GB2363091A

GB2363091A - A method, a tool and apparatus for coiling an elongated wire member

Info

Publication number: GB2363091A
Application number: GB0111436A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Donal Thomas Curry; Donald Anthony Curry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-06-07
Filing date: 2001-05-10
Publication date: 2001-12-12
Anticipated expiration: 2021-05-10
Also published as: GB0111436D0; GB2363091B

Abstract

Apparatus (20) for forming a helix (3) from a wire member (5) having a pre-formed tapered end portion (7) comprises a chuck (26) for winding the wire member (5) onto a spindle (27) the wire member (5) is fed to the spindle (27) with the blunt end of the wire member (5) forming a leading end (37). The wire member (5) is guided through feed in grooves (46, 47, 50 and 51) in clamping and feeding blocks (41 and 42) as the wire member (5) is drawn onto the spindle (27) by the chuck (26). The chuck (26) is moved in the direction of the arrow A at an appropriate rate for forming the helix (3) of the desired pitch angle. A forming block (55) is urged into an operative position adjacent the feeding block (42) and the spindle (27) as the trailing tapered end portion (7) of the wire member (5) is about to disengage the feed in groove (51) of the feeding block (42). A main channel (65) in the top of the forming block (55) accommodates the spindle (27) therethrough, and a guide channel (67) extends across the main channel (65) for supporting and forming the tapered end portion (7) into the helix of the desired pitch angle and diameter as the tapered end portion (7) is being drawn through the guide channel (67). The guide channel (67) extends at an angle to the central axis of the spindle (27) which corresponds to the desired pitch angle.

Description

2363091 "A method, a tool and apparatus for coiling an elongated wire

member' The present invention relates a method, a tool and apparatus for coiling an elongated wire member into a helix, and in particular, though not limited for coiling 5 an elongated wire member into a helix to form a corkscrew.

Corkscrews typically comprise a helix formed from a wire member, and the helix, in general, is of relatively long pitch. One end of the helix is secured in a handle, while the other end of the helix terminates in a tapered end which terminates in a point for 10 engaging the cork. It is desirable that the tapered end should form part of the helix of the corkscrew, should be of the same pitch and radius as the pitch and radius of the rest of the corkscrew. Furthermore, it is desirable that the tapered end should taper uniformly to the pointed tip. It will be appreciated that once the helix of the corkscrew has been formed it is impossible to form a tapered end on the helix which 15 tapers uniformly to a point. Additionally, during subsequent formation of the point, the pitch and in particular, the radius of the helix may be altered. This is undesirable, since it prevents smooth engagement of the tip of the corkscrew with a cork, and it also prevents smooth passage of the corkscrew through the cork. Thus, it is desirable that the tapered end portion, which is to form the tapered end and tip 20 of the corkscrew, should be formed before the helix is formed. However, in known apparatus it is now possible to form a pre-tapered end portion of a wire member into a helix while maintaining the radius end pitch angle of the tapered end portion similar to the pitch angle of the rest of the helix.

25 Such known apparatus typically comprises a spindle onto which the wire is wound to form the helix. A chuck from which the spindle extends engages on end of the wire for winding the wire onto the spindle as the chuck rotates. The wire is guided from a feeder onto the spindle, and one of the chuck or the feeder is moveable relative to the other in a direction parallel to the spindle for determining the pitch of the helix.

5 The feeder supports the wire as it is being drawn onto the spindle by the rotational motion of the chuck until the end of the wire member disengages the feeder. Thus, when the helix is formed on such apparatus respective end pieces of the wire extend tangentially from the opposite ends of the helix. The reason for this is that one end of the wire is engaged by the chuck for winding the wire onto the spindle, while the 10 other end of the wire disengages the feeder a short distance from the spindle, and thus remains uncoiled. Thus, using such known apparatus it is not possible to coil a wire member having a pre-pointed and pre- tapered end.

There is therefore a need for a method, a tool and apparatus for coiling a elongated 15 wire member which terminates in a tapered end portion into a helix with the tapered end portion forming one end of the helix.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a tool, a method and apparatus.

