Patent Publication Number: US-6702228-B2

Title: Film reel

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of motion picture film reels and more particularly to an improved mechanism to enable the main components of the film reel to more easily, efficiently and securely interlock. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     In the past, motion picture film reels were used to transport film to and from movie theaters and similar exhibition venues. The reels were also used to protect and store the film. When the film arrived, the individual reels were usually installed on a rotating shaft powered by a motion picture projector, which projected the film images onto a screen. Now, when the film arrives at the theater, it is typically spliced and transferred onto a larger and usually horizontal “platter”, which is used to feed the film through the projector. 
     Prior art reels were usually manufactured of metal and thereafter, as synthetic materials became more popular and economical, of resilient plastic. Normally, a reel is comprised of three components—two identical disc-shaped side retaining members and, in between the two side members, a separate core hub component around which the film is wound. Earlier versions of the reel often integrated the hub, or equal sections thereof, into the side retaining members. 
     Prior art film reels were secured using various devices, the earlier versions being non-separating and the later versions having the ability to separate. Separating versions required the three components to be screwed together, and latches and other suitable devices were employed to secure each disc-shaped side retaining member to the hub, usually through the center core, situated in between. When it was desirable to have immediate access to the film to remove it from the reel, or for any other purpose, the components, using an appropriate and required tool, were disengaged by either unscrewing them or releasing the latching or other mechanism to gain access to the film around the hub. However, the process of unscrewing or unlatching the components usually was extremely time consuming and often difficult and cumbersome depending upon the type of mechanism employed. 
     Stability has also been a problem with reel components secured by certain types of latching devices, particularly if the latch connections were made at or near the central area of the hub. Connections at or near the center of the hub give the side retaining members the character of a lever acting upon a fulcrum, i.e., the hub, thus providing added leverage to the side members to enable the members to more easily separate from the hub if an adequate outward (or even inward) force is inadvertently applied against either of them. 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the art to provide a film reel that includes resilient components and the two primary parts or side retaining members with the means to penetrate near or at the outermost sections of the hub to enable these members to interlock with each other without any physical connection to the hub. The improved film reel would be more stable than the prior art versions and easier and more efficient to securely interlock. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a motion picture film reel for holding, transporting and storing film comprised of a pair of disc-shaped side retaining members and a central hub around which the film is wound. Each of the disc-shaped side retaining members is formed with a central hub engaging section with an annular projecting collar, which defines a central primary opening for receiving a shaft, and at least a single secondary opening, which defines an appendage formed integrally therewith. A bendable prong extends from the central hub engaging section of each of the disc-shaped side retaining members normal to the plane thereof. Each prong has a distal end and defines a slotted opening for engaging the appendage. 
     A hub, which is also provided, defines a central aperture for receiving the annular projecting collars, and a shaft, and, at least, a pair of openings for receiving the respective bendable prongs. The prongs pass through their respective openings in the central hub and extend outwardly as the distal end of each prong engages an appendage. Each prong bends away from the appendage and then recoils to a generally straight position to enable the slotted opening to retentively engage the appendage. 
     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved film reel with components that are easy to engage and disengage. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved film reel with greater stability. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved film reel with components that can easily be connected and separated without the use of a tool. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved film reel with components that are latched securely to prevent their accidental separation with the attendant possible damage to the film. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved film reel with two side members and a separate hub wherein the side members interlock to secure the reel without having to make a physical connection to the hub. 
     “Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved film reel which is easy and cost effective to manufacture.” 
    
    
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following specifications when considered in light of the attached drawings wherein the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention shown with the wound film. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention illustrating its three components. 
     FIG. 3A is a sectional view of the present invention illustrating the manner in which the component parts of the reel are secured. 
     FIG. 3B is an enlarged detailed view of a section of the present invention shown in FIG.  3 A. 
     FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of the hub engaging section of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional top view of the components of the present invention shown in the process of being engaged. 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional top view of the components of the present invention shown engaged and locked. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, provides an improved motion picture film reel  10  for use in storing, holding and transporting motion picture film  12 . Reel  10  comprises a first disc-shaped retaining member  14  and a second disc-shaped retaining member  15 , which are provided to protect and retain the film in its wound format, and a hub member  17 , which acts as a spacer and the component around which the film is wound. 
     “First disc-shaped retaining member  14  includes a first central hub engaging section  16  having an annular projecting collar  13 , which defines a first central primary opening  18  for receiving a shaft (not shown), and secondary opening  22 , which defines an appendage  24 . Appendage  24  includes a generally vertical projecting wall  23  and tapered nose member  25  formed integrally therewith. Circumscribing first central hub engaging section  16  are a plurality of relatively elongated projecting flanges  31  to assist in mounting and securing hub member  17  between first disc-shaped retaining member  14  and second disc-shaped retaining member  15 . A first bendable prong  26 , which includes a distal end  28  and defines a slotted opening  30  for engaging the tapered nose member of the appendage of the other disc-shaped retaining member  16 , extends outwardly from the first central hub engaging section  16 .” 
     “Second disc-shaped retaining member  15  includes a second central hub engaging section  32  having an annular projecting collar  19 , which defines a second central primary opening  34  for receiving a shaft (not shown), and a secondary opening  36 , which defines an appendage  38 . Appendage  38  includes a generally vertical projecting wall  27  and tapered nose member  29  formed integrally therewith. Circumscribing second central hub engaging section  32  are a plurality of elongated projecting flanges  33  to assist in mounting and securing hub member  17  between first disc-shaped retaining member  14  and second disc-shaped retaining member  15 . A second bendable prong  40 , which includes a distal end  42  and defines a slotted opening  43  for engaging the tapered nose member  25  of appendage  24 , extends outwardly from the second hub engaging section  32 .” 
     Hub member  17  includes opposing sides  44  and  46 , central aperture  48  therethrough for receiving annular projecting collar  13 , a shaft (not shown), and first opening  50  and second opening  52  for receiving first bendable prong  26  and second bendable prong  40 , respectively. 
     “In practice, first bendable prong  26  and second bendable prong  40  are concurrently passed through first opening  50  and second opening  52 , respectively. Prongs  26  and  40  then extend outwardly toward opposing disc-shaped retaining members  14  and  15 , respectively. First bendable prong  26  and second bendable prong  40  are deflected outwardly and away from the appendages as their respectively distal ends  28  and  42  engage respective tapered nose members  29  and  25 . Prongs  26  and  40  then recoil to a generally straight or upright position to enable the slotted openings  30  and  42  to retentively engage the appendages, specifically the respective tapered nose members  25  and  29 , and secure the reel components. Usually, slotted openings  30  and  42  engage appendages  38  and  24  with a tell tale clicking or snapping sound, which indicates the connection is complete and the components are secure.” 
     Openings  35  and  37  in first disc-shaped retaining member  14  and second disc-shaped retaining member  15 , respectively, are provided to enable the observation of the amount of film wound on the reel, but otherwise are aesthetic features of the invention. Openings  39  are provided solely as an aesthetic feature. 
     The components of reel  10  are usually comprised of a resilient, synthetic material, such as common plastic. Other materials may also be suitable, including without limitation, metal alloys and natural materials, such as wood. Despite the material used, the characteristics that are most critical are weight, strength and resiliency. 
     While the invention will be described in connection with a certain preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that particular embodiment. Rather, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.