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WO2018206932A1 - Dispositif d'enroulement - Google Patents

Dispositif d'enroulement Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2018206932A1
WO2018206932A1 PCT/GB2018/051228 GB2018051228W WO2018206932A1 WO 2018206932 A1 WO2018206932 A1 WO 2018206932A1 GB 2018051228 W GB2018051228 W GB 2018051228W WO 2018206932 A1 WO2018206932 A1 WO 2018206932A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
locking member
spool
winding device
cable
winding
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/GB2018/051228
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Arthur Leslie TOMLINSON
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of WO2018206932A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018206932A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
    • B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
    • B65H75/34—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables
    • B65H75/38—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material
    • B65H75/44—Constructional details
    • B65H75/4418—Arrangements for stopping winding or unwinding; Arrangements for releasing the stop means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
    • B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
    • B65H75/34—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables
    • B65H75/38—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material
    • B65H75/44—Constructional details
    • B65H75/4418—Arrangements for stopping winding or unwinding; Arrangements for releasing the stop means
    • B65H75/4428—Arrangements for stopping winding or unwinding; Arrangements for releasing the stop means acting on the reel or on a reel blocking mechanism
    • B65H75/4431—Manual stop or release button
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
    • B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
    • B65H75/34—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables
    • B65H75/38—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material
    • B65H75/44—Constructional details
    • B65H75/4457—Arrangements of the frame or housing
    • B65H75/4471—Housing enclosing the reel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
    • B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
    • B65H75/34—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables
    • B65H75/38—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material
    • B65H75/44—Constructional details
    • B65H75/48—Automatic re-storing devices
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/10—Earpieces; Attachments therefor ; Earphones; Monophonic headphones
    • H04R1/1033—Cables or cables storage, e.g. cable reels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
    • B65H2701/30—Handled filamentary material
    • B65H2701/39—Other types of filamentary materials or special applications
    • B65H2701/3919—USB, earphones, audio or video cables, e.g. for connecting small electronic devices such as MP3 players or mobile telephones

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a winding device having a spool on which a flexible cable may be wound for storage. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cable winding device and its locking mechanism for preventing accidental winding for a cable.
  • An objective of the present invention is to provide a winding device for a cable which is simple to assemble and use, and which minimises the likelihood of cable entanglement when the device is in use as well as minimises the likelihood of accidental winding of the cable in the device.
  • a winding device for a flexible cable, the device comprising a housing, a cable winding spool rotatably mounted within the housing, an opening formed through the housing to allow a cable to be wound on the spool, a spring applying torque to the spool in a cable- winding sense, and a locking mechanism configured to restrain rotation of the spool under the action of the spring in a cable-winding sense, the locking mechanism comprising a locking member movably mounted within the housing between an engaged position in which the locking member is in locking engagement with the spool and prevents rotation of the spool, and a release position in which the locking member is out of engagement with the spool, and a biasing member configured to bias the locking member into the engaged position, wherein the locking member is moveable in a first range of motion in an axial direction of the spool between the engaged position and the release position, and a second range of motion in the rotational direction of the spool between a first
  • the above configuration helps to prevent accidental winding of a cable onto the device and accidental release of spring tension spinning spool without cable attached to be wound.
  • the locking mechanism further comprises a projection configured to restrict axial movement of the locking member into the release position when the locking member is in the first position and permit axial movement of the locking member into the release position when the locking member is in the second position.
  • the locking member may be biased into the first position, where it is axially aligned with the projection, by the torque of the spring.
  • a user must purposefully rotate the spool in a direction opposite to the direction of winding in order to be able to move the locking member from the engaged position into the release position.
  • the biasing force helps to prevent the accidental movement of the locking member into the second position.
  • the housing is configured to define a slot, and the locking member is mounted within the slot, and wherein the slot is configured to limit the second range of motion between the first and second positions.
  • the projection is located projecting from a wall of the slot and configured to prevent axial movement of the locking member into the release position in the slot when the locking member is in the first position.
  • the projection may be located proximate the end of the slot.
  • the degree of rotation needed to move the locking member out of axial alignment with the projection may be reduced whilst still be able to provide a projection of sufficient width to successfully prevent axial movement of the locking member in the first position.