According to the invention there is provided a method for coiling an elongated wire member which terminates in a tapered end portion into a helix with the tapered end portion forming one end of the helix, the method comprising the steps of guiding the wire member from a feeding means with the tapered end portion trailing, onto an 25 elongated spindle of a coiling apparatus for forming the wire member into the helix, the spindle defining a longitudinally extending central axis, winding the wire member onto the spindle by a winding means, moving one of the winding means and the 10 in means relative to the other in a direction parallel to the central axis for forming the pitch of the helix, and as the tapered end portion is about to disengage the feeding 5 means engaging the wire member with a forming means for supporting the tapered end portion and for forming the tapered end portion into the helix as the tapered end portion is being drawn onto the spindle, the forming means, comprising a guide means for engaging the tapered end portion and for guiding the tapered end portion onto the spindle at the desired pitch angle and radius.

In one embodiment of the invention the guide means defines the desired pitch angle and radius of the helix into which the tapered end portion is to be formed.

Preferably, the helix is retained in engagement with the spindle by at least one is retaining means adjacent the forming means but spaced apart circumferentially therefrom for urging the helix into engagement with the spindle as the tapered end portion is being drawn through the guide means.

In one embodiment of the invention the helix is retained in engagement with the helix 20 by a pair of retaining means adjacent the forming means, the respective retaining means being spaced apart from the forming means and being spaced apart from each other for retaining the helix in engagement with the spindle as the tapered end portion is being drawn through the guide means.

25 Ideally, the retaining means and the forming means and are equi-spaced apart circumferentially around the spindle.

In one embodiment of the invention the guide means of the forming means extends partly circumferentially around the spindle for forming the tapered end portion into 5 the helix.

In another embodiment of the invention the pitch and radius of the tapered end portion of the helix is similar to the pitch and radius of the helix adjacent the tapered end portion.

In a further embodiment of the invention the helix is to form a corkscrew.

Additionally the invention provides a tool for apparatus for coiling an elongated wire member which terminates in a tapered end portion into a helix with the tapered end 15 portion forming one end of the helix, the apparatus being of the type comprising a spindle around which the helix is formed, the spindle defining a longitudinally extending central axis, a winding means for winding the wire member around the spindle to form the helix, a feeding means for guiding the wire member onto the spindle, and a means for moving one of the winding means and the feeding means 20 relative to the other in a direction parallel to the central axis for forming the pitch of the helix, the tool comprising a forming means for supporting the tapered end portion and for forming the tapered end portion into the helix as the tapered end portion is being drawn onto the spindle, the forming means comprising a guide means for engaging the tapered end portion and for guiding the tapered end portion onto the 25 spindle at the desired pitch angle and radius.

In one embodiment of the invention the forming means is moveable between an inoperative position spaced apart from the spindle, and an operative position adjacent the feeding means and the spindle for co-operating with the spindle for 5 forming the tapered end portion into the helix as the tapered end portion is being drawn onto the spindle.

In another embodiment of the invention at least one retaining means is provided for engaging the helix adjacent the forming means but circumferentially spaced apart 10 therefrom for urging the helix into engagement with the spindle as the tapered end portion is being drawn through the guide means.

Preferably, a pair of retaining means are provided adjacent the forming means, the respective retaining means and the forming means being equispaced apart is circumferentially around the spindle.

Advantageously, each retaining means is movable between an inoperative position spaced apart from the spindle to an operative position adjacent but spaced apart from the spindle for engaging and retaining the helix in engagement with spindle.

In one embodiment of the invention the forming means defines an elongated main channel having a channel surface for partly embracing the spindle and for permitting passage of the wire member being formed into the helix between the channel surface and the spindle.

In another embodiment of the invention the guide means is formed by a guide channel extending circumferentially in the channel surface at the desired pitch angle relative to the central axis of the spindle.

5 In a further embodiment of the invention the guide channel defines a pitch forming face and an adjacent radius forming face for abutting the tapered end portion of the wire member for forming the tapered end portion into the helix of the desired pitch angle and radius.

10 Preferably, the guide channel defines with the spindle an arcuate passageway which forms a segment of the helix for forming the tapered end portion of the wire member into the helix.

In one embodiment of the invention the forming means comprises a forming block, 15 the main channel and the guide channel being formed therein.

In a further embodiment of the invention a lead-in channel is provided in the forming means for guiding the tapered end portion into the guide channel, the lead-in channel being at the desired pitch angle relative to the spindle.

Preferably, the feeding means comprises a feeding block for guiding the wire member onto the spindle.

