Centre Wheel for Winding Up a Duct or Cable on a Stabilizing Centre Core

Abstract

The present invention relates to a centre wheel for winding up a duct or cable on a stabilizing center core. The centre wheel has a first and a second end. The centre wheel comprises a first plate element arranged at the first end of the centre wheel. The centre wheel further comprises at least three curved plate elements extending between the first plate element and the second end and arranged at angular distance around a centre axis of the centre wheel, so that the stabilizing center core can be fit in a space between the first plate element and the curved plate elements, whereby a duct or cable that is wound around the third plate elements is supported by the third plate elements and by the stabilizing centre core in gaps between the third plate elements.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A center wheel for winding up a duct or cable on a stabilizing center core, the center wheel having a first and a second end, said center wheel comprising:
 a first plate element arranged at said first end of said center wheel; and   at least three curved plate elements extending between said first plate element and said second end and arranged at angular distance around a center axis of said center wheel, so that said stabilizing center core can be fit in a space between said first plate element and said curved plate elements and so that a duct or cable that is wound around said third plate elements is supported by said third plate elements and by said stabilizing center core in gaps between said third plate elements.   
     
     
         17 . The center wheel of  claim 16 , wherein the center wheel further comprises a second plate element removably arranged at said second end, so that said duct or cable, when wound around said third plate elements, is further supported by said second plate element. 
     
     
         18 . The center wheel of  claim 16 , wherein said first plate element comprises slots in a radial direction in said gaps between said third plate elements. 
     
     
         19 . The center wheel of  claim 16 , wherein said third plate elements tilt from said first plate element towards the center axis of said center wheel. 
     
     
         20 . The center wheel of  claim 16 , comprising at least four curved plate elements at a maximum angular distance of 90 degrees. 
     
     
         21 . The center wheel of  claim 16 , comprising at least six evenly distributed curved plate elements. 
     
     
         22 . The center wheel of  claim 16 , wherein surfaces on the curved plate elements have been treated in order to increase the friction against the duct or cable. 
     
     
         23 . A machine for winding up a duct or a cable, the machine comprising the center wheel of  claim 16 . 
     
     
         24 . The machine of  claim 23 , said machine further comprising driving means for rotating said center wheel in order to wind up said duct or cable on said center wheel. 
     
     
         25 . The machine of  claim 23 , wherein said driving means is a stepper motor. 
     
     
         26 . The machine of  claim 23 , wherein said machine further comprises guiding means for guiding said cable or duct while said cable or duct is being wound up on said center wheel. 
     
     
         27 . The machine of  claim 26 , wherein said guiding means is arranged to move the cable or duct in an upward and downward direction substantially parallel to the center axis. 
     
     
         28 . The machine of  claim 26 , wherein said guiding means comprises a step motor arranged to move said guiding means. 
     
     
         29 . the machine of  claim 24 , wherein said guiding means further comprises braking means arranged to brake said cable or duct while said cable of duct is being wound up. 
     
     
         30 . A method for winding up a duct or cable on the center wheel of  claim 16 , said method comprising the steps of:
 arranging a stabilizing center core in a space between the first plate element and the curved plate elements,   winding up said duct or cable on said center wheel, such that the duct or cable is supported by the third plate elements and by the stabilizing center core in gaps between said third plate elements;   applying a securing element so that it is arranged to secure the wound duct or cable on the stabilizing center core; and   removing said center wheel, so that said duct or cable is supported by said third plate elements.   
     
     
         31 . A method for winding up a duct or cable, the method comprising:
 providing a center wheel, the center wheel having a first and a second end and comprising a first plate element arranged at said first end of said center wheel, at least three curved plate elements extending between said first plate element and said second end and arranged at angular distance around a center axis of said center wheel, so that the stabilizing center core can be fit in a space between said first plate element and said curved plate elements;   arranging a stabilizing center core in a space between the first plate element and the curved plate elements;   winding up the duct or cable on said center wheel, so that the duct or cable is supported by the third plate elements and by the stabilizing center core in gaps between said third plate elements;   applying a securing element so that it is arranged to secure the wound duct or cable on the stabilizing center core; and   removing said center wheel, so that said duct or cable is supported by said third plate elements.