Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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The present invention relates to a spool or reel
assembly used for winding and unwinding ~ilamentar~ strand-
like or wire-like material. In particular the invention
t relates to a portable, preferably disposable, reel assembly
that might be used to hold, and unwind therefrom, w-ire used
in electric fences.
BAC~GROUND OF T~E _NVENTION
Electric fences, used to keep animals such as
cattle or sheep in a specific area, may be either permanent
10 or temporary. A permanent electric fence will include a
standard fence secured to fence posts and a electrified
wire port~-on also secured to the fence posts. Such a fence
might, for example, define the perimeter of a farm to keep
the animals within that perimeter. A temporary electric
fence might be used, for example, to keep animals within a
specific meadow so as to prevent them from feeding
elsewhere or it might be used to exclude animals from a
specific area. Once it has been decided to alter the
feeding programme for the animals, for example, the
20 temporary fence would be taken down and reassembled at
another location.
When putting up or taking down a temporary
electric fence it is of course necessary to deal with the
, wire which will be electrified as part of the fence. In the
past the wire has been supplied on spools which are awkward
to handle, especially when using a vehicle such as a pick-
up truck, which truck would traverse the fence line as the
wire is unwound therefrom. Rewinding of the wire onto the
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spool after the temporary fence had served its purpose was
both unwieldy and time consuming.
SUMMARY _ THE INVENTION
There is a need for a lightweight, portable,
inexpensive reel or spool onto which or from which electric
fence wire can be wound or unwound respectively. The
present invention meets that need by providing a reel
assembly that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture from
cheap plastics material. The component parts of the reel
assembly can be easily connected together or taken apart,
permitting several size alternatives from different
combinations of the components. The knock-down or kit
nature~of the invention simplifies shipping and improves
the storage and inventory situation for the wire supplier
as he does not have to store large, space-taking,
integrally formed reels or spools. He can store the
various components and assemble only the reels that he
needs.
The reel assembly of the invention includes a
`reel made up of a core member on which the material is
wound and a pair of separate side plates easily removably
connectable to the core member. One of the side plates has
an eccentrically positioned crank projecting therefrom and
the other side plate has a plurality of circumferentially
spaced recesses in the outer surface thereof. A separate
frame has a shaft on which the reel is journaled to rotate
and also includes an arm which extends radially away from
the shaft at one end thereof. A handle is connected to the
arm and overlies the core a-t about the mid-point thereoF. A user can grasp
the handle to support the reel assembly and turn the reel by the crank to
wind or unwind material to or from the reel.
A control is provided on the frame arm and is movable between two
posi-tions For engagement with the recesses in the other side plate to
provide a ratcheting or braking action on -the reel during winding or unwinding.The control can be moved to a third position to permit Free-wheeliny of the
reel during winding or unwinding.
In summary of the above the present invention can be broadly
considered as providing a reel assembly for selectively winding or unwinding
flexible electrically conductive material thereon or therefrom comprising:
(a) a non-conductive reel member having a cylindrical core member and larger-
diameter side plates removably to the core member; (b) Frame means including
a cantilevered shaft on which the member is journaled for rotation, one arm
extending radially from one end of the shaft to beyond the outer rim of an
adjacent side plate, and a transverse member extending from the free end of
the arm parallel to the shaft, terminating adjacent the mid-point of the
core member; (c) crank means for imparting rotational movement to the reel
member on the shaft, the crank means including an arm member removahly
engageable with the other end of the shaft adjacent the other side plate,
the arm member including inwardly directed projection means removably
engageable with mating U-shaped slot means on the other side plate and an
outwardly projecting crank handle at the free end thereof; (d) insulated
handle means connected to the free end of the transverse member at an acute
angle with respect thereto for supporting the reel member during winding or
unwinding; and (e) control means on the frame means engageable with the
reel member to selectively (i) permit free-wheeling rotational movement
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of the reel member relative to the frame means in either a wind;ny
direction or an unwinding direction; or (ii) permit ratche-ting movement
of the reel member in one o-F the directions with consequent brakiny action
on the reel member in the other of the directions.
