Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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IMPROVED SPOOL ASSEMBLY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
a) Field of 'the invention
The present invention relates to a spool assembly for use in storing and
handling a cable-like member.
b) Brief de:~cription of the prior art
Various types of spool assemblies are known in the art.
Among these assemblies, US patent N° 5,280,861 in the name of the
present
inventor discloses a spool assembly for storing and handling a cable-like
member,
preferably a pintle. This assembly has one or two cylindrical spool in which
pintles
may be wound. It also has one or two cylindrical spool receiving members
having a
cylindrical peripheral wall, a flange preferably in the form of a ring
projecting radially
inwardly from one of the edges of the peripheral wall to hold the spool, a
plurality of
hooks integral to and projecting from the other edge of the peripheral wall at
given
intervals, and an opening provided in the peripheral wall to allow the cable
wound in
the groove of the spool to be pulled out. The assembly further has a flat,
preferably
ring-shaped circular cover having an external diameter that can be engaged by
the
hooks andl held tight by these hooks against the other edge of the spool
receiving
member, to form therewith a casing in which each spool is freely mounted. It
also has
a stopper devised to be snapped onto the casing formed by the spool receiving
member and the cover to rigidly hold any portion of the cable projecting
outwardly
from the easing through the opening.
Even if the structural components of the spool assembly disclosed already in
this US patent are easy to assemble and use, the Applicant has now found a
simpler
and more efficient way to assemble together the spool receiving member and the
cover of the spool assembly. Furthermore, the Applicant has improved the
structure
of the spool and of the stopper for better controlling the external end of the
cable
when it is pulled out. Also, the stopper is now more easy and handy to use.
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OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus, the object of the present invention is to provide a spool assembly for
cables, wires and the like which is simpler to assemble and more handy to use
than
any similar assembly known in the art. More particularly, the object of the
invention
is to provide a spool assembly which can be assembled in a plurality of ways
to meet
any specific requirements, such as, for example, the need for having a pair of
spools
immediatelly available to the user, or the need for a "stopper" strong to
rigidly hold the
external end of the pintle and prevent the same from winding back into the
receiving
member.
The spool assembly according to the invention comprises a small number of
basic components, namely one or two identical spool(s), a corresponding number
of
spool receiving members, a cover on which may be assembled an handle and one
or two identical stopper(s). Thus the spool assembly according to the
invention is
very simple in structure and assembly in addition of being versatile in use.
Advantageously, each of the structural components of the spool assembly
according to the invention is preferably made of plastic material, such as
polycarbonate, polypropylene, polystyrene, Nylon~, polyester, PVC and acrylic.
They invention and its advantages will be better understood from the following
description of a preferred embodiment thereof, made with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a spool assembly according to the
invention, including only one spool.
Figure 2 is partial perspective cross-section view of the spool.
Figures 3-A, B, C are partial perspective cross-section views illustrating the
assembling of the spool receiving member and the cover.
Figures 4-A, B, C are enlarged views of the stopper inserted within the
stopper
receiving means. Figure 4-A is a partial perspective exterior view, Figure 4-B
is a
partial perspective cut-away view and Figure 4-C is a schematic view showing
the
stopper engaging the spool.
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Figures 5-A, B are side perspective views of the spool assembly of the current
invention and it's handling.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
The spool assembly 1 according to the invention as shown in the
accompanying drawings is intended to be used for storing and handling at least
one
and preferably two cable-like members 3.
As seen in Figure 1, the spool assembly 1 preferably comprises four basic
elements preferably made of moulded plastic material, namely:
a spool 11;
a spool receiving members 21;
a flat cover 41; and
a stopper 61.
As seen in Figure 2, each spool 11 is formed with a radially outwardly opening
groove 12 in which the corresponding cable 3 may be wound. The spool 11 which
. has a given outer diameter and a given thickness "T", preferably comprises:
a peripheral ring 15 having a first 16 side wall and a second indented 18 side
wall having a jogged edge 19, said walls 16,18 forming with the peripheral
ring 15 a
U-shaped cross-section that opens axially outwardly and defines the above
mentioned groove 12; and more preferably
a small shaft 17 mounted on the indented ring 18, closely to the peripheral
ring
15 of the spool 11 and projecting axially outwardly therefrom.
Referring to Figure 1, it can be seen that each spool receiving member 21
comprises a cylindrical peripheral wall 22 having a pair of opposite edges
23,24 that
are round in shape. The peripheral wall 22 also has an outer diameter, an
inner
diameter that is substantially equal to or slightly larger than the outer
diameter of the
corresponding spool, and a height "H" that is substantially equal to or
slightly larger
than the thickness "T" of the spool 11. Each spool receiving member 21 also
comprises a flange 25 projecting radially inwardly from the round edges 23, of
the
peripheral wall 22 to hold the spool 11 when this spool is coaxially inserted
therein
through thE: opening defined by the other one of the round edges 24.
