US3863859A

US3863859A - Reel support and winder apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3863859A
Application number: US444510A
Authority: US
Inventors: Horace J Keith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1974-02-21
Filing date: 1974-02-21
Publication date: 1975-02-04
Anticipated expiration: 1992-02-04
Also published as: CA999570A

Abstract

Simple attachments which are assembled on the drive shaft or ''''Kelly bar'''' of a boom truck enable a cable reel to be safely supported and rotated at the required angle to the ground for winding or unwinding lengths of cable or wire. The attachments are economical and their use eliminates the need for specialized winding equipment and enables the use of power equipment commonly available to power companies, contractors and the like.

Description

llnte States atent 1191 1111 3,863,859 Keith Feb 4, 1975 REEL SUPPORT AND WINDER APPARATUS 2,793,820 5/1957 Torgeson 242/86.5 R [76] lnvemor' ggf g f gs ggg BOX 31 Primary Examiner-Edward J1 McCarthy Attorney, Agent, or FirmD. Paul Weaver [22] Filed: Feb. 21, 1974 [21] Appl. N0.: 444,510 [57] ABSTRACT Simple attachments which are assembled on the drive 52 U.S. c1. 242/77, 242/86.5 R of Kelly of a beem enable a Cable 51 1111. c1 B65h 75/14 reel te be Safely Supported and rotated at the required [58] Field 6: Search 242/85, 86.5 R, 77 angle to the ground for Winding er unwinding lengths of cable or wire. The attachments are economical and [56] References Cited their use eliminates the need for specialized winding UNITED STATES PATENTS equipment and enables the use of power equipment commonly available to power companies, contractors 2,692,092 10/1954 Kinsinger 242/86.5 R and the like 2,726,050 12/1955 Jones 242/77 2,749,091 6/1956 Wall 242/77 X '10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTED FEB 4|975 SHEET 10F 2 1 REEL SUPPORT AND WINDER APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A need exists for a simple and economical means for handling relatively large cable winding and storage reels of the type used widely in the field by electric power companies, telephone companies, contractors and some ranchers and farmers. Such parties in their daily work must handle great lengths of wire stored on heavy reels which cannot be manipulated entirely by hand. Specialized equipment for handling such wire or cable reels is available, sometimes in the form of expensive trailers with specialized power devices but such equipment can only be justified economically in a relatively few cases. The need, therefore, which the invention seeks to satisfy, is for a simple, practical and relatively economical means capable of supporting a heavy cable reel during cable winding and unwinding operations in the field and which means is compatible with existing power equipment usually available to power company workers, contractors or the like so that the need for the expensive specialized equipment is entirely eliminated.

More particularly, the invention is embodied in a few simple attachment parts which are utilized in conjunction with the Kelly bar or power shaft of an auger-type hole digger, such Kelly bar or equivalent device being powered by hydraulic means from an overhead boom in the field. The invention is also compatible with certain tractor-driven post hole diggers by being coupled to the driven shafts thereof.

When the attachment elements and the particular reel are assembled with the Kelly bar or similar powerdriven shaft in the field, the heavy reel is safely stabilized while it is being rotated on its axis at the particular angle required to wind up or unwind wire at ground level or at a slight elevation above the ground or from an overhead location, such as a utility pole. In this respect, the invention has great versatility of application, may be assembled and disassembled quickly and conveniently at any location, and eliminates entirely the frequent haphazard approach to handling wire and cable which is known to result in much wasted material and economic loss. The attachments which embody the invention may be provided in different sizes to accommodate a variety of Kelly bars or shafts. The attachments or components are extremely rugged and durable requiring essentially no maintenance.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the invention with the components thereof assembled for use on a powerdriven Kelly bar.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the invention with the parts separated from the Kelly bar.

FIG. 3 is another elevational view showing a modification of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals designate like parts, the numeral designates a power-driven shaft, such as a hexagonal shaft commonly known as a Kelly bar." The Kelly bar 10 is adapted to be rotated on its axis by an overhead mobile hydraulic drive unit or equivalent means. Such drive means for the Kelly bar are commonly provided on boom trucks or cranes of the type employed by power companies and contractors. Inasmuch as the power drive means for the Kelly bar 10 forms no direct part of the invention, the same has not been illustrated in the drawings.

As previously explained, the purpose of the invention is to adapt the Kelly bar 10 to support and rotate a typical cable or wire reel 11 in the field, which reel is too large and heavy to be properly manipulated by hand. The invention also eliminates the need for expensive specialized equipment for this purpose and renders it possible to efficiently utilize readily available equipment of which the Kelly bar 10 is a common component.

More particularly, the invention comprises a cable reel keeper and positioning device 12 which consists of a cylindrical sleeve body 13 of the proper size to receive a given Kelly bar 10 with minimum clearance. The lower end of sleeve body 13 carries an annular abutment ring 14 at right angles thereto and rigid therewith and this ring engages one end flange of the reel 11 during the use of the invention. The keeper device 12 is positioned at the desired height on the Kelly bar 10 by a pair of opposed locking set screws 15 which are brought into engagement with opposing flats on the Kelly bar.

