Title:

Winding spool

United States Patent Application 20040206850

Kind Code:

A1

Abstract:

The invention relates to a winding spool, made of two spool bodies stuck to each other, which has a cylindrical reel barrel and two lateral spool flanges, the abutting surfaces extending radially, preferably, in the middle of said winding barrel. Said winding spool also comprises adhesive tongues, which are formed on said abutting surfaces and engage into corresponding insertion pockets of the other respective spool body. The aim of the invention is to optimally design the joining area of both spool bodies, in order to provide the rotational accuracy as well as to avoid edges and deformations in said joining area. Said aim is achieved, whereby the winding spool is deigned, such that the spool bodies are joined to each other positively or non-positively and the application force, which acts on the contact surfaces, is increased. The adhesive tongues, projecting from said abutting surfaces, extend in the shape of a semicircle and the insertion pockets have corresponding shape. Moreover, said adhesive tongues have flattenings on the free ends thereof and said insertion pockets have corresponding inner areas. Said winding spool is particularly suitable for winding components for producing electronic components.

Inventors:

Hafner, Manfred (Leopoldshohe, DE)

Application Number:

10/838569

Publication Date:

10/21/2004

Filing Date:

05/04/2004

Export Citation:

Click for automatic bibliography generation

Primary Class:

242/609.4

International Classes:

B65H75/14; (IPC1-7): B65H75/18

View Patent Images:

Download PDF 20040206850

Related US Applications:

20090127367	FISHING REEL	May, 2009	Tsutsumi
20160289030	Mechanism, method and escapement wheel for controlling rotational motion	October, 2016	Tokarz et al.
20060151661	Paper towel holder	July, 2006	Vance
20150034751	Yarn Tensioner	February, 2015	Grob et al.
20120125945	SURFACE MOUNTING APPARATUS AND WINDER THEREOF	May, 2012	Tsai et al.
20070170304	Plastic bobbin and a method of manufacturing such a bobbin	July, 2007	Lundahl
20130270380	SEAT BELT RETRACTOR COVER FOR WEBBING PROTECTION	October, 2013	Ellison et al.
20090283625	REEL	November, 2009	Ochi et al.
20100264249	SOAP TAPE DISPENSER	October, 2010	Sawicki
20080197231	TAPE CARTRIDGE	August, 2008	Ban et al.
20070246598	Reel	October, 2007	Onmori

Primary Examiner:

NGUYEN, JOHN QUOC

Attorney, Agent or Firm:

Attn: Arlene J. Powers (Boston, MA, US)

Claims:

What is claimed is:

1. Winding spool, especially for band- and thread-shaped winding material, with a cylindrical winding barrel and two lateral spool flanges, and which is formed from two spool bodies glued together, wherein the joint surfaces run radially, preferably in the middle of the winding barrel, and the connection region has glue tongues formed alternately on the spool bodies, which engage with corresponding insert pockets of the other particular spool body, wherein to increase the pressing force acting on the contact surfaces of the connection region, the spool bodies have both a positive fit and a force fit with each other.

2. The winding spool according to claim 1, wherein the glue tongues, projecting relative to the joint surfaces, run in an arc, preferably a semicircle, and the insert pockets have a corresponding shape.

3. The winding spool according to claim 1, wherein the glue tongues projecting relative to the joint surfaces have flattenings at the free sides opposite the joint surfaces, and the insert pockets have corresponding filler pieces.

4. The winding spool according to claim 1, wherein the glue tongues projecting relative to the joint surfaces have bevels at the free sides opposite the joint surfaces, which lie facing the axis of rotation of the winding spool.

5. The winding spool according to claim 3, wherein the glue tongues projecting relative to the joint surfaces are rectangular or quadrangular in shape.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to a winding spool, especially for band- and thread-shaped winding material. The spool has a cylindrically shaped winding barrel and two side flanges, and is formed from two spool bodies glued together, wherein the joint surfaces run radially, preferably in the middle of the winding barrel. The connection zone has glue tongues alternately formed on the spool body, which engage with corresponding insert pockets at the other spool body.

[0003] 2. Description of Prior Art

[0004] The winding spools at issue are preferably wound with wires, which are used for the manufacture of electronic devices. In a preferred embodiment, the two spool bodies are identical in structure so that they can be made with the same tool. Since the winding material is wound on with a relatively fast winding speed, the winding spool rotates at a correspondingly high runs per minute and with a minimum run out, without eccentricity on flange and barrel. The winding spools known thus far have worked quite well in practice, although the joining of the two spool bodies has not always been satisfactory. Furthermore, the glue tongues would project at the ends, so that edges would form at the surface of the winding barrel.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0005] The goal of the invention is to configure a winding spool of the type described at the outset so that the joint region of the two spool bodies has an optimal configuration, thus ensuring minimum run out, without excentricity on flange and barrel, and preventing any deformations or edges in the joint region.

[0006] This goal is achieved in that the spool bodies have both a positive fit and a force fit with each other in order to increase the pressing force acting on the contact surfaces of the joint region.

[0007] Since the joint regions are now configured to increase the pressure acting on the contact surfaces being glued together, as compared to the known designs, this results in an improved connection. The glue tongues and the insert pockets are matched up so that the glue tongues fit into the insert pockets and at the same time are held by adherence. A smooth surface is always achieved in every position. Undercuts are provided so that the tongues are pulled into the correct position.

[0008] It has been discovered that, when the spool bodies are provided with quadrangular or rectangular glue tongues and insert pockets, the free ends of the glue tongues have a tendency to deform when joined together, so that the free ends project relative to the feet of the glue tongues. To overcome this drawback, in a preferred embodiment it is specified that the glue tongues projecting relative to the joint surface have the course of an arc, preferably a semicircle, and the insert pockets have a shape adapted to this. However, this not only prevents the projecting of the ends of the glue tongues, but also achieves the largest possible contact surfaces for the gluing of the two spool bodies together. Although no force from the outside acts on the glue tongues that would force down the tips of the tongues, the so-called projecting is prevented because now the connection region is created such that a corresponding opposing force acts on the tip of each tongue. In this embodiment, the pattern of the glue tongues and the insert pockets of each spool body is undulated. In order to further reduce the danger of the free end regions of the glue tongues from becoming deformed, the arc-shaped glue tongues of each spool body have flattened sections at the free sides away from the joining edge, and the insert pockets have corresponding filler pieces, so that a continuous contact surface is formed. It is furthermore possible for the free ends of the glue tongues away from the joint edge to have a bevel at the sides facing the insert pockets. This further reduces the danger of projecting. Since the glue tongues are provided with flattened sections or bevels, it is also possible to make the glue tongues and the insert pockets in a rectangular or quadrangular shape. It should be further pointed out that the spool bodies are made from a single piece of plastic in the injection molding process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The invention will now be explained in greater detail with reference to the enclosed drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a preferred embodiment of a spool body in perspective view;

[0011] FIG. 2 shows two spool bodies according to FIG. 1, in the separated state;

[0012] FIG. 3 shows the two spool bodies of FIG. 2 in the joined state;

[0013] FIG. 4 shows the joint region of the two spool bodies in an enlarged view; and

[0014] FIG. 5 shows a winding spool in the joined state, in a second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The winding spool 10 consists of the two spool bodies 11, 12, which after being joined together according to FIG. 3 have both a positive fit and a force fit with each other. The contact surfaces are further joined together by gluing. The winding spool 10 consists of the two lateral flanges 13, 14 and a cylindrical winding barrel 15, and in the sample embodiment depicted the joint surfaces 16, 17 of the two spool bodies 11, 12 lie in the middle between the two flanges 13, 14. The connection regions of the two spool bodies 11, 12 consist of glue tongues 18 and insert pockets 19, which are arranged in alternation, i.e., the glue tongues 18 of one spool body 11 or 12 stand opposite the insert pockets 19 of the other spool body 11 or 12, as long as the bodies 11, 12 are not yet joined together. In the joined state, the glue tongues 18 of one body 11 or 12 lie in the insert pockets 19 of the other body 11 or 12.

[0016] As FIG. 2 shows in particular, the free end regions of the glue tongues 18, opposite the spool flanges 13, 14, are provided with flattened sections or with surfaces that run parallel to the flanges 13, 14. The insert pockets 19 are provided with corresponding filler pieces, so that again the point of bearing is over a surface. When the spool bodies 11, 12 are fitted together, the surfaces 20 prevent deformation outwardly or above the free end regions of the glue tongues 18. The glue tongues 18, 19 and the insert pockets 19 are matched to each other so that the two spool bodies 11, 12 have both a positive fit and a force fit with each other. Furthermore, the glue tongues 18 and the insert pockets 19 are designed so that a smooth outer surface is also provided in the connection region of the winding barrel 15. It is expedient for the thicknesses of the glue tongues 18 and the thicknesses in the region of the insert pockets 19 to be equal. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4, the glue tongues and the insert pockets 19 are fashioned in semicircular shape in their basic outline, i.e., apart from the surfaces 20. This produces an undulating appearance of the glue tongues 18 and the insert pockets 19. However, the glue tongues 18 and the insert pockets 19 could also have a different arc shape. Instead of the surfaces 20, the glue tongues 18 could be provided with bevels at the inner side facing the axis of rotation of the winding spool 10. The insert pockets 19 would then have corresponding filler pieces, so that once again the point of bearing is over a surface. In particular, FIG. 1 shows that the depth of the insert pockets 19 corresponds to half or approximately half the wall thickness of the winding barrel, so that they run axially at the same level. The thicknesses of the glue tongues 18 correspond. In particular, when the glue tongues 18 are provided with bevels, they could also have the quadrangular or rectangular shape of FIG. 5.

[0017] The invention is not limited to the sample embodiments depicted. The essential point is the positive fit and force fit of the two spool bodies 11, 12 in the connection region of the winding barrel 15. Preferably the glue tongues 18 and the insert pockets 19 are semicircular in shape.

Previous Patent: Reel having apparatus for improved connection of linear material

Next Patent: Modern thermal sensor upgrade for existing missile system