Shipping spool
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A spool comprising:
- a barrel having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal centerline and an outer surface located at a first radius from the centerline;
first and second end flanges each having a hub portion and an annular rim portion, the annular rim portion having a radial span extending from an inner radius to an outer radius, the inner and outer radii each extending from a flange centerline and the inner radius being substantially equal to the first radius and each flange being fixedly coupled at the hub portion to the barrel at the first and second ends, respectively;
a plurality of openings each positioned at a different angular and radial location within the annular rim portion, the openings sized such that they combine to extend over substantially the entire radial span of the annular rim portion.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A spool is provided having opposing identical end flanges coupled to a central barrel. An annular rim portion of the flanges is provided with a plurality of openings positioned at different radial and circumferential positions. The openings are sized such that if the openings were rotated into angular alignment, the openings would span the annular rim portion from an inner radius to an outer radius. The openings thus allow a user to view contents of the spool. Each flange may further provide a generally semi-circularly shaped recess sized and shaped to receive a winding dog.
43 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A spool comprising:
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a barrel having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal centerline and an outer surface located at a first radius from the centerline;
first and second end flanges each having a hub portion and an annular rim portion, the annular rim portion having a radial span extending from an inner radius to an outer radius, the inner and outer radii each extending from a flange centerline and the inner radius being substantially equal to the first radius and each flange being fixedly coupled at the hub portion to the barrel at the first and second ends, respectively;
a plurality of openings each positioned at a different angular and radial location within the annular rim portion, the openings sized such that they combine to extend over substantially the entire radial span of the annular rim portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A spool comprising:
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a barrel having a first end and a second end;
first and second end flanges coupled to the barrel first and second ends, respectively, and each flange having;
a hub portion and a radially-extending, annular rim portion;
a first face and a second face;
a circumferential rib fixed to the annular rim portion on the first face and extending around the annular rim portion proximate an outer circumference of the annular rim portion;
a circumferential wall connecting the hub portion to the annular rim portion; and
a plurality of radial ribs fixed to the annular rim portion, the circumferential wall and the circumferential rib on the first face, extending between the circumferential wall and the circumferential rib;
an opening located within the annular rim portion and having a size extending substantially between the circumferential wall and the circumferential rib; and
a substantially transparent window provided within the opening. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A spool comprising:
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a barrel having a first end and a second end;
first and second end flanges coupled to the barrel first and second ends, respectively, and each flange having;
a hub portion and a radially-extending, annular rim portion;
a first face and a second face;
a circumferential rib fixed to the annular rim portion on the first face and extending around the annular rim portion proximate an outer circumference of the annular rim portion;
a circumferential wall connecting the hub portion to the annular rim portion; and
a first plurality of radial ribs fixed to the annular rim portion, the circumferential wall and the circumferential rib on the first face, extending between the circumferential wall and the circumferential rib, wherein at least a sector of the annular rim portion is fabricated from a substantially transparent polymeric material. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A spool for use with a winding machine having a winding dog to rotate the spool, the spool comprising:
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a barrel having a first end and a second end;
first and second end flanges coupled to the barrel first and second ends, respectively, and each flange having;
a hub portion and a radially-extending, annular rim portion;
a first face and a second face;
a circumferential rib fixed to the annular rim portion on the first face and extending around the annular rim portion proximate an outer circumference of the annular rim portion;
a circumferential wall connecting the hub portion to the annular rim portion; and
a first plurality of radial ribs fixed to the annular rim portion, the circumferential wall and the circumferential rib on the first face, extending between the circumferential wall and the circumferential rib;
a generally semi-circularly shaped recess located between two adjacent radial ribs, proximate the intersection of the ribs and the hub, the semi-circular recess having a center positioned in the range of 2.2 to 2.4 inches from the flange centerline and being adapted to receive the winding dog. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification