Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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HAND CRANK ASSEMBLY FOR A REEL
Bacl~~,round of the Invention
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates generally to reels for spooling linear
material, and specifically to hand crams for reels.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] Reels for spooling linear materials, such as hose or wire, typically
comprise a cylindrical drum and a means for rotating the drum. The linear
material is
spooled onto the drum as it is rotated.
[0003] Some reels are equipped with a motor for rotating the reel. However, in
some cases motors add undesired cost, weight, and complexity to the reel.
Another means
for rotating the drum is a hand crank. A typical hand crank comprises an L-
shaped handle
coupled to a shaft. The shaft is ordinarily coupled to the reel such hat the
shaft is co-linear
with the rotation axis of the drum. In, this configuration, spinning of the
shaft causes the
drum to rotate about the drum rotation axis. The reel is rotated by moving the
L-shaped
handle in a circle to spin the shaft and thus rotate the drum.
[0004] Unfortunately, prior ai-t hand cranks, such as the above-described L-
shaped handle configuration, are somewhat difficult to use in practice. There
is a need for a
hand crai~l~ that is easier to use.
Summary of the Invention
[0005] In one aspect of the invention, a system for spooling linear material
is
provided comprising a reel drum onto which linear material can be spooled and
a lever
pivotable about aal axis. Additionally, the system comprises a torque transfer
mechanism
comprising an engagement clutch configured to engage and transfer a torque to
the reel
drum when operated in a first rotational direction, but configured to not
operate nor transfer
a torque to the reel drum when operated in a second rotational direction
opposite the first
rotational direction. The torque transfer mechanism is configured to convert
back and forth
pivoting of the lever into the rotation of the reel drum in the first
rotational direction.
[0006] In another aspect of the invention, a method for rotating a reel drum
onto
which linear material can be spooled is provided. The method comprises the
step of
providing a lever pivotable in a first lever direction and a second lever
direction opposite
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the first lever direction. The method also comprises the step of providing a
torque transfer
mechanism operatively coupled to the lever and to a reel drum. Additionally,
the method
comprises the steps of pivoting the lever in the first lever direction to
transfer a torque
generated form said pivoting of the lever onto the reel drum to rotate the
reel drum in the
first rotational direction, and pivoting the lever in the second lever
direction to transfer a
torque generated from said pivoting of the lever onto the reel drum to rotate
the reel drum
in the first rotational direction.
[0007] In still another aspect of the invention, a system for spooling linear
material is provided, comprising a reel drum onto which a linear material can
be spooled
and a lever movable in a first direction and in a second direction opposite
the first direction.
The system also comprises means for converting the movement of the lever in
said first and
second directions into the rotation of the reel drum in a first rotational
direction to spool
said linear material onto the reel dntm.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a reel for spooling linear material;
[0009] Figure 2 is a side view of a reel having a preferred embodiment of a
hand
cranl~ assembly.
[0010] Figure 3 is a front view of the hand crank assembly of Figure 2.
[0011] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a reel having another preferred
embodiment of a hand cranl~ assembly.
[0012] Figure 4A is an enlarged front view of an engagement clutch of the
haald
crank assembly shown in Figure 4.
[0013] Figure 4B is a side view of a portion of the engagement clutch shown in
Figure 4A.
[0014] Figure 4C is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an
engagement clutch for use with an embodiment of the hand cranl~ assembly.
[0015] Figure SA is a front view of the hand cranlc assembly of Figure 4.
[0016] Figure SB is a schematic configuration of a portion of one embodiment
of a hand cram assembly.
[0017] Figure 5C is a schematic configuration of a portion of another
embodiment of a hand cranlc assembly.
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[0018] Figures 6A and 6B are schematic drawings of the operation of the hand
cranl~ embodiment shown in Figure SB.
[0019] Figures 7A and 7B are schematic drawings of the operation of the hand
cranl~ embodiment shown in Figure SC.
[0020] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a reel having another preferred
embodiment of a hand cral~lc assembly.
[0021] Figure 8A is a front view of the hand cral~l~ assembly ShOwll 111
Figure 8.
[0022] Figures 9A and 9B are schematic drawings of the operation of the hand
cral~lc embodiment shown in Figures 8 alld 8A.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
[0023j Figure 1 shows a reel 5 of the type that can be equipped with a hand
cranl~ assembly, in accordance with any of the embodiments described herein.
The reel 5
comprises a preferably cylindrical drum 10 and two disc-shaped side plates 12
and 14. The
side plates 12 and 14 are affixed to opposite ends of the drum 10. Preferably,
the side
plates 12 and 14 are rigidly affixed to the drum 10, such that the elements
10, 12, and 14
rotate in unison about a rotation axis 16. In use, a linear material, such as
hose or wire, is
spooled onto the drum 10 by rotating the reel 5 about the rotation axis 16 and
simultaneously causing the linear material to be wrapped around the drum 10.
Such
rotation can be effected by means of a hand cram coupled to the reel 5. The
reel 5 is
' typically enclosed or housed inside a stable outer frame (not shown).
