U.S. patent application number 10/702298 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-24 for reel for metallic wire.
This patent application is currently assigned to HIROAKI KANAI. Invention is credited to Sanda, Kenji.
Application Number | 20040118968 10/702298 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32180629 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040118968 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sanda, Kenji |
June 24, 2004 |
Reel for metallic wire
Abstract
A reel 10 for metallic wire comprises a cylindrical winding drum
1, and a pair of flanges 2 provided integrally on right and left
sides of the winding drum 1. A winding face 1a of the cylindrical
winding drum 1 is wrapped by a cylindrical drum cover plate 5
provided with a gap a between the drum cover plate 5 and the
winding face 1a and configured to cover substantially entire
periphery of the winding face 1a, and the drum cover plate 5 has a
discontinuous portion 6 to absorb a winding pressure applied to the
drum cover plate 5.
Inventors: |
Sanda, Kenji; (Hyogo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN LLP
6300 SEARS TOWER
233 S. WACKER DRIVE
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
HIROAKI KANAI
Hyogo
JP
|
Family ID: |
32180629 |
Appl. No.: |
10/702298 |
Filed: |
November 6, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/613.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2701/514 20130101;
B65H 75/14 20130101; B65H 2701/5114 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/613.4 |
International
Class: |
B65H 075/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 12, 2003 |
JP |
2003-320693 |
Jun 30, 2003 |
JP |
2003-186748 |
Nov 18, 2002 |
JP |
2002-333583 |
Nov 14, 2002 |
JP |
2002-330523 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A reel for metallic wire comprising: a cylindrical winding drum;
and a pair of flanges provided integrally on right and left sides
of the cylindrical winding drum, wherein a winding face of the
cylindrical winding drum is wrapped by a cylindrical drum cover
plate provided with a gap between the drum cover plate and the
winding face and configured to cover substantially entire periphery
of the winding face, and the drum cover plate has a discontinuous
portion to absorb a winding pressure applied to the drum cover
plate.
2. The reel for metallic wire according to claim 1, wherein the
drum cover plate is comprised of a pair of drum cover plate
portions each having a free end and a base end and each having a
semicircular cross-section, and the drum cover plate is placed to
wrap substantially the entire periphery of the winding face of the
winding drum by attaching the drum cover plate portions to the
winding face of the winding drum and then by welding the base ends
to each other to form the discontinuous portion between the free
ends.
3. The reel for metallic wire according to claim 1, wherein the
drum cover plate is comprised of a pair of drum cover plate
portions each having a semicircular cross-section, and the drum
cover plate is placed to wrap substantially the entire periphery of
the winding face of the winding drum by welding joint end faces of
the drum cover plate portions to each other so as to form the
discontinuous portion at a boundary where the pair of drum cover
plate portions are divided into right and left parts, the
discontinuous portion extending over en entire circumference of the
drum cover plate.
4. The reel for metallic wire according to claim 1, wherein the
discontinuous portion is a slit extending in a direction
perpendicular to an axis of the winding drum.
5. The reel for metallic wire according to claim 1, wherein the
discontinuous portion is a slit extending in a direction parallel
to an axis of the winding drum.
6. The reel for metallic wire according to claim 1, wherein the
discontinuous portion is a slit extending in a direction inclined
to a predetermined angle with respect to an axis of the winding
drum.
7. The reel for metallic wire according to claim 4, wherein the
slit is shaped in smooth curve as seen in a plan view.
8. The reel for metallic wire according to claim 5, wherein the
slit is shaped in smooth curve as seen in a plan view.
9. The reel for metallic wire according to claim 6, wherein the
slit is shaped in smooth curve as seen in a plan view.
10. The reel for metallic wire according to claim 4, wherein the
slit is shaped in straight line as seen in a plan view.
11. The reel for metallic wire according to claim 5, wherein the
slit is shaped in straight line as seen in a plan view.
12. The reel for metallic wire according to claim 6, wherein the
slit is shaped in straight line as seen in a plan view.
13. The reel for metallic wire according to claim 4, wherein the
slit is shaped to be continuous triangular-wave as seen in a plan
view.
14. The reel for metallic wire according to claim 5, wherein the
slit is shaped to be continuous triangular-wave as seen in a plan
view.
15. The reel for metallic wire according to claim 6, wherein the
slit is shaped to be continuous triangular-wave as seen in a plan
view.
16. A reel for metallic wire comprising: a cylindrical winding
drum; and a pair of flanges provided integrally on right and left
sides of the winding drum, wherein a winding face of the
cylindrical winding drum is wrapped by a cylindrical drum cover
plate provided with a gap between the drum cover plate and the
winding face and configured to cover substantially entire periphery
of the winding face, a corner plate having a L-shaped cross-section
is provided at a joint portion between the winding drum and each of
the flanges, a flange contact plate having a ring-shaped planar
shape is fixed to an inner face of each of the flanges, an inner
peripheral portion of each of the flange contact plates is welded
to an end portion of a vertical portion of each of the corner
plates, and an outer peripheral portion of the drum cover plate is
welded to an end portion of a horizontal portion of each of the
corner plates.
