ROLL SUPPORT SPINDLE

Abstract: A roll support spindle comprising a hollow tubular axle (1) having a number of apertures in the circumferential wall thereof filled by an annular elastomeric membrane. The interior of the axle is sealed by end plugs (2) and (3) and adapted to be pressurized by air injected through a valve (9) causing the annular membrane extending between the end plugs to bulge outwardly (11) through the apertures to centralize and lock a roll core (10) on the spindle.

Description: ROLL SUPPORT SPINDLE TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to an improved roll support spindle and has been devised particularly though not solely for the support of rolls of continuous material during any process requiring rotation of the roll. BACKGROUND ART There are many situations where it is desired to support a roll of continuous sheet material such as paper or sheet plastics material, either for dispensing of material from the roll or for winding material onto the roll. Such rolls commonly have hollow tubular cores formed, for example, from cardboard or plastics or metal tubing and are generally supported for rotation on a spindle in the apparatus concerned. The roll is supported on the spindle in a number of different ways depending on the application. For example, the spindle may be provided with cones at either end thereof, one cone being fixed and the other cone being axially movable to support the roll between the cones in a wedging action and centralise the roll on the spindle. Other forms of spindle have been provided with a plurality of longitudinal slats having studs protruding inwardly therefrom through the wall of the spindle to a central actuating device adapted to move the slats outwardly and hence increase the circumference of the spindle to lock a roll core thereon. These known methods of mounting a roll onto a spindle are either complex and therefore expensive to manufacture and prone to breakdown in use. or are cumbersome and time consuming to use, requiring considerable operator effort and taking considerable process time. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved roll support spindle which will obviate or minimise the foregoing disadvantages in a simple yet effective manner, or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Accordingly the invention consists in a roll support spindle comprising a hollow tubular axle adapted to be rotatably supported by suitable bearings, end plugs at or toward either end of the axle forming a fluid-tight chamber therein, a plurality of apertures in the tubular wall of the axle between the end plugs, an elastomeric membrane over at least part of the interior wall of the hollow tubular axle covering and sealing the apertures, and fluid supply means adapted to pressurise the interior of the hollow tubular axle causing the elastomeric membrane to bulge outwardly through the apertures. Preferably the elastomeric membrane is formed by rotational casting of an elastomeric material and covers the entire surface of the interior wall of the hollow tubular axle between the end plugs. Preferably the elastomeric membrane fills the apertures in the tubular wall, finishing substantially flush with the exterior surface of the tubular axle when the interior of the hollow tubular axle is not pressurised, Preferably the fluid supply means comprise an air supply and release valve in one of the end plugs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Notwithstanding any other forms that may fall within its scope, one preferred form of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a longitudinal cross-section through a roll support spindle according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a transverse cross-section on the line B-B of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-section of the spindle shown in Fig. 1 with a roll core mounted thereon; and Fig. 4 is a transverse cross-section on the line A-A of Fig. 3. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the preferred form of the invention a short roll _ - support spindle adapted to be cantilevered from a single set of bearings is constructed as follows, although it 5 will be appreciated that the spindle may be made of any desired length and may be supported by bearings. at either end thereof. The roll support spindle comprises a hollow tubular axle 1 in which is inserted end plugs 2 and 3. The end 10 plugs form a fluid-tight chamber 4 within the hollow tubular axle. The roll support spindle is adapted to be rotatable supported by suitable bearings and is conveniently provided with a journal 5 which may form an extension of the end plug 3. In the alternative any other 15 suitable form of bearing support may be provided. A plurality of apertures 6 are formed in the circumferential wall of the hollow tubular axle, equispaced around the circumference of the axle. The apertures may take any suitable configuration such as the 20 axially elongate, or circular apertures shown in the accompanying drawings. An elastomeric membrane is formed over at least part of the interior wall of the hollow tubular axle, covering and sealing the apertures 6. In the preferred form of the 25 invention the elastomeric membrane covers the entire surface of the interior wall of the hollow tubular axle between the end plugs 2 and 3 and fills the apertures 6, finishing flush with the exterior surface of the tubular axle as can be seen at 8. The elastomeric membrane may be 30 formed from any suitable material and in any suitable manner, but in the preferred form of the invention is formed by rotational casting from polyurethane within the tubular axle. The end plug 2 is provided with fluid supply means 35 adapted to pressurise the interior of the hollow tubular axle causing the elastomeric membrane 7 to bulge outwardly through the apertures. In the preferred form of the invention the fluid supply means comprises an air supply and release valve 9 axially located in the end plug 2. In use when it is desired to support a roll of material on the roll support spindle according to the invention, the roll core 10 (Fig. 3) is engaged over the spindle until it is positioned in the desired axial location. Compressed air is then supplied under pressure through the valve 9 into the interior chamber 4 causing the elastomeric membrane 7 to bulge outwardly through the apertures 6 as shown at 11. These bulges of elastomeric material automatically centralise the roll core 10 on the spindle and securely hold the roll core locked tightly in place on the spindle ready for rotation. Once the material has been exhausted from the roll core, air pressure is released from the chamber 4 through the valve 9 allowing the elastomeric membrane to return to its normal position flush with the outer surface of the tubular axle 1 allowing the roll core 10 to be simply removed from the spindle. In this manner a roll support spindle is provided which is simple and economical to manufacture, reliable in use. and which enables an operator to quickly and simply engage or remove a roll core from the spindle.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A roll support spindle comprising a hollow tubular axle adapted to be rotatably supported by suitable bearings, end plugs at or toward either end of the axle forming a fluid-tight chamber therein, a plurality of apertures in the tubular wall of the axle between the end plugs, an elastomeric membrane over at least part of the interior wall of the hollow tubular axle covering and sealing the apertures, and fluid supply means adapted to pressurise the interior of the hollow tubular axle causing the elastomeric membrane to bulge outwardly through the apertures. 2. A roll support spindle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastomeric membrane covers the entire surface of the interior wall of the hollw tubular axle between the end plugs. 3. A roll support spindle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastomeric member fills the apertures in the tubular wall, finishing substantially flush with the exterior surface of the tubular axle when the interior of the hollow tubular axle is not pressurised. 4. A roll support spindle as claimed in claim 1. wherein the elastomeric membrane is formed by rotational casting of an elastomeric material within the hollow tubular axle. 5. A roll support spindle as claimed in claim 1. wherein the fluid supply means comprise an air supply and release valve in one of the end plugs. 6. A roll support spindle as claimed in claim 1. wherein the apertures are evenly spaced around the circumference of the hollow tubular axle. 7. A roll support spindle as claimed in claim 4. wherein the elastomeric material is polyurethane.

Inventors: HORTON STUART LESLIE, KANN FREDERICK PETER, HORTON, STUART, LESLIE, KANN, FREDERICK, PETER
Applicants: HORTON STUART LESLIE, HORTON, STUART, LESLIE
Application year: 1984
Main classification: F16D3
IPC codes: B65H49, B65H75, F16B2, F16D3, F16D25