Individually Adjustable Segment Or Spoke Patents (Class 242/577)
  • Patent number: 11186463
    Abstract: Techniques for implementing and/or operating a pipe deployment system that includes pipe deployment equipment, which facilitates deploying a pipe segment from a pipe coil, and a pipe drum, which includes a drum body around which the pipe coil is to be disposed. The pipe drum is to be disposed on the pipe deployment equipment and the drum body includes a drum core as well as a lower paddle assembly and an upper paddle assembly, which are slidably secured to the drum core. The pipe deployment system maintains the paddle assemblies in a retracted state to enable the drum body to be inserted into the pipe coil, extends the lower paddle assembly to a more extended state to facilitate raising the drum core, and retracts the lower paddle assembly to a less extended state and extends the upper paddle assembly to the less extended state to facilitate lifting the pipe coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy John Franklin-Hensler, Jonathan Guerrero, Matthew Allen Hegler, John Paul Leger, Peter Andrew Parker, Kraig Tabor, Jagtar Singh Thethy, Alexander Lee Winn
  • Patent number: 11186462
    Abstract: Techniques for implementing and/or operating a pipe drum system that includes a drum body. The drum body is to be disposed within an interior channel of a pipe coil that is formed from a flexible pipe including tubing that defines a pipe bore and a fluid conduit within a tubing annulus. The drum body includes a drum core implemented with substantially fixed dimensions and a fluid bladder layer implemented circumferentially around the drum core. The pipe drum system maintains the fluid bladder layer in a first state to enable the drum body to be inserted into the interior channel of the pipe coil after the pipe coil is formed and increases inflation of the fluid bladder layer from the first state to a second state to enable an outer surface of the drum body to push against an inner surface of the pipe coil to facilitate supporting the pipe coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: John Paul Leger, Kraig Tabor, Jagtar Singh Thethy
  • Patent number: 10953676
    Abstract: Including a pair of support members sandwiching a roll-like print medium and a pair of swing members each including a holding pin for rotatably holding the print medium, mounted on the support member, capable of swing, respectively, and swinging in the direction where the pair of holding pins gets closer to each other by being brought into contact with the print medium, the swing member being mounted at a position biased to a taking-out direction side of the print medium in the support member and a length of the swing member in a swing radial direction being smaller than a length of the support member in a taking-in/out direction of the print medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: SATO HOLDINGS KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideyuki Maeda
  • Patent number: 10954099
    Abstract: An apparatus for the accumulation of wire or cable, the apparatus including a collapsible reel assembly, the collapsible reel assembly including a central hollow arbor, a fixed inner support structure axially centered on and rigidly attached to the central hollow arbor, wherein the fixed inner support has a first end and a second end, a fixed flange, axially centered on and attached to the first end of the fixed inner support structure, a removable flange, axially centered on and removably attached to the second end of the fixed inner support structure opposite the fixed flange and an inner drum assembly. The inner drum assembly including a plurality of moving inner support structures movably attached to the fixed inner support structure and a plurality of inwardly-collapsible drum segments. Wherein the inwardly-collapsible drum segments collapse inward after the removable flange is removed from the collapsible reel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Bigbee, Jr., John L. Rhoads, Andrew P. Hull, Benjamin L. Weatherford
  • Patent number: 10549945
    Abstract: An apparatus for the accumulation of wire or cable, the apparatus including a collapsible reel assembly, the collapsible reel assembly including a central hollow arbor, a fixed inner support structure axially centered on and rigidly attached to the central hollow arbor, wherein the fixed inner support has a first end and a second end, a fixed flange, axially centered on and attached to the first end of the fixed inner support structure, a removable flange, axially centered on and removably attached to the second end of the fixed inner support structure opposite the fixed flange and an inner drum assembly. The inner drum assembly including a plurality of moving inner support structures movably attached to the fixed inner support structure and a plurality of inwardly-collapsible drum segments. Wherein the inwardly-collapsible drum segments collapse inward after the removable flange is removed from the collapsible reel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Bigbee, Jr., John L. Rhoads, Andrew P. Hull, Benjamin L. Weatherford
  • Patent number: 10294066
    Abstract: An apparatus for the accumulation of wire or cable, the apparatus including a collapsible reel assembly, the collapsible reel assembly including a central hollow arbor, a fixed inner support structure axially centered on and rigidly attached to the central hollow arbor, wherein the fixed inner support has a first end and a second end, a fixed flange, axially centered on and attached to the first end of the fixed inner support structure, a removable flange, axially centered on and removably attached to the second end of the fixed inner support structure opposite the fixed flange and an inner drum assembly. The inner drum assembly including a plurality of moving inner support structures movably attached to the fixed inner support structure and a plurality of inwardly-collapsible drum segments. Wherein the inwardly-collapsible drum segments collapse inward after the removable flange is removed from the collapsible reel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Bigbee, Jr., John L. Rhoads, Andrew P. Hull, Benjamin L. Weatherford