  • the projection has an inclined surface that is configured to abut a surface of the locking member when the locking member is moved from the engaged position towards the release position whilst in the first position, and is configured to urge the locking member to the second position when a predetermined force is applied to the locking member in the axial direction towards the release position.
  • the inclined surface may be inclined away from the locking member in a direction of the second range of motion towards the second position.
  • a portion of the locking member may have an inclined surface that is configured to abut the projection when the locking member is moved from the engaged position towards the release position whilst in the first position, and is configured to urge the locking member to the second position when a predetermined force is applied to the locking member in the axial direction towards the release position.
  • the inclined surface maybe inclined away from the locking member in a direction of the second range of motion towards the second position. Therefore, in one embodiment, a user can move the locking member into the release position without having to manually rotate the spool against the torque of the spring. As the user does not have to manually grip the spool, a cable may be wound on the device by using only one hand.
  • an increased force must initially be applied to the locking member to first move the locking member into the second position to enable the locking member to then be moved to the release position. This similarly helps towards preventing accidental winding of the spool from releasing the tension of the spring.
  • the locking member comprises an arm rotational about the axis about a mid-point of the arm, wherein the arm includes at least one portion that tapers such that the arm narrows in a direction away from the axis of rotation.
  • the width of the slot may be greater than the width of the arm at any given distance in the radial direction from the axis of rotation so as to allow the arm to rotate clear of the projection into the second position.
  • the walls defining the slot are parallel to one another.
  • the housing comprises an inwardly projecting boss on which the spool is mounted and wherein the slot is formed diametrically in the boss.
  • the locking mechanism comprises a ratchet mechanism
  • engaging elements on the spool and cooperating engaging elements provided on the locking member comprising engaging elements on the spool and cooperating engaging elements provided on the locking member, the engaging elements being configured to cooperate to prevent relative rotation of the spool and the locking element due to the torque of the spring when the locking element is in the engaged position.
  • the locking member may comprise a circular body and a diametrical arm.
  • the engaging elements of the locking member are formed on the circular body.
  • the spool must be rotated against the torque of the spring to rotate the locking member from the first position into the second position before the locking member can be disengaged from the spool and moved into the release position to allow the spring to rotate the spool in a cable-winding sense.
  • the spool may have a cylindrical winding surface, a flange projecting radially from the winding surface between the axial end thereof, and a cable hook formed in the flange, whereby a loop may be formed part-way between the ends of the cable and that loop may be passed through the opening to engage with the hook of the flange so that rotation of the spool under the action of the spring will wind the cable onto the spool, to both sides of the flange.
  • the cable hook may be defined by a slot formed in the flange and opening through the outer periphery of the flange. This helps facilitate a user to manually wind the spool if it becomes unwound and/or the tension in the spring is unintentionally released.
  • the flange includes an outer peripheral edge having a knurled or textured surface. This may help the user to grip the edge of the flange to manually wind the spool.
  • the spool may include a plate extending radially from the winding surface and spaced from the flange.
  • this may prevent the wound cable from contacting the inner surface of the housing and rubbing thereupon and so reduces the forces opposing the rotational movement of the spool and wearing to the housing or cable.
  • the device further comprises a manually operable control mounted on the housing for effecting release of the locking mechanism.
  • the manually operable control comprises a release button which is depressible in an axial direction to urge the locking member out of engagement with the spool into the release position.
  • the locking mechanism may be configured for automatic operation to restrain rotation of the spool following partial or complete unwinding of the cable off the spool, upon tension being applied to a cable engaged with the hook followed by release of the tension.
  • the locking mechanism may be configured to allow automatic winding of the spool under the action of the spring following partial or complete unwinding of the cable off the spool.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a winding device of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of the winding device of Fig.1;
  • Fig. 3 shows a schematic exploded view of the winding device of Fig.i;
  • Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a spool of the winding device of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a locking member of the winding device of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a winding mechanism located in the spool of the cable winding device of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 7 shows an internal schematic cut-away perspective view of the cable winding device of Fig. 1 showing a portion of a locking mechanism including the locking member of Fig. 5;
  • Fig. 8 shows a schematic top view of the locking member in its first position in the housing of the winding device;
  • Fig. 9 shows a schematic top view of the locking member in its second position in the housing of the winding device.
