GB1005847A - Improvements in packaging of self-dischargeable wire - Google Patents

Abstract

1,005,847. Package. AMERICAN CHAIN & CABLE CO. Inc. Oct. 21, 1963, No. 41489/63. Heading B8M. [Also in Divisions B3, E1, F2 and F3] A package of self-dischargeable wire, e.g. for use as a throwing line, helically wrapped into a multi-layer cylindrical winding held together by releasable restraining means is characterized in that said wire is flat and possesses elastic energy tending forcibly to produce a longitudinal twist about an axis extending within the flat wire so that the faces of the wire define helical surfaces, said wire producing the twist in itself progressively from one end to the other upon release of the restraining means, whereby the wire hurls itself rapidly outwardly under the cumulative impulse of its own released energy. The package is made (see Division B3) from a continuous strip 10 of flat high carbon spring steel, e.g. 0À25 inches wide cut from 0À025 inches thick rolled stock, in a quenched and tempered condition which may be provided with a serrated edge. The trailing end of the wire is anchored to the winding or an outer wrapping is applied about the package. When in use the package is held with its axis in the desired direction of discharge and the core collapsed to remove the inner restraining force on the inside circumference of the winding thus releasing the leading end of the flat wire which forcibly and instantaneously snaps itself into its inherent sixinch twist outwardly from the package followed by the remaining convolutions which throw the wire at least 80 feet at speeds of about 40 m.p.h. If the wire meets an obstacle within ts maximum range the flat wire will pile up to form an entanglement 19. In a modification two continuous strips 31, 32 having spring steel elements 42, with or without barbs formed on the sides of their pointed portions, spot welded to the inner faces thereof in staggered relationship are superimposed twisted together and coiled to form a package, the pointed portions of the elements being resiliently flattended during the operation (Fig. 7) alternatively the pointed portions are pressed up out of the strip. If more than two strips are superimposed the inner strips may have pointed elements on both sides thereof. Barbed or serrated edges may be produced along one or both edges of at least one of the strips.