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). Thus, whether a tube is integrally formed with a flange or attached to a flange by fasteners or bonding, the impact load typically tested by drop testing a loaded flange (wire-wrapped flange) may be survived by designing wall thickness, corrugation dimensions, and angles to selectively balance distortion, fracture, toughness, or stiffness of various portions of a spool or reel.
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). Thus, whether a tube is integrally formed with a flange or attached to a flange by fasteners or bonding, the impact load typically tested by drop testing a loaded flange (wire-wrapped flange) may be survived by designing wall thicknesses, corrugation dimensions, and angles to selectively balance distortion, fracture, toughness, and stiffness of various portions of a spool or reel.
Abstract:
A flange design providing improved strength, fracture resistance, and the like using corrugations extending substantially radially from an arbor aperture toward a rim portion. A spool or reel may include a tubular member to receive a stranded material wrapped therearound. A first flange comprising a core portion and an outer portion may secure to one end of the first flange engaging the tubular member. A second flange may secure to the other end of the tubular member. The core portion of a flange may comprise an arbor wall defining the perimeter of an arbor aperture. The arbor wall may be directly contacted and supported by a plurality of corrugations extending radially therefrom. The outer portion of a flange may contact the core portion and extending radially away therefrom to an outer edge to restrain the stranded material in an axial direction.
Abstract:
A plastic spool for receiving, storing and dispensing wire and cable is formed of multiple pieces. A preferred design is assembled in two halves, each having a tube portion and a flange portion. The tube portions have stepped, mating diameters. The tube portion of one half is stepped on the inside diameter and the tube portion of the other half is stepped on the outside diameter to match. Preferably two stepped diameters are used, besides the principal inside and outside diameters which are virtually identical for each tube portion. The spool includes ribbed flanges for strength and minimum resin use. For toughness, an olefinic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene is used for molding. The spool may be assembled in three pieces, a tube and a pair of flanges. In any embodiment, the halves or pieces are bonded together, preferably by spin welding, hot plate welding, ultrasonic welding or induction welding. In some embodiments, the pieces may be fastened mechanically. Larger spools, usually referred to as reels are configured to receive a tube into a channel formed in each flange. The channel wall extends outboard of the flange wall, permitting a penetrating fastener to secure the tube to the channel wall without making any blemish or bump which might damage wire in the wrapping region around the tube between the flanges.
Abstract:
The present invention is related to a chair leg rest assembly or kit. The assembly or kit may include, among other things, a leg rest and a frame for extension and retraction of the leg rest. In addition, the invention may include a roller assembly connected to the leg rest for covering the frame. The invention is also related to a combination of the chair leg rest assembly or kit with a chair. In such a combination, the invention also includes a back which hingedly rotates independently from a seat.
Abstract:
A seat including a plurality of user support assemblies that are independently adjustable. User support assemblies, which are independently adjustable, include a head support assembly, a thoracic support assembly, and a lumbar support assembly. Moreover, the seat might include a independently adjustable seat assembly.
Abstract:
The present invention is related to a chair leg rest assembly or kit. The assembly or kit may include, among other things, a leg rest and a frame for extension and retraction of the leg rest. In addition, the invention may include a roller assembly connected to the leg rest for covering the frame. The invention is also related to a combination of the chair leg rest assembly or kit with a chair. In such a combination, the invention also includes a back which hingedly rotates independently from a seat.
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). Thus, whether a tube is integrally formed with a flange or attached to a flange by fasteners or bonding, the impact load typically tested by drop testing a loaded flange (wire-wrapped flange) may be survived by designing wall thickness, corrugation dimensions, and angles to selectively balance distortion, fracture, toughness, or stiffness of various portions of a spool or reel.
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). Thus, whether a tube is integrally formed with a flange or attached to a flange by fasteners or bonding, the impact load typically tested by drop testing a loaded flange (wire-wrapped flange) may be survived by designing wall thicknesses, corrugation dimensions, and angles to selectively balance distortion, fracture, toughness, and stiffness of various portions of a spool or reel.
Abstract:
A plastic spool for receiving, storing and dispensing wire and cable is formed of multiple pieces. A preferred design is assembled in two halves, each having a tube portion and a flange portion. The tube portions have stepped, mating diameters. The tube portion of one half is stepped on the inside diameter and the tube portion of the other half is stepped on the outside diameter to match. The spool may be assembled in three pieces. The halves or pieces may be bonded together, such as by spin welding, hot plate welding, ultrasonic welding or induction welding. In some embodiments, the pieces may be fastened mechanically. Larger spools, usually referred to as reels may be configured to receive a tube into a channel formed in each flange. The channel wall may extend outboard of the inside flange wall, permitting a penetrating fastener to secure the tube to the channel wall without making any blemish or bump which might damage wire in the wrapping region around the tube between the flanges.