U.S. patent application number 11/087928 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-06 for dispenser/retraction unit.
Invention is credited to Prismall, Ian James, Prismall, Karl Trevor.
Application Number | 20050221963 11/087928 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32247543 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050221963 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Prismall, Ian James ; et
al. |
October 6, 2005 |
Dispenser/retraction unit
Abstract
A dispenser/retraction unit comprises an elongate flexible
member 14 and at least one tensioning means 16, the flexible member
14 passing around at least part of the tensioning means 16, the
tensioning means 16 having a biassing load 16 applied thereto
urging the tensioning means 16 in a direction tending to retract
the flexible member 14.
Inventors: |
Prismall, Ian James;
(Hungerford, GB) ; Prismall, Karl Trevor;
(Hungerford, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOEL D. SKINNER, JR.
SKINNER AND ASSOCIATES
212 COMMERCIAL ST.
HUDSON
WI
54016
US
|
Family ID: |
32247543 |
Appl. No.: |
11/087928 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/92 ; 482/121;
482/94 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A62B 3/00 20130101; B65H
2701/374 20130101; E01F 13/028 20130101; B60R 22/195 20130101; A63B
2005/163 20130101; B65H 75/368 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/092 ;
482/094; 482/121 |
International
Class: |
A63B 021/00; A63B
021/06; A63B 069/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 31, 2004 |
GB |
0407216.1 |
Claims
1. A dispenser/retraction unit comprising an elongate flexible
member and at least one tensioning means, the flexible member
passing around at least part of the tensioning means, the
tensioning means having a biassing load applied thereto urging the
tensioning means in a direction tending to retract the flexible
member.
2. A unit according to claim 1, wherein the tensioning means
comprises a pulley, roller or similar component.
3. A unit according to claim 1, wherein the tensioning means
comprises a rod or bar around which the flexible member
extends.
4. A unit according to claim 1, wherein tensioning means is
moveable linearly or generally linearly by the biassing load, in
use.
5. A unit according to claim 1, wherein the tensioning means is
movement along an arcuate path.
6. A unit according to claim 1, wherein the flexible elongate
member is of an elastic material.
7. A unit according to claim 1, wherein the tensioning means is
biassed by means of weight.
8. A unit according to claim 1, wherein the tensioning means is
resiliently biassed.
9. A unit according to claim 8, wherein the tensioning means is
biassed by means of a spring or a length of suitable elastic
material.
10. A unit according to claim 8, wherein a gas strut to provide the
biassing load.
11. A unit according to claim 1, further comprising one or more
additional tensioning means around at least part of which the
elongate member passes.
12. A unit according to claim 11, wherein one or more of the
additional tensioning means are fixed.
13. A unit according to claim 11, wherein one or more of the
additional tensioning means are moveable and have a biassing load
applied thereto.
14. A unit according to claim 13, wherein the biassing load is
applied commonly.
15. A unit according to claim 13, wherein separate biassing loads
are provided for each tensioning mens.
16. A unit according to claim 13, wherein the tensioning means are
arranged in groups, biassing means being associated with each
group.
17. A unit according to claim 1, wherein the elongate flexible
member comprises at least one of a length of webbing, a rope or
rope-like material, an elastic material, an electrical cable or
flex, and a hose.
18. A unit according to claim 1, further comprising a housing
within which the tensioning means is located, the housing having an
opening or openings from which the elongate flexible member can be
drawn.
19. A retractable barrier comprising a unit according to claim 18.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to a dispenser/retraction unit
suitable for use in the dispensing and retraction of an elongate
flexible member. The invention relates, in particular, to a unit
suitable for use in the dispensing and retraction of the elongate
flexible member of a retractable barrier system. The unit may,
however, be used in a wide range of other applications, for example
in the dispensing and retraction of seat belts, ropes, electrical
cables or flex, hoses, or for use in bungee jumping or fire exit
applications. Although suitable for use in a wide range of
applications, for convenience the description herein relates
primarily to retractable barrier systems.
[0002] The dispenser and retraction unit of a retractable barrier
system typically takes the form of a rotatable spool, a coiled
spring being provided to apply a biassing load to the spool. A
flexible elongate member, usually but not exclusively in the form
of webbing, is wound onto the spool. In use, when a barrier is
required, the webbing is pulled from the spool, rotating the spool
and thereby stressing the spring. Upon release of the webbing, the
spring causes the spool to rotate thus retracting the webbing.
[0003] It has been found that barriers formed using a long span of
a flexible elongate member are severely limited where units of this
type are used as the number of turns of flexible elongate member
material and/or the number of windings permitted by the spring are
limited.
