Device for repairing wire spools

Abstract

The invention is a repair device for a spool on which a wire, cable or the like may be wound. The spool includes two parallel, spaced apart circular sidewalls which are connected by a transverse coaxial shaft. The shaft includes an axial bore and each sidewall includes an axial aperture having a smaller diameter than the bore to thereby define a circular rim at the intersection of the shaft with each sidewall. The repair device comprises a circular end cap which has a diameter substantially the same as the diameter of the sidewalls and an arrangement for securing the end cap to the spool adjacent one of the sidewalls. In the event one of the sidewalls becomes broken, the end cap can be secured to the spool adjacent the broken sidewall to thereby repair the spool.

1 . A repair device for a spool on which a wire, cable or the like may be wound, the spool including two parallel, spaced apart circular sidewalls which are connected by a transverse coaxial shaft, the shaft including an axial bore and each sidewall including an axial aperture having a smaller diameter than the bore to thereby define a circular rim at the intersection of the shaft with each sidewall, the repair device comprising:
 a circular end cap whish has a diameter substantially the same as the diameter of the sidewalls; and   means for securing the end cap to the spool adjacent one of the sidewalls;   wherein in the event one of the sidewalls becomes broken, the end cap can be secured to the spool adjacent the broken sidewall to thereby repair the spool.   
     
     
         2 . The repair device of  claim 1 , wherein the securing means comprises:
 an expandable anchor member which is positioned coaxially with the end cap and is connected to or formed integrally therewith; and   means for expanding the anchor member;   wherein in use the anchor member is inserted through the aperture of the broken sidewall and is expanded by the expanding means against at least one of the rim and the bore to thereby secure the end cap to the spool.   
     
     
         3 . The repair device of  claim 2 , wherein the anchor member includes a generally cylindrical body portion which is configured to be inserted through the aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The repair device of  claim 3 , wherein the body portion is comprised of a plurality of longitudinal body segments which are spaced radially around the axis of the end cap and which in use of the repair device are forced by the expanding means against at least one of the rim and the bore. 
     
     
         5 . The repair device of  claim 4 , wherein each body segment comprises a radially extending hp located on a distal end thereof which in use of the repair device is forced by the expanding means against the bore. 
     
     
         6 . The repair device of  claim 4 , wherein the expanding means comprises a screw which is configured to be inserted through an axial hole in the end cap and between the body segments to thereby expand the body segments against at least one of the rim and the bore. 
     
     
         7 . The repair device of  claim 1 , wherein the end cap comprises an axial hole and the securing means comprises a plug member which is separate from the end cap, the plug member including a radial end flange and a generally cylindrical body portion which is configured to be inserted through the hole and the aperture to thereby secure the end cap to the spool. 
     
     
         8 . The repair device of  claim 7 , wherein the body portion includes at least one radially extending lip having a diameter which is larger than the diameter of the rim, and wherein the body portion is configured such that the lip will contract radially to permit the body portion to be inserted through the aperture. 
     
     
         9 . The repair device of  claim 8 , wherein the distance between the flange and the lip is approximately the same as a combined thickness of the sidewall and the end cap. 
     
     
         10 . The repair device of  claim 9 , wherein the body portion is comprised of a plurality of longitudinal body segments which are spaced radially around the axis of the plug member and are configured to contract radially inwardly to thereby allow the lip to be inserted through the aperture. 
     
     
         11 . The repair device of  claim 10 , wherein the plug member further comprises:
 a bore which extends axially through the flange and the body member; and   an expansion device which is configured to be inserted into the bore to maintain the body segments in an un-contracted position.   
     
     
         12 . The repair device of  claim 1 , wherein the securing means comprises:
 a cylindrical collar which is positioned coaxially with the end cap and is connected to or formed integrally therewith, the collar forming a sliding fit with the aperture; and   a number of screws which, after the collar is inserted into the aperture, are inserted through corresponding holes in the end cap and screwed into at least one of the sidewall or the rim to thereby secure the end cap to the spool.   
     
     
         13 . The repair device of  claim 12 , further comprising an axial bore which extends through the end cap and the collar and through which a support rod for the spool may be inserted. 
     
     
         14 . The repair device of  claim 1 , wherein the securing means comprises:
 a plurality of cups which are arranged radially around the axis of the end cap and are connected to or formed integrally therewith;   wherein the cups are configured to contract radially inwardly to pass through the aperture and then expand radially outwardly to thereby secure the end cap to the spool.   
     
     
         15 . The repair device of  claim 14 , wherein each clip comprises a head portion having a proximal end which is configured to engage a side of the rim opposite the end cap. 
     
     
         16 . The repair device of  claim 14 , further comprising an axial bore which extends through the end cap and between the clips and through which a support rod for the spool may be inserted. 
     
     
         17 . A repair device for a spool on which a wire, cable or the like may be wound, the spool including two parallel, spaced apart circular sidewalls which are connected by a transverse coaxial shaft, the shaft including an axial bore and each sidewall including an axial aperture having a smaller diameter than the bore to thereby define a circular rim at the intersection of the shaft it each sidewall, the repair device comprising:
 two circular end caps which each have a diameter substantially the same as the diameter of the sidewalls;   a beam having a length approximately the same as the distance between the sidewalls and an outer diameter less than the diameter of the apertures; and   means for securing each end cap to a corresponding end of the beam;   wherein in the event one or both of the sidewalls becomes broken, the beam can be inserted through the shaft and the end caps secured to the beam adjacent the sidewalls to thereby repair the spool.   
     
     
         18 . The repair device of  claim 17 , wherein each securing means comprises:
 an expandable anchor member which is positioned coaxially with the end cap and is connected to or formed integrally therewith; and   means for expanding the anchor member;   wherein in use the anchor member is inserted through the aperture of the sidewall and is expanded by the expanding means against an axial bore of the beam to thereby secure the end cap to the beam.   
     
     
         19 . The repair device of  claim 18 , wherein each end cap comprises a plurality of holes which are arranged radially around the anchor member and are aligned with matching holes in the beam, and wherein each securing means further comprises a number of screws which are driven into the aligned holes to further secure the end cap to the beam. 
     
     
         20 . The repair device of  claim 19 , wherein a side of each end cap adjacent the beam comprises a number of tabs which engage corresponding slots in the beam to prevent the end caps from rotating relative to the beam.