Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6276528
-
Patent Number
6,276,528
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, October 5, 199924 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, August 21, 200122 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Sewell; Paul T.
- Luong; Shian
Agents
- Miles & Stockbridge P.C.
- Kondracki; Edward J.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 206 38
- 206 381
- 206 396
- 206 397
- 206 398
- 206 403
- 206 404
- 206 407
- 206 410
- 206 415
- 206 416
- 220 8
- 220 2391
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A tubular core assembly and system including a rigid, open ended, tubular core body having grip strips arranged in a pattern on the outer surface of the tubular core body, at least one circumferential locking area, and a pair of annular insert members each configured to be received within respective opposed ends of the tubular core body. Upon engagement of an annular insert member with an end of the tubular core body, at least one radially extending member integrally formed on an external peripheral surface of the insert member, becomes releasably interlocked with the locking area, and one or more other radially extending members become frictionally engaged with an inner surface of the tubular core body. The pattern of the grip strips is configured such that when sheet material disposed in a first wrap around the tubular outer surface frictionally engages the grip strips, the first wrap remains releasably retained and successive wraps of the sheet material are disposed in a tightly rolled configuration. The assembly further includes an over-wrap arranged to encase a roll of sheet material wrapped around the tubular core body so that opposing ends of the over-warp are each releasably retained in a pinching engagement between a respective annular insert member and the tubular core body.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tubular core assembly of the type used for winding continuous webs such as, for example, roll carpet or other forms of web material such as plastic film, newsprint and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to a tubular core assembly having mechanically interlocked end members, or inserts, facilitate the retention of a protective overwrap material used to protect the material wound upon a core.
2. Description of Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,010 discloses a tubular core assembly for winding or unwinding sheet material, including inside diameter-reducing annular insert members at opposed ends of the tubular core. Each annular insert member is mechanically interlocked to the tubular core by at least one axial groove in the bodywall of the tubular core, which is arranged to engage an axially extending tongue member on an annular insert member.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,050 also discloses a similar tubular core assembly, wherein inside diameter-reducing annular insert members are mechanically locked to the tubular core by at least one radially extending pin.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,636 discloses a tubular core assembly that includes end caps, or plugs, arranged to be press-fit into the core to prevent damage to the end portions of the core. The core plugs include an outside lip area to aid in removal of the core plugs from the tubular core.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a tubular core assembly and system. The system includes a rigid, open ended, tubular core body, a pair of annular insert members, an over-wrap, an installation tool and a removing tool. The tubular core assembly includes the tubular core body, which has grip strips arranged in a pattern on its outer surface, and at least one circumferential locking area adjacent each end of the tubular core body, and a pair of annular insert members each configured to be received within respective opposed ends of the tubular core body.
Each insert member includes a plurality of radially extending members integrally formed on an external peripheral surface of the insert member and configured to be received in one or more circumferential locking areas of the tubular core body. Upon engagement of an insert member with an end of the tubular core body, one or more of the radially extending members become releasably interlocked with the locking area, and one or more other radially extending members become frictionally engaged with an inner surface of the tubular core body.
The grip strips may be arranged in any pattern, and preferably in either as straight strips oriented parallel to the long dimension of the tubular core body, or in a helical pattern, generally wrapping around the tubular core body. The grip strips may be made of any material which satisfies the function of frictionally engaging the first wrap of a continuous web adapted to be rolled about the tubular core body.
The tubular core assembly further includes an over-wrap, such as, for example, a plastic sheet material, arranged to encase a roll of sheet material wrapped around the tubular core body so that opposing ends of the over-warp are each releasably retained in a pinching engagement between a respective annular insert member and the inside wall of the tubular core body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other features of the present invention and the attendant advantages will be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art and the invention will be more easily understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.
