CABLE REEL

Abstract

There is proposed a cable reel, comprising mirrored first and second side portions forming an outwardly open cable receiving annular chamber therebetween for holding a cable. The cable reel includes a tapered neck wherein the cable is configured to pass though the tapered neck during winding up and dispensing of the cable, whereby jamming of the cable within the annular chamber is inhibited. The cable reel further includes a passageway for receiving a first plug attached to a first end of the cable therethrough, at least two apertures for utilisation by a user to facilitate rotation of the cable, and a plurality of plug holding members for retaining a second plug attached at a second end of the cable.

Claims

1. A cable reel, comprising: a first side portion being detachably couplable to a second side portion to form an outwardly open annular chamber for receiving a cable therein; a tapered neck formed between the coupled first side portion and the second side portion adjacent said annular chamber, wherein the cable being configured to pass though the tapered neck during winding up and dispensing of thereof, whereby jamming of the cable within the annular chamber is inhibited; a passageway intersecting the tapered neck being configured for receiving a first plug attached to a first end of the cable therethrough; at least two apertures through the first and/or second side portions, configured for utilisation by a user to facilitate rotation of the cable reel for retrieval and/or dispensing of the cable; and a number of plug holding members spaced apart around or adjacent the circumference of the cable reel for retaining a second plug attached at a second end of said cable.

2. The cable reel in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first side portion and second side portion delineate a central plug holding void for retaining the first plug after it has been inserted through the passageway, whereafter the cable being wound onto the cable reel such that the cable is substantially located within the annular chamber.

3. The cable reel in accordance with claim 2, wherein the central plug holding void includes a window or windows through which the first plug is viewable or the first plug is accessible for use.

4. The cable reel in accordance with claim 1, wherein the plug holding members for retaining the second plug are coaxially aligned slits or recesses in the first side portion and second side portion.

5. The cable reel in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of the first side portion and second side portion include a coaxially alignable centrally positioned first aperture and coaxially alignable second and third apertures positioned to sides therefore, wherein a user can utilise the apertures for winding up and dispensing of the cable by rotation of the cable reel.

6. The cable reel in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first side portion and second side portion are connected by way of cooperating curved wall parts that extend inwardly from each of the first and second side portions, the curved wall parts forming an edge of the central plug holding void and include retaining clips for reversibly coupling the first side portion and second side portion together.

7. The cable reel in accordance with claim 1, wherein the passageway is dimensioned to frictionally engage sides of the plug, wherein the user is able to force the first plug through into the central plug holding void.

8. The cable reel in accordance with claim 1, wherein the plug holding members spaced apart around or adjacent the circumference of the reel are configured to frictionally engage the second plug once the cable has been wound onto the cable reel, whereby the second plug can be easily located and grasped by a user when the cable needs to be unwound from the cable reel.

9. The cable reel in accordance with claim 1, wherein the outer face of each of the first and second side portions have three or more respective protrusions extending outwardly therefrom.

10. The cable reel in accordance with claim 1, wherein the tapered neck forms a narrowed gap between the first and second side portions and is positioned generally at a centre line of the reel, whereby the narrowed gap though which the cable is feed causes the coiled cable to tend to stack in a generally triangular configuration, which thereby inhibits jamming of the cable against sides of the annular chamber.

11. The cable reel in accordance with claim 10, wherein the cable storage area has an exit angle greater than that formed by the generally triangular configuration of the stacked cable.

12. The cable reel in accordance with claim 10, wherein the exit angle of the annular chamber is between 45° and 65°.

13. A method of coiling a cable, including the steps of: providing a cable reel in accordance with claim 2; inserting the first plug attached to the first end of the cable in through the passageway, wherein the first plug is positioned within the central plug holding void; rotating the reel using the at least two apertures; and sliding the second plug attached to the second end of the cable into frictional engagement with one of the plug holding members that are spaced apart around or adjacent the circumference of the reel, wherein the cable is held in a coiled arrangement within the cable reel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of the invention and, together with the description and claims, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings,

[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the reel of the present invention, illustrating the insertion of a first end of a cable in through the passageway;

[0038] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the reel of FIG. 1, retaining the coiled cable;

[0039] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the reel of FIG. 1, illustrating the coiled cable and interconnectable body portions of the reel;

[0040] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the reel of FIG. 3, illustrating the position of the coiled cable relative to one of the body portions;

[0041] FIG. 5 is an end view of the reel of FIG. 1 illustrating the plug opening and tapered neck;

[0042] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an inner side of one of the body portions;

[0043] FIG. 7 is a side view of the body portion of FIG. 6;

[0044] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an outer side of the body portion of FIG. 6;

[0045] FIG. 9 is a side view of the body portion of FIG. 8;

[0046] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view through A-A of FIG. 1, illustrating the tapered neck;

[0047] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view through B-B of FIG. 2, illustrating the stacking of the cable within the cable chamber;

[0048] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of FIG. 11, further illustrating the stacking of the cable within the cable chamber;

[0049] FIG. 13 is a partial view of FIG. 11, illustrating the geometry of the tapered neck and cable receiving annular chamber;

[0050] FIG. 14 is a side view of the disassembled body portions of FIG. 1 being stacked; and

[0051] FIG. 15 is a cross-selection view of the stacked body portions of FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

[0053] Referring to the drawings for a more detailed description, there is illustrated a cable reel 10, demonstrating by way of an example, an arrangement in which the principles of the present invention may be employed.

