A New or Improved Reel Device for Fire-hose, Electric Cables, Suspending-cords, and the like.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Feb., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 10th Oct., 1894-1ccepted, 24th Nov., 1894
A New or Improved Reel Device for Fire-hose, Electric Cables,
Suspending-cords, and the like.
A communication by PHILIPP SCHNEIDER, of Gross Gerau, in the Empire of
Germany, Works Manager.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of The Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street,
Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, and 323, High Holborn, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:
This invention has for its object an arrangement of a coiling drum, and a hose-
pipe, cable, or the like, wound thereon, in such a way that one end of the article
wound on the drum is secured at a fixed end point, so that, by rotating the drum,
the uncoiling of the cord or the like simultaneously takes place at both ends of the
latter towards both sides, and the drum moves simultaneously away from the fixed
end point of the cord, or the like, to the extent to which the corresponding coil of
cord uncoils. This is done by an arrangement in which the end of the cord, hose-
pipe, or the like, is not attached to the drum as hitherto, but the drum is arranged
to take, in its centre, the centre of the cord, or the like, in such a way that the cord
is here bent round in such a manner that both its ends project towards and are
wound on from the same side of the drum when the latter is rotated.
Various advantages are thereby obtained. When one end of the cord, hosepipe
or the like is secured, the rotation of the drum, as well as its forward movement or
travel, may be brought about by merely pulling at the other end of the cord, hose-
pipe or the like, the forward movement or travel of the drum being always half as
great as the forward movement of the end of the cord, hosepipe or the like, which
is pulled, if only a drum with an equal diameter over all be employed. The drum
forms at the same time always a suitable point of support exactly in the middle of
the piece employed; a suitably large piece may always be employed, and a suitable
amount left on the drum, thus, for instance in the case of hosepipes and electric
cables, it is always possible to have the same connection between the movable end
and the fixed end of the coiled up part, that is to say, to each distance water
or electrical current may be conveyed.
Several other arrangements connected with the above principle relate more
particularly to the braking of the coiling reel, the combination of the rotation of
the same with its forward movement or travel and its use for special purposes.
These will be more particularly described in the following Specification and shown
on the accompanying drawings-
On these drawings,
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a hosepipe reel, the drum of which revolves
by travelling forwards on the ground;
Figure 2 shows a top plan of this reel ;
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section on the line xx of Figure 4 of a reel which
rests on a carriage frame, and is turned by means of cog-wheel gearing;
Figure 4 is a plan view of the latter ;
Figure 5 is a section on the line z z of Figure 6 showing a suspending device for
electric lamps and the like;
Wat is 'n nation on the line of Douro 5.

page_text: Figure 7 a simpler form of construction of Figure 5, and
Figure 8 is a longitudinal section of a reel on a carriage frame, the reel of which
be braked;
may
Figure 9 is a cross section on the line ww of Figure 7;
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 show a reel which can be moved along the ground
which is more particularly intended for receiving fire hosepipes, garden hose and
for electric cables.
In the first case one end of the hosepipe is firmly connected with the water main
and the other end of the hosepipe remains at disposal at any distance corresponding
to the length of the hose itself. In its application to electric cables, one end of the
cable is connected with a suitable contact, whilst at the other end as a rule there is
a lamp. Telegraph wires and the like may also be employed equally well on this
device.
In Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 a suitably curved guide groove is formed in the
centre of the drum surface for receiving the middle part of the hosepipe.
A U-shaped curved tubular piece may however be attached to the hose drum,
to which tubular piece the two hosepipes, which lead respectively to the hydrant
and to the nozzle or mouthpiece, are screwed. An open groove has the advantage
that in such cases in which the whole hosepipe is used, it may after being entirely
uncoiled be lifted out of the drum and this latter moved away.
The reel, Figures 1 and 2, consists of a smooth or ribbed drum A which is
arranged on an axle B and is provided with wheel rims C with which it travels on
the ground. The axle B is seated in the frame D which rests on the ground with
its forked shaped end, wherein is a small guide wheel E which is capable of moving
in all directions. The hosepipe G is placed with its centre part in a semi-circular
groove H extending across the drum A. In consequence of this arrangement the
hosepipe G on the drum heing rotated from the outside, is wound up towards the
middle in such a way that both ends remain free.
If, therefore, the hosepipe is to be used, one end only is unwound from one side
of the drum, towards the source of liquid (hydrant or the like) and the other end
from the other side towards the point where the pipe is to be employed; thereupon
the hosepipe unwinds from off the drum to both sides, the drum being simultaneously
revolved and moved forward.