FIG. 1
is a schematic illustration of tubular core assembly
1
, according to the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a schematic illustration of the manner in which the core assembly is formed, according to the present invention;
FIG. 3
is a schematic illustration of the tubular core body including gripping strips arranged in a helical pattern, according to the present invention;
FIG. 3A
is a schematic illustration of radially extending tongue members in the form of a knurled pattern according to the present invention;
FIG. 4
is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tubular core body including circumferential cooperative locking areas extending partially through the bodywall, according to the present invention;
FIG. 5
is a schematic illustration of an annular insert member according to the present invention;
FIG. 6
is a schematic illustration of a radially extending tongue member according to the present invention;
FIG. 7
is a schematic illustration of a radially extending tongue member in the form of spaced, circumferential segments according to the present invention;
FIG. 8
is a schematic illustration of a radially extending tongue member in the form of a dimple according to the present invention;
FIG. 9
is a schematic illustration of the annular insert member completely seated in one end of the tubular core body according to the present invention;
FIG. 10
is a schematic illustration of one end of the tubular core assembly including an over-wrap according to the present invention;
FIG. 11
is a cross-sectional schematic view of one end of tubular core assembly according to the present invention;
FIG. 12
is a schematic illustration of the installation tool engaged in an annular end insert member according to the present invention;
FIG. 13
is a schematic illustration of side and end views of the removing tool according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1
is a schematic illustration of tubular core assembly
1
, according to the present invention, showing an elongate hollow cylindrical member or tubular core body
10
and a pair of annular insert members
12
,
12
′, each oriented to be received by opposing ends of tubular core assembly
1
. Tubular core body
10
can be made of any rigid material that can be configured with a slot having a profile that retains one of the annular insert members
12
,
12
′, as described in more detail, below. Preferably, tubular core body is
10
is made of polypropylene, but other materials can be used to form the core body such as, for example, plastic, recycled plastic, or similar materials, by molding or extrusion. Multiple layer tubular bodies formed by a conventional convolute wrapping process can also be used.
FIG. 2
is a schematic illustration of the manner in which the core assembly is formed. A user holding an annular insert member
12
positions member
12
for assembly into one end of tubular core body
10
. Tubular core body
10
includes a bodywall
14
having an outer surface
16
, grip strips
18
arranged in a pattern on outer surface
16
, and at least one circumferential slot
20
adjacent to each end.
Grip strips
18
may be arranged in any convenient pattern extending between opposing ends of the tubular core body
10
, so that sheet material, for example, a continuous carpet web, disposed in a first wrap around the tubular outer surface
16
frictionally engages the grip strips
18
. In this manner, the first wrap is releasably retained on the core body
10
and successive wraps of the sheet material are wrapped about the core body
10
in a tightly rolled configuration. The pattern can be one of straight strips oriented parallel to the long dimension of the tubular core body, as shown in
FIG. 2
, or a helical pattern, with strips
22
arranged in a spaced relation to one another, as shown in FIG.
3
. The grip strips
18
and
22
are manufactured by any number of methods. As non-limiting examples, grip strips
18
and
22
are made of synthetic or natural material and are applied to the outer surface of the tubular core body
10
by co-extrusion, spray, or hand application. Preferably, grip strips
18
and
22
are co-extruded and made of thermal plastic rubber. Any pattern of grip strips
18
and
22
is suitable and various materials may be used which satisfy the function of frictionally engaging the first wrap of a continuous web adapted to be rolled about the tubular core body
10
.
Alternatively, grip strips
18
,
22
may be a knurled pattern, as schematically illustrated in FIG.
3
A.
FIG. 3A
schematically illustrates a portion of annular end insert member
12
, including exterior periphery
24
, which includes a knurled pattern
19
, i.e., a plurality of raised portions produced by a knurling process. Also shown, is a cross-sectional view of member
12
, revealing the raised portions of the periphery
24
.
Tubular core body
10
may be configured to have one or more circumferential cooperative locking areas
20
integrally formed in the bodywall
14
adjacent to a respective end of body
10
. Circumferential cooperative locking areas
20
may have any convenient shape, and typically, but not by way of limitation, areas
20
are through slots substantially rectangular or oblong in shape, which are milled, punched, or cast into bodywall
14
. The shape and dimensions of slots
20
are determined by the dimensions, spacing, and profile of radially extending tongue members
26
. Circumferential cooperative locking areas
20
can extend from inner surface
21
to a depth partially through bodywall
14
so as to form a groove
20
′ in the internal wall, as shown in
FIG. 4
, however, preferably, areas
20
have a depth extending completely through the bodywall to form spaced slots along the periphery of the core body
10
adjacent each end, as shown in FIG.
3
.
