ELECTRICAL CABLE TURRET

Abstract

This cable reel (10), comprising a drum (12) and two inner side flanges (14) arranged on either side of the drum (12), further comprises two outer side flanges (16), arranged on either side of the inner side flanges (14), coaxially with the drum and the inner side flanges (14), and rotatable independently of the inner side flanges (14), and at least one means (18) for locking the inner side flanges (14) against rotation relative to the outer side flanges (16). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: ELECTRIC CABLE REEL

[0001] The present invention relates to a reel for electric cable. It also applies to coils, that is to say to small reels.

[0002] The invention belongs to the field of equipment for electric cables in various sectors, such as construction or industry.

[0003] Cable unwinding operations, particularly those stored on large reels and for long cable sections, are time-consuming, labor-intensive and present risks for installers.

[0004] Indeed, traditional methods for pulling a cable from a reel drum generally involve using trestles with a steel bar passing through the drum or any other cable payout system fixed or held to the ground. These systems include heavy and awkward parts to handle, which often lead to a risk of pinching hands and a risk of falling parts with potential injury to an operator during installation.

[0005] This type of installation operation therefore involves the use of additional personnel and typically lifting equipment to place the drum on trestles or other unwinding means fixed or held to the ground. All of this increases the risk of injury as well as the cost of the operations.

[0006] The present invention aims to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art.

[0007] For this purpose, the present invention proposes a reel for an electric cable, comprising a drum and two inner side cheeks or flanges arranged on either side of the drum, remarkable in that it further comprises two outer side cheeks or flanges, arranged on either side of the inner side flanges, coaxially with the drum and the inner side flanges and movable in rotation independently of the inner side flanges and at least one means for locking in rotation the inner side flanges relative to the outer side flanges.

[0008] Thus, the present invention makes it possible to dispense with fixed or mobile unwinding means, because the cable wound on the drum can be unwound easily because the inner flanges can rotate while the outer flanges remain stationary. In addition, this significantly increases safety for operators carrying out the manipulations of the drum necessary for installation. Furthermore, the movement of the drum is facilitated because of the absence of relative rotation of the drum and the outer and inner flanges when the drum is rolled on the ground to move it to the installation point, or during shipment of the drum, or even during winding a cable onto the drum. In addition, the reel is made of simple and robust components, which provides high durability, low maintenance requirements and low overall cost. In addition, if necessary, the reel can be dismantled on site using simple tools.

[0009] In a particular embodiment, the at least one locking means is a U-shaped hoop having a base, a first branch and a second branch, the base being provided with at least one handle and the first and second branches being of different lengths, the first branch being adapted to be inserted only into one of the outer side flanges and the second branch being adapted to be inserted both into one of the outer side flanges and into one of the inner side flanges, located on the same side of the drum.

[0010] Thus, depending on the positioning of the second branch, the reel can adopt either a locked position, in which the second branch is inserted both in one of the outer flanges and in one of the inner flanges located on the same side of the drum, which prevents the rotation of the drum and the inner flanges relative to the outer flanges, or an unlocked position, in which the second branch is inserted only in one of the outer flanges, which allows the drum and the inner flanges to rotate independently of the outer flanges.

[0011] In a particular embodiment, the at least one locking means is removable and adapted to serve as a ground wedge for the reel.

[0012] This makes it possible to immobilize the outer flanges, while the drum and the inner flanges are movable in rotation, thus allowing the reel to be unwound without it moving unexpectedly and without requiring the presence of any fixed or movable unwinding means to receive the reel.

[0013] In an alternative embodiment, the at least one locking means comprises a sleeve, a rod capable of sliding in the sleeve and a handle for actuating the rod.

[0014] This embodiment variant allows the locking means to function optimally even in the event of deformation of the side plates over time.

[0015] In a particular embodiment, the outer side flanges have a diameter greater than the diameter of the inner side flanges.

[0016] This makes it easy to roll the reel on the ground and direct it to the desired location of use.

[0017] In a particular embodiment, the outer side flanges are maintained at a predetermined minimum distance from the inner side flanges.

[0018] This spacing between the inner and outer side plates, which is maintained during movement of the reel, effectively reduces the risk of hand and finger injuries during normal handling of the reel.

[0019] By way of non-limiting example, this minimum distance may be 50 mm.

[0020] In a particular embodiment, the reel further comprises an axle on in which the drum and the inner and outer side flanges are arranged coaxially, this axle being a tube equipped at each of its ends with a terminal tube having a shoulder resting on one of the outer flanges.

[0021] This makes it easier to roll the outer flanges.

[0022] In a particular embodiment, the drum and the inner and outer side plates are made of wood.

[0023] This material is economical and robust.

[0024] In a particular embodiment, the external side plates are provided with a ring around their perimeter.

[0025] This increases the life of the reel, which is particularly advantageous in the case of intensive use.

[0026] In a particular embodiment, the inner side flanges have an external face opposite the face located on the drum side and the outer side flanges have an internal face opposite the external face of the inner side flanges and the drum further comprises an internal flat ring arranged on each of the aforementioned internal faces and an external flat ring arranged on each of the aforementioned external faces, the internal and external flat rings facing each other.

[0027] This allows both good rotation of the inner and outer flanges and the maintenance of a safe spacing between the inner and outer flanges.

[0028] In a particular embodiment, the reel further comprises a plurality of rollers arranged between the inner and outer side flanges.

[0029] This also improves the rotation of the inner and outer flanges while maintaining a safe spacing between the inner and outer flanges. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description below of particular embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0031] [Fig-1] is a schematic overview of a reel according to the present invention, in a particular embodiment and in a position wedged on the ground;

[0032] [Fig.2] is a partial schematic sectional view of a reel in accordance with the present invention, in a particular embodiment and in the locked position;

[0033] [Fig.3] is a partial schematic sectional view of a reel in accordance with the present invention, in a particular embodiment and in the unlocked position;

[0034] [Fig.4] is a partial schematic sectional view of a reel in accordance with the present invention, in a particular embodiment showing details of embodiment;

[0035] [Fig.5] is a partial schematic sectional view of a reel according to the present invention, in an alternative embodiment. Description of embodiment(s)

[0036] As shown in [Fig.l], in a particular embodiment, a reel 10 for electric cable according to the present invention comprises a drum 12 and two internal lateral cheeks or flanges 14 arranged on either side of the drum 12.

[0037] According to the present invention, the reel 10 further comprises two outer side cheeks or flanges 16 arranged on either side of the inner side flanges 14, coaxially with the drum 12 and the inner side flanges 14.

[0038] The two outer side plates 16 are movable in rotation independently of the inner side plates 14.

[0039] Advantageously, the outer lateral flanges 16 have a diameter greater than the diameter of the inner lateral flanges 14.

[0040] Advantageously, provision is made to maintain a predetermined minimum distance or minimum value of the spacing E between each inner lateral flange 14 and the outer lateral flange 16 located on the same side of the drum 12. The value of E depends on the dimensions of the reel 10 in question. By way of non-limiting example, the minimum value of E may be 50 mm or 55 mm.

[0041] The drum 12 and the inner 14 and outer 16 side plates may be made of wood. However, this is only one example of a non-limiting material, plywood, plastic, metal or any other material that may be considered, including a different material for the interior and exterior of these parts.

[0042] Optionally, the outer side plates 16 may be “ringed”, that is to say provided with a ring around their circumference. This ring may for example be made of metal for better wear resistance.

[0043] Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention, the reel 10 comprises at least one means 18 for locking the inner side plates 14 in rotation relative to the outer side plates 16.