A modification of the form of construction is shown in Figures 3 and 4. In this
case the hose drum A is arranged with its axle on the frame J which is attached to
the carriage frame D. The hose drum is rotated by means of the cog wheels L
and L which are arranged on the carriage and drum axle. The carriage wheels
are of the same circumference as the hose drum and the cog wheels are also of equal
circumference.
The use of cog wheels, or other suitable connection between the drum and the
carriage carrying it, has the advantage that not only during the forward movement
or travel is the right proportion obtained between the rotation of the drum and the
end of the hosepipe which is unwound backwards and the forward movement of the
same ensured, but the return movement, or pushing back, of the carriage also
automatically operates the winding up again. This may also be brought about by
placing a spring in the drum which is stretched during the unwinding and which on
the return of the carriage rotates the drum backwards. For the correct unwinding
of the hosepipe cable, or cord, it is only necessary that the drum should move under
a certain amount of resistance. If it turns too easily, it may happen that the cord
unwinds, to both sides through the pull on the front eud, the carriage however
remaining stationary. The part then, which is unwound behind, might form loops,
which would easily cause entanglements, and by such unwinding also only half the
length of the forward movement or travel of the free end of the hosepipe would be
obtained. The arrangement of a brake is therefore the simplest and frequently
necessary means to prevent such a loose unwinding.
Figure 8 shows the simplest form of applying such a brake, as a block
brake O P.

page_text: A further application of this invention is shown in Figures 5, 6, 7 and 9 in which.
a suspending device for electric lamps or other like articles having varying heights
of suspension is shown. One end of the cord is attached where the lamp is to be
hung and on the other end, the lamp itself is suspended, and the centre of cord is
attached to a winding or coiling up device. The roller is connected internally with
a spiral spring attached to the fixed spindle, and thus the cord is wound up
automatically. If the lamp be drawn down, two ends of the cord are unwound, the
length of which is a multiple of the circumference of the roller.
The apparatus
itself descends half as far as the lamp. It is also preferable that the pull of the
spring which produces the winding up, should be somewhat stronger than that of
the weight suspended on it. A device which acts as a brake or a pawl and ratchet
device is also combined with the apparatus, in order to allow of its being retained
with safety at any suitable height.
Figures 7 and 9 show an arrangement in which the suspending cord is braked by
simply passing through a narrow curved passage, whilst Figures 5 and 6 show the
connection with a pawl and ratchet device.
The side parts C are connected by means of the axle B and the cord guides D.
Between the side parts C and on the axis B a drum or reel A revolves. This drum is
connected with a spiral spring, whilst the other end of this spiral spring is attached
to the axle B.
The centre of the cord G is looped round a pin G', which pin is attached to the
middle of the drum, or, if a cable be employed, which does not permit of so sharp
a bending, the attachment takes place in a wide curve, as shown in Figures 2 and 4.
The two ends are wound on the roller in the same direction. One end of the cord
passes through the upper guide D, the other end through the lower guide D',
which in the modification shown in Figure 7, makes suake-like coils and has pointed
angle shaped guide ridges (grooves) d in order to increase the friction.
In Figures 5 and 6, the snake-like coils of the lower cord guide are omitted and.
a pawl and ratchet device inserted. By means of the spring p, the pawl m, which
revolves on n, engages in the teeth of a ratchet wheel L attached to the side part
of the roller. The cord passes over the roller m which revolves on o.
The power
of the spring must be made somewhat stronger than is necessary for lifting the
weight suspended thereon as the pawl is first disengaged by means of an additional
pull, and by means of a further additional pull, the lamp is drawn downwards,
whilst it can be let to go up again without further difficulty, the pawl then
remaining disengaged.
Dated this 26th day of February 1894.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Reel Device for Fire-hose, Electric Cables,
Suspending-cords and the like.
A communication by PHILIPP SCHNEIDER, of Gross Gerau, in the Empire of
Germany, Works Manager.
1, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of The Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool and 6, Bank Street, Manchester
both in the County of Lancaster and 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:
This invention has for its object an arrangement of a coiling drum, and a hose-
pipe, cable, or the like, wound thereon, in such a way that one end of the article
wound on the drum is secured at a fixed end point, so that, by rotating the drum, :

page_text: the uncoiling of the cord or the like simultaneously takes place at both ends of the
latter towards both sides, and the drum moves simultaneously away from the fixed
end point of the cord, or the like, to the extent to which the corresponding coil of
cord uncoils. This is done by an arrangement in which the end of the cord, hose-
pipe, or the like, is not attached to the drum as hitherto, but the drum is arranged
to take, in its centre, the centre of the cord, or the like, in such a way that the
cord is here bent round in such a manner that both its ends project towards
and are wound on from the same side of the drum when the latter is rotated.
