Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to a reel or spool with a handle and a locating and/or stabilizing bump apparatus and a method of using same. More particularly, the invention encompasses a reel or spool having at least one handle and at least one locating and/or stabilizing bump disposed on at least one of the exterior surfaces or flange of the reel or spool. The invention also provides a method of using the inventive reel or spool having at least one handle and at least one locating and/or stabilizing bump.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The instant patent application claims priority to and the benefit of pending Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/926,921, filed on Jan. 13, 2014, titled “Reel/Spool Handle and Locating/Stabilizing Bumps,” the entire disclosure of which provisional application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a reel or spool with a handle and a locating and/or stabilizing bump apparatus and a method of using same. More particularly, the invention encompasses a reel or spool having at least one handle and at least one locating and/or stabilizing bump disposed on at least one of the exterior surfaces or flange of the reel or spool. The invention also provides a method of using the inventive reel or spool having at least one handle and at least one locating and/or stabilizing bump. 
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,830 (Stanley Gelfman), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a cable reel comprising a first cylindrical member about which cable can he wound having a longitudinal axis and a hollow interior, first and second flanges disposed at opposite ends of the cylindrical member substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member, one of the flanges having an outside surface having at least one opening arranged adjacent the periphery of the one flange through which the cable can be tranversed and a second opening in the surface disposed adjacent the center of the one flange and opening into the hollow interior of the cylindrical member, the hollow interior adapted to receive ends of the cable wound on the cylindrical member through the second opening, and further comprising a plate attached to the one flange forming a wall disposed adjacent and parallel to the outside surface of the one flange and at a spacing from the surface of the one flange equal to at least approximately the thickness of the cable, for receiving the cable between the surface and the wall, thereby protecting the cable extending between the first and second openings. Preferably, the protective plate comprises a pair of plates with a zig-zag slot formed therebetween for routing the cable so that it can be received under the plate. Furthermore, a flexible strap is provided for protecting the cable in the area between the plate and the second opening. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,182 (Stanley Gelfman), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a cable reel comprising a fast cylindrical member about which cable can be wound having a longitudinal axis and a hollow interior, first and second flanges disposed at opposite ends of the cylindrical member substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member, one of the flanges having an outside surface having at least one opening arranged adjacent the periphery of the one flange through which the cable can be traversed and a second opening in the surface disposed adjacent the center of the one flange and opening into the hollow interior of the cylindrical member, the hollow interior adapted to receive ends of the cable wound on the cylindrical member, at least one end being received through the second opening, and further comprising a plate attached to the one flange forming a wall disposed adjacent and parallel to the outside surface of the one flange and at a spacing from the surface of the one flange equal to at least approximately the thickness of the cable, for receiving the cable between the surface and the wall, thereby protecting the cable extending between the first and second openings. An opening is also provided in the cylindrical member opening into the hollow interior for allowing one end of the cable optionally to be received through the opening of the cylindrical member into the hollow interior, thereby preventing the one end from interfering with the winding process. 
         [0005]    This invention improves on the deficiencies of the prior art and provides an inventive reel or spool with at least one handle, and at least one locating and/or stabilizing bump apparatus and a method thereof. 
       PURPOSES AND SUMMARY Of THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The invention is an inventive reel or spool with at least one handle, and at least one locating and/or stabilizing bump apparatus and a method thereof. 
         [0007]    Therefore, one purpose of this invention is to provide a novel inventive reel or spool with at least one handle, and at least one locating and/or stabilizing bump apparatus and a method thereof. 
         [0008]    Therefore, in one aspect this invention comprises a cable reel comprising:
       (a) a first cylindrical member about which cable can be wound having a longitudinal axis and a hollow interior, said first cylindrical member having a plurality of longitudinal tabs along each of peripheral edges of said first cylindrical member;   (b) first and second flanges disposed at opposite ends of said cylindrical member substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical member, one of said flanges having an outside surface having at least one opening arranged adjacent the periphery of said one flange through which the cable can be traversed and a second opening in the surface disposed adjacent the center of said one flange and opening into the hollow interior of the cylindrical member, said hollow interior adapted to receive ends of the cable wound on said cylindrical member through the second opening, and further comprising slot means in said first and second flange to securely accommodate and secure each of said longitudinal tabs of said first cylindrical member;   (c) at least one of said first and second flange having at least one locating and stabilizing bump; and   (d) at least one of said first and second flange having at least one handle on said exterior surface of said first and second flange.       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1A , and  FIG. 1B , illustrate a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 2B , and  FIG. 2C , illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention, and where FIG.  2 AA, FIG.  2 BB, and FIG.  2 CC, are an enlarged view of  FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 2B , and  FIG. 2C , respectively. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 3A ,  3 B, and  3 C, illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 4A ,  4 B,  4 C,  4 D,  4 E,  4 F,  4 G, and  4 H, show various views of the handle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    The invention is a reel or spool having at least one handle, and at least one locating and/or stabilizing bump, and more specifically a reel or spool that has at least one area on the side wall or flange to secure at least one handle, and/or at least one area for the location of at least one locating and/or stabilizing bump. 
