Abstract: An inner face of a flange of a winch drum is provided with a rope guide part that guides a rope portion in a higher layer such that the rope portion in the higher layer crosses a rope portion in a lower layer in a first crossing section, and a ridge line of the rope guide part has a shape that is displaced in a winding rotation direction with respect to a baseline passing through a rotation axis and an inner edge of the ridge line as proceeding from the inner edge to an outer edge.

Abstract: A sleeve for a cable spool having a cylindrical drum 8 and a pair of opposing end flanges. The sleeve includes a plurality of sleeve portions 7. Each sleeve portion 7 includes a body portion 10 for supporting cable thereon. The sleeve portions 7 are positionable on the cable spool such that the body portions 10 collectively define a cable support surface around the cylindrical drum 8, the cable support surface having a diameter greater than the cylindrical drum 8.

Abstract: An assembly for dispensing cable from a spool, including first and second end members separated by one or more cross-members; and an axle extending at least partially between the end members for rotatably coupling the spool to the assembly, wherein end sections of the cross-members are releasably coupled to respective keyed slots of the end members.

Abstract: A winding unit is formed in an annular pattern along the outer circumferential surface of a rotary body rotatable about a shaft. The winding unit has multiple alignment grooves in which a wire is wound and turns of the wire are aligned. The winding unit is provided with an ungrooved part formed to straddle the alignment grooves.

Abstract: A coil former provides for restricted cross-over locations for a coil resulting in an optimum wire packing at all points within the coil. The coil former has a first side wall in a spaced relation to an opposing second side wall, wherein a cavity formed between the side walls accommodates multiple turns of wire for forming a coil. A block is fixed between the opposing first and second side walls and has its peripheral wall surface tapered from the first wall surface inwardly toward the opposing second wall surface for preferentially receiving and positioning turns of wire forming the coil.

Abstract: A reel includes: a hub in which plural through holes are formed at a connecting portion that interconnects a cylinder portion and an axial center portion; a first flange disposed on one end portion of the hub and equipped with first insertion portions that are inserted into the through holes; a second flange disposed on the other end portion of the hub and equipped with second insertion portions that are inserted into the through holes; and joint portions configured to join the first insertion portions and the second insertion portions, with spaces between radial direction inside wall surfaces of the through holes and radial direction inside wall surfaces of the first insertion portions and the second insertion portions being smaller than spaces between radial direction outside wall surfaces of the through holes and radial direction outside wall surfaces of the first insertion portions and the second insertion portions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to wrap a faired tether around a drum. The tether may be connected to an aerial vehicle. The method may involve guiding a faired tether around an exterior surface of a drum, wherein the drum comprises a helical shaped step around the exterior surface that is configured to mate with at least part of the faired tether, and to stack subsequent layers of wrapped tether in a staggered manner along the longitudinal axis of the drum. The faired tether may be guided onto the step using one or more level winds.

Abstract: A method for accommodating thermal expansion of a heater in a formation includes flowing a heat transfer fluid through a conduit to provide heat to the formation and providing substantially constant tension to an end portion of the conduit that extends outside the formation. At least a portion of the end portion of the conduit is wound around a movable wheel used to apply tension to the conduit.

Abstract: A media spindle apparatus for supporting a media roll having media to be delivered to a printing apparatus. The apparatus includes a spindle configured to support the roll. The spindle defines an axial direction about which the roll rotates relative to the printing apparatus to deliver the media to the printing apparatus. A guide member is supported by the spindle and guides the media to the printing apparatus. The guide member is positionable in a first configuration in which a securing mechanism is disengaged and the guide member is translatable substantially in the axial direction relative to the spindle. The guide member is pivotable about the axial direction relative to the spindle to move to a second configuration and thereby engage the securing mechanism to inhibit the guide member from translating in the axial direction relative to the spindle and pivoting from the second configuration to the first configuration.

Abstract: A split-flange reel and a system and method for disassembling and transporting the same are provided. The split-flange reel comprises two left-side flange-halves that are connected together to form a left-side flange and two right-side flange-halves connected together to form a right-side flange. A bolt-in drum is connected between the flanges, and an arbor tube is connected to the left-side flange-halves and passes through the left-side flange, the bolt-in drum, and the right-side flange. A disassembly/transport rack comprises a base, a number of upright members, and an alignment tube and is configured to hold the split-flange reel for disassembly and to store the left-side and right-side flange-halves of the disassembled split-flange reel for transport.

Abstract: A spool device for unwinding fishing line from a reel is disclosed. The spool device is intended to be attached to a power drill which rotates the spool. The spool device is made from two spool portions. Each spool portion has a shaft with a central end and a distal end. A flange extends from the distal end of the shaft. The two spool portions are joined at their central ends and form a groove in the middle of the resulting spool. A bolt and fastener are used to mate the two spool portions together and form a single unit that rotates. The groove grips the fishing line during rotation. The spool portions can be separated to remove the unwound fishing line.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are described herein for using reel assemblies including customizable and interchangeable drums. According to embodiments described herein, a reel assembly includes a first flange having a bolt pattern and a second flange having the bolt pattern. The reel assembly also includes a core drum having a first end and a second end. The first and second ends of the reel assembly also have the bolt pattern. The first end of the reel assembly is detachably coupled to the first flange via the bolt pattern, and the second end of the reel assembly is detachably coupled to the second flange via the bolt pattern.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are described herein for using reel assemblies including customizable and interchangeable drums. According to embodiments described herein, a reel assembly includes a first flange having a bolt pattern and a second flange having the bolt pattern. The reel assembly also includes a core drum having a first end and a second end. The first and second ends of the reel assembly also have the bolt pattern. The first end of the reel assembly is detachably coupled to the first flange via the bolt pattern, and the second end of the reel assembly is detachably coupled to the second flange via the bolt pattern.

Abstract: The strap spool is mountable to drive shafts in various strap winding apparatus, such as winches and torsion spring counterbalances. The strap spool has a two piece design where two symmetrical spool halves slidably mate to form a drum around which the strap is wound. Each spool half has a central hub with an axial opening, which allows the spool halves to mount onto a drive shaft. An annular flange extending radially around the hub and a barrel sleeve extends from the hub perpendicular to the flange. When spool halves are mated together on a drive shaft, the barrel sleeves slidably extend into axial openings in the hub of the opposite spool half and form a tubular drum overlying the drive shaft around which the strap is wound.

Abstract: A reel for a microphone cable, amplifier cable or other electronic cord or cable has an arbor or hub that divides the reel into an interior space and a winding space. The cable leading end connector cable is retained in the interior space. Turns of the main body of the cable are coiled in the winding space. The rims of the reel side disks have annular retaining beads or ridges that face one another and create a snap connector holder for the trailing end connector. A gap in the retaining beads aligned with the arbor opening permits insertion of the leading end connector. The reel can be available in a range of sizes and can be color-coded. The reel can be constructed of two identical molded reel halves.

Abstract: A spool or reel for retaining continuously wound material may include a central barrel and spaced apart flange members extending from the central barrel. The central barrel has an outer face for receiving the continuously wound wire, wherein both ends of the barrel are castellated. The inner face of a first and second flange include an interrupted groove comprised of a series of slots that are sized to receive the castellated first end of the barrel and the flanges are secured to the barrel by a plurality of through-bolts extending from the first flange to the second flange, securing the first flange to the first end of the barrel and the second flange to the second end of the barrel. The castellated ends of the barrel and the portions of the interrupted groove between the slots form a criss-crossed pattern that prevents the wire from entering the slots or entering the barrel and tangling during payoff of the wire, even when the spool is heated.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are described herein for using reel assemblies including customizable and interchangeable drums. According to embodiments described herein, a reel assembly includes a first flange having a bolt pattern and a second flange having the bolt pattern. The reel assembly also includes a core drum having a first end and a second end. The first and second ends of the reel assembly also have the bolt pattern. The first end of the reel assembly is detachably coupled to the first flange via the bolt pattern, and the second end of the reel assembly is detachably coupled to the second flange via the bolt pattern.

Abstract: A tube having enhanced inner diameter stiffness is provided. The tube includes a wall having an inner zone, intermediate zone, and an outer zone. The intermediate zone includes a plurality of partially offset and overlapped plies that form a number of non-radial spokes and voids extending from the inner zone and the outer zone. The non-radial spokes of the tube facilitate the transmission of torque from the inner zone to the outer zone during winding and handling operations, while insulating the inner diameter from radial pressure on the outer zone. The spokes and voids may essentially extend around the entire circumference and length of the tube and thus provide for more consistent properties throughout the tube.

Abstract: A modular reel assembly for winding, dispensing, transporting, or storing hose, cord, or cable, is provided. Such a reel comprises of a pair of substantially similar polymeric support endplates and a pair of substantially similar polymeric spool endplates. The substantially similar support endplates are connected by at least one support endplate connecting member defining a predetermined support assembly width. The substantially similar spool endplates are connected by at least one spool endplate connecting member defining a predetermined spool assembly width. The modular reel assembly can thus be adjusted to particular discrete spool assembly and support assembly widths through appropriately selected interchangeable spool endplate and support endplate connecting members.

Abstract: A tool is provided for opening a cable having a length of filament disposed within a sheath. The tool has a mechanism for gripping an end of the filament and is equipped to be engaged with a powered mechanical rotation device that rotates a column about which the filament is spooled as the column is rotated. The spooled filament is confined to a longitudinal region by flanges, one of which may be removed to release the filament from the longitudinal region after it is spooled.

Abstract: A flange is for use in a reel for supporting a wound flexible medium. The reel includes an elongated core defining a longitudinal core axis. The flange includes a first annular wall oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis and engaging the core. A second annular wall is oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis and is offset in an axial direction from the first annular wall. At least one connecting wall interconnects the second annular wall and the first annular wall. A first annular rim is attached to the first annular wall or the second annular wall and is oriented substantially parallel to the axis.

Abstract: A metallic reel construction wherein spokes (C) are welded at spaced locations directly to end plates (B) and to rims (A). The end plates receive the staves (D) that are directly and rigidly affixed thereto in spaced relation to provide a relatively small hub providing rigidity and yet being capable of receiving a large amount of flexible material. Threaded members (E) rigidly connect the rigid rim and hub end plate assemblies adjacent to the ends of the staves for speedy assembly permitting shipment while disassembled.

Abstract: A reel and a method of assembling and disassembling the reel are described. The reel includes a pair of flanges, each flange engaged with the circular or polygonal end of a flexed stave pane formed from appropriately sized staves connected to one another by one or more flexible bands. To make the reel, the staves are aligned side by side and connected to one another by way of the flexible bands. Once connected, the staves form the flexible stave pane having joints in between each stave. Assembly of the reel involves flexing the stave pane into a tubular barrel with circular or polygonal ends adapted to correspond with a stave-engaging portion on each flange. Once one end is engaged with the stave-engaging portion of one flange, the opposing end of the flexed stave pane is engaged with a second stave-engaging portion on the second flange and the flanges are connected.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting wound flexible media that includes a first flange, a second flange and a fastener. The second flange may be constructed as an integral, unitary structure. A core around which flexible media is wound is typically disposed between the first flange and the second flange. The first fastener has a first end engaging the first flange and a threaded end that is rotatably secured directly to said second flange.

Abstract: A flange design for spools and reels may be provided from molded materials such as plastics. Improved strength, stiffness, fracture resistance, energy absorption, and toughness may be provided by appropriate design of corrugations extending substantially radially from a hub or core portion toward a rim portion. Spools and reels may be produced from Styrene plastics, olefinics such as polyethylene and polyprophelene, and may have tubes formed from the same or different materials. Flanges may be designed to crush near a rim or to be stiff near a rim. Likewise, portions of a flange may be designed to buckle, fracture, or otherwise fail sufficiently to absorb energy, while protecting a spool from excessive fracture or distortion. Likewise, portions of the flange may be designed to fail while others nearby do not, in order to protect against catastrophic failure (e.g. extensive separation).

Abstract: A collapsible hub assembly is disclosed. The collapsible hub assembly includes a hub having a slot formed therein and a first contact surface, a wedge movably positioned in the slot and including a second contact surface. The wedge is movable between a locked position and a collapsed position. With the wedge in the locked position, a material pack is wound onto the collapsible hub assembly and engages the first and second contact surfaces with a first force that fixedly connects the material pack to the hub and the wedge. The material pack can be removed from the collapsible hub assembly by moving the wedge to the collapsed position so that the magnitude of the first force is reduced and the material pack is not fixedly connected to the hub. A lock can be movably positioned in the slot to hold the wedge at the locked position. The wedge can be moved to the collapsed position by removing the lock.

Abstract: This invention involves the formation of a self-supporting coil of flaccid product with a take-up spool having a unique composite mandrel. The mandrel of the take-up spool comprises at least two complimentary components, including an expandable mandrel and a tapered ring, each of which is attached to one of the flanges of spool at the hub of each flange. The expandable mandrel component of the composite mandrel consists essentially of a plurality of curvilinear sections arranged about a central axis so as to form a cylinder which can permanently affixed to one flange of the spool; and, a tapered ring that is releasably affixed to the other flange of said take-up spool. The relative diameter of each one of the expandable mandrel and the tapered ring permit insertion of the ring into the open end of the expandable mandrel, and thereby assembly and locking each of the components thereof into a unitary spool structure.

Abstract: A reel flange is provided comprising wooden pieces (2A) disposed in a plane so as to constitute a disk and a connector (100) for maintaining said wooden pieces in the required position. The wooden pieces (2A) each have an overall sector shape which, when placed side by side, form a disk, and the connector includes a band (6) that presses onto the periphery of the disk and two plates centered on the disk that maintain the central area of the disk.

Abstract: A reel configured to store an extended length of composite coiled tubing has a plurality of sections. In one embodiment, the reel has a drum and pair of detachable sidewalls. Each side wall includes a plurality of flanges. In another embodiment, the reel includes a radial splitline that defines substantially identical securably matable sections. Preferably, the reel can store at least 20,000 feet of composite coiled tubing.

Abstract: A paper magazine core for rotatably supporting a roll of photosensitive material in a paper magazine includes an inner core divided into two inner core members that can be screwed together. The surface of each inner core member is provided with rows of screw holes formed at prescribed spacing conforming with the widths of rolls of photosensitive material of various types. Flange members are screw-fastened at the screw holes whose locations are appropriate for the size of the photosensitive material to be used. Each flange member is formed with an insert portion having multiple steps insertable into paper tubes of different sizes. Non-slip portions are formed around the insert portions and surfaces of the steps. Once the flange members have been fastened on the inner core members in a light room, a roll of photosensitive material can be installed on the core in a dark room merely by joining the inner core members.