"A Cable Reel"

Introduction

The invention relates to cable reels.

At present there is a requirement for farmers to fence off fields into a number of paddocks so that there is rotation of grazing in the field. This is a time-consuming task, even if using electric fences. There is also a requirement ¹ in some circumstances to provide a second ("back-fence") fence.

The invention is directed towards providing more convenience in providing electric fences, such as for fencing off paddocks.

Statements of Invention

According to the invention, there is provided a cable reel comprising a cable drum, and an electrical connector connected to cable wound on the drum and having means for connection to an external cable, the electrical connector being configured for physical support of the reel when connected to the external cable.

In one embodiment, the drum comprises flanges, and the electrical connector is mounted on a flange.

In another embodiment, the electrical connector is configured to remain in contact with an external cable while the reel is pulled by unwound cable which is pulled taut.

Ih a further embodiment, the connector is movable between two positions, an electrical connection position at which it makes electrical connection with the external cable, and a

physical support only position at which an insulator only of the connector engages the external cable.

In one embodiment, the connector is pivoted between the positions. 5

In another embodiment, the connector comprises a spindle of conductive material and an insulating part pivoting on the spindle.

In a further embodiment, the insulating part has a generally closed loop configuration, 10 with an opening for entry of the external cable.

In one embodiment, the insulating part comprises a hook of insulating material.

In another embodiment, the insulating part is configured as a handle for the reel. 15

Detailed Description of the Invention

^' <* ^" The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying 20 drawings in which:-

Fig. 1 is diagrammatic perspective view, not to scale, showing how a paddock is fenced off with use of a cable reel of the invention;

5 Fig. 2 is a more detailed view, showing how a connection is made using the cable reel;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the cable reel;

0 Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view through the cable reel;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of an alternative connector of the invention; and

Figs. 6, 7, and 8 are cross-sectional views through parts of alternative reels.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 a cable reel 1 of the invention is shown connecting a transverse cable (or conductive tape) 2 extending across two longitudinal cables 5 and 6 which are held taut between fence posts FP. Pulsed voltage is applied by a power unit 3 connected to the longitudinal cable 6 by cable 4

The transverse cable 2 is trained between the longitudinal cables 5 and 6, being kept t -afut after being connected to the cable 5 by a slip knot. A hook may be used alternatively.

The reel 1 comprises a handle 10 having an opening 11. The handle 10 rotates about a metal bar spindle 12 extending out through a bushing 13 in one of a pair of flanges 15. The flanges 15 are part of a drum rotating about a hub 16 of the reel. There is a bollard 17 on the flange 15.

In use, the farmer connects the transverse cable 2 to the longitudinal cable 5 as described above. He unwinds the cable 2 from the reel 1 across to the opposing longitudinal cable 6. When sufficient has been unwound to span the paddock between the cables 5 and 6 with the unwound transverse cable 2 being kept taut, the cable 2 is clamped around the bollard to prevent further unwinding. The cable 2 may be secured in any other suitable manner such as with a bollard of a different type, or to a simple feature on either flange.

The farmer then simply engages the cable 6 with the reel by inserting it through the gap

11 in the handle 10. Because the transverse cable 2 is taut, the reel 1 is pulled in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3, maintaining the spindle 12 in physical and electrical contact with the longitudinal cable 6. This is the position "A" shown in Fig. 3.

Because of the electrical connection between the inner end of the cable 2 and the spindle 12, pulsed voltage is delivered from the cable 6 to the cable 2. Thus, the reel 1 acts as a very convenient connector between perpendicular cables and also of course serves the conventional puipose of a reel. This dual purpose operation of the reel 1 allows for extremely convenient "fencing in " of paddocks, with cable being trained across to any desired length up to the full length of the cable 2 and connections being made very quickly. Of course, a second cable reel 1 may be required to complete a paddock.

As shown by the position "B" of Fig. 3 it is very simple to electrically disconnect the cable 2 and 6 while maintaining the physical interconnection. This is achieved by disengaging the handle from the cable 6, rotating the handle 10 through 180°, and re- engaging the cable 6 in the handle 10. In this position the cable 6 contacts only the handle 10, not the spindle 12. As the handle 10 is qf plastics insulating material there is no electrical interconnection, however the reel 1 is kept supported on the cable 6.

In an alternative reel 30, shown in Fig. 5, a handle 30 is not open, but includes a hook 34 for engagement with cable 40 in the isolated position. This drawing also shows a flange 31 supporting the handle, a spindle 32, and a (closed) handle grip portion 33.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described; For example, the reel may comprise separate insulating and conducting connectors. In this case, the farmer simply engages the external cable with whichever of the two connectors of the reel are required, depending on whether only physical interconnection is required or both physical and electrical interconnection. Also, the insulating connector may not incorporate a handle.

Referring to Figs. 6 to 8 variations are shown. In Fig. 6 a drum 50 has flanges 51, a conductive hook 52, and a conductor 53 for electrical connection with wound cable. In Fig. 7 a drum 60 has flanges 61, a non-conducting hook 62, a conductive hook 63, rivets 64 and a connector 65.

Referring to Fig. 8 a drum 70 has flanges 71, wound cable 72, a conductive hood 73 with an integral metal disc protruding from the opposing side. There is a similar physical arrangement of non-conductive hook 75 and disc 76.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described but may be varied in construction and detail.