[0024] Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a hand cranl~
assembly 20. Figure 2 shows a side view of the reel 5 of Figure 1, wherein the
hand crank
assembly 20 is coupled to the reel 5 and positioned on the outer side of the
side plate 14 (in
the view of Figure 1, to the right side of the side plate 14). Figure 3 shows
a front view of
the hand cranl~ assembly 20. In Figure 3, the drum 10 and side plate 12 are
omitted for
clarity. If shown, the drum 10 and side plate 12 would be positioned to the
left of the side
plate 14. As described below, the reel 5 can advantageously be rotated
continually in one
direction about the rotation axis 16 by reciprocal back and forth pivoting
movement of a
lever 30 in the direction of the allows 36 and 38.
[0025] As mentioned above, the reel 5 is preferably housed within a stable
structure or frame. Examples of suitable housings and frame strictures are
disclosed in
U.S. Patent No. 6,279,848, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Figure 3
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depicts a frame portion 40, wluch can be a plate or crossbar. The housing or
frame
structure is preferably configured such that the frame portion 40 remains
parallel to the side
plate 14 as the side plate 14 rotates about the rotation axis 16. Il Figure 3,
the top and
bottom ends of the frame portion 40 are shown broken to indicate that the
frame portion 40
extends as part of a larger structure. It will be understood that the housing
and the
illustrated frame portion 40 can have any of a large variety of shapes, sizes,
and
configurations. The frame portion 40 is omitted from Figure 2 for clarity.
[0026] With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the hand crank assembly 20 comprises
a first gear 22, a second gear 24, a first sprocket 26, a second sprocket 28,
the lever 30, a
chain 32, and a spring 34. The first gear 22 is coupled to the side plate 14
so that rotation
of the first gear 22 in either direction about the axis 16 (Figure 1) causes
the side plate 14,
and hence the entire reel 5, to rotate in the same direction about the axis
16. Preferably, the
first gear 22 is rigidly affixed to the side plate 14 so that they rotate
together in unison. The
first sprocket 26 is coupled to the first gear 22 via a first one-way clutch
mechanism. With
reference to Figure 2, the first one-way clutch is configured so that when the
first sprocket
26 is rotated counter-cloclcwise, the first one-way clutch is engaged, thereby
causing the
first gear 22 to rotate counter-clockwise in unison with the first sprocket
26. However,
when the first sprocket 26 is rotated clockwise, the first one-way clutch is
disengaged,
permitting the first sproclcet 26 to rotate clockwise freely with respect to
the first gear 22.
[0027] The second sprocket 28 is rotatably mounted onto the inner side of the
frame portion 40 (as shown in Figure 3, to the left side of the frame portion
40). The
second gear 24 is coupled to the second sprocket 28 by a second one-way clutch
mechanism. The directions 'of engagement and disengagement of the second one-
way
clutch are opposite to those of the first one-way clutch. With reference to
Figure 2, the
second one-way clutch is configured so that the second one-way clutch is
engaged when the
second sproclcet 28 is rotated clockwise, thereby causing the second gear 24
to rotate
clockwise in unison with the second sprocket 28. However, when the second
sprocket 28 is
rotated counter-clockwise, the second one-way clutch is disengaged, pemnittrog
the second
sprocket 28 to rotate counter-clockwise freely with respect to the second gear
24. An end
of the lever 30 is coupled to the second sprocket 28 (in the illustrated
embodiment, via a
rod 31 extending through the frame portion 40), so that pivoting of the lever
30 in either of
the directions 36 or 38 produces rotation of the second sprocket 28 in the
same direction.
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Those of ordinary slcill in the art will appreciate that the frame portion 40
could be on the
other side of the lever 30 or on the other side of part or all of the hand
crank assembly 20.
[0028] The first and second gears 22 and 24 have teeth that mesh together.
Thus, rotation of one of the gears in one direction produces rotation of the
other gear in the
opposite direction. The sprockets 26 and 28 also have teeth, which engage the
lines of the
chain 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the chain 32 has a first end fixed to
the second
sprocket 28. From that point, the chain 32 wraps around the first sprocket 26
and has a
second end attached to a first end of the spring 34. The spring 34 has a
second end fixed to
the reel housing, perhaps to the frame portion 40. The chain 32 and the spring
34 are sized
and configured so that, during normal operation of the craw assembly 20, the
spring 34 is
always somewhat stretched. The illustrated spring 34 is a coil spring.
However, other
suitable springs could be used alternatively.
(0029] As mentioned above, reciprocal back and forth movement, or pivoting,
of the lever 30 causes the reel 5 to rotate continually in one direction and
preferably drives
the reel in that direction with each back movement and each forth movement.
With respect
to Figure 2, in the illustrated embodiment, pivoting of the lever 30 in either
direction 36 or
38 causes the reel 5 to rotate counter-clockwise. In order to appreciate this,
consider
separately the operation of the hand crauc assembly 20 during motion of the
lever 30 in the
direction 36 and then in the direction 38.
