Knockdown, changeable reel system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A changeable reel system adapted for receiving a coil of flexible, elongated material, which system comprises:
- a plurality of flanges each having a central area, a perimeter element and multiple spokes extending radially from the central area to the perimeter element;
a plurality of crossbeams each having a pair of opposite ends;
a use configuration with said flanges positioned in parallel, spaced relation and forming a compartment therebetween for receiving a material coil;
each said crossbeam extending between a pair of said flanges in said use configuration;
each said crossbeam end being releasably attached to a respective spoke of a corresponding flange in said use configuration; and
a knockdown configuration with said crossbeam ends detached from said spokes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A reel for use with flaccid material, such as cables, conduits or the like, includes flanges that are connected together by an adjustable hub. The hub is formed of a plurality of crossbeams that are releasably connected to the flanges whereby the reel can be disassembled for shipping and/or storage and re-assembled in a wide variety of configurations to have a variety of hub dimensions and a variety of compartments.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A changeable reel system adapted for receiving a coil of flexible, elongated material, which system comprises:
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a plurality of flanges each having a central area, a perimeter element and multiple spokes extending radially from the central area to the perimeter element;
a plurality of crossbeams each having a pair of opposite ends;
a use configuration with said flanges positioned in parallel, spaced relation and forming a compartment therebetween for receiving a material coil;
each said crossbeam extending between a pair of said flanges in said use configuration;
each said crossbeam end being releasably attached to a respective spoke of a corresponding flange in said use configuration; and
a knockdown configuration with said crossbeam ends detached from said spokes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
a projection mounted on a respective crossbeam end or spoke and extending therefrom; and
a receiver mounted on the other of said crossbeam end or spoke and receiving said projection with said reel in said use configuration.
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5. The system according to claim 4 wherein each said spoke/crossbeam connector is releasable by moving a respective crossbeam radially outwardly away from said central areas towards said perimeter elements whereby said projections are extracted from said receivers.
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6. The system according to claim 5, which includes:
said projections being retained in respective receivers at least partly by said material coiled in said compartment in said use configuration.
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7. The system according to claim 4 wherein said projection cooperates with said receiver to restrict relative rotation between said crossbeam and said flange about at least one axis.
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8. The system according to claim 7 wherein said projections and said receivers cooperate to rigidly fasten said spokes to said flanges.
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9. The system according to claim 1, which includes:
a hub positioned generally coaxially with said flange central areas and comprising multiple said crossbeams extending between said flanges.
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10. The system according to claim 9, which includes:
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said hub having a cross-sectional diameter; and
said crossbeam ends being adapted for mounting along said spokes at multiple locations whereby said hub diameter is adjustable.
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11. A method of handling an elongated, flexible material, which comprises the steps of:
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providing first and second flanges each having a central area, a perimeter element and multiple spokes extending radially outwardly from the central area to the perimeter element;
providing multiple crossbeams each having first and second ends;
attaching said crossbeam first ends to respective first flange spokes;
positioning said flanges in approximately parallel, spaced relation with respect to each other;
attaching said crossbeam second ends to respective second flange spokes to place said reel in a use configuration;
forming an annular compartment around said crossbeams and between said flanges;
coiling material in said compartment;
dispensing material from said compartment; and
detaching respective crossbeam ends from respective spokes and thereby disengaging said flanges to place said reel in a knockdown configuration. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
providing each said connector with a projection;
mounting each said projection on a respective crossbeam end or spoke;
extending each said projection from a respective said crossbeam end or spoke;
providing the other of said crossbeam end or spoke with a receiver;
attaching each said crossbeam end to a respective spoke by inserting a respective projection into a respective receiver to place said reel in its use configuration;
forming a hub with multiple said crossbeams and extending said hub between said flange central areas generally coaxially with same;
forming an annular compartment around said hub and between said flanges;
coiling an elongated material around said hub in said compartment;
dispensing said coiled material from said compartment;
detaching said crossbeams from said flanges by extracting said projections from said receivers; and
placing said reel in a knockdown configuration.
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15. The method according to claim 14, which includes the additional steps of:
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providing multiple attachment locations along said spokes for said crossbeam ends; and
adjusting a diameter of said hub by attaching said crossbeam ends to said spokes and locations corresponding to a respective hub diameter.
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16. The method according to claim 11, which includes the additional steps of:
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shipping said elongated material coiled on said reel in its use configuration from a source of said elongated material to a customer; and
backhauling said reel in its knockdown configuration.
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17. The method according to claim 14, which includes the additional step of at least partly retaining said projections in said receivers by said elongated material wrapped around said hub.
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18. The method according to claim 11, which includes the additional steps of:
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providing a third flange;
detachably connecting third flange to said second flanges; and
providing a second compartment between said second and third flanges.
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19. The method according to claim 14, which includes the additional steps of:
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inserting said projections into said receivers by moving said crossbeams radially inwardly; and
extracting said projections from said receivers by moving said crossbeams radially outwardly.
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20. A method of handling an elongated, flexible material, which comprises the steps of:
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providing first and second flanges each having a central area, a perimeter element and multiple spokes extending radially outwardly from the central area to the perimeter element;
providing multiple crossbeams each having first and second ends;
providing multiple spoke/crossbeam connectors each associated with a respective crossbeam end and spoke;
providing each said connector with a projection;
mounting each said projection on a respective crossbeam end or spoke;
extending each said projection from a respective crossbeam end or spoke;
providing the other of said crossbeam end or spoke with a receiver;
positioning said flanges in approximately parallel, spaced relation with respect to each other;
attaching each said crossbeam end to a respective spoke by inserting a respective projection into a respective receiver to place said reel in its use configuration;
forming a hub with multiple said crossbeams and extending said hub between said flanges generally coaxially with said central areas;
forming an annular compartment around said hub and between said flanges;
coiling an elongated material around said hub in said compartment;
dispensing said coiled material from said compartment;
detaching said crossbeams from said flanges by extracting said projections from said receivers; and
placing said reel in a knockdown configuration.
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Specification