[0044] In the configuration illustrated by [Fig.l], the drum 12 and the inner side plates 14 are rotatable, while the outer side plates 16 are immobilized by the locking means 18, which is here removable in order to provide an additional function of securing the reel 10 to the ground. The reel 10 can therefore neither move forward nor backward and is perfectly stable during the rotation of the drum 12 with the inner side plates 14.

[0045] In the particular embodiment illustrated, the reel 10 comprises two locking means 18, each arranged under one of the two external lateral flanges 16.

[0046] The locking means 18 is described more precisely below in connection with [Fig.2],

[0047] As shown in [Fig. 2], in the particular embodiment illustrated, the locking means 18 is a U-shaped hoop, having a base 20, a first branch 22 and a second branch 24.

[0048] The base 20 is provided with one or more handles P. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the base 20 comprises two handles P. These handles P make it easier for the operator to grip the locking means 18, who can thus easily insert it into the side plates or remove it from them and also position the locking means 18 under one of the outer side plates 16 as a wedge as seen previously.

[0049] When the locking means 18 is used as a wedge, the movement of the reel 10 in one direction is blocked by the first branch 22 and its movement in the opposite direction is blocked by the second branch 24. In other words, a part of the circumference of the outer lateral flange 16 under which the locking means 18 is arranged rests between the first and second branches 22, 24. The reel 10 thus remains stationary when the cable wound on the drum 12 is unwound.

[0050] The first branch 22 and the second branch 24 are of different lengths, so that the first branch 22 is adapted to be inserted only into one of the outer lateral flanges 16, while the second branch 24 is adapted to be inserted both into this outer lateral flange 16 and into the inner lateral flange 14 located on the same side of the drum 12.

[0051] For the purposes of these insertions, at least one of the two outer lateral flanges 16 is provided with two openings adapted to receive respectively the first branch 22 and the second branch 24 and at least one of the two inner lateral flanges 14 located on the same side of the drum 12 is provided with an opening adapted to receive the second branch 24.

[0052] The first and second branches 22, 24 may have a predetermined cross-section (circular, polygonal or any other geometry allowing the function to be ensured) and the aforementioned openings have an identical shape.

[0053] As shown in [Fig. 3], in the unlocked position, the locking means 18 remains inserted by its first branch 22 into the outer flange 16, but is not inserted into the inner flange 14: the second branch 24 is in fact only inserted into the outer flange 16. The drum 12 with the inner lateral flanges 14 is then movable in rotation independently of the outer lateral flanges 16.

[0054] The locking means 18 can remain in place in this configuration. It is therefore not necessary to store it separately from the reel 10, since it remains attached to the outer side flange 16 in which it is inserted, even when the reel 10 is rolled to the desired location.

[0055] In an alternative embodiment illustrated in [Fig.5], the locking means 18 is in the form of a rod 50 capable of sliding in a sleeve 52 and of being inserted into an opening 54 of one of the external lateral flanges 16 and into an opening 56 of the internal lateral flange 14 located on the same side of the drum 12.

[0056] The rod 50 can be actuated by means of a handle 58 provided at its end located outside the outer lateral flange 16. Thus, when the handle 50 is pushed to the maximum, the rod 50 is inserted both in the openings 54 and 56 and when it is pulled, the rod 50 disengages from the opening 56 of the inner lateral flange 14.

[0057] In this variant embodiment, the locking means 18 is fixed to the outer lateral flange 16. As shown in [Fig. 5], this fixing is for example achieved by means of two perforated plates 60 respectively arranged on the two faces of the outer lateral flange 16. Each of the perforated plates 60 is crossed, in its central region, by the sleeve 52 and, in the vicinity of each of its ends, by a screw and nut assembly 62 or any other fixing means, which makes it possible to secure the locking means 18 to the outer lateral flange 16. A pin 64 inserted in the sleeve 52 and in the rod 50 makes it possible to lock the rod in position.

[0058] As shown in [Fig.4], the reel comprises an axle 30 on which the drum 12 and the inner 14 and outer 16 side plates are arranged coaxially.

