APPARATUS FOR UNROLLING ROLLS OF IRON RODS AND THE LIKE Technical field

The present invention relates to an apparatus for unrolling rolls of iron rods and the like. Background Art

It is known that reel-like apparatuses are commonly used to accomplish the unrolling of iron rods intended for being fed in outstretched form to machines for working these iron rods, for example in order to manufacture reinforced concrete articles. These apparatuses position these rolls in a provided containing cage, substantially basket- or bell- shaped, suitable for being associated revolving to a generally vertical axis defined on a fixed frame. In particular these containing cages are subastantially shaped in a cylindrical way and permit the coaxial insertion of a roll of one suitable radial size.

Since the aforecited machines can generally work several iron rods at the same time, more than one reel-like apparatus are commonly provided at one side of the machine, each one being intended for unrolling one roll of iron rod. This obviously entails the disadvantage of requiring a large space for the different reel-like apparatuses, thus hindering the machine operation. This disadvantage turns out to be the more marked and problematic, the higher is the number of iron rods to be worked. Moreover it is complained the fact that by the cited apparatuses anomalies can occur in process of unrolling, due for example to entanglements of the

wire at the centre of the roll. Consequently damaging jamming and malfunctioning can occur, thus compromising the quality of production. Disclosure of Invention

The aim of the present invention is to overcome the cited disadvantages, by devising an apparatus which allows to effectively and reliably perform the unrolling of several rolls of iron rods.

Within this aim a further scope of the invention is to provide an apparatus for unrolling rolls of iron rods with a simple design, reliable function and versatile use, taking into account the user's safety and the safety of any other exposed person, and which occupies a reduced space as to the known solutions.

The above mentioned objectives are achieved, according to the present invention, by the apparatus for unrolling rolls of iron rods and the like, comprising a frame defining a substantially vertical rotational axis; a platform fitted revolving on said vertical axis; a first bell-shaped container for a roll of iron rod associated to said revolving platform, for unrolling said roll of iron rod, characterized in that it comprises supporting means suited to be associated to said first bell-shaped container on said rotational axis for the superimposition of at least a second bell-shaped container for a second roll of iron rod.

Brief Description of Drawings

Description details of the invention shall be further evident in the illustrations of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for unrolling rolls of iron rolls, illustrated in the guideline drawings attached and wherein: fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus for unrolling rolls of

iron rods according to the invention in an operational configuration; fig. 2 illustrates a perspective exploded view of the same apparatus; fig. 3 illustrates a sectional view on a vertical median plane of a first and of a second bell-shaped container operating in the same apparatus; fig. 3a illustrates an enlarged detail of the view illustrated in fig. 3; fig. 4 illustrates a downwards projected view of the apparatus. Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

With reference to such figures, 1 refers to the apparatus for unrolling rolls 2 of iron rods 20. The rolls 2 are intended for being suitably inserted in respective bell-shaped containers 3, 30 of the apparatus 1 , in order to be unrolled upon operation by suitable drawing means associated for example to a machine for working the iron rods 20 or directly to the reel self. The apparatus 1 comprises a frame 4 constituted for example by metal sections, on which a rotational vertical axis 5 is defined (see fig. 4). In particular the frame 4 presents a base structure 6 with preferably quadrangular shape, to which a horizontal platform 7 revolving around the vertical axis 5 is associated (see fig. 2). More precisely the platform 7 substantially shapes a disc suited to be fitted revolving through suitable rolling means around the vertical axis 5 defined on the frame 4.

A first bell-shaped container 3 is suited to be positioned leaning on the platform 7, so as to result revolving around the vertical axis 5. A second bell-shaped container 30 is suited to be superimposed on the first bell- shaped container 3, so as to preferably result freely revolving around the vertical axis 5.

The first bell-shaped container 3 and the successive bell-shaped container 30 can have the same shape and in particular can have a cylindrical shape upperly open, centrally carrying a vertical hollow shaft 27. Each bell-shaped container 3 preferably comprises base rays 28 constituted by horizontal metal sections converging to the hollow shaft 27 and contained by a cylindrical ring 29. A cylindrical fence 19 rises vertically from this cylindrical ring 29, suitable for enclosing a roll 2 inserted in the hollow shaft 27 leaning on the rays 28. Furthermore centring means 31 for the roll 2 to the bell-shaped container 3, 30 are positioned externally to the hollow shaft 27. In particular the centring means 31 shape a plurality of vertical staffs 32 leaning on the rays 28 in a substantially equidistant way around the hollow shaft 27. The staffs 32, which are three in the illustrated case, lowerly provides a couple of fixing plates 33 suitable for allowing the fixing through pins at the sides of respective metal sections of the rays 28. Therefore these metal sections are provided with a plurality of borings 34 suitable for allowing the radial adjustment of the positioning of the staffs 32. All the same the staffs 32 provide respective fins 35 protruding laterally for the fixing to the hollow shaft 27. The hollow shaft 27 provides connecting means 36 provided with radial connections 37, corresponding to these fins 35, carrying respective borings 38 suitable for allowing the same radial adjustment as the borings 34 on the rays 28, in process of fixing the staffs 32 to the hollow shaft 27. In practice these connecting means 36 are coaxial to the hollow shaft 27 and joined to it by means of a lower disc 39 positioned at the top of the hollow shaft 27 and of an upper disc 40 ( see fig. 3 and 4).