[0030] With reference to Figure 2, when a user moves the lever 30 in the
direction 36, the second sprocket 28 rotates cloclcwise. This causes the
second one-way
clutch to engage. As a result, the second gear 24 rotates clockwise in unison
with the
second sproclcet 28. The cloclcwise rotation of the second gear 24 produces
counter-
clockwise rotation of the first gear 22, due to the meshing of the teeth of
the two gears. As
mentioned above, the first gear 22 is coupled to the reel 5, producing counter-
clockwise
rotation of the reel. The counter-cloclcwise rotation of the first gear 22
does not cause the
first one-way clutch to engage. Rather, the first one-way clutch remains
disengaged. Thus,
the counter-clockwise rotation of the first gear 22 does not affect the first
sprocket 26,
which is free to rotate clockwise. Further, since the second sprocket 28
rotates clockwise,
the chin 32 tends to become slaclcened in the region between the two
sprockets. However,
the spring 34, which is always somewhat stretched, palls the chain 32 (to the
right in Figure
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2) until the chain becomes taut. As the chain 32 is pulled by the spring 34,
the first
sprocket 26 rotates cloclcwise to permit the tautening of the chain 32.
[0031] With continued reference to Figure 2, when a user moves the lever 30 in
the direction 38, the second sprocket 28 rotates counter-clocl~vvise. This
causes the second
one-way clutch to disengage, so that the rotation of the second sprocket 28
does not affect
the second gear 24. The counter-cloclcwise rotation of the second sprocket 28
pulls the
chain 32 (which is taut as explained above), producing counter-clockwise
rotation of the
first sproclcet 26. The counter-clockwise rotation of the first sproclcet 26
causes the first
one-way clutch to engage. This causes the first gear 22 to rotate counter-
clockwise in
unison with the first sprocket 26. Since the first gear 22 is coupled to the
reel 5, the reel
rotates counter-clockwise. It will be appreciated that the counter-cloclcwise
rotation of the
first gear 22 produces clockwise rotation of the second gear 24. However, this
cloclcwise
rotation of the second gear 24 does not affect the second sprocket 28, because
the second
one-way clutch remains disengaged. ,
[0032] Thus it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that
the
hand cranc assembly 20 permits continual rotation of the reel ~ in one
direction, driven by
each stroke of reciprocal back and forth movement of the lever 30. Tlus hand
crank
configuration is considerably easier to operate than prior art hand cranks,
such as an L-
shaped handle coupled to the center of one of the side plates 12 and 14.
[0033] It will also be appreciated that the chain 32 can comprise a continuous
loop and be looped around the two sproclcets 26 and 28. In this alternative
embodiment, the
spring 34 is omitted from the design. Preferably, the chain 32 is looped
around both
sproclcets so that the chain is always relatively taut.
[0034] Preferably, the reel 5 is provided with a disengaging mechanism for
disengaging the lever 30 from the second sproclcet 28 when the linear material
is unwound
from the reel. This permits the linear material to be freely unwound without
causing
movement of the lever 30. To appreciate the need for such a disengaging
mechanism,
consider Figime 2. If the linear material is unwound from the reel 5, the reel
begins to rotate
clockwise. This causes the first gear 22 to rotate clockwise and engage the
first sprocket
26. The resultant cloclcwise rotation of the first sproclcet 26 pulls the
chain 32 and causes
the second sprocket 28 and lever 30 to also rotate clockwise (in the direction
of arrow 36).
If the lever 30 has a large length relative to the reel, as is desirable for
greater ease of
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operation, the lever 30 may hit the ground during unwinding. At the very
least, the lever 30
will continually rotate as the linear material is unwound from the reel 5. The
above-
mentioned disengaging mechanism overcomes this problem.
[0035] With reference to Figure 3, one suitable type of disengaging mechanism
involves employing a spline and groove interconnection between the rod 31 and
the second
sprocket 28. For example, the rod 31 can include a spline receivable within a
groove on the
inside of the second sprocket 28, such that the two elements transfer torque
to one another
only when the spline and groove are engaged. Thus, when the spline of the rod
31 is pulled
out of the second sprocket 28, the unwinding of the linear material from the
reel 5 does not
affect the lever 30. In one such embodiment, a pair of cam-type washers are
employed, one
connected to the rod 31 and the other set against the frame portion 40 so that
their inclined
or cam surfaces confront one another. When the linear material begins to
unwind, the
resultant rotation of the lever 30 causes the cam-type washers to rotate
against one another
and the rod 31 to slide to the right (in the view of Figure 3). This causes
the spline and
groove to disengage, permitting free rotation of the reel 5 as the linear
material is unwound.
When the user wants to subsequently spool the linear onto the reel 5, the
lever 30 can then
easily be "cliclced" back into normal operation.
[0036] Skilled artisans will appreciate that the hand crank assembly 20 can
easily be configured to produce continual clockwise (as opposed to counter-
clockwise)
rotation of the reel 5 (with reference to the view of Figure 2). This can be
accomplished
simply by substituting oppositely configured one-way clutches (i.e., using one-
way clutches
that engage and disengage in the opposite directions) or simply by swapping
the first gear
22 / first sprocket 26 combination with the, second gear 24 / second sprocket
28
combination. In addition, the chain 32 and spring 34 would have to be inverted
so that
(with reference to Figure 2) the spring 34 is on the left side of the gears
and sprockets, and
the chain 32 extends along the right sides of the two sprockets.
