阅读说明：本技术 放线管 (Wire releasing pipe ) 是由 B·摩尔 T·科普 于 2020-02-26 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种放线管具有内端和外端。内端可设置在限定放线孔的以数字8构造缠绕的丝状材料线圈的内部。外端构造成从线圈的放线孔向外延伸。放线管在外端处具有凸缘,并且在内端处具有圆形边缘。圆形边缘具有0.20和0.30英寸之间的半径。在一些实施例中,放线管包括在凸缘和圆形边缘之间延伸的管状主体。在其它实施例中,放线管包括具有凸缘的外环,具有圆形边缘的内环,以及从外环纵向地延伸到内环的多个支柱,且内环和外环以间隔关系围绕纵向轴线同轴地对准。(A payoff tube has an inner end and an outer end. The inner end may be disposed inside a coil of filamentary material wound in a figure 8 configuration defining a payoff hole. The outer end is configured to extend outwardly from the payoff aperture of the coil. The payoff tube has a flange at an outer end and a rounded edge at an inner end. The rounded edge has a radius between 0.20 and 0.30 inches. In some embodiments, the payoff tube includes a tubular body extending between a flange and a circular rim. In other embodiments, the payoff tube includes an outer ring having a flange, an inner ring having a circular edge, and a plurality of struts extending longitudinally from the outer ring to the inner ring, and the inner ring and the outer ring are coaxially aligned in spaced relation about the longitudinal axis.)

1. A pay-off tube for facilitating pay-off of filamentary material from a coil of filamentary material wound in a figure 8 configuration and defining a pay-off hole extending from an inner winding layer of the coil to an outer winding layer of the coil, the pay-off tube comprising:

a flange at an outer end of the tube, the flange defining a discharge opening, the flange centered on a longitudinal axis through the discharge opening; and

a tubular body extending longitudinally from the flange to an inner end of the discharge tube, the tubular body coaxially aligned with the flange, the tubular body having a rounded edge at the inner end, wherein the rounded edge has a radius of between 0.20 inches and 0.30 inches.

2. The discharge tube of claim 1, wherein:

the tubular body tapers from the flange to the circular edge, wherein a taper angle of the tubular body is less than 10 degrees.

3. The discharge tube of claim 1, wherein:

the rounded edge has a semi-circular profile.

4. The discharge tube of claim 3, wherein:

the length of the discharge tube along the longitudinal axis between the inner end to the outer end is about 6 inches.

5. The discharge tube of claim 4, wherein:

the discharge opening has a diameter of between 3.5 inches and 4 inches.

6. The payoff tube as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

the tubular body has a wall of uniform thickness.

7. The discharge tube of claim 6, wherein:

the wall thickness was 0.045 inches.

8. A payout tube for facilitating payout of filamentary material from a coil of filamentary material wound in a figure 8 configuration and defining a payout hole extending from an inner wrap of the coil to an outer wrap of the coil, the payout tube comprising:

an outer ring having a flange at an outer end of the discharge tube, the outer ring centered about a longitudinal axis;

an inner ring having a circular edge at an inner end of the discharge tube, wherein the inner ring is coaxially aligned with and longitudinally spaced from the outer ring; and

a plurality of spaced apart struts extending longitudinally from the outer ring to the inner ring.

9. The discharge tube of claim 8, wherein:

the rounded edge has a radius between 0.20 inches and 0.30 inches.

10. The discharge tube of claim 8, wherein:

each strut includes a reinforcement.

11. The payoff tube as set forth in claim 10, wherein:

the reinforcement has a substantially V-shaped profile protruding from the outside of the strut and indented on the inside of the strut.

12. The payoff tube as set forth in claim 10, wherein:

the substantially V-shaped profile has a width that decreases gradually from the outer ring to the inner ring.

13. The discharge tube of claim 8, wherein:

the payoff tube includes two diametrically opposed legs.