The conventional cable reel 11 is adapted to receive the Kelly bar 10 therethrough axially as shown, and immediately below the reel, a reel support and drive unit 16 is fixedly mounted on the Kelly bar as indicated in FIG. 1. The unit 16 embodies a cylindrical sleeve body 17, similar to the sleeve body 13, and similarly adapted to receive the Kelly bar 10 therethrough. A relatively large diameter reel support plate 18 having a center hexagonal opening 18' is rigidly secured to the upper end of sleeve body 17 and extends radially thereof for a considerable distance in underlying relationship to the adjacent flange of the cable reel 11 so as to support the latter. A pair of spaced diametrically opposed drive pins 19 are rigidly secured'to extensions 20 of the plate 18, and'these pins enter suitable drive openings which exist in the reel or may be readily provided therein if necessary by drilling. By this means, the unit 16 supports the cable reel 11 on the Kelly bar and positively drives the reel during rotation of the Kelly bar. A locking cross pin 21 is received by registering openings provided in the Kelly bar and sleeve body 17 to maintain the parts assembled. In this connection the opening in the Kelly bar which receives the locking pin 21 for the unit 16 may be an existing opening used to couple augers and other devices to the Kelly bar.

The invention further comprises a Kelly bar holder 22 in the form of a relatively elongated sleeve to fit over the lower end portion of the Kelly bar 10. While the holder or sleeve 22 hasa bore somewhat larger than the width of the Kelly bar across corners, it is equipped internally with a pair of axially spaced fixed collars 23 each having a hexagon opening 24 for the snug reception of the Kelly bar as shown in FIG. 1. The holder 22 is releasably locked on the Kelly bar by a removable cross pin 25 adapted to enter registering transverse openings of the holder and the Kelly bar. When assembled with the Kelly bar, the holder 22 extends somewhat below the lower end 26 of the Kelly bar as shown in the drawings.

In a preferred form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a foot plate 27 is provided having attachment eyes 28 on its opposite ends adapted to connect with a stabilizing cable 29, or cables in some instances. At its center, the foot plate 27 has upstanding lugs 30 pivotally connected as at 31 to a depending lug 32 on a cylindrical cup or socket member 33 which receives the lower end portion of holder or sleeve 22 rotatably and removably. Preferably, lubrication fittings 34 are provided on the socket member 33 to reduce friction during rotation of the Kelly bar. The pivot element 31 allows tilting of the assembly relative to the ground so that wire or cable can be wound onto or unwound from the reel 11 in various directions. That is to say, the strand of wire being handled could be at or near ground level, or could beat the top of a utility pole. In any event, an operator stationed at some distance from the invention may handguide the wire being wound onto the reel or unwound therefrom. The ability of the invention to support the reel 11 at various angles to the ground during winding and unwinding operations adds greatly to the utility of the device.

It should now be apparent that the invention essentially consists of the three simple attachments 12, 16 and 22 which are readily applied to the Kelly bar along with the conventional reel 11. The only other component is the foot plate 27 having the pivoted socket 33 and this component is optional, as will presently be explained in connection with FIG. 3.

The assembly mode is very simple. While the Kelly bar 10 is supported by an overhead boom or the like, the keeper 12 is first placed on the Kelly bar by application over the lower end thereof and the set screws 15 are locked to establish the elevation of the reel on the Kelly bar. The reel 11 may then be hoisted into place below the keeper l2 and following this, the support and drive unit 16 is installed over the lower end of the Kelly bar and pinned into place. It may'be desirable to lock the set screws 15 after the installation of the unit 16 to eliminate any problem with the placement of the locking pin 21. Finally, the holder 22 is installed on the lower end of the Kelly bar and the holder is engaged in the pivoted socket 33 with the foot plate 27 resting on the ground or pavement. A stabilizing cable 29 coupled to one of the eyes 28 and anchored to any convenient fixed support may be employed in some instances to prevent slippage of the foot plate 27, as where the reel 11 is being held at a rather steep angle during rotation.

FIG. 3 shows a somewhat more simplified form of the invention which is practical in many instances and differs from the form shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 only in that the foot plate 27 and pivoted socket member 33 are eliminated. In all other respects the construction is identical to that shown and described in the initial embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lower end of Kelly bar holder 22 is simply allowed to rest on the soil 35 after the parts have been assembled, and during rotation of the Kelly bar 10, the holder 22 which also rotates will sink into the soil to thereby form its own stabilizing opening or bearing, thus eliminating the need for the socketing member 33. As shown in phantom lines in FIG. 3, the winding and reeling operations may also be carried out at various angles to the ground simply by tilting the Kelly bar and holder 22.