  • an embodiment of cable winding device 1 has a housing 10 of generally circular cross-sectional shape and having a first portion 11 and a second portion 12. An opening 16 is formed in the housing 10, to allow access to a spool 17 rotatably mounted within the housing 10.
  • the opening 16 may be partially formed in each of the first and second portions 11, 12 of the housing 10.
  • the spool 17 is rotatable about its central axis.
  • the spool 17 has a winding surface 18 with a flange 19 projecting radially outwardly from the winding surface 18.
  • the ending surface 18 is cylindrical.
  • the flange 19 projects from the winding surface 18 of the spool 17 approximately mid- way between the axial ends thereof.
  • the flange 19 maybe off-set from the mid-point between the axial ends of the spool 17, to provide a greater area of winding surface 18 on one side of the flange 19 to that on the other side of the flange 19.
  • the opening 16 maybe configured such that the flange 19 extends partially out of the housing 10.
  • Four cable hooks 20 are formed in the flange 19, equidistantly spaced therearound, as explained in more detail hereinafter.
  • Fig. 1 only one hook 20 is visible and in Fig. 4 only three hooks 20 are shown
  • a practical embodiment of the winding device advantageously has four hooks 20 spaced such that one of the hooks 20 is accessible through the opening 16 in the housing 10.
  • the number of cable hooks 20 and their spacing may vary. All or only part of the periphery of the flange 19 may be knurled or textured to assist with rotation of the spool 17 against the torque of the spring, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.
  • a separator 21 projects from the housing 10, adjacent the opening 16, and serves to separate and guide the two parts of a looped cable engaged with the hook 20, with one part to each side of the flange 19.
  • the separator 21 shown in Fig. 1 comprises a central blade 23 having a slot 24 formed therein into which a periphery of the flange 19 is received in a non-engaging manner.
  • the separator 21 comprises a central blade 23 which is arranged to lie adjacent a periphery of the flange 19 in a very close relationship whilst being sufficiently spaced from the flange 19 so as to permit rotation thereof.
  • the separator 21 defines a pair of openings 25 one each side of the flange 19 to allow sufficient clearance either side of the flange 19 for entry of the cable into the opening 16 in the housing 10. This may assist in the control of the cable as it is drawn into the device as well as for dividing the cable.
  • the spool 17 has a cylindrical wall 26 around which a cable for, for example, but not limited to, headphones is wound when the device 1 is in use.
  • a circular plate 27 Internally of that wall, there is a circular plate 27 extending in a radial plane and having a central circular aperture 28.
  • the flange 19 is co-planar with that plate 27 and extends radially outwardly from the cylindrical wall 26.
  • the circularly plate 27 is in a plane that is offset axially from the flange 19.
  • the plate 27 and flange 19 may be disposed midway between the axial ends of the cylindrical wall 26, such that the winding surface 18 of the spool 17 to each side of the flange 19 have the same axial length.
  • each hook 20 has a first part 29 extending from the outer periphery of the flange 19 in a generally inward radial direction and a second part 30 which extends at an obtuse angle to the first part 29 so as to extend partially in a circumferential direction.
  • a thin opening 31 and slot 32 are formed through the cylindrical wall 26 of the spool 17, as explained in more detail below.
  • the or each hook 20 may comprise a straight slot formed in the flange 19.
  • the straight slot may preferably extend at an angle to the radial direction of the spool 17 and flange 19.
  • the slot may preferably be of a constant width along its length.
  • the housing 10, specifically a second portion 12 of the housing 10, comprises an inwardly projecting hollow boss 33 having a hollow stub 34 of reduced diameter remote from the second portion 12 of the housing 10, with a shoulder 35 formed between the boss 33 and stub 34.
  • the spool 17 is rotatably mounted on the stub 34 with a washer 36 located on the stub 34 and bearing against the shoulder 35.
  • a flat spirally-wound spring 37 shown in Fig. 6, has its outer end 38 extending into the thin opening 31 in the cylindrical wall 26 over the outer surface and hooked into the slot 32 and its inner end 39 hooked into a slit 40 in the stub 34. Rotation of the spool 17 in a counter-clockwise sense (in Fig.
  • the winding device 1 comprises a locking mechanism 41 which is configured to prevent the spring 37 releasing its tension before a cable is to be wound on to the spool 17. That is, the locking mechanism 41 is configured to restrain rotation of the spool under the action of the spring in a cable-winding sense.