FIG. 5
is a schematic illustration of annular insert member
12
, which is identical to end insert member
12
′. Annular insert members
12
,
12
′ have a cylindrical exterior periphery
24
with a diameter slightly less than that of core body
10
, and are configured to be received by respective ends of tubular core body
10
in coaxial relation therewith. Annular insert members
12
,
12
′ preferably are resiliently deformable, thereby facilitating removal after assembly with an end of tubular core body
10
, thereby enabling repeated reuse without sustaining substantial damage resulting from the removal step. Preferably, end insert members
12
,
12
′ are made of polypropylene, but other materials can be used, including recycled plastic. At least one, and preferably a plurality, of radially extending tongue members
26
are integrally formed on cylindrical exterior periphery
24
, and are configured to interlock with circumferential locking areas or slots
20
when annular insert members
12
,
12
′ are pressed into respective ends of tubular core body
10
. Preferably, the interlocking engagement between annular insert member
12
and tubular core body
10
is releasable.
FIG. 6
is a schematic illustration of a radially extending tongue member
26
extending from exterior periphery
24
. Tongue member
26
includes a cam surface
27
extending outward from periphery
24
and has a cam profile configured for camming engagement with an inner surface
21
of tubular core body
10
. Cam surface
27
is configured to provide assistance during insertion of annular insert member
12
into an end of tubular core body
10
. Preferably, the cam profile includes a slope from an initial height H1 downward to the exterior periphery
24
of the annular insert member
12
. The direction of the slope facilitates easy assembly of end insert member
12
into core body
10
, because, when pressed together, the camming effect of cam surface
27
resiliently deforms either tongue member
26
or periphery
24
, depending on selection of materials and dimensions. Preferably, surface
28
is substantially perpendicular to exterior periphery
24
and is configured for locking engagement with an end wall
23
of one of the circumferential cooperative locking areas
20
, thereby preventing rotation of the annular insert member
12
with respect to the tubular core body
10
. Preferably, surface
29
is also substantially perpendicular to exterior periphery
24
, so that upon assembly, surface
29
abuts a circumferential wall
25
of the locking area
20
.
FIG. 7
schematically illustrates an alternative embodiment, in which radially extending tongue member
26
is in the form of spaced segments
26
′ extending circumferentially along the peripheral surface
24
. Each segment
26
′ has a cam profile configured for ease of assembly and for locking engagement with a respective circumferential locking area or slot
20
. Preferably, each segment
26
′ is keyed to one corresponding area or slot
20
and extends substantially along the entire length thereof.
FIG. 8
schematically illustrates an alternative embodiment having a substantially half-spherical cam profile, as a dimple raised above exterior periphery
24
of annular insert member
12
.
The radially extending tongue members
26
are preferably deformable to a certain extent to allow insertion of the end insert members
12
,
12
′ into the core body
10
, regardless of the specific cam profile employed. Alternatively, end insert members
12
,
12
′ are sufficiently deformable to allow this insertion. Sliding engagement of the radially extending tongue member
26
with inner surface
21
of tubular core body
10
causes certain tongue members
26
, or alternatively, portions of end insert member
12
,
12
′, to temporarily deform until they seat and extend into the circumferential slots
20
, and return to, or nearly to, their original profile. Those tongue members
26
that are not aligned in a slot, press against inner surface
21
and frictionally retain the end insert member
12
,
12
′ in position.
Again referring to
FIG. 5
, annular insert member
12
further includes a leading end
30
and a trailing end
32
. Each end
30
and
32
has a face oriented perpendicular to cylindrical exterior periphery
24
of end insert member
12
. Trailing end
32
includes a lip
34
forming a circumferentially extending lip wall
36
oriented perpendicular to the exterior cylindrical periphery
24
. In use, when annular insert member
12
is pressed completely into interlocking engagement with one end of tubular core body
10
, the lip wall
36
abuts the end of tubular core body
10
. Leading end
30
further includes a beveled surface
31
having a leading edge
33
with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical core body
10
. Beveled surface
31
thus functions to assist in assembly of annular insert member
12
into an end of tubular core body
10
.
FIG. 9
schematically illustrates the tubular core assembly
1
with an annular insert member
12
completely seated in one end of tubular core body
10
. Several groupings, represented by groupings
37
and
37
′, of radially tongue members
26
are shown engaged in, and protruding through respective circumferential slots
20
and
20
′.
