JP2009527430A - Reel comprising a housing having a triangular opening for containing a linear substance - Google Patents

Abstract

  The reel (10) is equipped with a housing (11) having a triangular opening (15) for taking in and out the linear substance (2) wound on the reel drum (20). The drum (20) has a spool surface (47) on which the linear material (2) may be wound, and the spool surface (47) has two ends. The housing (11) substantially surrounds the drum (20), and the drum (20) is rotatable relative to at least a portion of the housing (11) about the drum axis (31). At least a portion of the housing (11) has an opening (15) that is generally triangular in size to receive the linear material (2) wound onto the drum (20). The opening (15) has a first side (92) oriented generally parallel to the drum axis (31) and an apex (93) that is generally in the middle of the opposite ends of the spool surface (47) of the drum (20). ) And second and third sides (94, 96) that meet.

Description

(Claiming priority)
This application claims priority based on Section 119 (e) of the Patent Act with respect to provisional patent application No. 60 / 775,629 filed on Feb. 21, 2006.
(Citation of literature)
In this application, US Patent Application Publication No. US 2006-0266605 A1 is included in the disclosure by reference.
The present invention relates generally to reels for winding and unwinding linear material, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for improving the uniformity of the material being wound and the ease of unwinding.
(Description of related applications)
The reel typically comprises a cylindrical reel drum on which flexible linear material (cords, hoses, etc.) is wound up. The drum typically rotates about a central axis to wind or rewind linear material onto the surface of the cylindrical drum (also referred to herein as “spooling” and “unspooling”). Some reels include a housing that protects the drum and spooled linear material from the environment. The housing may include an opening or opening through which the linear material extends so that the linear material may be withdrawn from the housing and subsequently pulled back into the housing. The drum rotation can be electric or manual, such as a hand crank or other similar device.

  Some reel housings include a portion that includes an opening for linear material and is operable relative to other portions of the housing, so that the user can change the position at which the linear material is pulled from the reel. For example, US Pat. No. 6,279,848 issued to Mead discloses a cylindrical reel drum that rotates about a horizontal axis and is enclosed within a spherical housing with upper and lower hemispherical shell portions. The upper shell portion includes a guide opening for the spooled linear material and is linked to the drum. The upper shell portion and the drum rotate together relative to the lower shell portion about a vertical central axis. This allows the user to pull the linear material from the housing through the guide opening and operate around the reel while conforming the guide opening to the user's radial position. The upper shell part and the drum form a unit that can freely rotate 360 ° or more relative to the lower shell part (centered about the vertical axis).

  Another example of a reel housing that includes a portion that includes an opening for linear material and that is rotatable relative to other portions of the housing is shown and described in US Patent Application Publication No. US 2006-0266605 A1. The reference includes a spherical shape comprising upper and lower and middle housing parts, an internal vertical spindle member fixed to the upper and lower housing parts, and a drum rotatable on the spindle member and surrounded by the middle housing part. A reel housing is disclosed. In this reference, the intermediate housing part includes an opening for linear material and is also rotatable independently of the drum about the spindle member.

  Various reels include spring return mechanisms for automatic spooling of linear material, particularly non-powered reels. Typically, a thin spring steel coil is equipped with one end fixed to the reel drum and the other end fixed to the spindle on which the drum rotates. For example, US Pat. No. 6,273,354 to Kovacik et al. Discloses such a reel. Such reels are often equipped with a ratchet-pole mechanism (or similar device) to allow the user to gently pull the linear material and initiate reel unwinding.

  In one aspect, the present invention provides a reel comprising a drum and a housing that substantially surrounds the drum. The drum has a spool surface on which linear material may be wound, the spool surface having two ends. The drum is rotatable relative to at least a portion of the housing about the drum axis. At least a portion of the housing has a generally triangular opening sized to receive linear material that is wound onto the drum. The opening has a first side that is generally oriented parallel to the drum axis, and a second and third side that meet at a vertex that is generally in the middle of the opposite ends of the spool surface of the drum.