[0037] In an alternative embodiment, the reel may be configured to have a
second hand cxanc assembly or a motor to drive the Lmwinding rotation of the
reel. The
second hand crank assembly or motor could be positioned on the opposite side
of the reel
(in Figure 1, to the left of the side plate 12) and would be operatively
coupled to the reel
drum 10. A second hand crank assembly or motor would be especially useful for
heavier
linear materials, such as fire hose.
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[0038] The reel 5 can also have a reciprocating mechanism for converting
rotation of the reel drum 10 into reciprocal back and forth translation of a
guide aperture for
the linear material, the guide aperh~re being within the reel housing or
frame. Translation
of such a guide aperture across the reel drun 10 can facilitate more uniform
spooling of the
linear material onto the dnun. The previously mentioned U.S. Patent No.
6,279,848
discloses a reciprocating mechanism for such a guide aperture. Specifically,
this patent
discloses a spiral groove within one of the side plates (e.g., side plate 12
or 14 of Figure 1
of the present application), wherein the groove interacts with other elements
to produce the
aforementioned reciprocal translation of the guide apeuture. With reference to
Figure l, the
spiral groove mechanism of U.S. Patent No. 6,279,848 could be employed on side
plate 12.
It should be noted that any of a variety of different types of reciprocating
mechanisms, such
as the spiral groove design of U.S. Patent No. 6,279,848, can be employed.
[0039] The extent and rate of rotation of the reel 5 per each back and forth
strobe of the lever 30 are determined by the relative sizes of the first and
second gears and
the first and second sprockets. The extent and rate of rotation of the reel 5
can be increased
by selecting a second gear 24 and a second sprocket 28 that are relatively
large compared to
the first gear 22 and the first sprocket 26. The specific sizes and gear
ratios of the gears and
sprockets are a matter of design choice, which should be based upon the
desired rotation
displacement and speed characteristics of the reel 5.
[0040] Figures 4 through SA illustrate another preferred embodiment of a hand
crank assembly 50 for use with a reel 60 onto which linear material may be
spooled. In the
illustrated embodiment, the reel 60 has two side plates 62, 64 on either side
of a reel drum
66. The reel 60 also preferably has a reel shaft 68 extending along the
rotation axis of the
reel R. Preferably, at least one end 68a of the reel shaft has a hollow
portion 69.
[0041] The reel shaft 68 preferably selectively couples to a twisting
engagement
clutch 100 on one end of the reel shaft 68. The twisting engagement clutch 100
preferably
comprises a driven part 102 fixed onto the reel shaft 68 and a driving part
104 fixed onto a
first or driven shaft 110, wherein the driven shaft 110 is rotatably coupled
to the reel shaft
68. In the illustrated embodiment, the driven shaft 110 has a bushing 112 on
one end 110a,
said bushing 112 configured to be inserted through a hole (not shown) in the
driven part
102 of the twisting engagement clutch 100 and into the hollow portion 69 of
the real shaft
68. The bushing 112 preferably rotates freely within the hollow portion 69.
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[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the driving pact 104 of the twisting
engagement clutch 100 is preferably configured to move relative to the driven
shaft 110
without rotating relative to the driven shaft 110. As illustrated in Figures
4A and 4B, the
driving part 104 is preferably movably coupled to the driven shaft 110 so as
to be laterally
movable along the driven shaft 110. W one embodiment, a spline 110b on the
driven shaft
110 slides within a lcey hole 104a in the driving part 104, thus substantially
preventing the
rotation of the driving part 104 relative to the driven shaft 110 as the
driven shaft 110
rotates. However, other suitable mechanisms can be used to substantially
prevent the
rotation of the driving part 104 relative to the driven shaft 110.
[0043] With respect to Fig~.me 4A and SA, the operation of the engagement
clutch 100 is now discussed. As shown in Figlne SA, a spring 114, such as a
coil spring, is
preferably disposed between the driving part 104 of the engagement clutch 100
and a frame
portion 116 of a housing that encloses the reel 60, a section of which is
shown. The spring
114 is configured to apply a generally constant lateral force onto the driving
part 104, so as
to push the driven part 104 into a position substantially adjacent the driven
part 102 of the
engagement clutch 100. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, the driving and
driven
parts 104, 102 of the engagement clutch 100 are substantially adjacent each
other during the
use of the hand cranlc assembly 50. The spring 114 is preferably strong enough
to
constantly maintain the driving part 104 substantially adjacent the driven
part 102.
[0044] As illustrated in Figures 4A-SA, the driving part 104 of the engagement
clutch 100 preferably has teeth 104b configured to engage with teeth 102b of
the driven part
102 when the driving and driven pacts 104, 102 are generally adjacent each
other.