14. A kit of filamentary material wound in a figure 8 configuration, the kit comprising:

a box or package defining a wire-releasing aperture;

a coil of filamentary material wound in a figure 8 configuration defining a diamond escape aperture aligned with the pay-off aperture of the box or package; and

a discharge tube having an inner end and an outer end, the inner end disposed inside the coil and the outer end extending outwardly from the discharge hole of the coil, the discharge tube having a flange at the outer end and a rounded edge at the inner end, the rounded edge having a radius of between 0.20 inches and 0.30 inches.

15. The kit of claim 14, wherein:

the discharge tube further comprises a tubular body extending from the flange to the inner end of the discharge tube, the tubular body tapering toward the inner end of the discharge tube, and wherein the tubular body is centered on a longitudinal axis coaxial with the flange.

16. The kit of claim 14, wherein:

the flange defines a payout opening for passage of the filamentary material, wherein the payout opening has a diameter of between 3.5 inches and 4 inches.

17. The kit of claim 14, wherein:

the wire releasing pipe comprises: an outer ring having the flange at the outer end of the discharge tube, the outer ring centered about a longitudinal axis;

an inner ring having the circular edge at the inner end of the discharge tube, wherein the inner ring is coaxial with and longitudinally spaced from the outer ring; and

a plurality of struts extending longitudinally from the outer ring to the inner ring.

18. The kit of claim 17, wherein:

each strut includes a stiffener having a substantially V-shaped profile protruding from an outer side of the strut, wherein the substantially V-shaped profile is aligned with an apex of the diamond-shaped wire hole.

19. The kit of claim 14, wherein:

the box or package is a box having a length of 14 to 15 inches, a width of 9 to 10 inches, and a height of 14 to 15 inches, the box having six sides, and the wire hole being defined in one side of the box.

20. The kit of claim 16, wherein:

the payoff tube includes two diametrically opposed legs.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a payout tube for guiding a filamentary material through a payout hole of a wound coil assembly of filamentary material.

Background

The function of a payoff tube to perform the function of guiding a filamentary material through a payoff hole of a wound coil assembly is known in the art. For example, U.S. patents 6,702,213 and 6,341,741, both to Kotzur et al, describe a discharge tube for insertion into a radial hole of a wound coil of filamentary material, wherein the radial hole extends from an inner coil to an outer coil of the wound coil. The discharge tube includes an inlet opening and a discharge opening in coaxial and spaced relation to one another.

Disclosure of Invention

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

A payout tube is described for facilitating payout of filamentary material from a coil of filamentary material wound in a figure 8 configuration and defining a payout hole. The wire hole is generated in the number 8 winding and extends from the inner winding layer of the coil to the outer winding layer of the coil.

According to one embodiment, the payoff tube includes a flange at an outer end of the payoff tube, the flange being located adjacent to and/or outside of the box or other packaging of the coil. The flange is centered on a longitudinal axis through an opening defined by the flange. The discharge tube also includes a tubular body extending longitudinally from the flange to an inner end of the discharge tube. The tubular body is coaxially aligned with the flange and has a circular edge at the inner end of the pay tube. The rounded edge has a radius between 0.20 and 0.30 inches; for example, 0.25 inches. In an embodiment, the rounded edge has a semi-circular profile.

In an embodiment, the diameter of the tubular body tapers from the flange to the circular rim. The taper angle of the tubular body may be less than 10 degrees. In an embodiment, the length of the payoff tube along the longitudinal axis between the inner end and the outer end is between 5 inches and 8 inches, such as about 6 inches. In an embodiment, the inner diameter of the flange defines a payout opening through which the filamentary material may pass, the payout opening having a diameter of between 3.5 inches and 4 inches.

In an embodiment, the tubular body may have a wall of uniform thickness, which may be 0.045 inches in thickness. The tubular body may be made of plastic or pulp.