17. The reel for metallic wire according to claim 16, wherein the
drum cover plate has a discontinuous portion to absorb a winding
pressure applied to the drum cover plate.
18. The reel for metallic wire according to claim 16, wherein a
L-shaped bent portion of the corner plate has an arc-shaped inner
face.
19. The reel for metallic wire according to claim 1 or 16, wherein
a spiral structure formed by molding steel in a coil shape is
provided on an inner side of the cylindrical winding drum.
20. The reel for metallic wire according to claim 19, wherein the
spiral structure is spot welded to the inner face of the winding
drum.
21. The reel for metallic wire according to claim 19, wherein the
steel has a rectangular cross-section.
22. The reel for metallic wire according to claim 19, wherein the
steel has a triangular or T-shaped cross-section and an outer
portion of the spiral structure has a flat face.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a reel around which
metallic wire is wound. More particularly, the present invention
relates to a reel for metallic wire capable of inhibiting break in
a winding drum of the reel due to a winding force generated by
winding the metallic wire around the reel, and of inhibiting break
in a joint portion between the winding drum and a flange of the
reel.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In general, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a reel 21 for
metallic wire comprises a winding drum 22 around which metallic
wire is wound and a pair of flanges 23 provided on both ends of the
winding drum 22. The winding drum 22 and the pair of flanges 23 are
made of thick steel such as structural carbon steel (e.g., S45C).
According to a manufacturing method, the reel is classified into an
integral reel (precut reel) obtained by precutting the winding drum
22 and the flanges 23 to be integral one, and a welded reel
(assembly reel) obtained by manufacturing the winding drum 22 and
the flanges 23 independently and by welding the winding drum 22 and
the flanges 23.
[0005] When the metallic wire, for example, extremely thin metallic
wire for wire saw having a diameter of 0.12 to 0.16 mm (or less),
or extremely thin metallic wire (sometimes including steel cord)
having a diameter of about 0.15 to 0.40 mm as element wire of
twisted wire steel cord (tire cord) for reinforcing rubber product,
is wound around the reel with a predetermined winding force (e.g.,
0.4 kg to 1.5 kg), a large tightening force due to the winding
force is applied to the winding drum 22.
[0006] In the case of the reel configured such that a diameter L of
the flanges 23 is larger than a width H of the winding drum 22
(H<L see FIG. 9), namely, "slim-type reel", a pressure (side
pressure) applied to the flange 23 is much larger than a winding
pressure applied to the winding drum 22. As represented by a dotted
line in FIG. 9, this pressure acts to cause the flanges 23 to be
deformed to be away from each other.
[0007] The side pressure is larger when the diameter of the
metallic wire is smaller, the winding force is larger, and the
number of times the metallic wire is wound around the drum is
larger. In the case of the extremely thin metallic wire, for
example, the metallic wire for wire saw, the metallic wire with
weight of 40 to 60 kg or larger is wound around the reel. In this
case, the side pressure sometimes increases up to several tons or
several tens tons.
[0008] As a result, in the case of the slim-type reel, a stress
concentrates on a joint portion Y between the winding drum 22 and
the flange 23 and break occurs at the joint portion Y. Accordingly,
in the reel of such a shape, it is necessary to reinforce the joint
portion Y between the winding drum 22 and the flange 23. In the
case of the reel manufactured by welding the winding drum 22 and
the flange 23, the stress (side pressure) is not completely
absorbed at the welded portion, and therefore it is highly probable
that the welded portion is broken. Accordingly, the reel of such a
shape is required to reinforce the winding drum 22 and the flange
23 and inhibit break at the joint portion Y between the winding
drum 22 and the flange 23.
[0009] On the other hand, in the case of the reel in which the
width H of the winding drum 22 is larger than the diameter L of the
flange 23 (L <H, see FIG. 10), namely, an elongate-drum reel,
the above-mentioned large tightening force applied to the winding
drum 22 due to the winding force concentrates on the winding drum
22 rather than the flanges 23. The tightening force (winding
pressure) causes the winding drum 22 to be deformed so as to reduce
the diameter at a center portion thereof (as indicated by a dotted
line in FIG. 10). The deformation causes the flanges 23 to be
deformed to be bent inwardly. Accordingly, the reel of such a shape
is also required to reinforce the winding drum 22.
[0010] Conventionally, the reel is made of thick steel having a
thickness of about 20 to 50 mm for the purpose of comprising
strength or rigidity to withstand the side pressure. For this
reason, the conventional reel has heavy weight and is difficult to
handle, and a transportation cost is high. In addition, a material
cost or machining cost are high.
