting the machines from wire to tape; to provide such an improved tape dispensing device wherein a roll of lashing tape is easily installed and retained in the dispensing device; to provide such a tape dispensing device for cable lashing machines which is operative to effect tension in the tape dispensed therefrom; to provide such a tape dispensing device which effects a smooth and even pay out of tape therefrom; to provide such a tape dispensing device wherein a core and roll of lashing tape thereon is rotatably mounted on a cable lashing machine and retained in a compartment of said machine and easily installed and removed from the tape dispensing device; to provide such a tape dispensing device having a cone-shaped direction changing guide roller for directing the tape toward a cable and supporting strand or messenger to be lashed together; and to provide such a tape dispensing device which is easily and directly installed on the Harley type cable lashing machines, economical to manufacture, durable in construction, positive in operation, and particularly well adapted for the proposed use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. I is a side elevational view of a cable lashing machine having a structure substantially as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,663,544 issued Dec. 22, 1953 to Joseph 1. Harley.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the cable lashing machine modified to have an improved tape dispensing device mounted thereon and embodying features of the present invention for converting the Harley type cable lashing machines from wire to tape.

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view through the cable lashing machine taken on line 3-3, FIG. 2 and showing means for mounting the improved tape dispensing device thereon.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of tape guiding and tensioning means of the tape dispensing device.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 55, FIG. 2 and showing means for mounting ofa roll of lashing tape in a compartment of the cable lashing machine.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the tape guiding and tensioning means of the tape dispensing device.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The reference numeral 1 generally designates an improved tape dispensing device embodying features of the present invention and which is constructed for use in a cable lashing machine 2 for lashing or securing one or a plurality of aerial cables 3 to a supporting strand or messenger 4 by means of spirally or helically spun or wound lashing wire 5. The cable lAA I lashing machine 2 has a structure substantially as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,663,544 issued Dec. 22, I953 to Joseph J. Harley.

The improvement comprises modifications, as later described, to the cable lashing machine 2 for converting same from wire to tape dispensing wherein the tape dispensing device 1 includes structure for dispensing of lashing tape used to secure an aerial cable or cables to a messenger or strand and includes apparatus that dispenses the lashing tape, tensions same and guides the tape toward a position on the cable or cables and supporting strand to be lashed together.

The cable lashing machine 2 has a chassis 6 having spaced apart stationary front and rear portions 7 and 8 respectively and a rotatable cylinder or drum 9 positioned therebetween and rotatable on the chassis 6. The front or forward portion 7 of the cable lashing machine 2 is stationary and houses suitable driving mechanism for the rotatable drum 9 and suitable supports for the front portion 7 of the machine 2. The rear portion of the machine 2 is provided with suitable means for supporting said rear portion and for holding the cable or cables 3 to be secured to the supporting strand 4 in juxtaposition as the cable or cables 3 are lashed to the supporting strand 4.

The rotatable drum 9 is provided with suitable compartments 10 and 11 which are diametrically opposed and carry preformed coils of lashing wire. The wire from either coil is paid out and wrapped or spun around the supporting strand 4 and the cable or cables 3 as the machine advances along the supporting strand 4 and secures the strand and cable or cables together.

In preparation for installation of the improved tape dispensing device 1 on the cable lashing machine 2, a gate 12 in each of the wire compartments l0 and I1 is removed from a pin supporting ear 13 having the gate 12 hingedly mounted thereon. Each gate 12 has a guide pulleyor roller mounted thereon which is removed when the gate is removed. Guide rollers 14 and 15 are spaced from the guide roller mounted on each gate 12 to be engaged by wire passing over the guide roller on the gate 12. The wire guide rollers 14 and 15 may also be removed from the compartment 10 and 11 during modification of the cable lashing machine 2 for installation of the improved tape dispensing device 1.

A spindle 16 is suitably secured to walls 17 and 18 of the wire compartment 10 and 11 respectively and extends therefrom in a substantially normal or perpendicular relation therewith for rotatably supporting a core 19 having a roll 20 of lashing tape 21 thereon for paying out the lashing tape 21 during rotation of the drum 9, as later described.

The core 19 is removably mounted on the spindle 16 for rotation thereabout and means are provided for securing the core 19 on the spindle 16 during the rotation of the roll 20. In the illustrated structure, the means securing the core 19 on the spindle 16 include an internally threaded recess 22 in the spindle 16 which extends coaxially thereof to receive a suitable fastening member, such as a threaded screw 23, having an enlarged head portion 24 received in a suitable counterbore 25 in the core 19.