  In another aspect, the present invention comprises a method comprising rotating a drum about a drum axis to wind up linear material onto or from the drum spool surface. provide. During the process of rotating the drum, linear material is drawn through an opening that is generally triangular in the housing that substantially surrounds the drum, with the drum being centered about the drum axis with respect to the portion of the housing that includes the opening. It can be rotated. The opening has a first side that is generally oriented parallel to the drum axis, and a second and third side that meet at a vertex that is generally in the middle of the opposite ends of the spool surface of the drum.

  In another aspect, the present invention provides a reel comprising a drum and a housing that substantially surrounds the drum. The drum has a spool surface on which linear material may be wound and is rotatable about at least a portion of the housing about the drum axis. At least a portion of the housing has a generally triangular opening sized to receive linear material that is wound onto the drum.

  In another aspect, the present invention comprises a method comprising rotating a drum about a drum axis to wind linear material onto or from the drum spool surface. provide. During the process of rotating the drum, linear material is drawn through an opening that is generally triangular in the housing that substantially surrounds the drum, with the drum being centered about the drum axis with respect to the portion of the housing that includes the opening. It can be rotated.

  Certain objectives and advantages of the invention described above and further described below are intended to summarize the invention and to summarize the advantages achieved over the prior art. Of course, it is to be understood that not all such objectives or advantages may be achieved in certain embodiments of the invention. Thus, for example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not necessarily taught or shown herein in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages taught herein. It will be appreciated that the invention may be practiced or carried out without achieving other objectives or advantages that may appear.

  All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention disclosed herein. These and other embodiments of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention is not limited to any particular preferred embodiment disclosed.

  Embodiments of the present invention provide a reel comprising a reel drum substantially surrounded by a housing. The housing has a portion with a triangular opening for receiving linear material and guiding it onto the drum spool surface as the drum rotates relative to the housing about the drum axis. In some embodiments, the housing portion having a triangular guide opening is also rotatable relative to the drum about the drum axis. In some embodiments, the housing portion having a triangular guide opening is also rotatable relative to one or more other portions of the housing about the drum axis. In other words, the housing part with the drum and the triangular guide opening is preferably rotatable independently of the rest of the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the housing part with triangular guide openings is freely rotatable up to at least 360 ° and preferably any fraction or multiple thereof with respect to the rest of the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the reel is adapted to spool the electrical cord. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the reel of the present invention can spool other types of linear materials such as hoses, ropes and the like.

  A reel that uses a drum that rotates about a vertical axis tends to suffer from the problem of non-uniform winding. In other words, the linear material wound on the drum tends to form a non-uniform spool. The cause is that the linear substance tends to wind around the lower part of the drum under the influence of gravity. The inventors of the present invention have found that this tendency is greatly reduced by a linear material guide or housing opening positioned generally in the middle between the opposite ends of the drum spool surface. The guide or opening thus aligned during winding causes the linear material to be wound more evenly onto the spool surface. However, when the direction of rotation of the drum is reversed, the centered guide or opening substantially impedes the linear material unwinding process due to the limited position and size of the opening relative to the length of the spool. Or may delay. In many cases, linear materials tend to become clogged or immobile during unwinding.

  As used herein, the terms “winding” and “spooling” refer to the process of rotating a drum in a direction to stack linear material onto the spool surface of the drum, “rewinding” and “ “Unspooling” refers to the process of drawing linear material from a drum as the drum is rotated in the opposite direction.