FIG. 10
is a schematic illustration of one end of a tubular core assembly
1
, which according to the present invention, operates in conjunction with an over-wrap
36
adapted to protectively encase a roll of sheet material, such as a carpet web, carried on tubular core body
10
. Over-wrap
36
can be any paper, plastic, cloth or other sheet material having a general shape, preferably a rectangular shape, which allows it to be wrapped about the carpet web or other material carried on the core body
10
and to be protected from external elements and possible damage. Each of two opposing ends of over-wrap
36
is arranged to be releasably retained in a pinching engagement between a respective annular insert member
12
,
12
′ and tubular core body
10
. To this end, the over-wrap
36
, after being wrapped about the web material, is inserted into the free ends of core body
10
, after which an insert
12
,
12
′ is pressed into the core body
10
, trapping or capturing the over-wrap
36
in place.
FIG. 11
is a cross-sectional schematic view of one end of tubular core assembly
2
, showing tubular core body
10
and annular insert member
12
, including radially extending tongue members
26
and
26
′ in seated, locking engagement with respective circumferential slot
20
or optionally, groove
20
′. Over-wrap
36
is shown as captured between annular insert member
12
and tubular body member
12
.
FIG. 11
also shows a cross-sectional view of sloping cam surface
27
of tongue member
26
in cooperation with circumferential slot
20
, when end insert member
12
is completely engaged in core body
10
. When end insert member
12
is moved in the direction of arrow A, i.e., in an insertion direction into tubular core body
10
, sloping surface
27
contacts inner surface
21
of core body
10
first, thereby forcing resilient deformation of either the tongue member
26
or the end insert member
12
, so that end insert member
12
travels therein until completely engaged, as illustrated in FIG.
11
. Whether tongue member
26
or end insert member
12
deforms depends on selection of materials and dimensions. When completely engaged, whichever of tongue member
26
, or end insert member
12
that sustained resilient deformation, returns to substantially its original shape, and surface
29
remains abutted against circumferential locking slot wall
25
. Further, as described in connection with
FIGS. 6 and 9
, surface
28
is substantially perpendicular to exterior periphery
24
of end insert member
12
and is configured for locking engagement with an end wall
23
of one of the circumferential cooperative locking areas
20
, thereby preventing rotation of the annular insert member
12
with respect to the tubular core body
10
.
FIG. 12
is a schematic illustration of a preferred embodiment of an installation tool
38
shown in engagement with annular insert member
12
. Tool
38
includes a first end
40
and second end
42
, an annular shoulder
44
disposed therebetween in coaxial relation therewith, and a handle portion
46
disposed between the annular shoulder
44
and the second end
42
. The first end
40
is configured to be operatively inserted in an annular insert member
12
, and annular insert member
12
together with tool
38
are configured to be inserted into tubular core body
10
. Second end
42
is configured operatively to receive driving impacts, so that during use, the handle portion
46
is held so as to locate first end
40
inside an annular insert member
12
so that annular shoulder
44
abuts annular raised lip
34
of annular insert member
12
, so that when second end
42
is impacted, tool
38
drivingly seats annular insert member
12
into seated engagement with tubular core body
10
.
FIG. 13
is a schematic illustration of a removing tool
48
, including a handle end
50
configured for gripping and an opposing chisel end
52
having a chisel-like profile. In use, handle end
50
is gripped so as to orient chisel end
52
in a gap formed at the juncture between the outer lip
34
of annular insert member
12
and the inner surface of tubular core body
10
. Upon prying manipulation of tool
38
, the annular insert member
12
may be separated from tubular core body
10
. Advantageously, this separation occurs as a result of appropriate selection of materials and dimensions of the interlocked components, thereby enabling the annular insert member
12
to be resiliently deformed until completely disengaged from core body
10
. Disengagement of end insert member
12
from core body
10
results after vertical wall
29
becomes fully disengaged from wall
25
of cooperating circumferential slot
20
. As a result, both end insert member
12
and core body
10
sustain little, or no, damage when separated, and can be repeatedly re-used, thereby providing cost savings.