Various advantages are thereby obtained. When one end of the cord, hosepipe
or the like is secured, the rotation of the drum, as well as its forward movement
or travel, may be brought about by merely pulling at the other end of the cord,
hosepipe or the like, the forward movement or travel of the drum being always
half as great as the forward movement of the end of the cord, hosepipe or the
like, which is pulled, if only a drum with an equal diameter over all be employed.
The drum forms at the same time always a suitable point of support exactly in the
middle of the piece employed; a suitably large piece may always be employed, and
a suitable amount left on the drum, thus, for instance in the case of hosepipes and
electric cables, it is always possible to have the same connection between the
movable end and the fixed end of the coiled up part, that is to say, to each distance
water or electrical current may be conveyed.
Several other arrangements connected with the above principle relate more
particularly to the braking of the coiling reel, the combination of the rotation
of the same with its forward movement or travel and its use for special purposes.
These will be more particularly described in the following Specification reference
being had to the drawings accompanying the Provisional Application.
In these drawings,
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a hosepipe reel, the drum of which revolves
by travelling forwards on the ground;
Figure 2 shows a top plan of this reel ;
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section on the line xa of Figure 4 of a reel which
rests on a carriage frame, and is turned by means of cog-wheel gearing;
Figure 4 is a plan view of the latter;
Figure 5 is a section on the line zz of Figure 6 showing a suspending device for
electric lamps and the like;
Figure 6 is a section on the line y y of Figure 5 ;
Figure 7 a simpler form of construction of Figure 5, and
Figure 8 is a longitudinal section of a reel on a carriage frame, the reel of which
may be braked ;
Figure 9 is a cross section on the line ww of Figure 7;
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 show a reel which can be moved along the ground which
is more particularly intended for receiving fire hosepipes, garden hose and for
electric cables.
In the first case, one end of the hosepipe is firmly connected with the water
main and the other end of the hosepipe remains at disposal at any distance corre-
sponding to the length of the hose itself. In its application to electric cables, one
end of the cable is connected with a suitable contact, whilst at the other end as a
rule there is a lamp. Telegraph wires and the like may also be employed equally
well on this device.
In Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8, a suitably curved guide groove is formed in the
centre of the drum surface for receiving the middle part of the hosepipe. A
U-shaped curved tubular piece may however be attached to the hose drum to which
tubular piece the two hosepipes, which lead respectively to the hydrant and to the
nozzle or mouthpiece, are screwed. An open groove has the advantage that in
Buch cases in which the whole hosepipe is used, it may after being entirely uncoiled
be lifted out of the drum and this latter moved away.
The reel, Figures 1 and 2, consists of a smooth or ribbed drum A which is
arranged on an axle B and is provided with wheel rims C with which it travels on

page_text: the ground. The axle B is seated in the frame D which rests on the ground with
its forked shaped end, wherein is a small guide wheel E which is capable of moving.
in all directions. The hosepipe G is placed with its centre part in a semi-circular
groove H extending across the drum A. In consequence of this arrangement the
hosepipe G on the druin being rotated from the outside, is wound up towards the
middle in such a way that both ends remain free.
If, therefore, the hosepipe is to be used, one end only is unwound from one side
of the drum, towards the source of liquid (hydiant or the like) and the other end
from the other side towards the point where the pipe is to be employed; thereupon
the hosepipe unwinds from off the drum to both sides, the drum being simultaneously
revolved and moved forward.
A modification of the form of construction is shown in Figures 3 and 4. In this
case the hose drum A is arranged with its axle on the frame J which is attached to
the carriage frame D. The hose drum is rotated by means of the cog wheels L
and L' which are arranged on the carriage and drum axle. The carriage wheels
are of the same circumference as the hose drum and the cog wheels are also of
equal circumference.
The use of cog wheels, or other suitable connection between the drum and the
carriage carrying it, has the advantage that not only during the forward movement
or travel is the right proportion obtained between the rotation of the drum and the
end of the hose pipe which is unwound backwards and the forward movement of the
same ensured, but the return movement, or pushing back, of the carriage also
automatically operates the winding up again. This may also be brought about by
placing a spring in the drum which is stretched during the unwinding and which on
the return of the carriage rotates the drum backwards. For the correct unwinding
of the hosepipe cable, or cord, it is only necessary that the drum should move
under a certain amount of resistance. If it turns too easily, it may happen that
the cord unwinds to both sides through the pull on the front end, the carriage
however remaining stationary. The part then, which is unwound behind, might
form loops, which would easily cause entanglements, and by such unwinding also.
only half the length of the forward movement or travel of the free end of the
hosepipe would be obtained. The arrangement of a brake is therefore the simplest
and frequently necessary means to prevent such a loose unwinding.
