Patent ID: 8333341

Claim:
A cable reel comprising: a generally cylindrical drum having an axis, an interior surface, an exterior surface, and ends; a first flange secured at one end of the cylindrical drum; a second flange secured at the other end of the cylindrical drum; and a ring extending around the interior surface of the drum at a location intermediate the ends of the drum to support the drum against inward forces generated when a cable or wire product is wound onto the reel; wherein the ring is spaced from a central portion of the drum so as to not extend into the central portion of the drum, and has an outer diameter that substantially corresponds to an inner diameter of the drum, and has a width extending parallel to the axis of the drum and a thickness extending perpendicular to the interior surface of the drum, with the width of the ring being at least five times the thickness of the ring; the ring being substantially rigid and continuous throughout its extent to exert outwardly directed support forces in response to the inward forces applied to the cylindrical drum by winding of the cable or wire product about the drum.