Wire Reeling Machine

Abstract

A wire reeling and unreeling machine particularly adapted for reeling fence wire including barbed wire. The machine includes an internal combustion engine mounted on a frame and driving through a jack shaft system including a belt clutch, a horizontally extending shaft. A reel is detachably mounted on the shaft. An idler sheave is hand controlled to tighten the belt on the engine to serve as a clutch. A horizontally swinging hand actuated level wind guide is mounted on the frame with the wire extending therethrough to permit the wire to be swung from side to side as it is being wound so as to wind levelly on the reel. In a modified form of the invention the reel can be disassembled after the wire is wound thereon to permit the coil of wire to be removed therefrom so that the reel can be reused to form additional coils of wire.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wire coiling and uncoiling machines of particular use in coiling the wire when taking down temporary fences used for confining cattle during portions of the year.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a frame mounted internal combustion engine with a shaft journalled on the frame at the end thereof opposite the internal combustion engine and extending horizontally. A belt drive from the engine is hand tightened or loosened to provide a clutch and rives a chain drives connection to the shaft. The belt drive and chain drive serve as a speed reducing drive so that the shaft rotates at a speed considerably less than that of the engine. A reel is detachably secured to the shaft for the wire to be wound thereon and a horizontally swingable hand actuated level wind is mounted on the frame to provide a control for the winding of the wire on the reel. As the reel is filled it can be removed and replaced with another reel.

A modified reel is provided for use with the machine and consist of a pair of halves which can be disassembled to permit a coil of wire to be removed therefrom so that the reel can be reused to produce another coil of wire.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a machine which will quickly and efficiently wind and unwind extremely long lengths of wire in the field and is readily portable.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the following specification when considered in light of the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the invention from the side thereof opposite FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view shown partially broken away for convenience of illustration of a modified form of reel used with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the reel illustrated in FIG. 5 with the reel disassembled;

FIG. 7 is an end elevation of one of the reel halves as viewed from the center thereof; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken along the line 8--8 of FIG. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures the reference numeral 10 indicates generally a portable wire reeling and unreeling machine constructed in accordance with the invention.

The wire reeling machine 10 is adapted to be secured in the bed of a pick-up truck by any suitable means so as to be readily moved from place to place in the field. The wire machine 10 is used without removing it from the pick-up for most operations.

The machine 10 includes a generally rectangular base frame 11 having a pair of spaced parallel longitudinal side members 12, 13 secured together by a pair of spaced parallel end members 14, 15. A transverse member 16 is arranged in spaced parallel relation to the end member 14 extending between and secured to the longitudinal members 12, 13. A transverse member 17 is arranged in spaced parallel relation to the transverse member 16 extending between and secured to the longitudinal members 12, 13. A longitudinal member 18 extends between and is secured to the transverse members 16, 17 and is parallel to the side members 12, 13. A transverse member 19 is positioned intermediate the transverse members 16, 17 extending between and secured to the longitudinal side member 12 and the longitudinal member 18.

A pair of motor supports 20, 21 extend parallel to the side members 12, 13 and are secured to the end member 14 and the transverse member 16. A longitudinal strap 22 extends between and is secured to the end member 15 and the transverse member 17 lying parallel to the side members 12, 13.

An upright grill 23 is secured to the end member 14 and supported by braces 24, 25 which extend at an angle downwardly and outwardly to the respective side members 12, 13.

An upright plate 26 is secured to the side member 13 adjacent the end member 15 and has a support plate 27 integrally secured thereto along the edge thereof overlying the end member 15. A second support plate 28 is secured to the edge of the plate 26 opposite the support plate 27 and has its lower ends secured to the transverse member 17.

An internal combustion engine 29 is rigidly secured to the supports 20, 21 by conventional means (not shown) and has a drive sheave 30 mounted thereon. A belt guide 31 is secured to the side of the engine 29 and has a pair of guides 32, 33 extending outwardly therefrom in spaced parallel relation. A pair of upright plates 34, 35 are secured in transverse aligned relation to the side member 12 and the longitudinal member 18. A transverse shaft 36 is journalled in the upper ends of the plates 34, 35 carrying a relatively large belt sheave 37 on its outer end and a sprocket 38 intermediate the sheave 37 and the plate 35. A V belt 39 is trained over the drive sheave 30 and the sheave 37 to provide a drive therebetween. An idler sheave 40 is journalled on a arm 41 pivotally mounted in a bracket 42 secured to the transverse member 16.

