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US 12,509,321 B2Granted
Reel assemblies and methods of making and using reel assemblies
OwnerWalter Alexander Stafford, IVinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved reel or spool package comprises opposing flange assemblies. Each flange assembly comprises inner and outer parallel members having a connective material in between them. A core interconnects the flange assemblies. One or more rods extends through each end of the center core such that portions of the rods are in contact with the connective material. The connective material connects the inner and outer parallel members of each flange assembly together and holds the rods in place relative to the core and the parallel members. There is no need for additional fastening devices (e.g., bolts, screws, welds, etc.). The resulting package is extremely strong, even if a paper core is used, and can replace wood or metal reels currently used in many applications.
Claims20
A reel comprising:
- first and second flange assemblies, the first flange assembly comprising first inner and outer parallel members and a first amount of connective material disposed in between inner surfaces of the first inner and outer members to interconnect the first inner and outer parallel members, the second flange assembly comprising second inner and outer parallel members and a second amount of connective material disposed in between inner surfaces of the second inner and outer parallel members to interconnect the second inner and outer parallel members;
- a center core that interconnects the first and second flange assemblies, a first end of the center core extending beyond the inner surface of the first inner parallel member of the first flange assembly and being in contact with the first amount of connective material, a second end of the center core extending beyond the inner surface of the second inner parallel member of the first flange assembly and being in contact with the second amount of connective material;
- and
- at least first and second rods passing thru holes formed in the first and second ends, respectively, of the center core, wherein first and second portions of the first rod are positioned in between the inner surfaces of the first inner and outer parallel members and are in contact with the first amount of connective material, and wherein first and second portions of the second rod are positioned in between the inner surfaces of the second inner and outer parallel members and are in contact with the second amount of connective material.
1 more element
A method of making a spool or a reel comprising:
- passing a first end of an elongated center core through a hole formed in a first inner parallel member of a first flange assembly such that a portion of the first end extends beyond an inner surface of the first inner parallel member;
- passing at least a first rod through openings formed in said portion of the first end of the center core such that first and second portions of the first rod are disposed outside of the center core substantially parallel to the first inner parallel member;
- in a first dammed area on the first inner parallel member surrounding the center core and the first and second portions of the first rod, placing a first amount of a connecting material such that the first amount of connecting material is in contact with the inner surface of the first inner parallel member, with an outer surface of said portion of the first end of the center core, and with the first and second portions of the first rod;
- placing a first outer parallel member of the first flange assembly on the first connecting material such that an inner surface of the first outer parallel member is in contact with the first connecting material;
- passing a second end of the elongated center core through a hole formed in a second inner parallel member of a second flange assembly such that a portion of the second end of the center core extends beyond an inner surface of the first inner parallel member;
- passing at least a second rod through openings formed in said portion of the second end of the center core such that first and second portions of the second rod are disposed outside of the center core substantially parallel to the second inner parallel member;
- in a second dammed area of the second inner parallel member surrounding the center core and the first and second portions of the second rod, placing a second amount of the connecting material such that the second amount of the connecting material is in contact with the inner surface of the second inner parallel member, with an outer surface of said portion of the second end of the center core, and with the first and second portions of the second rod;
- and
- placing a second outer parallel member of the second flange assembly on the second amount of the connecting material such that an inner surface of the second outer parallel member is in contact with the second amount of the connecting material, wherein curing of the connecting material interconnects the first inner and outer parallel members and interconnects the second inner and outer parallel members.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.