Besides this upper disc 40 the hollow shaft 27 shapes a tubular shaft 41 upperly open, inside which hitching means 42 are reachable, suitable for allowing to hitch and lift the bell-shaped container 3 for the loading and unloading operations of the apparatus 1. In particular the hitching means 42 are fixed to the cited upper disc 40.

The tubular shaft 41 further comprises a terminal flange 43 peripherally provided with carvings 44 suitable for hindering any interence with the staffs 32 in any condition of radial adjustment. The terminal flange 43 further provides a plurality of coupling holes 45 (see fig. 2). By the terminal flange 43 the first bell-shaped container 3 is suitable for being associated to the second bell-shaped container 30 in a preferably revolving way through the interposition of suitable supporting means 46. The supporting means lowerly provide a shaft 47 rigidly fixed to coupling means shaping a couple of flanges 48, 49 axially spaced. The flanges 48, 49 are suitably provided with borings 50 corresponding to the coupling holes 45 (see fig. 1) for the fixing to the terminal flange 43 by means of pins 51 and screws 52. Peripheral carvings 54, analogous to the carvings 44 of the terminal flange 43, are suitable for allowing the coaxial insertion of the supporting means 46 onto the hollow shalf 27 without any interference with the staffs 32.

The shaft 47 is connected to a horizontal supporting disc 56, suitable for supporting the second bell-shaped container 30, through the interposition of suitable rolling means 55. In particular these rolling means 55 preferably shape a bearing interposed between the shaft 47 and the supporting disc 56. Moreover the supporting disc 56 upperly carries an

axial pin 57 suited to be lowerly inserted inside the hollow shaft 27 of a bell-shaped container 3, for the superimposition of a second bell-shaped container 30. At the top of this axial pin 57 gripping means 58, suitable for allowing the grip of the supporting means 46 during the assembling and disassembling operations, are advantageously provided.

A first braking member 10 is rigidly constrained at the base structure 6. The braking member 10 is substantially constituted by a body 11 containing a linear actuator, not illustrated, constrained at angle bars 12 to the base structure 6 through known fixing means. The body 11 carries braking means 13 suitable for being alternatively moved from a withdrawn position to an advanced position as to the axis 5 so as to operate by friction the braking of a drawn up surface. The braking means 13 shape a curved plate projecting from the body 11 , having vertically directed directrices and bending radius equal to the distance between the same braking means 13 and the axis 5, when measured at the advanced position.

More precisely this first braking member 10 is positioned at such a distance from the axis 5, that it draws up the external cylindrical surface of the platform 7, when the braking means 13 are in the cited advanced position.

A vertical supporting column 14 is rigidly constrained at one vertex of the base structure 6, opposite the first breaking member 10. The first column 14 carries a second braking member 16 at its top, similar to the first braking member 10 previously described. The second braking member 16 is positioned so as to draw up the external surface of the cylindrical ring

29 of the bell-shaped container 30 when the respective braking means 13 are in the advanced position.

A second vertical supporting column 17 is fixed at one vertex of the base structure 6, preferably opposite the column 14. A roller head 22 is rigidly constrained to this column 17. This first device 22 is constituted by a box- shaped casing 23 fixed to the column 17 by means of a suitable bracket 24. The casing 23 is suitable for containing a plurality of rollers 25 which contribute to define a through way for contrasting the iron rod 30. In practice the first contrasting device 22 is suitable for diverting the pathway of the iron rod 20 in order to assure the correct unrolling.

A second contrasting device 26, similar to the first contrasting device 22 above described, is upperly fixed to the latter on the same column 17. The functioning of the apparatus for unrolling rolls of iron rods and the like is easily understood from the previous description. During a first preparing phase a first bell-shaped container 3 is suitably prepared to the insertion of a roll 2. In particular the centring means 31 are fixed respectively to the rays 28 through the plates 33 and to the hollow shaft 27 through the fins 35, at such a radial distance to assure a suitable centring of the roll 2 to be inserted. A first roll 2 to be unrolled is lifted and inserted around the centring means 31 of the hollow shaft 27, leaning on the rays 28 of the first bell-shaped container 3.