Advantageously, a pair of feeding channels are provided in the feeding block, a first feeding channel extending at an angle substantially perpendicularly to the central axis spindle for initially guiding the wire member onto the spindle until winding of wire member about the spindle commences, and a second feeding channel for guiding the wire member at the desired pitch angle once winding of the wire member onto the spindle at the desire pitch angle has commenced.

In one embodiment of the invention the second feeding channel is at an angle relative to the central axis of the spindle which corresponds to the desired pitch angle.

10 Preferably, a clamping means is provided for clamping the wire member in place aligned with the first feeding channel until winding of the wire member onto the spindle has commenced.

Further the invention provides apparatus for coiling an elongated wire member which 15 terminates in a tapered end portion into a helix with the tapered end portion forming one end of the helix, the apparatus comprising a spindle around which the helix is formed, the spindle defining a longitudinally extending central axis, a winding means for winding the wire member around the spindle for forming the helix, a feeding means for guiding the wire member onto the spindle, a means for moving one of the 20 winding means and the feeding means relative to the other in a direction parallel to the central axis of the spindle for forming the pitch of the helix, and a tool according to the invention for forming the tapered end portion of the wire member into the helix.

Preferably, the winding means comprises a chuck for winding the wire member onto the spindle, and an engagement means for engaging the leading end of the wire member for winding the wire member onto the spindle as the chuck rotates.

Advantageously, the winding means is moveable relative to the feeding means.

5 In one embodiment of the invention a take off means is provided for removing a formed helix from the spindle.

In another embodiment of the invention a transfer means is provided for sequentially transferring the wire members from a magazine to the feeding means. 10 Further the invention provides a helix formed from a wire member using the method according to the invention.

Additionally, the invention provides a helix formed by a too[ according to the 15 invention.

The invention also provides a helix formed using the apparatus according to the invention.

20 Additionally, the invention provides a helix which is suitable for use in a corkscrew.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a corkscrew according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view of apparatus according to the invention for forming a helix of the corkscrew of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 2 illustrating a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 2 in a different position, Fig. 4 is a section end elevational view of the apparatus of Fig. 2 on the line 10 IV-IV of Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the portion of the apparatus of Fig. 5 with 15 portions of the apparatus in a different position, Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a detail of the apparatus of Fig. 2, Fig. 8 is a front end elevational view of the detail of Fig. 7, Fig. 9 is rear end elevational view of the detail of Fig. 7, Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of the detail of Fig. 7 from one side, 25 Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of the detail of Fig. 7 from the other side, Fig. 12 is a plan view of the detail of Fig. 7, Fig. 13 is a front elevational view of the detail of Fig. 7 illustrated in use, Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13 of the detail in a further stage of use, Fig. 15 is a perspective view of another detail of the apparatus of Fig. 2, and 10 Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a further detail of the apparatus of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Fig. 1 there is illustrated a corkscrew according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 comprising a helix 3 extending from a handle 4. The helix 3 is formed from an elongated wire 15 member 5 which terminates in a pre-formed tapered end portion 7 which in turn terminates in a pointed tip 8. The tapered end portion 7 and pointed tip 8 of the wire member 5 form a corresponding tapered end portion 10 and a pointed tip 11 of the corkscrew 1. The other end of the helix 3 which engages the handle 4 is formed by a tightly wound helical portion 12 while the remaining portion 14 of the helix 3 20 between the tightly wound helical portion 12 and the pointed tip 11 is of a wider pitch, and the pitch and radius of the portion 14 is constant over the entire length of the portion 14 between the tightly wound helical portion 12 and the pointed tip 11. Accordingly, entry of the tapered end portion 10 and passage of the helix 3 into and through a cork is achieved relatively smoothly with minimum effort as the helix 3 is 25 rotated by the handle 4.

The corkscrew 1 is formed from the pre-tapered and pre-pointed wire member 5 in apparatus according to the invention which is illustrated in Figs. 2 to 16 and indicated generally by the reference numeral 20 and by a tool also according to the 5 invention and indicated generally by the reference numeral 21 which is located in the apparatus 20. Before describing the tool 21, which in particular is provided for coiling the tapered end portion 7 of the wire member 5 the parts of the apparatus 20 relevant to the invention will be described.