Preferably, as
it is shown, the flange 25 of the spool receiving member is in the form of a
flat ring
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that extends in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the member 21.
Such a
flat ring has an inner edge 26.
Each spool receiving member 21 further comprises hooking means integral
to and projecting from the edge 24 of the peripheral wall 22 at given
intervals along
this edge and in a direction parallel to the direction of the central axis of
the spool
receiving rnember 21. These hooking means preferably consist of a plurality of
slightly resilient hooks 27 that are circumferentially spaced-apart along the
edge 24
of the peripheral wall 22 of the spool receiving member 21, each hook 27 being
sized
and positioned to engage a hook-receiving slot 43 provided for this purpose in
the
cover 41, as will be explained hereinafter.
A main opening 28 is provided in the peripheral wall 22 to allow the cable 3
wound in the groove 12 of the corresponding spool 11 to be pulled out, when
the
spool is inserted into the member 21. As is clearly shown in FIG. 1, the main
opening 2t3 extends centrally between the edges 23,24 of the peripheral wall
22 of
the spool receiving member and is elongated in a direction perpendicular to
the
central axis of this member 21. The main opening 28 also has a pair of
opposite first
30 and second ends 29 that taper radially inwardly toward each other.
Preferably, the spool assembly 1 further comprises a wire hoder. This wire
holder comprises a tab 31 integrally moulded and projecting from the edge 24
of the
peripheral wall 22 in a direction parallel to the direction of the central
axis of this
member and a rubber 33. The tap 31 is positioned at a short distance in front
of first
end 30 of the main opening 28 and sized to engage a rubber 33. The rubber 33
preferably has an opening in order to be inserted over the tap 31.The rubber
33 is
also shaped in such a manner as to frictionally hold by wedging against the
peripheral wall 22 the cable 3 that projects out of the opening 28. As can be
understood, the shape, the size and the thickness of this rubber may be
adapted
accordingly to the type of cable 3 it is destined to hold. It can also
comprises one
many sized grove on one or both of its face and also being reversible.
ThE: flat cover 41 is circular in shape and has an external diameter
sufficient
to make ii: engageable by the hooks 27 and held tight by these hooks against
the
edge 24 of the spool receiving member to form a casing in which the spool 11
is
freely mounted. As is shown, the cover 41 is preferably in the form of a flat
ring which
extends in plane perpendicular to the central axis of the spool receiving
member
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when said member is hooked to it. This feature combined with the ring shape of
the
flange 25 of the member makes it possible for the shaft of the spool to remain
accessible and usable even when the spool is mounted in the casing formed by
the
spool receiving member 21 and the cover 41.
5 Preferably, the cover 41 has an external diameter that is larger than the
outer
diameter of the peripheral wall 22 of each of the spool receiving member 21.
As a
result, a peripheral portion 42 of the cover projects radially outwardly from
the spool
receiving member 21 when this member is hooked to the cover 41.
The; hook receiving slots 43 mentioned hereinabove are made in the
peripheral portion 42 at such locations as to be engageable by the hooks 27
projecting from each of the spool receiving member 21. Preferably, the slots
43
comprise a first 45 and a second 47 areas spaced-apart and linked together by
a
small channel 46 as seen in FIG. 3. The first area 45 is large enough to allow
insertion of the head of the hooks 27 therein and the channel 46 is wide
enough to
allow the central part of the hooks to slide within it. The second area 47,
which
comprises a notch 48, is lightly smaller than the first area 45 and also
lightly further
than the first area from the outer diameter of the cover.
Thus according to this preferred embodiment, to assemble together the
spool 11, i:he spool receiving member 21 and the cover 41, the spool is placed
inside
the spool receiving member 21 which hooks 27 are then inserted in
corresponding
first area 45 of corresponding slots 43 (FIG. 3-A). As seen in FIG. 3-E3 the
spool
receiving member is then rotated such that the hooks 27 move from the first
area of
the slots to the second area of the same slots by following the small channel.
The
hooks than "snap" in this second area and are held in place with the help of
the
notches 4~8 (FIG. 3-C).
PrE:ferably also, other hook receiving slots 43 are provided in the peripheral
portion 4:? of the cover to receive a second spool receiving member, when a
spool
assembly having two spools 11 is required. When only one spool is needed,
these
hook receiving slots may receive hooks 52 projecting from both ends of an
handle
51, when such handle 51 is wanted.
Each spool assembly preferably comprises a stopper receiving means for
receiving a stopper 61 as will be explained hereinafter and illustrated in
Figure 4. This
stopper receiving means comprises:
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a lump 72 moulded on the peripheral wall, this lump 72 being perpendicular
to the main opening 28 and extending at a short distance in front of the
second end
29 of said main opening 28; and
at least one small opening 73 provided in the peripheral wall 22, said small
opening 73. being preferably localized on one or on both sides of the first
end 30 of
the main opening 28, befinreen the tab 31 of the wire holder and the first end
30.
