US1394177A - Retaining means - Google Patents

Description

R. wfJoNEs.

RETAINING MEANS.

APPLICATION FILED ^UG5| 1918.

1,894,177, Patented Oct. 18, 1921.

`. VENTQR BY @my UNITED stares sereni" ermee.

ROBERT W'. JONES, OF 'WILKESBAJRE EENNSYLVANIA.

RETAINING MEANS.

To all whomA t may concern.'

e it known that l, Ronnnr V17. donne, a citizen of the United States, residing at Villres-Barre, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, have invented new and usetnl lmprovements in Retaining` ldeans, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates more particularly to that class ot retainers designed to prevent accidental disengagement of rotatable devices from their driving shafts, and constitutes a divisional part of my original application, iiled December 1S, 1917, Serial No. 207,807, although its use is not restricted to this class of work, as it may be applied to stationary supportingI members to retain rotatable devices thereon, and is useful in many other ways.

From the variety ot uses to which the invention may be put, l have chosen to illustrate its employment in connection with winding and rewindingrmachines 'for cinematographic films.

in this art, it has been customary to provide a winding machine having a suitably driven shaft or spindle adapted'to support the empty reel or spool on which the film is to be wound, the hub of said reel or spool being preferably recessed to lit over or accommodate a spline fast on the shaft.

A filled reel or spool may be suitably supported on a second spindle or shaft arranged parallel with the driven spindle or shaft, and the end ot the film connected to the hub of the empty spool.

As the driven spindle turns, it rotates the empty spool to unwind the film from the filled reel and wind it on the empty reel.

This operation is performed innumerable times during the life of a ilm, and the speed with which such operation can be completed, without damaging the lilm, is important.

Obviously, since it is often desirable to rewind the ilms at the maximum speed ot which the driven spindle is capable, both the unwinding and rewinding spools or reels must rotate at a very high rate of speed, and at such speed tend to slip oit the spindles.

As this accidental disconnection of the spools trom the spindles would result in great delay, to say nothing of the damage to which the hlm would be subjected, it has been custernary to thread the outer ends ot the spindles and apply nuts thereto, after the inser- Specicaten or' Letters Eatent.

Patented Oct. 18, 1921. and this application led August tion of the spindles through the hubs of the spools, to prevent such disconnection.

While these nuts answer the purpose to ace tain extent, they have the disadvantage that they require a little time to apply and remove, and often necessitate the use of a tool in their removal, especially when set tightly against the inner end of the threads.

Obviously, the threads in the nuts must be matched with the threads on the spindles, before turning the nuts on the spindles, to avoid cross-threading, which sometimes requires a little time and attention on the part ot the operator.

Furthermore, and more important, the spindles are turned in opposite directions to their usual direction of rotation, as when inspecting the film and in rewinding films lalter each projection on the screen.

Such reverse rotation often operates to turn the securing nuts oli of the spindles to permit the disengagement of the reels therefrom, due to the pressure of the reels against the inner faces of the nuts, when the reels are turned., or to vibration when the nuts are not set tightly.

My invention is designed to obviate all of the foregoing disadvantages which ilm operators have submitted to for years.

Thus, one object is to provide a retainer which is more easily and quickly applied to and removed from the spindles, at a minimum of labor and attention on the part of the operator, and wholly without the use of tools ot any sort.

Another object is to provide a retainer which will prevent the accidental disengagement ot reels from their spindles, notwithstanding the direction of rotation of the spindles. Y

A, further object is to provide a retainer which will remain secured on the spindle against accidentally working loose from any cause.

Still another' object is to provide a retainer so arranged that the outward thrust ot the reels thereagainst will result in causing the retainer to more securely grip the spindle.

To these and other ends, my invention includes the various novel features and comoinations ot parts, all ot which will be more tally explained hereinafter and particularly forth in the claims.

hub is n rl re .n flut q ,1. r" Y anc. acconnnoc W.e a sp ine i a collar 8 on the progectinp,v enc w preferably recessed, as

oiu driving` shait or lspindle inounted to rotate in suitable bearings and venient manner.

Rotation of the spindle or shalt the spool or reel to effect the coiling ing of the tihn thereon.

he outer free end oit the driving` shaft or spindle projects beyond the outer side 6 ot the reel and in the present embodiment of the invention, such outer tree end is provided with a hook-shaped or bayonet slot 92 wheredriven in any con- 5 turns or windby to enable the retainer to lock itseli' upon the shalt, and prevent the accidental disengagement of the spool or reel and shaft.

rlhe retainer, 1n the present instance, includes a hollow cylindrical drum or arresting ineinber 8?, closed at one end except 'l'or an aperture therethrough to permit its insertion over the outerv grooved end of the shait or spindle 5a. rEhe apertured end wall S7` lies adjecent the outer end of the hub 1 ci the spool or reel. @ne end ot a coiled spring 93 inclosed within the barrel 87 presses the end wall 87 against the hub of the spool to hold the latter against the collar 8 on the spindle and prevent la* ral play or the spool which might develop to such an extent es to result in the disc-omiectionu of the hub l and its spline '7. n An apertured cap 8S having a threaded tlange 88 adapted to screw onto the open threaded end the drinn or arresting` `ineinber 87, closes said open end, the. cap constituting a means to connect the spool-arrestingineinber 84" with the locking inernber, or hey.

