Patent classifications
B65H75/2245
Cable spool and storage
Systems and methods of dispensing telecommunications cable from a network component are provided. A system includes a housing, an axle, and a spool. The housing defines an interior region and includes a cable storage portion and a mounting surface defining a receptacle. The axle is configured to removably attach to the receptacle. The spool is configured to be disposed on the axle, and has a first flange proximal to the mounting surface and a removable second flange distal to the mounting surface when the spool is disposed on the axle. The spool has a drum portion configured to support a coiled fiber optic cable and dispense the fiber optic cable as the spool rotates on the axle. Undispensed cable can be removed from the spool with the second flange removed. The cable storage portion of the housing is configured to receive the undispensed coil.
EXPANDABLE DRUM ASSEMBLY FOR DEPLOYING COILED PIPE AND METHOD OF USING SAME
A drum assembly includes a support bar, expandable spokes extending away from the support bar, drum segments mounted to the expandable spokes, support brackets disposed on the support bar, a primary mechanical actuator extending between the support brackets, and secondary mechanical actuators extending from the support brackets.
REEL UNWINDING AND WINDING CONTROL
An electrical cord reel assembly can include a spool configured to wind and unwind an electrical cord therefrom. The electrical cord reel assembly can include a motor configured to rotate the spool to wind and unwind the electrical cord about the spool. The electrical cord reel assembly can include a controller in electrical communication with the motor and the electrical cord. The controller can be configured to, in response to an unwind command, place or maintain the electrical cord in a power off state. The controller can be configured to in response to the unwind command, transmit an unwind signal to the motor to cause the motor to unwind the electrical cord from the spool. The controller can be configured to automatically place the electrical cord in a power on state based at least in part on an amount of rotation of the spool during the unwinding.
COLLAPSIBLE/POP-UP REEL AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME
A collapsible reel having a high strength to weight ratio is provided. The collapsible reel comprises a core, around which a flexible media is wound, and flanges which prevent the wound flexible media from migrating axially off the core. The core is formed of first and second blanks having core portions and a plurality of spaced apart arms or tabs projecting from the core portions.
Independently rotatable flanges and attachable arbor hole adapters
A pair of flanges attachable to the arbor hole of a reel is disclosed. The flanges provide a mechanism to allow the reel to be easily loaded, and lifted into place. Once loaded into place, the flanges may include a locking mechanism that locks the reel in place, centered on the flanges. Additionally, the flanges are attachable using a hub that allows them to rotate independently from one another, and from the reel to which they are attached.
Paper roll spindle assemblies, support assemblies and packaging
A paper roll support assembly is provided with a collapsible spindle with distal ends to be received in a pair of bracket receptacles. Product packaging is sized to receive the collapsible spindle only in a collapsed state of the spindle to minimize an overall size. The collapsible spindle is provided with an outer spindle member, an open end spaced apart from the distal end, and a cavity formed therein with a first diameter. An inner spindle member is provided with a proximal end spaced apart from the distal end with an outer diameter sized to be received within the cavity for translation and rotation relative to the outer spindle. A first retainer is oriented in the cavity in cooperation with a second retainer oriented on the inner spindle member such that extension is prevented in a first rotational orientation and extension is permitted in a second rotational orientation.
Winding core
A two piece winding core assembly is provided having a first core portion and a second core portion. The two core portions having the same construction and are positionable to combine together to form a completed cylindrical and hollow core. The two core portions having a series of locking pins and a corresponding series of receiving openings formed on opposing end faces. A series of axially elongated projections and a corresponding series of axially elongated channels are also formed on the opposing end faces of the core portions. An internal plurality of web members is formed in a structural crossing pattern on the inside surface of the core portion, with the web members providing structural rigidity to the core portions.
Reel system and method
A reel system that includes a drum that receives a coil of flexible pipe. A first flange that removably couples to a first side of the drum. A second flange that removably couples to a second side of the drum. The first flange and the second flange secure the coil of flexible pipe to the drum.
FLEXIBLE PIPE HANDLING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING SAME
A system includes a drum assembly that includes a support bar having a first end and a second end, and a plurality of drum segments coupled to the support bar. The drum segments are movable between retracted and extended positions, and the drum assembly is configured to be disposed within an interior region of a coil of flexible pipe when the plurality of drum segments are in the retracted position. The system also includes a first containment flange coupled to the drum assembly at the first end, a second containment flange coupled to the drum assembly at the second end, a first coupling device configured to removably couple the first containment flange to the drum assembly, and a second coupling device configured to removably couple the second containment flange to the drum assembly. The first and second containment flanges are configured to contain the flexible pipe.
CABLE REEL
A cable reel that includes a one-piece frame body, a flange separate from the frame body, and a hub member therebetween. The one-piece frame body includes an outer frame portion and an inner flange portion. The flange has an inner side that faces the inner side of the one-piece frame body. The hub member is located between the one-piece frame body and the flange along a central longitudinal axis of the cable reel. The hub member has a first end that rotatably couples to the inner flange portion of the one-piece frame body and a second end that couples to the flange. The hub member is configured to support a coil of cable and is sized to be received inside of an inner diameter of the coil of cable. The flange and the hub member rotate together with respect to the one-piece frame body.