US 2017/0275131 A1 · INDEPENDENTLY ROTATABLE FLANGES AND ATTACHABLE ARBOR HOLE ADAPTERS

Abstract

A pair of flanges attachable to the arbor hole of a reel is disclosed. The flanges provide a mechanism to allow the reel to be easily loaded, and lifted into place. Once loaded into place, the flanges may include a locking mechanism that locks the reel in place, centered on the flanges. Additionally, the flanges are attachable using a hub that allows them to rotate independently from one another, and from the reel to which they are attached.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A pair of rotating flanges for use on a reel, each rotating flange comprising:

an outer rim defining an outer perimeter of the flange;
a hub assembly supported on the flange within the outer perimeter, the hub assembly including a bearing assembly that allows the outer rim to rotate relative to the reel when the flange is attached to the reel;
and
an attachment mechanism for removably coupling the flange to the reel,
wherein the pair of rotating flanges are separately attachable to the reel and independently rotatable relative to each other.

2 more elements

A method of releasably attaching a pair of independently rotating flanges to a reel, the method comprising:

aligning a first flange with an outside of one side of the reel, the first flange having an outer rim defining an outer perimeter and a hub assembly supported within the outer perimeter, the hub assembly including a bearing assembly that allows the outer rim of the first flange to rotate relative to the reel when the first flange is attached to the reel;
attaching the first flange to the reel;
aligning a second flange with an outside of the other side of the reel, the second flange having an outer rim defining an outer perimeter and a hub assembly supported within the outer perimeter, the hub assembly including a bearing assembly that allows the outer rim of the second flange to rotate relative to the reel when the second flange is attached to the reel;
and
attaching the second flange to the reel,
wherein the first and second flanges are separately attachable to the reel and independently rotatable relative to each other.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

15/287,429Filed 6 Oct 2016

Priority

25 Mar 2016

Published

28 Sep 2017

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification15 codes

B65H 75/185
Constructional details: end caps, plugs or adapters
B65H 49/321
Stands or frameworks: characterised by features enabling their folding or dismantling
B65H 49/325
Constructional details: arrangements or adaptations for supporting the shafts, e.g. saddle type shaft bearings
B65H 49/36
Unwinding or paying-out filamentary material; Supporting, storing or transporting packages from which filamentary material is to be withdrawn or…:…

Family

Application62/313,404Us provisional application · filed 25 Mar 2016

Application15/239,163Continuation · filed 17 Aug 2016

Application15/287,429Continuation

US 9,617,112 B1Related patent

US 9,828,209 B2Related patent

US 2017/0275131 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Independently rotatable flanges and attachable arbor hole adapters

Life of this patent

Independently rotatable flanges and attachable arbor hole adapters

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16