Spaced walls

26 and 27 are suitably secured in each compartment 10 and 11 and are positioned to define a tape chamber therebetween. One of the walls, for example wall 26, has an aperture 28 therein with the aperture 28 being positioned to have the tape 21 extending therethrough and toward a guide member 29, as later described.

A support member 30 is secured in each of the compartments l0 and 11 and is spaced from the wall 26 and the aperture 28 therethrough. The support member 30 has a base portion 31 suitably secured in position, as by a pair of allen screws 32 adjacent one end thereof. An arm 33 extends from the other end of the base portion 31 for supporting the guide member 29 and means for tensioning the tape 21 and guiding same from the tape dispensing device I, as later described, toward the cable or cables 3 and the supporting strand 4 to be lashed together.

The guide member 29 is illustrated as an inverted U-shaped member extending outwardly from an exterior surface of the arm 33 and having a passage therethrough for travel of the lashing tape 21 from the roll 20 toward the wire tensioning means on the arm 33.

The wire tensioning means is illustrated as a plurality of spaced pins 34, 35, and 36 mounted on and extending from an exterior surface of the arm 33 and spaced from the guide member 29. The pins 34, 35, and 36 are arranged in a pattern to be engaged by the lashing tape 21 after engaging and passing through the inverted U-shaped guide member 29.

The pins are mounted to extend transverse to a path of the lashing tape 21 and are positioned to have the lashing tape in a substantially S-shaped path, as having the tape passing around at least a pair of the pins with one of the pair of pins being determined by the thickness of the tape wherein thicker and stiffer tape follows the path designated 37 and thinner and flexible tape may follow a path designated 38 and shown in broken lines in FIG. 6.

The means for guiding the lashing tape from the tape dispensing device 1 toward the cable or cables 3 and the support strand 4 is illustrated as a direction changing guide roller 39 mounted on the arm 33 and spaced from the pins 34, 35, and 36. In the illustrated structure, a spindle 40 is suitably secured on the arm 33 and extends outwardly from an exterior surface thereof to rotatably mount a conical body portion 41 of the guide roller 39, as by a suitable fastening device, such as an allen screw 42, received in the spindle 40 in a manner similar to the threaded screw 23 in the spindle 16.

The body portion 41 is illustrated as a frustum ofa cone and has annular flanges 43 and 44 on opposite ends of the body portion 41 whereby tape engaging same is retained in engagement thereon and the tape is directed from the tape dispensing device 1 and toward a cable or cables 3 and supporting strand 4 to be lashed together.

lt is desirable to prevent the lashing tape 21 from moving outwardly of and becoming disengaged from the selected tensioning pins, therefore, a keeper member 45 is mounted on the arm 33 and positioned between the pins 34, 35, and 36 and the guide roller 39. The keeper member 45 is illustrated as having an arm 46 spaced from and substantially parallel with the arm 33 of the support member 30 to retain the lashing tape 21 therebetween during operation of the tape dispensing device 1.

The roll 20 of lashing tape 21 is retained within the respective tape chambers defined by the

walls

26 and 27 in the compartments 10 and 11 by an elongated arm 47 having one end pivotally mounted on an ear 48, mounted on the walls 17 and 18 to replace the ear 13 of the cable lashing machine 2. The elongated arm 47 is movable between an open position permitting easy installation of the core 19 and the roll 20 of lashing tape thereon and a closed position retaining the roll 20 of lashing tape in position on the spindle 16. The other end of the elongated arm 47 has a notch or slot 49 therein adapted to receive suitable locking means, such as spring biased hinged

bolts

50 and 51 having threaded wing nuts 52 and 53 thereon, as mounted in the compartments 10 and 11 of the cable lashing machine 2 thereby securely holding the elongated arm 47 in the closed position in the compartments l and 11 respectively.

In using a cable lashing machine 2 having a tape dispensing device 1 constructed as illustrated and described, the nuts 52 and 53 are loosened and the

bolts

50 and 51 are moved to a position out of engagement with the elongated arm 47 to permit same to be moved from a closed position to an open position for the installation of the core 19 and a roll 20 of lashing tape 21 thereon on the spindle 16 by means of the threaded screw 23. An end portion of the lashing tape 21 is moved through the aperture 28 in the wall 26 of the tape chamber and through the guide member 29. The tape 21 is then moved around a selected pair of the tensioning pins in a generally S- shaped path and under the arm 46 of the keeper member 45 and then around the body portion 41. of the guide roller 39 which directs the lashing tape 21 toward the cable or cables 3 and the supporting strands 4 to be lashed together. Pulling the cable lashing machine 2 along the supporting 4 effects rotation of the drum 9 and paying out of the latching tape 21 from each of the compartments 10 and 11 in a spiral or helical pattern around the cable or cables 3 and the supporting strand 4 thereby lashing same together.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described one form of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.