While this invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternative modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
Claims
- 1. A tubular core assembly for a roll of sheet material comprising:an elongate hollow cylindrical tubular core body comprising a bodywall having an outer and inner surface, said tubular core body having at least one circumferential slot integrally formed in said bodywall, extending through said bodywall; annular insert members, said annular insert members each having a cylindrical exterior periphery and configured to be inserted and received into respective ends of said tubular core body in coaxial relation therewith; and a plurality of spaced, outwardly extending tongue members integrally formed on said cylindrical exterior periphery of each of said annular insert members and configured to be received in said slots of said tubular core body in interlocking relationship therewith, whereupon engagement of said annular insert members with respective ones of said opposing ends of said tubular core body results in said at least one radially extending tongue member being received in interlocking engagement with said at least one circumferential slot and at least one other radially extending tongue member being received in frictional engagement against the inner surface of said bodywall to frictionally retain said inserted annular insert member in place.
- 2. The tubular core assembly of claim 1 wherein said interlocking engagement is releasable.
- 3. The tubular core assembly of claim 1 wherein said at least one radially extending tongue member includes a sloping surface extending from an initial height downward in the direction of a leading end of said annular insert member to the exterior periphery of the annular insert member, said sloping surface being contiguous with a flat locking surface substantially perpendicular to said exterior periphery and configured for releasably locking engagement with a side wall of one of the circumferential slots, and a side surface for locking engagement with an end wall of one of the circumferential slots so as to prevent rotation of the annular insert member with respect to the tubular core body.
- 4. The tubular core assembly of claim 1 wherein said at least one radially extending tongue member is resiliently deformable, whereupon sliding engagement of said at least one radially extending tongue member with the inner surface of said tubular core body causes said at least one first radially extending tongue member to temporarily deform until said at least one first radially extending tongue member seats in releasably locking engagement with one of said at least one circumferential slots, while at least one second radially extending tongue member resiliently deforms and is maintained in frictional engagement with the inner surface of said tubular core body.
- 5. The tubular core assembly of claim 1 further comprising:grip strips arranged in a pattern on said outer surface of said bodywall and extending between opposing ends of said tubular core body.
- 6. The tubular core assembly of claim 5 wherein said pattern comprises one of spaced strips oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular core body, spiral strips defined by strips arranged in a spaced relation to one another in a generally helical pattern around the tubular core body, or a knurled surface.
- 7. The tubular core assembly of claim 5 wherein said grip strips are one of a synthetic or natural material disposed on the outer surface of the tubular core body as one of a co-extrusion, spray, or hand application.
- 8. The tubular core assembly of claim 5 wherein said tubular core body is made of polypropylene and said co-extruded grip strips are made of thermal plastic rubber.
- 9. A tubular core assembly for a roll of sheet material comprising:an elongate hollow cylindrical tubular core body comprising a bodywall having an outer and inner surface, said tubular core body having at least one circumferential slot integrally formed in said bodywall, extending through said bodywall; annular insert members, said annular insert members each having a cylindrical exterior periphery and configured to be inserted and received into respective ends of said tubular core body in coaxial relation therewith; a plurality of spaced, outwardly extending tongue members integrally formed on said cylindrical exterior periphery of each of said annular insert members and configured to be received in said slots of said tubular core body in interlocking relationship therewith, whereupon engagement of said annular insert members with respective ones of said opposing ends of said tubular core body results in said at least one radially extending tongue member being received in interlocking engagement with said at least one circumferential slot and at least one other radially extending tongue member being received in frictional engagement against the inner surface of said bodywall to frictionally retain said inserted annular insert member in place; wherein said at least one radially extending tongue member includes a sloping surface for camming engagement with the inner surface of said tubular core body upon insertion of said end insert member into an end of the tubular core body; and locking surfaces including a vertical back edge for preventing withdrawal of said end insert member from said core body and a vertical side wall for preventing rotation of said end insert member with respect to said core body.
- 10. The tubular core assembly of claim 9 wherein each said at least one radially extending tongue member comprises one of a circumferential arrangement of spaced outwardly extending elongated segments, each said segment having a sloping surface for insertion of the end insert member into the tubular body and for locking engagement with a respective one of said at least one circumferential slots, or an arrangement of substantially a half-spherical dimples.
- 11. The tubular core assembly of claim 7 wherein said interlocking engagement is releasable.
- 12. A tubular core assembly system comprising an elongate tubular core body having an outer surface and an inner surface and grip strips arranged in a pattern on the outer surface, a plurality of spaced slots adjacent opposite ends of said core body extending substantially therethrough,a pair of annular insert members each configured to be received within respective opposed ends of said tubular core body in coaxial relation therewith; and said annular insert members each including spaced radially extending deformable members integrally formed on an exterior periphery of the end insert member and configured to be received in said slots of said tubular core body in interlocking relationship therewith, whereupon engagement of said annular insert members with respective ones of said opposing ends of said tubular core body results in at least one first radially extending member achieving interlocking engagement with said at least one circumferential slot and at least one second radially extending member frictionally engaging the inner surface of said core body.
