Flange Feature Patents (Class 242/614)
  • Patent number: 6450438
    Abstract: The invention includes apparatus and methods for forming a tape pack on a drum or the like in aligned formation. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention can include at least one alignment member. The tape pack, as it is formed, can be periodically passed by the alignment member to facilitate substantially aligned formation thereof. A method in accordance with the present invention includes rotating a tape pack, winding a length of tape around the tape pack, and periodically passing the tape pack past a localized, stationary contact point where outermost windings of the tape pack are urged into aligned formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S McAllister, Philip John Turner, James C. Anderson, Carl R. Hoerger
  • Patent number: 6435451
    Abstract: A reel for holding tape includes a hub with a cylindrical surface about which the tape is wound to form a tape pack. Flanges are fixed to either end of the hub, forming parallel inner surfaces. At least one of the inner surfaces has a compliant raised pattern. The raised pattern provides one or more of a plurality of compliant tape contacting surfaces providing an aligning forced to the tape edge as the tape edge is wound into the tape pack, channels allowing air to escape from between the tape and the tape pack as the tape is wound into the tape pack, and compliant sides reducing the possibility for damage to tape in the tape pack due to shock received by the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Michael L. Leonhardt
  • Patent number: 6422499
    Abstract: A fishing reel has a fixed spool and a rotary line pick up. The spool comprises a peripheral groove for line retrieval limited by a front flange and a rear flange. The front flange comprises, for example, three peripheral areas with a progressively smaller radius with a dimension of the radius that is smaller than the radius in the adjacent peripheral areas that separate them. Therefore we reduce the friction of the fishing line on the front flange of the spool during a casting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventors: Jean Bernard, Frederic Platel
  • Publication number: 20020084379
    Abstract: A tape reel includes a hub in a cylindrical shape around which a magnetic tape is adapted to be wrapped, an upper flange and a lower flange respectively provided at an upper and a lower ends of the hub. The tape reel is constructed in such a manner that a distance between the upper and the lower flanges outside the outer peripheral surface of the hub is gradually decreased, as the magnetic tape is going to be wrapped around the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kiyoo Morita
  • Publication number: 20020074440
    Abstract: In an inner surface of a lower flange of the magnetic tape reel, 6 concave portions shaped in nearly isosceles triangle are made formed at even angle intervals of 60 degrees with their circumferential cross-section area being larger as approaching to a hub. When a magnetic tape is wound on the hub, air which exists between a tape-winding surface of the hub or the tape already wound and the tape to be wound further is guided to the concave portions, and an amount of wound-in air becomes less in the inner side and large in the outer periphery. Consequently, a pressure of winding the tape tight at the outer periphery does not reach the inner side, so that winding irregularities or deformation of the tape do not occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kiso
  • Publication number: 20020074448
    Abstract: In a take-up reel (10) which is for taking up a tape (40) and which includes a cylindrical reel hub (12) having a rotation axis (O) and a pair of flanges (16, 17) attached to opposite ends of the reel hub, each of the pair of flanges having a generally disk-like shape with a circular opening (16a or 17a) formed at a center of each of the pair of flanges, the reel hub and the pair of flanges are assembled by press-fitting without using an adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: Mitsumi Electric Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Ikuichiro Nawa
  • Patent number: 6402075
    Abstract: A string control system for conveniently dispensing for use and retracting for storage an elongate flexible member. The string control system includes a reeling device for dispensing an elongate flexible member during use of the flexible member and retracting the flexible member for storage of the flexible member. The device comprises a frame having laterally spaced side portions and longitudinally spaced end portions defining an opening. The end portions extend between the side portions. A spool is provided for winding a length of an elongate flexible member thereon. The spool is positioned in the opening of the frame and is rotatably mounted on the frame. The spool has a pair of flange portions and a central portion mounted between the flange portions. A crank is provided for rotating the spool. Preferably, each of the flange portions of the spool has a hub and at least two guide spokes extending radially outward from the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Edward Grimes
  • Patent number: 6386470
    Abstract: The takeup reel comprises a pair of segmented flanges connected in a parallel relationship to a takeup reel hub and define a first tape containment section and a second tape containment section. The segmented flanges are ultrasonically welded to the hub and include rounded protrusions that align and guide the tape media around the hub during operation of the tape drive. At least one of the segmented flanges also includes a post that is configured to mate with a feature on the tape drive to prevent movement of the takeup reel when the tape cartridge is unloaded from and loaded into the tape drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Benchmark Storage Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Vanderheyden
  • Patent number: 6352216
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: E. Alan Coats
  • Patent number: 6279846
    Abstract: A tape cartridge including a cartridge housing, one or more tape hub pins substantially fixed at both ends to the cartridge housing, and tape hubs, carrying tape, e.g., magnetic tape, that are mounted around the tape hub pins for rotation within the cartridge housing. Also described is a method for preventing tilt of a tape hub including fitting a first end of the pin into a baseplate, which is part of the tape cartridge housing. The method also includes fitting a second end of the pin into a pin retention device formed into a cover, which is another part of the tape cartridge housing. The pin retention device of this method may take the form of a ring-like feature, provided in the cover, which retains the second end of the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventor: Leslie M. Collins
  • Patent number: 6254023
    Abstract: A photo film cassette has a spool core about which photo film is wound in a form of a roll. A cassette shell contains the spool core in a rotatable manner. Two flanges have a disk shape, and are secured to respective ends of the spool core, for regulating lateral edges of the roll of the photo film. A circumferential lip is disposed on each flange, is extended toward the opposite one of the flanges, wraps one of the lateral edges of an outermost turn of the photo film of the roll, and prevents the photo film from being loosened. A rim portion is disposed on an circular edge of the circumferential lip confronted with the opposite one of the flanges, to project with a bend away from the spool core. A contact face is disposed on the rim portion, and contacts the one of the lateral edges of the photo film when the photo film is unwound from the spool core or wound back about the spool core. The contact face has a contact range of 0.15-0.8 mm in contacting the one of the lateral edges of the photo film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Mochizuki, Seiichi Watanabe, Keiji Shigesada, Naoyoshi Chino, Masahiro Enomoto, Mototada Yasui, Akira Tomita
  • Patent number: 6234418
    Abstract: A line storage device, for storing a line having two ends and a length, comprising a first plate and a second plate which are joined by a core. The first plate and second plate both have an outer side and an inner side. The plates are joined such that their inner sides face each other yet are separated by a substantially uniform gap. The outer surface of the first plate has several semicircular clips which allow the line to wind once around the circumference, and a pass through opening which then allows the line to pass through the first plate to the inner side thereof. An S-shaped channel in the first plate protrudes from the outer side of the first plate, but is open on the inner side thereof. The S-shaped channel allows the line to enter said channel at the pass-through opening, travel therethrough and exit at the core. Once the line exits the S-shaped channel at the core, it winds around the core numerous times in the gap between the plates to effect storage of the entire length of line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventor: Evan Donaldson
  • Patent number: 6230999
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6216971
    Abstract: A photo film cassette has a spool core about which photo film is wound in a form of a roll. A cassette shell contains the spool core in a rotatable manner. Two flanges have a disk shape, and are secured to respective ends of the spool core, for regulating lateral edges of the roll of the photo film. A circumferential lip is disposed on each flange, is extended toward the opposite one of the flanges, wraps one of the lateral edges of an outermost turn of the photo film of the roll, and prevents the photo film from being loosened. A rim portion is disposed on an circular edge of the circumferential lip confronted with the opposite one of the flanges, to project with a bend away from the spool core. A contact face is disposed on the rim portion, and contacts the one of the lateral edges of the photo film when the photo film is unwound from the spool core or wound back about the spool core. The contact face has a contact range of 0.15-0.8 mm in contacting the one of the lateral edges of the photo film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Mochizuki, Seiichi Watanabe, Keiji Shigesada, Naoyoshi Chino, Masahiro Enomoto, Mototada Yasui, Akira Tomita
  • Patent number: 6196495
    Abstract: Disclosed is a reel for winding photosensitive film (6) which stabilizes the winding shape of the film and minimizes the deformation of a photosensitive layer caused by the winding tension. The winding reel is easily carried and stored, and has a sufficient strength to stand against the winding tension of the wound photosensitive film. The user can check the amount of the wound photosensitive film. The winding reel has a cylindrical reel member (10) for winding the photosensitive film around a circumference thereof with a predetermined tension, and flange members (20, 30) detachably coupled to both sides of the reel member. The flange members (20, 30) have inner surfaces which are disposed in opposition to each other and are closed to both edges of the photosensitive film wound around the reel member. By the winding reel, it is possible to wind the photosensitive film around the reel member (10) with a proper tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Kolon Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jae-Young Hwang, Woo Choi, Byeong-Il Lee, Kie-Jin Park, Hyun-Seuk Choi, Chang-Hoon Na
  • Patent number: 6139457
    Abstract: A sheet metal pulley has a base part and a cylindrical peripheral wall for winding a belt formed integrally with the base part. An ear is disposed in an end part of the cylindrical peripheral wall. The base part is partitioned into an inner peripheral portion and an outer peripheral portion, with the inner peripheral portion being smoothly connected with the outer peripheral portion through a bent part. The outer peripheral portion is formed into a tapered shape which extends from the bent part and has a diameter which is increased toward the inner side of the cylindrical peripheral wall in the axial direction of the pulley. The outer peripheral portion connected with an end part of the peripheral wall on the side of the ear. Even when the pulley is used for a long term, the connecting portion between the peripheral wall and the base part, etc. is hardly cracked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kanemitsu
    Inventors: Toshiaki Kanemitsu, Kazuyuki Oda
  • Patent number: 6065716
    Abstract: A spool for thread-type or strip-type wound material in a version for correct-sided insertion into a device, the spool on the one hand having a substantially cylindrical tube-type or cylindrical double tube-type winding core with flange disks of greater diameter arranged at its two ends for forming a winding area, and on the other hand being fittable inside the apparatus in a predetermined operating position with its central mounting bore arranged in the winding core and rotatable about its central axis. To obtain a spool that has on the one hand a simple and inexpensive structure and permits a simple, compact, and inexpensive configuration of the apparatus receiving the spool and on the other hand is versatile in use, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Bruno Munster
  • Patent number: 6065702
    Abstract: A photo film cassette has a spool core about which photo film is wound in a form of a roll. A cassette shell contains the spool core in a rotatable manner. Two flanges have a disk shape, and are secured to respective ends of the spool core, for regulating lateral edges of the roll of the photo film. A circumferential lip is disposed on each flange, is extended toward the opposite one of the flanges, wraps one of the lateral edges of an outermost turn of the photo film of the roll, and prevents the photo film from being loosened. A rim portion is disposed on an circular edge of the circumferential lip confronted with the opposite one of the flanges, to project with a bend away from the spool core. A contact face is disposed on the rim portion, and contacts the one of the lateral edges of the photo film when the photo film is unwound from the spool core or wound back about the spool core. The contact face has a contact range of 0.15.0.8 mm in contacting the one of the lateral edges of the photo film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Mochizuki, Seiichi Watanabe, Keiji Shigesada, Naoyoshi Chino, Masahiro Enomoto, Mototada Yasui, Akira Tomita
  • Patent number: 6062500
    Abstract: A reel for a tape drive and cartridge is provided herein. The reel can be utilized as a take-up reel for the tape drive and/or a feed reel for the cartridge. The reel includes a hub which receives the storage tape and a pair of guide bars which guide the storage tape onto the hub. Importantly, the guide bars inhibit lateral tape movement during transfer of the storage tape between the take-up reel and the feed reel. This minimizes data recovery errors and increases the life of the storage tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Quantum Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Coles
  • Patent number: 6015112
    Abstract: An arrangement for leading flexible elements, such as hoses, around a hose reel to a rock drill moving along a feed beam, in which the flexible elements are coupled immovably to the feed beam and to the rock drill, characterized in that the flexible elements are mounted on the hose reel in at least two successive layers in the radial direction of the hose reel and each radial layer is pivoted so as to revolve around a shaft of the hose reel independently of the other layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Tamrock OY
    Inventors: Leo Hakkinen, Timo Laitinen
  • Patent number: 5992128
    Abstract: A system for girding an article, in particular the twisted end of a bag, with a closure including a strip of adhesive tape. The system comprises a girding device and a roll of adhesive tape having a core. The girding device comprises a housing including a slot which is adapted for receiving the article moving therethrough. The housing also is provided with a support post for rotatably supporting a roll of adhesive tape. A star wheel is mounted for rotation at one side of the slot and has radially extending spokes which extend over the slot and are separated by recesses suitable for accommodating a twisted end of the article as it is moved through the slot past the star wheel. The housing further includes an element which lies at an opposite side of the slot from that of the star wheel and thereat forms a wall part lying along the path of ends of the spokes of the star wheel. A severing mechanism is provided for severing a strip of adhesive tape after the article has passed the star wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: InnoSeal Systems International B.V.
