Sleeve type lap creel having a changeable axial length

A lap creel having a changeable axial length, comprising a first axially outer creel section with radially extending openings therein, a second axially outer creel section also with radially extending openings therein, each of said first and second axially outer creel sections forming a hollow cylinder having a given open inner diameter, said lap creel further comprising a first group of circumferentially spaced ribs extending axially from the first creel section to the second creel section and a second group of circumferentially spaced ribs extending axially from the second creel section to the first creel section whereby the ribs of one creel section fit into spacings between the ribs of the other creel section and vice versa, said first and second groups of ribs forming a rib cage having radially outer support surfaces defining an outer diameter smaller than said given open inner diameter of said first and second creel section so that said ribs can fit into the creel sections, and frangible bridging elements interconnecting said first and second creel sections through said ribs, whereby said bridging elements may be broken, when an initial axial spacing between said first and second creel sections is changed.