The stopper receiving means further comprises a claw 75 being mounted
directly over the lump 72 and projecting outwardly axially from the peripheral
portion
42 of the cover 41 on which the stopper 61 may pivot.
The stopper 61 is devised to be slid in the stopper receiving means and
snapped in a pivotal fashion between the claw 75 and the lump 72. It is
devised to
engage the jogged edge 19 of the indented side wall 18 of the spool 11 in
order to
prevent unwanted backwards rotation of the spool 11 and to release said spool
11
by swinging over the lump 72 when pressed by the user as it will be explained
hereinafter.
To .achieve its function, the stopper 61 comprises a small rounded lever 63
having one; 77 of its both extremities rising. It also have a central notch 64
in which
the lump 72 of the spool receiving means can be inserted to fit and being held
under
the claw i'5 of the stopping means in order to swing around said lump 72. The
stopper 61 further comprises a rubber end 67, said end 67 being covering the
rising
extremity i'7 of the lever 63. The second end 65 has at least one teeth 66
protruding
on its lower surface, said teeth 66 being sized and positioned to engage an
indentation 20 of the indented side wall 18 of the spool 11 as illustrated in
Figures 4-
B and 4-C. As can be understood, the second end may also comprises rubber end
in order to frictionally engage the cable 3 that projects out of the opening
28.
The: rubber end 67 covers the rising extremity 77 of the lever 63 and
comprise:; on its lower surface at least one bump 69. While the upper surface
provides au area on which the thumb of the user may press, this bump 69
provides
a free sp<~ce under this rising extremity and is devised to be compressed by
the
action of said thumb and acts as a spin to keep the rising extremity 77 of the
stopper
in an upper position. By comprising this bump, the lever 63 pivots over the
lump 72
such that iits first end 65 is lightly elevated, elevating as well the teeth
66 which come
out the indentation 20. This releases the spool 11, permitting therefore its
rotation
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and the cak>le 3 to be pulled out. When released, the bump "pushes back" the
rising
extremity Tl in the upper position whereas the first end 65 and its teeth 66
go back
in the lower position such that the teeth 66 engages again the spool 11.
Figures 5-A and 5-B illustrate the handling of the spool assembly 1. As can be
seen, the user can hold firmly and with only one hand the spool assembly 1
according to the invention by pressing the external diameter of the cover 41
within
his palm v~rith his four fingers on the handle 51. The handle is also
positioned
vertically below the stopper 61 such that the user can press on the second end
of the
stopper with his thumb when holding the handle. His other hand is thus free to
operate thf: shaft 17.
As c;an be seen in Figure 5-A, when the stopper is not pressed, one simply
has to pull extra wire from the spool assembly 1. Since the teeth 66 of
stopper 61
engages the spool 11, said spool may only be rotated clockwise. As seen in
Figure
5-B, when 'the stopper 61 is pressed, the spool 11 may be rotated counter-
clockwise
with the hE:lp of the shaft 17 in order to collect the extra wire protruding
from the
assembly 1.
As c;an be understood, the spool assembly 1 of the invention may have up to
two cable-like members. For this purpose, the cover 41 may have supplementary
hook receiwing slots 43 for receiving the second spool receiving member as
specified
hereinbefore. The cover 41 may also be provided with a second claw, similar to
the
first claw 75, for engaging the stopper provided with this second cable
member. This
second claw should protrude in the opposite direction of the first claw 75 and
also
being spaced-apart from the first claw at a distance similar to the size of a
hand.
Thus by rotating the spool assembly by 180°, the user can hold the
spool assembly
1 and touch the corresponding claw with his thumb.
As stated hereinbefore, the spool assembly 1 according to the invention is
preferably made of plastic material. Even more preferably, to obtain a up-
market
transparent and shock resistant product, the spool receiving member 21 and the
flat
cover 41 are made of polycarbonate whereas the spool 11 is made of
polystyrene.
The polystyrene which is cheaper than polycarbonate offers a better sliding of
the
spool 11 within the spool assembly 1. The spool 11 could also be coloured to
increase the aesthetic appearance of the whole assembly.
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In a cheaper and more shock sensitive commodity version of the assembly,
the spool rE:ceiving member 21 and the cover 41 are preferably opaque. In this
version, the' spool receiving member 21 and the spool 11 are in polypropylene
whereas thE: cover 41 is in polystyrene. Of course, the spool receiving member
21
could also be made of polystyrene. This choice of resin permits to obtain a
very good
sliding of tht: spool 11 within the assembly. The product obtained therefore
is clearly
cheaper than the up-market product.
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail
herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood
that the
invention is not limited to this precise embodiment and that various changes
and
modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope or
spirit of the
invention.
By example, accordingly to the type and the size of cable 3, it can be
preferable fro use a supple or rigid rubber on the wire holder as well as on
the
stopper. The position of the opening 28, lump 72, claw 75, and top 33 could
also be
adapted accordingljr to the need of the user.
