Patent Application
20080061187
For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form that is presently preferred; it being understood, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
In the figures, where like reference numerals indicate like elements, there is shown an embodiment of a reel assembly, which is identified generally by the numeral 10. The reel assembly 10 is used for holding wound material, such as cable or wire.
Referring now to
The inserts 14, 16 fit within the base spool 12. The inserts 14, 16 have radial flange portions 34, 36 adapted to mate to the flanges 20, 22 radially inward of the annular lips 26, 28, outside of the flanges 20, 22. The flange portions 34, 36 have an outer terminus defined by an outer face 38, 40 that lies in a plane which is generally perpendicular to the axis of the central bore 30. The illustrated example of the flange portions 34, 36 have support bracing in the form of annular rings 42, 44 and radial support ribs 46, 48, located between the outer faces 38, 40 and flanges 20, 22. The rings 42, 44 and ribs 46, 48 provide stiffening support to the flanges 20, 22 of the reel 10 when the inserts 14, 16 are mounted on the base spool 12. The support bracing may be increased or decreased depending on the desired application of the reel 10. Alternatively, other bracing structures may be used, such as honeycombs or a solid insert.
Central portions 50, 52 of the inserts 14, 16 are disposed radially inward from the flange portions 34, 36 and extend further away from the outer faces 38, 40 than the flange portions 34, 36. Preferably, when the inserts 14, 16 are mounted on the base spool 12, the central portions 50, 52 each extend into the hub 18 and engage the radial disc 32. It is preferable that the central portions 50, 52 have central annular rings 54, 56 and central radial ribs 58, 60 extending between the rings 54, 56. Like the ribs 46, 48 and rings 42, 44 of the flange portions 34, 36, the ribs 58, 60 and rings 54, 56 of the central portions 50, 52 serve to provide rigidity and support to the reel 10 when the inserts 14, 16 are inserted on the base spool 10. All of the rings are concentric and that all of the ribs radially extend from the center point of the rings.
The inserts 14, 16 attach to each other and to the base spool 12 via interlocking tabs 62 and cavities 64 which engage each other in a male/female relationship. The tabs 62 and cavities 64 are able to engage each other through apertures 63 in the radial disc extending through the middle of the hub 18. A detailed view of the tab 62 and cavity 64 engagement is shown in
While the tab 62 and cavity 64 are shown here in relation to the central portions 50, 52, they can be used in to connect the hub 18 to the inserts 14, 16. In such a case, the hub 18 preferably has raised cavity pillars 76, having a cavity 64 disposed therein, for accepting tabs 62 disposed on the insert 14. Also, the inserts 14, 16 may be mounted on the hub 18 by a combination of tab 62 and cavity 64 engagements located on the central portions 50, 52 as well as the hub 18 and flange portions 34, 36. While the details of a tab 62 and cavity 64 engagement are shown here, any number of engagements may be used to retain the inserts 16, 14 to the base spool 12 or to each other. The inserts 14, 16 may be attached to the hub 12 through other forms of snap fits, threaded engagement, adhesive, solvent bonding, sonic welding, spin welding or any other form of mechanical or chemical engagement.
In addition to being adapted to receive the inserts 14, 16, the hub 18 may also accept various other types of inserts, depending on the strength and functionality requirements of the user. In a case where more strength is required, inserts with more bracing will be chosen, whereas in a case where light material will be wound on the reel 10, it may be desirable to use minimally reinforced inserts to minimize costs and shipping weight.
An alternative embodiment of a reel 110, having a base spool 112 and inserts 114, 116, is shown in
Inserts 114, 116 are adapted to engage the hub spool 112 in a similar manner to those 14, 16 shown in
In addition to providing structural support to the base spool 12, the inserts 14, 16 may also have various functional features. These features will vary based on the intended application of the reel 10 but, by using inserts 14, 16 having the variable features, a standard base spool 12 can provide many levels of functionality and support, minimizing the need to stock multiple types of spools 12 to accommodate various reel 10 requirements. Below, many features that are desirable for reels are discussed. These features may be used in connection with reels based on spools 12, 112 as shown or any other base spool used in connection with variable inserts.
As shown in
As shown in
The cutting brace port 88 is disposed on the insert 14 adjacent the inner surface of the barrel 24 and has a radial surface 89 that tracks the profile of the barrel portion 24. The cutting brace port 88 is adapted to facilitate the insertion of a brace (not shown) into the hub 18. Preferably, the brace has an outer arcuate surface that is adapted to flushly engage the inner surface of the barrel portion 24. The cutting brace is used to provide backing support to the barrel portion 24 when a device, such as a guillotine cutter, is used to cut the material wound on the reel 10, thereby resisting crushing or deformation of the reel 10.
The access port 90 is used in connection with a D-shaped port 91, located on the flange 20 to provide access to the internal end of the material wound on the reel 10. This is beneficial in testing the continuity of wound material, such as fiber optic cable. In use, the internal end of the wound material is thread through the D-shaped port 91 and then through the access port 90 before winding the material on the reel 10. Once wound, users will have access to both ends of the round material to perform continuity, resistance and any other desired tests.
In the center of the insert 214, a plurality of handle apertures 220 are located on a central bevel 222 that extends around the center of the outer face 214. The handle apertures 220 are preferably adapted to allow a user to grip the reel 10. The central bevel 222 is preferably angled enough to allow the insertion of a user's fingers into the handle apertures 220 to lift the reel 10. Like the insert 14, the insert 214 has an access port 90 that is adapted to provide access to the internal end of the wound material.
Referring now to
A variety of materials may be used to construct the reel assemblies discussed above. The inserts and spool may be constructed from materials such as plastics, metals, composites, ceramics or any other materials that would meet the needs of the user. By way of example, it may be preferable to construct the base spool from a chemical resistant material to avoid any type of reaction between the reel and the wound material. It may also be beneficial to construct the insert out of a rigid material that provides sufficient support to the spool, as well as resistance to deflection or failure. By way of further example, in a case where the base spool is designed for economical purposes, but a particular user desires additional strength not provided by the spool, the inserts may be constructed of a more expensive, stronger material than the spool.
In use, a vendor or supplier preferably has one embodiment of a base spool that is constructed to meet minimum requirements of the various applications in which the reel may be used. In a case where the reel will be disposed of after a single use, and where there will be minimal strain on the reel, the reel may be used with no inserts, or inserts that provide minimal support, thereby minimizing the cost of the reel. Such inserts may provide features such as winding holes or a label recess. Alternatively, in a case where the reel is going to be reused, or where there will be large amounts of stress put on the reel, it would be desirable to use heavily reinforced inserts to provide additional strength the base spool. In this case, although the initial cost of a reel may be higher than one that is not reinforced, cost savings are realized by not having to order multiple reels to meet a user's needs. With the present invention, a variety of needs may be serviced by modifying a single base spool to fit the desired application, thus reducing costs for vendors and suppliers.
A variety of modifications to the embodiments described will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure provided herein. Thus, the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.