- 13. The tubular core assembly system of claim 12 wherein said at least one radially extending deformable member is resiliently deformable, whereupon sliding engagement of radially extending deformable members with the inner surface of said tubular core body causes said at least one first radially extending deformable member to temporarily deform until said at least one first radially extending deformable member seats in releasably locking engagement with one of said at least one circumferential slots, while at least one second radially extending deformable member resiliently deforms and is maintained in a frictional engagement with the inner surface of said tubular core body.
- 14. The tubular core assembly system of claim 12 wherein said pattern comprises one of strips oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular core body and extending between opposing ends of said tubular core body, spiral strips arranged in a spaced relation to one another in a generally helical pattern around the tubular core body, or a knurled pattern including a plurality of raised portions of said outer surface of said tubular core body; andsaid grip strips are one of a synthetic or natural material disposed on the outer surface of the tubular core body as one of a co-extrusion, spray, or hand application.
- 15. The tubular core assembly system of claim 12, further including an over-wrap having opposing ends, said over-wrap adapted to encase a roll of sheet material wrapped around said tubular core body with each of said opposing ends releasably retained in a pinching engagement between a respective annular insert member and said tubular core body.
- 16. A tubular core assembly system comprising an elongate tubular core body having an outer surface and an inner surface and grip strips arranged in a pattern on the outer surface, a plurality of spaced slots adjacent opposite ends of said core body extending substantially therethrough,a pair of annular insert members each configured to be received within respective opposed ends of said tubular core body in coaxial relation therewith; said annular insert members each including spaced radially extending deformable members integrally formed on an exterior periphery of the end insert member and configured to be received in said slots of said tubular core body in interlocking relationship therewith, whereupon engagement of said annular insert members with respective ones of said opposing ends of said tubular core body results in at least one first radially extending member achieving interlocking engagement with said at least one circumferential slot and at least one second radially extending member frictionally engaging the inner surface of said core body; an installation tool, said tool having first and second ends, an annular shoulder disposed therebetween in coaxial relation therewith, and a handle portion disposed between said annular shoulder and said second end, said first end configured to be operatively inserted in one of said pair of annular insert members, said second end configured operatively to receive driving impacts, whereby in use, said handle portion is held so as to locate said first end inside an annular insert member so that said annular shoulder abuts an annular raised lip of said annular insert member, so that when said second end is impacted, said tool drivingly seats said annular insert member into seated engagement with said tubular core body.
- 17. The tubular core assembly system of claim 16 further comprising:a removing tool, said removing tool including a handle end configured for gripping and an opposing chisel end, whereby in use, said handle end is gripped so as to orient said chisel end in a gap formed by a juncture between an annular insert member disposed in locking engagement with a tubular core body, whereupon prying manipulation of said tool results in separating said annular insert member from said tubular core body.
- 18. The tubular core assembly system of claim 16 wherein said at least one radially extending deformable member is resiliently deformable, whereupon sliding engagement of radially extending deformable members with the inner surface of said tubular core body causes said at least one first radially extending deformable member to temporarily deform until said at least one first radially extending deformable member seats in releasably locking engagement with one of said at least one circumferential slots, while at least one second radially extending deformable member resiliently deforms and is maintained in a frictional engagement with the inner surface of said tubular core body.
- 19. The tubular core assembly system of claim 16 wherein said pattern comprises one of strips oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular core body and extending between opposing ends of said tubular core body, spiral strips arranged in a spaced relation to one another in a generally helical pattern around the tubular core body, or a knurled pattern including a plurality of raised portions of said outer surface of said tubular core body; andsaid grip strips are one of a synthetic or natural material disposed on the outer surface of the tubular core body as one of a co-extrusion, spray, or hand application.
- 20. The tubular core assembly system of claim 16, further including an over-wrap having opposing ends, said over-wrap adapted to encase a roll of sheet material wrapped around said tubular core body with each of said opposing ends releasably retained in a pinching engagement between a respective annular insert member and said tubular core body.
US Referenced Citations (14)