[0011] Even in the reel having such a strong structure, the flanges
or the winding drum are inevitably plastically deformed by a
tremendous side pressure. With repeated use of the reel several
times or several tens times, the reel is deformed acceleratively,
or the reel is broken and becomes unusable. In brief, the
conventional reel does not have durability regardless of its high
cost. A reel that has solved such a problem is disclosed in
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. Hei.
11-114798 (page 3, FIG. 1), which is hereinbelow referred to as a
document 1.
[0012] Furthermore, a reel intended to reinforce a winding drum by
providing a reinforcement member on an inner side of the winding
drum, is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application
Publication No. 2001-206636 (page 2, FIG. 3), which is hereinbelow
referred to as a document 2.
[0013] As shown in FIG. 11, the reel disclosed in the document 1
comprises a barrel portion 31 around which saw wire is wound,
flange portions 32 provided on both ends of the barrel portion 31,
and a filling member 33 pressed into an inside hollow portion of
the barrel portion 31. The filling member 33 serves to inhibit
deformation of the reel. The filling member 33 is made of a
material that has weight lighter than steel and a reasonable
compressive strength and is held by lid members 34. In FIG. 11,
reference numeral 35 denotes male screws with which the lid members
34 are secured to end portions of the flange portions 32.
[0014] In the reel for metallic wire in FIG. 11, while the barrel
portion 31 (winding drum) is tightened by the winding force of the
metallic wire, the filling member 31 pressed into the inside hollow
portion of the barrel portion 31 acts against the tightening force
applied to the barrel portion 31 to inhibit deformation of the
barrel portion 31. However, its structure is complex, and the
filling member 33 is needed. This disadvantageously increases cost
and weight.
[0015] As shown in FIG. 12, the reel disclosed in document 2 is
structured such that ring-shaped reinforcement plates 43 are
provided on an inner side of a winding drum 41. Reference numeral
42 denotes flange portions. In this reel, reinforcing effect is
lessened at a portion of the winding drum 41 away from the
reinforcement plates 43, and hence, strength of the winding drum 41
is locally reduced if the reinforcement plates 43 are fewer.
However, if the number of reinforcement plates 43 is increased, a
manufacturing cost becomes high and manufacturing steps are
increased, which leads to reduced work efficiency.
[0016] Under the circumstances, the present invention has been
made, and an object of the present invention is to provide a reel
for extremely thin metallic wire that can solve the above-mentioned
problems associated with the conventional reel for metallic wire,
that is, a reel that is lightweight and inexpensive and has
sufficient strength and reusability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] According to the present invention, there is provided a reel
for metallic wire comprising a cylindrical winding drum; and a pair
of flanges provided integrally on right and left sides of the
cylindrical winding drum, wherein a winding face of the cylindrical
winding drum is wrapped by a cylindrical drum cover plate provided
with a gap between the drum cover plate and the winding face and
configured to cover substantially entire periphery of the winding
face, and the drum cover plate has a discontinuous portion to
absorb a winding pressure applied to the drum cover plate. Thereby,
it is possible to inhibit break of the winding drum of the reel due
to the winding force generated by winding the metallic wire around
the reel.
[0018] The reel of the present invention comprises the winding drum
having a double-walled structure comprised of the winding face of a
reel body and a cylindrical drum cover plate, and the drum cover
plate is provided with the gap between the drum cover plate and the
winding face of the reel body. In this structure, while the
metallic wire is wound around the reel, the drum cover plate is
elastically deformed flexibly by a large tightening force applied
to the winding drum. In addition, since the discontinuous portion
formed in the drum cover plate functions to absorb elastic
deformation of the drum cover plate, most of a large tightening
force applied to the winding drum is absorbed by the drum cover
plate. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to
inhibit the center portion of the winding drum from being deformed
to reduce the diameter by the large tightening force applied the
winding drum when the metallic wire is wound around the reel. As a
result, durability of the reel is improved.
[0019] It would be preferable that the drum cover plate is
comprised of a pair of drum cover plate portions each having a free
end and a base end and each having a semicircular cross-section,
and the drum cover plate is placed to wrap substantially the entire
periphery of the winding face of the winding drum by attaching the
drum cover plate portions to the winding face of the winding drum
and then by welding the base ends to each other to form the
discontinuous portion between the free ends.
[0020] It would be preferable that the drum cover plate is
comprised of a pair of drum cover plate portions each having a
semicircular cross-section, and the drum cover plate is placed to
wrap substantially the entire periphery of the winding face of the
winding drum by welding joint end faces of the drum cover plate
portions to each other so as to form the discontinuous portion at a
boundary where the pair of drum cover plate portions are divided
into right and left parts, the discontinuous portion extending over
an entire circumference of the drum cover plate.
[0021] In the above-described configuration, since the drum cover
plate can be easily attached to the existing reel, the drum cover
plate can be changed and the reel becomes usable semipermanently.