Preferably, the teeth 102b, 104b of the driven and driving parts 102, 104 are
angled so that
the driving part 104 meshes and transfers torque to the driven part 102 when
rotated in a
first rotational direction (e.g., cloclcwise), but does not mesh nor transfer
torque when
rotated in a second rotational direction (e.g., counter clockwise) opposite
the first rotational
direction. For example, consider the embodiment shown in Figure 4A. When the
driven
shaft 100 is rotated in a clockwise direction (from the vantage of the right
side of the
drawing looking leftward), the driving part 104 also rotates in a clockwise
direction due to
the spline 1 lOb and lcey hole 104a connection between the driving part 104
and the driven
shaft 110. When rotated clockwise and while adjacent the driven part 102, the
teeth 104b
of the driving part 104 mesh with the teeth 102b of the driven part so as to
transfer
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clockwise torque to the driven part 102, causing the driven part 102, and the
reel shaft 68
attached to it, to rotate cloclewise. Accordingly, the torque from the driving
part 104 is
transferred to the reel shaft 68 to rotate the reel drum 66. However, even
when adjacent the
driven part 102, if the driving part 104 rotates counter clockwise relative to
the driven part
102, the teeth of the driving part 104 will slip relative to the teeth 102a of
the driven part
102, so that no torque is transferred between the driving and driven parts
104, 102. One of
ordinary slcill in the art will recognize that the engagement clutch 100
described above may
be used with the embodiment of the hand cram assembly described above with
respect to
Figures 2 and 3. For example, instead of having the first gear 22 coupled to
the side plate
14, the first gear 22 may be coupled to the driving part 104 of the engagement
clutch 100,
while the driven part 102 of the engagement clutch 100 is coupled to a reel
shaft of the reel
5.
[0045] Figure 4C illustrates another embodiment of a twisting engagement
clutch 100. The engagement clutch 100 includes a collar 106, which is disposed
about a
portion of the driving part 104. The collar 106 preferably houses a one-way
clutch 108
configured to engage in the first rotational direction, but spin freely, or
slip, in the second
rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction. W the
illustrated embodiment, the
one way clutch 108 is configured to engage when rotated in the clockwise
direction (from
the vantage of the right side of the drawing looking leftward), but to spin
freely or slip in
the counter clockwise direction.
[0046] The one-way clutch 108 couples to a resistance bushing 108a disposed
about a portion of the driving part 104. The resistance bushing 108a
preferably has a
surface that substantially contacts the portion of the driving part 104, and
which provides
resistance to the rotation of the driving part 104 relative to the bushing
108a. Accordingly,
in a preferred embodiment, the driving part 104 and the one-way clutch 108
rotate at
generally the same rate. More preferably, the surface of the resistance
bushing 108a readily
allows translation of the driving part 104 therethrough.
[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, the driven shaft 110 has a threaded
portion 110b, which engages with threads 104c on the driving part of the
engagement
clutch 100. Preferably, the threads on the threaded portion 110 and the
threads 104c on the
driving part 104 are oriented such that rotation of the threaded portion 110
in the first
rotational direction applies a forward driving force to the driving part 104.
Additionally, a
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spring 109, such as a torsion spring, couples the driven shaft 110 to the
driving part 104,
with one end 109a of the spring 109 fastened to the driven shaft 110 and the
other end 109b
of the spring.109 fastened to the driving part 104.
[0048] With further reference to Figure 4C, the operation of the illustrated
embodiment of the engagement clutch 100 is discussed below. The haazd cranlc
assembly
50 is operated to rotate the driven shaft 110 in the first rotational
direction, as discussed
below. In one embodiment, the first rotational direction is the cloclcwise
direction. As
illustrated in Figm-e 4C, rotation of the driven shaft 110 in a cloclcwise
direction rotates the
threaded portion 110b cloclcwise. The threaded portion 110b engages the
threads 104c of
the driven part 104 and exerts a forward driving force on the driving part
104. The surface
of the bushing 108a provides sufficient resistance to the clocl~wise rotation
of the driving
part 104 to allow the driving pact 104 to translate forward relative to the
tlueaded portion
110 as the driving part 104 rotates along with the one-way clutch 108.
Moreover, the
resistance provided by the bushing 108a, along with the forward driving force
provided by
the threaded portion 110, overcomes a retraction force applied by the spring
109 in ~ a
direction opposite the forward driving force, so that the driving part 104
moves forward
into substantial engagement with the driven part 102. Once the driving and
driven parts
104, 102 are substantially engaged, the torque applied to the driven shaft 110
to rotate it
clocl~wise is transferred to the driven part 102 and onto the reel shaft 68
for rotation of the
reel drum 66 in the cloclcwise direction.
[0049] As noted above, in a preferred embodiment, the forward driving force
provided by the threaded portion 110 along with the resistance provided by the
bushing
108a overcome the retraction force applied by the spring 109 to move the
driving part 104
forward. Once the driven shaft 110 is no longer rotated, the retraction force
applied by the
spring 109 overcomes the resistance force applied by the bushing 108a and
retracts the
driving part 104 through the bushing 108a, rotating the driving part 104
counter clocl~wise
out of engagement with the driven part 102. The one-way clutch 108 slips or
spins in the
counter cloclcwise direction, thus allowing the driving part to be readily
retracted onto the
threaded portion 1 l Ob.
