STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION DEVICE

Abstract: A demountable cable reel includes a pair of end flanges (9), each end flange having an inwardly facing spool connecting boss (10), and a generally cylindrical spool (14) having two or more spool elements (1, 2). The spool connecting boss (10) of each end flange (9) is engagable with the spool (14) by axial alignment of complementary teeth (7a, 7) on each boss and a respective spool element. A damaged spool element may be removed and replaced without having to unwind a cable on the reel.

Description: TITLE STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION DEVICE This invention relates to an apparatus for storage and transportation of elongate coilable members such as tubing, cables and the like. In particular, the invention is concerned with a demountable cable reel. Timber cable reels are well known but the majority of these are expensive to construct in terms of labour content and due to their shape and size, there is a high cost of transportation to a cable manufacturer in the first instance and subsequently when being returned for rewinding. Moreover, empty reels are prone to damage during storage and transportation. To reduce shipping and storage costs of empty cable reels, it has been proposed to provide a demountable reel where the generally circular end flanges are removable from the spool, and in some cases the spool itself is demountable to a more compact shape. Many of these demountable cable reels rely upon elongate bolts extending via the hollow interior of the spool between opposed flanges for their structural integrity when wound with cable or the like. Demountable cable reels which rely primarily for structural integrity in an assembled state only on bolts extending between opposed flanges are described in US Patent 2652992, US Patent 1767710, US Patent 1915825, US Patent 2266903. German Patent DE 2439488, European Patent Application EP 1987000401297 (Publication No. EP 250295) and US Patent 5588628. French Patent Application 88 04881 describes a demountable cable reel wherein structural integrity in an assembled state relies partially upon bolts extending between opposed flanges and partially upon interengagement between spool elements and the opposed flanges. European Patent Application 91121835.2 (Publication No. 0491400 A1 ) describes a demountable cable reel having core elements bolted at opposite ends to the opposed end flanges. Demountable cable reels having foldable core elements and/or flange elements are described in US Patent 5409179, US Patent 5467939, European Patent Application 94401537.9 (Publication No. EP 0636567 A1 ) and British Patent 1170714. US Patent 5464171 describes a demountable cable reel where integrally formed flange/spool members interconnect intermediate the ends of the spool. International Patent Application No. PCT/US97/13809 (Publication No. WO 98/06654) describes a spool comprised of a plurality of interlocking elements. In the interest of both cost and convenience, there is a requirement for a simple demountable cable reel with integral locking or fastening means to avoid the need for separate fasteners such as bolts or the like which are easily lost in transit. Australian Patent 442191 describes a cable reel comprising a pair of circular end flanges, each with an array or radial slots spaced about a central shaft aperture. Core elements comprising a disc like member with radially extending arms which are insertable through the slots of a respective flange for connection with corresponding arms of a core element extending through an opposite flange. A cylindrical spool acts as a spacer to keep the flanges apart. Other demountable cable reels having circular end flanges and non-demountable cylindrical spools are described in US Patents 5868348, 5743486, 5242129, 5660354 and 5727752. Demountable cable reels having planar flanges and demountable or collapsible spools but otherwise with integral connecting means are described in Australian Patent 224780, British Patent GB 2269157, Australian Patent 592112, US Patent 5806788 and Australian Patent 678296. Although the last mentioned group of prior art cable reels has some advantages over the previously mentioned prior art cable reels, each suffers one or more practical shortcomings in use. For example, the cable reels of British Patent 2269157, Australian Patent 592112, Australian Patent 442191 and Australian Patent 224780 are not considered sufficiently robust for larger capacity cables. While the cable reels of US Patent 5806788 and Australian Patent 678296 are better suited to more robust duty, each suffers the disadvantage that in order to replace a flange damaged in handling or transportation, the reel must first be emptied of cable which is time consuming and inconvenient. With a move by cable manufacturers towards moulded plastics demountable cable reels of ever increasing capacity, it is not uncommon for an end flange to be damaged due to rough handling or insecure shipping. In the event of damage to a flange on a fully wound cable reel, there is a need to be able to replace that flange without the need to first remove the cable and then to rewind the cable onto the repaired reel as remote site reel repairs may be carried out without having to return the loaded reel to the cable manufacturer. It is an aim of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least some of the shortcomings associated with prior art cable reels and otherwise to provide users with a convenient choice. According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a demountable reel for elongate coilable objects, said reel comprising:- a pair of end flanges, said end flanges each including an inwardly facing spool connecting boss; a generally cylindrical spool comprising two or more spool elements, each said spool connecting