Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2~5~162
COI,LAPSIBLE METAL REEL
Fi~ld O~ The I~Y~ntion
The pres2nt invention relates generally to collapsible
reels for storing and transporting flexible cables such as
co-axial cables used in the telecommunications industry.
This invention particularly relates to such reels which are
made of metal so that they have a long useful life, and
which can be readily modified for different applications so
that they do not remain idle for prolonged periods.
Backqround of the Invention
Metal reels are used extensively for cable shipment.
Because these reels are of considerable size and weight, it
is desirable that the empty reel is collapsible to conserve
shipment or storage space. It is also preferable that a
reel is adjustable in axial dimension and hub diameter to
provide several reel configurations from a minimum number
of component parts. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,565,363, 3,940,085,
4,066,224 and 4,198,012 disclose collapsible reels which do
not have interchangeable parts or variable hub diameters.
A reel with interchangeable parts which is not adjustable
and non-collapsible is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
3,970,267. An adjustable, non-collapsible reel is
described in U.s. Pat. No. 4,221,347.
20~7162
ry o~ The I~ven~ion
It is a primary object of the present invention to
provid~ an improved collapsible metal reel which can be
readily modified to form reels of different widths (the
axial dimension of the reel) and different inside
diameters.
It is another object of this invention to provide an
improved collapsible metal reel in which oxidation of the
metal parts does not impair the usefulness, nor the
versatility, of the reel.
A further object of this invention is to provide an
improved collapsible metal reel which provides parts which
are interchangeable for different applications, i.e., the
same parts can be used to form reels of different widths
and diameters.
Still another object of this invention is to provide
an improved collapsible metal reel which is rugged and
durable so that it has a long operating life.
A still further object of this invention is to provide
an improved collapsible metal reel which is totally
collapsible in that the ends or "flanges" of the reel are
r~adily detachable from the central hub which interconnects
the two flanges.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide an
improved collapsible metal reel which is particularly
2~57~2
useful in forming reels of relatively large size, e.g.,
several feet in diameter.
A further object of the invention is to provide an
improved collapsible metal reel in which the detachable
parts are self-aliqning when they are attached to each
other so that end flanges are always parallel to each other
and the hub is always perpendicular to the end flanges~
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following detailed description and the
accompanying drawings.
In accordance with the present invention, the
foregoing objectives are realized by providing a
collapsible metal reel comprising a pair of end flanges
having a plurality of mounting brackets spaced radially
inwardly from the outer periphery thereof and spaced
circumferentially from each other, and a central hub having
mounting brackets at opposite ends thereof for mating with
the mounting brackets on the end flanges, the mating pairs
of the mounting brackets being attachable to, and
detachable from, each other by removable connecting bolts.
20~7162
~ri~f De3cription Of The Dr~win~
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible metal
reel embodying the present invention, with metal end flange
covers removed;
FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the reel shown in FIG.
l;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary exploded perspective of the
interlocking mechanism between the metal panels and the
elongated support members;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary exploded view of mating pairs
of the mounting brackets with connecting bolts; and
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the interior side of
an end flange having a cover.
Description Of The Preferred Embodiment
While the invention is susceptible to various
modifications and alternative forms, a specific embodiment
thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings
and will be described in detail. It should be understood,
however, that it is not intended to limit the invention to
the particular form described, but, on the contrary, the
intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and
alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
Turning now to the drawings and referring first to
FIG. 1, a reel 10 generally comprises a pair of rigid end
20C~71~2
flanges 11 and 12 interconnected by a central hub 13. As
shown in FIG. 1, th~ end flanges 11 and 12 of the reel 10
do not include covers, which will be described below in
connection with FIG. 5. Each end flange comprises a
circumferential rim 14 to which a plurality of radial
support members 15 are rigidly connected. To interconnect
the plurality of radial support members 15, a central
support member 16 is formed at the intersection of the
radial support members. In order to connect the end
flanges 11 and 12 to the central hub 13, a plurality of
mounting brackets 17 are welded to a plurality of the
radial support members 15. The positioning of the mounting
brackets 17 determines the degree of adjustability of the
hub diameter, as will be described in more detail below.
To form a central hub 13 which is both collapsible and
adjustable in hoth width and diameter, the hub comprises a
plurality of elongated rigid support members 18 which
interconnect end flanges 11 and 12, defining the width of
the reel 10. In order to connect the rigid support members
18 to the end flanges 11 and 12, mounting brackets are
formed by attaching a pair of parallel plates 19 at
opposite ends of each of the support members 18. A
plurality of curved metal panels 20 interlock with support
members 18 to form the radially out~r surface of the hub
13, as will be described in detail below. When
20~71~
interlocked, the curved metal panels 20 form a smooth outer
surface of the hub 13 which provides a snag-free
environment for the cable.