  • the locking mechanism 41 comprises a locking member 42 which is movably mounted within the housing 10.
  • An example of an embodiment of the locking member 42 is best viewed individually in Fig. 5 and mounted on the housing 10 in Fig. 7.
  • the locking member 42 is mounted such that it is movable between an engaged position in which the locking member 42 is in locking engagement with the spool 17 to prevent rotation of the spool 17, and a release position in which the locking member 42 is out of engagement with the spool 17 such that the spring 37 can release its tension and rotate the spool 17.
  • the locking member 42 is movably through a first range of motion which is in the axial direction relative to the rotational axis of the spool 17.
  • the locking member 42 also has a second range of motion in the rotational direction of the spool 17 in which the locking member 42 can be rotated between a first position in which axial movement of the locking member 42 into the release position is restricted and a second position in which axial movement of the locking member 42 into the release position is permitted.
  • the locking member 42 must be moved in the second range of movement into the second position before it can be moved in the first range of movement into the release position, as will be explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to Figs. 7 to 9.
  • the locking mechanism 41 further comprises a projection 43 that is configured to restrict the axial movement of the locking member 42 into the release position when the locking member 42 is in the first position.
  • the projection 43 is also configured such that axial movement of the locking member 42 from the engaged position to the release position is permitted when the locking member 42 is in the second position.
  • the locking member 42 is biased into the first position so that, in use, the locking member 42 is axially aligned with the projection before any external forces act on the device 1.
  • the locking member 42 is biased into the first position by the torque of the spring 37.
  • the housing 10 of the device 1 is configured to define a slot 44 within which the locking member 42 is mounted, as shown in Fig. 7.
  • the slot is formed through the boss 33 and the stub 34.
  • the slot 44 is configured with a width so as to limit and define the second range of motion of the locking member 42 between the first and second positions.
  • the torque of the spring 37 can only bias the spool 17, and in turn the locking member 42, into abutment with a wall 45 defining the slot 44 which prevents rotation of the spool 17 in a cable-winding sense, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.
  • This position defines the first position of the locking member 42.
  • the projection 43 is located projection from the wall 45 of the slot 44 such that it prevents the axial movement of the locking member 42 into the release position in the slot 44 when the locking member 42 is in the first position. It can be appreciated from Fig. 7 that the locking member 42 will be in the second position when the locking member 42 is rotated so that it is no longer in axial alignment with the projection 43; for example, when the other side of the locking member 42 abuts the opposite wall of the slot 44. When in this position, there will be no obstruction to the axial movement of the locking member 42 and so the locking member 42 will be able to move from the engaged position to the release position.
  • the projection 43 is located proximate the end of the slot 44.
  • the slot 44 can be narrower and not as larger an angle of rotation is needed to move the locking member 42 out of axial alignment with the projection 43.
  • the projection 43 can be of a suitable size to sufficiently prevent axial movement when the locking member 42 is in the first position.
  • the projection 43 may have an inclined surface 47, as shown in Fig. 7.
  • the inclined surface 47 of the projection 43 is configured to abut a surface 48 of the locking member 42 when the locking member 42 is moved from the engaged position towards the release position whilst the locking member 42 is in the first position.
  • the inclined surface 47 of the projection 43 may be configured to urge the locking member 42 into the second position when a predetermined force is applied to the locking member 42 in the axial direction towards the release position. To achieve this, the inclined surface 47 is inclined away from the locking member 42 in a direction of the second range of motion towards the second position.
  • the portion of the surface 48 of the locking member 42 with which the inclined surface 47 of the projection 43 is configured to abut may also be inclined. That is, the portion locking member 42 has an inclined surface 48 that is configured to abut the projection 43 when the locking member 42 is moved from the engaged position towards the release position whilst in the first position.
  • the inclined surface 48 of the locking member 42 may be configured to urge the locking member 42 into the second position when a predetermined force is applied to the locking member in the axial direction towards the release position. To achieve this, the inclined surface 48 is inclined away from the locking member in a direction of the second range of motion towards the second position. It will be understood that an embodiment of the device 1 may include either or both or neither of the inclined surfaces 47, 48.
  • the housing 10 comprises the inwardly projecting boss 33 on which the spool 17 is mounted.