The present invention may be looked at in a broader sense as
well since there is a need for spools or
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-- 4 --reels which are assembled at the end-user's facilit~ rather
than at the spool manufacturer's factory. Shipping cost3
could be reduced in view of the reduced volume being
shipped and inventory control would be enhanced by the end-
user. Different capacities of reels could be assembled
using different core lengths and side plates of a uniform
diameter or by using cores of a uniform length and side
plates of different diameters. The end-user could have an
inventory of appropriately sized side plates and cores and
could "mix and match" the cores and side plates to achieve
the desired spool capacities.
Thus the invention may also be considered as
provid~ing a reel assembly for selectively winding or
unwinding flexible filamentary material thereon or
therefrom comprising a cylindrical core member and pair a
of side plates, each side plate having means on an inner
surface thereof for supporting one end of the core member
thereon, the supporting means each including means matable
with the core member to removably secure the core member to
the adjacent side plate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows an end view of a side plate used
in the basic invention.
~`~ Figure 2 shows an edge view of the side plate of
Figure 1 along with a core used therewith.
Figure 3 shows an electric fence wire reel
assembly of the present invention in a front elevation
thereof.
Figure 4 shows a left end view of the reel
assembly of the present invention.
Figure 5 shows a partial cross-section of the
control means in a ratcheting position, the section taken
on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.
Figure ~ shows a view similar to Figure 5 with
the control means in a free-wheeling position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
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Figures 1 and 2 show an end view of a typical
side plate embodying features which make the basic
inventio~,~ as well as the electric fence wire carrying
version thereof, so effective. The side plate 1 is shown
~ to be generally cylindrical in nature and to have a
; plurality of arcuate support legs 2 upstanding from the
inner surface thereof, the legs being on a common
circumference C spaced outwardly from the rotational axis
A. Each leg has a slight degree of flexibility associated
therewith for purposes to be described hereinafter. If
desired the side plate can have a cylindrical hub 3 moulded
thereon, the hub having a through bore 4 to receive a shaft
on which the resulting reel assembly is to be mounted.
The side plate 1 is preferably moulded from a
high strength, inexpensive plastics material such as
polypropylene. Such a material is not conveniently
bondable to other materials, plastics or otherwise, and
accordingly the present invention provides a unique
mechanism for mounting a core to the side plate 1. In the
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embodiment as illustrated the legs 2 each have a raised
dome 5 moulded thereon, the dome being closer to the outer
edge than to the end plate itself. The core 6 rnay then be
provided with circular holes 7 appropriately positioned to
receive and mate with the domes 5 when the core is pushed
over the support legs 2. The legs 2 center and support the
core on the side plate 1 while the domes cooperate with the
holes 7 to secure the core to the side plate. The fit
between the core and the support leg and between the domes
and the holes is tight for a secure assembly but is not so
tight to preclude disassembly of the core and side plate if
desired.
~The core 6 may be extruded from a plastics
material such as polypropylene or, even more
advantageously, it may be formed from a cellulosic material
such as cardboard. The manufacture of cardboard cylinders
having high strength is well known, examples of such
products being cores for paper towelling and toilet
tissue, mailing tubes for posters and blueprints, and forms
for concrete posts. The last-mentioned products, such as
those sold under the trade mark SONOTUBE,-are well-suited
to the present invention as they have a high strength-to-
weight ratio, come in many different diameters, can be
precisely cut to length from a longer piece, can be easily
punched for the holes 7, can be supplied in a waxed or
unwaxed condition, and will be biodegradable after having
been discarded.
If a cardboard core is used then it would be
possible, in the alternative, to replace the domes 5 with a
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saw-tooth like projection 8, as shown on one leg 2, which
would bite into the inner surface of the core when it is
assembled to the end pla-te 1. In this instance it would be
somewhat more difficult to take the assembly apart and it
is likely tha-t the core would not be reusable thereafter.
