US2869719A - Wire processing and storage container - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 20, 1959 E. J. HUBBARD WIRE PROCESSING AND STORAGE CONTAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 17, 1955 [liven/bf EBER J HuBaARo Jan. 20, 1959 E. J. HUBBARD 2,369,719

WIRE PROCESSING AND STORAGE CONTAINER Filed Aug. 17, 1955 v s Sheets-Sheet 2 Oil.

Jan. 20, 1959 E. J. HUBBARD 2,869,719

WIRE PROCESSING AND STORAGE CONTAINER Filed Aug. 17, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ZZZ.

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EBER J. HUBBARD United States Patent ice 2,869,719 WIRE PROCESSING AND STORAGE CONTAINER Eber J. Hubbard, Fort Wayne, Ind., assignor to Hubbard Spool Company, Garrett, Ind., a corporation of Illinois Application August 17, 1955, Serial No. 529,023

1 Claim. (Cl. 206-1) The present invention relates to apparatus for collecting, storing and dispensing ferrous or non-ferrous wire during the processing thereof. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with the provision of a novel and substantially improved container for wire.

It has, for many years, been the practice of those manufacturing wire to coil this wire loosely into a generally circular coil as it left the wire drawing dies. This method of storage necessitated a certain amount of manual handling of the coil, ordinarily resulting in fingerprints and hence surface corrosion. Additionally, the storage of wire in loose coils was found unsatisfactory since it frequently became snarled and tangled, making uncoiling extremely difficult. Various means have, in

the past, been suggested for overcoming the difficulties surrounding the technique of loose coiling. These improvements have, to my knowledge, however, for the most part comprised coiling the wire in some manner upon a spool or reel.

The coiling of hot wire upon a spool or reeloperating at substantially room temperature, has provided serious drawbacks. In the first place, it has been found that upon cooling, the wire has shrunk to an extent sufiicient to permanently deform the core of the spool or reel. In addition to such radial inwardly acting destructive forces, the shrinking of the wire upon cooling also tended to draw outer layers of wire into mesh with layers immediately thereunder with a resulting tendency to spread the inner layers of wire axially of the spool or reel. Such spreading provides a tremendous bursting pressure tending to force the end plates of the spool or reel apart. Even in cases in which the bursting pressures did not exceed the strength of the spool, the wedging action caused such a tight wrapping of the wire about the spool that uncoiling the wire oftentimes constituted a diificult step.

The present invention relates to apparatus for the .collecting of wire as it leaves a drawing die or other manu facturing step and for confining the wire in a relatively loose state and in untangled manner for future processing steps, shipment to a user or for final uncoiling and use. The invention comprises a winding pack formed of concentric drums secured at one end to a base member. The endof a wireto be collected is directed into the space between the concentric drums and the wire following is loosely laid upon the first end of the wire in a neat stack determined by the confines of the concentric walls. Since the coiling operation does not entail a stretching or snug contact between the wire and the innermost drum it has been found that shrinkage taking place subsequent to the drawing operation is sufliciently small to prevent the application of any inwardly directed radial forces against the inner drum or core. Further, the loose coiling provided by the structure of the present invention prevents work hardening of the wire upon shrinking and additionally renders the pack an unusually efficient apparatus for subsequent processing steps r 2,869,719 Patented J an." 20, I 1 959 2 requiring uniform heating or any other treatment in which the surface of the wire is substantially completely exposed for treatment. l

It has also been found that since the wire being stored is loosely coiled between a .pair of circular confining walls rather than wound upon a circular drum, the drum or container need not be rotated, or if rotated neednot be rotated at a velocity sufficient to maintain the wire under tension. As a result of this, inertia forces ordinarily presented in winding apparatus have become insignificant and do not affect the winding operation. Accordingly, Winding apparatus may be substantially'less expensive and without the ordinary brakes, accurately controlled drum rotating apparatus and other equipment heretofore considered necessary for satisfactory, snarl free, winding.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a pair of concentric drums aresecured to a base in any convenient manner. While it is clear that various materials may be utilized for such a container, where it it desired that the materials be subsequently annealed or further processed at relatively high temperatures, it is preferred that the entire container be constructed of metal, such as steel, and that its surfaces be perforate to permit the ready circulation of cooling air or annealing atmosphere. The base of the container is placed on a pair of channels of suflicient depth to permit the transportation of the containers by lift truck or the like with the drums in an upright position in which the longitudinal axis is substantially vertical.