What 1 claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a cable lashing machine for securing a cable to a supporting strand and comprising a chassis having spaced apart stationary front and rear portions and a rotatable drum positioned therebetween and rotatable on the chassis and having diametrically opposed compartments for preformed coils of lashing wire, a tape dispensing device for said wire compartments and comprising:

a. a spindle secured in a compartment in a cable lashing machine for securing a cable to a supporting strand;

b. means for rotatably mounting a roll of lashing tape on said spindle;

c. means spaced from said spindle for receiving tape from the roll and guiding same therefrom during rotation thereof;

d. means spaced from said tape guiding means to be engaged by tape after engaging said tape guiding means and to effect tension in the tape;

e. second tape guiding means spaced from said tape tensioning means to be engaged by tape after engaging said tape tensioning means and to guide the tape in a selected direction therefrom; and

. an elongated arm having one end pivotally mounted on the machine and movable to a position retaining the roll of lashing tape on the spindle.

2. A tape dispensing device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first named tape guiding means includes:

a. wall portions in the compartment of the machine and defining a tape chamber therein, one of said wall portions having a tape aperture therein positioned to have tape extending therethrough;

b. a support member secured in the compartment and spaced from the tape aperture; and

c. a guide member mounted on said support member and positioned to be engaged by tape extending through and from the tape aperture.

3. A tape dispensing device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tape tensioning means includes:

a. a support member secured in the compartment of the machine and spaced from said tape mounting means; and

b. a plurality of spaced pins mounted on said support member and spaced from said first named tape guiding means and positioned to be engaged by tape after engaging said first named tape guiding means, said pins extending transverse to a path of said tape.

4. A tape dispensing device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second tape guiding means comprises:

a. a support member secured in the compartment of the machine and spaced from said tape mounting means;

b. a conical body portion, said body portion being a frustum of a cone;

c. means on said support member for rotatably mounting said body portion thereon; and

d. an annular flange on each end of said body portion whereby tape engaging same is retained in engagement thereon and the tape is directed toward a cable and supporting strand to be lashed together.

5. A tape dispensing device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said second tape guiding means comprises:

a. a conical body portion, said body portion being a frustum of a cone;

b. means on said support member for rotatably mounting said body portion thereon; and

lnln-m noon c. an annular flange on each end of said body portion whereby tape engaging same is retained in engagement thereon and the tape is directed toward a cable and supporting strand to be lashed together.

6. A tape dispensing device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first named tape guiding means includes:

a. wall portions in the compartment of the machine and defining a tape chamber therein, one of said wall portions having a tape aperture therein positioned to have tape extending therethrough; and

b. a guide member mounted on said support member and positioned to receive and be engaged by tape extending through and from the tape aperture to direct same toward said pins.

7. In a cable lashing machine for securing a cable to a supporting strand and comprising a chassis having spaced apart stationary front and rear portions and a rotatable drum positioned therebetween and rotatable on the chassis and having diametrically opposed compartments for preformed coils of lashing wire, a tape dispensing device for said wire compartments and comprising:

b. a core having a roll oflashing tape thereon;

c. means for rotatably mounting said core and tape on said spindle;

d. a support member secured in the compartment of the cable lashing machine and spaced from the roll of tape on said core;

. a tape guide member mounted on said support member and positioned to be engaged by tape extending from the roll of lashing tape;

f. a plurality of spaced pins mounted on said support member and spaced from said guide member, said pins being positioned to be engaged by tape after engaging said guide member and to effect tension in said tape; and

g. a guide roller mounted on said support member and spaced from said pins, said guide roller being positioned to be engaged by said tape after engaging said pins for directing tape from the compartment toward a cable and supporting strand to be lashed together.

8. A tape dispensing device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said guide roller comprises:

a. a conical body portion, said body portion being a frustum of a cone;

c. an annular flange on each end of said body portion whereby tape engaging same is retained in engagement thereon and the tape is directed toward a cable and supporting strand to be lashed together.

9. A tape dispensing device as set forth in claim 7 including:

a. wall portions in the compartment of the cable lashing machine and defining a tape chamber therein, said wall portions being spaced from said support member; and

b. a tape aperture in one of said wall portions and positioned to have tape extending therethrough toward said tape guide member.

10. A tape dispensing device as set forth in claim 7 includa. wall portions in the compartment of the cable lashing machine and defining a tape chamber therein, said wall portions being spaced from said support member, one of said wall portions having a tape aperture therein positioned to have tape extending therethrough; and b. an elongated arm having one end pivotally mounted on the machine and movable to a position retaining the tape within the tape chamber.