[0054] The figures illustrate one embodiment of the cable reel 10 for storing a cable 12 comprising, a first side portion 14, and a second side portion 16, which are detachably connectable. A cable receiving annular chamber 18 is formed between the first and second side portions 14, 16, as best illustrated in FIGS. 5, and 10-12. A tapered neck 20 is formed between the first and second side portions 14, 16 for assisting in controlling the movement of the cable 12 as it is feed into and dispended from the annular chamber 18, while inhibiting jamming of the cable 12 against edges 22 thereof.

[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the reel 10 includes a passageway 24 for receiving a first end of the cable 12, with first plug 26, which intersects the tapered neck 20. The reader will appreciate that respective plugs 26, 28 are attached to oppose ends of the cable 12. The plug 26 therefore attached to a first end of the cable 12, can be inserted in through the passageway 24 into a central plug holding void 30, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4 and 12. The cable 12 can then be wound onto the cable reel 10, and the plug 28 at the other end of the cable 12, can be attached to the plug holding members 56 spaced apart around or adjacent the circumference of the cable reel 10, to retain the coiled cable 12 within the annular chamber 18.

[0056] The cable reel 10 further includes apertures 32, 34, 36, in or through the first and/or second side portions 14, 16, wherein a user can utilise the apertures 32, 34 and/or 36 to rotate the cable reel 10 to retrieve and/or dispense the cable 12.

[0057] As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 10 and 11, the central plug holding void 30, includes two locations 38, 40 in which the first plug 26 can be positioned. Windows 42, 44 allow a user to view or access the plug 26 at the end of the cable 12.

[0058] As illustrated in the figures the plug 26 is a XLR and the plug 28 is a jack, the reader will however appreciated that other types of plug or configurations of plug could be used.

[0059] The apertures 32, 34, 36 of side portion 14 are configured to coaxially align aperture 32, 34, 36 of side portion 16, when assembled, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Each of the respective apertures 32, 34, 36 include a frustoconical shaped wall 46. The aperture 32 is centrally positioned and the apertures 34, 36 are positioned to a side therefore. These apertures provide a user with finger engaging members, wherein the user can insert a digit from one hand in through the coaxially aligned apertures 32 from one side of the reel 10 and insert a digit from their other hand in through the apertures 34 or 36 from the opposite side of the reel 10. The user is then able to rotate the reel 10 to wind up the cable 10.

[0060] The reader should appreciate that the central aperture 32 allows for the placement of a digit/finger to act as the centre of rotation, and the two other similar shaped apertures 34, 36, positioned off centre are used to rotate/crank the reel 10 with another digit/finger to wind the cable 12 into the reel 10. Although other components are not required, a rod, shaft or handle could also be used in place of the one or both of the digits/fingers.

[0061] The first and second side portions 14, 16 are connected by way of bayonet hooks 48 located on a curved wall part 50 of the first or second side portion 14, 16, which are configured to engage with slots 52 in the curved wall part 50 of the opposing side portion 14 or 16.

[0062] The reader will appreciate that in a preferred form the first side portion 14 is identical to the second wall portion 16, wherein when one is reversed it is able to engage an opposing mirrored side portion. Accordingly, the curved wall part 50 includes two bayonet hooks 48 and two slots 52, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. The curved wall part 50 extend inwardly from each of the first and second side portions to abut with the wall part 50 of the opposing side portion, to thereby form the cable receiving annular chamber 18 and central plug holding void 30.

[0063] The configuration of the bayonet hooks 48 and two slots 52 ensures that the edges of the passageway 24 align when assembled.

[0064] The curved wall parts 50 and the frustoconical shaped walls 46 of aperture 32, 34, 36 of the opposing sides 14, 16 form the edges of the central plug holding void 30.

[0065] The passageway 24 for receiving the first end of the cable 12 therethrough may be formed by depressions 54 in sides of the generally circumferentially extending tapered neck 20, as shown in FIG. 5. This provides an enlarged aperture through which the first plug 26 is able to pass.

[0066] The reader will appreciate that although the tapered neck 20 generally extending circumferentially around the cable reel 10, but may be a series of sections that are positioned intermediate of plug holding members 56 in the form of spaced apart slits, which extend through both the first and second side portions 14, 16, and align, as best illustrated in FIG. 2. These slits 56 provide multiple locations in which the second plug 28 may be held around the circumference of the cable reel 10, which means that the configuration of the plug 28 can also be easily seen. The slits 56 may also provide areas of less frictional engagement with the cable 12 as it passes through. Furthermore, the slits 56 can be used as handles to grasp the device 10 or may be used to secure a cable tie therethrough to further inhibit unravelling or prevent unauthorised access, such as when on display for sale of the product.