In addition, an unusable reel having deformed winding drum can be
restored to a usable one by attaching the drum cover plate to the
winding drum.
[0022] According to the present invention, there is provided a reel
for metallic wire comprising a cylindrical winding drum; and a pair
of flanges provided integrally on right and left sides of the
winding drum, wherein a winding face of the cylindrical winding
drum is wrapped by a cylindrical drum cover plate provided with a
gap between the drum cover plate and the winding face and
configured to cover substantially entire periphery of the winding
face, a corner plate having a L-shaped cross-section is provided at
a joint portion between the winding drum and each of the flanges, a
flange contact plate having a ring-shaped planar shape is fixed to
an inner face of each of the flanges, an inner peripheral portion
of each of the flange contact plates is welded to an end portion of
a vertical portion of each of the corner plates, and an outer
peripheral portion of the drum cover plate is welded to an end
portion of a horizontal portion of each of the corner plates.
[0023] The reel of the present invention comprises the winding drum
having a double-walled structure comprised of the winding face of
the reel body and the cylindrical drum cover plate, and the drum
cover plate is provided with the gap between the drum cover plate
and the winding face of the reel body. In this structure, when the
metallic wire is wound around the reel, the drum cover plate is
elastically deformed flexibly by a large tightening force applied
to the winding drum. Thus, in accordance with the present
invention, the cylindrical drum cover plate is capable of
inhibiting the center portion of the winding drum from being
deformed to reduce the diameter by the large tightening force
applied to the winding drum when the metallic wire is wound around
the reel. In addition, stress caused by strain due to welding
generated by welding the end portion of the vertical portion of the
corner plate to the inner peripheral portion of the flange contact
plate, remains as stress to pull the flange inwardly in
manufacturing the reel. In other words, initial stress to pull the
flange inwardly resides in manufacturing the reel. The initial
stress acts to inhibit the flanges from being expanded to be away
from each other by the side pressure. Further, the corner plate
provided at the joint portion between the winding drum and the
flange functions to inhibit occurrence of break at the joint
portion. By interaction of these components, durability of the reel
can be improved.
[0024] By forming a discontinuous portion in the drum cover plate,
most of the large tightening force applied to the winding drum can
be absorbed by the drum cover plate, because the discontinuous
portion absorbs elastic deformation of the drum cover plate.
[0025] Also, by forming an inner face of a L-shaped bent portion of
the corner plate in an arc shape, concentration of the stress can
be avoided.
[0026] It would be preferable that a spiral structure made of steel
is formed on an inner side of the cylindrical winding drum. Since
the spiral structure formed on the inner side of the winding drum
serves to uniformly reinforce the winding drum from inside,
rigidity of the reel is increased, and the winding pressure and the
side pressure are absorbed. This makes it possible to improve
rigidity of the reel and further improve the function of the reel
to absorb the winding pressure and the side pressure.
[0027] In accordance with the present invention, the effects
described below are obtained.
[0028] i) Since the winding drum has a double-walled structure
comprised of the winding face of the reel body and the cylindrical
drum cover plate, and the drum cover plate is provided with the gap
between the drum cover plate and the winding face of the reel body,
the drum cover plate is elastically deformed flexibly by the large
tightening force applied to the winding drum, when the metallic
wire is wound around the reel. In addition, since the discontinuous
portion formed in the drum cover plate functions to absorb elastic
deformation of the drum cover plate, most of a large tightening
force applied to the winding drum is absorbed by the drum cover
plate. Therefore, it is possible to inhibit the center portion of
the winding drum from being deformed to reduce the diameter by the
large tightening force applied to the winding drum when the
metallic wire is wound around the reel, and restrain deformation of
the reel in use due to the winding pressure within an elasticity
limit of reel components. As a result, durability of the reel can
be improved.
[0029] ii) Since the winding drum has a double-walled structure
comprised of the winding face of the reel body and the cylindrical
drum cover plate, it is possible to restrain deformation of the
reel in use due to the winding pressure within the elasticity limit
of reel components as described above. In addition, by strain due
to welding generated by welding the end portion of the vertical
portion of the corner plate to the inner peripheral portion of the
flange contact plate, initial stress to pull the flange inwardly
resides in manufacturing the reel, and acts to inhibit the flanges
from being expanded to be away from each other by the side
pressure. Further, the corner plate provided at the joint portion
between the winding drum and the flange serves to avoid break at
the joint portion, and interaction of these components can improve
durability of the reel.
[0030] iii ) Since the drum cover plate, the corner plates and the
flange contact plates can be easily attached to and detached from
the existing reel, and can be changed, the reel becomes usable
semipermanently.
[0031] iv) An unusable reel having a deformed winding drum can be
restored to a usable one by attaching the drum cover plate to the
winding drum.
[0032] v) Since the drum cover plate can be divided at desired
positions, the drum cover plate can be easily detached and changed.