According to another embodiment, the pay-off tube comprises an outer ring centered on the longitudinal axis and having a flange at an outer end of the pay-off tube. The discharge tube also includes an inner ring having a rounded edge at an inner end of the discharge tube, and a plurality of spaced apart struts are disposed to extend longitudinally from the outer ring to the inner ring. The inner ring is coaxially aligned with the outer ring and is longitudinally spaced from the outer ring.

In an embodiment, the circular edge of the inner ring has a radius of between 0.20 and 0.30 inches, for example 0.25 inches, and may have a semi-circular profile. In an embodiment, each strut comprises a stiffener, which may have a tapered profile, for example a substantially V-shaped profile. In an embodiment, the substantially V-shaped profile protrudes from the outer side of the strut and is set back on the inner side of the strut. The profile of the V is tapered in the longitudinal direction of the strut so that it is widest near the outer ring and narrowest near the inner ring. In an embodiment, the payoff tube comprises two diametrically opposed legs.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a filamentary material kit may include a box or other package defining a payout hole, a coil of filamentary material wound in a number 8 configuration to define a diamond-shaped payout hole aligned with the payout hole of the box or other package, and any of the embodiments of the payout tube described herein. In an embodiment, a box having a length of 14 to 15 inches, a width of 9 to 10 inches, and a height of 14 to 15 inches is provided without a wire hole in the center of the rectangular sides, but boxes having other dimensions may be provided.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a discharge tube according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the discharge tube of fig. 1.

FIG. 3 shows the discharge tube of FIG. 1 along section 3-3 in FIG. 2.

Fig. 4 shows detail C shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows a side elevational view of the discharge tube of fig. 1.

Fig. 6 shows a rear elevational view of the discharge tube of fig. 1.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a discharge tube.

Fig. 8 shows a front elevational view of the discharge tube of fig. 7.

FIG. 9 shows a side elevational view of the discharge tube of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10A shows a schematic side view of the payoff tube of FIG. 1 in a payoff hole of a wound number 8 coil.

FIG. 10B shows a schematic side view of the discharge tube of FIG. 7 in a discharge hole of another wound figure 8 coil, showing the reduction in coil width compared to the coil in FIG. 10A.

Fig. 10C shows a front view of the arrangement shown in fig. 10B.

FIG. 11A illustrates a front view of a kit of filamentary materials using the discharge tube of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11B illustrates a front view of a kit of filamentary materials using the discharge tube of FIG. 7.

Detailed Description

FIG. 1 illustrates a payoff tube 100 in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. The discharge tube 100 may be made of a variety of materials, including plastic or pulp. The discharge tube 100 has an outer end 102 and an inner end 104. As used herein, "inner" and "outer" refer to the positions of the ends 102,104 when the payoff tube 100 is inserted into a kit comprising a coil of wound filamentary material. That is, when the payoff tube 100 is inserted into a coil, the inner end 108 will be located in the space defined by the coil (i.e., the interior of the coil), while the outer end 106 will be located outside (exterior) the coil. In a preferred embodiment, the coils are coils of filamentary material wound in a figure 8 configuration, such as described in U.S. patents 6,702,213 and 6,341,741, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The discharge tube 100 includes a flange 106 at the outer end 102 and an elongated tubular body 108 extending longitudinally from the flange 106 along the axis a-a to the inner end 104. The flange 106 is coaxial with the tubular body 108. In the illustrated embodiment, the tubular body 102 has a tapered wall 108a of uniform thickness, which may be about 0.045 inches.

As shown in fig. 1, 2 and 3, the flange 106 extends radially outward from the body 108. The flange 106 has an inner diameter that defines a discharge opening 110 through which the filamentary material passes during payoff. In one embodiment, diameter D of bleed opening 110_fi(FIG. 5) may be between 3.5 inches and 4 inches, and flange 106 may have an outer diameter D of between 4.3 inches and 4.8 inches_fo(FIG. 6). In the illustrated embodiment, the outer diameter D of the flange 106_foAbout 4.6 inches.

