Improvements in Wire Reels.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Apr., 1895-Accepted, 6th July, 1895
Improvements in Wire Reels.
We, MARCUS ELI FRETWELL, and LOUIS WILLIAM HANNE, both of
1302 West Adams Street Jacksonville, in the County of Duval, and State of
Florida, United States of America, Gentlemen, 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 :-
Our invention has relation to wire reels and among the objects in view is to
provide a reel which is adapted to receive coils of wire of various dimensions and
to hold the same securely when wound upon the reel, and the latter being also
adapted to permit of the ready removal of the wire when desired.
A further cbject is to provide a reel of simple and inexpensive construction, and
Our invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination
of parts as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawing and pointed out
in the appended claims.
In the drawing:
Fig. 1 is a central vertical sectional view illustrating the hubs adjusted away
from each other.
Fig. 2 is a like view showing the hubs adjusted inwardly toward each other and
showing the hub in a locked position.
Fig. 3 is a cross section through one of the threaded ends of the shaft, showing
the longitudinal grooves therein.
Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view enlarged showing the locking arrangement for
the hubs.
Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional detail views illustrating the brake: device in its
tightened and loosened positions respectively.
Our present invention comprises a shaft 1, which is provided at one end with a
right hand screw-thread 2, and at the opposite end with a left hand screw thread 3.
Each of these threads extends for about one-third the length of the shaft between
the collars 4, and the shaft is suitably supported in a support 5.
1
6 indicate the hubs of the reel, which are provided with bores threaded to
correspond with the threads of the shaft and to the hubs are pivotally connected
the arms 8 arranged in pairs around the hubs and terminating in curved fingers 9
between which the coils of wire are received. The arms 8 are pivotally connected
together at their outer ends as seen at 10.
When it is desired to place coils of wire upon the reel, one end of the shaft is
raised out of its support and the coil placed on the reel, after which the shaft is
replaced in its bearings. Then hold the reel steady with one hand and turn the
shaft by the crank 12 with the other hand until the hubs approach. each other
sufficiently to cause the reel to center itself perfectly in the coil.
The crank is adapted to be applied to either end of the shaft.
In order to lock the hubs in their adjusted position we employ locking means for
each of said hubs as shown, which consists of a bolt or pin 13 arranged within a
recess 14 in the hub and whose lower end is adapted to engage within any one of a
series of grooves 15 provided in the shaft ends and running the full length of the
FD

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threaded portions. One edge of the pin is provided with recesses 17, 171, and
intermediate rounded projections 18 while the face of the hub within the recess is
provided with projecting studs or pins 19.
The pin 13 is actuated by a spring 20 to cause the studs 19 to engage within the
recesses 17 when the pin is out of engagement with the grooves in the shaft.
When it is desired to lock the hubs in position the shaft is turned sufficiently to
bring one of the grooves directly beneath, the pin when by pressing downwardly
upon the pin, the projections 18 ride over the projections 19, whereby the latter
will engage with the recesses.17 and the lower end of the pin be engaged within
the groove of the shaft.
To release the hub, the pin will be drawn upwardly to cause its lower end to
free the groove and the projections 18 ride past the projections 19 which latter
then again engage the recesses 17.
For the purpose of preventing the revolution of the reel when this may be
desired, we may employ any suitable brake mechanism as for instance a steel
band 22, adapted to encircle one end of the shaft or the collar thereon, preferably
the latter, one end of the band and a lever 23 being loosely holted at 24 to the
support 5 for the reel. 'One end of the lever has a slot 25 and when said end is
passed through a slot 25' in the band, said slot 25 is adapted to engage a bolt 26
in the end of the band so that by pulling upward upon the lever, the band is
tightened around the collar (see Fig. 5). By pressing downwardly upon the lever,
the end will release the bolt 26 and move out of the slot, when the band will
spring open into the position seen in Fig. 6.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:—
1. In a reel, the icombination with a support and a shaft mounted therein and
having oppositely threaded portions, of hubs provided with threaded bores
corresponding to and engaging the threads of the shaft, arms arranged in pairs and
pivotally connected at one end with the hubs.the arms of each pair being pivoted
together toward their outer ends and fingers: earried by the said arms adapted to
receive coils of wire, as described.
2. In a reel, the combination with a support and a shaft mounted therein and
having oppositely threaded portions, of hubs provided with threaded bores
corresponding to and engaging the threads of the shaft, arms arranged in pairs
and pivotally connected at one end with the hubs, fingers carried by the said armis,
and means, for locking the hubs in their adjusted positions comprising a movable
pin carried by a hub and adapted to engage with a groove in the shaft, said pin
being provided with recesses and an intermediate projection or stud, and a
projection or stud on the hub adapted to engage in one or the other of the recesses
in the manner described.
3. In a reel, the combination with a support and a shaft mounted therein and
having oppositely threaded portions, of hubs provided with threaded bores
corresponding to and engaging the threads of the shaft, arms arranged in pairs
and pivotally connected at one end with the habs, fingers carried by the said arms,
and means for locking the hubs in their adjusted positions, comprising a radially
movable pin arranged within a recess in the hub, the shaft having longitudinal
grooves with which said pin is adapted to engage tand said pin being provided in
one edge with recesses, a projection or stud arranged between said recesses and
having a rounded, end, and a rounded projection or stud on the hub within its
recess adapted to engage in one or the other of the recesses in the pin, and a spring
operating upon the piu to effect the engagement of the projection on the hub with
a recess of the pin, for the purpose specified.:
. 1
4. In a reel, the combination with the reel shaft, a support therefor, a collar 'oà
said shaft, a band adapted to encircle said collar and provided at one end with a

page_text: slot and bolt and the opposite end of said band being secured to the said support,
and a lever pivotally connected to the latter and adapted to engage with the bolt
of the band, as and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 27th day of Anril 1895.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicants.