Composite, heavy-duty spool with plastic end cones

Abstract

A composite, heavy-duty spool with plastic end cones, consisting of a cylindrical spool body of thick, rigid, heavy cardboard having open ends, and a pair of plastic end cones identical to each other. When dismantled, the end cones can nest in each other so as to occupy little space. Each end cone comprises a truncated, conical body portion all parts of which are essentially of uniform thickness. Integral with the conical body portion of each cone is a strengthened peripheral rim of U-shaped cross section defining an annular groove which faces axially away from the body portion. At its small base part, each body portion has a transverse wall that is apertured to receive a draft bolt, and has a plurality of integral strengthening ribs each of which is disposed both on the conical exterior and on the transverse wall exterior. The ribs lie in planes which pass through the axis of the body portion, and are shaped to effect a lead-in formation at the aperture of the transverse wall, to guide a draft bolt to the aperture.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.