Patent Document

This application is a continuation patent application claiming priority to U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 11/774,636 filed on Jul. 9, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention pertains to a wire guiding device for dispensing wire, and more particularly, to a welding wire guide ring used to dispense wire from a drum or container. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Wire is frequently packaged and stored in drums for delivery to an end user. In particular, wire such as that used for welding or soldering, is wound in coils as it is placed in the drums. Once shipped to the end user, the wire is dispensed from the container for use in numerous processes. In many instances, the wire is left in the container and metered out as needed without removing the entire coil. Suppliers frequently incorporate a twist in the wire as it is fed into the drum, which helps the wire emerge without rotating as it is drawn back out. 
     However, dispensing wire from coils presents the problem of unwinding the wire uniformly without intertwining or forming knots, which can lead to defects or breaks in the wire resulting in costly downtime. The wire may tangle in any number of ways. For example, multiple loops of wire may be drawn from the top of the coil at the same time entangling the wire as it drawn from the drum. In other instances, loops of wire may unravel and fall behind the coil causing the wire to intertwine. 
     Solutions intent on obviating these problems have been previously implemented using a payout ring having an aperture for guiding the wire during the unwinding process. The ring is placed inside the container and on top of the coil. An end of the wire is fed through the aperture. The aperture in the payout ring is typically smaller than the inner diameter of the coiled wire bundle. When the wire is drawn from the coil, it contacts the payout ring around the edge of the aperture. However, the payout ring does not provide a gradual transition surface over which the wire may smoothly flow. Rather, the planar nature of the payout rings causes the wire to break over a relatively sharp edge as it drawn from the container. 
     What is needed is a device that allows coiled wire to be dispensed from a container without tangling and kinking. The embodiments of the subject invention obviate the aforementioned problems by providing a wire guiding device that limits or substantially prevents the wire from binding and tangling as it is drawn out of the container or drum. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment of present invention, a wire guiding device includes a generally planar base portion having a centerline axis and an inner peripheral edge dimensioned to substantially cover the cross section of an associated coil of wire, and may further include a wire guide portion extending from the base portion in a first direction, the wire guide portion having a sloped surface terminating at a first end that defines an aperture through which associated wire may be dispensed, where the aperture is spaced axially apart from base portion with respect to the centerline axis or with respect a plane of the base portion. 
     In one aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, the diameter of the inner peripheral edge is smaller than the inner diameter of the cross section of the associated coiled wire. 
     In another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, the wire guide portion defines a curved surface extending contiguously from the base portion to the aperture. 
     In yet another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, the wire guide portion extends substantially around the entire circumference of the inner peripheral edge. 
     In still another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, the aperture is spaced apart from a plane crossing through the inner peripheral edge by a distance D, wherein the distance D is substantially in the range from 1 to 5 inches and/or wherein the distance D is less the diameter of the wire guiding device. 
     In yet another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, the base portion further includes one or more ribs extending radially outward from the centerline axis. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wire guiding device according to the embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross section side view of a wire guiding device according to the embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross section side view of a wire guiding device received within a drum or wire storage container according to the embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 3   a  is a cross section side view of a wire guiding device received within a drum or wire storage container according to the embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a wire guiding device and shipping core or shipping collar according to the embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross section close up view of a wire guiding device according to the embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same,  FIG. 1  shows a wire guiding device depicted generally at  1 . The wire guiding device  1  may include a generally planar bottom referred to as the base or base portion  3 . The base portion  3  may have an annular configuration defining an outer peripheral edge  5 . The base portion  3  may further include an inner peripheral edge  6  lying in close proximity to or substantially in the same plane as the outer peripheral edge  5 . While the outer peripheral edge  5  of the base portion  3  is described herein as being circular in configuration, persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand the application of other geometric shapes to the embodiments of the present invention. The wire guiding device  1  may also include a guide portion or wire guide portion  10 . The wire guide portion  10  may extend inward from the inner peripheral edge  6  of the base portion  3  toward a centerline axis C. In one embodiment, the wire guide portion  10  may further include a curved surface sloping upward in a first direction. The wire guide portion  10  may terminate at an aperture  12  having a center substantially coincident with the centerline axis C. However, it is contemplated in another embodiment that the center of the aperture  12  may be offset with respect to the centerline axis C. The aperture  12  may be circular in configuration having a characteristic plane parallel to, but spaced apart from, the plane of the base portion  3  by a distance D, which may be less than the diameter of the base portion  3 . In one embodiment, the distance D may be in the range of 1 to 5 inches. However, any distance D may be chosen as is appropriate for use with the embodiments of the present invention. It is noted here that other embodiments are contemplated where the plane of the aperture  12  is inclined with respect to the plane of the base portion  3  in any direction and at any angle. 
