Coiling head apparatus and system

Abstract

The present invention is an apparatus, system and method for a new and improved coiling head utilized in wrapping elongated materials, which may have a zero and or near zero gap between leaves thereby reducing and or elimination indentations in the coiled elongated materials.

Claims

1. A coiling head for an automatic cut and transfer coiling machine comprising: at least two leaves having a bottom, a first side, a second side and a rounded top side wherein said rounded top has a first side having a tongue and a second side having a slot, wherein rounded top of said at least two leaves are adapted to selectively form a circumference for engaging elongated material, and wherein said circumference has a perpendicular axis; a cylindrical wedge having an axis along said axis of said circumference for engaging said elongated material, said cylindrical wedge is made to engage a spindle of said automatic cut and transfer coiling machine, and a conical outer surface adapted to engage said bottom of said at least two leaves; and wherein when said cylindrical wedge is a adapted to selectively push said at least two leaves away from said axis of said cylindrical wedge when pushed in one direction along said axis of said cylindrical wedge and to push toward said axis of said cylindrical wedge when pushed in opposite of said direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PICTORIAL ILLUSTRATIONS, GRAPHS, DRAWINGS, AND APPENDICES

(1) The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed pictorial illustrations, graphs, drawings and appendices.

(2) FIG. 1 is a general illustration of a prior art automatic cut and transfer coiling machine and coiling head with two spindles and associated paddles.

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustration of a preferred embodiment of the invention generally depicting a coiling head fully expanded to receive an elongated material.

(4) FIG. 3 is a cross section view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 illustration of a preferred embodiment of the invention generally depicting a coiling head fully expanded to receive an elongated material.

(5) FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 illustration of a preferred embodiment of the invention generally depicting a coiling head collapsed for removing an elongated material.

(6) FIG. 5 is a cross section perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 illustration of a preferred embodiment of the invention generally depicting a coiling head fully expanded to receive an elongated material.

(7) FIG. 6 is a cross section perspective view illustration of a preferred embodiment of the invention generally depicting a coiling head fully expanded to receive an elongated material and generally depicting the back of the wedge that would engage the coiling machine.

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view partial illustration of a preferred embodiment of the invention generally depicting a wedge not attached to the leaves.

(9) FIG. 8 is an end view partial illustration of a preferred embodiment of the invention generally depicting a fully expanded coiling head with an elongated material being received thereon.

(10) FIG. 9 is an end view partial illustration of a preferred embodiment of the invention generally depicting a partially collapsed coiling head with an elongated material thereon.

(11) FIG. 10 is an end view partial illustration of a preferred embodiment of the invention generally depicting a fully collapsed coiling head with an elongated material ready to be removed from the coiling head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

(12) Referring to the illustrations, drawings, and pictures, and to FIG. 2 through 10 in particular, reference character 10 generally designates a new and improved coiling head apparatus, system and method of using the same constructed in accordance with the present invention. Invention 10 is generally used with elongated materials 15 needing to be made into smaller segments for distribution from a larger spool and or reel. Elongated materials 15 may be but is not limited to electrical cables, steel cables, wire cables, hoses and so forth. It is contemplated that invention 10 may be utilized with prior art devices 5 such as depicted in FIG. 1. For purposes of convenience, the reference numeral 10 may generally be utilized for the indication of the invention, portion of the invention, preferred embodiments of the invention and so on. It is also to be understood that invention 10 should not be considered limited to just a coiling head and the terms should not be considered to limit the invention to such.

(13) Invention 10 may generally include coiling head 20 that may be mounted to a prior art automatic cut and transfer coiling machine 5 as depicted in FIG. 1. Head 20 may have a front and or first end 30, a back and or second end 40, a side wall 50 with a length 60 defined as between first end 30 and second end 40. Head 20 may have an expanded and or first position 70 with a first diameter 80 and a collapsed and or second position 90 with a second diameter 100 that may be smaller than first diameter 80 when desired.