At the inner end 104 of the payoff tube 100, the wall 108a of the tubular body 108 is rounded radially inwardly toward the axis A-A to form a semi-circular profile or edge 112, which is shown in more detail in FIG. 4. The radius of the profile may be between 0.20 inches and 0.30 inches. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1-4, the radius of the profile is about 0.25 inches. The semicircular edge 112 defines an inlet opening 114 (fig. 3) at the inner end 106 of the payoff tube 100. In one embodiment, the inlet opening 114 may have an inlet diameter Di (fig. 6) of between 1.75 inches and 2.25 inches. In the embodiment of the payoff tube 100 shown in FIGS. 1-6, the inlet diameter D_iAbout 1.92 inches. Inlet diameter D_iSubstantially less (about 32% less) than the inner diameter D of the tubular body 108 at the base 118 of the circular rim 112_b(FIG. 5), inner diameter D_bAnd in the embodiment of the payoff tube 100 is about 2.82 inches.

During payout of filamentary material from a coil of filamentary material wound in the figure 8 configuration, the payout tube 100 is positioned in an opening formed in the coil, and filamentary material enters the payout tube 100 through the inlet opening 114 and is paid out from the payout opening 110. A rounded edge 112 at end 104 having a desired radius of between 0.20 and 0.30 inches provides a smooth edge against which filamentary material contacts the discharge tube 100 as it enters the inlet opening 114. Due to this desired radius, the rounded edge 112 facilitates easier sliding of the filamentary material along the edge 112 during payoff. For example, certain portions of the paid-out filamentary material may have small kinks or irregularities at locations along its length. Such kinks or irregularities can slide more easily over a rounded edge 112 having a desired radius than if the edge were sharper as in the prior art.

The standoffs 116 (fig. 2, 3, and 4) may be located on the inside of the wall 108a of the tubular body 108 and may be located at or near the inner end 104. In the exemplary embodiment shown, three standoffs 116 are included and are spaced 120 degrees circumferentially from one another about axis A-A. Although three standoffs 116 are shown in this embodiment of the payoff tube 100, there may be more or fewer standoffs. The standoffs 116 maintain a certain amount of axial spacing between adjacent payoff tubes 100 when adjacent payoff tubes are stacked or nested within one another. This spacing may relieve adjacently stacked payoff tubes 100 from "sticking" or otherwise tightly wedging themselves together when stacked.

Fig. 5 and 6 show additional details of the payoff tube 100 of fig. 1. The discharge tube 100 may have an axial length L (fig. 5) of about 6 inches. The taper angle θ (fig. 5) of the body 108 is relatively shallow and may be less than 10 degrees in one embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the taper angle θ of the body 108 is about 7 degrees. Further, in an embodiment, the tubular body 108 tapers to an outer diameter of about 2.75 to 3.25 inches at the base 118 of the circular rim 112. In the embodiment shown in fig. 5, the tubular body 108 tapers to an outer diameter of about 2.9 inches at the base 118 of the circular rim 112.

Turning now to fig. 7-10C, another discharge tube 200 can be seen. The discharge tube 200 may be formed of plastic or pulp and may have a consistent wall thickness. The pay-off tube 200 may have a rounded edge 212 identical to the edge 112 of the pay-off tube 100, i.e., having a radius between 0.20 and 0.30 inches, such as 0.25 inches. The overall dimensions (e.g., length, inlet and outlet diameters, and taper angles) of the discharge tube 200 may be substantially the same as those for the discharge tube 100, but the discharge tube 200 is otherwise different from the discharge tube 100. In particular, the discharge tube 200 includes an outer tubular ring 202 having a flange 206, an inner tubular ring 204 having a circular edge 212 or profile, and an elongated strut 208 connecting the outer and inner tubular rings 202, 204 in coaxially spaced relation along axis B-B. Two diametrically opposed posts 208 are shown in the embodiment in fig. 7, but additional spaced posts may be used in other embodiments.