boss and said spool being engagable by axial alignment of complementary engagement members and releasably securable by axial misalignment between said complementary engagement means, said reel being characterised in that an end flange may be removably replaced by a substitute end flange with an elongate object coiled in situ about said spool. Suitably each said end flange includes reinforcement means adjacent a perimetral rim member. If required said spool connecting boss may be recessed below an inner face of said flange. Preferably said spool connecting boss projects outwardly from an inner face of said flange. Suitably said boss includes a central shaft aperture. If required each said flange may include a plurality of radially spaced apertures to locate, in use, tensionable members extending between opposed flanges. Suitably said radially spaced apertures include reinforcing means. If required said spool may comprise two or more separate elements releasably connectable adjacent transverse edges to form a cylindrical spool. Alternatively said spool may comprise two or more spool elements with an integrally formed hinge joint, said two or more spool elements being movable between an extended storage and/or transportation position and a contracted position forming a cylindrical spool. If required said spool elements may include axially extending reinforcing members. Additionally or alternatively said elements may include radially extending reinforcing elements. Preferably said reinforcing elements are integrally formed adjacent an inner surface of said spools elements. Said spool elements preferably comprise shouldered end portions. Suitably, said complementary engagement members associated with said flanges comprise a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially oriented projections and/or recesses on said boss. The complementary engagement means associated with said spool elements comprise circumferentially spaced radially oriented projections and/or recesses in said shouldered end portions. The spool and respective flanges may be releasably secured by engagement of projections on said boss behind projections on said spool by at least partial relative rotation between said flanges and said spool. Suitably at least one cam member is provided to wedgingly engage said spool with respective end flanges. If required said cam member may be operative in a radial direction. Suitably stop means is provided to limit relative rotation between said spool and respective flanges. Preferably, releasable locking means is provided to prevent disengagement between said spool and a respective flange. Suitably said locking means is adapted to prevent relative rotation between said spool and a respective flange when said complementary engagement means are engaged. Most preferably, said locking means is actuable from an exterior region of each said flange. In order that the invention may be more fully understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:- FIG. 1 shows elements of a cable reel spool according to the invention; FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a cable reel end flange; FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a cable reel end flange; FIG. 4 shows schematically the alignment of engagement members of an end flange and a spool; FIG. 5 shows an exploded reel assembly; FIG. 6 shows a partial cross sectional engagement between a spool and the flange of FIG. 3; FIG. 7 shows a partial cross sectional engagement between a spool and the flange of FIG. 2; FIG. 8 shows a plan view of the engagement between a spool and a flange; FIG. 9 shows one embodiment of the connection means of a spool element; FIG. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of the connection means of a spool element; FIG. 11 shows yet another embodiment of a connection means of a spool element; FIG. 12 shows still another embodiment of a connection means of a spool element; FIG. 13 shows a partial inner view of a spool element; FIG. 14 shows a reinforcing insert for a flange; FIG.15 shows a part cross sectional view of engagement between a flange and a spool; FIG. 16 shows one embodiment of a flange locking means; FIG. 17 shows a flange; and FIG.18 shows a part cross sectional view of a reinforced flange rim. In FIG. 1 spool elements 1 , 2 have a keyed rib 3 on one edge and a complimentary keyhole slotted aperture 4 on an opposite edge to enable a cylindrical spool to be assembled from four identical elements by slidable engagement of a rib 3 of one element with the slotted aperture 4 of an adjacent element. Each spool element has a smooth arcuate outer surface 5 and arcuate end walls 6 comprising a series of alternately spaced teeth 7 and apertures 8. FIGS. 2 and 3 show alternative embodiments of an end flange 9 having a spool supporting boss 10 and a central shaft aperture 11. In FIG. 2, the boss 10 is located in a recess 12a in inner flange wall 12 whereas in FIG. 3, the boss 10 sits proud of inner flange wall 12. In both cases, boss 10 comprises a cylindrical base 13 with a spaced array of teeth 7a extending radially from the outer end of base 13 to form a recessed region between teeth 7 and flange wall 12. FIG. 4 shows schematically the engagement of a cylindrical spool 14, formed from the elements shown in FIG. 1 and the boss 10 of the flange 9 shown in either of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3. As can be seen, when the teeth 7a of boss 10 are aligned with apertures 8 of the end wall of spool 14 and similarly the apertures 8a of boss 10 are aligned with teeth 7 of the end wall of spool 14, the complementary shapes of the respective teeth and apertures enables the spool 14 to engage over boss 10. Apertures 15 are optionally provided in teeth 7a, the purpose of which apertures 15 will be described later. FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a cable reel assembly comprising spool 14 assembled from the elements shown in FIG. 1 and the flanges of FIG. 3. After the respective teeth and apertures of the spool end walls and the flange are aligned and the teeth 7a of flange 9 are located within apertures 8 of the spool end wall 6, the flange 9 is partially rotated relative to spool 14 such that teeth 7a of flange 9 are located behind teeth 7 of spool 14, thereby removably securing the flange 9 to spool 14. FIG. 6 is a part cross sectional view of the securement of flange 9 of FIG. 3 to spool 14. FIG. 7 is a part cross sectional view of the securement of flange 9 of FIG. 2 to spool 14. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the assembly shown in FIG 6 with the teeth 7 of spool 14 engaged behind teeth 7a of flange 9 with apertures 15 in teeth 7a aligned with apertures 15a in teeth 7 aligned to receive an elongate bolt (not shown) if required. Apertures 15, 15a permit the use of tensionable bolts between opposed flanges of a cable reel for additional reinforcement, particularly on larger diameter/capacity reels. FIG. 9 shows an alternative form of connection for spool elements. As shown, one edge 20 of spool element 21 is formed with a V- shaped channel 27 having spaced apertures 22 therein. The opposite edge 23 is formed with a complementary V-shaped rib 24 having pins 25 with enlarged deformable heads 26 thereon. As can be seen, when the respective adjacent edges of spool elements 21 are brought together, the initial engagement between channel 27 and rib 24 guides the headed pins 25 into alignment with respective apertures 22. When fully engaged the rib 24 and channel 27 reinforce the connection between the edges 21 and 23 of adjacent spool elements to prevent deformation when wound with a cable or the like. FIG. 10 shows an alternative means of connecting spool elements. In this embodiment, opposed edges of each spool element 28 are formed with alignable abutments 29, 30, one abutment 29 having a slotted recess 31 and the other having a barbed deformable pin 32 for engagement therein. FIG. 11 shows a modification to the embodiment of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, short keyed ribs 35 on one edge of a spool element 36 are adapted for insertion into corresponding keyhole slots 37 of an adjacent spool element. The short keyhole slots 37 permit resilient deformation to receive the keyed ribs 35 when pushed together in a generally tangential direction. Located between keyed ribs 35 are one or more slotted apertures 38 to receive one or more tongues 39 which assist in alignment and reinforcement of the edges when assembled. FIGS. 12, 12a and 12b shows yet another means of connecting spool elements. In this embodiment one edge 40 of a spool element 41 is provided with spaced apertures 42 to receive deformable head pins 43 mounted on an integrally hinged flap 44 of an adjacent spool element 41. On the inner side of flap 44 are deformable barbed pins 45, which, when the two spool elements are rotated together about hinged flap 44, engage in apertures 46 in abutments formed on the underside of an opposite edge of a spool element. FIG. 12a shows a variation wherein the heads of pins 43 are located in a recess 47 formed between inclined edge 48 of spool element 49 and the integrally hinged flap 50 having apertures 51 to receive pins 43. FIG. 12 also shows optional reinforcing ribs 52 extending axially along the inner wall 53 of spool element 41 and radially extending ribs 54 also or alternatively extending along inner wall 53. FIG. 13 shows schematically a transversely extending reinforcing rib 55 extending between opposed end walls 56 of a spool element 57. FIG. 14 shows a steel reinforcing element 60 which may be employed in the flanges of larger capacity cable reels according to the invention. The reenforcing element comprises a central shaft reinforcing tube 61 , a plurality of radially spaced webs 62 and retaining plates 63 for tensionable bolts not shown which extend between opposed reel flanges. Retaining plates 63 have keyhole apertures 64 for ease of inserting and connection of the tensionable bolts. Suitably, the reinforcing element 60 is placed into an injection moulding die for the reel flange and is encapsulated in the moulding process. FIG. 15 shows a port cross sectional view of a reel assembly showing a flange 70, a spool 71 mounted on flange boss 72 and a tensionable steel bolt 73 extending between opposed flanges. In this view, an alternative embodiment is illustrated in that a dual diameter boss 72 comprises a larger diameter portion 72a and a smaller diameter portion 72b to accommodate a smaller diameter spool if required. FIG. 16 shows a locking means to prevent disengagement between the end flange and a spool of a cable reel. In a radially directed reinforcing rib 80 of flange 81 , there is formed an integrally hinged tab 82 having a pin 83 extending from an underside thereof. In the locked position shown, tab 82 lies against the outer face 84 of flange 81 with pin 83 extending through an aperture 83 in face 84 and thence into an aligned aperture (not shown) into an end wall portion of a spool (not shown) to prevent relative rotation therebetween when the flange and spool are secured. FIG. 17 shows a variation in flange design incorporating reinforcing ribs 90 extending radially between boss 91 and the inner wall 92 of a recess 93 in flange 94. Buttressed ribs 95 reinforce the region oft he join between the floor 96 and side wall 92 of recess 93. In this embodiment reference is made to the spool element 51a of FIG. 12. For additional reinforcement of the connection between a spool assembled from elements 41 a and flange 94 of FIG. 17, cavities 97 are provided in the end walls of spool elements 41a to accommodate ribs 90 yet allow sufficient relative rotation between