Despite the slightly simpler construction in FIG. 3, there are instances when the foot plate 27 and socket member must be employed. For example, when the apparatus must rest on pavement or a very hard surface, the arrangement in FIG. 3 will not be practical. There are other cases when it may be objectionable to damage the soil by allowing the holder 22 to rotate directly therein.

In either form of the invention, the basic mode of operation is the same and the flexibility or versatility of the invention is preserved.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for supporting and turning a reel during winding and unwinding operations comprising a generally upright elongated shaft adapted to be driven rotatably by an overhead driving means, said shaft adapted to be assembled with a reel having an axial opening to receive the shaft completely therethrough with the shaft extending substantially above and below the reel during use of the apparatus, a reel positioning device adapted to be assembled onto said shaft above the reel thereon, means to releasably lock the positioning device in a selected adjusted position on said shaft with the positioning device engaging the top of the reel, a reel support and drive unit adapted to be assembled onto said shaft and locked relative to the shaft below said reel and in engagement with the bottom of the reel and having a positive driving connection with the bottom of the reel whereby said support and drive unit causes rotation of the reel with said shaft, and a holder and bearing device for said shaft mountable upon the lower end portion thereof in locked relation therewith and extending below the lower end of the shaft and serving as a journal for the shaft during rotation thereof with said reel, said holder and bearing device tiltable with the shaft and reel to various angular operational positions relative to ground.

2. The apparatus as defined by claim I, wherein said shaft is polygonal in cross section, and said reel support and drive unit and said holder and bearing device each having polygonal opening means receiving said shaft in mating relationship whereby said unit and device are rotated in unison with said shaft and are positively coupled thereto.

3. The apparatus as defined by claim I, wherein said reel positioning device comprises a sleeve body receiving said shaft telescopically, said means to releasably lock said positioning device comprising at least one locking set screwon said sleeve body extending radially of said shaft and sleeve body.

4. The apparatus as defined by claim 3, and an annular abutment plate on one end of said sleeve body ensupport plate and projecting from one face thereof into a driving recess of said reel.

6. The apparatus as defined by claim 5, and said shaft being polygonal in cross section, said opening in the reel support plate also being polygonal and receiving said shaft drivingly.

7. The apparatus as defined by claim 1, and said holder and bearing device comprising a sleeve member engageable telescopically over the lower end portion of said shaft, said shaft being polygonal in cross section, and said sleeve member containing mating polygonal socket means for said shaft, and a transverse locking pin for said holder and bearing device insertable through aligned openings in said device and shaft and serving to maintain said device and shaft assembled.

8. Apparatus for supporting and turning a reel during winding and unwinding operations comprising a generally upright shaft adapted to be driven rotatively by an overhead driving means, said shaft adapted to be assembled with a reel having an axial opening to receive the shaft, a reel positioning device adapted to be assembled with said shaft above the reel thereon, means to releasably lock the positioning device in a selected adjusted position on said shaft with the positioning device engaging one end of the reel, a reel support and drive unit adapted to be assembled with said shaft and locked relative to the shaft below said reel and in engagement with the other end of the reel and having a positive driving connection with the reel whereby said support and drive unit causes rotation of the reel with said shaft, a holder and bearing device for said shaft mountable upon the lower end portion thereof in locked relation therewith and extending below the lower end of the shaft and serving as a journal for the shaft during rotation thereof with said reel, said holder and bearing device tiltable with the shaft and reel to various angular operational positions relative to ground, and a foot plate unit adapted for ground engagement below said shaft and said holder and bearing device, and a socket member pivotally secured to the foot plate unit for vertical swinging movement relative to ground and adapted to receive telescopically and rotatably the lower end portion of said holder and bearing device.

9. The apparatus as defined by claim 8, and lubrication fitting means on said socket member to deliver lubricant to the bore thereof.

10. The apparatus as defined by claim 9, and at least one stabilizing cable attachment element on said foot plate unit whereby such unit may be restrained from slipping.

Claims

2. The apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said shaft is polygonal in cross section, and said reel support and drive unit and said holder and bearing device each having polygonal opening means receiving said shaft in mating relationship whereby said unit and device are rotated in unison with said shaft and are positively coupled thereto.

3. The apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said reel positioning device comprises a sleeve body receiving said shaft telescopically, said means to releasably lock said positioning device comprising at least one locking set screw on said sleeve body extending radially of said shaft and sleeve body.

4. The apparatus as defined by claim 3, and an annular abutment plate on one end of said sleeve body engageable with one end of said reel.

5. The apparatus as defined by claim 1, and said reel support and drive unit comprising a sleeve body adapted to receive said shaft telescopically, said sleeve body and shaft having registerable transverse openings, a locking pin for said sleeve body engageable within said transverse openings, a reel support plate secured to one end of said sleeve body and having a central opening receiving said shaft, and at least one reel-engaging positive driving element secured to said reel support plate and projecting from one face thereof into a driving recess of said reel.