  • the slot 44 is formed in the stub 34 and extends into the boss 33 from the shoulder 35 towards the second portion 12 of the housing 10.
  • the boss 33 is cylindrical and the slot 44 is diametrical.
  • the locking member 42 is movably mounted in the slot 44 of the stub 34 and boss 33.
  • the locking member 42 comprises an arm 50 which is configured to be received in the slot 44.
  • the arm 50 comprises a shaft 51 extending in the axial direction which is configured to be acted on by the underside of a manually operable control such as, for example, a release button 52 shown in Fig.
  • the shaft 51 is located at the mid-point of the arm 50 which coincides with the rotational axis of the spool 17.
  • the arm 50 is rotatable about the axis about its mid-point.
  • the arm 50 may also include at least one portion that tapers such that the arm 50 narrows in a direction away from the axis of rotation.
  • the arm 50 has a rotational symmetry of two, such that each side of the arm 50 is the same.
  • the width of the slot 44 is greater than the width of the arm 50 at any given distance in the radial direction from the axis of rotation such that the arm 50 is allowed to rotate clear of the projection 43 into the second position so that the locking member 42 can subsequently be moved from the engaged position into the release position so that the spool 17 can be rotated under the torque of the spring 37 to wind a cable about the spool 17.
  • the walls defining the slot 44 may extend parallel to one another. In another embodiment, the walls defining the slot 44 may diverge as they extend generally in the radial direction from the axis of rotation.
  • the locking member 42 further comprises a circular body 53.
  • the circular body 53 comprises an arcuate member that extends in a circumferential direction.
  • the arm 50 extends diametrically between opposing sides of the circular body 53.
  • the arcuate member that forms the circular body is configured to encompass the boss 33 of the housing 10 when the device is assembled, as shown in Figs. 2 and 7.
  • the locking member 42 also comprises at least one engaging element 55.
  • the engaging elements 55 on the locking member 42 comprise a series of teeth, such as the four shown in Fig. 5.
  • the teeth of the present embodiment are of a saw-toothed profile. That is, the engaging element 55 comprises an inclined surface 56 and a locking surface 57, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.
  • the locking member 42 is located in the slot 44 in the boss 33 when the housing 10 is assembled and the button 52 sits within a hole 58 formed in the first portion 11 of the housing.
  • the button 52 may be recessed in the hole 58, shown in Fig. 3, to help minimise accidental operation.
  • the locking mechanism 41 further comprises a helical coil spring 59 which is located in the hollow boss 33 and urges the locking member 42 towards the first portion 11 of the housing 10 and into abutment with the spool 17 so that the locking member 42 is biased into the engaged position.
  • the underside of the plate 23 of the spool 17 is provided with at least one engaging element 60.
  • Fig. 4 shows that the engaging element 60 in the present embodiment comprises a series of teeth around the aperture 24.
  • the teeth of the present embodiment are of saw-toothed profile. That is, the engaging elements 60 comprise an inclined surface 61 and a locking surface 62.
  • the saw-shaped teeth of the engaging elements 55, 60 are configured such that the spool 17 may be rotated anticlockwise but not clockwise whilst the locking member 42 is in the engaged position (in Fig. 9).
  • the engaging elements 55, 60 are configured such that the inclined surfaces 56, 61 can engage one another but allow for the spool 17 to be rotated relative to the locking member 42, as will be explained hereinafter.
  • the engaging elements 55, 60 are configured such that the locking surfaces 57, 62 can engage one another and prevent rotation in the direction in which they are brought into abutment.
  • the locking surfaces 57, 62 extend in the axial direction and the inclined surfaces 56, 61 are inclined with respect to the axial direction. Therefore, the engaging elements 55, 60 form a ratchet mechanism as the locking mechanism 41.
  • the engaging elements 55, 60 are configured to cooperate to prevent the relative rotation of the spool 17 and the locking element 42 due to the torque of the spring 37 when the locking element 42 is in the engaged position.
  • the engaging elements 60 of the spool 17 are engaged by engaging elements 55 on the locking member 42 and are configured to restrain rotation of the spool 17.
  • the locking member 42 is moved into the release position so that the engaging elements 55 of the locking element 42 are no longer engaged with the engaging elements 60 on the spool 17, the spool 17 will rotate under the action of the flat spiral spring 37.