As shown in fig. 7, the pillar 208 is reinforced by a substantially "V" -shaped reinforcing rib 208a protruding along the outer surface of the pillar 208. A corresponding substantially V-shaped profile is indented on the inner surface of the strut 208 in order to maintain a consistent wall thickness. The rib 208a extends axially between the flange 206 and the circular edge 212, although the rib 208a need not terminate at the flange 206 or the circular edge 212. In the exemplary embodiment, the setback of the substantially V-shaped profile extends to flange 206 such that an inner edge 206a (fig. 7 and 9) of flange 206 has diametrically opposed substantially V-shaped setbacks 206b (fig. 7 and 9) that correspond to the setback profile on the inner surface of strut 208. The substantially V-shaped profile of rib 208a is wider toward flange 206 than toward rounded edge 212. The rib 208a has a central ridge 208b that is rounded and not sharp. This rounded ridge 208b is intended to prevent any squeezing or kinking of the filamentous material in contact with the ridge 208 b. Note that as best seen in fig. 9, the substantially V-shaped tapered stiffener does not taper to a point at the inner end, but rather has a narrow non-tapered end.

In addition to reinforcing the discharge tube 200, the ribs 208a also provide keying locating features for inserting the discharge tube 200 into the discharge hole of a number 8 wound coil of filamentary material. Specifically, a wound coil that has been wound in a number 8 configuration may have diamond-shaped wire holes. The raised V-shaped ribs 208a on the outside of the strut 208 are configured to be vertically aligned with the upper and lower vertices of the diamond-shaped wire hole.

Standoffs 216 (fig. 7, 8, and 9) may also be located on the inner side of the inner ring 204 and may be located at or near the circular rim 212. In the exemplary embodiment shown, three abutments 216 are included and are spaced circumferentially 120 degrees apart from one another about axis B-B. Although three standoffs 216 are shown in this embodiment of the discharge tube 200, there may be more or fewer standoffs. The standoffs 216 maintain a certain amount of axial spacing between adjacent discharge tubes 200 when adjacent discharge tubes 200 are stacked or nested within one another. This separation may relieve adjacently stacked payoff tubes 200 from "sticking" or otherwise tightly wedging themselves together when stacked.

When the discharge tube 200 is disposed in a discharge hole of a coil of filamentary material wound in a figure 8 configuration, the filamentary material typically compresses into the space between the inner ring 204, outer ring 202 and struts 208. The filamentary material located in these spaces, upon final payout, will have to move out of these spaces and contact the edge 220 (fig. 7 and 9) before being pulled through the inlet opening 214 (fig. 7). The edge 220 is formed of a compound curve having a convex portion 220a and a concave portion 220 b. As shown in FIG. 9, the convex portion 220a is located at the radially outermost position of the strut 208, while the concave portion 220B is located radially closer to the axis B-B. The edges 220 are thus slightly curved and smooth so that the filamentary material in the spaces between the inner and outer rings 204, 202 and the struts 208 can more easily slide along the edges 220 without kinking or catching on the edges 220.

As previously mentioned, some dimensions of the pay-off tube 200 may be the same as those of the pay-off tube 100. For example, inner edge 206a of flange 206 is defined to have a diameter D_fi(FIG. 7) the payout opening 210, which may have a diameter D that is equal to the diameter D of the payout opening 110 of the payoff tube 100_fiThe same size. Further, the inner ring 202 and the outer ring 204 are tapered and define a taper angle θ (fig. 9) of the payoff tube 200, which may have the same dimensions as the taper angle θ of the payoff tube 100. The circular rim 212 defines a diameter D_i(FIG. 9) an inlet opening 214, which may have a diameter D corresponding to the inlet opening 114 of the payoff tube 100_iThe same size. Outer diameter D of inner ring 204 at base 218 of circular rim 212_b(FIG. 7) may have an outer diameter D that is comparable to the outer diameter D of the tubular body 108 at the base 118 of the circular rim 112 of the payoff tube 100_bThe same size. Additionally, the pay-off tube 200 has a length L (FIG. 9) measured along axis B-B, which may have the same dimensions as the length L of the pay-off tube 100.

