WO2002074676A1

WO2002074676A1 - A set of parts for mounting a reel spool or the like

Info

Publication number: WO2002074676A1
Application number: PCT/GB2002/001363
Authority: WO
Inventors: Geoffrey Alexander Young
Original assignee: Geoffrey Alexander Young
Priority date: 2001-03-21
Filing date: 2002-03-21
Publication date: 2002-09-26

Abstract

The invention relates to a set of parts for assembly with a reel, spool or the like, comprising a first member (8) adapted to mount the reel, spool or the like (2) and a second member (11, 12) adapted for connection with the first member (8), whereby when the set is assembled a reel, spool or the like can be mounted between the two members out of contact with a substrate.

Description

A SET OF PARTS FOR MOUNTING A REEL, SPOOL OR THE LIKE

The invention relates to a set of parts for mounting a reel, spool or the like, to an assembled set of such parts comprising a holder and to a combination of such a holder and a reel, spool or the like.

It will be understood that the expression reel, spool or the like includes drums, bobbins and similar apparatus which has a central body usually of hollow cylindrical form, which has a flange at each end, the flanges themselves usually being annular and having a diameter which is greater than that of the hollow cylindrical body whilst being substantially equal in diameter one with another.

Such apparatus is often used to mount an elongate flexible member such as an electrical cable. The cable is unwound as required by pulling on its free end and feeding it through a conduit, laying it in a channel, or wherever it is required, often over substantial distances, and where the apparatus is often in a position where it is unseen from the unwound free end of the cable. To enable this to be effected, the reel, spool or the like is often rolled back away from the free end, effectively using the flanges as wheels. Or the apparatus is mounted in a stand with a bar or axle through the hollow interior of the cylindrical body so that the electrical cable can be unwound as the apparatus rotates on the (fixed) axle. However, the reels, spools or the like are often made of laminated paper or cardboard and as a result the flanges, which are exposed, are often damaged, particularly if they become wet as is often the case. In use, when a cable is unwound, it often falls off the apparatus as it can pass over a flange of the body, hence becoming tangled and/or winding itself round the stand. This can result in loss of time in unravelling the cable with consequent extension of the time required to complete an electrical installation project and moreover can often lead to damage or destruction of the cable, which means that it has to be replaced at great expense. Also, because of these disadvantages, often additional personnel have to be employed to guide the cable off the reel, spool or the like, instead of it being unwound uniformly and systematically as required.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to seek to mitigate these disadvantages.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a set of parts for assembly with a reel, spool or the like, comprising a first member adapted to mount the reel, spool or the like and a second member adapted for connection with the first member, the respective widths of the flanges of the first and second members as considered radially from a central axis thereof being greater than that of the flanges of a reel, spool or the like with which the set of parts is assemblage, whereby when the set is assembled a reel, spool or the like can be mounted between the two members out of contact with a substrate.

The first member may comprise a spigot member whereby the first member is adapted to mount the reel, spool or the like, and the spigot member may comprise a flange at one end. This provides a relatively simple yet effective construction.

The second member may itself comprise two separate parts. This provides for ease of use, particularly as the two separate parts of the second member may comprise respectively a flange and a retaining device adapted in the assembled set to support the flange of the second member on the spigot member. This spigot member of the first member and the retaining device may comprise releasable interengageable connection means, which may particularly comprise screw threads. This provides for relatively simple engagement and disengagement, suitably by hand.

The flange of the first member and the flange of the second member may each be circular. This provides for rolling action of the assembled set.

The two flanges may be annular, and of substantially the same diameter. This provides for a symmetrical construction and uniform rolling action.

The flange of the second member may have a through bore which is of substantially the same diameter as the external diameter of the spigot member of the first member. This provides for a relatively simple push or sliding fit of the flange of the second member on the spigot.

There may be a through bore of the flange and spigot member of the first member. This provides for lightness in weight of the set.

The length of the spigot member may be greater than the overall length of a reel, spool or the like mounted between the first and second members of the assembled set of parts. This provides for ease of connection of the first and second member.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a holder for a reel, spool or the like, assembled from a set of parts as hereinbefore defined.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a combination of a holder as hereinbefore defined and a reel, spool or the like whereby the flanges of the reel, spool or the like are supported adjacent a respective flange of the first and second members of the holder.

A combination as hereinbefore defined may be supported on a substrate by the respective flanges of the first and second members of the holder. This provides for protection of the reel, spool or the like.

The reel, spool or the like may mount an elongate flexible member, for example an electrical cable. This provides for ease of unwinding of the cable without ravelling, snagging or jamming thereof in the holder.

