Boxed pay-out reel for optic fiber cable or wire or the like, with smooth pay-out, high-impact and cable end holding features
US5529186A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 9, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jun 25, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 9, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2701/51524
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A boxed spool assembly of the present invention includes a spool assembly, a pair of end plates for supporting the spool assembly for rotation, and a box in which the spool assembly and end plates are placed. The bottom of the box is self-locking and requires no tape. Further, the box is constructed so that the overlapping of multiple layers of corrugated fiberboard is avoided in the bottom of the box so that the spool assembly can rotate without interference. The box includes starburst cuts to hold the loose end of cable or wire wound on the spool assembly so that a user can readily locate the loose end. One starburst cut has a slit communicating with a horizontal slot. Cable or wire can be paid-out or held in position by pulling the cable to the slot or starburst cut, respectively, by the slit. The end plates include polycarbonate material and have openings corresponding with openings in the box, to provide handholds for the user. The end plates have arbors protruding away from the plate surfaces of the end plates to hold flanges of the spool assembly away from the end plates for frictionless rotation. The arbors of the end plates that support the spool assembly have annular flat…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.