[0067] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the outer face 58 of each of the second side portions 16, has three protrusions 60, 62, 64 extending outwardly therefrom. The reader will appreciate that this is also the case for the first side portion 14. The protrusions 60, 62, 64 provide a docking location when stacking several side portions or assembled reels together, and for creating support feet to inhibit outer surface scuffing when the cable reel 10 is placed on the ground during use.

[0068] The outer surface 58 may also include a depression 66 for receiving a label (not shown) to identify the configuration of the cable or ownership of the cable and reel.

[0069] FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of the outwardly open cable receiving annular chamber 18 that has a wide, open V-shaped base 62, parallel sides 64 and an inwardly tapered upper parts 22 leading to, or forming the neck 20. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the central plug holding void 30 is formed around the frustoconical shaped wall 46 of aperture 32 and the extent is defined generally by the curved wall parts 50. The reader will appreciate that the central plug holding void 30 is also delineated by at least a part or parts of the frustoconical shaped wall 46 of apertures 34, 36.

[0070] The outwardly open portion of the neck 20 includes oppositely facing circumferential lips 68, which form a cable receiving opening. The outer rim therefore forms a funnelled cable inlet opening 70, and the series of plug clasping slits 56 allow for the secure storage of the plug 28 at multiple positions around the circumference of the cable reel 10.

[0071] FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the cable 12 positioned within the cable receiving annular chamber 18. It has been found that having the narrowed gap 70 generally at the centre line of the reel 10 means that the cable tends to stack in a generally triangular configuration. However, at times, such as when a long length of cable is rolled onto the reel whereby the coiled cable is adjacent the inwardly tapered upper parts 22 or when an upper coil slides to one side, the cable 12 could potentially jam against the sides of the upper parts 22.

[0072] Accordingly, the angle of the upper parts 22 relative to each other is important in the operation of the reel 10. FIG. 13 illustrates what could be referred to as the exit angle of the annular chamber 18 which may be between 50° and 65°, and in the present embodiment is 54°. The cable storage area/annular chamber 18 is envisaged to have an exit angle greater than that of the triangle shape of the stacked cable (as shown in broken lines) which is formed by the stacking cable, to thereby inhibit jamming of the cable 12 against edges 22.

[0073] As further illustrated in FIG. 13 the narrowed gap 70 includes a part that has an angle of between 5° and 50°, and in the present embodiment is 10.1°, which assist with the winding up and dispending of the cable 12.

[0074] As illustrated in FIG. 14, the first and second side portions 14 and 16 can be disconnected, and one of the portions (in this case 14) can be reversed, such that the side portions can be positioned in a stacked or nested arrangement, as illustrated in FIG. 15. This stacked or nested arrangement means that the reel 10 takes up less room when it is being stored without cable wound onto it and may inhibit damage as the tapered portions are supported by protrusions 60, 62, 64 and the circumferential lips 68 of adjacent portions 14, 16 are in close proximity or may in fact touch.

[0075] In the present embodiment the first and second side portions 14, 16 are identical in shape and configuration which means that any two side portions can be coupled together without having to locate a left and right. Therefore, a stack of side portions can be provided and a user simply has to take any two portions and fit them together.

[0076] The configuration of the bayonet hooks 48, which are configured to engage slots 52 are further illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15.

[0077] In use the user inserts the plug 26 connected to the cable 12 in though the passageway 24, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The reader will appreciate that the passageway 24 imparts a certain amount to friction and the user therefore forces the plug 26 through the passageway 24. The plug 26 is then further inserted between the sides 46 of apertures 34, 36 into the central plug holding void 30, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In this position the user can identify the configuration of the plug 26, through windows 42 or 44, which are positioned on either side of aperture 32.

[0078] The cable 12 is then manually wound onto the reel 10, such that it is held in a configuration as shown in FIG. 4. Finally, the plug 28 at the opposed end of the cable 12 is pushed into opposing slits 56, such that it is frictionally engaged therewith, as further illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the type of the plug 28 can be easily seen by a user.

[0079] The skilled addressee will now appreciate the advantages of the illustrated invention over the prior art. In one form the illustrated embodiment provide cable reel for storage of a cable that inhibits jamming of the cable within the reel and enables easy identification of plugs at both ends of the cable. The present invention provides a means of storing cables, such as audio and video cables, that are valuable and require some care in storage to maximise their serviceable life. Since the cables can be damaged by twisting and being bent sharply, the transition area from cable length to plug body also suffers from these two detrimental effects, which are overcome with the configuration of the present invention.

[0080] Furthermore, the illustrated invention ensures that cables are generally twist free while being stored which means in use the cable tends to lay flat thereby reducing trip hazards. The reel may also provide protection from physical and UV damage, while presents the cable plugs for easy identification and selection.

[0081] Various features of the invention have been particularly shown and described in connection with the exemplified embodiments of the invention, however it must be understood that these particular arrangements merely illustrate the invention and it is not limited thereto. Accordingly, the invention can include various modifications, which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.