A set of parts for assembly with a reel, spool, drum, bobbin or the like, an assembly of such a set and a combination thereof with a reel, spool, drum, bobbin or the like is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is an end elevational view of a first member of a set of parts according to the invention;

Figs. 2 and 4 show side elevational views of two parts of a second member of the set of parts according to the invention;

Fig. 3 shows an end elevational view of the second part of Fig. 4;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the set of parts of Figs. 1 to 4, to form a holder for a reel, spool or the like, assembled;

Fig. ό is a perspective view of the holder of Fig. 5 assembled with a reel, spool or the like; Fig. 7 is a perspective exploded view of a second embodiment of a set of parts according to the invention;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a set of parts according to the invention; and

Fig. 9 and 9A show respectively a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a set of parts according to the invention, and to an enlarged scale a rod thereof.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a set of parts 1 for assembly with a reel, spool, or the like 2, for example a drum or bobbin (hereinafter "a reel"), comprising a first member 3 adapted to mount the reel 2 and a second member 4 adapted for connection with the first member 3, whereby when the set 1 is assembled a reel 2 can be mounted between the two members 3, 4 as shown in Fig. ό.

The first member 3 comprises a spigot member 5 in the form of a hollow cylindrical body which has an interengageable means in the form of a screw thread ό over its outer circumference, in the embodiment over a length of about two thirds of the overall length of the body as considered from a free end 7 thereof. At the end opposite the free end 7 there is an integral flange

8 of the first member 3, which flange 8 is annular having a central axial bore

9 which is coaxial with and of the same diameter as the bore 10 through the spigot member 5.

The second member 4 is itself in two parts, and comprises a first part 1 1 in the form of an annular flange and a separate second part in the form of a retaining device 12. The retaining device 12 is in the form of a knurled component which is internally threaded having a through bore equivalent to the external diameter of the spigot member 5 so that the component is releasably cooperably engageable with the external thread 6 of the spigot member 5. The flange 1 1 has a through bore 14 which is also substantially equal in diameter to the outer diameter of the spigot member 5, so the flange 1 1 can be slidably mounted thereon.

The two flanges 8 and 1 1 have substantially the same diameter. The first and second members of the set of parts are made from any suitable material for example mild steel.

In use to form a holder for a cardboard or laminated paper reel 2 on which is wound say an electrical cable 15, the spigot member 5 is inserted into the hollow bore of the reel and pushed through so that the flange 8 is hard up against the outer surface of the flange or shoulder 16 of the reel 2 at one end, and so that the free end 7 of the spigot member 5 projects beyond the opposite flange (not shown) of the reel 2, the spigot member 5 having a length which is greater than the overall width of the reel 2. The flange or first part 1 1 of the second member 4 of the set of parts 1 is then slipped over the projecting free end 7 of the spigot member 5 so that it abuts the outer surface of the opposite flange of the reel 2. The second part or retaining device 12 of the second member 4 of the set of parts 1 is then offered up to the free end 7 and rotated so that the threads engage and the retaining device is screwed onto the spigot member 5 so that it is tightened against the flange 1 1, which in turn is tightened hard up to the outer surface of the opposite flange of the reel 2.

The diameters of the two flanges 8 and 1 1 of the set of parts are substantially identical and are greater than the diameter of the flanges 16 of the reel, so that those flanges do not support the weight of the reel 2, which weight is borne by the flanges 8, 1 1 contacting a substrate. Moreover, as the flanges 8, 1 1 of the set of parts are hard up against respective adjacent flanges of the reel, those flanges 1 ό, even if they are weakened, as by becoming wet, are supported and strengthened by the assembled set of parts which forms a holder for the reel 2, which can then be used to unwind the cable 15 without that cable falling off the reel over the flanges 16 and possibly being snagged round a stand on which the holder and reel combination is mounted as by an axle being inserted through the aligned bores 9, 10, 13, 14. Thus the cable 15 can be unwound as desired and at the rate desired, without fouling itself on the stand. The holder provided by the first member 3 and the second member 4 is thus in effect a second, auxiliary or support structure or reel for the reel 2.

Referring now to Fig. 7 of the drawings, there is shown a set of parts 100 for assembly with a reel, spool, or the like (not shown), for example a drum or bobbin (hereinafter "a reel"), comprising a first member 102 adapted to mount the reel and a second member 103 adapted for connection with the first member 102, whereby when the set 100 is assembled a reel can be mounted between the two members 102, 103.

The first member 102 comprises a plurality, three in the embodiment, of spaced apart angularly displaced spigot members 104 which essentially provide a cylindrical body. Each spigot member is externally threaded at 105 over its outer circumference. At the end opposite a free end Oό of each spigot member 104, there is an integral flange 107 of the first member 102, which flange 107 is annular. The second member 103 is in the form of an annular flange which has three angularly spaced holes 108, which when aligned with the spigot members can receive those members and be secured by nuts and washers on the side of the annular flange 103 opposite the flange 107, to provide a second auxiliary, or support structure or reel as in the first embodiment.

The two flanges 103 and 107 have substantially the same diameter. The first and second members of the set of parts are made from any suitable material for example mild steel.

In use to form a holder for a cardboard or laminated paper reel (not shown), but like the reel 2 of the first embodiment, on which is wound say an electrical cable, the spigot members 04 are inserted through the hollow bore of the reel and pushed through so that the flange 107 is hard up against the outer surface of a flange or shoulder of the reel at one end, and so that the free ends 106 of the spigot member 104 project through the bores 108 and beyond the opposite flange 103, the spigot members 104 having a length which is greater than the overall width of the reel. The nuts and washers are then tightened against the flange 103, which in turn is tightened hard up to the outer surface of the opposite flange of the reel.