By using a reel or spool assembly such as
described herein the end-user does not have to purchase
assembled reels from a reel manufacturer, as he merely buys
supplies of side plates and cores, assembling the desired
reels as they are needed. He can "mix and match" side
plates and cores to produce reels of the desired carrying
`capacity. His storage area is better utilized and likely
his inventory can be reduced.
`The reel manufacturer also benefits as he does
not have to perform a costly and inefficient assembly
`operation by which he would have bonded cores to side
plates and his shipping costs would be reduced as he can
slip plates and cores separately, shipping more product per
unit volume. The reel manufacturer could even stop making
cores if he desired, concentrating only on moulding end
plates, as he could readily purchase cores from a cardboard
tube manufacturer, already cut to size.
Reel assemblies in accordance with this invention
could be used in any application calling for a reel or
spool on which a filamentary material is to be wound. In
particular they would be beneficial to those using electric
wire, such as electricians and suppliers thereof. Another
area in which the present invention would be useful is in
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the electric fence wire field and a particular embodiment
of the invention for such use is described hereinafter in
relation to Figures 3 to 6.
Figure 3 shows an elevational view of a reel
assembly 10 from which it is seen that the reel or spool 12
thereof includes a central cylindrical core member 14 and a
pair of circular side plates or flanges 16 of a diameter
greater than that of the core member. In this case side
plates 16 are removably attached to the core member 14 by
way of resilient, inwardly directed fingers 18 which have a
bevelled tooth 20 at the free end thereof for reception in
the rectangular apertures 22 found in the body of the core
member 14s- To assemble the side plates 16 to the core
member 14 the two elements are brought together so that the
fingers 18 project into the hollow core member until the
teeth 20 snap into the respective apertures 22. To
disassemble the side plates from the core member, if
desired, one pushes the teeth 20 radially inwardly to
disengage them from the apertures 22, after which each side
20- plate can be withdrawn axially from the core member.
.
- A frame member 24 is used for holding the reel
assembly during use thereof. The frame 24 includes a
central shaft 26 which extends through the core member 14
and hubs on the side plates, and on which the reel 12 is
free to rotate. An arm 28 extends radially from one end of
the shaft 26 and at its free end the arm is provided with a
downwardly and forwardly opening hook 30 which permits the
entire reel assembly 10 to be hooked onto a wire of an
existing fence or any other appropriate support.
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Transverse member 32 extends axially across one
of the side plates 16 and terminates intermediate the side
plates in an insulated handle member 34 which can be used
to hold the reel assembly during usage thereof. The handle
34 is located generally at the mid-point of the reel 12 so
as to be vertically aligned with the centre of gravity of
the assembly 10, thereby ensuring that the assembly can be
comfortably held during use.
As shown in Figure 3, one of the side plates 16
has a crank arm 36 positioned adjacent thereto, the crank
arm 36 including a radially extending arm portion 38 and an
eccentric, axially extending crank portion 40. Adjacent
the end o~-~the shaft the crank fits over and is locked to
an outwardly extending portion of the side plate 16. With
the handle 34 being held by one hand the user can rotate
the reel 12 on the shaft 26 by appropriate movement of the
crank 40 about the shaft axis A.
A control means 42 is provided at the other end
of the reel assembly and is seen in Figures 3 to 6. The
control means 42 includes a bore 44 which extends through
frame arm 28 parallel to axis A at a radial distance R
therefrom. A pin 46 passes through the bore 44 and has a
bevelled end 48 adjacent the outer surface of side plate
16. A washer or other retainer 50 is fixed to the pin
adjacent end 48 and a compression spring 52 is located on
the pin 46 between the washer 50 and the adjacent surface
of the arm 28~ On the other side of the arm 28 the pin is
provided with a pull ring 54, the plane of which is
perpendicular to the plane containing the face of the
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bevelled end 48.
As best seen in Figures 5 and 6 a pair of
parallel lugs 56 is positioned on the arm 28 so as to
project outwardly thereof, one lug being above the pin and
the other being below. Each lug has a recess 58 in the
outer edge thereof, adapted to receive the pull ring 54.