    Inventor: Alfred Langerak
  • Patent number: 5971317
    Abstract: A large, warp resistant, reel is formed of a molded plastic cylindrically shaped hub with disk-like flanges co-axially arranged upon and secured to the opposite ends of the hub The flanges are each formed of a framework of numerous, spaced apart, radially extending spokes, and spaced apart concentric hoops. The spokes intersect the hoops and are integrally joined thereto. Thin, rigid co-planar plastic sheets extend across the spaces between, and are integrally joined to, the adjacent portions of the spokes and hoops. The spokes are generally T-shaped in cross-section with the heads of the T-shape being wide and thin and integrally formed on the inner, facing surfaces of the flanges and the legs of the T-shape being narrow and long and integrally formed on the outer surfaces of the flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Creative Techniques, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark E. Jaros
  • Patent number: 5938141
    Abstract: A holder for a paper towel roll in which wound about a tubular core is a band of absorbent paper sheeting divided by perforation lines into a series of interconnected towel sections. The roll is rotatably supported by the holder to permit a user to unwind the leading towel section from the roll and tear it off. To facilitate extraction of a single towel section from the roll without causing it to further unwind, a stop element is provided. The element is formed by a cap and a plug projecting therefrom, the plug being received in one end of the tubular core whereby the cap then abuts an end of the roll. In operation, as the user with one hand tears off the unwound leading section of the roll, with his other hand presses the cap of the stop element to arrest rotation of the roll and further unwinding thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventor: Maurice S. Kanbar
  • Patent number: 5908172
    Abstract: A spool for filamentary material such as optical fibers and others consists of two members which are locked together to form a drum with two opposed flanges defining a winding space. The two members may be separated to allow material wound on the drum to be removed at will. After the material is removed, the two parts may be locked again making the spool reusable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Crellin, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven William Pierro, Ronald Tracy Trefzger, Leland Hubert Boyles, James Richard Wilkinson, Victor Joseph Desrosiers, Robert Vincent Fazio
  • Patent number: 5897075
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting wound flexible media includes first and second flanges, a core, and at least one single piece connector. The core is interposed between said first flange and said second flange. The first flange has at least one aperture and at least one protruding feature corresponding to said aperture. The at least one single piece connector includes a first interlocking end that extends through an aperture of the second flange and through the at least one aperture of the first flange, wherein said first interlocking end engages the protruding feature to inhibit a de-insertion alignment of the first interlocking end with the at least one aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Vandor Corporation
    Inventors: Jack E. Elder, Gary L. Cox
  • Patent number: 5845859
    Abstract: A tape reel includes a main body including an outer peripheral cylinder on which a magnetic tape is wound, a cylindrical bearing disposed in the center of the outer peripheral cylinder, and radial ribs radially extending from the cylindrical bearing. An upper flange is mounted to the tape-reel main body through its protrusions press fit into holes of junctions of the radial ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Masanori Sato
  • Patent number: 5829712
    Abstract: A recessed portion (24) is formed on the upper surface of the lower flange (23). An annular positioning rib (25) is provided on the lower surface of the lower flange (23) so as to be coaxial with the revolving center of the reel main body (20) and so as to be integrated with the lower flange (23). A ventilating hole (26) is provided so as to penetrate the lower flange (23), running through the base end part of the annular positioning rib (25) and the recessed portion (24). The air between the layers of the wound tape can be exhausted via the ventilating hole (26) to the side of the base end part of the annular positioning rib (25) through the recess (24) along the direction of an arrow (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoo Morita
  • Patent number: 5803388