A control lever 43 is pivotally secured to the plate 26 by a pivot pin 44 at its lower end and has a bracket 45 secured thereto at a point spaced above the pivot pin 44. A link 46 is pivotally secured to the bracket 45 at one end and is secured by a nut 47 at the opposite end to the arm 41 for longitudinal adjustment thereon. A stop 48 on the plate 26 limits the movement of the lever 43 toward the engine 29. The guides 32, 33 extend respectively above and below the belt 39 adjacent the sheave 30 to prevent the belt 39 from engaging the sheave 30 when the idler sheave 40 is disengaged from the belt 39. With the idler sheave 40 in the position illustrated in FIG. 2 the belt 39 is loose on the sheaves 30, 37 and no driving connection exist therebetween. The lever 43 when pulled in a direction away from the engine 29 will raise the idler sheave 40 into engagement with the belt 39 and tighten it to establish a driving connection between the sheave 30 and the sheave 37.

A tapered axle 49 is secured to the upper end of the plate 26 and extends transversely of the frame 11 inwardly thereof. A hub 50 is journalled on the stub shaft 49 by means of an inner bearing 51 and an outer bearing 52. A seal 53 extends between the hub 50 and the stub shaft 49 to prevent escape of grease therefrom or the entry of dirt therein.

A nut 54 is threaded onto the outer end of the stub shaft 49 and with a washer 55 secures the hub 50 thereon. A hub cap 56 is threaded onto the outer end of the hub 50 to retain grease around the bearings 51, 52. The hub 50 has an annular disk 57 integrally formed thereon and carrying a plurality of stud bolts 58 projecting therethrough.

A relatively large diameter sprocket wheel 59 is mounted on the hub 50 and secured onto the stud bolts 58 by a plurality of nuts 60. A hollow shaft 61 is integrally formed on the sprocket wheel 59 and extends axially thereof in axially aligned relation to the stub shaft 49. A drive pin 62 is rigidly secured. to the axle 61 and has its outer end arranged with its axis parallel to the axis of the shaft 61. The outer end of the shaft 61 is closed and has a threaded bore 63 extending therethrough. A bolt 64 is adapted to be threaded through the threaded bore 63 and has a relatively large flange 65 on its outer end to which are secured handles 66.

A drive chain 67 is meshed over the sprocket 38 and the sprocket wheel 59 so that rotation of the shaft 36 will rotate the shaft 61.

A reel generally indicated at 68 includes a hollow cylindrical core 69 adapted to engage over the shaft 61 and be secured thereon by the flange 65 of the bolts 64. The core 69 has a socket member 70 rigidly secured thereto and adapted to engage over the drive pins 62 so that the reel 68 is driven by the shaft 61 as it rotates. A pair of circular rims 71 are arranged in spaced parallel relation adjacent the opposite ends of the core 69 and are connected thereto by a plurality of radial spokes 72 integrally secured to the core 69 and the rings 71.

A hollow post 73 is secured at its lower end to the transverse member 19 and extends perpendicularly upwardly therefrom. The post 73 has an L shaped stop member 74 secured to its upper end and extending slightly upwardly therefrom. A triangular frame 75 is provided at its inner end with a perpendicularly downwardly extending stub shaft 76 which is journalled in the upper end of the post 73 to permit the frame 75 to swing across the top of the reel 68. A handle 77 is secured to one corner of the frame 75 and a depending inverted U shaped yoke 78 is secured to a second corner of the frame 75. The frame 75, handle 77 and yoke 78 form a level wind with the wire being wound on the reel 68 engaging in the yoke 78 so that it can be moved from side to side on the reel 68 by hand manipulation of the frame 75.

A flange 79 extends across the frame 11 inwardly of but secured to the end member 14 to engage with holddown devices on the bed of the pick-up to secure the machine 10 therein.

A throttle control 80 is pivotally mounted on the plate 28 and is attached conventional to the engine 29 for controlling the speed thereof. having a flange 65 secures the reel 88 on the shaft 61. The reel 68 includes a pair of core members 89, 90 arranged in aligned relation on the shaft 61. A bolt 91 extends through the core 89 and the shaft 61 to hold the core 89 on the shaft 61 when the nut 64 is removed. A socket member 92 is rigidly secured to the core 89 to engage over the drive pin 62 to drive the reel 88 when the shaft 61 is rotated. A ring 93 of relatively large diameter is axially aligned with the inner end of the core 89 and has a plurality of generally L shaped spokes 94 secured thereto. The spokes 94 have a radial portion 95 and a longitudinal portion 96 integral therewith and extending perpendicular thereto. A U shaped terminal portion 97 is secured to the opposite end of the portion 96 with its inner end rigidly secured to the core 89. The U shaped portions 97 extend beyond the inner end of the core 89 for reasons to be assigned. The longitudinal portions 96 of the spokes 94 are arranged in radially outwardly spaced relation from the core 1 2 having 3 a 4 flange 5 65 6 secures 7 the 8 reel 9 88 10 on 11 the 12 shaft 13 61. 61 sprocket 62 member 63 92 64 is 65 rigidly 66 secured 67 to 68 the 69 core 70 89 71 to 72 engage 73 over 74 the 75 drive 76 pin 77 62 78 to 79 drive 80 the 81 reel 82 88 83 when 84 the 85 shaft 86 61 87 is 88 rotated. 90 ring 89.