As seen in Figure 4 the outer face of the side
plate 16 adjacent arm 28 has a plurality of
circumferentially spaced recesses 60 at essentially the
same radial distance R as the bore 44. The recesses 60 are
each adapted to receive the bevelled end 48 of the pin 46
as shown in Figure 5. The actual shape of the recesses 60
is not im~`ortant with the exception that the radial edges
62,64 thereof should be straight for proper engagement by
the adjacent end of the pin 46 as will be described
hereinbelow.
The reel assembly of this embodiment is also
designed so that it has specific advantages at each stage
of its life. By being moulded from a suitable plastics
material, such as polypropylene, it is inexpensive to
produce and it can be manufactured as a set of discrete
components which can be shipped in groups of core members,
side plates, frames and control means to the next stage in
the chain. The person, or company, that will be winding
wire on the reel assembly for subsequent sale thereof can
easily and quickly assemble the necessary reels from his
supply of components as required and is not faced with a
large space-occupying inventory of assembled reels. The
kit nature of the present invention also allows the
t~ t~
assembly of different reel assemblies using cornmon
components. For example reel assemblies having different
capacities could be assembled from common side plates and
core members of different lengths or from common core
members and side plates of different diameters.
After assembly of the reels as previously
described the wire or other filamentary or stranded
material is wound on a reel and the wound reel is sent off
for sale as a package including a frame and a control
means. The end-user purchases the package for his own
purposes which, most likely, will involve the stringing of
electric fence wire around a field to establish a permanent
or temporary pasture. while the above-mentioned use is the
one for which the present invention was designed it is
clear that it is not restricted to that use and that it
; could be used for winding and unwinding any kind of string
or wire-like material.
There are two possible ways of unwinding material
from the reel 12. One can attach the free end of the
material to a fixed point such as a fence post and then
carry the~reel assembly 10 along ~he desired path, allowing
the material to pay out from the reel as the reel 12
rotates. The alternative is to leave the reel assembly 10
at a specific location, as for example supported by hook 30
on an existing fence wire, and to grip the material at its
free end, unwinding the material from the reel 12 as the
desired path is followed. With either alternative it would
probably be desirable to permit the reel 12 to "free-wheel"
on the shaft 26 and this is possible by pulling the pin 46
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axially outwardly via pull ring 54 against the force of
spring 52, rotating the pin through 90 and letting the
ring 54 rest in the recesses 58 of the lugs 56 as shown in
Figure 6. In this position the bevelled end 48 of the pin
46 will have no contact with the recesses 60 in the
adjacent side plate 16.
If one is winding the material back onto the reel
12 one would not want the reel to rotate in the opposite
direction if the winding movement is stopped for any
reason. winding is accomplished by moving the crank 40 in
a circular arc about axis A and during winding the pin 46
is positioned as shown in Figure 5 with the pull ring
released ~rom the recesses 58 and the spring 52 biasing
the bevelled end 48 towards the end plate 16. During
winding the face of the bevelled end 48 is positioned so as
to face in the direction opposite to the winding direction
so that it can ride up over the faces 64 of the recesses 60
in the manner of a ratchet and so that the back portion of
the pin can abut a face 62 to prevent inadvertent unwinding
of the reel if the winding motion is stopped.
It should be pointed out that -the ratcheting
capability of the pin 46 could be utilized during an
unwinding operation merely by pulling the pin axially away
from the side plate 16, rotating it through 180 so that
the face of the bevelled end 48 faces in the direction
opposite to that for the winding operation, and releasing
the pin so that it can assume its ratcheting position with
the bevelled end 48 entering and leaving the recesses 60 as
the reel rotates. In this position the pin 46 acts as a
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brake on the reel 120
The present invention is sirnple, inexpensive to
manufacture, assemble and use and represents an advance in
the art of reeling filamentary material. In fact the reel
assembly of this invention is so inexpensive that it could
be considered as being disposable after a single use.
The foregoing has described the invention as
contemplated but it is clear that persons skilled in the
art could undoubtedly effect changes thereto wi-thout
departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, the
protection to be afforded the present invention should be
determined from the claims appended hereto.