     With continue reference to  FIG. 1  and now also to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the wire guiding device  1  may be received within a wire storage container  15 , which in an exemplary manner may be a drum  15 ′, used to store coiled wire for use in any type of application, and more particularly for welding applications. The wire guiding device  1  may have a cross section that corresponds to the circumference of the wire storage container  15 , which in an exemplary manner may be generally circular. However, other embodiments are contemplated that incorporate other cross sectional configurations, like for example polygonal configurations. As such, wire  17  may be wound into the drum  15 ′ in a coiled manner and stored therein for use at a later time. The coil of wire may have an inner and outer diameter. The outer diameter of the coiled wire  17  may be constrained by the circumference of the drum  15 ′. The inner diameter of the coiled wire may vary depending on the type of wire being wound in the drum  15 ′. It follows that a cross section of the coiled wire  17  has a characteristic width W, the surface of which may be substantially covered by the wire guiding device  1  during use as will be discussed further in a subsequent paragraph. Accordingly, the wire guiding device  1  may be subsequently placed into the wire storage container  15  on top of the coiled wire  17 . It will be readily seen that as the height of the coiled wire  17  diminishes, the wire guiding device  1  may float downward within the drum  15 ′ maintaining constant contact with the top surface of the coiled wire  17 . Accordingly, the wire guiding device  1  may be constructed such that it freely descends downward despite any contact with the surfaces of the drum  15 ′, as will be discussed in detail below. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the outer peripheral edge  5  of the base portion  3  may be sized to match the circumference of the drum  15 ′. By matching the circumference of the drum  15 ′, it is meant that the diameter of the outer peripheral edge  5  may be equal to or somewhat less than the circumference of the drum  15 ′. The wire guiding device  1  may further include a side wall  22  extending from the outer peripheral edge  5 . The side wall  22  may be fashioned at an angle A with respect to an axis perpendicular to the plane of the base portion  3  or a vertical axis. The angle A may range from 0° to 90°. More specifically the angle A may be in the range of 1° to 10°, and in particularly 5°. The length of the side wall  22  may extend outward far enough to contact the surface of the drum  15 ′ thereby spanning the region between the base portion  3  and the surface of the drum  15 ′. As such any length of side wall  22  may be chosen as is appropriate for use with the embodiments of the present invention. By contacting the surface of the drum  15 ′, the wire  17  may be prevented by rising upward around the wire guiding device  1  thus limiting or substantially preventing tangles from occurring in this manner. It is noted here that the side wall  22  may angle upward in the same direction as that of the wire guide portion  10 . However, in another embodiment, it is contemplated that the side wall  22  may extend downward in the opposite direction. Accordingly, the side wall  22  may function to close the region between the base portion  3  and the wall of the drum  15 ′. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the wire guiding device  1  may be constructed from a semi-rigid or pliable material, such as a thermoplastic material. Examples of this kind of material may include but are not limited to: polystyrene or ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), PVC, High Impact Polystyrene, High Density Polyethylene, Polyester, and Thermoplastic elastomers such as Acetal, Santoprene, and Hytrl. However, any material may be utilized that allows the wire guiding device  1  and more specifically, the side wall  22  to flex when contacting the wire storage container  15 . By being pliable, the side wall  22  may deform to fill in gaps between the wire guiding device  1  and the drum  15 ′, which may arise due to inconsistencies in constructing the drum  15 ′. Accordingly, the wire guiding device  1  may be constructed by thermoforming or plastic injection molding. Although, any manner of constructing the wire guiding device  1  may be chosen with sound engineering judgment. In this way, the wire guiding device  1  may be constructed as a unitary article contiguously formed substantially over the entire surface of the wire guiding device  1 . Still, other embodiments may include individually constructed sections or pieces that are assembled and fastened together to form the wire guiding device  1 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 2 , as noted above the base portion  3  may sit on top of the coiled wire  17  and may cover a substantial portion of the width W of the cross section of the coiled wire  17 . More specifically, the inner peripheral edge  6  may have a diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of the coiled wire  17 . In one embodiment, the diameter of the inner peripheral edge  6  may be between 0% and 5% smaller than the diameter of the coiled wire  17 . As such, the base portion  3  may cover most or all of the surface area of the cross section of the coiled wire  17 . The base portion  3  may be substantially flat and horizontal distributing the weight of the wire guiding device  1  evenly over the top surface of the coiled wire  17 . The weight of the wire guiding device  1  may vary depending upon the type and/or size of wire that is being utilized. For example, typical welding wire  17  packaged in this fashion may range in diameter from 0.035 inches to 0.062 inches. Accordingly, the wire guiding device  1  may have a weight in the range from 0.5 pounds to 2.5 pounds. In one instance, for welding wire having a diameter of 0.035 inches, the wire guiding device  1  may have a weight of substantially 0.6 pounds. However, any proportion of the weight of the wire guiding device  1  to the type and/or size of welding wire  17  may be chosen as is appropriate for use with the embodiments of the present invention. 
