(19)
(11) EP 1 184 323 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
14.08.2002 Bulletin 2002/33

(43) Date of publication A2:
06.03.2002 Bulletin 2002/10

(21) Application number: 01203173.8

(22) Date of filing: 23.08.2001
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B65H 75/14
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR
Designated Extension States:
AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30) Priority: 31.08.2000 US 229618 P

(71) Applicant: J.L. CLARK, INC.
Rockford, Illinois 61125-7000 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Oppman, Ewald A.
    Belvidere, Illinois 61008 (US)
  • Gray, Alfred L.
    Belvidere, Illinois 61008 (US)

(74) Representative: Meyers, Ernest et al
Office de Brevets Meyers & Van Malderen 261 route d'Arlon B.P. 111
8002 Strassen
8002 Strassen (LU)

   


(54) Three piece spool


(57) A wire spool comprising three structural components including two end flanges (14) and a rigid fiberboard barrel (16). The end flanges (14) may be molded plastic or stamped sheet metal. The end flanges have central plug portions (18) that are mechanically locked into the barrel (16). The central plug portions include teeth (28) which dig into the barrel (16) to substantially permanently secure the end flanges (14) to the barrel such that the wire spool has sufficient strength to allow electricians to pick up a fully loaded wire spool by the end flange and such that the end flanges cannot typically be removed by hand except with the assistance of leverage tools. The plug portion (18) also may include elongate axially extending lugs (34) that engage the barrel (16) and enhance torque transfer between the barrel and the end flanges.






Search report