Patent Publication Number: US-7222902-B2

Title: Spool handling device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates generally to a spool handling device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a spool handling device for grasping a spool so that it can be vertically lifted or lowered using a hoist. More specifically, the present invention relates to a spool handling device which enables the releasable engagement of a spool so that it can be vertically lifted or lowered using a hoist and selectively oriented with relative ease. 
   BACKGROUND ART 
   There are various types of manufacturing processes which involve the combination of a plurality of strands of cords, cables, wires or the like which during processing are combined with each other, with other materials, or both. Where it is necessary to combine a plurality of such strands of material during either continuous or intermittent manufacturing operations, it is frequently convenient that the strands be coiled such as to provide the capability of continuously feeding out substantial lengths of the strands. In order to have available in a manageable form substantial lengths of coiled strands, it is commonly known to employ spools. The coiled strands are reeved around the spools for storage, and can be dispensed through rotation of the spools about the longitudinal axis thereof. 
   One such example of the employment of spools to store and dispense coiled strands is involved in the rubber industry. For example, in the rubber industry it is common to simultaneously employ a plurality of steel reinforcing cords which are stored on and dispensed from spools. The spools are normally mounted in an array which is commonly referred to as a creel. While creels may differ in various details they commonly consist of an array of spindles which are mounted in a substantially vertical framework having spindles which may project therefrom. 
   Each spool includes a body portion on which the steel cord is reeved, a receiving aperture extending through the body portion, and two (2) flanges extending radially outwardly from the ends of the body portion. The steel cord is reeved between the flanges, and the receiving aperture is adapted to engage the spindles of the creels. Furthermore, while the spools employed for steel cord are normally constructed of relatively light metal materials, the full spool with its capacity of steel cord approaching the radially outer extremity of the flanges may weigh on the order of forty to eighty pounds. 
   The spools are normally packaged in standard rectangular shipping cartons or containers in which the spools are tightly packed in circumferential engagement with adjacent spools in an upright position with longitudinal axis vertically aligned. Cartons are commonly sized such as to receive three spool by four spool layers arranged in three layers constituting a total of 36 spools. In some instances, the containers may accommodate 72 spools having a reduced axial length. 
   In many manufacturing operations, the cartons are positioned proximate to the creels, and an operator manually removes empty spools from the spindles and replaces them with full spools of steel cord. While manual loading of the creels is possible, it has the disadvantage that over the period of a work day, an operator may become sufficiently fatigued, particularly in relation to the placement of spools on the higher spindles, that the overall loading time for creels may become excessively long. In addition, the size and strength of an operator becomes highly significant in effecting the loading of spools over a period of time. 
   Therefore, in order to obviate a high degree of reliance on the size and strength of operators, there is a need for a spool handling device which provides for the releasable engagement of the spool so that it can be vertically lifted or lowered with relative ease using a hoist. 
   DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
   Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a spool handling device suitable for use with a hoist. Another object of the present invention is to provide a spool handling device providing for the releasable engagement of spool. Yet another objection of the present invention is to provide a spool handling device which obviates to a high degree reliance on the size and strength of operators, and that can be repositioned with relative ease using a hoist. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a spool handing device employing a mechanical latch assembly releasably securing a spool on a spindle. A still further object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical latch assembly including a latch used to engage a spool received on a spindle. Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical latch assembly including an ejection arm used to assist in removal of a spool from a spindle. Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical latch assembly configured such that, if a spool begins to slide off a spindle without the operator actuating the push-off arm, the force exerted by the spool against the latch assembly serves to assist in keeping the latch engaged and thus retaining the spool on the spindle. 
   Still another object of the invention is to provide a spool handling device that is noncomplex, manually actuated, low cost, low maintenance yet highly effective and ergonomically friendly in grasping and handling spools. 
   In general, the present invention contemplates spool handling device for engaging and disengaging a spool having, a base, a spindle supported by the base and adapted to receive the spool, a latch assembly pivotally mounted relative to the base and including a latch for releasably securing the spool on the spindle, and an ejection arm for assisting in removal of the spool from the spindle. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a spool handling device according to the concepts of the present invention including a mechanical latch assembly for releasably securing a spool. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along Line  2 — 2  of  FIG. 1  showing the mechanical latch assembly in an engaged position. 
