Fail-safe locking device for reel carrying systems
First Claim
1. A fail-safe locking device for reel carrying systems, said device being mounted on a support member and comprising a first actuatable member mounted for slidable movement relative to the support member along an axis between first and second positions;
- reel engaging means cooperating with said first actuatable member for securely engaging a reel on the carrying system in said first position of said first actuatable member and for releasing the reel in said second position of said first actuatable member;
first biasing means for urging said first actuatable member to said first position;
locking means cooperating with said first actuatable member and the support member and movable between locking and releasing positions for permitting movement of said first actuatable member from said first to said second positions only in the releasing position thereof;
a second actuatable member mounted for slidable movement relative to the support member between enabling and disabling positions for moving said locking means from said locking to said releasing position only in the enabling position thereof;
second biasing means for urging said second actuatable member to said disabling position, said first and second actuatable means being provided with pressure bearing surfaces; and
hydraulic means adapted to apply a fluid medium under pressure to said bearing surfaces for moving said second actuatable member to said enabling position only upon application of said fluid medium under pressure to thereby permit movement of said locking means to said releasing position, and for subsequent movement of said first actuatable member to said second position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fail-safe locking device for reel support systems is described which is suitable for use with reels such as those used with wire stranders and similar machines. In the embodiments described, a pintle supporting shaft member is normally biased by a spring to an extended position. A safety plunger is provided which has a stepped exterior surface so as to define a recess or step. The safety plunger is normally biased by a spring to a disabling position to urge a blocking member, such as a hardened steel ball or sphere, into the path of movement of an abutment surface of the shaft member to automatically and positively lock the shaft member and the pintle. In the locked condition, the plunger member and, therefore, the pintle, cannot accidentally release the reel. The shaft member and the safety plunger are provided with bearing surfaces against which a fluid medium under pressure may be applied by an operator of the machine to, firstly, move the safety plunger from the disabling to an enabling position to permit the ball or sphere to drop into the recess or notch and, therefore, out of the path of movement of the shaft member abutment surface. Once freed, the plunger member is urged by the fluid medium under pressure to a retracted or releasing position. Two opposing pintle assemblies may be mounted on a cradle typically used in wire stranders, and pneumatic pressure is used by the operator to release the fail-safe locking system to accept or release a reel from the cradle. Electrical means may be used for monitoring the position of the safety plunger and for disabling the machine or issuing an alarm upon movement of the safety plunger to its enabling position and, thereby, permitting the plunger member and pintle to move to a retracted position. The fail-safe locking device is also shown on other reel-supporting systems such as bobbin supporting shafts.
15 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A fail-safe locking device for reel carrying systems, said device being mounted on a support member and comprising a first actuatable member mounted for slidable movement relative to the support member along an axis between first and second positions;
- reel engaging means cooperating with said first actuatable member for securely engaging a reel on the carrying system in said first position of said first actuatable member and for releasing the reel in said second position of said first actuatable member;
first biasing means for urging said first actuatable member to said first position;
locking means cooperating with said first actuatable member and the support member and movable between locking and releasing positions for permitting movement of said first actuatable member from said first to said second positions only in the releasing position thereof;
a second actuatable member mounted for slidable movement relative to the support member between enabling and disabling positions for moving said locking means from said locking to said releasing position only in the enabling position thereof;
second biasing means for urging said second actuatable member to said disabling position, said first and second actuatable means being provided with pressure bearing surfaces; and
hydraulic means adapted to apply a fluid medium under pressure to said bearing surfaces for moving said second actuatable member to said enabling position only upon application of said fluid medium under pressure to thereby permit movement of said locking means to said releasing position, and for subsequent movement of said first actuatable member to said second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
- reel engaging means cooperating with said first actuatable member for securely engaging a reel on the carrying system in said first position of said first actuatable member and for releasing the reel in said second position of said first actuatable member;
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32. A fail-safe locking device for reel carrying systems, said device mounted on a support member and comprising a first actuatable member mounted for slidable movement relative to the support member along an axis between first and second positions;
- engaging means cooperating with said first actuatable member for securely engaging a reel on the reel carrying system in said first position of said first actuatable member and for releasing the reel in said second position of said first actuatable member;
first biasing means for urging said first actuatable member to said second position;
locking means cooperating with said first actuatable member and the support member and movable between locking and releasing positions for permitting movement of said first actuatable member from said second to said first positions only in the releasing position thereof;
a second actuatable member mounted for slidable movement relative to the support member between enabling and disabling positions for moving said locking means from said locking to said releasing position only in the enabling position thereof;
second biasing means for urging said second actuatable member to said disabling position, said first and second actuatable means being provided with bearing surfaces; and
hydraulic means adapted to apply a fluid medium under pressure to said bearing surfaces for moving said second actuatable member to said enabling position only upon application of said fluid medium under pressure to thereby permit movement of said locking means to said releasing position, and for subsequent movement of said first actuatable member to said first position.
- engaging means cooperating with said first actuatable member for securely engaging a reel on the reel carrying system in said first position of said first actuatable member and for releasing the reel in said second position of said first actuatable member;
Specification