As can be seen in the fragmentary exploded perspective
view of FIG. 3, an elongated support member 18 is connected
to two metal panels 20 to form a portion of the hub 13.
The rolled edges 31 of the metal panels 20 are slid into a
groove 32 of the elongated support member 18 so that the
curved metal panels 20 are ri.gidly attached to the
elongated support members 18 to form a central hub 13
between the end flanges 11 and 12. As shown most clearly
in FIG. 1, each of the four curved metal panels 20 attaches
to two of the four support members 18 to form a 90 degree
section of the circumferential outer surface of the central
hub 13. Each of the curved metal panels 20 includes two
pins 55 which fit into holes 53 to support the center of
each metal panel 20 providing additional support to the hub
13.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention,
the mounti.ng brackets 17 of the end flanges 11 and 12
include a plurality of holes by which the elongated support
members 18 are attached to the end flanges so that a hub of
variable diameter is formed. When it is desired to adjust
the diameter of hub 13, each of the elongated support
members 18 can be connected to one of a plurality of holes
~0~71~2
circumferentially spaced in each mounting bracket 17. The
curved metal panels that are the proper si~e to slide into
the grooves 32 of the support members 18 are so positioned
to form the desired hub diameter. In positioning the
panels, the pins 55 of each mekal panel 20 are fitted into
one of a plurality of circumferentially spaced hol~s in
each radial support member 15 which does not include a
mounting bracket 17.
Thus, in the illustrative embodiment, each of the
support members 18 is connected to either a radially inner
hole 21 or a radially outer hole 22 of mounting brackets 17
of the end flange 11. When the support members 18 are
connected to the outer holes 22, the larger 90 degree
curved metal panels 23 are slid into the grooves 32 of the
support members 18 to form a central hub 13 of diameter dl.
The pins 55 (FIG. 1) of the metal panels 23 are fitted into
the outer holes 26 of each radial support member that does
not include a mounting bracket. A central hub of diameter
d2 is formed when the support members are connected to the
inner holes 21 and the smaller 90 degree curved metal
panels 24 are slid into the grooves 32 of the support
members lB. ~he inner holes 25 of each radial support
member that does not include a mounting bracket receive the
pins 55 (FIG. 1) of the metal panels 24.
2~3~7162
To provide a reel 10 of variable width, the length of
the elongated support members 18 and the accompanying
curved metal panels 23 or 24 can be extended or shortened.
The mountin~ brac~ets 17, when circumferentiall~ spaced on
radial support members 18, determine the hub diameter
adjustability. By attaching the mounting brackets 17 at a
different position along the radial support members 18 than
that shown in FIG~ 2, t~o different hub diameters will
result. It can be seen that the physical configuration of
the reel can be altered in diameter and width without the
use of special equipment. The interchangeability of the
parts provides a versatile and easily modified collapsible
reel.
As can be seen most clearly in FIG. 4, a bolt 41 may
be passed through one of the holes 42 on one side of a
mounting bracket 17, a hole 43 of a parallel plate 19 and a
washer 44. The bolt 41 is threaded onto a nut 45 to firmly
attach an elongated support member 18 to a radial support
member 15 of an end flange 11. As described above, the
bolt 41 and the nut 45 may connect an elongated support
member 18 to either of holes 21 or 22 (see FIG. 2) to
provide a hub 13 of diameter dl or d2.
To control winding tension, a drive plate 46 extends
between two radial support members (see FIG. 4). In order
to wind the cable, machinery is used which comprises three
2~571~2
arm-like extensions. Two of the arm-like ex ensions hold
the reel 10 in a desired position by locking into the
recessed circular area 47 of the central support member 16
of the end flanges 11 and 12. l'he third arm-like extension
of the winding machinery extends through the hole 47 of the
drive plate 46 and moves in a winding motion to facilitate
the cable winding and control the winding tension.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention,
each of the end flanges 11 and 12 of the reel 10 also
includes a metal cover. In the illustrative embodiment,
FIG. 5, a metal cover 51 is attached to the inner surface
of an end flange 11 so as to protect the cable.
The metal cover 51 is comprised of four sections which
each cover one-quarter of the inner surface of the end
flange 11. In order to facilitate repair, only a damaged
section of the metal cover 51 must be replaced, eliminating
the need for replacement of the entire cover. The metal
cover 51 also comprises sixteen holes 54 to correspond with
the holes in the four mounting brackets 17 so that the four
elongated support members 18 may be connected to the end
flange 11 as described above in connection with FIG. 4.