So, when the drum cover plate has been deformed, the reel becomes
usable semipermenently by replacing the deformed drum cover plate
by a new one.
[0033] vi) The spiral structure provided on the inner side of the
winding drum can enhance the function to absorb the winding
pressure and the side pressure. Since this reel for metallic wire
is created by welding the spiral structure to the inner side of the
winding drum, manufacturing efficiency is high and manufacturing
cost is low.
[0034] The above and further objects and features of the invention
will more fully be apparent from the following detailed description
with accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a reel for metallic wire
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of main components of the
reel in FIG. 1;
[0037] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the main components of the
reel in FIG. 1;
[0038] FIG. 4A is a view showing a test result of reusability of
the reel of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 4B is a view showing a test result of reusability of
the conventional reel;
[0040] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drum
cover plate;
[0041] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
drum cover plate;
[0042] FIG. 6A is a side view of a slim-type reel;
[0043] FIG. 6B is a side view of an elongate-drum reel;
[0044] FIGS. 6C to 6E are schematic views showing examples of a
discontinuous portion (slit);
[0045] FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a reel for metallic
wire according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 8A is a side view of a spiral structure;
[0047] FIG. 8B is a front view of the spiral structure;
[0048] FIG. 9 is a side view of the conventional slim-type
reel;
[0049] FIG. 10 is a side view of the conventional elongate-drum
reel;
[0050] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the conventional
high-strength reel;
[0051] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the conventional reel
for metallic wire having a reinforced winding drum;
[0052] FIG. 13 is a view for explaining an effect of the reel for
metallic wire according to the second embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0053] FIG. 14 is a view for explaining an effect of the
conventional reel for metallic wire shown in FIG. 12.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0054] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
described with reference to the drawings.
[0055] (Embodiment 1)
[0056] Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 3, reference numeral 10 denotes
a reel for metallic wire. The reel 10 for metallic wire comprises a
cylindrical winding drum 1 and flanges 2 provided intregrally on
right and left sides of the winding drum 1.
[0057] A winding face 1a of the winding drum 1 is wrapped by a
cylindrical drum cover plate 5 provided with a gap a between the
drum cover plate 5 and the winding face 1a. The cylindrical drum
cover plate 5 can cover substantially the entire periphery of the
winding face 1a. The drum cover plate 5 is provided with a
discontinuous portion 6 for absorbing a winding pressure applied to
the drum cover plate 5. In the reel shown in FIG. 1, the
discontinuous portion 6 is comprised of a slit 7 (see FIGS. 2 and
3) having a slight gap.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 2, the slit 7 is configured such that an
axis Z-Z thereof extends in the direction perpendicular to an axis
Y-Y of the winding drum 1. It should be appreciated that
substantially the same function and effects are obtained in the
case where the axis Z-Z of the slit 7 is inclined to a certain
angle from vertical. As shown in FIG. 6A, in the case of the reel
(slim-type reel) in which a diameter L of the flange 2 is larger
than a length H of the winding drum 1, the ability of the drum
cover plate 5 to absorb the winding pressure can be increased by
setting the axis Z-Z of the slit 7 as shown in FIG. 2, because a
pressure B applied to the flange 2 is larger than a pressure A
applied to the winding drum 1.
[0059] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6B, the slit 7 may be
configured such that the axis thereof extends in the direction
parallel to the axis of the winding drum 1. As shown in FIG. 6B, in
the case of an "elongate-drum reel" in which a diameter L.sub.1 of
the flange 2 is smaller than a length H.sub.1 of the winding drum
1, the ability of the drum cover plate 5 to absorb the winding
pressure is increased by setting the axis of the slit 7 parallel to
the axis of the winding drum 1, because the pressure B applied to
the flange 2 is smaller than the pressure A applied to the winding
drum 1. It should be appreciated that substantially the same
function and effects are obtained in the case where the slit 7 is
inclined to a certain angle from parallel with respect to the axis
of the winding drum 1.
[0060] In the examples shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, 2 and 3, the slits
7 are formed to be curved in a continuous sine curve shape as seen
in a plan view. The shape of the slit 7 is not intended to be
limited to the sine curve, which will be described later.
[0061] In manufacturing the reel 10 (before the flanges 2 are
attached to the winding drum 1), the drum cover plate 5 is easily
attached from lateral direction (or from vertical direction) of the
winding drum 1.
[0062] In the case where the drum cover plate 5 is attached to the
existing reel, as shown in FIG. 5A, a pair of half parts 5A and 5B
forming the drum cover plate 5 and each having a semicircular
cross-section are brought into contact with each other from
external direction (or vertical direction) of the winding drum 1,
and then their opposed faces are welded to each other.