         [0018]    The inventive aspects of the new concept will greatly improve the functionality of reels or spools for cable, such as, for example, fiber optic cables, telephone cables, electric cables, to name a few. These reels or spools can also be used for military purpose, such as to modify the reels or spools disclosed in national stock number (NSN) 8130-01-375-3802, NSN 8130-01-375-3803, and NSN 8130-01-582-9784. 
         [0019]    One concept of this invention is the addition of an opening into the drum area so that a hand can be inserted and be used to carry the reel with ease. This concept can be used, for example, on NSN 8130-01-375-3802, and NSN 8130-01-582-9784, since these reels have drums that can accommodate the opening. NSN 8130-01-375-3803 could have two retractable handles attached on each flange so that two man can carry the reel that is full with cable or wire. 
         [0020]    Another concept of this invention is the stack-ability of two or more reels by means of a series of projections or bumps or depressions in the flange that will nest in the cable guide opening and around the stabilizing bumps. This will improve stability and avoid accidental fall of a full reel or spool. 
         [0021]    Yet, another concept of this invention is the manufacturing process. For example, presently the drums are manufactured in two sections, thus creating additional welded connections in the drum area, by redesigning the drums it can be made in one part thus decreasing labor cost, and thus resulting in a better product. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1A , and  FIG. 1B , illustrate a first embodiment  23 , of the present invention where the reel or spool  20 , has a central shaft opening  22 , with the reel or spool  20 , having an inner edge  24 , and an outer edge  26 . The reel or spool  20 , has two sides or flanges  17 ,  27 , that are secured to the axis of the cylinder or drum  15 , via cylinder tab  13 , that mates with a corresponding hole or slot  14 . The reel or spool  20 , has at least one locating and/or stabilizing bump  25 , which can be flat or protrude above the planar surface  11 ,  21 , of the side or flange  17 ,  27 , of the reel or spool  20 , and could be a male portion  25 , or a female portion  25 . At least one retractable handle  30 , is secured to the side surface or flange  27 , of the reel or spool  20 . Preferably, the retractable handle  30 , has at least one hinge means  32 , so that the retractable handle  30 , can lay flat against the side or flange  27 , of the reel or spool  20 , when not in use. Optionally, the reel or spool  20 , has at least one rib  35 , to reinforce the reel or spool&#39;s side or flange  27 . Preferably the edges  26 , of the spool or reel  20 , and the edge  18 , of the connector opening  28 , are curled or folded inwardly  39 , so as to create a smooth edge  39 , and not a sharp edge  39 . The slot(s)  14 , for the drum or cylinder assembly  16 , allow for the secure mating of the drum or cylinder  15 , to the connector flange  27 , and back flange  17 . The projection or locator or dimple  37 , are used for locating a cable guide or a webbing guide (not shown). The handle  30 , haying a handle shaft  31 , and a handle base  34 , is secured to the flange connector  27 , and the back flange  17 , by at least one securing means  33 , such as, for example, a spot weld  33 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 2B , and  FIG. 2C , illustrate a second embodiment  53 , of the present invention where the reel or spool  50 , has a central shaft opening  52 , with the reel or spool  50 , having an inner edge  54 , and an outer edge  56 . The reel or spool  50 , has two sides or flanges  47 ,  57 , that are secured to the axis of the cylinder or drum  15 , via cylinder tab  13 , that mates with a corresponding hole or slot  14 . The reel or spool  50 , has at least one locating and/or stabilizing bump  55 , which can be flat or protrude above the planar surface  41 ,  51 , of the side or flange  47 ,  57 , of the reel or spool  50 , and could be a male portion  55 , or a female portion  55 . At least one curled edge handle  60 , is punched and/or formed to the side surface or flange  47 ,  57 , of the reel or spool  50 . Preferably, the curled edge handle  60 , has a smooth edge surface  61 , as it is curled or folded inwardly  62 , so that it does not cut a user&#39;s hand when the reel or spool  50 , is lifted. Additionally, the curled edge handle  60 , should be large enough for a user to put his hand in to pick-up the reel or spool  50 .  FIG. 2C  is a top cut-out view are curled  62 , of the curled edge handle  60 , from  FIG. 2B . Preferably the edges  61 , of the spool or reel  50 , opening for lifting are curled  62 , and the connector opening  58 , are curled  59 , so as to create a smooth  59 , and not a sharp edge  59 . The slot  14 , for the drum assembly  16 , allows for the secure mating of the drum  15 , to the connector flange  57 , and back flange  47 . The projection or locator or dimple  67 , are used for locating a cable guide or a webbing guide. The curl or inward fold  62 , could be an upward and inwardly curl  62 A, or a downward and inwardly curl  62 B, as clearly shown in  FIG. 2C . It should be appreciated that FIG.  2 AA, FIG.  2 BB, and FIG.  2 CC, are an enlarged view of  FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 2B , and  FIG. 2C , respectively. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 3A ,  3 B, and  3 C, illustrate a third embodiment  73 , of the present invention where the reel or spool  70 , has a central shaft opening  72 , with the reel or spool  70 , having an inner edge  74 , and an outer edge  76 . The reel or spool  70 , has two sides or flanges  17 ,  27 ,  47 ,  57 ,  77 , that are secured to the axis of the cylinder or drum  15 , via cylinder tab  13 , that mates with a corresponding hole or slot  14 . The reel or spool  70 , has at least one locating and/or stabilizing bump  75 , which can be flat or protrude above the planar surface  71 , of the side or flange  77 , of the reel or spool  70 , and could be a male portion  75 , or a female portion  75 .  FIG. 3B , and  FIG. 3C , show as side sectional view of locating and/or stabilizing bump  75 , where a portion  75 A, of the bump  75 , is above the planar surface  71 , of the side surface or flange  77 , of the reel or bump  70 , and where a portion  75 B, of the bump  75 , is below the planar surface  71 , of the side surface or flange  77 , of the reel or bump  70 . Preferably the edges  76 , of the spool or reel  70 , are curled or folded inwardly  79 , so as to create a smooth edge surface  79 , and not a sharp edge  79 . The slot  14 , for the drum assembly  16 , allow for the secure mating of the drum  15 , to the connector flange  77 , and the back flange  17 ,  47 ,  77 . 