Moreover, eight holes 53 are included in metal cover 51 to
connect the pins 55 (FIG. 1) of each curved metal panel 20
to the end flange 11 as described above in connection with
FIG. 1.
2~7162
The circumferential rim of each of the end flanges is
preferably made from a weldment of steel channel to provide
a rigid base on which the reel rolls. The metal covers add
strength to the end flanges while providing protection to
the cable. A long operating life is provided by the
durable construction of the parts of the reel.
The collapsible metal reel 10 is assembled by placing
the radially outer side of the end flange on a flat surface
and bolting the plurality of elongated support members to
the end flange as shown in FIG. 4. The metal panels that
are sized to slide into the grooves of adjacent elongated
support members are then slid into the grooves until they
contact the radially inner side of the end flange. When
the metal panels contact the end flange, the pin on each
panel fits into the corresponding hole of a radial support
member. Another end flange is placed on top of the plates
on the ends of the elongated support members such that the
pin on each metal panel fits into the corresponding hole of
a radial support member of the end flange. The end flange
is bolted in place. The reel is then fully assembled and
ready for use. The parts of the reel are self-aligning
during assembly so that the end flanges are always parallel
to each other and the hub is always perpendicular to the
end flanges.
20~7162
In an alternative embodiment, the covers of the end
flanges are inclu~ed in the assembly of the collapsible
reel. Initiallv, a metal cover section is aligned on top
of a corresponding section of tha radially inner side of an
end flang~ so that the holes in the metal cover section are
aligned with the holes in the radial support members and
the mounting brackets of the end flange as shown in FIG. 5.
This metal cover section is then welded onto the end
flange. Each metal cover section is likewise aligned and
welded until the end flange contains an complete metal
cover. Next, the sections of a metal cover are aligned and
welded to the opposing end flange.
The radially outer side of an end flange is placed on
a flat surface. Four elongated support members are bolted
to the end flange, as shown in FIG. 4, and then four metal
panels that are sized to slide into the grooves of the
elongated support members are slid into the grooves until
they contact the radially inner side of the end flange.
When the metal panels contact the end flange, the pin on
each panel fits into the corresponding hole of a radial
support member. The radially inner side of the second end
flange with the welded metal cover is placed on top of the
plates on the end of the elongated support members such
that the pin on each metal panel fits into the
corresponding hole of a radial support member of the second
;~
~0~7~6~
end flange. To complete the assembly, the holes of the
second end flange with the metal cover are aligned with the
holes in the plates of the elongated support members and
are secured with bolts and nuts as shown in FIG. 4.
Disassembly after removal of cable from the reel merely
involves a reversal of the assembly operation. The reel is
laid on a flat surface and the nuts and bolts are removed
from an end flange. The end flange is then removed from
the hub. The metal panels are slid out of the grooves of
the elongated support members, and the nuts and bolts which
secure these support members are removed so as to detach
the support members from the other end flange. The
disassembly of the reel is completed. To prevent
difficulty in removing the metal panels from the grooves of
the elongated support members, the grooves are wide enough
to loosely secure the metal panels such that the panels are
not tightly fitted into the grooves. This interlocking
mechanism between the panels and the grooves allows the
rolled edges of the metal panels to move freely within the
grooves of the elongated support members so that oxidation
of the metal panels and the elongated support members
during the useful life of the collapsible reel will not
cause these parts to adhere to each other and prevent the
disassembly of the reel.
20~71~2
As can be seen from the foregoing detailed
description, the present invention provides collapsible
metal reels with interchangeable parts so that they may be
modified to form reels of different widths and inside
diameters. The reels are readily disassembled when the
cable is unwound to facilitate economical transportation,
storage and re-use of the reels.
The foregoing description is not limited to the
specific embodiments herein described. A larger or smaller
number of radial support members may be present. A
different number of elongated support members may be
attached to the radial support members such that curved
metal panels of greater or lesser than a ninety degree
portion of the hub circumference are slid into the grooves.
The curved metal panels may contain a plurality of pins
which fit into corresponding holes of a radial support
member to provide additional support for the central hub.
To increase khe hub diameter adjustability, the radial
support members may contain more than one mounting bracket.
Each mounting bracket may comprise more than two holes.
The metal end flange covers may be welded or attached by
alternate means to either side of the end flange. The
metal covers may contain a plurality of holes for attaching
the end flanges to any or all of the mounting brackets of
the radial support members. A number of drive plates may
~71~2
14
be welded on each end flange although only one is necessary
to facilitate the winding of cable.