10 The apparatus 20 comprises a main framework 25 only a portion of which is illustrated. A winding means comprising a chuck 26 for winding the wire member 5 onto a spindle 27 extending from the chuck 26 for forming the helix 3 is mounted on a carrier member 29. The spindle 27 defines a longitudinally extending geometrical central axis 28 which coincides with the central axis of the helix 3 when the helix 3 is 15 formed around the spindle 27. The carrier member 29 is slideable in the directions of the arrows A and B parallel to the central axis 28 of the spindle 27 on a pair of guide rails 30, which are rigidly secured to the main framework 25 for forming the pitch of the helix 3. A drive motor 33 mounted on the carrier member 29 drives a drive shaft 34 for rotating the chuck 26 in the direction of the arrow C. The drive 20 shaft 34 is rotatably carried in bearings (not shown) in a support member 35 of the carrier member 29. The chuck 26 is a three jaw chuck having three jaws 36 which secure the spindle 27 in the chuck 26 and accommodate different diameters of spindle for winding helix 3 of different diameters. An engagement means, namely, an engagement pin 38 extends from the chuck 26 for engaging a leading end 37 of 25 the wire member 5 for commencing winding of the wire member 5 onto the spindle 27. A head 39 of the engagement pin 38 retains the engagement pin 38 in engagement with the leading end 37 of the wire member 5 during winding of the wire member 5 onto the spindle 27.

5 A transfer means, namely, a transfer member 40 which is illustrated in block representation only, and which comprises a pair of clamping blocks (not shown) for clamping a wire member 5 therebetween transfers the wire members 5 sequentially from a magazine 44 to a feeding means, which comprises a clamping block 41 and a feeding block 42. The transfer member 40 is moveable by pneumatic rams (not 10 shown) and is slideable on guide rails (also not shown) for transferring the wire members 5 from the magazine 44 to the clamping block 41 and feeding block 42. The wire members 5 are arranged in the magazine 44 so that when picked up by the transfer member 40 and transferred to the clamping block 41 and the feeding block 42 the wire members 5 are transferred with their tapered end portions 7 and pointed 15 tip 8 trailing. In other words, the wire members 5 are presented to the spindle 27 with their respective blunt ends forming the leading end 37, and their tapered ends 7 forming a trailing end 43. The transfer member 40 places each wire member 5 on the clamping block 41 and the feeding block 42 so that the blunt leading end 37 extends transversely across and beneath the spindle 27 and beyond the spindle 27 20 so that a portion of the leading end 44 is engaged by the engagement pin 38 on the chuck 26 for commencing and for continuing winding of the wire member 5 around the spindle 27, see Fig. 2.

The clamping block 41 is secured to a structural member 45 of the framework 25 and is provided with a pair of feed in grooves namely, a first feed in groove 46 and a second feed in groove 47 for engaging the wire member 5. A clamping plate 48 operable by a pneumatic ram (not shown) clamps the wire member 5 in the first feed in groove 46 until the leading end 37 of the wire member 5 is engaged by the engagement pin 38 and winding of the wire member 5 around the spindle 27 5 commences. As soon as winding commences the clamping plate 48 releases the wire member 5 so that the wire member 5 can be wound onto the spindle 27. The first feed in groove 46 extends perpendicularly of the central axis 28 of the spindle 27 for aligning the each wire member 5 perpendicularly with the spindle 27. The second feed in groove 47 extends in a direction relative to the spindle 27 which 10 corresponds to the desired pitch angle to which the helix 3 is to be wound for guiding the wire member 5 onto the spindle at the desired pitch angle.

The feeding block 42 is also mounted on the structural member 45 and is provided with a pair of feed in grooves, namely, a first feed in groove 50 and a second feed in 15 groove 51. The first feed in groove 50 corresponds with the first feed in groove 46 of the clamping block 41 for aligning the wire member 5 perpendicularly with the spindle 27 initially. The second feed in groove 51 corresponds with the second feed in groove 47 of the clamping block 41 for guiding the wire member 5 onto the spindle 27 at the desired pitch angle as winding of the wire member 5 continues.