       FIG. 2A  is an enlarged fragmentary view of the part of the device indicated in  FIG. 2 , with portions broken away and shown in cross section. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 2  showing the mechanical latch assembly in a disengaged position. 
       FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the spool handling device of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
   A spool handling device according to the concepts of the present invention is generally indicated by the numeral  10  in the accompanying drawings. The spool handling device  10  is provided to allow a operator to grip a spool S of steel cord or other material. As such, the spool handling device  10  provides for the releasable engagement of the spool S so that it can be vertically lifted or lowered and manipulated with relative ease. Generally, the spool S includes a body portion on which the steel cord or other material is reeved, a receiving aperture A extending through the body portion, and two flanges R extending radially outwardly from the ends of the body portion. As described below, to grasp the spool, the spool handling device  10  includes components which are latched onto one of the flanges R, and inserted into the receiving aperture A. 
   The spool handling device  10  can be attached to a hoist (not shown) capable of vertically repositioning the spool handling device  10 . Furthermore, the hoist can be attached to a overhead carriage (not shown) to facilitate transport of the spool. As such, once the spool is in releasable engagement with spool handling device  10 , an operator can use the hoist to vertically reposition the spool, and use the overhead carriage to transport the spool to a desired location. 
   As seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 , and  4 , the spool handling device  10  includes a body, generally indicated by the numeral  12 . The body  12  serves as a support for carrying the remaining components of the spool handling device  10 . The body includes a base portion  14  supporting a spindle, generally indicated by the numeral  15 , capable of receiving the spool. As seen in  FIG. 1 , the base portion  14  can be a substantially rectangular plate having various components attached thereto. 
   The body  12  also includes an operating pendant receiving bracket, generally indicated by the numeral  16 , and a lifting-eye receiving bracket  17  which are both integrally attached to and depend from the base portion  14 . As discussed below, the operating pendant receiving bracket  16  may support an operating pendant, generally indicated by the numeral  20 , including suitable controls (not shown) for directing the vertical position of the spool handling device  10  using the hoist. The lifting-eye receiving bracket  17  serves to engage a hook  21  carried by a hoist cable to support the spool handling device  10 . 
   The operating pendant receiving bracket  16 , as seen in  FIG. 1  can be a substantially rectangular plate attached at one end (by welding or other attachment mechanism) to the base portion  14 . The operating pendant receiving bracket  16  extends outwardly from the base portion  14 . If necessary, the operating pendant receiving bracket  16  can be canted to facilitate positioning of the operating pendant  20 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , the operating pendant may include a semi-circular pattern of apertures  22 . As such, a handle  24  attached to the operating pendant  20  can be positioned in various angular orientations using the circular pattern of apertures  22 . The operating pendant  20  may include conventional controls (not shown) for controlling the position of the spool handling device  10 . 
   The lifting-eye receiving bracket  17  can also be a substantially rectangular plate attached to the base portion  14 . The lifting-eye receiving bracket  17  can be welded or otherwise attached to the base portion  14 . For example, as seen in  FIG. 1 , a notch  26  is provided in the base portion  14  to allow the lifting-eye receiving bracket  17  to be welded in position therein. The lifting-eye receiving bracket  17  extends outwardly from the base portion  14  to support a lifting-eye, generally indicated by the numeral  25 . The lifting-eye  25  is attached to the lifting-eye receiving bracket  17  as by bolts  27  or other suitable fasteners, and includes a lever arm  28  having an aperture  29  which may be proximate the distal end thereof. The aperture  29  is adapted to receive the hook  21 . If necessary, the lifting-eye  25  can be interchanged with other lifting-eyes having lever arms  28  of differing lengths. In this manner it is possible to balance the spool handling device  10  carrying a mounted spool S with its axis in a substantially horizontal orientation irrespective of the axial length of a particular spool S. The bolts  27  permit replacement of one lifting-eye  25  with another when a different size of spools are to be handled. 
   To grip a spool S using the spool handling device  10 , the spool is initially received on the spindle  15 , and, thereafter, releasably secured in position on the spindle  15 . If necessary, the spindle  15  can be interchanged with other spindles having different diameters to accommodate spools S having various sizes of receiving apertures A. 