  • Patent number: 9630803
    Abstract: A dispenser is used for dispensing flexible material from a coil. The dispenser includes a frame, a coil carriage mounted to the frame and a brake/payout assembly mounted to the frame. The frame defines an axis of rotation about which the coil carriage rotates. The coil is securable within the coil carriage for rotation with the carriage. The brake/payout assembly is operably mounted to the frame and is moveable toward and away from the coil carriage. The brake/payout assembly is biased toward the coil carriage for engagement with the carriage. The brake/payout assembly engages the coil carriage to slow rotation of the carriage and includes a nip region through which the flexible material traverses during payout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: SIGNODE INDUSTRIAL GROUP LLC
    Inventors: Walter L. Boss, Daniel R. Pearson, Wayne J. Skonieczny, Jr., Michael T. Schmitt, Lawrence J. Schurder, Thomas J. Kelley
  • Patent number: 8985496
    Abstract: A drum assembly having a post, and first and second spoke frames. Each of the first and second spoke frames includes expandable spokes and immovable spokes, extending away from the post. Each expandable spoke includes a distal end movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A plurality of first drum segments each are mounted to the distal end of one of the expandable spokes of the first spoke frame and to the distal end of one of the expandable spokes of the second spoke frame. A plurality of second drum segments each mounted to an end of one of the immovable spokes of the first spoke frame and to an end of one of the immovable spokes of the second spoke frame. Mechanical actuators, extending between the post and either the expandable spokes or the first drum segments, move the expandable spokes between the retracted and extended positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: FlexSteel Pipeline Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Dillinger, Jagtar Thethy
  • Patent number: 8381789
    Abstract: An automatic drywall taper is provided. The automatic drywall taper has a securing device for securing drywall tape to the body of the taper during use. The securing device has an elongated bar which runs substantially parallel to the body of the taper. The elongated bar is spring activated to lock a hub on a bar which is attached substantially perpendicular to the body of the taper. The hub rotates thereby allowing the tape to dispense and be used on drywall. The hub has a braking mechanism which allows for the controlled release of the tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Drywall Master Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Payne
  • Publication number: 20120032021
    Abstract: A roll medium holding unit is disclosed that includes a core part configured to be inserted in a core pipe of a roll medium; and plural diameter-increasing members configured to be variably arranged at corresponding first positions provided along a periphery of the core part and arranged at corresponding second positions provided away from the core part. The roll medium holding unit is capable of being set in a first holding state where the diameter-increasing members arranged at an outer peripheral surface of the core part support the roll medium with the diameter-increasing members arranged at the corresponding first positions and capable of being set in a second holding state where the core part of a holding member supports the roll medium with the diameter-increasing members arranged at the corresponding second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: SHIGERU MORINAGA, KAZUHIRO WAKAMATSU, TAKAYUKI NIIHARA, KIKUYA NAKADA
  • Publication number: 20110192019
    Abstract: To provide a spool for a coil winding device capable of preventing poor insulation caused by a leakage of coil wires without initially inserted coil wires staying at the vicinity of slot openings. A spool for a coil winding device of this invention includes a plurality of coil winding surfaces increased stepwise in diameter from the bottom upward in a state where the spool is disposed on the coil winding device. The spool includes a front spool part and a rear spool part, which are placed at a distance from each other so that each turn of coil has a length corresponding to arbitrary lamination thickness of the stator core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Shijo, Masaya Motogashi, Hiroyuki Akita, Toshio Arai
  • Patent number: 7857251
    Abstract: Film lamination vehicles and methods that can be used to laminate films to surfaces are disclosed. The vehicles and methods use a moving lamination device that forms a lamination front over which the film is applied to the surface. The lamination front complies to irregularities in the surface such as dips, bumps, etc. while providing substantially uniform pressure such that the film conforms to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jason L. Aveldson, Conrad V. Anderson, H. Aaron Christmann, Anne M. DePalma, Brian T. Loesch, Chin-Yee Ng, Justin W. Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 7658345
    Abstract: A fiber axis cart includes a series of spools arranged side-by-side on a common shaft where the spools may be locked to turn with the shaft, or they may be made to turn independent of the shaft. A cable is wound onto the spools. The cable winding progresses to the next spool at each access point on the cable. Cable slack for working on each access point is obtained by unlocking the spools and allowing the spools to rotate with respect to an adjacent spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Ray Wells, Larry Sorenson