[0063] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6A, the half-parts 5A and 5B are
divided into right and left parts at the slit 7. The half-parts 5A
and 5B are brought into contact with each other from the vertical
direction of the winding drum 1 and are thereafter welded to each
other. The slit 7 extends over the entire circumference of the drum
cover plate 5. `W` denotes a welding line. FIG. 5B is a perspective
view of the drum cover plate 5 shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6A.
[0064] In the structure shown in FIG. 6B, as shown in FIG. 5A, the
drum cover plate 5 is formed by a pair of half parts 5A and 5B each
having a semicircular cross-section, which are brought into contact
with each other from external of the winding drum 1. In this
example, opposed side edge faces 5a of the half-parts 5A and 5B on
one side are straight-line shaped as seen in a plan view, and
opposed side edge faces 5b of the half-parts 5A and 5B on the other
side are curved in continuous sine curve shape as seen in a plan
view. By welding the side edge faces 5a to each other, the
cylindrical drum cover plate 5 is formed, and the slit 7 is formed
between the side edge faces 5b with a predetermined gap d.
[0065] In this manner, the drum cover plate 5 is easily attached to
the existing reel.
[0066] The drum cover plate 5 incorporated into the winding drum 1
is cut and divided at the welding line W, and hence easily detached
and changed. This cutting is, off course, possible at a location
other than the welding line W. When the drum cover plate 5 has been
deformed, the drum cover plate 5 is easily cut and removed from the
winding drum 1. The removed drum cover plate 5 is replaced by
another drum cover plate 5. In this manner, the reel becomes usable
semipermanently. Besides, an unusable reel having a deformed
winding drum can be restored to a usable reel by attaching the drum
cover plate 5 to the winding drum.
[0067] The reel of this embodiment comprises the winding drum 1
having a double-walled structure comprised of the winding face 1a
of a reel body and the cylindrical drum cover plate 5. In addition,
the drum cover plate 5 is provided with the gap a between the drum
cover plate 5 and the winding face 1a. In such a structure, when a
large tightening force is applied to the winding drum 1 while the
metallic wire is wound around the reel, the drum cover plate 5 is
elastically deformed flexibly by the tightening force. In addition,
since the discontinuous portion 6 (slit 7) formed on the drum cover
plate 5 functions to absorb elastic deformation of the drum cover
plate 5, most of the large tightening force applied to the winding
drum 1 is absorbed by the drum cover plate 5. In accordance with
the reel of this embodiment, a center portion of the winding drum 1
is inhibited from being deformed to reduce a diameter by large
tightening force applied to the winding drum 1 while the metallic
wire is wound around the reel. As a result, durability of the reel
can be improved.
[0068] In addition to a smooth curve (e.g., sine curve) shown in
FIG. 6C, the shape of the slit 7 may be continuous triangular-wave
shown in FIG. 6D as seen in a plan view, or straight-line shown in
FIG. 6E as seen in a plan view. Substantially the same effects are
obtained with the use of any of these shapes.
[0069] The drum cover plate 5 is compressed or expanded when the
winding pressure is applied to or released from the drum cover
plate 5. In this case, elastic deformation amount increases with an
increase in compression or expansion amount. Since the compression
or expansion amount is proportional to a dimension (set effective
dimension) C of the slit 7 which is perpendicular to the axis
thereof (see FIG. 6C), the dimension C is preferably large.
[0070] In view of the above, the use of the slits 7 in FIGS. 6C or
6D is advantageous, because the drum cover plate 5 with the slit 7
in FIG. 6C or 6D is elastically deformed more greatly than the drum
cover plate 5 with the slit 7 in FIG. 6E, and is capable of
absorbing the winding pressure applied to the winding drum 1 more
than the drum cover plate 5 with the slit 7 in FIG. 6E.
Nonetheless, the slit in FIG. 6E is manufactured at an extremely
low cost.
[0071] The drum cover plate 5 with slit 7 in FIG. 6D has
compression or expansion amount range substantially equal to that
of the drum cover plate 5 with the slit 7 in FIG. 6C, and serves to
sufficiently absorb the winding pressure. But, the shape of the
slit 7 in FIG. 6D is pointed (in the vicinity of a top of the
triangular-wave shape), and this pointed portion tends to be
deformed, for example, upcurved while the metallic wire is wound.
Further, the wire tends to be cut into the pointed portion of the
slit 7. Such a reel is undesirable as the reel for extremely thin
metallic wire. But, the slit in FIG. 6D is manufactured more easily
than the slit in FIG. 6C, and hence at a lower cost.
[0072] Which of the slits 7 is used should be determined depending
on the above-described advantages and disadvantages.
[0073] As defined herein, the term "sine curve" means to include a
smooth continuous curve such as a sine curve.
[0074] As a matter of course, the gap d of the slit 7 (see FIGS. 5A
and 5B) is set to inhibit the opposed edges of the slit 7 from
being brought into contact with each other by deformation of the
drum cover plate 5.