The payoff tube 200 eliminates a significant amount of material from the body 108 as compared to the payoff tube 100. FIG. 10A shows the payoff tube 100 inserted into a coil 1000 of filamentary material 1010 wound in a figure 8 configuration. As shown in FIG. 10A, since the wall 108a of the body 108 is solid, the filamentary material 1010 cannot be located in the space occupied by the payoff tube 100. As a result, the coil 1000 (and its box) is sized wider than necessary to accommodate the width of the discharge tube 100. In contrast, as shown in fig. 10B and 10C, when the tube 200 is inserted into the coil 2000 of filamentary material 2010, the coil width may be narrower than the width of the coil shown in fig. 10A because the filamentary material 2010 may be located in the open spaces around the struts 208 of the discharge tube 200 that are otherwise closed to the discharge tube 100. Indeed, when the tube 200 is used, the coil 2000 can compress significantly and thus reduce the overall width of the coil and its cassette. Depending on the size of the box, the reduction in box size can increase shipping density by 30% to 40%. For example, a typical box containing a number 8 wound category 6A cable coil has dimensions of 16 inches x16 inches x10 inches, and such a coil can accommodate the above-described payout tube 100. The use of the discharge tube 200 allows for smaller sized coils (and cassettes) such that an additional 2 to 4 cassettes per layer are placed on the shipping pallet as compared to the exemplary cassettes.

Turning to fig. 11A and 11B, a kit 1102,1102 'is provided that includes a cassette 1100,1100' containing the figure 8 coiled filamentary material (not shown) into which the delivery tube 100,200 is inserted. In fig. 11A, filamentary material (not shown) is packaged in a box 1100 having a length of 14 to 15 inches, a width of 9 to 10 inches, and a height of 14 to 15 inches. Cassettes having other dimensions may be used. The cassette 1100 may be constructed as described in U.S. patents 6,341,741 and 6,702,213. FIG. 11A shows a cassette 1100 and a payoff tube 100, the cassette 1100 defining a payoff hole 1104 in a rectangular side of the cassette 1100. The coil defines a pay-off aperture aligned with the pay-off aperture 1104 of the cassette 1100 and with the axis A-A (FIGS. 1, 3 and 5) of the pay-off tube 100. The inner end of the discharge tube 100 is disposed in the interior of the coil, and the flange 106 is located adjacent to (e.g., captured between two flaps of) the rectangular side of the cassette 1100.

Fig. 11B shows a cassette 1100' (fig. 11B) having a length of 14 to 15 inches, a width of 9 to 10 inches, and a height of 14 to 15 inches. Other sizes of cassettes (e.g., smaller as noted above) may also be used. Cassette 1100' may be constructed as described in U.S. patents 6,341,741 and 6,702,213. The cassette 1100' defines a wire discharge hole 1104' in the rectangular side of the cassette 1100', into which the wire discharge tube 200 extends. The number 8 wound filamentary material (not shown) contained within the cassette defines a pay-off aperture aligned with the pay-off aperture 1104 'of the cassette 1100' and with the axis B-B (FIGS. 7 and 9) of the pay-off tube 200. The inner end of the discharge tube 200 is disposed inside the coil and the flange 206 is located near the rectangular side of the box 1100' (e.g., captured between two flaps on the rectangular side).

Several embodiments of a discharge tube have been described and illustrated herein. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto, as it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Thus, while specific dimensions have been disclosed, it will be understood that other larger or smaller proportional dimensions may be used. Additionally, although a particular type of material has been disclosed for constructing the discharge tube, it will be appreciated that other suitable materials may be used. Such as but not limited to metal in any way. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that other modifications may be made to the provided invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.