GB2037945A

GB2037945A - Adaptor for Mounting a Member on a Shaft

Info

Publication number: GB2037945A
Application number: GB7942618A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: GKN South Wales Ltd
Current assignee: GKN South Wales Ltd
Priority date: 1978-12-19
Filing date: 1979-12-11
Publication date: 1980-07-16
Also published as: GB2037945B

Abstract

An adaptor for mounting a reel of filamentary material on a shaft comprises radially inner and outer wire rings 10, 12, respectively spaced axially apart by support wires 16, 14, arranged circumferentially around the radially outer rings. Locking plates 18, 22 are provided at each axial end of the adaptor whereby it may be inserted in the bore of the reel in an axial direction and then limitedly rotated relative to the reel to lock the reel on the adaptor against axial movement. The reel is composed of a pair of wire rings 24 joined by U- shaped wire elements 28, 26, and two such elements 26 enter slots 20 in plates 18 during axial movement prior to locking. The reel may hold welding wire in a welding machine. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Adaptor for Rotatable Member This invention relates to an adaptor for mounting a rotatable member on a shaft. Such an adaptor may be used for mounting a rotatable member comprising a spool of filamentary material wound thereon onto the shaft of a piece of apparatus in which the filamentary material is to be used. Particularly but not essentially the adaptor may be used for mounting a spool of welding wire on a welding machine.

It is an object of the invention to provide a new or improved form of adaptor for mounting a rotatable member on a shaft and to provide a new or improved assembly of such an adaptor and rotatable member.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided an adaptor for mounting a rotatable member on a shaft, said adaptor having a pair of radially inner axially spaced ring elements for mounting the adaptor on a said shaft; a pair of radially outer axially spaced ring elements; support elements arranged circumferentially around the said radially outer ring elements to support a said rotatable member and locking plates at at least one axial end of the adaptor permitting it to be slid axially into a central bore of a said rotatable member, the locking plates being co-operable with a corresponding part of said rotatable member during said axial sliding engagement with the adaptor and the adaptor and the rotatable member being limitedly relatively rotatable after such axial engagement whereby the locking plates prevent relative axial movement between the adaptor and the rotatable member.

The support elements may comprise a plurality of straight bars arranged in circumferentially spaced parallel relation between the radially outer ring elements each of the bars having a radially inwardly extending portion at each end thereof connecting the radially outer ring elements to the radially inner ring elements. The bars, the radially inwardly extending portions thereof, the radially outer ring elements and the radially inner ring elements may be formed of a metal wire and are all conveniently welded at each respective point of contact with one another.

The locking plates at one axial end of the adaptor may extend part circumferentially around a said radially outer ring element and a slot is conveniently provided in each said plate at the radially outermost edge thereof for engagement with a corresponding part of a said rotatable member during said axially sliding engagement together. Such slotted locking plates may be provided at each axial end of the adaptor although preferably two said slotted locking plates are provided at one axial end in diametrically opposed relation to one another whilst additional plane locking plates are provided at the other axial end of the adaptor for preventing relative axial movement between the adaptor and the rotatable member when they have been axially engaged with one another.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided an assembly of rotatable member and adaptor as hereinbefore described wherein the rotatable member comprises a metal wire spool carrying a winding of filamentary material thereon. The metal wire spool may comprise a pair of axially spaced wire rings and a plurality of wire stirrups spaced circumferentially around the rings and secured thereto; each stirrup providing a base portion and two parallel side portions providing containment for filamentary material wound around the spool.

The base portion of a stirrup provides the said corresponding part of the rotatable member which is co-operable with a said locking plate when the adaptor and the rotatable member are slid axially into engagement with one another.

Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description given herein solely by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a side elevation of an adaptor constructed in accordance with the invention upon which is mounted a rotatable member comprising a spool for filamentary material.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the other side of the adaptor.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the adaptor; and Figure 4 is a plan view of the spool.

As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings the adaptor in accordance with the invention is formed of metal wire which is conveniently coated steel. The adaptor comprises a pair of axially spaced radially inner ring elements 10 each of which is formed from a length of wire bent into a circle and butt welded together at its ends. A pair of axially spaced radially outer ring elements 1 2 are also formed from the lengths of butt welded wire and the radially inner ring element and the radially outer ring element at each axial end of the adaptor are in the same plane. Wire support elements are provided in the form of straight bars 14 arranged in parallel circumferentially spaced relation around the circumference of the radially outer ring elements 12.Each bar has a radially inwardly extending portion 1 6 integral therewith which, at its radially inner end, is connected to a respective radially inner ring element 10. Each bar 14 is spot welded to a radially outer ring element 12 at its point of contact therewith and the ends of the radially inwardly extending portions 1 6 are spot welded to the respective radially inner ring elements 10.

The assembly of radially inner and radially outer ring elements together with the support elements thus defines a cylindrical skeletal framework.

The adaptor so far described will thus be seen to provide a central aperture extending axially therethrough whereby the adaptor may be mounted on a shaft. The circumferentially spaced support elements 14 around the radially outer ring elements define a cylindrical surface upon which may be mounted a rotatable member in the form of a spool as will be further described. On one axial end of the adaptor there are provided a pair of diametrically opposed locking plates 1 8.