It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide a simple yet unusually effective container for the collection, storageand dispensing of wire. H

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container for wire or the like capable of storing extremely long lengths without encountering problems of inertia, collapse of the internal surface of the container, or snarling.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a vertically filled wire coiling and storage unit.

A feature of the invention is the provision of a wire container having inner and outer cylindrical wallsurfaces between which wire or the like is positioned.

Another feature of the invention resides in utilization of a perforate container capable of firmly confining a wire material, or the like and at the same time providing for the rapid passage of circulating.atmosphere therethrough. t

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved wire container capable of storing fast moving, hot, wire without manual handling and without requiring high speed rotation of the container with accessory apparatus for controlling such rotation.

Still other and further objects of the present invention will at once become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the attached drawings wherein a preferred form of the invention is shown by Way of illustration only and wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a first formof a container constructed according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view in section of a modified form of the present invention;

Figure 4- is a cross-sectional IV--lV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view in cross-section of still another modified form of the invention; and

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIVI of Figure 4.

As shown on the drawings:

As described above, the container of the present invenview taken along line 'tionis constructed for use during manufacturing processes as well as a "storage container. As those familiar with the manufacture of wire, both of the ferrous and non-ferrous types, are aware, this product may become work hardened to a substantial degree during rolling and drawing operations. Accordingly, for some uses in which .a' soft final product is required, annealing is essential after the drawing operations are completed. Eventhough it is desired that the finished product have .-a certain degree of hardness, it is sometimes found necessary to anneal as an intermediate step between series of drawing operations. Since annealing operations require temperatures "far in excess of the burning point of wood material-s, containers constructed in accordance with the present invention and which are intended for use throughout the process of manufacturing wire, will preferably he constructed entirely of steel or other non-combustible material. However, it will be understood that for purposes of storing wire prior to shipment, as well as for sh pment itself in some cases, and also for storage of the w-xreduring certain low temperature treatments, wood or similar combustib e materials mav be utilized. Such a combus ible structure is shown in Fi ures 1 and '2.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the container constructed according to the present invention comprises an outer cvlindrical drum and an inner c re or drum 11 preferab y constructed of sheet steel. The upper ends of the drums 10 and 11 are preferabl spun over as at 12 and 13. res ective y, to provide riciditv and to provide a smooth surface f r the coiling operation. The outer drum 10 is inwardly flan ed as at 15 for rigid association with n annu ar base plate 16. The flange 15 is shown bolted to the base plate 16 by bolts 17 but it will be understo d that these arts may be we ded toge her if preferred. The base plate 1-6 is in turn Welded as at 18 "to the inner drum 11. The entire assembled outer and inner drum struc ure .is reinforced by a heavy plywood b se ate 19 secured to the base late '16 by the bolts 17. The ates 16 and 19 are rigidly secured to a pair of srmnorting timbers, such as for example 2 x 4s, by nails 21 p ssing throu h the plates 16 and 19. It will, of course, be apparent that lag screws or similar threaded sec-urine means ma be utilized for th s purpose.

As above described. the container utilizing wood as a portion of the base and the support runners is particularlv satisfactory for use with conventional lift trucks, the forks of which may be inserted under the base 19. The use of wood in the surfaces contacting the forks of the lift truck provides a unit having utmost impact resistance and at the same time provides for very quiet hand ing. It has been found that the wood is extremely resistant to impact shocksand acts to protect the base of thedrum generally against denting and breakage dur- 111g movement of the drum in a loaded condition.

Of course, ultimate deterioration of the wood is remedied through the simple operation of replacement, which replacement requires no welding or other similar speciall'ized skill.