    Abstract: A tape drive reel for providing controlled, uniform stacking of tape during read/write operations to reduce lateral tape motion. The reel comprises a hub and two flanges that are located on opposite sides of the hub. Each flange includes a deflectable radial section which pivots about the hub as tape is wound onto the reel. As each loop of tape is wound on the hub and the amount of tape stacked thereon increases, the radial sections of the flanges are deflected towards each other and against the opposite edges of the tape stack, ensuring that the tape stacks uniformly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Quantum Corporation
    Inventors: George Saliba, Joseph Panish
  • Patent number: 5803389
    Abstract: A recording tape take-up reel assembly, comprising an annular hub having a top, a bottom, an axis of rotation and a radial surface, a first and second sub flange concentric with the annular hub, each sub flange having a top surface, a bottom surface and an outside circumferential edge surface, wherein the edge surface is adapted to have a tape wound thereon, and wherein the bottom surface of the first sub flange is concentrically attached to the top surface of the hub and the top surface of the second sub flange is concentrically attached to the bottom surface of the hub; and a first and second main flange concentric with the annular hub and the sub flanges, each main flange having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface of the first main flange is concentrically attached to the top surface of the first sub flange and the top surface of the second main flange is concentrically attached to the bottom surface of the second sub flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Curtis Paul Gonzales, Jeffrey S. McAllister
  • Patent number: 5755398
    Abstract: A winch drum including a barrel portion having composite flanges secured at each end. The flanges including two or more partially independent, segmented, modules with each modular section placed diametrically one on the other thus forming an expanding concentric flange. The first modular section secured to the winch drum, barrel portion having a relatively small outside diameter with respect to the barrel is treated, from a design standpoint, as the primary shear module. The second and subsequent concentric sections are only secured to the lower modular section at their outer faces and treated independently for shear and bending with each cross section being sized to accommodate the forces applicable only to that modular section thus reducing shear and bending in these modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Smatco Industries
    Inventors: Robert M. Thompson, Sr., John Ledet, Irvin Bourg
  • Patent number: 5722613
    Abstract: A easy reel device including a spool. The spool has a pair of spool rims with a cylindrical member for allowing material to be wrapped therearound when positioned between the pair of spool rims. Each spool rim has an interior side with a channel. An axle is positioned through the cylindrical member. Lastly, an elongated feeder bar is positioned within the channel of each spool rim and has a slot. The slot is capable of receiving a free end of the material wrapped around the cylindrical member of the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Inventor: Stephen A. Michael
  • Patent number: 5699973
    Abstract: A tape reel having a cylindrical tape winding face on which magnetic tape is to be wound, and upper and lower flanges formed at upper and lower ends of said tape winding face. Grooves (20), which are designed to discharge to the outside the air interposed between portions of the magnetic tape that is wound on a tape winding face (8), are provided in the surface of the lower flange (9) which contacts the magnetic tape. The dimensions of each part are set so that the opening area of the grooves (20) lying within the tape winding range (21) where the magnetic tape is wound is 30 percent (standard value) or more relative to the total area of the tape winding range (21). By this structure, even in the case where the magnetic tape is wound at high speed on the tape winding face (8), the air interposed between portions of the magnetic tape is rapidly discharged to the outer periphery through the grooves (20), and the winding attitude is good.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Takanobu Nakane, Kiyoo Morita
  • Patent number: 5695140
    Abstract: A fishing reel of simple mechanical design includes an electrical drive motor, a drive shaft coupled to the electrical drive motor, and a cylindrical reel member mounted on the drive shaft. The cylindrical reel member includes a circumferential slot cut into the reel member at an angle to a centerline of the reel. An outer housing is also preferably provided to enclose the cylindrical reel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Inventor: Howard Goodman
  • Patent number: 5605305
    Abstract: A cable reel comprising a drum and side flanges molded of plastic is of sufficient size, strength and rigidity to carry loads in excess of 10,000 lbs. without significant distortion or flattening. The required strength and rigidity are achieved by molding the side flanges so that they tend to assume a dished configuration that is substantially flattened when the side flanges are bolted by tie-rods to the ends of the drum all of which prestresses the side flanges. The tie rods have threaded ends for receiving bolts that secure the side flanges to the drum and serve to reinforce the final structure. During curing of each reel component while it is still in the mold, shrinkage of the component is resisted so as to increase the strength of the component. The drum comprises at least two sections and the reel may be easily disassembled and the parts stacked for storage and shipment as a compact package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Inventor: Valentine L. Picton
  • Patent number: 5600294
    Abstract: An electromagnetic coil assembly includes a bobbin upon which a coil of magnet wire is wound. The bobbin includes a body having first and second flanges formed at the ends thereof. First and second circumferentially spaced slots are formed through the first flange which receive the start and finish ends of the coil. A pair of lead wires are connected to the respective ends of the coil of the magnet wire. The bobbin futher includes an extension which extends from the first flange. A circumferential lip is formed at the axial end of the extension having an outer periphery which is non-circular in shape. A cap is provided to having an end wall and a circumferential sidewall. An opening is formed through the end wall of the cap and preferably has an inner periphery of the same general shape as the outer periphery of the lip formed on the extension of the bobbin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Buenconsejo, Keith A. Doehrman, Lee M. Stanley, Henry J. Waring
  • Patent number: 5558288
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tubular bobbin core onto which roving or slubbing is wound and which is able to be transported overhead with its axis substantially vertical, suspended by its upper part. In order to avoid unwinding of said roving or slubbing during core transport, said core shows, in a tube portion below the wound area, at least one projecting part which can grip the running end of the roving or slubbing wound on by a winding machine or freely uncoiling from the wound bobbin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Inventor: Loredana Brovelli
  • Patent number: 5495998
    Abstract: In the magnetic tape cassette, upper and lower flanges 23a to 24c forming a tape reel 21 are formed alternately at a given angle in the two end portions of a reel hub 22 so that engaging gears 25a to 26c respectively formed on the outer peripheral edge portions of the upper and lower flanges 23a to 24c are substantially continuous in a plan view, and a brake claw is arranged so as to be engageable with any one of the engaging gears 25a to 26c regardless of the rotational position of the tape reel 21.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Hirata
  • Patent number: 5474253
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for controlled, uniform stacking of tape thereon during read/write operations in tape drives to reduce lateral tape motion during read/write operations. The invention comprises a hub and two flanges that are located on opposite sides of the hub. The flanges have surfaces facing each other extending outwardly from the hub in diverging relationship with each other. The separation between the facing surfaces of the flanges increases from a minimum at a location adjacent to the hub to a maximum at the outer circumferential edge of the flanges in a radial direction extending outwardly from the axis of rotation. Further, the separation between the facing surfaces also increases from a minimum to a maximum along any path of equal distance around the axis of rotation, the location of minimum separation is generally opposite to the location of maximum separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Quantum Corporation
    Inventors: Kumaraswamy Kasetty, George Saliba
  • Patent number: 5474254
    Abstract: A spool for winding wire, rope or other materials includes a hub having a flange disposed on each end thereof. The flanges are deflected outwardly from the hub. Each flange contains a plurality of ribs that project from the interior surface of the flange so as to provide a constant width for winding the material on the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Faulkner Fabricators, Inc.
    Inventor: Arnold T. Faulkner
  • Patent number: 5456423
    Abstract: A tape reel in which a thin flange portion is formed by reducing a thickness of each of front and rear flange surfaces of the tape reel and a thick portion having a thickness larger than that of the thin flange portion is formed at a plurality of places of an outer periphery of the flange portion. When the tape reel is molded by using a molding metal mold, a pin is inserted into the molding metal mold at a portion corresponding to a portion where a resin is filled into the thin flange portion last, and air and gas within a cavity are discharged from a spacing formed between the molding metal mold and the pin. Thus, the occurrence of short mold and weld line on the thin portion of the tape reel thus molded can be avoided and a rotational fluctuation of the reel flange surface can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Sakurai, Makoto Aoki, Masahiro Makino
  • Patent number: 5421537
    Abstract: An end cap has a central coupling for securing it to one end of a core on which a length of flexible material is adapted to be wound. The end cap has a partial coupling formation along one edge so that it can be assembled edge-to-edge with one or more additional end caps of identical construction to form an enlarged end cap unit in which the partial coupling formations combine to form a second coupling for securing the enlarged end cap unit to one end of a core. A locking device is also provided for releasably locking the core to an end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Modular Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Cobane, Charles P. Keip
  • Patent number: 5417384
    Abstract: A tool mounts a parcel containing a coil of a cable, for instance, a sleeve for the cable, and two protective rings at the sides of the coil, the tool having two wheel-shaped side supports including one larger and one smaller circle segment having opposite dividing edges, the circle segments being capable to be coupled and locked to each other. The side supports are provided with concentric centering elements to center the sleeve, the dividing edges being provided radially outside the centering elements of the side supports for dividing the distance between the centering element and the peripheral edge element in a ratio of from 1:1 to 1:3. The dividing edge of the larger circle segment is provided at a radial distance from the center of the side support that is less than the radius of the parcel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Ulvator AB
    Inventor: Ulf Lindstrand
  • Patent number: 5400567
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a coil (1) of a continuous flexible object (2), such as cable and line, and enveloping the coil to form a parcel (27) for delivery to a user, said object (2) being coiled onto an axially open, cylindrical sleeve (28) to produce said coil. According to the invention the sleeve (28) is provided with two protective rings (29, 30) and is brought to be fixed by a first tool (9) so that the sleeve (28) is firmly clamped between two parallel side supports (10, 11) and centered by centering elements (24) of the side supports, whereby a first rotatable unit (36) is formed. The cable or line (2) is attached to said first unit (36) and the unit (36) is brought to rotate in a coiling machine (3) so that the cable or line is formed to said coil (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Ulvator Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Ulf Lindstrand
  • Patent number: 5398884
    Abstract: An endcap for simultaneously dispensing and hemming film from a roll while an operator is wrapping a load. An endcap is inserted into each end of a roll of film and an operator manually dispenses the film. The endcap includes an insert, a base, and a flange that hems the film. The flange is angled outwardly from the base of the endcap and overlaps an end portion of the roll so that when the film is dispensed, the edges of the film are hemmed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Mima Incorporated
    Inventor: Stone Stanford
  • Patent number: 5381981
    Abstract: A garden hose reel is provided that is light weight, durable, and easily assembled. The reel is made of right and left, molded, synthetic resin halves that are easily joined together by complementary interlocking structures on the matable faces of each reel half and by screw fasteners. The complementary interlocking structures on the matable faces distribute the torque forces that would otherwise be concentrated at the screws. The reel halves each include an inwardly tapered hose support surface and inwardly biased opposed reel sides that promote centering of the hose as unwound hose is taken up on the assembled reel. The hose reel can be rotatably supported by either a wall mounted frame or a portable caddy frame. The frames include molded synthetic resin right and left side frame members that are coupled together by light weight metal tubular frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: The Specialty Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: Terry N. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5364042
    Abstract: A C-shaped adapter for mounting on a spool on which a web of material is to be wound shortens the effective winding width of the spool. The adapter has a web-blocking portion which blocks the web by forming a flange. A holding portion positions the web-blocking portion on the spool. A lug on the adapter mates with a depression in the spool to prevent axial movement of the adapter along the spool. The web-blocking portion includes a body and two arms which extend from opposite sides of the body. The holding portion includes an open circular portion terminating in two legs which fit around the spool to secure the adapter to the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Stuart J. Wyman
  • Patent number: 5346153
    Abstract: A winch strap anchor for securing the strap of a winch to the winch drum proximate the hub to maintain a low profile and eliminate crank force irregularities. The anchor is secured to the walls of the drum and is configured to lie against the winch hub thereby minimizing the eccentric winding of the strap onto the winch. The anchor includes a longitudinal slot for receiving the strap to secure the strap to the anchor. The anchor with the strap attached can be manually attached to the winch drum securing the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Fulton Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward W. Ebey