Reversible reel assembly

A reversible reel assembly comprising a rotatable head plate, two rotatable reels for successive, continuously winding rolled strip, the two reels mounted on the rotatable head plate and rotatably driven independently from each other, wherein each reel is movable by a rotation of the head plate between an initial position and a strip coil transfer position, each reel comprising a drum including a plurality of segments movable between a first position of rest and a second spread-apart position, the segments defining conically-shaped sliding surfaces, a tubular reel shaft mounted on the head plate for each reel, each shaft having an axis and an end facing the reel drum, the sliding surfaces axially slidably contacting the end of the shaft, a plunger extending axially through each reel shaft, a flange attached to an end of the plunger for connecting the plunger to the segments, so that an axial movement of the plunger moves the segments between the first and second positions thereof, a compression spring mounted in each tubular shaft, the spring acting on the plunger so as to bias the segments into the spread-apart position, at least one stationary positioning drive including a positioning member, the positioning member capable of acting on the plunger for moving the plunger in axial direction against the force of the compression spring so as to move the segments into the first position of rest, the positioning drive further including a coupling jaw, the reel shaft defining coupling elements, wherein the coupling elements is movable with play into the coupling jaw when the head plate is rotated, so that a locking engagement is effected between the positioning drive and the reel which is in the position for moving the segments into the first position.