WINDING LINE REEL

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to a novel design for line storage and dispensing systems and, in particular, to a winding line reel.

2. Description of Related Art

Various forms of lines, for example, ropes, cords, and tapes, etc., come packaged on a reel. For example, printed tapes, such as caution tapes and danger tapes, are often sold wound around a cardboard reel. Such lines sold wound on a reel are conventionally only used once and then disposed of thereafter because of the difficulty or inconvenience of re-winding the dispensed line back on the provided reel for storage.

Accordingly, conventional products for use with such lines sold wound on a reel are focused on making it easier for the user to dispense said lines and not on re-winding the line back on the reel for storage and re-use. Such conventional products tend to feature a core that permits the reel to spin freely (aiding in dispensing of said lines) and/or includes a guide that aids in dispensing but may present an obstacle for re-winding said lines back on to its reel.

As consumers are becoming increasingly aware of environmental concerns and the environmental impacts of one-use products, there is an increasing desire to dispense with one-use products. Accordingly, there is a desire for options that would allow consumers to easily re-wind, store and re-use lines conventionally sold wound around a reel.

An object of the invention is to address the above shortcomings.

SUMMARY

The above shortcomings may be addressed by providing, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, a winding line reel for a reel of a line. The winding line reel includes: a shaft for receiving the reel of the line, the shaft having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end; a first plate removably connected to the first end; and a second plate connected to the second end; wherein the first plate, the shaft, and the second plate retain the reel and the line therebetween the first plate, the shaft, and the second plate, and allows a user to both dispense the line from and wind the line back onto the reel.

The winding line reel may further include: one or more first end prongs extending from the first end; and one or more first plate apertures in the first plate disposed to cooperate with the one or more first end prongs extending from the first end; wherein the one or more first end prongs are capable of engaging with the one or more first plate apertures to secure the first end prongs to the first plate.

The one or more first end prongs may include a first prong clip capable of engaging with the one or more first plate apertures.

The winding line reel may further include: one or more second end prongs extending from the second end; and one or more second plate apertures in the second plate disposed to cooperate with the one or more second end prongs extending from the second end; wherein the one or more second end prongs are capable of engaging with the one or more second plate apertures.

The one or more second end prongs may include a second prong clip capable of engaging with the one or more second plate apertures.

The winding line reel may include a first handle connected to the first plate.