Each locking plate 1 8 comprises an arcuate segment conveniently extending between two adjacent support bars and each of these locking plates is provided with a slot 20 in its radially outermost edge; said edge extending radially outwardly beyond the radially outer ring elements 12 and support bars 14.

The other axial end of the adaptor is provided also with a pair of diametrically opposed locking plates 22 of arcuate segmental form. As illustrated herein these further locking plates 22 are not provided with slots in their radially outer most edges but are provided with apertures for engagement with the drive elements of a machine on which the adaptor and spool are to be mounted.

The adaptor is conveniently used with a spool for filamentary material which for example can comprise a winding of welding wire. The assembly of spool and adaptor is then to be mounted on a welding machine so that the welding wire can be fed off the spool for use by the welding operative.

As illustrated more clearly in Figure 4 of the drawings the spool is also formed of wire comprising two axially spaced wire rings 24 each formed from lengths of wire butt welded together to provide a pair of spaced continuous wire rings.

A plurality of circumferentially spaced wire stirrups each having a 26 base and side portions 28 are spot welded around the circumference of the rings 24 to provide containment for the filamentary material wound onto the spool.

To assembly the spool on the adaptor the slots 20 on the locking plates 1 8 are aligned with the bases 26 of two opposed stirrups on the spool so that the adaptor may be slid axially into engagement within the centre bore of the spool.

The axial dimension of the adaptor is slightly greater than that of the spool whereby after the adaptor has been slid axially within the spool the slots on the slotted locking plates clear the ends of the base portions of the respective stirrups with which the locking plates are engaged. The unslotted locking plates on the other axial face of the adaptor are then in engagement with the side wall portions 28 of respective diametrically opposed stirrups of the spool since the said locking plates project radially outwardly of the support elements 14 of the adaptor. The adaptor and the spool may then be rotated relative to one another to the position shown in dotted line in Figure 1 of the drawings. It will be appreciated that such relative rotation may be in either direction according to the direction of take-off of the filamentary material from the spool during use.When such relative rotation between the adaptor and the spool has taken piace the slotted locking plates 1 8 together with the axially opposed unslotted locking plates 22 will function to prevent relative axial movement between the adaptor and the spool. Further relative rotational movement between the adaptor and the spool is prevented by virtue of the support elements 14 of the adaptor coming into engagement with the base portions 26 of the stirrups of the spool.

It will be appreciated that the arrangement described herein where the adaptor is provided with one pair of slotted locking plates 1 8 at one axial end thereof and a pair of unslotted locking plates 22 at the other axial end will permit the spool to be mounted on the adaptor in one axial direction only. If desired the locking plates at both axial ends of the adaptor may be provided with slots whereby the spool may be mounted on the adaptor from either side thereof.

Claims

1. An adaptor for mounting a rotatable member on a shaft, said adaptor having a pair of radially inner axially spaced ring elements for mounting the adaptor on a said shaft; a pair of radially outer axially spaced ring elements; support elements arranged circumferentially around the said radially outer ring elements to support a said rotatable member and locking plates at at least one axial end of the adaptor permitting it to be slid axially into a central bore of a said rotatable member, the locking plates being co-operable with a corresponding part of said rotatable member during said axial sliding engagement with the adaptor and the adaptor and the rotatable member being limitedly relatively rotatable after such axial engagement whereby the locking plate prevent relative axial movement between the adaptor and the rotatable member.

2. An adaptor as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the support elements comprise a plurality of straight bars arranged in circumferentially spaced parallel relation between the radially outer ring elements.

3. An adaptor as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the bars each have a radially inwardly extending portion at each end thereof connecting the radially outer ring elements to the radially inner ring elements.

4. An adaptor as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the bars, the radially inwardly extending portions thereof, the radially outer ring elements and the radially inner ring elements are formed of metal wire.

5. An adaptor as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the bars, the radially inwardly extending portions thereof, the radially outer ring elements and the radially inner ring elements are all welded at each respective point of contact with one another.

6. An adaptor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the locking plates at one axial end of the adaptor extend part circumferentially around a said radially outer ring element and a slot is provided in each said plate at the radially outermost edge thereof for engagement with a corresponding part of a said rotatable member during said axially sliding engagement together.

7. An adaptor as claimed in Claim 6 wherein two said locking plates are provided at one axial end of the adaptor in diametrically opposed relation to one another.

8. An adaptor as claimed in either one of Claim 6 or 7 wherein additional plane locking plates are provided at the other axial end of the adaptor for preventing relative axial movement between the adaptor and the rotatable member when they have been axially engaged with one another.

9. An adaptor for mounting a rotatable member on a shaft constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

10. An assembly of rotatable member and adaptor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the rotatable member comprises a metal wire spool carrying a winding of filamentary material thereon.

1 An assembly as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the metal wire spool comprises a pair of axially spaced wire rings and a plurality of wire stirrups spaced circumferentially around the rings and secured thereto; each stirrup providing a base portion and two parallel side portions providing containment for filamentary material wound on the spool.

12. An assembly as claimed in Claim 11 wherein the base portion of a stirrup provides the said corresponding part of the rotatable member which is co-operable with a said locking plate when the adaptor and the rotatable member are slid axially into engagement with one another.

1 3. An assembly of rotatable member and adaptor constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.