         [0025]      FIGS. 4A ,  4 B,  4 C,  4 D,  4 E,  4 F,  4 G, and  4 H, show various views of the handle  30 , where the handle  30 , has a handle shaft  31 , and a handle base  34 . One surface of the handle base  34 , is secured to the outer surface of the side or flange  17 ,  27 , of the reel or spool  20 , while the opposite surface of the handle base  34 , is secured to the handle shaft  31 , via at least one hinge means  32 , where the hinge means  32 , could be at least one spring means  36 , such that the spring means  36 , would force the handle shaft  31 , to retract when not in use. The handle  30 , having the handle shaft  31 , and the handle base  34 , is secured to the flange connector  27 , and the back flange  17 , by at least one securing means  33 , such as, for example, a spot weld  33 . The ends of the handle shaft  31 , could have a male or a female portion  32 B, to mate with a corresponding female or male portion  32 A, on the handle base  34 , so as to create the binge  32 . The spring  36 , could be inserted between feature  32 A, and  32 B, so as to create the spring loaded retractable handle  30 . 
         [0026]    The cable reel  20 ,  50 ,  70 , has at least one slot or opening adapted to receive a cable (not shown). The cable reel  20 ,  50 ,  70 , has a dram or cylinder member  15 , or assembly  16 , and the flanges  17 ,  27 ,  47 ,  57 ,  77 , comprise sheet metal or plastic material. The cable reel  20 ,  50 ,  70 , comprises of at least one shelf disposed in the hollow interior for supporting ends of a cable in the hollow interior. The cable reel  20 ,  50 ,  70 , has at least one bump means  25 ,  55 ,  75 , disposed on the outside or flange surface  11 ,  21 ,  41 ,  51 ,  71 , of the flange  17 ,  27 ,  47 ,  57 ,  77 , respectively, and wherein the bump means  25 ,  55 ,  75 , are spaced equiangularly about the flange  17 ,  27 ,  47 ,  57 ,  77 . The cable reel  23 ,  53 ,  73 , is particularly adapted for the storage of fiber optic cable, telephone cable, electrical cable, to name a few. The cable reel  23 ,  53 ,  73 , wherein the peripheral edge of the flange  17 ,  27 ,  47 ,  57 ,  77 , is curled  29 ,  39 ,  59 ,  79 . The handle  60 , is formed within the plane of the flange surface  11 ,  21 ,  41 ,  51 ,  71 , to form a flange handle  60 , and wherein peripherally the edge  26 ,  56 ,  76 , of the flange handle  60 , is curled  31 ,  62 , respectively. It should be appreciated that the handle  30 , is formed as a separate handle unit  30 , and is then secured to the flange surface  11 ,  21 ,  41 ,  51 ,  71 , via securing means  33 , such as, welds  33 , rivets  33 , screws  33 , etc., to name a few, so as to form a flange handle  30 . 
         [0027]    Thus, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and the constituent elements of the invention can be modified in various manners without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Various aspects of the invention can also be extracted from any appropriate combination of a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiments. Some constituent elements may be deleted in all of the constituent elements disclosed in the embodiments. The constituent elements described in different embodiments may be combined arbitrarily. 
         [0028]    Still further, while certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. 
         [0029]    It should be further understood that throughout the specification and claims several terms have been used and they take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase “in one embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, though it may. Additionally, the phrase “in another embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. Thus, various embodiments of the invention may be readily combined, without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. 
         [0030]    While the present invention has been particularly described in conjunction with a specific preferred embodiment, it is evident that man alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.