The winding line reel may include a second handle connected to the second plate.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In drawings which illustrate by way of example only embodiments of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a winding line reel according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective back view of the winding line reel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective top left side view of the winding line reel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the winding line reel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective top right side view of the winding line reel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective front view of the winding line reel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the shaft of the winding line reel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the winding line reel of FIG. 1 shown having a reel of a line inserted onto the shaft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, the winding line reel according to an embodiment of the invention is shown generally at 10. The winding line reel 10 is for receiving, dispensing and rewinding a line from and back on to a reel 100. The winding line reel 10 includes: a shaft 12 for receiving the reel of the line, shaft 12 having a first end 14 and a second end 16 opposite to first end 14; a first plate 18 removably connected to first end 14; and a second plate 20 connected to second end 16; wherein first plate 18, shaft 12, and second plate 20 together retain the reel and the line on shaft 12 therebetween first plate 18 and second plate 20 and allows a user to both dispense the line from and wind the line back onto the reel.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, shaft 12 is capable of receiving the reel of the line. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, shaft 12 has first end 14 and second end 16 opposite to first end 14. Shaft 12 is formed in the general shape of a tube or cylinder and has a center axis 13 that runs along the length of shaft 12. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8, shaft 12 is formed in the general shape of a hollow, open-ended cylinder. Shaft 12 is sized to generally fit the center reel or roll of most caution tapes or other conventionally one-time use tapes, being approximately 75 mm in diameter. While shaft 12 is formed in the general shape of a tube or cylinder, it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that shaft 12 may be formed of a barrel shape, a solid cylindrical shape, or any other suitable shape, size and dimension. Shaft 12 functions as a medium for receiving and holding the reel of a line as well as for connecting with first plate 18 and second plate 20.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, shaft 12 includes one or more first end prongs 22 extending from first end 14. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7, one or more first end prongs 22 are one or more projections extending from first end 14 of shaft 12. One or more first end prongs 22 are capable of engaging with one or more first plate apertures 24 of first plate 18 to connect with first plate 18. One or more first end prongs 22 may be flexible and biased outwardly (away from center axis 13 of shaft 12). One or more first end prongs 22 may include a first prong clip 26 capable of engaging with one or more first plate apertures 24. First prong clip 26 includes a first prong clip protrusion 28 that is capable of sliding through one or more first plate apertures 24, and once through one or more first plate apertures 24, first prong clip protrusion 28 prevents first prong clip 26 from sliding back through the same one or more first plate aperture 24 in the opposite direction by engaging with outward face 19 of first plate 18 and secures first end prong 22 to first plate 18. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8, shaft 12 includes four first end prongs 22 extending from first end 14. While shaft 12 is shown to include four first end prongs 22, it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that shaft 12 may include any number of first end prongs 22. One or more first end prongs 22 functions as a means for connecting shaft 12 with first plate 18.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, shaft 12 includes one or more second end prongs 30 extending from second end 16. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7, one or more second end prongs 30 are one or more projections extending from second end 16 of shaft 12. One or more second end prongs 30 are capable of engaging with one or more second plate apertures 32 of second plate 20 to connect with second plate 20. One or more second end prongs 30 may be flexible and biased outwardly (away from center axis 13 of shaft 12). One or more second end prongs 30 may include a second prong clip 34 capable of engaging with one or more second plate apertures 32. Second prong clip 34 includes a second prong clip protrusion 36 that is capable of sliding through one or more second plate apertures 32, and once through one or more second plate apertures 32, second prong clip protrusion 36 prevents second prong clip 34 from sliding back through the same one or more second plate aperture 32 in the opposite direction by engaging with second plate 20 and secures second end prong 30 to second plate 20. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8, shaft 12 includes four second end prongs 30 extending from second end 16. While shaft 12 is shown to include four second end prongs 30, it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that shaft 12 may include any number of second end prongs 30. One or more second end prongs 30 functions as a means for connecting shaft 12 with second plate 20.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, first plate 18 is removably connected to first end 14 of shaft 12. First plate 18 is generally circular in shape. However, it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that first plate 18 may be generally ovular in shape, rectangular in shape or any other suitable size and shape. First plate 18 includes an inward face 17 and an outward face 19 opposite to inward face 17. Inward face 17 is the face of first plate 18 that faces toward and abuts shaft 12 when first plate 18 is connected to shaft 12. Outward face 19 is the face of first plate 18 that faces away from shaft 12 when first plate 18 is connected to shaft 12. First plate 18 includes one or more first plate apertures 24 disposed to cooperate with one or more first end prongs 22 extending from first end 14 of shaft 12. First plate apertures 24 extend through first plate 18 from inward face 17 to outward face 19. One or more first plate apertures 24 are sized, shaped, and arranged to cooperate with and allow one or more first end prongs 22 to partially slide through or be inserted into one or more first plate apertures 24 and to allow one or more first end prongs 22 to be secured to first plate 18 once inserted. Accordingly, one or more first plate apertures 24 may be sized, shaped, and arranged to be friction fitted, or to be the same or a different size and shape from the ends of first end prongs 22. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8, first plate 18 is a plate that is circular in shape. Referring to FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, first plate 18 includes four first plate apertures 24 that are slightly arched and generally rectangular in shape and disposed in a circular pattern that is slightly larger than and concentric with the circumference of shaft 12 and/or the ring formed by first end prongs 22 to cooperate with and engage four first end prongs 22. While one or more first plate apertures 24 are generally rectangular and arched in shape and arranged in a circular pattern, it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that one or more first plate apertures 24 may be formed of a triangular shape, a circular shape, or any other suitable shape, size and dimension and arranged in any other pattern to correspond and cooperate with one or more first end prongs 22. First plate 18 aids in and functions as a means for securing the reel on shaft 12 and guiding the line on to the reel on shaft 12.