Figure 8 shows the simplest form of applying such a brake, as a block
brake O P.
A further application of this invention is shown in Figures 5, 6, 7 and 9 in which
a suspending device for electric lamps or other like articles having varying heights.
of suspension, is shown. One end of the cord is attached where the lamp is to
be hung, and on the other end, the lamp itself is suspended, and the centre of cord
is attached to a winding or coiling up device. The roller is connected internally
with a spiral spring attached to the fixed spindle, and thus the cord is wound up
automatically. If the lamp be drawn down, two ends of the cord are unwound,
the length of which is a multiple of the circumference of the roller. The apparatus
itself descends half as far as the lamp. It is also preferable that the pull of the
spring which produces the winding up, should be somewhat stronger than that of
the weight suspended on it. A device which acts as a brake or a pawl and ratchet
device is also combined with the apparatus, in order to allow of its being retained
with safety at any suitable height.
Figures 7 and 9 show an arrangement in which the suspending cord is braked by
simply passing through a narrow curved passage, whilst Figures 5 and 6 show the
connection with a pawl and ratchet device.
The side parts are connected by means of the axle B and the cord guides D.
Between the side parts C and on the axis B a drum or reel A revolves. This drum
is connected with a spiral spring, whilst the other end of this spiral spring is
attached to the axle B.
The centre of the cord G is looped round a pin G³, which pin is attached to the
middle of the drum, or, if a cable be employed, which does not permit of so sharp.

page_text: a bending, the attachment takes place in a wide curve, as shown in Figures 2 and 4.
The two ends are wound on the roller in the same direction. One end of the cord
passes through the upper guide D, the other end through the lower guide D¹,
which, in the modification shown in Figure 7, makes snake-like coils and has pointed
angle shaped guide ridges (grooves) d in order to increase the friction.
In Figures 5 and 6, the snake-like coils of the lower cord guide are omitted and
a pawl and ratchet device inserted. By means of the spring p, the pawl 7, which
revolves on n, engages in the teeth of a ratchet wheel L attached to the side part
of the roller. The cord passes over the roller m which revolves on o.
The power
of the spring must be made somewhat stronger than is necessary for lifting the
weight suspended thereon as the pawl is first disengaged by means of an
additional pull, and by means of a further additional pull, the lamp is drawn
downwards, whilst it can be let to go up again without further difficulty, the
pawl then remaining disengaged.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is-
1. The improvement in reel devices for hosepipes, cables or the like cousisting
in attaching to the coiling drum the centre of the hose, cable or the like in such a
way that by the one movement of the drum both ends of the hose or the like are
simultaneously wound on or unwound, substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. In a reel device for hosepipes, cables and the like, the arrangement of a
braking device on the drum which renders such an amount of force necessary for
revolving the drum by drawing off the end of the hose or the like that the
resistance of the carriage is overcome thereby, and the said carriage is thus caused
to move forward substantially as described and illustrated.
3. In a reel device of the kind described the connecting of the hose drum with
an axle of the carriage by belt gearing or the like, whereby the winding up of the
hose or the like is effected simultaneously by the movement backward of the carriage
substantially as described and illustrated.
4. A modification of the reel device herein before described with the object of
enabling the same to be used as an adjustable suspending device, consisting in the
. combination with a winding drum or roller, of a spring having a winding up action,
a suspension cord coiled on the said drum as hereinbefore described, and carrying
at one end the article which is to be suspended, whilst the other end is secured to
some point of support and a brake or ratchet device for fixing the device in a given
position substantially as described and illustrated.
5. In a reel device such as described in Claim 4, means for releasing the brake
by pulling the suspending or other cord so that the article suspended may be raised
or lowered substantially as described and illustrated.
6. The arrangement of a reel device of the kind described in Claim 1 in such a
way that the same is caused to roll forward by pulling on one end of the hosepipe
cord, cable, or the like, substantially as described and illustrated.
7. In a reel device for hosepipes, cables, suspending cords and the like of the
kind described in the preceding claims, the arrangement for fastening the centre of
the hosepipe, cable or the like on to the drum without cracking it, consisting in
forming in the periphery of the drum a semi circular recess extending from one side
to the other substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 9th day of October 1894
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents.