Abstract: A spindle for receiving a reel or other sleeve-like body, for example for winding and unwinding paper rolls, is arranged so that reels can readily be mounted thereon and removed therefrom for rotation and drive transmission. Helical springs are disposed in longitudinally extending grooves in the cylindrical surface of the spindle. The bottoms of the grooves are so shaped that, if the springs are displaced from a central position in their respective grooves, the radial distance by which they project from the surface of the spindle increases. Thus, if such displacement is caused by frictional engagement with a reel or the like due to relative rotation of the spindle and the reels, the springs tend to grip the reel.