The present invention addresses this problem by providing a reel having a housing with a guide opening that is generally triangular for linear materials. The first apex of the triangular opening is preferably positioned generally in the middle between the ends of the drum spool surface. The first apex refers to the direction in which the linear material is wound up, so that during winding the linear material tends to slide against the first apex. Thus, during winding, the linear material is guided onto the drum from a generally middle position between the opposite ends of the spool surface, and as described above, a more equal and uniform winding is advantageously produced. . The side opposite the first apex in the triangular opening is preferably oriented substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum and preferably has a length sufficient to greatly increase the ease of unwinding. Have. During unwinding, the linear material is freely slid along the entire length of this side of the triangle, and the likelihood of clogging the linear material is effectively reduced.
(Example of reel)
In order to provide a more complete understanding of the present invention, an exemplary reel and a reel housing that is particularly suitable for having the triangular opening taught herein will now be described. Although the illustrated reel 10 is an electrical cord reel, the triangular opening of the present invention can be provided for a reel adapted to wind up different types of linear material. Further details of the reel 10 shown are shown and described in US Patent Application Publication No. US 2006-0266605 A1.

  FIG. 1 shows a reel 10 with a housing 11 surrounding a rotatable reel drum 20 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 5) on which a flexible linear substance 2 can be spooled. In the illustrated embodiment, the linear material 2 comprises an electrical cord having a female plug connector 3 as is well known in the art. The housing 11 comprises a first or lower housing part 12, a second or upper housing part 14, and a middle housing part 16 placed therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing portions 12, 14, and 16 collectively form a substantially spherical shape. However, the housing 11 can also have other shapes that take into account the purpose of collectively enclosing and preferably enclosing the drum 20 collectively. The reel 10 also includes a first or lower support structure 18 attached to the lower housing portion 12 and a second or upper support structure 19 attached to the upper housing portion 14. The lower support structure 18 is configured to support the reel 10 with a lower support surface. In a preferred embodiment, the reel can operate upside down, so the upper support structure 19 is also configured to support the reel 10 with the lower support surface. As will be described in more detail later, the middle housing portion 16 includes a triangular opening 15 through which the linear material 2 can extend.

  As previously mentioned, in a preferred embodiment, the reel 10 is adapted to spool the electrical cord 2. Preferably, the reel 10 supplies power to the cord 2 from an external power supply output. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the reel 10 includes an electrical cable 13 that extends from a lower opening (not shown) of the lower housing portion 12. The cable 13 preferably includes a standard electrical plug 17 that is adapted to plug into a standard power output. The cable 13 preferably supplies power to the electrical cord 2 that is spooled onto the reel 10. The connectors 3 and 17 shown are female and male, respectively, but these “male and female” may be interchanged.

  2 and 3 are an exploded plan view and an exploded bottom view of the reel 10, respectively. The reel 10 includes a spindle member 22 having a first end 24 and a second end 26 (FIG. 4). The first end 24 is coupled to the lower housing part 12 and is preferably formed integrally with the lower housing part 12. In this embodiment, the spindle member 22 is configured to extend through an opening 28 (FIG. 5) in the drum 20 so that the drum is a spindle shaft 31 (herein “drum” defined by the spindle member 22). It is also possible to rotate around an axis). Preferably, the opening 28 is sized to closely receive the spindle member 22. The spindle member 22 is also configured to extend through the opening 30 (FIG. 4) of the middle housing portion 16. Preferably, the opening 30 is sized to closely receive the spindle member 22. In certain embodiments, the spindle member 22 is in close contact with the lower portion having a larger diameter for tight fitting with the opening 28 of the drum 20 and with the opening 30 in the middle housing portion 16. And an upper portion having a smaller diameter. It will be understood that the opening 28 is larger than the opening 30. In another embodiment, openings 28 and 30 are approximately the same size and spindle member 22 has a substantially uniform diameter. Those skilled in the art will note that the objective is to allow the middle housing portion 16 and the drum 20 to both rotate relative to the spindle member 22 and to rotate independently of each other. It will be appreciated that and openings 28 and 30 are also possible.

  With reference to FIGS. 2-4, the upper housing portion 14 is preferably adapted such that when the member 22 extends through the drum 20, it is articulated to the second end 26 of the spindle member 22. Preferably, the upper housing part 14 and the spindle member 22 are detachably fixed to each other so that they cannot rotate relative to each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper housing portion 14 includes four through holes 32 that are configured and sized for receiving screws 34 (FIG. 4), the through holes 32 being the spindle member 22. And is adapted to be screwed into a threaded hole 36 at the second end 26 thereof. One skilled in the art will recognize that the upper housing portion 14 can be removably secured to the spindle member 22 using any of a wide variety of means.