(14) Head 20 may be configured from leaves 110 such as but not limited to eight in configuration to make head 20. It is understood that more or less leaves 110 may be utilized. Leaves 110 may have a top 120, a first side 140, a second side 150 and a bottom 160. Leaves 110 may further have a slot 170 on said first side 140, and a tongue 180 on said second side 150.

(15) Coiling head 20 may further have a wedge 190 having a length 200. Wedge 190 may have twisted wedge surface 210, ridge 220, springs 230 and ramps 240. Twisted wedge surface 210 may have, but is not limited to, eight surfaces in configuration. Ridge 220 may have, but is not limited to, eight ridges in configuration. It is understood that more or less twisted wedge surface 210 and ridge 220 may be utilized. Horizontal axis 250 runs along the length 200 of wedge 190. It is contemplated wedge 190 may further contain a first or larger diameter 260 and a second or smaller diameter 270.

(16) Wedge 190 may move in and out along the axis 250. When wedge 190 moves in, the leaves 110 fully expand to first position having larger diameter 260 creating a solid circumference for the elongated material 15 to wrap around. When the leaves 110 are expanding, tongue 180 slides in slot 170 and may lock in place. When wedge 190 moves out, leaves 110 collapse to second position having smaller diameter 270 as springs 230 pull leaves 110 inward. When leaves 110 collapse, the bottom 160 slides along ramps 240. As the bottom 160 slides along ramps 240, the tongue 180 also slides along slot 170 until smaller diameter 270 is reached. It is contemplated wedge surface 210 may impart a twisting motion on leaves 110 as they travel along ramps 240 to smaller diameter 270 and larger diameter 260. It is also contemplated ridge 220 may also impart a twist and or rotation to leaves 110 as they expand and collapse, which will prevent relative rotation of the leaves 110. It is contemplated wedge 190 may further contain an inner radius and an outer radius.

(17) It is understood that as wedge 190 drops away from the leaves 110, leaves 110 may slide under each other. Springs 230 and the rotation of leaves 110 may be caused by the loss of support and/or guided support of wedge 190. It is also contemplated that if the sliding of leaves 110 into each other does not follow the wedge 190 exactly, springs 230 may allow compliance so the leaves 110 can keep from binding.

In Operation

(18) Automatic cut and transfer coiling machine 5 may be fitted with coiling head 20 on each spindle as known in the art. When coiling head 20 is ready to receive elongated material 15, coiling head 20 wedge 190 is generally pushed in to expand leaves 110 thereby eliminating and our reducing any gaps between leaves 110.

(19) When it is time to remove elongated material 15 from coiling head 20, wedge 190 is pulled out allowing leaves 110 to collapse thereby removing the tension of elongated material 15 around leaves 110.

(20) After removal of elongated material 15, wedge 190 is pushed back again for fully expanding leaves 110 in preparation for receiving more elongated material 15.

(21) It is therefore contemplated that invention 10 may be and or consist of a coiling head for an automatic cut and transfer coiling machine comprising at least two leaves having a bottom, a first side, a second side and a rounded top side wherein said rounded top has a first side having a tongue and a second side having a slot, wherein rounded top of said at least two leaves are adapted to selectively form a circumference for engaging elongated material, and wherein said circumference has a perpendicular axis; a cylindrical wedge having an axis along said axis of said circumference for engaging elongated material, said cylindrical wedge adapted to engage a spindle of said automatic cut and transfer coiling machine, and a conical outer surface adapted to engage said bottom of said at least two leaves; and wherein when said cylindrical wedge is adapted to selectively push said at least two leaves away from said axis of said cylindrical wedge when pushed in one direction along said axis of said cylindrical wedge and to push toward said axis of said cylindrical wedge when pushed in opposite of said direction.

(22) Changes may be made in the combinations, operations, and arrangements of the various parts and elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, names, titles, headings and general division of the aforementioned are provided for convenience and therefore, should not be considered limiting.