     With reference again to  FIG. 2 , the inner peripheral edge  6  may be termed a transition region delineating between the base portion  3 , which may be linear in configuration, and the wire guide portion  10 , which may be curved. The two portions  3 ,  10  may be blended together at the transition region thereby providing a smooth transition surface against which the wire  17  may contact as it is being dispensed. In other words, the transition between the two regions  3 ,  10  may be seamless having no abrupt changers in the contour so as not to disrupt the flow of wire  17 . In one embodiment, the radius of curvature of the wire guide portion  10  may be constant. In another embodiment, the radius of curvature may vary. In even another embodiment, the wire guide portion  10  may be substantially linear thereby composing a frusto-conical surface. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize this as an infinite radius of curvature. However, it is to be construed that any radius of curvature or any contoured surface comprising the wire guide portion  10  may be chosen with sound judgment as is appropriate for use with the embodiments of the subject invention. It is noted here that any length of the curved surface and/or any diameter of the aperture  12  may be chosen without limiting the scope of coverage of the embodiments of the subject invention. 
     The wire guiding device  1  may further include one or more gussets or ribs  27 . The ribs  27  may be fashioned on one side of the wire guiding device  1 . More specifically, all of the ribs  27  may be fashioned on the opposite side of the wire guiding device  1  from which the wire  17  may contact its surface during use. The ribs  27  may extend longitudinally from the base portion  3  to the wire guiding portion  10  and may have any length as is appropriate for strengthening and/or for providing rigidity to the wire guiding device  1 . In one embodiment, the ribs  27  may extend radially outward from the centerline axis C. Although, it is to be construed that any orientation of the ribs with respect to the centerline axis C may be utilized. Additionally, the ribs  27  may include one or more notches  29  fashioned therein, which may be used to locate a shipping core or shipping collar as will be discussed further in a subsequent paragraph. It is noted that any height of the ribs  27  may be chosen without limiting the scope of coverage of the embodiments of the subject invention. The wire guiding device  1  may be constructed with six (6) ribs  27 . However, the wire guiding device  1  may be constructed with any number of ribs  27 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , a shipping collar  31  may be included that sits on top of the wire guiding device  1 . The shipping collar  31  may be comprised of a continuously formed ring constructed from a semi-rigid or rigid material. The diameter of the shipping collar  31  may correspond to the position of the notches  29  formed in the ribs  27  as mentioned above. In this manner, the notches  29  function as a locater for positioning the shipping collar  31 . It is noted here that any width of the shipping collar  31  and the notches  29  may be chosen as is appropriate for use with the embodiments of the subject invention. The shipping collar  31  may be held in place by at least one cross member  34 , which may be a cross bar  34 ′. One or more the cross members  34  may span a diameter or chord of the shipping collar  31  and may be held in place by a band  37  fixedly connected to the drum  15 ′. In this way, the shipping collar  31  presses against the wire guiding device  1  during shipping of the wire to its destination thereby preventing unraveling of the wire  17 . The band  37  and cross member  34  may then be removed before use. It is noted that the shipping collar  31  may or may not be removed from the wire guiding device  1 . It will be readily seen that leaving the shipping collar  31  in place will add to the overall weight of the wire guiding device  1  increasing the force applied to the coil of wire  17 , which may be desirable for heavier gauge wire  17 . 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 3   a  and  5 , the drum  15 ′ may be assembled from multiple components including a cylindrical mid-section  16  and first and second end members  18 . During the process of constructing the drum  15 ′, a ledge referred to as a chime  19 , may be fashioned at one or both ends of the drum  15 ′. To maintain contact between the wire guiding device  1  and the coiled wire  17  at all times, the wire guiding device  1  may include a step  39  formed between the base portion  3  and the side wall  22 . The step  39  may correspond dimensionally to the chime  19 . In this manner, as the height of the coiled wire  17  diminishes and the wire guiding device  1  approaches the bottom of the drum  15 ′, the step  39  allows the base portion  3  to maintain constant contact with the coiled  17  through the full length of the drum  15 ′. 
     The invention has been described herein with reference to the preferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alternations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalence thereof.

Technology Category: 7