Mandrel with wire retainer

摘要

A mandrel for the winding of wire includes a central element and segments radially extending about and respectively coupled to the central element by rotatable arms that permit the segments to assume a collapsed position and an extended position Inner surfaces of the segments define slots in which ends of the arms extend. One segment also defines a radially extending groove on an outer surface of that segment which intersects with the slot of that segment to define an opening through the segment. A resilient pad is fixed in the slot of that segment and has a face located at the opening and adjacent a surface of an arm coupling that segment to the central element. A wire is threaded into the opening and held in place when the arms are rotated to cause the segments to assume the extended position. Methods using the mandrel are disclosed.

主权项

1. A mandrel for the winding of wire, comprising:
a central element; a plurality of arms rotatably coupled to said central element, said plurality of arms each including a first end coupled to said central element and a second end; a plurality of segments radially extending about and respectively coupled to said central element by said plurality of arms at respective said second ends thereof, said plurality of segments and said plurality of arms adapted to permit said plurality of segments to assume a collapsed first position with said segments relatively nearer to said central element and to assume an extended second position with said segments relatively further from said central element, each of said plurality of segments including an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface defining a slot in which said respective second end of a respective arm extends, with a first of said plurality of segments defining a radially extending groove in an outer surface of that segment, said groove and said slot of said first segment intersecting along only a portion of said groove and along only a portion of said slot to define an opening through said first segment; a resilient pad fixed in said slot of said first segment and having a face located at said opening and adjacent a surface of said second end of an arm coupling said first segment to said central element when said plurality of segments assume said extended second position.