k@auch locking member or licy, includes a head or linger piece 95, preferably linurled to facilitate operation, secured to the outer end of a cylindrical barrel S9 chainbered or provided with a soclet at its inner end, as at 90, to lit over the tree end ot the spindle 5, and having locking pin or bit 91 projecting,` into the chamber to enter and follow the bayonet slot or groove 92 torined in or on the spindle.

The cylindrical barrel ot the key projects through the aperture in the cap or connecting,- inernber S8, and carries an annular shoulder 9e, the outer lace ot which bears against the inner tace or' the cap around the aperture tirc' to prevent disengagement of the locking and arresting members. The outer end ot the spring,l 93 contacts the inner tace ot' the shoulder, the spring beingv oi' such length that it is normally under tension,

assembled with the cap when the retainer is screwed onto the drum, to press the drum against the outer end of the hub l oi the spool. Y

.The open end ot' the groove or slot 92 e.:- tends to a point Alush with the outer or 'free end oi the spindle 5t.

in applyingY the retainer to the spindle, the spool or reel f t placed on the spindle with the inner end ot its hub against the colla 8, so that the recess Q lits over the spline The operator then grasos the head the hey the retainer anc brings the aperturcd end o'j the drinn 87 toward the outer free end oi2 the spincle to enter the latter i; the druni, the spindle passing axially through the coiled springl The drinn, or arrester isslid onto the spindle until its inner end contacts the o -ter end ot the hub .l ot the spool or reel, a'itcr which continued pressure on the key eorpresses the spring,` to yieldinely hold the arrester against the spool, and advances the charnbered or socketed end ot the key toward the spindle until the outer end of the latter enters the chamber or socket 90 o'l the he* and abuts the locking pinor bit 9i, whereupon the operator turns the keyrelatively to the spindle until the bit registers with the open end ot th locking slot or groove 92. Further pressure of the hey against the tension of spring` 93 then causes the bit to travel along,` the slot or groove 92, the ley'being turned to cause the'bit to follow the hoolrshaped groove until it reaches the closed end of the slot which prevents 'further rotation ot the key and spindle. Releasing the hey at this point in the operation enables the spring 93 to snap the bit into its seat at the closed end ot the groove to prevent accidental release of the retainer' troni the spindle. Y

t will be observed that the key barrel 89 and arrester S7 may turn and telescope 'tre-ely relatively to each other, to permit the 'foregoing oivieration,V in case Vthe arrester should turn with the spool during the application of the retainer to the spindle either because ot frictional contact or because ot burs accidentally torined on the abutting faces oil the hub l and the end-7a or the arrester- The retainer is disengaged fron the spindle by pressing` the key inwardly, to displace the bit 91' troni its sent at the closed end ol slot E2, and then turning` the hey in the reverse direction to cause the pin to retrace its path along the slot or groove until it reaches the branch leading to the open end of the slot, vhereupon cessation of pressure on the key will enable the spring 93 to jump the retainer olf the spindle.

ln practice, it is customary to start the spindle, as the retainer is being applied thereto, whereby to register the open end of the groove With the bit, instead of turning the ley to register the bit with the groove. and in this Way, taking advantage of the rotation of the spindle to cause the bit to enter and follouT the groove. Likewise, in removing the retainer, the key is pressed inwardly to dislodge the bit from its seat, and the eirection of rota-tion of the spindle reversed.

rlhis enables the instant application'and removal of the retainer.

rlhe retainer will be effective irrespective of the direction of rotation of the spindle4 and also whether or not the turns relatively to the ley. y

Also, the arresting drum 8T is of such length that it enables the retainer to be used in connection with reels or spools of varying Widths, the only difference being a variation in the degree of compression to which the coiled spring 93 is subjected.

The continued pressure of the arrester 87 against the spool or other article prevents the latter from rattling, and jvabblinfr during rotation` and thus obviates a further objectionable feature of the prior art.

Changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the several' parts set forth Without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, which, it will be understood, includes the reversal of arrangement of the various elements relatively to each other.

W hat I claim as new, is`

l. The combination with a suitable support having a hook-shaped slot or groove formed in one end thereof; of unitary retainer removably applicable to the support to releasably retain a rotatable member thereon, the retainer including a locking member having a bore adapted to iit over the outer slotted end of the shaft; a bit carried by the locking member and projecting into the bore, the bit adapted to be entered in and removed from the hook-shaped slot; an apertured arresting member adapted to removably surround the outer end of the support, the inner end of the arresting member normally in contact With the rotatable member to hold the latter in place; the arresting member being chambered to inclose the inner end of the locking member; means to connect the. rresting and locking members against disengagement, and to permit relative rotary and telescopic movement thereof; and a spring inolosed Within the arrestarresting drum 'gage the spindle ing member and bearing against the locking member to retain the latter .vhere adjusted.

