Patent ID: 9073263
Filing Date: 2015-07-07
Classification: B29C,B33Y,B65H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A spool assembly comprising: a housing structure having an interior region; a spool having a first axis of rotation, and being configured to reside in the interior region of the housing structure in a manner that is free or substantially free of any hub engagement, wherein the spool comprises: a first bearing support mounted to the housing structure within the interior region; a second bearing support mounted to the housing structure within the interior region at an offset location from the first bearing support, wherein the first bearing support and the second bearing support are configured to support the first perimeter edge of the first flange and the second perimeter edge of the second flange while the spool is rotated around the first axis of rotation; and a locking mechanism configured to operably engage with the spool to prevent the spool from rotating relative to the housing structure, and to disengage from the spool to allow the spool to rotate relative to the housing structure, wherein the locking mechanism comprises an arm configured to engage with the spool to prevent the spool from rotating relative to the housing structure and wherein the arm does not penetrate a sealed sheath disposed around the housing structure retaining the spool when the arm engages with the spool.