A support barring 53 mounted on the structural member 45 rotatably supports the spindle 27 and also permits liner movement of the spindle 27 through the support barring 53 as the carrier member 29 is moved in the directions of the arrows A and B. A main drive means provided by a pneumatic drive ram (not shown) is mounted 25 on the framework 25 for urging the carrier member 29 in the directions of the arrows A and B along the guide rails 30. The carrier member 29 is urged in the direction of the arrow A for urging the chuck 26 and in turn the spindle 27 in the direction of the arrow A for forming the helix. The more rapidly the chuck 26 is urged in the direction of the arrow A the greater will be the pitch of the helix 3, and vice versa. Initially in 5 order to form the tight helical portion 12 the carrier member 29 and in turn the chuck 26 are moved slowly in the direction of the arrow A for determining the tight pitch of the tight helical portion 12. As soon as the tight helical portion 12 has been formed the pneumatic drive ram (not shown) urges the carrier member 29, and in turn the chuck 26 at a faster and constant rate to form the helical portion 14. During forming 10 of the two helical portions 12 and 14 the chuck is rotated at a constant speed.

This aspect of the formation of a helix will be well known to those skilled in the art.

Turning now to the tool 21 for forming the tapered end portion 7 of the wire member 15 5 into a helix, the tool 21 comprises a forming means, namely, a forming block 55 which is mounted on a carrier block 56 which in turn is carried on a pneumatic ram 57. The pneumatic ram 57 is mounted on the structural member 45 of the apparatus and is operable for moving the carrier block 56 and in turn the forming block 55 in the direction of the arrows F and G between an inoperative position illustrated in 20 broken lines in Fig. 4 spaced apart from the feeding block 42 and the spindle 27 to an operative position illustrated in full lines in Fig. 4 with the forming block 55 adjacent the feeding block 42 and the spindle 27 and co-operating with the spindle 27 for forming the tapered end portion 7 of the wire member 5 into the helix.

A pair of retaining means, namely, retaining members 60 are carried on pneumatic rams 61 for engaging the helix adjacent the forming block 55 for urging the helix into engagement with the spindle 27 against the action of the forming block 55 as the tapered end portion 7 is being formed into the helix. The pneumatic rams 61 are 5 mounted on a structural member 62 of the framework 25 and are operable for moving the retaining members 60 between respective inoperative positions spaced apart from the spindle 27 and the helix 3 illustrated in broken lines in Fig. 4 and respective operative positions illustrated in full lines in Fig. 4 for engaging the helix 3. The pneumatic rams 61 are synchronised with the pneumatic ram 57 so that as the 10 forming block 55 is being moved from the inoperative to the operative position the retaining members 60 are simultaneously moved from the inoperative to the operative positions, and vice versa.

The retaining members 60 are mounted on the rams 61 to engage the helix 3 in their 15 respective operative positions above the forming block 55. One of the retaining members 60 is illustrated in the operative position in Fig. 3. Additionally, the retaining member 60 are arranged to engage the helix 3 at respective positions 120' degrees from the forming block 55.

20 Turning now in particular to the forming block 55, a main channel 65 extends through the top of the forming block 55 for accommodating the spindle 27 therethrough. The main channel 65 is substantially semicircular and defines a circumferential surface 66. Further, the main channel 65 defines a central axis 68 which substantially coincides with and extends parallel to the central axis 28 of the spindle 27. A guide means comprising a guide channel 67 extends transversally across the main channel 65 and is formed in the circumferential surface 66 for supporting, guiding and forming the tapered end portion 7 of the wire member 5 into the helix as the tapered end portion 7 of the wire member 5 is drawn onto the spindle 27 and through 5 the guide channel 67. The guide channel 67 extends at an angle to the central axis 68 which corresponds to the desired pitch angle of the helix to which the tapered end portion 7 is to be wound. In this embodiment of the invention the pitch angle to which the tapered end portion 7 is to be wound is similar to the pitch angle of the portion 14 of the helix 3.

The guide channel 67 is formed by a pair of adjacent faces, namely, a pitch angle forming face 70 and a diameter forming face 71. The pitch angle forming face 70 engages the tapered end portion 7 of the wire member 5 for forming the pitch angle of the tapered end portion 7 while the diameter forming face 71 also engages the 15 tapered end portion of the wire member 5 for determining the diameter to which the tapered end portion 7 is wound. This is similar to the diameter of the portion 14 of the helix 3. A lead-in channel 73 also formed in the top of the forming block 55 extends from the guide channel 67 for supporting and guiding the tapered end portion 7 of the wire member 5 after it has passed from the feed in groove 51 of the 20 feeding block 42.

The forming block 55 is formed from a solid through which a bore is drilled to form the main channel 65. A second bore is drilled into the block at an angle to the bore which forms the main channel 65. The angle at which the second bore is drilled 25 relative to the first bore is the pitch angle of the helix, so that the end of the second bore forms the pitch angle forming face 70, and the circumference of the second bores formed the diameter forming face 71. A portion 75 of the main channel 65 is of greater diameter that the rest of the main channel 65 for accommodating the formed flights of the helix 3.

A take-off means for removing each formed helix 3 from the spindle 27 is provided by a transfer mechanism (not shown) which is pneumatically operated for clamping onto the formed helix and sliding the formed helix from the spindle 27, and in turn depositing it in a suitable storage container.

Electronic and pneumatic control circuitry (not shown) is provided for operating the apparatus and for operating the rams in the appropriate sequence for sequentially forming the helixes. Such control circuitry will be well known to those skilled in the art.

In use, a forming block 55 for forming the tapered end portion 7 of the helixes 3 to the desired diameter and of the desired pitch is selected, and secured to the carrier block 56. Clamping and feeding blocks 41 and 42 with feed grooves 47 and 51, respectively, at the appropriate angle to the central axis 28 of the spindle 27 are also 20 selected and secured to the structural member 45. A spindle 27 of the appropriate diameter, and a correspondingly sized support bearing 53 are selected. The selected spindle 27 is secured in the chuck 26 by the jaws 36, and the bearing 53 is secured to the structural member 45. The control circuitry (not shown) for controlling the operation of the apparatus is programmed to rotate the chuck 46 at the 25 appropriate constant speed, and to operate the pneumatic drive ram (not shown) to urge the carrier member 29, and in turn the chuck 26 at the appropriate feed rates in the direction of the arrow A for forming the respective portions 12 and 14 of the helix 3. The apparatus 20 is then ready for use, and the magazine 44 is charged with a supply of wire members 5 appropriately oriented so that when the wire members 5 5 are feed by the transfer member 40 to the clamping and feeding blocks 41 and 42 the tapered end portion 7 will form the trailing end 43 of the wire members 5.

The apparatus 20 is then operated, and with the carrier member 29 at the extreme end of its travel in the direction of the arrow B, and with the chuck 66 adjacent the 10 feeding block 42 the first of the wire members 5 is fed by the transfer member 40 from the magazine 44, and is placed on the clamping block 41 and the feeding block 42 with the leading end 37 of the wire member extending transversally beneath the spindle 27, and extending radially outwardly on the other side for engagement with the engagement pin 38 of the chuck 26. The clamping plate 48 clamps the wire 15 member 5 on the clamping block 41 until the leading end 37 of the wire member 5 is engaged by the engagement pin 38 and winding of the wire member 5 onto the spindle 27 commences, at which stage the clamping plate 48 releases the wire member 5. Accordingly, as the chuck 26 rotates the wire member 5 is drawn onto and coiled around the spindle 27. During the first few turns of the chuck 26 the carrier member 29 and chuck

26 are moved slowly in the direction of the arrow A for forming the tight pitch helical portion 12, and until the tight pitch helical portion 12 has been formed. When the tight pitch helical portion 12 has been formed the carrier member 29 and in turn the chuck 27 25 are urged at a faster rate in the direction of the arrow A for forming the portion of the helix to the desired pitch angle. During forming of the tight pitch helical portion 12 the wire member 5 is drawn through the feed in grooves 46 and 50 of the clamping and feeding blocks 41 and 42, respectively. As soon as formation of the portion 14 of the helix 3 commences the wire member 5 effectively jumps from the feed in 5 grooves 46 and 50 of the clamping and feeding blocks 41 and 42 to the feed in grooves 47 and 51 of the clamping and feeding blocks 41 and 42, respectively, so that the wire member 5 is guided onto the spindle 27 at the appropriate pitch angle.

Just before the tapered end portion 7 is about to disengage the feed in groove 51 of 10 the feeding block 42 the pneumatic rams 57 and 61 are operated for urging the forming block 55 and the retaining members 60, respectively, from their inoperative positions into their operative positions. The wire member 5 is thus engaged by the guide channel 67 and the lead-in channel 73 before the tapered end portion 7 finally disengages the feed in groove 51 of the feeding block 42. Accordingly, as the 15 tapered end portion 7 disengages the feed in groove 51 of the feeding block 42 the tapered end portion 7 is supported by the lead-in channels 73 and is supported also by the guide channel 67 which in turn forms the tapered end portion 7 into the helix of the corresponding pitch angle and diameter.

20 Accordingly, the tool 21 permits the tapered end portion 7 of the wire member 5 to be coiled into a helix 3 with the same pitch angle and diameter of the adjacent portion 14 of the helix 3.

On completion of the formation of the helix 3 the pneumatic rams 57 and 61 are 25 operated for urging the forming block 55 and the retaining members 60 from their respective operative positions to their inoperative positions. The carrier member 29 is further urged in the direction of the arrow A by the pneumatic drive ram (not shown) for disengaging the spindle 27 from the support bearing 53. The transfer mechanism (not shown) then removes the formed helix 3 from the spindle 27. The 5 carrier member 29 is returned in the direction of the arrow B by the pneumatic drive ram (not shown) so that the chuck 26 is adjacent the feeding block 42 for receiving the next wire member 5 onto the spindle 27.

The only remaining operation to be carried out on the helix 3 is the removal of the 10 blunt leading end 37 at the tight pitch helical portion 12. On removal of the leading end 37 the helix 3 is then assembled to the handle 4 to form the corkscrew 1.

While the method, apparatus and tool the according to the invention have been described for forming a helix which is used for a corkscrew, it will be appreciated that 15 the apparatus may be used for forming a helix for any other use.

It

Claims

Claims 1. A method for coiling an elongated wire member which terminates

in a tapered end portion into a helix with the tapered end portion forming one end of the helix, the method comprising the steps of guiding the wire member from a feeding means with

5 the tapered end portion trailing, onto an elongated spindle of a coiling apparatus for forming the wire member into the helix, the spindle defining a longitudinally extending central axis, winding the wire member onto the spindle by a winding means, moving one of the winding means and the feeding means relative to the other in a direction parallel to the central axis for forming the pitch of the helix, and 10 as the tapered end portion is about to disengage the feeding means engaging the wire member with a forming means for supporting the tapered end portion and for forming the tapered end portion into the helix as the tapered end portion is being drawn onto the spindle, the forming means, comprising a guide means for engaging the tapered end portion and for guiding the tapered end portion onto the spindle at 15 the desired pitch angle and radius.
2. A method as claimed in Claim 1 in which the guide means defines the desired pitch angle and radius of the helix into which the tapered end portion is to be formed.
3. A method as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the helix is retained in engagement with the spindle by at least one retaining means adjacent the forming means but spaced apart circumferentially therefrom for urging the helix into engagement with the spindle as the tapered end portion is being drawn through the 25 guide means.
4. A method as claimed in Claim 3 in which the helix is retained in engagement with the helix by a pair of retaining means adjacent the forming means, the respective retaining means being spaced apart from the forming means and being spaced apart from each other for retaining the helix in engagement with the spindle 5 as the tapered end portion is being drawn through the guide means.
5. A method as claimed in Claim 3 or 4 in which the retaining means and the forming means and are equi-spaced apart circumferentially around the spindle.

10
6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the guide means of the forming means extends partly circumferentially around the spindle for forming the tapered end portion into the helix.
7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the pitch and radius of 15 the tapered end portion of the helix is similar to the pitch and radius of the helix adjacent the tapered end portion.
8. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the helix is to form a corkscrew.
9. A method for coiling an elongated wire member which terminates in a tapered end portio n into a helix with the tapered end portion forming one end of the helix, the method being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
10. A tool for apparatus for coiling an elongated wire member which terminates in a tapered end portion into a helix with the tapered end portion forming one end of the helix, the apparatus being of the type comprising a spindle around which the helix is formed, the spindle defining a longitudinally extending central axis, a winding means for winding the wire member around the spindle to form the helix, a feeding means 5 for guiding the wire member onto the spindle, and a means for moving one of the winding means and the feeding means relative to the other in a direction parallel to the central axis for forming the pitch of the helix, the tool comprising a forming means for supporting the tapered end portion and for forming the tapered end portion into the helix as the tapered end portion is being drawn onto the spindle, the 10 forming means comprising a guide means for engaging the tapered end portion and for guiding the tapered end portion onto the spindle at the desired pitch angle and radius.
11. A tool as claimed in Claim 10 in which the forming means is moveable 15 between an inoperative position spaced apart from the spindle, and an operative position adjacent the feeding means and the spindle for cooperating with the spindle for forming the tapered end portion into the helix as the tapered end portion is being drawn onto the spindle.

