Patent ID: 8480023

Claim:
A cable reel comprising: a central hub having a first end and a second end and a surface; a first flange coupled to the first end of the central hub and having a first annular rim defining a first outer periphery, the first annular rim including at least two notches therein for receiving a portion of a cable, the first flange comprising, a plurality of first spoke sections coupled to the central hub and extending to and coupled to the first annular rim of the first flange, a plurality of first open spaces disposed in the first flange between adjacent first spoke sections, each first open space defined by a portion of the first annular rim and two adjacent first spoke sections, each first open space disposed between the first annular rim and the surface of the central hub, and wherein each first open space and its adjacent portion of the first annular rim are capable of operating as a carrying handle for the cable reel; and a second flange coupled to the second end of the central hub and having a second annular rim defining a second outer periphery, the second flange comprising, a plurality of second spoke sections coupled to the central hub and extending to and coupled to the second annular rim of the second flange, a plurality of second open spaces disposed in the second flange between adjacent second spoke sections, each second open space defined by a portion of the second annular rim and two adjacent second spoke sections, wherein each second open space and its adjacent portion of the second annular rim are capable of operating as a carrying handle for the cable reel; and wherein at least one of the notches is disposed in the first annular rim of the first flange and disposed within a portion of a spoke section, the spoke section rigidly securing the first annular rim to a central portion of the first flange.