[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide a
dispenser/retraction unit of simple and convenient form which
allows a long length of flexible elongate member material to be
used.
[0005] According to the present invention there is provided a
dispenser/retraction unit comprising an elongate flexible member
and at least one tensioning means, the flexible member passing
around at least part of the tensioning means, the tensioning means
having a biassing load applied thereto urging the tensioning means
in a direction tending to retract the flexible member.
[0006] The tensioning means conveniently comprises a pulley, roller
or similar component, but it will be appreciated that other
arrangements are possible, for example the tensioning means could
comprise a rod or bar around which the flexible member extends. The
tensioning means is conveniently arranged to translate, for example
it may be moveable linearly or generally linearly by the biassing
load, in use, but it will be appreciated that other forms of
movement, for example movement along an arcuate path, are
possible.
[0007] The flexible elongate member may be of an elastic
material.
[0008] The tensioning means may be biassed by means of weight.
Alternatively it may be resiliently biassed, for example by means
of a spring or a length of a suitable elastic material. A further
possibility is to use a gas strut to provide the biassing load.
[0009] The unit may further comprise one or more additional
tensioning means around at least part of which the elongate member
passes. One or more of the additional tensioning means may be
fixed. One or more of the additional tensioning means may be
moveable and have a biassing load applied thereto. The biassing
load may be applied commonly to a plurality of the tensioning
means, or alternatively separate biassing loads may be provided for
each tensioning means. Alternatively, the tensioning means may be
arranged in groups, biassing means being associated with each
group. Combinations of these arrangements are also possible.
[0010] The elongate flexible member may take a range of forms. For
example, it may comprise a length of webbing, a rope or rope-like
material, of, for example, round or square cross-section, an
elastic material, an electrical cable or flex, or a hose.
[0011] The unit conveniently includes a housing within which the
tensioning means are located, the housing having an opening or
openings from which the elongate flexible member can be drawn.
[0012] The invention will further be described, by way of example,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view illustrating a
dispenser/retraction unit in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating the unit in
an alternative condition;
[0015] FIGS. 3 and 4 are views similar to FIGS. 1 and 2
illustrating an alternative embodiment;
[0016] FIGS. 5 and 6 are views illustrating a further alternative
embodiment;
[0017] FIGS. 7 and 8 are views of another alternative
embodiment;
[0018] FIGS. 9 and 10 are views of further alternative embodiments;
and
[0019] FIGS. 11 to 15 illustrate further alternative
embodiments
[0020] Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a
dispenser/retraction unit 10 forming part of a post 12 for use in a
retractable barrier system. The unit 10 comprises a flexible
elongate member 14 and a tensioning means in the form of a pulley
16 around at least part of which the flexible elongate member 14 is
wound. The flexible elongate member 14 further passes around an
idler pulley 18. The unit 10 is located within a housing 20
defining an upright part of the post 12, the housing 20 being
mounted upon a base 22 to support the housing 20 in a generally
vertical or upstanding configuration.
[0021] Adjacent the idler pulley 18, the housing 20 is formed with
an opening or slot (not shown) through which the flexible elongate
member 14 extends. One end of the flexible elongate member 14 is
firmly attached to the interior of the housing 20 by means of a
suitable attachment device 24.
[0022] Within the housing 20, a weight 26 forming part of the unit
10 is provided, the weight 26 being secured to the pulley 16 to
apply a downward biassing force to the pulley 16 so that, in the
configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, a part of the elongate
flexible member to one side of the pulley 26 lies adjacent the part
of the flexible elongate member 14 to the other side of the pulley
16. In this configuration, it will be appreciated that a relatively
long length of the flexible elongate member 14 is held under
tension within the housing 20.
[0023] In use, when it is desired to dispense the flexible elongate
member 14, for example to form part of a retractable barrier, the
free end 28 of the flexible elongate member 14 is pulled to
withdraw a length of the flexible elongate member 14 from the
housing 20. The action of pulling the free end 28 of the flexible
elongate member 14 causes the weight 26 to lift, the weight 26
occupying the position shown in FIG. 2 when the flexible elongate
member 14 is almost completely dispensed.
[0024] When the barrier is no longer required, the free end 28 of
the flexible elongate member 14 is released and the load applied by
the weight 26 to the pulley 16 will cause the pulley 16 to fall
under the action of gravity thereby retracting the flexible
elongate member 14 back into the housing 20, returning to the
condition illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0025] Although FIG. 1 illustrates the use of a weight 26 to apply
the biassing load to the pulley 16, it will be appreciated that the
biassing load may be applied through other means. For example,
FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an arrangement in which a length of
elastic material 30 is used to apply the biassing load, the
material 30 being anchored at one end to the interior of the
housing 20, the material 30 passing around a pulley 32 and being
secured to the pulley 16 to apply the biassing load thereto.