At this moment it is possible to hitch the first bell-shaped container 3 through the hitching means 42 so as to operare the transfer of it to the platform 7 in a centred position as to the rotational axis 5. In this phase the first braking member 10 is at the withdrawn position so

as to permit to the first bell-shaped container 3 to freely rotate around the axis 5. Then the iron rod 20 of the roll 2 is suitably unrolled just of the stretch necessary to the insertion into the first roller head 22, suitable for assuring a correct unrolling of the roll 2 self. The supporting means 46 have been previously gripped by suitable lifting means at the gripping means 58, in order to be associeted to the bell- shaped container 3. In particular the flange 49 has been laid coaxial to the terminal flange 43 of the hollow shaft 27 of the first bell-shaped container 3. The supporting means 46 have been angularly centred and fixed to the hollow shaft 27 by means of the pins 51 and the screws 52.

Then a second bell-shaped container 30 is hitched by its own hitching means 42 and superimposed to the first bell-shaped container 3, inserting the axial pin 57 of the supporting means 46 in its respective hollow shaft 27. Thus the second bell-shaped container 30 leans on the supporting disc 56. In particular the second braking member 16 faces the cylindrical ring 29 of the second bell-shaped container 30, being in withdrawn position. At this moment a stretch of iron rod 20 is inserted into the second roller head 26. Therefore it is possible to start unrolling the rolls 2 positioned on the respective bell-shaped container 3, 30, which result freely revolving around the axis 5, and in particular revolving independetly each other. It is also possible to provide for the presence of an anti-unrolling member 60 suitable for peripherally engaging the roll 2 of iron rod 20 in process of unrolling (see fig. 1). This anti-unrolling member 60 is substantially constituted by a roller 61 carried revolving on a vertical axis at one end of

an arm 62 pivoted at the frame 4 on a vertical axis. The arm 62 can be operated by provided drive means and stressed by elastic means, not illustrated, so as to have the roller 61 act on the roll 2 by a suitable pressure. When the unrolling operation of a bell-shaped container 3, 30 has to be stopped, the respective braking member 10, 16 is operated to the advanced position, so as to draw up a respective faced surface and operate its slowing down by friction. More precisely the first braking member 10 is suitable for causing the suitable slowing down of the platform 7 rotating integrally with the first bell-shaped container 3, while the second braking member 16 similarly acts on the cylindrical ring 29 of the second bell-shaped container 30.

Thus it is possible to unroll one or both rolls 2, since the bell-shaped containers 3, 30 can independently rotate and each of them is provided with autonomous braking members.

Obviously it is alternatively possible to provide that the first braking member 10 is fitted on the column 14 and acts on the cylindrical ring 29 of the first bell-shaped container 3. At the end of the unrolling operations one or both bell-shaped containers 3, 30 and the respective supporting means 46 are disassembled, by lifting them through the hitching means 42 and the gripping means 58. Anyway it is possible to superimpose further containers other than the bell-shaped container 3, 30 previously described, by the interposition of suitable supporting means 46. Thus the described apparatus reaches the aim of effectively and reliably

perform the unrolling of more than one roll of iron rods in a synchronous and independent way.

This result is particularly due to the fact that thanks to the supporting means 46 it is possible to superimpose at least one first bell-shaped container 3 and a second bell-shaped container 30 and to perform the unrolling of the respective contained rolls 2 in an independent way. In particular the rolling means 55 provided in the supporting means 46 permit the first bell-shaped container 3 the free rotation around the axis 5, independently from the rotation of a second superimposed bell-shaped container 30, revolving around the axis 5 too.

By an alternative embodiment it is possible to provide no rolling means 55, so as both bell-shaped containers 3, 30 are suitable for revolving integrally. By this configuration the two bell-shaped containers 3, 30 can simultaneously unroll iron rods 20 coming from respective rolls 2, or one by one, provided that the end of ther roll which has not to be used is suitably withdrawn and fastened. All the same it is evident that by this embodiment it is not necessary to provide any couple of braking members 10, 16 as only one item is sufficient. Besides it is evident that the apparatus presents considerable advantages related both to the fact that it optimizes the productive efficiency in comparison with the known apparatuses having a single bell-shaped container, and to the fact that it highly reduces the production spaces by limiting the request of space occupied by the apparatus itself. It is important to point out that the apparatus allows the superimposition of a plurality of bell-shaped containers in a perfectly modular way, thus

assuring a total flexibility in the use of the production space. A further advantage of the apparatus consists in the versatiliy of the bell- shaped containers according to the invention, which considerably reduce the equipment supplied with the apparatus. In fact it is possible to adapt the bell-shaped containers 3, 30 to the size of any roll 2 to be unrolled, by suitably fixing the staffs 32 of the centring means 31 , thus needing neither stocking nor storing any bell-shaped container other than those ones fitted on the apparatus. Materials adopted for the actual realization of the invention, as well as their shapes and sizes, can be various, depending on the requirements. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.