[0050] One of ordinary shill in the art will recognize that the embodiment of
the
engagement clutch 100 illustrated in Figure 4C, and discussed above, can be
used with any
of the embodiments disclosed herein for a hand cranc assembly 50. For example,
the
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illustrated embodiment of the engagement clutch 100 can be used with the
embodiments of
the hand cranlc assembly 50 illustrated in Figures 5A and 8A, without the need
to use the
spring 114 to urge the driving and driven 104, 102 parts into engagement. One
of ordinary
slcill in the art will also recognize that other suitable means can be used
for transferring
torque from the driven shaft 110 to the reel shaft 68 when rotated in the
first rotational
direction, but to disengage the driven shaft 110 from the reel shaft 68 when
the driven shaft
110 15 110t rotated.
[0051] As shown in Figures 4 and 5a, a first pulley member 150 and a second ,
pulley member 152 are preferably rigidly coupled to the driven shaft 110, each
of said first
and second pulley members 150, 152 configured to transfer a torque onto the
driven shaft
110, as discussed further below. In the illustrated embodiment, the first
pulley member 150
is operatively coupled to a third pulley member 154 via a first belt 160.
Similarly, the
second pulley member 152 is operatively coupled to a fourth pulley member 156
via a
second belt 162. The third and fourth pulley members 154, 156 are coupled to a
second or
driving shaft 170. A lever 180 is coupled to one end 170a of the driving shaft
170.
[0052] As illustrated in Figures 5B, 6A and 6B, in one embodiment of the hand
crank assembly 50, the first and second pulley members 150, 152 are disposed
on either
side of a first one-way clutch 200 coupled to the driven shaft 110. The first
one-way clutch
200 is configured to operate in a first rotational direction, but not in a
second rotational
direction opposite said first rotational direction. For example, in the
illustrated
embodiment, the first one-way clutch 200 is configured to engage and operate
in a
cloclcwise (CW) direction, but not in a counter-clockwise (CCW) direction.
Similarly, the
third and fourth pulley members 154, 156 are disposed on either side of a
second one-way
clutch 210 coupled to the driving shaft 170. For example, in the illustrated
embodiment,
the second one-way clutch 210 is configured to engage and operate in a counter-
cloclcwise
(CCW) direction, but not in a cloclcwise (CW) direction.
[0053] As shown in Figure 6A, when the lever 180 is moved or pivoted in a
first
lever direction (e.g., a clockwise direction), the fourth pulley member 156
rotates in the
clockwise direction as well because it is coupled to the driving shaft 170.
However,
because the second one-way clutch 210 only operates in the counter clock-wise
direction,
rotation of the section of the driving shaft 170 to which the fourth pulley
member 156 is
attached is not transferred onto a second section of the driving shaft 170 to
which the third
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pulley member 154 is coupled. Accordingly, the third pulley member 154 is not
affected by
the clockwise rotation of the lever 180. The clockwise rotation of the fourth
pulley member
156 results in the clockwise rotation of the second pulley member 152 via the
motion of the
second belt 162, which converts the clockwise rotation of the fourth pulley
member 156
into the clockwise rotation of the second pulley member 152. The cloclcwise
rotation of the
second pulley member 152 is subsequently transferred to the first pulley
member 150 via
the first one-way clutch 200, which transfers the torque from the second
pulley member 152
onto the first pulley member 150. The driven shaft 110 also rotates clockwise
since it is
coupled to the first one-way clutch 200. The clockwise rotation is then
transferred to the
reel shaft 68 via the engagement clutch 100 (see Figure 5A) to rotate the reel
60 in the first
rotational direction (i.e., clockwise). The clockwise rotation of the first
pulley member 150
causes the third pulley member 154 to rotate counter clockwise due to the belt
160. The
second one-way clutch 210 remains disengaged as the third pulley member 154
rotates
counter clockwise and the fourth pulley member 156 rotates clockwise.
[0054] As shown in Figure 6B, when the lever 180 is moved or pivoted in a
second lever direction (e.g., a counter clockwise direction), the fourth
pulley member 156
rotates in the counter clockwise direction as well because it is coupled to
the driving shaft
170. However, because the second one-way clutch 210 operates in the coiuiter
cloclc-wise
direction, the rotation of the section of the driving shaft 170 to which the
fourth pulley
member 156 is attached is transferred onto a second section of the driving
shaft 170 to
which the third pulley member 154 is coupled. Accordingly, the third pulley
member 154
also rotates counter clockwise. The counter cloclcwise rotation of the fourth
pulley member
156 results in the counter clockwise rotation of the second pulley member 152
via the
motion of the second belt 162. However, the counter clockwise rotation of the
second
pulley member 152 is not transferred to the first pulley member 150 via the
first one-way
clutch 200, which engages and operates only in a clockwise direction. The
counter
clockwise rotation of the third pulley member 154 results in the clockwise
rotation of the
first pulley member 150 via the motion of the first belt 160, which converts
the counter
cloclcwise rotation of the third pulley member 156 into the cloclcwise
rotation of the first
pulley member 150. The clockwise rotation is then transferred to the reel
shaft 68 via the
engagement clutch 100 (see Figure 5A) to rotate the reel 60 in a first
rotational direction
(i.e., clockwise). The cloclcwise rotation of the first pulley member 150 does
not affect the
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second pulley member 152 because the first one-way clutch 200 remains
disengaged as the
first pulley member 150 rotates clockwise and the second pulley member 152
rotates
counter clockwise.
