The present invention relates to a spool for winding elongate material thereon. More specifically, the present invention relates to drive features for a spool.
It is known to provide a spool or reel upon which elongate material, such as wire, rope or cable, may be wound for subsequent shipment, storage and use. Such spools typically include a central barrel connected to opposing end flanges. It is further known to provide a core section for mounting the spool on a mandrel during winding and unwinding. Core sections may be connected to the central barrel by various types of support structures.
It is still further known to provide one or more structures on a spool to facilitate winding of the elongate material onto the barrel. One example of such structures are holes adapted to receive a drive apparatus of a winding machine used to rotate the spool. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,715,710 (Russell et al.) discloses a cable reel having a hole for receipt of a winding dog.
A need exists for a spool having structures to facilitate winding while preferably minimizing the weight and amount of material used to construct the spool. A further need exists for a spool having means for receiving a winding dog while maintaining structural rigidity within the spool.
A spool is provided for winding elongate material thereon. The spool includes a cylindrical barrel having first and second ends and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough. First and second flanges extend radially outward from the first and second ends of the barrel. A longitudinal bore is located radially inward of the barrel and extends along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of support members extend radially outward from an outer surface of the bore to an inner surface of the barrel. One or more engagement beads are located on at least one of the support members and extend longitudinally along the support member. The engagement beads are positioned for engagement with a drive apparatus for facilitating winding and unwinding of elongate material.
A plurality of longitudinal beads may be provided that extend along an axial portion of the support members. The beads are preferably positioned at a radial distance from the longitudinal axis that is less than the radius of the barrel and greater than the radius of the bore. In addition, opposing beads, extend toward one another, may be positioned on adjacent support members for engagement of the drive apparatus.
For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show forms that are presently preferred. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and instrumentality shown in the drawings.
Referring to the figures, wherein like numerals are used to indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in
The spool 10 comprises a cylindrical barrel 12 and two flanges 14 coupled to the barrel 12 at opposing ends thereof. With particular reference to
The opposing flanges 14 are contemplated to be identical. As shown in
The radial wall 28 of the flange 14 includes a plurality of radial ribs 30 that extend outwardly from the hub 24. The ribs 30 are generally perpendicular to the radial wall 28 and serve to stiffen the flange 14, resisting flex in the axial direction. Additional stiffening of the flanges 14 is provided by brace ribs 32 positioned between the ribs 30.
The flanges 14 may have windows 34 within the radial wall 28 to facilitate viewing of the material wound on the barrel 12. As shown, multiple windows 34 are provided in each flange 14, with each window formed at a different radial distance from the longitudinal axis 20 to provide viewing of the various levels of material wound on the barrel 12.
As shown in
A plurality of radial support members 38 extend outwardly from the bore 36 to the inside surface of the barrel 12. As best seen in
Engagement beads 50 extend longitudinally along at least some of the radial support members 38. Referring to
As shown in
As shown in
The spool 10 is preferably fabricated from conventional polymeric materials, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or styrene, using conventional manufacturing techniques such as injection molding or extrusion. The barrel 12 may be co-molded with the flanges 14, using single or double molding processes. Alternatively, the barrel 12 may be coupled to flanges 14 using conventional adhesive solvents or ultrasonic welding.
Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to the exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions and additions may be made therein and thereto, without parting from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61165974 | Apr 2009 | US |