Claims

1. In a cable lashing machine for securing a cable to a supporting strand and comprising a chassis having spaced apart stationary front and rear portions and a rotatable drum positioned therebetween and rotatable on the chassis and having diametrically opposed compartments for preformed coils of lashing wire, a tape dispensing device for said wire compartments and comprising: a. a spindle secured in a compartment in a cable lashing machine for securing a cable to a supporting strand; b. means for rotatably mounting a roll of lashing tape on said spindle; c. means spaced from said spindle for receiving tape from the roll and guiding same therefrom during rotation thereof; d. means spaced from said tape guiding means to be engaged by tape after engaging said tape guiding means and to effect tension in the tape; e. second tape guiding means spaced from said tape tensioning means to be engaged by tape after engaging said tape tensioning means and to guide the tape in a selected direction therefrom; and f. an elongated arm having one end pivotally mounted on the machine and movable to a position retaining the roll of lashing tape on the spindle.

2. A tape dispensing device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first named tape guiding means includes: a. wall portions in the compartment of the machine and defining a tape chamber therein, one of said wall portions having a tape aperture therein positioned to have tape extending therethrough; b. a support member secured in the compartment and spaced from the tape aperture; and c. a guide member mounted on said support member and positioned to be engaged by tape extending through and from the tape aperture.

3. A tape dispensing device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tape tensioNing means includes: a. a support member secured in the compartment of the machine and spaced from said tape mounting means; and b. a plurality of spaced pins mounted on said support member and spaced from said first named tape guiding means and positioned to be engaged by tape after engaging said first named tape guiding means, said pins extending transverse to a path of said tape.

4. A tape dispensing device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second tape guiding means comprises: a. a support member secured in the compartment of the machine and spaced from said tape mounting means; b. a conical body portion, said body portion being a frustum of a cone; c. means on said support member for rotatably mounting said body portion thereon; and d. an annular flange on each end of said body portion whereby tape engaging same is retained in engagement thereon and the tape is directed toward a cable and supporting strand to be lashed together.

5. A tape dispensing device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said second tape guiding means comprises: a. a conical body portion, said body portion being a frustum of a cone; b. means on said support member for rotatably mounting said body portion thereon; and c. an annular flange on each end of said body portion whereby tape engaging same is retained in engagement thereon and the tape is directed toward a cable and supporting strand to be lashed together.

6. A tape dispensing device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first named tape guiding means includes: a. wall portions in the compartment of the machine and defining a tape chamber therein, one of said wall portions having a tape aperture therein positioned to have tape extending therethrough; and b. a guide member mounted on said support member and positioned to receive and be engaged by tape extending through and from the tape aperture to direct same toward said pins.

7. In a cable lashing machine for securing a cable to a supporting strand and comprising a chassis having spaced apart stationary front and rear portions and a rotatable drum positioned therebetween and rotatable on the chassis and having diametrically opposed compartments for preformed coils of lashing wire, a tape dispensing device for said wire compartments and comprising: a. a spindle secured in a compartment in a cable lashing machine for securing a cable to a supporting strand; b. a core having a roll of lashing tape thereon; c. means for rotatably mounting said core and tape on said spindle; d. a support member secured in the compartment of the cable lashing machine and spaced from the roll of tape on said core; e. a tape guide member mounted on said support member and positioned to be engaged by tape extending from the roll of lashing tape; f. a plurality of spaced pins mounted on said support member and spaced from said guide member, said pins being positioned to be engaged by tape after engaging said guide member and to effect tension in said tape; and g. a guide roller mounted on said support member and spaced from said pins, said guide roller being positioned to be engaged by said tape after engaging said pins for directing tape from the compartment toward a cable and supporting strand to be lashed together.

8. A tape dispensing device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said guide roller comprises: a. a conical body portion, said body portion being a frustum of a cone; b. means on said support member for rotatably mounting said body portion thereon; and c. an annular flange on each end of said body portion whereby tape engaging same is retained in engagement thereon and the tape is directed toward a cable and supporting strand to be lashed together.

9. A tape dispensing device as set forth in claim 7 including: a. wall portions in the compartment of the cable lashing machine and defining a tape chamber therein, said wall portions being spaced from said support member; and b. a tape aperture in one of said wall portions and positioned to have tape extending therethrough toward said tape guide member.

10. A tape dispensing device as set forth in claim 7 including: a. wall portions in the compartment of the cable lashing machine and defining a tape chamber therein, said wall portions being spaced from said support member, one of said wall portions having a tape aperture therein positioned to have tape extending therethrough; and b. an elongated arm having one end pivotally mounted on the machine and movable to a position retaining the tape within the tape chamber.