A ring 98 identical to the ring 93 is arranged adjacent the outer end of the core 90 in axial alignment therewith. A plurality of spokes 94 are secured to the ring 98 and extend to the inner end of the core 90 and are secured thereto. The spokes 94 associated with the core 90 also have U shaped portions 97 which extend inwardly beyond the inner end of the core 90 and mesh with the portions 97 associated with the core 89 as can be seen in FIG. 5 when both of the cores 89, 90 are in position on the shaft 61. The intermeshing of the spokes 94 provides a drive from the core 89 to the core 90 so that the reel 88 revolves as a single unit when in position on the shaft 61.

The reel 88 is used for forming coils of wire which can be removed from the reel 88 for storage. The reel 88 is mounted on the shaft 61 and the shaft 61 is rotated by the engine 29 until a complete coil of wire is contained on the reel 88. The bolt 64 is then removed freeing the core 90 so that it can be slid outwardly off of the shaft 61 with the core 89 being held by the bolt 91 in place thereon. The coil of wire can then be pulled off of the spokes 94 and stored for further use. The ring 98 and the core 90 are then replaced on the shaft 61 for forming the next coil of wire.

Cattle fencing is often a seasonal matter with the fences being erected and taken down as required. In many instances this requires miles of barbed wire to be coiled and stored for future use. In the use and operation of the present invention the machine 10 is moved in the field to the point where wire is to be coiled and one end of the wire is attached to either the reel 68 or the reel 88 and the reel is rotated to wind the wire by moving the idler sheave 40 into engagement with the belt 39 using the hand lever 43. After the reel 68 is filled with wire it is removed and stored for later use. After the reel 88 is filled with wire it is disassembled as described above and the coil of wire is removed for storage.

The grill 23 described above protects the engine 29 from damage and serves as a handle for lifting the machine 10 as required. A brace 99 is rigidly secured to the post 73 at one end and to the transverse member 17 at its other end to assist in supporting the post 73 rigidly from the frame 11.

The machine 10 may be used for unreeling wire by simply disengaging the idler sheave 40 and removing the belt 39 from the sheave 37. The vehicle is then driven at a slow steady speed (approximately 10MPH) with the wire being unreeled and deposited on the ground as the truck moves. A brake (not shown) may be added to the transverse shaft 36 to prevent overrunning of the wire reel if this is desired.

The machine 10 may be used equally as well on smooth (electric fence) wire and barbed wire.

Having thus described the preferred embodiments of the invention it should be understood that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A wire winding and unwinding machine comprising a generally horizontal frame having an internal combustion engine secured to one end thereof, a belt sheave secured to said engine, a transverse shaft journalled in said frame substantially above the base thereof, a chain sprocket rigidly secured to said shaft, a belt sheave rigidly secured to said shaft, a belt trained over said belt sheave on said shaft and said belt sheave on said engine, a stub shaft rigidly secured to said frame and extending transversely thereof, a hub journalled on said stub shaft and having a chain sprocket rigidly secured thereto, a chain meshing with the chain sprocket on said hub and the chain sprocket on said shaft, a shaft rigidly secured to said chain sprocket on said hub and extending axially of said stub shaft, a drive pin rigidly secured to said last named shaft, a reel mounted on said last named shaft, means on said reel for driving engagement with said drive pin, and means detachably securing said reel to said last named shaft, a post mounted centrally of said frame, a frame mounted for hand controlled horizontal swinging movement on said post, a U shaped wire engaging yoke secured to said frame and depending therefrom for moving the wire being wound on said reel from side to side.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein means are provided on said frame for tightening said belt to establish a driving relation between said sheaves.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein hand control means are provided for actuating the belt tightening means.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stub shaft is secured to said frame at a point substantially above the base thereof and slightly above said first named shaft.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said reel is demountable to permit removal of the wire coiled thereon.

6. A demountable reel for coiling wire comprising a pair of axially aligned cylindrical core members, a pair of rings arranged in spaced parallel relation at the outer ends of said core members, and a plurality of spokes extending from each of said rings to the adjacent core member with said spokes having meshing portions to cause said core members to rotate together.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said spokes are substantially L shaped and have a U shaped meshing end portion.