  Thus, the reel 10 allows the middle housing portion 16 and the drum 20 to rotate freely about the spindle member 22 and to rotate independently of each other. To assist or facilitate rotation of the drum 20 and / or the middle housing part 16, between the housing parts 12 and 16, between the housing parts 14 and 16, between the middle housing part 16 and the drum 20, on the lower side At the interface between the housing part 12 and the drum 20, between the spindle member 22 and the drum 20, and / or between the spindle member 22 and the middle housing part 16, there are rotational aids such as ball bearings, rollers and the like. May be provided (but not essential). Tracks or other guiding means can also be provided to control the relative movement of these members, and lubricants can be used to reduce friction at these interfaces.

  With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the upper and lower housing portions 12 and 14 preferably includes an annular wall 39 and a plurality of radial ribs 37 for added strength. With the aim of improving the strength and rigidity of the housing parts 12, 14, alternative constructions of inner walls and ribs are possible. In other embodiments, the housing portions 12 and 14 do not have internal members to add strength.

  In the disclosed embodiment, the upper and lower support structures 18 and 19 are substantially similar (but not essential). Accordingly, the description herein will be made only with respect to the lower support structure 18. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower support structure 18 preferably includes two attachment portions 40 and two handle portions 38. The illustrated mounting portion 40 comprises an elongate tube member configured to be mounted on opposite sides of the lower housing portion 12. One skilled in the art will recognize that the attachment portion 40 may alternatively have a non-tubular shape. In certain preferred embodiments, the lower housing portion 12 includes a recess 42 that is sized and shaped to receive the mounting portion 40. The mounting portion 40 can be secured (preferably in a removable manner) to the lower housing portion 12 by any of a wide variety of means such as screws, bolt / nut combinations and the like. . For example, the illustrated mounting portion 40 includes internally threaded vertical stubs 41 that fit snugly into corresponding recesses 43 within the recesses 42. The recess 43 is configured to receive a screw to create a removable connection between the mounting portion 40 and the lower housing portion 12. The attachment portion 40 can be curved to more closely match the hemispherical shape of the lower housing portion 12, resulting in a more stable and reliable connection.

  The illustrated handle portion 38 is generally aligned substantially opposite each other on opposite sides of the lower housing portion 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle portion 38 is oriented generally perpendicular to the spindle member 22 and maintains the lowermost end of the lower housing portion 12 at least slightly above the lower support surface. An elongated tube member that is aligned is provided. The handle portion 38 is preferably sized and shaped to allow a person to hold it directly with both hands. Each attachment portion 40 preferably has one end coupled to one end of one handle portion 38 and the other end coupled to the end of the other handle portion 38. Each end of the handle portion 38 is preferably coupled to only one mounting portion 40. The illustrated end portion of the mounting portion 40 extends downwardly and outwardly from a central portion that attaches to the recess 42 of the lower housing portion 12.

  In a preferred embodiment, the lower support structure 18 further comprises four coupling members 44, each coupling member 44 having one end of one handle portion 38 and one end of one attachment portion 40. Join to the end. In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling member 44 contacts the lower support surface, but the handle portion 38 and the attachment portion 40 do not contact. The illustrated coupling member 44 comprises an L-shaped tube member.