20
12. A tool as claimed in Claim 10 or 11 in which at least one retaining means is provided for engaging the helix adjacent the forming means but circumferentially spaced apart therefrom for urging the helix into engagement with the spindle as the tapered end portion is being drawn through the guide means.

25
13. A tool as claimed in Claim 12 in which a pair of retaining means are provided adjacent the forming means, the respective retaining means and the forming means being equi-spaced apart circumferentially around the spindle.
14. A tool as claimed in Claim 12 or 13 in which each retaining means is movable between an inoperative position spaced apart from the spindle to an operative 5 position adjacent but spaced apart from the spindle for engaging and retaining the helix in engagement with spindle.
15. A tool as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 14 in which the forming means defines an elongated main channel having a channel surface for partly embracing 10 the spindle and for permitting passage of the wire member being formed into the helix between the channel surface and the spindle.
16. A tool as claimed in Claim 15 in which the guide means is formed by a guide channel extending circumferentially in the channel surface at the desired pitch angle 15 relative to the central axis of the spindle.
17. A tool as claimed in Claim 16 in which the guide channel defines a pitch forming face and an adjacent radius forming face for abutting the tapered end portion of the wire member for forming the tapered end portion into the helix of the 20 desired pitch angle and radius.
18. A tool as claimed in Claim 16 or 17 in which the guide channel defines with the spindle an arcuate passageway which forms a segment of the helix for forming the tapered end portion of the wire member into the helix.
19. A tool as claimed in Claim 16 or 18 in which the forming means comprises a forming block, the main channel and the guide channel being formed therein.
20. A tool as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 19 in which a lead-in channel is provided in the forming means for guiding the tapered end portion into the guide channel, the lead-in channel being at the desired pitch angle relative to the spindle.
21. A tool as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 20 in which the feeding means comprises a feeding block for guiding the wire member onto the spindle.

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22. A tool as claimed in Claim 21 in which a pair of feeding channels are provided in the feeding block, a first feeding channel extending at an angle substantially perpendicularly to the central axis spindle for initially guiding the wire member onto the spindle until winding of the wire member about the spindle commences, and a second feeding channel for guiding the wire member at the 15 desired pitch angle once winding of the wire member onto the spindle at the desire pitch angle has commenced.
23. A tool as claimed in Claim 22 in which the second feeding channel is at an angle relative to the central axis of the spindle which corresponds to the desired 20 pitch angle.
24. A tool as claimed in any of Claims 22 or 23 in which a clamping means is provided for clamping the wire member in place aligned with the first feeding channel until winding of the wire member onto the spindle has commenced.
25. A tool for apparatus for coiling an elongated wire member which terminates in a tapered end portion into a helix with the tapered end portion forming one end of the helix, the tool being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

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26. Apparatus for coiling an elongated wire member which terminates in a tapered end portion into a helix with the tapered end portion forming one end of the helix, the apparatus comprising a spindle around which the helix is formed, the spindle defining a longitudinally extending central axis, a winding means for winding the wire member around the spindle for forming the helix, a feeding means for 10 guiding the wire member onto the spindle, a means for moving one of the winding means and the feeding means relative to the other in a direction parallel to the central axis of the spindle for forming the pitch of the helix, and a tool as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 26 for forming the tapered end portion of the wire member into the helix.
27. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 26 in which the winding means comprises a chuck for winding the wire member onto the spindle, and an engagement means for engaging the leading end of the wire member for winding the wire member onto the spindle as the chuck rotates.
28. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 26 or 27 in which the winding means is moveable relative to the feeding means.
29. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 26 to 28 in which a take off means is 25 provided for removing a formed helix from the spindle.
30. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 26 to 29 in which a transfer means is provided for sequentially transferring the wire members from a magazine to the feeding means.

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31. Apparatus for coiling an elongated wire member which terminates in a tapered end portion into a helix with the tapered end portion forming one end of the helix, the apparatus being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

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32. A helix formed from a wire member using the method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9.
33. A helix as claimed in Claim 32 in which the helix is formed by a tool as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 25.
34. A helix as claimed in Claim 32 or 33 in which the helix is formed using the apparatus of any of claims 26 to 31.
35. A helix as claimed in any of Claims 32 to 34 in which the helix is a corkscrew.
36. A helix substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.