  • a circular plate 63 may be located between the second portion 12 of the housing 10 and the internal components and/or between the first portion 11 of the housing part and the internal components.
  • the plate 63 may be rotatable with respect to the spool 17.
  • the or each plate 63 shown in Figure 3, may be disposed at or proximate an axial end of the spool 17. This provides optimum space on the winding surface 18 of the cylindrical wall 26 between the plate(s) 63 and the flange 19.
  • the plate(s) 63 may be fixed in an axial direction of the spool 17, that is the plate(s) may be prevented from sliding from their position proximate the axial end(s) of the spool 17 towards the flange 19.
  • the plate(s) 63 including a curved or re-entrant lip (not shown) that engages or hooks around an axial end of the spool 17.
  • the or each plate 63 may be fixed relative to the spool 17 and may be formed integrally with the spool 17 or may be a separate component fixedly secured to the spool 17.
  • the size of the device could be reduced by enabling the first and second portions 11, 12 of the housing 10 to connect to each other telescopically. In this arrangement movement of the parts towards each other can be used effectively to replace the function of the button and to wind the cable on to the spool.
  • the flat spring 37 To use the device, the flat spring 37 must first be charged, unless it is already under tension. Charging is achieved by a user pressing a finger inserted through the opening 16 onto the flange 19 and effect rotation of the spool 17 in a counter-clockwise sense, in Figs. 8 and 9.
  • the engaging elements 55 automatically click over the engaging elements 60 of a saw-tooth profile but the engaging elements 55 prevent rotation of the spool 17 in the opposite sense. That is, the inclined surfaces 56, 61 slide relative to each other causing an axial movement of the locking member 42 away from the spool 17 and against the force of the coil spring 59.
  • the locking surfaces 57, 62 do not slide relative to one another and so prevent rotation in the direction of the torque of the spring 37 until the locking member 42 is moved axially from the engaged position into the release position.
  • a window may be provided adjacent the opening 16 or separator 21 to enable the mechanics of the device to be seen or for part of the cable to project.
  • the window could be provided by a section of transparent material or simply an opening in the housing. More than one window may be provided around the side wall 13 of the device 1.
  • a cable is wound on to the spool 17 by forming a simple U-shaped loop in the cable approximately half-way therealong and then connecting that loop to an exposed hook 20 of the flange 19 and accessible through the opening 16.
  • the release member 42 In order to move the release member 42 from the engaged position into the release position, the release member 42 must first be moved from the first position, shown in Fig. 8, into the second position, shown in Fig. 9. Thus, a user must rotate the spool 17 against the torque of the spring 37 shown by the direction of the arrows in Fig. 9. This can be done by either puling on a cable looped around one of the cable hooks 20 or by rotating the spool 17 by placing a finger or thumb on the textured circumferential edge of the flange 19.
  • the inclined surfaces 56, 61 of the engaging elements 55, 60 are rotated towards one another.
  • the inclined surfaces 56, 61 may engage.
  • the inclined profiles of the engaging elements 55, 60 prevent rotation of the spool 17 relative to the locking member 42 because of the axial force of the coil spring 59.
  • the spring 59 forces the engaging inclined surfaces 56, 61 of the engaging elements 55, 60 together such that they do not slide relative to one another. This allows the spool 17 to rotate the locking member 42 from the first position to the second position such that locking member is no longer in axial alignment with the projection 43.
  • the release button 52 can be depressed against the axial force of the coil spring 59 because the arm 50 of the locking member 42 is no longer axially aligned with the projection 43 in the slot 44 and the cable winds on to the spool 17 due to the torque of the spirally wound spring 37 in the direction shown by the arrows in Fig. 8, with one part of the cable to one side of the flange 19 and the other part of the cable to the other side of the flange.
  • This rotation is possible because by moving the locking member 42 into the release position the locking surfaces 57, 62 of the engaging elements 55, 60 are no longer able to abut.
  • the user may of course control the re-winding by lightly gripping the cable.
  • the locking mechanism 41 reduces the likelihood of accidentally depressing the button 52 and causing winding of a cable at the wrong time.
  • the locking member 42 may be rotated from the first position to the second position without having to manually rotate the spool 17 against the torque of the coil spring 37.