  As previously mentioned, the upper support structure 19 is preferably substantially similar to the lower support structure 18. Thus, the illustrated support structure 19 is preferably mounted adapted to be mounted within the handle portion 38 and the recess 42 of the upper housing portion 14 substantially as previously described. A portion 40 and a coupling member 44 are included. The handle portion 38 of either support structure 18, 19 can advantageously be used to conveniently grasp and move the reel 10. Preferably, the support structures 18, 19 are configured to prevent the housing 11 (eg, housing portions 12, 14 and 16) from contacting a generally flat support surface regardless of the orientation of the reel 10. The For example, the illustrated support structures 18 and 19 prevent the housing 11 from contacting the ground even if the reel 10 is laid down. In this configuration, the support structure more effectively prevents damage to the housing 11. In other embodiments, the upper support structure 19 may have a different structure or may be omitted from the reel 10. It will be appreciated that a wide variety of different types of support structures 18, 19 can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  2, 3 and 5 show a preferred embodiment of the reel drum 20. The illustrated drum 20 includes a substantially cylindrical member 46 having a spool surface 47 through which linear material can be spooled, a first end plate 48 at one end of the member 46, And a second end plate 50 at the other end. The cylindrical member 46 and the end plates 48 and 50 preferably rotate together around the spindle member 22. Cylindrical member 46 and end plates 48 and 50 may be integrally manufactured as a single piece or may be separately manufactured and combined. The middle housing portion 16 surrounds the drum 20 and preferably rotates about the spindle member 22 independently of the drum 20. The triangular openings 15 are preferably aligned near the surface of the cylindrical member 46 so as to direct the linear material onto the drum 20 during spooling.

  With reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, the lower housing portion 12 is preferably adapted to accommodate a motor 51 that drives the reel drum 20 via a gear reduction assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, the motor 51 is housed within the spindle member 22. The motor 51 is inserted into the opening 52 on the lower side of the lower housing part 12. The motor cover 54 can be provided to support the motor 51 and / or close the opening 52 and preferably seal the opening 52 to protect the motor and gear from dust and debris. is there. For ease of illustration, gear reduction is not shown in the drawing. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the gear reduction may comprise any suitable number of gears assembled to convert the rotational output of the motor into rotation of the drum 20 about the drum shaft 31. I will. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the gear reduction can perform the rotation of the drum 20 by rotating the ring gear 58. The ring gear 58 includes an annular wall on the bottom side of the end plate 48, and the teeth are directed radially inward from the annular wall. In the illustrated embodiment, the annular wall is part of a ring-shaped piece 70 that is secured to the bottom side of the end plate 48. In other embodiments, the piece 70 can be manufactured integrally with the end plate 48. Further details regarding the preferred configuration of the gear reduction are described in US Patent Application Publication No. US 2006-0266605 A1.

  Thus, the motor 51 causes the drum 20 to rotate about the spindle member 22. As can be seen from FIG. 3, in this preferred embodiment, the motor 51 is upside down (i.e., its output side is facing downward). However, it will be appreciated that the motor 51 can be directed in a direction other than that shown in the figure. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a variety of different types of motor and gear reduction assemblies can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  In use, the user can unwind the material from the drum 20 by pulling the linear material 2 out of the triangular opening 15 in the middle housing portion 16. In this implementation, the drum 20 begins to rotate relative to the upper and lower housing portions 12, 14 and the spindle member 22. The middle housing part 16 is also freely rotatable, but its rotational position may change due to the tendency of the opening 15 to follow the radial direction in which the user pulls the linear material 2. As the user moves around the reel 10 with a portion of the linear material drawn from the housing 11, the middle housing portion 16 rotates freely so that the opening 15 can move according to the radial direction of the linear material being drawn. To do. In this way, the freely rotatable middle housing part 16 facilitates the use of linear material in a larger area. For example, the reel 10 can be placed in a central or outdoor area (eg, above ground or ceiling installation) in a room and the linear material is relatively easy towards any direction or part of the room or area. Can be drawn to. If the user desires to spool the linear material onto the drum 20, the motor 51 can be switched on as appropriate. The resulting rotation of the drum 20 draws linear material back into the housing 11 through the opening 15 in the middle housing portion 16.

