Lubricating device for an expanding reel mandrel

A centrally-lubricating expanding reel mandrel, comprising:

• a mandrel shaft defining a longitudinal axis and having an axial bore defined longitudinally therein and bounded by an inner wall of the shaft, said shaft having a wedge surface supported thereon and said wedge surface having a lubrication point defined therein, and said shaft defining a channel for establishing fluid communication between said lubrication point of said wedge surface and said axial bore of said shaft;
• a lubricant-guiding cartridge disposed within said mandrel shaft bore, said cartridge having a longitudinal conduit defined in and through said cartridge and a peripheral wall having a circumferentially annular transverse groove defined in said peripheral wall in fluid communication with said longitudinal conduit for lubricant flow from said conduit to said annular groove, said annular groove being further defined in fluid communication with said channel in said shaft for lubricant flow from said annular groove to said lubrication point through said channel;
• and
• a central lubricant distribution unit at an end of said shaft proximate said cartridge and in fluid communication with said longitudinal conduit of said cartridge for centrally distributing lubricant from said unit through said conduit to said lubrication point.