Operation of the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is very
similar to that described hereinbefore and so will not be described
in further detail.
[0026] It will be appreciated that a range of other modifications
or alterations to the arrangements shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are
possible. For example, springs or gas struts could be used in the
biassing of the pulley 16.
[0027] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a further modification in which the
device 24 used to secure the flexible elongate member 14 is not
secured to the upper part of the housing 20, but rather is secured
to the base 22 within the housing 20. A second moveable pulley 34
is provided around which the flexible elongate member 14 is wound,
the additional moveable pulley 34 being urged towards the upper end
of the housing 20 by means of a spring 36 whilst the pulley 16 is
urged in a downward direction by means of a spring 38. In use,
during dispensing of the elongate flexible member 14 from the unit,
the action of pulling the free end 28 of the elongate flexible
member 14 will cause the moveable pulley 16 to lift against the
resilient biassing action of the spring 38 and cause the moveable
pulley 34 to be forced in a downward direction against the biassing
action of the spring 36. Once the elongate flexible member 14 has
been dispensed to almost its fullest extent, as illustrated in FIG.
6, the pulleys 16 and 34 will be located approximately adjacent
each other and, depending upon the rates of the springs 36, 38 the
pulleys 16, 34 may be located close to the mid-point of the housing
20. However this need not always be the case.
[0028] Upon release of the free end 28 of the flexible elongate
member 14, the springs 36, 38 will act to move the pulleys 34, 16
towards the positions illustrated in FIG. 5, thereby retracting the
flexible elongate member 14 back into the housing 20.
[0029] Although in the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 the
pulleys 16, 34 are both biassed by means of springs 36, 38 it will
be appreciated that other biassing means could be used, for example
the pulleys 16, 34 could be biassed by means of elastic members as
in the arrangement of FIGS. 3 and 4, and the pulley 16 could be
biassed by means of a weight 26 as in the arrangement shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2. A further alternative biassing means which could be
used in the arrangement of FIGS. 5 and 6 is the use of gas struts,
which could incorporate a damping mechanism to slow the speed at
which the elongate flexible member 14 is retracted and/or
dispensed. It will further be appreciated that different biassing
means could be used in combination, if desired, for example to
achieve a desired retraction load.
[0030] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate diagrammatically another
arrangement using gas struts to provide the biassing loads for the
pulleys. In the arrangement of FIGS. 7 and 8, four upper pulleys 40
and three lower pulleys 42 are provided each of the pulleys being
biassed towards a respective end of a housing 44 by means of an
associated gas strut 46. One end of a flexible elongate member 48
is secured within the housing 44 by means of a suitable fixing
device 50, the elongate flexible member 48 being wrapped around the
pulleys 40, 42 and passing around an idler pulley 52 before exiting
the housing 44 through a slit or opening formed therein.
[0031] In use, in order to dispense the elongate flexible material
48 from the housing 44, a free end thereof is pulled, the action of
pulling the elongate flexible member 48 applying a force to the
pulleys 40 urging them in a downward direction against the action
of the associated gas struts 46, and applying an upwardly directed
force to the pulleys 42 against the action of the associated gas
struts 46. FIG. 8 illustrates the position where the elongate
flexible member 48 is almost entirely withdrawn from the housing
44. In this position, the gas struts 46 are stressed and urging the
pulleys 40, 42 towards the positions illustrated in FIG. 7.
[0032] When the elongate flexible member 48 is to be retracted back
into the housing 44, the free end thereof is released or allowed to
feed in and the gas struts urge the pulleys 40, 42 towards the
positions illustrated in FIG. 7 thereby retracting the elongate
flexible material 48 back into the housing 44.
[0033] It will be appreciated that as, in the retracted condition
shown in FIG. 7, the elongate flexible material 48 is wrapped
around a number of pulleys, a relatively long length of elongate
flexible material 48 can be stored within the housing 44 thus where
used as part of a retractable barrier system, barriers of a
relatively long length may be formed.
[0034] Although the arrangements described hereinbefore are all
intended to operate with the tensioning means moving in a generally
vertical direction, in use, it will be appreciated that this need
not always be the case, for example where gas struts, elastic or
springs are used to apply the biassing load. As a result, the
housing need not be of elongate, upstanding form and could be
arranged to extend horizontally or at an angle. Further, the
tensioning means do not need to be moveable in the same direction
as one another, and so arrangements of, for example, star-like
shape are possible.