The diameters of the two flanges 103 and 107 of the set of parts 100 are substantially identical and are greater than the diameter of the flanges of the reel, so that those reel flanges do not support the weight of the reel, which weight is borne by the flanges 103, 107 contacting a substrate. Moreover, as the flanges 103, 107 of the set of parts 100 are hard up against respective adjacent flanges of the reel, those flanges, even if they are weakened, as by becoming wet, are supported and strengthened by the assembled set of parts which forms a holder for the reel, which can then be used to unwind the cable without that cable falling off the reel over the flanges and possibly being snagged round a stand on which the holder and reel combination is mounted as by an axle being inserted through aligned bores 109, 1 10. Thus the cable can be unwound as desired and at the rate desired, without fouling itself on the stand.

Fig. 8 shows a perspective assembled view of a third embodiment which comprises a set of parts 200 having a first member 201 in the form of a flange 202 with extending threaded rods 202, there being three in the embodiment forming effectively a cylinder and which are each respectively received by a second member 204 in the form of a flange 205 with equiangularly spaced holes (not shown) for receiving a respective rod 203, and nuts 206 for securing the rods 203. The flanges 202 and 205 are of greater diameter than the flanges of a cardboard or laminated paper reel or bobbin (not shown), and operate in the same way as described with regard to Figs. 1 - 6 and 7, so will not be repeated, save to explain that the reel or bobbin is effectively clamped between the flanges 202 and 205, the rods 203 extending through a core of the reel.

Referring now to Figs. 9 and 9A, there is shown a fourth embodiment of a set of parts 301, similar to the first two, the first member 302 comprising a flange 303 with four equiangularly spaced threaded rods 304 which have a head 305 at one end and which protrude in the assembled set of parts 301 through respective aligned holes in the second member 306 comprising a flange and a ratchet device 307 for mounting on the free end of a respective rod 304 and tightening by being ratcheted up to draw the flanges 303, 306 together with a cardboard or laminated paper reel between them to clamp that reel, as in the earlier embodiments, the diameter of the flanges of the reel being as before less than that of the flanges 303 and 306. It will be understood that modifications are possible. For example the spigot member 5, or rods 105, 203, 304 may be extensible as for example by being of telescopic construction to accommodate reels 2 of different lateral extent. Also, the flanges 8, 1 1, etc. may be of any suitable configuration other than circular, and the cooperable engagement means in the form of the threads 6 may be a bayonet-type connection, possibly sprung, for retaining the flange 1 1 on the spigot member 5. Also, the flanges 8, 1 1, etc. may be of any suitable material, e.g. metal or plastic and all embodiments may be disassembled to form a "flat pack".

Claims

1. A set of parts for assembly with a reel, spool or the like, comprising a first member adapted to mount the reel, spool or the like and a second member adapted for connection with the first member, the respective widths of the flanges of the first and second members as considered radially from a central axis thereof being greater than that of the flanges of a reel, spool or the like with which the set of parts is assemblable, whereby when the set is assembled a reel, spool or the like can be mounted between the two members out of contact with a substrate.

2. A set of parts according to Claim 1, the first member comprising a spigot member whereby the first member is adapted to mount the reel, spool or the like.

3. A set of parts according to Claim 2, the spigot member comprising a flange at one end.

4. A set of parts according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, the second member itself comprising two separate parts.

5. A set of parts according to Claim 4, the two separate parts of the second member comprising respectively a flange and a retaining device adapted in the assembled set to support the flange of the second member on the spigot member.

ό. A set of parts according to Claim 5, the spigot member of the first member and the retaining device comprising releasably interengageable connection means.

7. A set of parts according to Claim 6, the releasably interengageable connection means comprising screw threads.

8. A set of parts according to any of Claims 5 to 7, the flange of the first member and the flange of the second member each being circular.

9. A set of parts according to Claim 8, the two annular flanges being of substantially the same diameter.

10. A set of parts according to Claim 8 or Claim 9, the flange of the second member having a through bore which is of substantially the same diameter as the external diameter of the spigot member of the first member.

1 1. A set of parts according to any of Claims 3 to 10, there being a through bore of the flange and spigot member of the first member.

12. A set of parts according to any of Claims 5 to 1 1, the length of the spigot member being grater than the overall length of a reel, spool or the like mounted between the first and second members of the assembled set of parts.

13. A holder for a reel, spool or the like, assembled from a set of parts according to any preceding claim.

14. A combination of a holder according to Claim 13, and a reel, spool or the like whereby flanges of the reel, spool or the like are supported adjacent a respective flange of the first and second members of the holder.

15. A combination according to Claim 14, which is supported on a substrate by the respective flanges of the first and second members of the holder.

16. A combination according to Claim 15, the reel, spool or the like mounting an elongate flexible member.

17. A combination according to Claim 16, the elongate flexible member comprising an electrical cable.