[0055] As illustrated in Figures 5C, 7A and 7B, in another embodiment of the
hand crank assembly 50, the fourth pulley member 156 is coupled to the driving
shaft 170
via the first one way clutch 200, while the third pulley member 154 is coupled
to the
driving shaft 170 via the second one-way clutch 210. In the illustrated
embodiment, the
first one-way clutch 200 is configured to engage and operate in a cloclcwise
(CW) direction,
but not in a counter-clockwise (CCW) direction.
[0056] As shown in Figure 7A, when the lever 180 is moved or pivoted in a
first
lever direction (e.g., a clockwise direction), the fourth pulley member 156
rotates in the
clockwise direction as well because it is coupled to the driving shaft 170 via
the first one-
way clutch 200, which engages and operates in the clockwise direction.
However, because
the second one-way clutch 210 only operates in the counter cloclc-wise
direction, the
clockwise rotation of the driving shaft 170 via the lever 180 is not
transferred onto the third
pulley member 154. Accordingly, the third pulley member 154 is not affected by
the
cloclcwise rotation of the lever 180. The clockwise rotation of the fourth
pulley member
156 results in the clockwise rotation of the second pulley member 152 via the
motion of the
second belt 162, which converts the clockwise rotation of the fourth pulley
member 156
into the clockwise rotation of the second pulley member 152. The clockwise
rotation of the
second pulley member 152 also results in the clockwise rotation of the first
pulley member
150 since both the first and second pulley members 150, 152 are substantially
rigidly fixed
on the driven shaft 110. The clockwise rotation is then transferred to the
reel shaft 68 via
the engagement clutch 100 (see Figure 5A) to rotate the reel 60 in the first
rotational
direction (i.e., cloclcwise). The clockwise rotation of the first pulley
member 150 causes
the third pulley member 154 to rotate counter clockwise due to the belt 160.
The second
one-way clutch 210 remains disengaged as the third pulley member 154 rotates
counter
clockwise and the fourth pulley member 156 rotates clockwise.
[0057] As shown in Figure 7B, when the lever 180 is moved or pivoted in a
second lever direction (e.g., a comlter clockwise direction), the fouuth
pulley member 156
does not rotate in the counter clockwise direction because it is coupled to
the driving shaft
170 via the first one-way clutch, which does not operate in the counter
clockwise direction.
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However, because the second one-way clutch 210 operates in the counter clock-
wise
direction, the counter clockwise rotation of the driving shaft 170 via the
lever 180 is
transferred onto the third pulley member 154. Accordingly, the third pulley
member 154
also rotates counter clockwise. The counter clockwise rotation of the third
pulley member
154 results in the cloclcwise rotation of the first pulley member 150 via the
motion of the
first belt 160, which converts the counter clockwise rotation of the third
pulley member 156
into the clockwise rotation of the first pulley member 150. The clockwise
rotation is then
transferred to the reel shaft 68 via the engagement clutch 100 (see Figure 5A)
to rotate the
reel 60 in a first rotational direction (i.e., clockwise). The cloclcwise
rotation of the first
pulley member 150 also causes the second pulley member 152 and fourth pulley
member
152 to rotate cloclcwise. The clockwise rotation of the fourth pulley member
156 does not
conflict with the counter cloclcwise rotation of the lever 180 because the
first one-way
clutch 200 remains disengaged.
[0058] Figures 8 and 8A illustrate still another preferred embodiment of a
hand
cram assembly 50 for use with a reel 60 onto which linear material may be
spooled. The
illustrated embodiment is similar to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4
and 5A, except
as discussed below.
[0059] As illustrated in the embodiment shown in Figures 8A, 9A and 9B, the
first and second pulley members 150, 152 are coupled to the driven shaft
110;via a first and
second one-way clutch 220a, 220b, respectively. The one-way clutches 220a, b
are
preferably configured to operate in a first rotational direction, but not in a
second rotational
direction opposite said first rotational direction. That is, the one-way
clutches 220a, b can
engage and transfer torque in the first rotational direction, but slip and do
not transfer
torque in the second rotational direction. For example, in the illustrated
embodiment, the
one-way clutches 200a, b are configured to engage and operate in a clockwise
(CW)
direction, but not in a counter-clockwise (CCW). The third and fourth pulley
members
154, 156 are rigidly coupled to the driving shaft 170.
[0060] ~ With further reference to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 8 and
8A, the first belt 160 couples the first and third pulley members 150, 154.
However, unlike
the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the first belt 160 does not extend
completely around
the first and third pulley members 150, 154. Instead, the first belt 160 is
fastened at a
location on the first and third pulley members 150, 154. Likewise, the second
belt 162
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couples the second and fourth pulley members 152, 156. However, the second
belt 162
does not extend completely around the second and fourth pulley members 152,
156. '
Instead, the second belt 162 is fastened at a location on the second and
fourth pulley
members 152, 156.
