IMPROVED CABLE REEL COVER

Abstract: A cable reel batten comprising an elongate batten (1) having two or more underside rebates (3, 3a) at the two ends of each batten, two or more channels (4, 4a) adapted to receive an upper side securing means and two or more transverse holes (6, 6a) adapted to receive a flexible connecting means (7).

Description: THLE: IMPROVED CABLE REEL COVER INTRODUCTION TO INVENTION: This invention relates to protective cable reel covers and in particular to an improved batten for use as a component of a cable reel cover. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION: The bulk storage of large cable is commonly provided by large reels having a central hub and two or more round disks, in between which, the cable is wound. The cable may be attached to the central hub by any one of a number of methods and once the cable begins to overlap the central portion is firmly secured to the central hub. However, the end of the cable as it finishes at the periphery of the cable reel also needs securing and furthermore the whole cable and reel assembly requires some type of protection against dirt, dust and physical damage. To date, a common method of both protecting the wound cable and securing the same has been accomplished by battens designed to be placed around the periphery of the two or more round disks. The battens must be capable of locating securely in between the round disks as well as regular and secure placement around the periphery of the round disks whence the battens can be strapped or securely located into place to effect protection of the cable. To date a variety of protective covers have been proposed, most comprising a plurality of battens connected by a flexible strap adapted to fit around the reel's periphery. The problem of batten alignment has been addressed by providing rebates or rabbet grooves along the batten edges, clips or stops, as well as a plethora of other devices. A further development in Australian Patent 598953 (AU-B-21628/88) utilizes the batten straps as an aligning means by placing SUBSTITUTE SHEET the flexible straps on the underside of the battens and at either edge so as to provide a guide for the battens. However, all the prior art suffers from inefficiencies in production and susceptibility to damage in situ. OBJECT & STATEMENT OF INVENTION: The object of the instant invention is to provide an improved cable reel cover for cable reels and a component batten therefore. Accordingly, the invention provides a cable reel batten comprising an elongate batten having two or more underside rebates at least at the two ends of each batten, two or more channels adapted to receive upper-side a securing means and two or more transverse holes adapted to receive a flexible connecting means. The invention furthermore provides a plurality of said battens joined together by said flexible connecting means to provide a protective cable reel cover. Preferably the protective cable reel cover comprises a series of battens threaded together by way of a flexible connecting strap or rope in order to provide a flexible array of battens adapted to wrap around and sit onto the periphery of a cable reel. The underside rebates are preferably provided at the end edges of the batten and indented to provide a snug fit in between the sides of the reel. The connecting rope is threaded through the battens so as to allow flex in the cover whence it may be pulled around the reel and prepared for fastening. The battens are also provided with upper side channels adapted to receive a securing tape or wire. The securing tape is fastened around the cover after it is placed on the reel so as to positively fix the cover onto the reel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION: The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the figures which detail a particularly preferred form of batten for use in the cover of the invention. Figure 1 details a perspective view of a cable reel with battens fixed thereto. Figure 2 details an individual batten. Figure 3 details a cross-sectional view of a batten attached to a reel. Referring firstly to figure 2, the battens can be seen to comprise a one piece formation having a body 1 formed of a flat elongate member. Toward either end of said member are formed transverse holes 6, 6a. The underside of the body is provided with rebates 3, 3a at either end, sized to accommodate the circumference of a cable reel. The upper side of body is provided with two in-board rebates 4, 4a, sized to accommodate a securing strap. The transverse holes 6, 6a are adapted to receive a threading rope or other flexible connecting means. Referring now to figure 3, the positioning of the batten on the cable reel can be seen where the rebates 3, 3a are made to snugly fit to the reel sides 2, 2a. Figure 1 shows how the array of battens can be wound around a cable reel and securely fastened by the straps 5, 5a. From the above, it can be seen that the instant invention is a highly simplified and effective method of applying battens to a cable reel. The use of rebates eliminates the difficulties of applying and aligning internal bands whilst the use of a flexible rope within holes in the body of the batten provides an efficient method of holding the batten together in a compliant unit highly adapted for application to a cable reel. The advantages of the invention include a neat and durable connection of the battens which is internally protected and not subject to abuse or dislodgment. The cover can be easily installed and fitted as usual. The entire contents of the provisional specification lodged with Australian Patent Application of which this is the complete specification is hereby imported into this specification and forms part of the disclosure of this specification. The claims form part of the disclosure of this specification.

Claims: The claims defining the invention are as follows: 1. A cable reel batten comprising an elongate batten having two or more underside rebates at least at the two ends of each batten, two or more channels adapted to receive an upper side securing means and two or more transverse holes adapted to receive a flexible connecting means. 2. A cable reel cover comprising a plurality of battens according to claim 1 joined together by a said flexible connecting means to provide a protective cable reel cover. 3. A cable reel cover according to claim 2 wherein said battens have underside rebates provided at the end edges of each batten to provide a snug fit in between the sides of said cable reel. 4. A cable reel cover according to claims 2 or 3 wherein said battens are connected by a rope threaded through said transverse holes so as to allow compliant flex in said cover and facilitate assembly of cover around said reel. 5. A cable reel cover according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein said upper side channels are secured with a metallic or plastic tape or other securing means which may be tightly secured around said cover. 6. A cable reel batten or cover according to any one of claims 1 to 5 substantially as hereinbefore described.

Inventors: NORMINGTON DAVID TERENCE, NORMINGTON, DAVID, TERENCE
Applicants: METROPOLITAN CASE PTY LTD, METROPOLITAN CASE PTY. LTD.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B65H75
IPC codes: B65H75