  During spooling, the middle housing portion 16 may tend to rotate with the drum 20 due to friction between them. This can cause the linear material to oscillate around the reel 10 and consequently damage surrounding people or objects. Preferably, the reel 10 includes a mechanical and / or electrical mechanism that rotationally locks the middle housing portion 16 relative to the upper and lower housing portions 12, 14 during spooling. With reference to FIG. 3, the illustrated embodiment includes a solenoid device 62 secured to the lower housing portion 12. The solenoid device 62 is electrically operable, as is well known in the art, and causes the piston stem 64 to extend into and out of the opening outside the housing. The stem 64 is sized and shaped to slide into any one of the ring-shaped notches 66 provided on the inner surface of the middle housing portion 16. With respect to the notch 66, it has any of a wide variety of shapes and sizes, with the goal of allowing the piston stem 64 to stop rotation of the middle housing portion 16 by entering one of the notches 66. It is possible. As the stem 64 enters one of the notches 66, the middle housing portion 16 is "locked". In other words, the extended stem 64 prevents the middle housing portion 16 from rotating relative to the upper and lower housing portions 12, 14. The electronic control system activates the solenoid device 62 (ie, extends the stem 64) when the motor 51 is switched to spooling operation, and is switched off or activated to unspooling operation. It can then be provided to pull back the solenoid device 62 (ie, pull the stem 64 back into its housing).

In one preferred embodiment, the illustrated electrical cord reel 10 is adapted to provide power to an electrical cord 2 that is wound onto a drum 20. Code 2 is operable to send power to an external device. Thus, as is well known in the art, the reel 10 can include suitable means for enabling a power connection between the cord 13 (FIG. 1) and the cord 2 being wound. For example, the bottom of the end plate 48 of the drum 20 can include a conductive ring 78 (FIG. 5), also referred to as a “slip ring”, adapted to contact an electric brush (not shown). is there. The electric brush is in an energized state with the cord 13. Further, the drum 20 can be configured to provide an electrical connection between the slip ring 78 and a power connector (not shown) on the drum 20 to which the cord 2 being wound is connected. Further details regarding a preferred embodiment for supplying power to the wound cord 2 are described in US Patent Application Publication No. US 2006-0266605 A1.
(Triangular opening)
FIG. 6 shows a triangular aperture 15 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As previously mentioned, the middle housing portion 16 is a generally triangular opening sized to receive linear material (in the illustrated embodiment, the electrical cord 2) that is wound onto the drum 20. 15 is included. The opening 15 has a first side surface 92, a second side surface 94, and a third side surface 96. The first side 92 is preferably oriented generally parallel to the drum axis 31 (FIG. 2). The first side surface 92 and the second side surface 94 meet at the vertex 97. The first side surface 92 and the third side surface 96 meet at a vertex 95. The second side surface 94 and the third side surface 96 meet at the apex 93.

  The apex 93 is preferably aligned approximately midway between the opposite ends of the drum 20 opposite the spool surface 47. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the apex 93 is preferably aligned generally in the middle between the inner surfaces of the end plates 48 and 50. The opening 15 is advantageously sized and oriented so that the linear substance 2 hits the apex 93 during the winding. Preferably, a locking device or mechanism that locks the position of the middle housing portion 16 while the linear material 2 is wound onto the drum 20 so that the apex 93 is held fixed relative to the rotating drum. (Such as the solenoid device 62 described above) is provided.

  During the unwinding of the linear substance 2, the middle housing part 16 is preferably unlocked relative to the housing parts 12, 14, and the middle housing part 16 can be rotated in a direction that facilitates the withdrawal of the linear substance. It becomes like this. As a result, the linear substance 2 is freely pulled back not only through the apex 93 but also through a portion other than the apex 93 of the triangular opening 15 (in FIG. 6, an arbitrary location of the opening 15 on the right side of the apex 93). Advantageously, a larger vertical dimension of the opening 15 can be used for pulling back the linear substance 2, so that the ease of pulling back the linear substance is greatly improved. Also, the new triangular shape of the opening 15 allows for a larger amount of linear material 2 to be spooled to the housing 11, such as an increase of about 25%.