the spool and flange for securement. Additionally tabs 98, upstanding from the outer surface of the spool initially engage in aligned recesses 99 when the respective teeth and apertures therebetween of the flange and spool when first engaged. As the flange and spool are secured by relative rotation therebetween tabs 98 locate within slotted apertures 100 and, by resilient recovery, drop below shouldered edges 101 to form a locking means to prevent accidental disengagement between the spool and flange. The locking tabs are accessible from the outer face of opposed flanges to release the locking means. FIG. 18 shows a means of reinforcing the outer rims of flanges on larger capacity cable reels. In this embodiment, rather than have right angle joints between a flange wall 102 and the outer rim 103, (and any adjacent circumferential reinforcing ribs) which are prone to damage arising from stress concentration at the right angle joint, the rim 103 as shown has oppositely directed gently undulating ribs 104, 105 with radially disposed reinforcing ribs therebetween. It will be appreciated that many modifications and variations may be made to the various embodiments of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. A demountable reel for elongate coilable objects, said reel comprising:- a pair of end flanges, said end flanges each including an inwardly facing spool connecting boss; a generally cylindrical spool comprising two or more spool elements, each said spool connecting boss and said spool being engagable by axial alignment of complementary engagement members and releasably securable by axial misalignment between said complementary engagement means, said reel being characterised in that an end flange may be removably replaced by a substitute end flange with an elongate object coiled in situ about said spool. 2. A demountable reel as claimed in claim 1 wherein: each said end flange includes reinforcement means adjacent a pehmetral rim member. 3. A demountable reel as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein: said spool connecting boss is recessed below an inner face of said flange. 4. A demountable reel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein: said spool connecting boss projects outwardly from an inner face of said flange. 5. A demountable reel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein: said boss includes a central shaft aperture. 6. A demountable reel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein: each said flange includes a plurality of radially spaced apertures to locate, in use, tensionable members extending between opposed flanges. 7. A demountable reel as claimed in claim 6 wherein: said radially spaced apertures include reinforcing means. 8. A demountable reel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein: said spool comprises two or more separate elements releasably connectable adjacent transverse edges to form a cylindrical spool. 9. A demountable claim as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein: said spool comprises two or more spool elements with an integrally formed hinge joint, said two or more spool elements being movable between an extended storage and/or transportation position and a contracted position forming a cylindrical spool. 10. A demountable reel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein: said spool elements includes axially extending reinforcing members. 11. A demountable reel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein: said spool elements includes radially extending reinforcing elements. 12. A demountable reel as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11 wherein: said reinforcing elements are integrally formed adjacent an inner surface of said spool elements. 13. A demountable reel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein: said spool elements include shouldered end portions. 14. A demountable reel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein: said complementary engagement members associated with said flanges include a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially oriented projections and/or recesses on said boss. 15. A demountable reel as claimed in any one of claims 1-13 wherein: the complementary engagement means associated with said spool elements includes circumferentially spaced radially oriented projections and/or recesses in said shouldered end portions. 16. A demountable reel as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15 wherein: the spool and respective flanges are releasably secured by engagement of projections on said boss behind projections on said spool by at least partial relative rotation between said flanges and said spool. 17. A demountable reel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein: at least one cam member is provided to wedgingly engage said spool with respective end flanges. 18. A demountable reel as claimed in claim 17 wherein: said cam member is operative in a radial direction. 19. A demountable reel as claimed in claim 16 wherein: stop means is provided to limit relative rotation between said spool and respective flanges. 20. A demountable reel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19 wherein: releasable locking means is provided to prevent disengagement between said spool and a respective flange. 21. A demountable reel as claimed in claim 20 wherein: said locking means is adapted to prevent relative rotation between said spool and a respective flange when said complementary engagement means are engaged. 22. A demountable reel as claimed in claim 20 or claim 21 wherein: said locking means is actuable from an exterior region of each said flange.

Inventors: CHARLTON CRAIG ROBERT, CHARLTON, CRAIG, ROBERT
Applicants: CHARLTON CRAIG ROBERT, CHARLTON, CRAIG, ROBERT
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B65H75
IPC codes: B65H75