[0075] The reel 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is configured such that
corner plates 3 having L-shape cross-section are each provided at a
joint portion between the winding drum 1 and each of the flanges 2
on both sides of the drum cover plate 5 as described later. The
corner plate 3 having L-shaped cross-section may be omitted in the
reel intended to only inhibit break of the winding drum 1. By
extending the drum cover plate 5 substantially over the whole
length of the winding drum 1 in such a reel, deformation or break
of the winding drum 1 is inhibited more effectively.
[0076] As described above, the reel 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is
provided with the corner plate 3 at the joint portions (as
represented by Y in FIG. 9) between the winding drum 1 and the
flange 2 on both sides of the drum cover plate 5. And, flange
contact plates 4 are respectively attached to inner faces of the
flanges 2. The flange contact plates 4 have ring-shape planar
shape.
[0077] The flange contact plates 4 are each fixed to the inner face
of each of the flanges 2. Preferably, the flange contact plate 4 is
fixed to the inner face of the flange 2 by means of welding or
bolts and nuts. In the reel 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flange contact
plate 4 is fixed to the inner face of the flange 2 by spot welding
W.sub.1.
[0078] The corner plate 3 having L-shaped cross-section is formed
so that an end portion of a horizontal portion thereof is welded to
an outer peripheral portion of the drum cover plate 5 as
represented by W.sub.2 and an end portion of a vertical portion
thereof is welded to an inner peripheral portion of the flange
contact plate 4 as represented by W3.
[0079] Preferably, a bent portion X (see FIG. 1) of the corner
plate 3 has an arc-shaped inner face. This is because the
arc-shaped inner face can avoid concentration of stress.
[0080] The corner plates 3 and the flange contact plates 4 are
attached to the reel 10 in the same manner as the drum cover plate
5. In manufacturing the reel, i.e., before the flange 2 is attached
to the winding drum 1, the corner plates 3 and the flange contact
plates 4 are easily attached from external of the winding drum
1.
[0081] When the corner plates 3 and the flange contact plates 4 are
attached to the existing reel, each of the corner plates 3 and the
flange contact plates 4 is divided into a pair of semicircular
half-parts. Then, these semicircular half-parts are brought into
contact with each other and welded to each other as represented by
W.sub.4 and W.sub.5 as shown in FIG. 3. Then, they are welded and
fixed to the drum cover plate 5 or the flange 2.
[0082] In this manner, the corner plates 3 and the flange contact
plates 4 can be easily attached to the existing reel, and in a
reversed manner, these members can be easily detached therefrom.
Thus, the drum cover plate 5, the corner plates 3 and the flange
contact plates 4 can be easily changed, and as a result, the reel
becomes usable semipermanently.
[0083] Preferably, the corner plates 3 and the flange contact
plates 4 are attached to the reel in the order of: i) the flange
contact plate 4 is fixed to the inner face of the flange 2, ii) the
horizontal end portion of the corner plate 3 is welded to the outer
peripheral portion of the drum cover plate 5 (W.sub.2), and iii)
the vertical end portion of the corner plate 3 is welded to the
inner peripheral portion of the flange contact plate 4 as
represented by (W.sub.3), because high work efficiency is
gained.
[0084] In the reel 10 structured as described above, the flange
portion has a double-walled structure comprised of the flange 2 and
the flange contact plate 4. The double-walled structure increases
rigidity of the flange portion. Further, since the end portion of
the vertical portion of the corner plate 3 is welded to the inner
peripheral portion of the flange contact plate 4, tensile stress to
pull the flanges 2 inwardly, which is caused by strain due to
welding occurring in welding, remains in the vicinity of the welded
portion, and allows the flange 2 to be kept to be pulled inwardly
after manufacture. In other words, the reel 10 of this embodiment
has initial stress to pull the flange 2 inwardly.
[0085] The initial stress acts to inhibit the flanges 2 from being
expanded to be away from each other by the side pressure.
Therefore, the initial stress can inhibit the flanges 2 from being
deformed to be away from each other by the pressure (side pressure)
applied to the flanges 2, when the metallic wire is wound around
the reel 10.
[0086] Further, the corner plate 3 provided at the joint portion
between the winding drum 1 and the flange 2 is resistant to the
side pressure applied to the corner plate 3, and its elasticity
serves to restore the flange 2 with the bent portion X of the
corner plate 3 (see FIG. 1) being as a center, and inhibit
occurrence of damage at the bent portion X.
[0087] By combining the double-walled structure of the flange
portion, the corner plate 3 provided at the joint portion between
the winding drum 1 and the flange 2, welding of the end portion of
the vertical portion of the corner plate 3 to the inner peripheral
portion of the flange contact plate 4, and the cylindrical drum
cover plate 5 having function to inhibit the center portion of the
winding drum 1 from being deformed to reduce the diameter, it is
possible to inhibit deformation and break of the reel when the
metallic wire is wound around the reel, and in particular, inward
deformation of the flange, and improve restorability of the reel 10
after unwinding the metallic wire. As a result, durability of the
reel 10 is improved.