[0061] As shown in Figure 8a, the first pulley member 150 is preferably
coupled
to the frame portion 116 of the housing via a first torsion spring 114b.
Preferably, the first
torsion spring 114b is pre-tensioned so as to maintain the first belt 160 in a
taut position.
For example, if the first belt 160 slackens due to the rotation of the third
pulley member
154, the first torsion spring 114b applies a torque to the first pulley member
150, rotating
the first pulley member 150 in the same direction as the tlurd pulley member
154 to take up
said slack. Similarly, the second pulley member 152 is preferably coupled to a
second
frame portion 118 of the housing via a second torsion spring 114c. Preferably,
the second
torsion spring 114c is pre-tensioned so as to maintain the second belt 162 in
a taut position.
For example, if the second belt 162 slackens due to the rotation of the fourth
pulley member
156, the second torsion spring 114c applies a torque to the second pulley
member 152,
rotating the second pulley member 152 in the same direction as the fourth
pulley member
156 to take up said slack.
[0062] As shown in Figure 9A, when the lever 180 is moved or pivoted in a
first
lever direction (e.g., a clockwise direction), the fourth pulley member 156
rotates clockwise
as well because it is coupled to the driving shaft 170, which also rotates
clockwise. The
third pulley member 154 also rotates cloclcwise because it is coupled to the
driving shaft
170, which causes the first belt 160 to slacken. However, the pre-tensioned
first torsion
spring 114b tales up the slack by rotating the first pulley member 150 counter
clockwise.
The counter cloclcwise rotation of the first pulley member 150 is not
transferred to the
driven shaft 110 because the first one-way clutch 220a engages in the
clockwise direction,
but slips in the counter clockwise direction. The cloclewise rotation of the
fourth pulley
member 156 pulls the second belt 162 so as to rotate the second pulley member
152
clockwise. This in turn causes the driven shaft 110 to also rotate clockwise
since the
second one-way clutch 220b is configured to engage in the clockwise direction.
The torque
from the rotating driven shaft 110 is then transferred to the reel shaft 68
via the twisting
engagement clutch 100 as discussed above.
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[0063] As shown in Figure 9B, when the lever 180 is moved or pivoted in a
second rotational direction (e.g., a counter clockwise direction), the fourth
pulley member
156 rotates counter cloclcwise as well because it is coupled to the driving
shaft 170, which
also rotates counter clockwise. The third pulley member 154 also rotates
counter clockwise
because it is coupled to the driving shaft 170, which pulls the first belt
160, causing the first
pulley member 150 to rotate clockwise. The clockwise rotation of the first
pulley member
in turn causes the driven shaft 110 to also rotate clockwise since the first
one-way clutch
220a is configured to engage in the clockwise direction. The torque from the
rotating
driven shaft 110 is then transferred to the reel shaft 68 via the twisting
engagement clutch
100 as discussed above. The counter clockwise rotation of the fourth pulley
member 156
causes the second belt 162 to slacken. However, the pre-tensioned second
torsion spring
114c talces up the slack by rotating the second pulley member 152 counter
clockwise. The
counter clockwise rotation of the second pulley member 152 is not transferred
to the driven
shaft 110 because the second one-way clutch 220b engages in the clockwise
direction, but
slips in the counter clockwise direction.
[0064] One of ordinary slcill in the art will recognize that the twisting
engagement clutch 100 provides for easily unspooling of linear material from
the reel drum
66 without affecting the operation of the hand cranlc assembly 50.
Accordingly, the hand
cranlc assembly advantageously provides for the efficient spooling of linear
material onto
the reel drum via the movement of a lever, while also allowing the reel to be
rotated so as to
unspool the linear material from the reel without any effect on the hand
crax~l~ assembly.
[0065] One of ordinary slcill in the art will readily recognize that the hand
cranlc
assembly 50 embodiments disclosed herein can be modified or arranged in any
suitable way
to result in the rotation of the reel drum in a desired direction. For
example, as illustrated
in Figures 6A through 7B, the embodiments of the hand cranlc assembly 50
illustrated
herein are configured to rotate the reel drum in a clockwise direction upon
the pivoting or
movement of the lever 180. However, the hand crank assembly 50 can easily be
arranged
or modified to result in the counterclockwise rotation of the reel dmm 66. For
example, the
first and second one-way clutches 200, 210 can be chosen such that the
movement of the
lever 180 in the first and second lever directions results in the
countercloclcwise rotation of
the reel shaft 68 and the resulting counterclockwise rotation of the reel drum
66.
Additionally, the belts connecting the first and second pulley members 150,
152 with the
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third and fourth pulley members 154, 156 can be replaced with other suitable
means, such
as chains, to transfer the rotation of the third andlor fourth pulley members
154, 156 onto
the first and/or second pulley members 150, 152.
[0066] Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain
preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those spilled in
the art that
the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to
other
alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications
and
equivalents thereof. Further, the various features of this invention can be
used alone, or in
combination with other features of this invention other than as expressly
described above.
Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed
should not be
limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be
determined
only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.
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