   The base portion  14  is configured to support the spindle  15 . For example, to facilitate attachment of the spindle  15 , the base portion  14  includes a spindle receiving aperture  30  ( FIG. 2A ) formed between a first surface  32  and a second surface  33 . A hub, generally indicated by the numeral  34 , is formed on the first surface  32  around the spindle receiving aperture  30 . The hub  34  interacts with a tapered bushing  35  to secure the spindle  15  to the base portion  14 . 
   The spindle  15  includes an attachment portion  36 , a working portion  37 , and an annular edge  38  formed between the attachment portion  36  and working portion  37 . The attachment portion  36  is configured to fit through the spindle receiving aperture  30 . For example, when the attachment portion  36  is inserted into the spindle receiving aperture  30 , the annular edge  38  interfaces with the second surface  33 . Furthermore, a part of the attachment portion  36  extends outwardly from the first surface  32  and through the hub  34 . 
   As seen in  FIG. 2A , the hub  34  includes a frusto-conical surface  40 , a rim surface  41 , and a cylindrical surface  42 . The frusto-conical surface  40 , together with the portion of the first surface  32  surrounding the spindle receiving aperture  30 , define a recess  44  for receiving the tapered bushing  35 . Moreover, the tapered bushing  35  includes a rim portion  46 , a cylindrical portion  47 , and a frusto-conical portion  48 . The frusto-conical portion  48  interfaces with the frusto-conical surface  40  of the hub  34  when the tapered bushing  35  is inserted into the recess  44 . 
   A bore  51  extends through the rim portion  46 , cylindrical portion  47 , and frusto-conical portion  48  of the tapered bushing  35 , and a compression channel  52  extends radially through and axially along the tapered bushing  35 . The bore  51  is sized to receive the part of attachment portion  36  of the spindle  15  which extends outwardly from the first surface  34  through the hub  34 . As the frusto-conical portion  48  increasingly interfaces with the frusto-conical surface  40 , the compression channel  52  is configured to close, thereby decreasing the diameter of the bore  51 . The decreasing diameter of the bore  51  clamps the spindle  15  in a selected position with respect to the base portion  14 . 
   Thus, to secure the spindle  15  to base portion  14 , the attachment portion  36  is initially inserted through the spindle receiving aperture  30 . Thereafter, the tapered bushing  35  is located on the part of the attachment portion  36  which extends outwardly from the first surface  32  through the hub  34 . A pin  53  is inserted through the distal end of the attachment portion  36  to maintain the position of the tapered bushing  35  with respect to the attachment portion  36 , and to, after the tapered bushing  35  is attached to the base portion  14 , serve as a safety feature, and prevent the spindle  15  from unexpectedly pulling away from the spool handling device  10  if the tapered bushing  35  is not tightened. Subsequently, the tapered bushing  35  is attached to the hub  34  to secure the spindle  15  to the base portion  14 . The attachment of the tapered bushing  35  to the hub  34  increases the interface of the frusto-conical surface  40  with the frusto-conical surface  48  to close the compression channel  52 , decrease the diameter of the bore  51 , and clamp the spindle  15  in position with respect to the base portion  14 . 
   To facilitate attachment of the tapered bushing  35  to the hub  34 , various apertures are provided in the hub  34  and tapered bushing  35 . For example, a plurality of apertures  54  are provided through the rim portion  46  of the tapered bushing  35 . The apertures  54  are circumferentially spaced to communicate with mating threaded apertures  55  provided in the hub  34 . As seen in  FIG. 2A , the threaded apertures  55  extend into the rim surface  41 . Machine screws  56  are inserted through the apertures  54  into the threaded apertures  55  to attach the tapered bushing  35  to the hub  34 . 
   During attachment of the tapered bushing  35  to the hub  34 , the frusto-conical portion  48  is inserted into the recess  44 , and the frusto-coni interfaces with the frusto-conical portion  48 . Tightening of the screws  56  in the threaded apertures  55  draws the tapered bushing  35  axially toward the hub  34 . Such contact allows the frusto-conical portion  48  to slide along the frusto-conical surface  40 , thereby causing the compression channel  52  to close. The closing of the compression channel  52  decreases the diameter of the bore  51  to clamp the spindle  15  in position with respect to the base portion  14 . 
