Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a revolving rack for the distribution and storage of chain on spools and a method of distribution and storage thereof, and more specifically, to a revolving rack with multiple spools placed on removable spool holders attached to a manual or automatic rotating mechanism that is user activated to place a selected spool at a desired operative position for distribution of chain. The revolving rack including a rotating mechanism connected to a frame with two roller chains placed on bottom sprockets and top sprockets having a built-in mechanism to hold a selected spool at a fixed height. Spools are inserted in spool holders and then adapted on the revolving rack. A drive mechanism rotates the spool holders a desired position either manually or electrically. The revolving rack also includes a sturdy frame having an operative section for receiving the rotating mechanism and a fixation section with a forklift-type interface. The spool holders include a central support placed on a spool holder equipped with a friction based stabilizer to prevent rotation and unwinding of chain.

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to a revolving rack for the distribution and storage of chains on spools and a method of distribution and storage thereof, and more specifically, to a revolving rack with multiple spools placed on removable spool holders attached to a manual or automatic rotating mechanism that is user activated to place a selected spool at a desired operative position for distribution of chains. 
       DEFINITIONS 
       [0002]    Within the scope of this disclosure, the word “chain” or “chains” is defined as any material such as chains, cables, lines, thread, wire, tape, yarn, jewelry, or any other flexible, longitudinal material capable of being stored on a spool or any variation thereof. The word “spool” is defined as a cylinder or reel, in some instances hollow, having rims or ridges at each end on which a chain as defined above is wound for storage or distribution. The term “industrial chain” is defined as a subset of the chains defined hereabove and is made of industrial size metallic based chains used in the industry such as a roller chain or ball chain. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Chains are purchased either on spools or in other formats and then wound on spools using spooling machines. Suppliers sell industrial, commercial and other types of chains in great lengths for storage and contemporaneous use in segments. Segments of chain are generally used for daily use and are obtained by cutting chain using known chain separation techniques. Roller chains, one of the most common type of drive chain, is best known by a recognized use in the cycling industry. Chains are used to transfer rotational forces from a first axis, such as a bicycle crank, to a second axis, such as the rear wheel of a bicycle. Sprockets are attached to both axes to secure the chain to the axes and to help transfer the driving force. Roller chains, unlike some other chains, are segmented at fixed-link distances based on link sizes. 
         [0004]    Users of chain often need to purchase and store different sizes, types, and grades of chain in anticipation of different needs. Maintenance departments with large industrial equipment with different sprockets sizes must keep different spools, each with a chain of different size. Bicycle repair shops using a normalized size of chain are forced to keep different grades of chains to meet a demand from casual bikers to experienced professionals. Spools are often sold with circular rims to protect the chains when loaded on the spools. Spools are generally stored sideways on the floor or in a designated storage place to prevent rolling on the rounded edges of the rims and unwinding of the chain stored within the spool. Sideways storage is problematic because with time and low-level floor vibration, the chain unwinds and slowly collects at the bottom of the spool. 
         [0005]    In the case of industrial chains, spools are quite heavy and difficult to manipulate. For example, in a motorcycle equipment and repair shop, mechanics must find the right chain from among a group of spools in the repair shop, rearrange the spools until the one needed is within reach, turn the selected spool on its side, and unspool a length of chain while preventing the spool from rolling away in the opposite direction. In large shops with several repair bays, the spool must often be carried over long distances. The transportation of a spool is also problematic because the spool often has no handle and chain may inadvertently touch the floor and collect dirt. 
         [0006]    What is needed is an apparatus capable of managing, storing, and distributing a specific type and grade of chain from a plurality of spools. What is also needed is a portable spool storage system that may be moved from one location to another in a single step. What is also needed is a robust apparatus capable of continued operation in an industrial environment and capable of manipulation by transportation devices such as a forklift. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present disclosure relates to a revolving rack for the distribution and storage of chain on spools and a method of distribution and storage thereof, and more specifically, to a revolving rack with multiple spools placed on removable spool holders attached to a manual or automatic rotating mechanism that is user activated to place a selected spool at a desired operative position for distribution of chain. The revolving rack including a rotating mechanism connected to a frame with two roller chains placed on bottom sprockets and top sprockets having a built-in mechanism to hold a selected spool at a fixed height. Spools are inserted in spool holders and then adapted on the revolving rack. A drive mechanism rotates the spool holders a desired position either manually or electrically. The revolving rack also includes a sturdy frame having an operative section for receiving the rotating mechanism and a fixation section with a forklift-type interface. The spool holders include a central support placed on a spool holder equipped with a friction based stabilizer to prevent rotation and unwinding of chain. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the revolving rack for chain spools without a guard placed in an operative configuration with a manual chain link breaker on a workbench. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the revolving rack for chain spools with guard and spool holders but without spools according to a possible embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the revolving rack for chain spools of  FIG. 2  according to a possible embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a close-up perspective view of the top portion of the revolving rack of  FIG. 1  according to a possible embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a close-up view of the drive mechanism of  FIG. 1  according to a possible embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the revolving rack of  FIG. 3  with spools and chains. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a close up perspective view of the rotating ends of a spool as placed within a pivot as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram of a method for selecting chain from different spools according to a possible embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a revolving rack  100  for chain spools  50  without a guard  70  in an operative configuration and placed next to a manual chain link breaker  200  attached to a workbench  300 .  FIG. 1  shows a segment  61  of chain  60  unwound from the chain spool  50  over a desired length and placed within a roller chain link breaker  200 . The chain link breaker  200  as shown is a manually operated device with a handle  210  to open links and cut chain  60  at a desired length. In one contemplated embodiment, a compact cutting tool called the EZ Breaker™ from Drives Incorporated is used. The EZ Breaker™ is attached to the workbench  300  using four bolts  220 . While one possible type of device to create a segment  61  from a chain  60  is shown, what is contemplated is the use of any device, workbench, tool, and apparatus to create and remove segments  61  from the chain  60  used in tandem with the revolving rack  100 . 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a revolving rack  100  for chain spools  50  with a frame  20 . The frame as described has an operative section  21  and a fixation section  22 . The revolving rack  100  also includes a rotating mechanism  10  connected to the operative section  21  of the frame  20  for holding a plurality of spool holders  30 . A drive  40  is connected to the rotating mechanism  10  for moving the plurality of spool holders  30  as shown from a inoperative position to an operative position.  FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of the rotation mechanism  10  in an inoperative position (raised from the operative position shown as  FIG. 1 ). A user engages the drive  40  to initiate rotation of the rotation mechanism  10  around the sprockets  11  as shown. The force from the drive  40  is transferred in the shown embodiment from the top right sprocket  12  to the bottom right sprocket  13  via the first roller chain  14 . The bottom right sprocket  13  is united to the bottom left sprocket  16  by an axis  15  and allows for transfer of any movement between both bottom sprockets  13 ,  16  to be uniform. A second roller chain  17  is used to transfer movement to the upper left sprocket  18 . The rotating mechanism  10  allows for rotational displacement of both of the roller chains  14 ,  17  to be in tandem and for an associated movement of the spool holders  30  attached to the rotating mechanism  10 . The drive  40  is equipped with an internal clutching mechanism (not shown) to prevent backward rotation of the rotation mechanism  10 . 
         [0018]    What is contemplated is a revolving rack  100  where a user (not shown) is able to take a spool  50  of any width capable of being placed inside of the spool holder  30  and inserting the spool  50  in the operative section  21  of the frame  20 .  FIG. 1  shows a situation where spools  50  of a maximum allowable width are place in the front portion of the revolving rack  100  and one spool  51  of a smaller width is placed in the back portion of the revolving rack  100 . What is contemplated is the use of frames  20  having an operative portion  21  of sufficient width to hold spools of sizes adequate to meet the needs of the industry. What is also contemplated is either the use of smaller spools  51  or the use of a plurality of smaller spools  51  on a single spool holder  30  to better manage the storage and distribution of chain  60  on the revolving rack  100 . 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, what is contemplated is the freewheeling of spools  50  on the spool holders  30 . In another embodiment, what is contemplated is the use of a friction base rotational limiter built-in a central support  34  inserted in the spool  50  for placement on the spool holder  30  where each end is equipped with a rotating end  35  on the pivot  31 . What is also contemplated is the use of a lock nut (not shown), a friction washer (not shown) used in association with a locking torque used to create friction between the central support  34  and the rotating ends  35 . 
         [0020]    One of ordinary skill in the art recognizes that different types of chains  60  may require a constant winding tension or force within the chain  60  during the different states of distribution or storage. The use of automatic tension devices in association with the spool holders  30  is also contemplated. One of ordinary skill in the art also recognizes that by using spools  50  in a freewheeling mode on the spool holder  30 , which in turn is attached to a rotating mechanism  10  in a freewheeling mode, the spools  50  are not forced to rotate when the drive  40  is activated to move the rotating mechanism  10 , and ultimately, chain  60  from the spools  50  does not unwind when moving from a first inoperative position to an operative position. The use of a central support  34  fixed rotationally with the rotating ends  35  also allows for a passage from a first inoperative position to an operative position without unwinding of the chain  60  by allowing the spool holder  30  to rotating within the rotating mechanism  10 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 7  shows how the spool holder  30  can be attached in one possible configuration by a fixation pin  33  and a lock  36 . If the spool holder  30  is attached in a freewheeling mode to the rotating mechanism  10 , the cradle holder  32  serves as balance weight and prevents rotation of the spool  50  during movement of the rotating mechanism  10 . 