  • the button 52 may be depressed with a predetermined force. Depressing the button 52, causes the inclined surfaces 47, 48 to be urged into abutment and the inclines cause the locking member to slide axially away from the spool and rotate away from the projection 43 towards the second position.
  • the cable When the headphones are to be used, the cable is pulled out of the opening, so rotating the spool 17 in the same sense as was done with a finger, inserted through the opening 16.
  • the cable may be fully unwound and removed from the spool 17, or if more convenient at least some of the cable may be left on the spool. Pulling the cable from the spool winds up the spring 37. If the cable is fully removed from the winding device 1, the locking mechanism ensures the spool does not unwind under the force of the spring 37.
  • Re-winding of the cable is achieved by depressing the button 52 to release the spool 17, so long as tension remains in the spring 37 but if the tension has been lost for example by accidental depression of the button 52 when the cable was fully disconnected from the spool, the spring may be re-tensioned as has been described above.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Storing, Repeated Paying-Out, And Re-Storing Of Elongated Articles (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un dispositif d'enroulement (1) pour un câble souple. Le dispositif comprend un boîtier (2), une bobine d'enroulement de câble (3) montée à l'intérieur du boîtier et pouvant tourner autour d'un axe, une ouverture (5) formée à travers le boîtier pour permettre à un câble d'être enroulé sur la bobine, un ressort (6) appliquant un couple à la bobine dans un sens d'enroulement de câble, et un mécanisme de verrouillage (7) configuré pour limiter la rotation de la bobine sous l'action du ressort dans un sens d'enroulement de câble. Le mécanisme de verrouillage comprend un élément de verrouillage (8) monté mobile à l'intérieur du boîtier entre une position engagée dans laquelle l'élément de verrouillage est en prise de verrouillage avec la bobine et empêche la rotation de la bobine, et une position de libération dans laquelle l'élément de verrouillage n'est pas en prise avec la bobine. Le mécanisme de verrouillage comprend en outre un élément de sollicitation (9) configuré pour solliciter l'élément de verrouillage dans la position engagée. L'élément de verrouillage est mobile dans une première plage de mouvement dans une direction axiale de la bobine entre la position engagée et la position de libération et une seconde plage de mouvement dans la direction de rotation de la bobine entre une première position dans laquelle un mouvement axial de l'élément de verrouillage dans la position de libération est limité et une seconde position dans laquelle un mouvement axial de l'élément de verrouillage dans la position de libération est permise.
PCT/GB2018/051228 2017-05-07 2018-05-08 Dispositif d'enroulement Ceased WO2018206932A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1707365.1A GB2562240B (en) 2017-05-07 2017-05-07 A winding device
GB1707365.1 2017-05-08

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2018206932A1 true WO2018206932A1 (fr) 2018-11-15

Family

ID=59065627

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2018/051228 Ceased WO2018206932A1 (fr) 2017-05-07 2018-05-08 Dispositif d'enroulement

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2562240B (fr)
WO (1) WO2018206932A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011099752A2 (fr) * 2010-02-11 2011-08-18 Choi Seung Chul Enrouleur de fil de casque détachable
WO2015124887A1 (fr) * 2014-02-19 2015-08-27 Tomlinson Arthur Leslie Dispositif d'enroulement de cordon
US20150246788A1 (en) * 2014-02-28 2015-09-03 Nien Made Enterprise Co., Ltd. Device for collecting cord
CH710364A1 (de) * 2014-11-13 2016-05-13 Aberon Gmbh Kabelrolle für Kopf- bzw. Ohrhörer.

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011099752A2 (fr) * 2010-02-11 2011-08-18 Choi Seung Chul Enrouleur de fil de casque détachable
WO2015124887A1 (fr) * 2014-02-19 2015-08-27 Tomlinson Arthur Leslie Dispositif d'enroulement de cordon
US20150246788A1 (en) * 2014-02-28 2015-09-03 Nien Made Enterprise Co., Ltd. Device for collecting cord
CH710364A1 (de) * 2014-11-13 2016-05-13 Aberon Gmbh Kabelrolle für Kopf- bzw. Ohrhörer.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2562240B (en) 2019-08-14
GB201707365D0 (en) 2017-06-21
GB2562240A (en) 2018-11-14

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