  In a preferred embodiment, the vertices 93, 95 and 97 are preferably rounded with a radius equal to or greater than the radius of the linear material 2. A sharp vertex is preferred over a sharp vertex because the stress concentration in the middle housing portion 16 is increased at the sharp vertex. Also, the thickness of the middle housing portion 16 is preferably increased along the edges or sides 92, 94, 96 of the opening 15, and the linear material during winding or unwinding as described herein. This provides increased strength to withstand the load imposed by 2.

  Those skilled in the art will recognize that the ease with which the linear material 2 can be rewound from the reel 10 depends on the length of the first side 92 of the triangular opening 15 relative to the length of the drum 20. Let's go. The first side 92 is preferably at least 35% of the length of the spool surface 47 of the drum 20, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 80% and even more. Preferably it extends over at least 95%. It will also be appreciated that the ease with which the linear material can be rewound also depends on the extent to which the first side 92 of the triangular aperture 15 is centered with respect to the length of the drum 20. . In this regard, (1) a plane 102 that is parallel to the drum shaft 31 (FIG. 1) and extends through the center 98 of the first side 92, and (2) a spool of the drum 20 that is perpendicular to the drum shaft 31 The distance y between the plane 104 extending through the center of the length of the surface 47 is preferably less than 20%, more preferably less than 10%, even more preferably less than 5%. is there. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the plane 104 is below the center 98 of the length of the first side 92 of the opening 15, but the plane 104 can be above the center 98 or just the same height. It will be recognized that there is also sex.

  It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the advantage of providing a triangular opening 15 is achieved when this opening "points" in the right direction. Specifically, the linear substance 2 is preferably wound in the direction indicated by the apex 93. For example, in the orientation of FIG. 6, the linear material 2 is preferably wound clockwise about the drum (viewing the reel and the opening 15 of FIG. 6 from above). In other words, the linear substance 2 is wound up in a direction in which the linear substance tends to slide on the apex 93, preferably during winding of the linear substance onto the drum.

  It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the ease of pulling back the linear material also depends on the shape of the opening 15. In a preferred embodiment, the aperture 15 is shaped substantially like an isosceles triangle and the second side 94 and the third side 96 are preferably within 20-50 °, more preferably relative to each other. Is oriented at an angle within 25-45 ° and even more preferably within 30-40 °. In addition, ranges of 25-55 °, 30-50 ° and 35-45 ° can also be included.

  Those skilled in the art will also recognize that the ease of pulling back the linear material also depends on the size of the opening 15 relative to the size of the drum 20. The spool surface 47 of the drum 20 is preferably cylindrical, and the distance between the apex 93 and the first side surface 92 is preferably 40-300% of the diameter of the spool surface 47, more preferably 60. ~ 200%, more preferably 75-150% and even more preferably 85-125%. In some embodiments, the distance between the apex 93 and the first side 92 is approximately the same as the diameter of the spool surface. Other suitable ranges for the angle are 70-130%, 85-115% and 95-105% of the diameter of the spool surface 47.

  While the invention has been disclosed in the context of certain embodiments and examples, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and / or applications and uses of the invention. It will be understood that this covers various modifications and equivalents. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited by the specific disclosures of preferred embodiments described herein.

It is a perspective view which shows the reel by one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded plan perspective view of the reel of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the reel of FIG. 1. It is a top perspective view which shows the reel of FIG. 1 in the state which removed the upper part of the housing. FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view showing a drum of the reel of FIG. 1. It is a front view which shows the triangular opening by one Embodiment of this invention.

