Patent ID: 6752350
Filing Date: 2004-06-22
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
A rotatable composite reel apparatus for use in association with an axle for winding, storing, transporting and unwinding various windable materials therewith, the rotatable composite reel apparatus comprising:a tubular spindle member, extending parallel to and circumferentially surrounding an axis of rotation of the rotatable composite reel apparatus, for receiving and maintaining windable material thereabout; the tubular spindle member having first and second open ends, defined by first and second end edges, respectively; first and second composite platform members, operably connected to the first and second open ends of the tubular spindle member, respectively, for sandwiching the tubular spindle member, and, in turn, the windable material wound about the tubular spindle member, therebetween, the first and second composite platform members being disposed substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotatable composite reel apparatus; each of the first and second composite platform members further including a spindle engagement disk, insertably and respectively received within each of the first and second ends of the tubular spindle member for supporting the spindle member, and a platform disk, substantially concentrically aligned with and affixed to the spindle engagement disk; each platform disk further including a first support disk, affixed directly to the spindle engagement disk, the first support disk being fabricated from a high density composite fiberboard and perpendicular corrugated paperboard material; at least first and second strap apertures disposed in each of the first and second composite platform members, the first strap aperture of the first composite platform member being operably aligned with the first strap aperture of the second composite platform member, and the second strap aperture of the first composite platform member being operably aligned with the second strap aperture of the second composite platform member; and at least one strap member, operably extended through the at least first and second strap apertures of the first and second composite platform members, and tensioned, to exert tension upon the first and second composite platform members tending to pull the first and second composite platform members toward one another, and axially compressing the tubular spindle member therebetween; and at least one strap aperture protection member, disposed along an inwardly disposed surface of at least one of the at least first and second strap apertures in the first and second composite platform members, for inhibiting damage to the inwardly disposed surface upon placement and tensioning of the at least one strap member.