Knockdown, changeable reel system and method
AssigneePetroflex, N.A., Inc.
InventorsDustin H. Weaver, Thomas L. Yoast
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A reel for use with flaccid material, such as cables, conduits or the like, includes flanges that are connected together by an adjustable hub. The hub is formed of a plurality of crossbeams that are releasably connected to the flanges whereby the reel can be disassembled for shipping and/or storage and re-assembled in a wide variety of configurations to have a variety of hub dimensions and a variety of compartments.
Claims20
A changeable reel system adapted for receiving a coil of flexible, elongated material, which system comprises:
- a plurality of flanges each having a central area, a perimeter element and multiple spokes extending radially from the central area to the perimeter element;
- a plurality of crossbeams each having a pair of opposite ends;
- a use configuration with said flanges positioned in parallel, spaced relation and forming a compartment therebetween for receiving a material coil;
- each said crossbeam extending between a pair of said flanges in said use configuration;
- each said crossbeam end being releasably attached to a respective spoke of a corresponding flange in said use configuration;
- and
- a knockdown configuration with said crossbeam ends detached from said spokes.
A method of handling an elongated, flexible material, which comprises the steps of:
- providing first and second flanges each having a central area, a perimeter element and multiple spokes extending radially outwardly from the central area to the perimeter element;
- providing multiple crossbeams each having first and second ends;
- attaching said crossbeam first ends to respective first flange spokes;
- positioning said flanges in approximately parallel, spaced relation with respect to each other;
- attaching said crossbeam second ends to respective second flange spokes to place said reel in a use configuration;
- forming an annular compartment around said crossbeams and between said flanges;
- coiling material in said compartment;
- dispensing material from said compartment;
- and
- detaching respective crossbeam ends from respective spokes and thereby disengaging said flanges to place said reel in a knockdown configuration.
A method of handling an elongated, flexible material, which comprises the steps of:
- providing first and second flanges each having a central area, a perimeter element and multiple spokes extending radially outwardly from the central area to the perimeter element;
- providing multiple crossbeams each having first and second ends;
- providing multiple spoke/crossbeam connectors each associated with a respective crossbeam end and spoke;
- providing each said connector with a projection;
- mounting each said projection on a respective crossbeam end or spoke;
- extending each said projection from a respective crossbeam end or spoke;
- providing the other of said crossbeam end or spoke with a receiver;
- positioning said flanges in approximately parallel, spaced relation with respect to each other;
- attaching each said crossbeam end to a respective spoke by inserting a respective projection into a respective receiver to place said reel in its use configuration;
- forming a hub with multiple said crossbeams and extending said hub between said flanges generally coaxially with said central areas;
- forming an annular compartment around said hub and between said flanges;
- coiling an elongated material around said hub in said compartment;
- dispensing said coiled material from said compartment;
- detaching said crossbeams from said flanges by extracting said projections from said receivers;
- and
- placing said reel in a knockdown configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.