Claims (24)

A reel,
Comprising a drum having a spool surface on which linear material may be wound, said spool surface having two ends;
A housing substantially surrounding the drum, the drum being rotatable about at least a portion of the housing about a drum axis, the at least a portion of the housing being wound onto the drum; Having a generally triangular opening sized to receive the linear material formed, the opening being oriented generally parallel to the drum axis and opposite the spool surface of the drum And a second and third side that meet at a vertex that is generally in the middle between the ends of the reel.   The reel of claim 1, wherein the opening has a rounded apex.   The reel of claim 1, wherein the first side of the opening extends for at least 50% of the length of the spool surface of the drum.   The distance between the center of the first side surface of the opening and a plane perpendicular to the drum axis and extending through the center of the length of the spool surface of the drum is less than 20% of the length of the spool surface The reel according to claim 1, wherein   The reel of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the housing is increased along an edge of the opening.   The reel of claim 1, further comprising linear material wound at least partially onto the spool surface of the drum and extending through the opening, wherein the linear material is wound in a direction pointed to by the apex. .   And a linear material wound at least partially onto the spool surface of the drum, the linear material having the apex during the winding of the linear material onto the drum. The reel according to claim 1, wherein the reel is wound in a direction that tends to slide upon hitting.   The reel of claim 1, wherein the triangular opening is shaped substantially like an isosceles triangle, and the second and third sides are oriented at an angle of 20-50 degrees relative to each other.   The reel according to claim 1, wherein the spool surface of the drum is cylindrical, and a distance between the apex and the first side surface is within 40 to 300% of a diameter of the spool surface.   The housing includes a first portion and a second portion rotatable about the drum axis with respect to the first portion, the second portion including the opening and with respect to the drum The reel according to claim 1, wherein the reel is rotatable about the drum axis.   The reel of claim 10, further comprising a mechanism for locking rotation of the first and second portions of the housing while rotating the drum in a direction to wind linear material onto the drum. Rotating the drum about a drum axis to wind linear material onto a spool surface of the drum or to rewind the linear material from the spool surface of the drum;
Pulling the linear material through a generally triangular opening in a housing substantially surrounding the drum during the step of rotating the drum, the drum comprising the drum shaft About a portion of the housing including the opening, the opening being a first side oriented generally parallel to the drum axis and an opposite side of the spool surface of the drum And second and third sides that meet at a vertex that is generally in the middle between the ends.   The method of claim 12, further comprising rounding one or more vertices of the opening.   The method of claim 12, further comprising configuring the opening such that the first side of the opening extends over at least 50% of the length of the spool surface of the drum.   The distance between the first side surface of the opening and the center of the first side surface of the opening and a plane perpendicular to the drum axis and extending through the center of the length of the spool surface of the drum. The method of claim 12, further comprising configuring to be less than 20% of the length of the spool surface.   The method of claim 12, further comprising increasing the thickness of the housing along an edge of the opening.   The method of claim 12, wherein rotating the drum about the drum axis includes winding the linear material onto the drum in a direction pointed to by the apex.   The method of claim 12, wherein rotating the drum about the drum axis includes sliding the linear material against the apex. Shaping the opening substantially like an isosceles triangle;
The method of claim 12, further comprising orienting the second and third sides of the opening at an angle of 20-50 degrees with respect to each other.   13. The method of claim 12, wherein the spool surface of the drum is cylindrical and the distance between the apex and the first side is within 40 to 300% of the diameter of the spool surface.   The housing includes a first portion and a second portion rotatable about the drum axis with respect to the first portion, the second portion including the opening and with respect to the drum 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the method is rotatable about the drum axis.   The step of rotating the drum about the drum axis includes the step of rotating the drum in a direction to wind the linear substance onto the drum, and the method includes the step of rotating the drum. The method of claim 21, further comprising locking rotation of the first and second portions of the housing. A reel,
A drum having a spool surface on which linear material may be wound;
A housing substantially surrounding the drum, the drum being rotatable about at least a portion of the housing about a drum axis, wherein the at least a portion of the housing is wound onto the drum. A reel having an opening that is generally triangular and sized to receive the linear material to be taken. Rotating the drum about a drum axis to wind the linear material onto the spool surface of the drum or to rewind the linear material from the spool surface of the drum;
Pulling the linear material through a generally triangular opening in a housing substantially surrounding the drum during the step of rotating the drum, the drum including the drum shaft A method that is rotatable relative to a portion of the housing that includes the opening about the center.

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