Drums of the type herein under consideration are constructed for continuous use and preferably are accordingly relatively heavy gauge metal. For example, it has been found satisfactory to utilize 14 gauge sheet steel for the outside drum 1t) .and somewhat lighter 16 gauge sheet steel for the inner drum 11 where the over-all drum diameter is '20 inches and the inner drum diameter is approximately 12 inches.

In operation, wire is coiled into the space between drums 1 0 and 11. while the drums stand in a vertical position. This coiling operation may be accomplished by various means, which do not form a part of the present invention. All such means, however, are designed to loosely coil the wire, thus filling the space between drums 1t] and 11 in successive layers lying on the base 16 rather than successive layers wound about the inner drum 11. As. a'result of this loose winding, and a tendency of fil e Wi o expand if permitted, themajcr load, aside from the weight of the wire itself, is applied to the outer drum 1-0 in a radially outward direction. Since acy-lindrical structure of rigid material has tremendous resistance against radially outwardly directed distortion, it has been found that the present container is extremely durable and far more satisfactory for the storage of wire than the heretofore used spools in which wire was tightly wound about the central drum and forces exerted during cooling rapidly deteriorated and often ruined completely the inner drum or core and hence the entire container.

The container above described is unsuitable for use where it is desired that the wire be heat treated subsequent to its storage. in :such heating operations .the wood parts would, of course, be destroyed. The container of the present invention is, however, fully applicable to.

containers to be used during subsequent heating operations. For such processing, it is preferred that the use of Wood be entirely eliminated and also that the inner and outer drums, 'as'well as the base, be constructed of perforate material.

In the modified form shown in Figures 3 and 4 the outer drum 11d and the inner drum 111 are provided with a plurality of pierced apertures 116a and 111a respectively. Likewise, the base of the container is constructcd of a single piece of heavy stamped sheet metal, indicated at 116 having apertures 117 therein. The base plate 116 is upwardly flanged as at 116a and 11Gb for welded cooperation with the respective drums and 111. Container supports 12% are constructed of box sections of steel in order to provide satisfactory strength with a minimum weight. It will be understood, however, that in certain installations it may be desirable to utilize rolled steel I-oearns for the supports 12% and such a. variation is, of course, considered within the scope of the present invention.

Where the container is to be utilized with relatively light weight wire or the like, the 14 gauge sheet metal utilized in the outer drum, as above described, is entirely adequate without reinforcing. However, in some installations it may be found desirable to utilize external axial bracing in connection with the outer drum. such cases a plurality of vertical angle iron braces 121 may be welded axially to the drum 110 and secured by welding or bolts at its opposite ends to the base flange 116a and the upper edge reinforcing angle iron rim 122. As shown in Figure 3, the vertical braces 121 may be provided with apertures 123 for supporting the container from an overhead crane or the like.

It will, of course, be apparent that the above described modified form of the invention may be utilized throughout the processing of wire, including heat treating steps. By providing a large number of apertures in all the sheet metal confining surfaces proper circulation of hot air or other treating medium is assured.

A processing container having high rigidity and a maximum of ventilation is illustrated in Figures 5 and '6. As there shown, the outer and inner drums are constructed of vertically extending members secured at their opposite ends to a base member and to a top edge reinforcing channel. Thus, the outer drum 210 maybe constructed of a plurality of peripherally spaced angle iron rod members 219a and the inner drumgenerally indicated at 211 is constructed of a plurality of peripherally spaced rod members 211a. A one-piece base 216 is provided with an upwardly turned peripheral flange 216a for welded cooperation with the angle iron members 210a and is provided with a circular series of apertures 2162) through which the lower ends of the rod members 211a project: for threaded cooperation with nuts 21%. Stop nuts .2110 are provided on the rods 211a for locating the rods rela tive to't'ne base plate 216. The base plate 216 is, of course, preferably provided with a plurality of apertures 216d so that air or-fiuid may pass up or downthrough the plate. The angle irons 210a cooperate with a circularlypfcrmed angl i on edg defin ng strap ,2 an

are welded thereto to provide a rigid assembly. Likewise, the rods 211. are preferably welded to a similar peripheral edge defining member 223. If desired, a reinforcing hoop 224 may be Welded to each of the bar members 210a to prevent radial outward deformation thereof but it will be understood that the angle iron cross-section of these members provides sufficient rigidity for ordinary industrial use. In the modification shown in Figures 5 and 6, an overhead crane may be secured by apertures 225 in the vertical bar members 2101;, or, alternatively, may be hooked under the upper edge defining rim 222 between adjacent verticai bar members 2100.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6, vertical legs 226 are utilized in place of the wood or steel runners shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. These legs may be fitted with casters 227 where it is desired that the container be moved from place to place by hand and relatively smooth floor surfaces are available. As may be seen, the legs 226 are spaced sulficiently far apart to permit the use of a lift truck in the conventional manner with the forks projecting between the legs under the base plate.

As above noted, the container constructed in accordance with the present invention provides a far superior container for the processing of wire and like goods. In view of the fact that the wire is loosely coiled within the container subsequent contraction of the Wire is insufficient to cause buckling of the inner or central drum. Further, wire may be loaded from the top end of the container without the need for traversing or level line mechanism heretofore used with spools, without the need of loading, tensioning mechanism and without any need for rotating the drum at a speed to maintain the wire taut. For unloading the container it may be desired to provide a tensioning mechanism geared to the top edge of the inner drum 111 and 211. Such tension apparatuses per se are conventional and this mechanism forms no part of the present invention except in that it is here utilized with a loosely coiled wire strand for withdrawing of the wire rather than in loading the wire.

While the containers illustrated in Figures 1 through 6 embody cylindrical inner and outer drums, it will be understood that for ease of handling the coiled wire in placing it in the container or removing it therefrom, the inner and outer drums may taper slightly away from each other to provide a somewhat wider storage annulus at the top of the container than at the bottom. Thus, the outer drum may diverge slightly outwardly from the base plate of the container while the inner drum may converge slightly inwardly from the base plate of the container as it approaches the top edge of the container. Such an arrangement will minimize sticking between certain metallic wires and the inner peripheral surface of the outer drum.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a novel and substantially improved container for the storage of wire or like products and Which is capable of holding substantially greater amounts of Wire than previous spool constructions and which is at the same time not subject to collapse due to wire shrinkage. Further, in view of the loose confinement of the Wire heat treatment and other process steps may be undertaken while the wire is in the container without damage to the container resulting from either the excessive temperature or from the expansion characteristics of the Wire material when heated. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be made in accordance with the principles of the present invention without departing from the scope of the novel concepts thereof. Accordingly, it is my intention that the scope of the present invention be limited solely by that of the hereinafter appended claims.

1 claim as my invention:

A processing and storage container for wire or the like comprising a first substantially cylindrical perforate steel drum, a second substantially cylindrical perforate steel drum nested within said first drum, a perforated steel base member rigidly secured to said drums at one end thereof only providing an open-ended annular storage space between said drums, the open end of said first drum having an outwardly extending annular reinforcing flange and the open end of said second drum having an inwardly extending annular reinforcing bead, and transversely spaced hollow block-like steel support members secured to the bottom of said base for maintaining said base in a position spaced above a supporting surface for cooperation with the lifting forks of a lift truck or the like and to provide for circulation of fluid around material in said storage space.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 494,275 Kirby Mar. 28, 1893 745,832 Hanson Dec. 1, 1903 856,761 Bourne June 11, 1907 864,342 Smith Aug. 27, 1907 1,203,007 Kegler Oct. 31, 1916 1,830,449 Swank Nov. 3, 1931 1,887,626 Ellsner et a1 Nov. 15,1932 1,995,498 Dempsey et al. Mar. 26, 1935 2,271,921 Luker Feb. 3, 1942 2,319,828 Rohweder May 25, 1943 2,385,407 Endress Sept. 25, 1945 2,640,558 Dauphinee June 2, 1953 2,700,458 Brown J an. 25, 1955

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