Wire take-off device

Abstract

A wire de-reeling apparatus for transferring wire from one or more spools and with a minimum of excessive looseness or kinking, the apparatus comprising a support for mounting the spool with one spool end free, a rotatable take-off wheel located at the free spool end and being generally coaxial with the spool, and a rotatable tension brush also disposed at the spool end and having a plurality of radially disposed, flexible wire-restraining tines. The wheel is rotatable under the action of a strand of wire being payed off the spool. The brush is mounted on a central hub which is at or near the spool axis, and the tines extend radially a short distance past the circumferential edge of the wheel, to be brushed by the strand of wire as it is being de-reeled. In addition, a power drive arrangement is linked to the hub, whereby the brush can be rotatably driven in the same direction as that traveled by the strand as it un-winds, thereby reducing the relative circumferential speed of the strand with respect to the periphery of the rotating brush, resulting in significantly reduced drag forces applied to the strand and lessening the likelihood of breakage under conditions of high take-off speed. Also a de-reeling apparatus for accommodating two separate spools, the spools being adapted to hold a single, continuous strand of wire. The apparatus enables a high-speed take-off to be obtained, with automatic means which permit take-off to commence from the second spool as soon as the first spool is emptied.