   The spindle  15  can be interchanged with other spindles having working portions  37  with differently sized diameters provided the other spindles include attachment portions  36  sized to fit through the spindle receiving aperture  30 . These other spindles can accommodate spools S having various sizes of receiving apertures A, and can be attached to the base portion  14  using the above-described interaction between the hub  34  and tapered bushing  35 . 
   The spool handling device  10  includes an attachment mechanism, generally indicated by the numeral  60 , for releasably securing a spool S on the spindle  15 . The attachment mechanism  60  includes a pivot shaft  62  connected at one end to base portion  14  by welding or other attachment mechanism. As seen in  FIG. 1 , a handle assembly, generally indicated by the numeral  66 , is fixedly attached to the pivot shaft  62 . Various components of the attachment mechanism  60  are disposed on the pivot shaft  62  between the base portion  14  and handle assembly  66 . The handle assembly  66  includes a handle block  68  and a handle  69  attached to the handle block  68  for grasping by an operator. 
   As seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 , and  4 , a mechanical latch assembly, generally indicated by the numeral  74 , is provided as part of the attachment mechanism  60 . The mechanical latch assembly  74  is pivotally carried by the pivot shaft  62  between the base portion  14  and handle assembly  66 , and, as best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , is pivotable between an engaged position P 1  and a disengaged position P 2 , respectively. The mechanical latch assembly  74  includes a latch  76  used to selectively engage the flange R of a spool S to releasably secure spools on the spindle  15 . In addition, the mechanical latch assembly  74  includes an ejection arm  77  used to assist in removal of the spool S from the spindle  15 . The mechanical latch assembly  74  also includes a pivot block  78  ( FIG. 1 ) which joins the latch  76  to the ejection arm  77 , and is rotatable about the pivot shaft  62 . 
   As seen in  FIG. 4 , the latch  76  has a curved shape to accommodate a flange R of a spool S. The latch  76  includes a lip portion  82  having an engagement surface  83 , and a recessed portion  84  to receive the flange R. Thus, when the mechanical latch assembly  74  is in the engaged position P 1 , the flange R is received in the recessed portion  84 . That is, when the mechanical latch assembly  74  is in the engaged position P 1 , the flange is entrapped between a bumper  86  ( FIG. 4 ) attached to the base portion  14  and engagement surface  83  adjacent the recessed portion  84 . 
   The mechanical latch assembly  74  is configured such that if a spool S unintentionally begins to slide off the spindle  15 , the force exerted by the flange R of a spool S against the engagement surface  83  will tend to maintain the mechanical latch assembly  74  in the engaged position P 1  to retain the spool S on the spool handling device  10 . For example, as seen in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , a majority of the latch  76  is attached to the pivot block  78  at a position above the pivot axis of the mechanical latch assembly  74  on the pivot shaft  62 . As such, a force exerted by the flange of a spool S against the engagement surface  83  generates a moment in the mechanical latch assembly  74 . From the vantage point of  FIG. 2 , the moment is generated in a counter-clockwise direction about the pivot axis of the mechanical latch assembly  74  on the pivot latch  76 . As such, when the moment is applied through the mechanical latch assembly  74 , the counter-clockwise direction of the moment ( FIG. 2 ) forces the mechanical latch assembly  74  to remain in the engaged position P 1 . Consequently, any force exerted by the flange R of the spool S against the engagement surface  83  generates a moment which maintains the mechanical latch assembly  74  in the engaged position P 1 , and, in so doing, keeps the flange R entrapped between the bumper  86  and engagement surface  83 . 
   To assist removal of the spool from the spool handling device  10 , the mechanical latch assembly  74  is actuated. In this respect, the mechanical latch assembly  74  includes a handle  90  attached to the pivot block  78 . The handle  90  enables the operator to readily pivot the mechanical latch assembly  74  from the engaged position P 1  to the disengaged position P 2 . Initially, such pivotal movement releases the flange R of the spool S from the between the bumper  86  and engagement surface  83 . Further pivotal movement brings the ejection arm  77  into contact with the body portion of the spool, and subsequently pushes the spool along the spindle  15 . As such, the ejection arm  77  is capable of effecting ejection of the spool from the spindle  15 . 
   To facilitate operation of the mechanical latch assembly  74 , a spacer  92 , in addition to a torsion spring  94  and a spring restraint  95  are provided on the pivot shaft  62 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , the spacer  92  is provided to offset the pivot block  78  from the base portion  14 . Furthermore, as discussed below, the torsion spring  94  is provided to bias the mechanical latch assembly  74  toward the engaged position P 1 , and the spring restraint  95  is provided to maintain the position of one extremity of the torsion spring  94 . 