  • Publication number: 20090152390
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a cable spool includes a hub having an outer surface that is retractable and expandable, and a single end plate affixed to an end of the hub. In other embodiments, an apparatus includes an assembly of cascaded, temporarily interlocked spools that can be used for simultaneous despooling or spooling of multiple cable coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: James Robert Underbrink, Donn Matthew Perkins, George R. Aguayo
  • Publication number: 20090020642
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reel mandrel (1) comprising radially mobile expansion segments (2) and/or closing strips (4, 13) arranged on the periphery thereof. According to the invention, the reel mandrel (1) is provided with axially arranged guiding grooves (12) on the periphery thereof, and the expansion segments (2) are provided with ribs (6). The invention further relates to a method for fixing and/or maintaining an expansion segment (2) and/or a closing strip (3, 13) on a reel mandrel (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2006
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventor: Wolfgang Denker
  • Patent number: 7331543
    Abstract: A strap reel support device for a strap reel stand includes a telescopic rod unit pivotally fitted on a transverse shaft secured on the upper center of a frame body. The telescopic rod unit is equidistantly secured thereon with three main rods radially extending outward and respectively fitted therein with a telescopic support rod. The three support rods of the telescopic rod unit are able to be adjusted to extend outward or contract inward to have their outer ends pushing and supporting the inner wall of different-sized packing strap reels. An inner disc and an outer disc are fitted on the shaft of the stand body for restricting and positioning the inner and the outer side of the packing strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventor: Hsiu-Man Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 6659389
    Abstract: A dual-mode hose roller including a crank and a mounting plate may be used to roll up collapsed hose into either a compact hose roll or an expanded hose coil. The crank and mounting plate are arranged to facilitate transmission of torque from the crank to the desired type of hose winding. When a compact hose roll is desired, torque is transmitted directly to the hose. When an expanded hose coil is desired, torque is transmitted to the hose through the mounting plate and several extension arms. The extension arms are sized so that the hose roller forms an expanded hose coil having a suitable diameter for structural fire hose. The mounting plate is rotatably mounted on a fixed support through a bearing and, optionally, a ratchet mechanism. Using the hose roller, preparation is made for fighting a structural fire arranging a section of collapsed hose into a hose bundle. A section of hose is rolled up into an expanded hose coil and arranged into a number of hose loops to form a hose bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventors: Richard W. Hoffmann, Richard L. Garner
  • Patent number: 6508433
    Abstract: A collapsible hub assembly is disclosed. The collapsible hub assembly includes a hub having a slot formed therein and a first contact surface, a wedge movably positioned in the slot and including a second contact surface. The wedge is movable between a locked position and a collapsed position. With the wedge in the locked position, a material pack is wound onto the collapsible hub assembly and engages the first and second contact surfaces with a first force that fixedly connects the material pack to the hub and the wedge. The material pack can be removed from the collapsible hub assembly by moving the wedge to the collapsed position so that the magnitude of the first force is reduced and the material pack is not fixedly connected to the hub. A lock can be movably positioned in the slot to hold the wedge at the locked position. The wedge can be moved to the collapsed position by removing the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Albert H. Jeans
  • Patent number: 6431492
    Abstract: An integrated adjustable core support and medium guide device comprises a left support member, a right support member substantially parallel to the left support member, and a connecting mechanism coupled between the left and the right support members at opposite ends, the left support member having a left adjustable core support ear integrated with a left guide wall and a left guide rail, the right support member having a right adjustable core support ear integrated with a right guide wall and a right guide rail, the left and the right core support ears respectively including a semicircular upper half securely coupled to the left and the right support members respectively and including a semicircular lower half movably coupled to the left and the right support members respectively, the lower halves being vertically adjustable and the connecting mechanism being laterally adjustable of its width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventor: Steve Chillscyzn
  • Patent number: 6345660
    Abstract: A laminating apparatus and methods are provided for laminating fabric such as for a disposable garment. The apparatus preferably includes a frame having upper and lower frame regions, a first roll of fabric mounted to the upper frame region so as to provide a first web of fabric when unwound from the first fabric roll, and a second roll of fabric mounted to the lower frame region and positioned adjacent the first fabric roll so as to provide a second web of fabric when unwound from the second fabric roll. A fabric dance controller is preferably positioned downstream from the first and second fabric rolls and positioned to receive the first and second webs of fabric therefrom for dancingly controlling the tension of the first and second webs of fabric being received from the first and second fabric rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Inventors: John M. Tharpe, Jr., Robert M. Herrin