[0035] In each of the arrangements described hereinbefore, the
moveable pulleys are individually biassed. However, it will be
appreciated that this need not be the case and the moveable
pulleys, or groups thereof, may be interconnected and biassed by a
common biassing arrangement. For example FIG. 9 illustrates an
arrangement in which a series of moveable pulleys 55 are provided,
the pulleys 55 all being secured to a common weight 54 which is
used to apply a biassing load to all of the moveable pulleys 55
simultaneously.
[0036] As well as showing the possibility of providing a common
biassing arrangement for a number of pulleys the arrangement of
FIG. 9 further illustrates that a single length of flexible
elongate material 56 may be wrapped around the pulleys of two
separate housing 58. As a result, where used as part of a
retractable barrier arrangement, when a barrier is not required the
two housings 58 are located adjacent one another and the elongate
flexible material 56 is housed almost entirely within one or other
or both of the housings 58. When a barrier is required, one of the
housings 58 is moved away from the other of the housings 58, the
flexible elongate material 56 forming a barrier interconnecting the
two housings 58. As the two housings 58 both contain a relatively
long length of flexible elongate material 56, it will be
appreciated that a barrier of relatively long length can be
formed.
[0037] FIG. 10 illustrates a further modification in which rather
than having one end of the elongate flexible material anchored
within the housing 60, both ends 62, 64 of the elongate flexible
material 66 protrude through openings or slits formed in the
housing 60. In use, both of the free ends 62, 64 of the flexible
elongate material 66 may be retracted from the housing to form a
relatively short barrier made up of upper and lower lengths of
elongate flexible material 66. Alternatively, one or other but not
both of the free ends 62, 64 may be pulled from the housing to form
a barrier of relatively long length.
[0038] FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an arrangement similar to that of
FIG. 9 but in which the pulleys 55 are arranged coaxially. The
arrangement shown uses rope or the like as the flexible elongate
member, but other types of flexible elongate member may be used.
FIG. 12 shows that two units of this type may be attached to each
other or formed integrally with one another. It will be appreciated
that the modifications shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 may be applied to
others of the arrangements described herein.
[0039] FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate an arrangement in which the
elongate flexible member 70 is wound around pulleys 72 so as to
form loops of elongate flexible member material located one inside
the other. The member 70 passes through a vertically or generally
vertically orientated slot 74 provided in a housing 76. In order to
allow the member 70 to pass through a slot so oriented, an angled
deflection bar or pulley 78 is provided to move the member 70 from
a horizontal configuration to a generally vertical configuration.
The positioning and orientation of the deflection bar or pulley may
be varied to suit the application. Alternative deflection means are
possible. Again, it will be appreciated that elements of this
arrangement may be incorporated into the embodiments described
hereinbefore.
[0040] FIG. 15 illustrates a post suitable for use in housing a
unit in accordance with the invention. Although the arrangement
shown in FIG. 15 is of square cross-section, it will be appreciated
that other configurations, fixed or moveable, are possible.
[0041] In the description hereinbefore, numerous references have
been made to the provision of a flexible elongate member. The
flexible elongate member may take a wide range of forms. For
example, where the dispenser/retraction unit is to be used as part
of a retractable barrier system, then the elongate flexible member
may take the form of webbing. Alternatively, the elongate flexible
member may take the form of a rope or rope-like material of a range
of cross-sectional shapes, for example including circular and
square cross-section. The material of the flexible elongate member
may, in some applications, be of elastic form thereby further
increasing the length of barrier which can be erected.
[0042] In the description hereinbefore reference is made to damping
of the operation of the gas struts to damp dispensing and/or
retraction. Damping means may also be provided where other forms of
biassing means are used. For example, where weights are provided,
the weights may be sized to fit the housing leaving only a small
air gap therebetween. The weight and housing will thus act, to some
extent, as a piston damping movement of the weight. Other damping
mechanisms and techniques may be used, including damping the
movement of the elongate flexible member instead of the tensioning
means.
[0043] Although the description hereinbefore is of the use of the
dispenser/retraction unit as part of a retractable barrier system,
it will be appreciated that it may be used in a number of other
applications. For example, it could be used in the dispensing and
retraction of electrical cables or flexes or hoses for gas or
liquids. Further possibilities include vehicle seat belts, bungee
jump application, harness-type fire exit arrangements or
arrangements for use in parachute jump training.
[0044] Although the description hereinbefore refers to the
provision of tensioning means in the form of pulleys, it will be
appreciated that the tensioning means used could take a number of
forms and the term pulley should not be taken as limiting in any
way.
[0045] It will be appreciated that the arrangements described
hereinbefore are merely examples of arrangements falling within the
scope of the invention and that a number of other possible
modifications or alterations may be made.
* * * * *