[0088] FIG. 4A is a view showing the relationship among a width of
the winding drum 1 of the reel 10 (empty reel) for metallic wire of
the present invention comprising the drum cover plate 5 having the
discontinuous portion 6 for absorbing the winding pressure, the
corner plates 3 and the flange contact plates 4 under the condition
in which the wire is not wound around the reel 10, a width of the
winding drum 1 of the reel 10 (full winding reel) around which the
metallic wire of 1.5 ton has been wound, and a width of the winding
drum 1 of the reel 10 (reel after unwinding) after unwinding the
metallic wire of 1.5 ton.
[0089] FIG. 4B is a view showing the relationship among a width of
the winding drum 1 of the conventional reel (empty reel) for
metallic wire without the drum cover plate 5, the corner plates 3,
and the flange contact plates 4 under the condition in which the
wire is not wound around the reel, a width of the winding drum 1 of
the reel (full winding reel) around which the metallic wire of 1.5
ton has been wound, and a width of the winding drum of the reel
(reel after unwinding) after unwinding the metallic wire of 1.5
ton.
[0090] When variation in the width of the winding drum is smaller,
i.e., the expansion of the width of the winding drum occurring by
winding the metallic wire around the reel is smaller, and the width
of the winding drum after unwinding the metallic wire is equal to
or closer to an initial width (width of the winding drum around
which the metallic wire is not wound), the corresponding reel has
good reusability and high durability.
[0091] As can be seen from FIG. 4A showing a test result of the
reel 10 for metallic wire (1.5 ton reel provided with the corner
plate 3 including the bent portion having a curved inner face), the
dimension between the flanges is within elasticity limit after
five-time use. This shows that the reel 10 for metallic wire has
high durability.
[0092] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, in the case of the
conventional reel for metallic wire incapable of inhibiting break
of the reel, the flange is deformed beyond elasticity limit after
the first use, and after the metallic wire is unwound, the reel is
not restored to an original state. This means that the conventional
reel for metallic wire can be used twice at most.
[0093] From comparison between FIGS. 4A and 4B, the reel for
metallic wire of the present invention has durability much higher
than that of the conventional reel.
[0094] (Embodiment 2)
[0095] Subsequently, a second embodiment of the present invention
will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.
[0096] As shown in FIG. 7, the reel for metallic wire of the second
embodiment is structured such that a spiral structure 11 is
attached to an inner face of the cylindrical winding drum 1 of the
reel for metallic wire of the first embodiment. The spiral
structure 11 is formed by molding steel in a coil shape. The spiral
structure 11 serves to reinforce the winding drum 1 from inside and
is attached to the inner face of the cylindrical winding drum 1 by
suitable means such as spot welding. In FIG. 7, 12 denotes axes and
13 denotes a reinforced part.
[0097] The spiral structure 11 is typically formed by steel having
a rectangular cross-section (generally called flat bar), but the
cross-section may be triangular or T-shaped. In this case, the
spiral structure 11 formed by any of these steel has an outer
peripheral flat face to be welded to the inner face of the winding
drum 1.
[0098] In the conventional reinforcement-type reel for metallic
wire shown in FIG. 12, ring-shaped plates 43 are subjected to more
load. Therefore, when the winding pressure is applied to a winding
drum 41 as shown in FIG. 12, the portion of the winding drum 41
where the ring-shaped plates 43 are not provided is deformed, so
that the winding drum 41 is deformed to be corrugated as
represented by a dotted line.
[0099] On the other hand, in the reel for metallic wire of the
second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, part of the spiral
structure 11 are always positioned on numerous cross-sectional
lines X-X (innumerable cross-sectional lines X-X) perpendicular to
the axis of the winding drum 1. In this structure, stress of the
winding drum 1 per unit area is made uniform, and hence the winding
drum 1 is less likely to be locally deformed. The spiral structure
11 with smaller pitch P (see FIG. 8) can enhance the above
described effects, as a matter of course.
[0100] In assembling, the spiral structure 11 is manufactured in
advance and welded to an inside of the winding drum 1. That is, one
positioning of the spiral structure 11, i.e., reinforcement member
is sufficient. On the other hand, in the reel for metallic wire in
FIG. 12, positioning needs to be performed plural times for plural
reinforcement plates 43 to be welded to the inner side of the
winding drum 41. Therefore, the reel for metallic wire of the
second embodiment advantageously offers high manufacturing
efficiency and low manufacturing cost, in contrast with the reel in
FIG. 12. In FIG. 12, 42 denotes the flange.
[0101] Numerous modifications and alternative embodiments of the
invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light
of the foregoing description. Accordingly, the description is to be
construed as illustrative only, and is provided for the purpose of
teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the
invention. The details of the structure and/or function may be
varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the
invention.
* * * * *