  • Publication number: 20010035473
    Abstract: A spooler is used for storing and distributing an elongate, flexible member. The spooler has a base and a rotary support rotatably and detachably mounted to the base. A plurality of load-bearing arms are detachably connected to and extend radially from the rotary support. At least one spool guide is included, each spool guide being slidably located and selectively mounted along one of the load-bearing arms. Each spool guide extends substantially vertically from one of the load-bearing arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventor: Scott L. Patton
  • Patent number: 6267319
    Abstract: A dual-mode hose roller including a crank and a mounting plate may be used to roll up collapsed hose into either a compact hose roll or an expanded hose coil. The crank and mounting plate are arranged to facilitate transmission of torque from the crank to the desired type of hose winding. When a compact hose roll is desired, torque is transmitted directly to the hose. When an expanded hose coil is desired, torque is transmitted to the hose through the mounting plate and several extension arms. The extension arms are sized so that the hose roller forms an expanded hose coil having a suitable diameter for structural fire hose. The mounting plate is rotatably mounted on a fixed support through a bearing and, optionally, a ratchet mechanism. Using the hose roller, preparation is made for fighting a structural fire arranging a section of collapsed hose into a hose bundle. A section of hose is rolled up into an expanded hose coil and arranged into a number of hose loops to form a hose bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Inventors: Richard W. Hoffmann, Richard L. Garner
  • Patent number: 6206323
    Abstract: A yarn package holder wherein a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades are pivotally connected to a pair of axially spaced discs adapted to be connected to the creel of a textile machine. A detent assembly is provided between the blades and discs so that the blades can be pivoted and fixed at a desired radial position relative to the discs for supporting yarn package tubes of different diameters. The blades are rigidly held against the inside surface of the yarn package tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Exim Ltd.
    Inventor: Larry W. Byars
  • Patent number: 5961062
    Abstract: A method of neatly retaining cords, such as electrical cords, in a box, such as a surge protector, utilizes a brace member and two inverted-L-shaped members. The brace member can be mounted on the bottom of the box, so that the two inverted-L-shaped members extend upwards from the bottom of the box. A cord can then be neatly wrapped around the two inverted-L-shaped members, with the horizontal prong of each inverted-L-shaped member holding the cord in place so that it does not uncoil. One of the inverted-L-shaped members is movable along the brace member, to properly accommodate various lengths of cord. Multiple cord retainers may be mounted in a surge protector or other power cord box, each one suitable for neatly retaining a separate electrical cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventor: Amanda Herbst Beihl
  • Patent number: 5833169
    Abstract: A bathroom tissue dispenser for holding both a large fresh roll and a remnant roll of bathroom tissues. The dispenser has a base with a spindle on a main support area of the base for carrying the large fresh roll of bathroom tissue. The base has a secondary support area beneath the main support area with stub shafts thereon for carrying the remnant roll of bathroom tissue directly beneath the large roll. The remnant roll is carried with its axis perpendicular to the axis of the large roll. The spindle preferably has a tubular body and detachable ribs for increasing the diameter of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: G. H. Wood & Wyant Inc.
    Inventor: Michel Morand
  • Patent number: 5704564
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting ribbon which utilizes a reel that is mounted on a frame. The reel is to be manually rotated with a length of ribbon to be wound on the peripheral surface of the reel which comprises a plurality of elongated arms. One revolution of the reel to be completed for a single length of ribbon. Upon the desired number of revolutions of the reel, the ribbon is then to be cut in a direction along the length of the reel which will result in a producing of a plurality of identical lengths of ribbon. The peripheral surface of the reel is adjustable radially relative to the rotating center shaft of the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Inventor: Bret J. Neiderman
  • Patent number: 5582360
    Abstract: An adjustable ribbon cutter for cutting large quantities of rolled ribbon quickly and uniformly to selected lengths is disclosed. Two posts extend upwardly from base elements attachable or adherent by weight to a table at different selectable spaced apart locations, the distance between which is established by indicia on the table or a measuring element. Ribbon is continuously wrapped around the spaced apart posts for a selected number of turns. Then all the turns can be cut somewhere along the length to produce a plurality of uniformly cut ribbon lengths. The length of the final ribbon cuts depends only upon the length of the table or flat surface. Further, the posts, themselves can be of telescoping construction to allow compact storage, and can be tapered to allow seating of the ribbons without slippage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Inventor: Marc B. Herman