[0059] In the particular embodiment illustrated, the axle 30 is a tube equipped at each of its ends with a terminal tube 32 which has a shoulder 34 resting respectively on the external face of one of the external lateral flanges 16. The two terminal tubes 32 are for example force-fitted into the tube of the axle 30, or welded to the latter.

[0060] The parts of the reel 10 which are circled in [Fig.4] show an optional detail of embodiment described below.

[0061] If we call "external face" the face of the inner lateral flanges 14 opposite the face of the inner lateral flanges located on the side of the drum 12 and "internal face" the face of the outer flanges 16 located opposite the external face, the drum 10 may comprise an internal flat ring 36 arranged on each of the two internal faces coaxially with the axle 30 and an external flat ring 38 arranged on each of the two external faces so as to face the internal flat ring 36 located on the same side of the drum 12.

[0062] These flat rings 36, 38 act as rolling tracks to facilitate the rotation of the flanges, while ensuring that the spacing E is maintained between the inner 14 and outer 16 flanges located on the same side of the drum 12.

[0063] Alternatively, instead of the flat rings 36, 38, the reel 10 may comprise a plurality of rollers arranged between each of the inner side flanges 14 and the outer side flange 16 located on the same side of the drum 12. These rollers may be fixed either on the inner flange or on the outer flange and can roll either on a tread or directly on the surface of the flange in question. They are, for example, of a type similar to the omnidirectional rotating casters of office chairs. As a non-limiting example, three casters can be provided between each pair of flanges.

Claims

Claims

1. Reel (10) for electric cable, comprising a drum (12) and two inner side plates (14) arranged on either side of said drum (12), said reel (10) further comprising two outer side plates (16), arranged on either side of said inner side plates (14), coaxially with said drum (12) and with said inner side plates (14) and movable in rotation independently of said inner side plates (14) and at least one means (18) for locking in rotation of said inner side plates (14) relative to said outer side plates (16), said reel (10) being characterized in that said at least one locking means (18) is a U-shaped hoop having a base (20), a first branch (22) and a second branch (24), the base (20) being provided of at least one handle and the first and second branches (22, 24) being of different length,the first branch (22) being adapted to be inserted only into one of said outer side flanges (16) and the second branch (24) being adapted to be inserted both into one of said outer side flanges (16) and into one of said inner side flanges (14), located on the same side of said drum (12), the locking means being movable between: - a locked position in which the second branch is inserted both into the corresponding outer side flange and the corresponding inner side flange, - an unlocked position in which the second branch is inserted only into the corresponding outer side flange, in the unlocked position, the reel being arranged to keep the unlocking means attached to the outer side flange when rolling the reel to a desired location.,

2. Reel (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one locking means (18) is removable and adapted to serve as a ground wedge for said reel (10).

3. Reel (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said outer side flanges (16) have a diameter greater than the diameter of said inner side flanges (14).

4. A reel (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said outer side flanges (16) are maintained at a predetermined minimum distance from said inner side flanges (14).

5. Reel (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that said minimum distance is 50 mm.

6. Drum (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises an axle (30) on which said drum (12) and said inner (14) and outer (16) lateral flanges are arranged coaxially, said axle (30) being a tube equipped at each of its ends with a terminal tube (32) having a shoulder (34) resting on one of said outer flanges (16).

7. Reel (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said drum (12) and said inner (14) and outer (16) side flanges are made of wood.

8. Reel (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said external lateral flanges (16) are provided with a strapping around their periphery.

9. Drum (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said inner side flanges (14) have an external face opposite the face located on the side of said drum (12) and said outer side flanges (16) have an internal face opposite said external face of said inner side flanges (14) and in that said drum (10) further comprises an internal flat ring (36) arranged on each of said internal faces and an external flat ring (38) arranged on each of said external faces, said internal (36) and external (38) flat rings facing each other.

10. Reel (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it further comprises a plurality of rollers arranged between the inner (14) and outer (16) lateral flanges.

Images