2. The combination with a suitable support; of a unitary retainer applicable to and removable from the support to releasably retain a rotatable member thereon; the retainer including an apertured drum adapted to inclose the outer end of the support, and prevent disengagement of the rotatable member and support; a locking member arranged axially of, and projecting into the drum, the locking member connected to the drum against disengagement therefrom, and to permit free relative rotation throughout a full circle in either direction, the inner end of the locking member adapted to releasv ably engage the support to lool; the drum against accidental disengagement; means to releasably maintain the locking member Where adjusted; and a finger piece on the outer end of the locking member to facilitate manipulation.

3. The combination With a suitable support; of a unitary retainer applicable to and removable from the support to releasably retain a rotatable member thereon; the retainer including an apertured drum adapted to inclose the outer end of the support, and prevent disengagement of the rotatable member and support g-a locking member projee-ting into the drum, the locking member connected tothe drum against disengagement therefrom, and to permit free relative rotation throughout a full circle in either direction, the inner end of the locking member adapted to releasably engage the support to lock the drum against accidental disA engagement; and means to releasably main tain the locking member .vhere adjusted.

4. The combination with a spindle; of a self-contained retainer applicable to and removable from the spindle as a unit, to re leasably retain a rotatable article thereon; the retainer including' a chambered arresting member adapted to fit over the support With its inner end in the path of removal of the article; a locking member, whose inner end projects into the outer end of the arresting member, and adapted to releasably ena spring interposed between the arresting and locking members; a cap through which the locking member eX- tends, .the cap adapted to close the outer end of the arresting' member; and means on the locking member to coact with the cap to prevent disengagement of the locking and arresting members and permit relative rotary and telescopic movement thereof.

5. rilhe combination with a driving shaft, and a spool removably applied thereto and rotated thereby; the outer end of the driving shaft projecting beyond the spool; of a retainer to releasably hold the spool in place on the shaft, including a hollow ar rester having an apertured end to accommodate the outer end of the shaft; an apertured connector closingthe opposite end of the arrester; a manually-operable key, the barrel of which is journal in theY connector to permit reiative rotary and telescopic motion between the arrester and key; a shoulder on the barrel within the arrester; to coact with tl e connector and prevent diseenneetion of the key and ar ester; the inner end of the key having' a socket to tit over the outer end of the shaft; releasable interengaging means between the key-socket and shaft; and a spring adapted to bear against the apertnred end of the zrrester, and the shoulder en the key barrel., respectively.

6. The combination of a spindle; of a retainer for holding,` an article on said spindle; including an arresting' member adapted to tit over tee spindle and Contact the article; a locking` key telescopicaily mounted in the arresting member, and having a socket to fit over the end of the spindle and projecting beyond the arresting member Jfor manipulation; means te limit the movement i of' the key outward 1with relation to the arresting member; the spindle having a locking groove formed therein; .locking` pin carried by the key; and projecting` into the socket, to enter the lockinggroove; and a spring` inclosed by the arresting member, the spring` operative to press the latter to# Ward the articie and t0 hold the looking pin in locking engagment.

7. The combination with a spindle on which articles may be removably mounted Jfor ro tation; of a sell contained retainer remove ably applied to the spindle, to prevent accidental disengagement of the article therefrom7 and including' an arresting member adapted to titV overy the spindle, with its 1nner end adjacent the article; a manually-operable lookin@ key; the inner end et which means between the key-socket and enters the outer end of the arresting member, and provided with a socket to tit over the end of the spindle, and releasably engage the latter; a closure for the outer end oi the arresting` member, the locking key being` journaled in the closure to permit relative rotary and telescopio adjustment of the locking key and arresting member;

means coacting with the closure to prevent disengagement of the key and the arrestingmember; and a spring operative to press the arresting member toward the article on the spindle; and to hold the locking key in effective position on the spindle.l

8. The combination with a shaft, and means removably applied thereto; the outer end et the shaft projecting' beyond said removable means; oli a retainer to releasably hold the removable means in piace on the shai't; including a hollow arrester, having an apertured inner end, to accommodate the enter end of the shaft; an apertured con` nector to close the enter end of the arrester; a manually-operable key, the barrel of which is journaled in the connecter to permit relative rotary and telescopic motion between the arrester and key; means yon the barrel of tbe key Within the arrester to coact with the connector to prevent disconnection ot the key and arrester; the inner end of the key having` a socket to iit over the outer end of the shaft; releasable inter engaging shaft; and a spring adapted to press the key outwardly relatively to the arrester; the outer end of the key barrel projecting beyond the connectorto enable manipulation of the key by the operator.

ROBERT W. J ONES.

`\Vitnesses LrNN W. BALLET, SAMUEL K. MCHENRY.

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