         [0022]    What is contemplated and shown in  FIG. 6  is an inoperative position where the position of a spool  50  is not located judiciously around the rotating mechanism  10  to allow an operator the most comfortable use. What is contemplated in the operative position is a position that is not an inoperative position. One of ordinary skill in the art recognizes that the determination of the operative and inoperative positions is not a precise location and is better qualified in association with usefulness. The operator may be able to pull a part of the chain  60  from a lower or higher position without substantially altering the functionality of the revolving rack  100 . In addition, the drive  40  may disallow the stabilization of any spool  50  at a precise position due to the important inertia of the revolving rack  100  or disallow backwards movement once the target destination is reached. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the frame  20  is made of a fixation section  22  made of steel profiles  23  attached in a rectangular configuration and placed over legs  24  also made in a rectangular configuration. In one embodiment, what is contemplated is the use of a rigid fixation section  22  with legs  24  having sufficient height and separation to allow the forks of a forklift (not shown) to be inserted between the legs for forklift manipulation. In another embodiment, the floor clearance created by the legs  24  is at least two inches to allow for the insertion of the forks of a forklift (not shown). What is also contemplated but not shown is a bolted or welded fixation of the fixation section  22  at a permanent location. What is also contemplated but not shown is the use of plates, sections, or devices to allow for a forklift equipped with any type of lifting equipment to grasp the fixation section  22  for manipulation. 
         [0024]    The frame  20  also comprises an operative section  21  welded to the fixation section and made of two sets of vertical rectangular steel bars  25  with a top bar  26  to complete the rigid structure. A guard  27  as shown in  FIG. 2  can be attached to the operative section  21  for protecting the rotating mechanism  10  from shocks. While one possible type of structure is shown as the operative section  21  of the frame  20 , what is contemplated is any type of structural element capable of being used as a support element in the frame  20 . The guard  27  as shown is a small, bent piece of metal attached to the operative section  21 , but what is contemplated is the use of any type of guard or protective structure designed to offer adequate protection of the rotating rack  100  in environments in which use is contemplated. 
         [0025]    One of ordinary skill in the art recognizes that while a series of four spool holders are shown within the rotating mechanism  10 , what is contemplated is the use of any quantity or type of spool holders in association with a rotating mechanism and a frame  20  of any scale. By way of nonlimiting example, the revolving rack  100  and the frame may vary in structure or scale greatly if extremely large chains for holding, for example, an aircraft carrier anchor or miniature chain used in the jewelry industry. In one preferred embodiment, the frame  20  is covered with black paint, but any surface finish and color is also contemplated. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the revolving rack  100  for chain spools  50  with a guard  27  and spool holders  30  but without spools  50  according to a possible embodiment. Each of the plurality of spool holders  30  includes a pivot  31  for pivotally holding a spool  50 , a cradle holder  32  for protecting the spool  50 , and a fixation pin  33  for pivotally connecting the spool holder  30  to the rotating mechanism  10 . What is contemplated is the use of spools  50  with or without fixation ends (not shown). In one commercial embodiment, the spool  50  is made of a hollow cylinder where a central support  34  can be inserted. The central support  34  may be equipped with either rotating ends  35  or a cylindrical end for pivotal connection with the pivot  31 . What is also contemplated is the use of a friction based torque mechanism located within the rotating ends  35  to limit the differential rotation between the central support  34  and the rotating ends  35 .  FIG. 7  is a close-up perspective view of the rotating ends  35  of a spool  50  placed within a pivot  31 . 
         [0027]    In one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2 , the drive  40  includes a manual lever  41  for manually activating the rotating mechanism  10  and a motor  42  for automatically activating the rotating mechanism  10 . The drive  40  can include a clutch  43  operating between the manual lever  41  and the motor  42  for selecting between manual and automatic activation of the rotating mechanism. What is not shown is the use of an electrical plug and cable to connect the electrical motor  42  to a power supply, but the connection of an electrical motor  42  to a power supply is well known in the art. In one embodiment, the drive  40  is fully manual. The drive  40  rotates the top right sprocket  12 , but what is contemplated is the use of any type of drive mechanism  10  in conjunction with any type of drive  40  to move the spools  50  from an inoperative position to an operative position.  FIG. 5  is a close-up view of the drive  40 . 
         [0028]    What is also disclosed is a method of selecting chain  60  from different spools  50 , the method comprises the step of placing  250  at least two spools  50  with a rolled chain  60  on a revolving rack  100  for chain spools  50  comprising a frame  20  having an operative section  21  and a fixation section  22 , a rotating mechanism  10  connected to the operative section  21  for holding a plurality of spool holders  30 , and a drive  40  connected to the rotating mechanism  10  for moving the plurality of spool holders  30  from an inoperative position to an operative position. The method also comprises the step of activating  260  the drive  40  until a selected spool  50  reaches the operative position and pulling  270  the chain  60  from spool  50  for distribution of the chain  60 . In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of using  280  a chain cutter  200  to remove the section of chain  61  pulled from the spool  50  for distribution. 
         [0029]    Persons of ordinary skill in the art appreciate that although the teachings of the disclosure have been illustrated in connection with certain embodiments and methods, there is no intent to limit the invention to such embodiments and methods. On the contrary, the intention of this disclosure is to cover all modifications and embodiments failing fairly within the scope the teachings of the disclosure.