Device for unwinding wire from a reel

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIGURE 1 is a schematic side view of the device according to the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front view of the device according to the invention; and

FIGURE 3 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention in front view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a reel 1 from which wire is to be unwound. The reel 1 is horizontally supported on two bearings 2 attached to a pedestal or frame 4, and the reel 1 is rotatable around its axle 3. One leg of pedestal 4 is extended upwards beyond the level of reel 1 and carries at its upper end a motor 5, to the shaft of which is attached a drive reel 6. Fastened to the base of the pedestal 4 is a resilient bracket 8, which is connected to a utilization device 10 by an elastic hose 9, whose length is greater than the distance between the bracket and the utilization device, whereby the elastic hose is limp and sags. The drive reel 6 is provided with a guard plate 7.

In operation, the reel 1 is placed on the bearings 2 of pedestal 4 by means of a crane, or the like. From reel 1, the wire passes to the drive reel around which the wire is wound several turns. The wire then passes to the bracket 8 and thence through the hose 9 to the utilization device 10. The drive reel 6 is driven by the motor and rotates at a speed corresponding to the maximum speed of wire consumption by the utilization device. If the utilization device pulls on the wire with a given force SI, the value of which will depend upon the number of turns of wire around the drive reel 6 and upon the resistive friction inside the hose 9, then the wire turns will lie firmly upon the peripheral surface of the drive reel 6, and the wire is reeled from the reel 1 due to the adhesive friction between the wire and the drive reel. If the utilization device pulls with a force smaller than SI, then the wire turns will not adhere to the surface of the drive reel 6, which due to the lack of adhesive friction will be unable to convey any wire.

The resilient bracket 8 and the elastic, limply suspended hose 9, which have been inserted between the drive reel and the utilization device, make it possible to withdraw wire, smoothly and uniformly, from the reel. In order to prevent turns of wire spilling from the drive reel 6, this reel is partially surrounded by its guard plate 7.

In FIG. 3 is shown an alternate embodiment of the invention, in which the axles of reel 1 and drive reel 6 are vertically supported by the bearings of pedestal 4.

The device heretofore described makes possible the trouble-free unreeling of wire from a reel, without giving a twist to the wire and without any danger of wire spillage off the reel.