   As seen in  FIG. 1 , the spring restraint  95  is disposed on the pivot shaft  62  adjacent the handle assembly  66 . The spring restraint  95  is formed from a set collar  98  and an axially projecting post  99  attached to the set collar  98 . The set collar  98  includes a radial opening  100 , and a recessed fastener receiving aperture  101  provided on either side of the radial opening  100  ( FIG. 2 ). To fixedly attach the spring restraint  95  to the pivot shaft  62 , the recessed fastener receiving aperture  101  is threaded to receive a screw-type fastener  102 . Thus, when received in the fastener receiving aperture  101 , the screw-type fastener  102  closes the radial opening  100  to clamp the set collar  98  around the pivot shaft  62  to maintain it axially. 
   The torsion spring  94 , as seen in  FIG. 1 , is disposed on the pivot shaft  62  between the spring restraint  95  and mechanical latch assembly  74 . One end of the torsion spring  94  is attached to the post  99 , and the other end of the torsion spring  94  is attached to a post  104  integrally formed with the mechanical latch assembly  74 . Because one end of the torsion spring  94  is attached to the post  99 , and the spring restraint  95  is fixedly attached to the pivot shaft  62 , the torsion spring  94  biases the mechanical latch assembly  74  toward the engaged position P 1 . Conversely, the torsion spring  94  serves to resist pivotal movement of the mechanical latch assembly  74  from the engaged position P 1  to the disengaged position P 2 . 
   The mechanical latch assembly  74  also includes a stop arm  106  attached to the pivot block  78 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , the stop arm  106  includes an integrally attached stop bracket  108  with a threaded aperture  109  for receiving an adjustable bolt  110 . The adjustable bolt  110  is provided to contact the base portion  14  to inhibit pivotal movement of the mechanical latch assembly  74 . As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , when the adjustable bolt  110  is received in the threaded aperture  109 , the mechanical latch assembly  74  is prevented from pivoting beyond the engaged position P 1 . The engaged position P 1  can be varied by axially adjusting the position of the bolt  110  relative to the stop bracket  108 . 
   During operation of the spool handling device  10 , a spool S is releasably secured in position on the spindle  15 . Initially, the operator adjusts the spool handling device  10  so that the spindle  15  is in a vertical position or a horizontal position. The operator can adjust the orientation of the spool handling device  10  using the handle  24  (of the operating pendant  20 ) and handle  69 . As such, the operator orients the spool handling device  10  to respectively accommodate spools S having the axis A vertical or horizontal. Subsequently, the working portion  37  of the spindle  15  is inserted by the operator into the receiving aperture A of the spool S. 
   During the insertion of the spindle  15  into the receiving aperture A, the flange R of the spool S contacts the lip portion  82  of the latch  76 . Further contact between the flange R of the spool S with the latch  76  forces the mechanical latch assembly  74  to pivot away from the engaged position P 1 . As such, continued insertion of the spindle  15  into the receiving aperture A forces the mechanical latch assembly  74  to pivot away from the engaged position P 1  until the flange R is received in the recess portion  84 . Thereafter, the mechanical latch assembly  74 , due to the bias provided by the torsion spring  94 , returns to the engaged position P 1  with the flange R being entrapped between the bumper  86  and engagement surface  83 . When the flange R of the spool S is entrapped between the bumper  86  and engagement surface  83 , the spool is releasably secured in position on the spindle  15  so that it can, as discussed above, be transported or otherwise repositioned by a operator. Once the spool handling device  10  is positioned and oriented such that the aperture A in the spool S reposes in part on a spindle of a creel or the like, the operator actuates the mechanical latch assembly  74  to the disengaged position P 2 . This releases the flange R of the spool S from the latch  76  and the ejection arm  79  assists in displacing the spool S from the spindle  15  onto the spindle of a creel from which the strand material is payed out. 
   Thus, it should be evident that the spool handling device disclosed herein carries out one or more of the objects of the present invention set forth above and otherwise constitutes an advantageous contribution to the art. As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment disclosed herein without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the invention herein being limited solely by the scope of the attached claims.