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, second plate 20 is connected to second end 16 of shaft 12. Second plate 20 is generally circular in shape. However, it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that second plate 20 may be generally ovular in shape, rectangular in shape or any other suitable size and shape. Second plate 20 includes one or more second plate apertures 32 disposed to cooperate with one or more second end prongs 30 extending from second end 16 of shaft 12. One or more second plate apertures 32 are sized, shaped, and arranged to cooperate with and allow one or more second end prongs 30 to partially slide through or be inserted into one or more second plate apertures 32 and to allow one or more second end prongs 30 to be secured to second plate 20 once inserted. Accordingly, one or more second plate apertures 32 may be sized, shaped, and arranged to be friction fitted, or to be the same or a different size and shape from the ends of second end prongs 30. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8, second plate 20 is a plate that is circular in shape. Second plate 20 includes four second plate apertures 32 that are slightly arched and generally rectangular in shape and disposed in a circular pattern that is slightly larger than and concentric with the circumference of shaft 12 and/or the ring formed by second end prongs 30 to cooperate and engage with four second end prongs 30. While one or more second plate apertures 32 are generally rectangular and arched in shape and arranged in a circular pattern, it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that one or more second plate apertures 32 may be formed of a triangular shape, a circular shape, or any other suitable shape, size and dimension and arranged in any other pattern to correspond and cooperate with one or more second end prongs 30. Alternatively, second plate 20 may be fixedly connected to second end 16, such as by heat welding, gluing or any other suitable means to permanently mount second plate 20 to second end 16 of shaft 12. Second plate 20 aids in and functions as a means for securing the reel on shaft 12 and guiding the line on to the reel on shaft 12.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, winding reel 10 may further include a first handle 38 connected to first plate 18. First handle 38 is disposed on first plate 18 away from center axis 13. First handle 38 may be any commercially available handle that may be attached to first plate 18. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8, first handle 38 is removably attached to first plate 18 with a fastener. Once attached, the length of first handle 38 is perpendicular to and extends from first plate 18. First handle 38 is foldable such that when folded, the length of first handle 38 is parallel to outward face 19 of first plate 18. While first handle 38 is removably attached and foldable, it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that first handle 38 may be permanently attached, not foldable, and of any other suitable size and shape. First handle 38 aids the user in rotating winding reel 10 to re-wind the line back on to the reel.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, winding reel 10 may further include a second handle 40 connected to second plate 20. Second handle 40 may be any commercially available handle that may be attached to second plate 20. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8, second handle 40 is removably attached to second plate 20 with a fastener. Once attached, the length of second handle 40 is perpendicular to and extends from second plate 20. Second handle 40 is foldable such that when folded, the length of second handle 40 is parallel to second plate 20. While second handle 40 is removably attached and foldable, it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that second handle 40 may be permanently attached, not foldable, and of any other suitable size and shape. Second handle 40 aids the user in rotating winding reel 10 to re-wind the line back on to the reel.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, in use, a user may insert reel 100 of a line into winding line reel 10 by first disconnecting first plate 18 from shaft 12. To disconnect first plate 18 from shaft 12, the user may apply an outward (away from center axis 13 of shaft 12) pressure on first prong clips 26, which will release first prong clips 26 from engaging first plate 18 and outward face 19 of first plate 18 and allow first end prongs 22 to slide through first plate apertures 24 and disconnect first plate 18 from shaft 12. Once first plate 18 is disconnected from shaft 12, the user may slide reel 100 of a line onto shaft 12. Once the desired reel 100 of a line (e.g., a roll of caution tape, danger tape, etc.) is fully slid on to shaft 12, the user may reconnect first plate 18 to shaft 12. To reconnect first plate 18 to shaft 12, the user may apply an outward (away from center axis 13 of shaft 12) pressure to first end prongs 22 of first end 14, which will align first prong clips 26 with first plate apertures 24 (first plate apertures 24 being arranged in a circle that is slightly larger than and concentric with the circumference of first end prongs 22) and allow the user to slide first end prongs 22 into first plate apertures 24. Once first prong clip protrusions 28 slide through first plate apertures 24 and past outward face 19 of first plate 18, the user may release their applied pressure on first end prongs 22, and by doing so, first end prongs 22 will frictionally engage with first plate 18 and first prong clip protrusions 28 will engage with outward face 19, preventing first end prongs 22 from sliding back through first plate apertures 24 in the opposite direction and securing first plate 18 to shaft 12. The disposition of first plate apertures 24 being in a slightly larger concentric circle to that of first end prongs 22 biases the inserted first end prongs 22 outwardly (away from center axis 13 of shaft 12). As a result, first end prongs 22 asserts pressure against first plate 18, creating friction between first end prongs 22 and first plate 18 and securing shaft 12 to first plate 18. First prong clip protrusion 28 further assists with securing shaft 12 to first plate 18 by preventing first end prongs 22 from slipping out of first plate apertures 24 (in combination with the outwardly biased first end prongs 22). Once first plate 18 is connected to and secured onto shaft 12, the inserted reel 100 of a line is secured on to winding line reel 10. First plate 18, shaft 12, and second plate 20 together retain the inserted reel 100 of a line and the line on shaft 12, therebetween first plate 18 and second plate 20. The inserted reel 100 of a line is prevented from freely spinning on shaft 12 due to the size and shape of shaft 12, and outwardly biased first end prongs 22, which engages the inner wall of the inserted reel 100 and creates a friction fit between the inserted reel 100 and shaft 12. Second end prongs 30 may also be outwardly biased and assist in engaging the inner wall of the inserted reel 100 to create a friction fit between the inserted reel 100 and shaft 12. This arrangement allows the user to both easily dispense the line from and wind the line back onto the inserted reel 100 by rotating winding line reel 10 around center axis 13 of shaft, which rotates the inserted reel 100 and will dispense or wind the line from or back on to the inserted reel 100. The user may rotate winding line reel 10 around center axis 13 of shaft 12 by grasping and manipulating (i.e., rotating about center axis 13) first plate 18 and second plate 20 directly or by using any connected first handle 38 and/or second handle 40. Once the user is finished with dispensing or re-winding the line back onto inserted reel 100, the user may store inserted reel 100 on shaft 12 of winding line reel 10 or remove inserted reel 100 on shaft 12 (via the same way as described herein for removing first plate 18 and inserting a reel of a line) and store winding reel 10 and reel 100 of a line separately. If the user removes inserted reel 100 from shaft 12 then winding line reel 10 may be used again with other reels of a line.

Use of winding line reel 10 as described allows a user to easily dispense and re-wind a line from and back on to an inserted reel. Winding line reel 10 provides a friction fit with an inserted reel and thus a user may rotate the inserted reel in a way that is free of obstruction in the path of the re-winding line (from a user's fingers or otherwise) while first plate 18 and second plate 20 neatly guides and aligns the dispensed line back on to the inserted reel. The ease and simplicity with which first plate 18 is disconnected from and reconnected with shaft 12 allows a user to easily insert and remove a reel of a line and provides a simple, user-friendly winding line reel 10 for users to use and for manufacturers to manufacture. Less parts leads to less waste and less components that could be lost by the user when assembling and disassembling winding line reel 10.

While embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the invention only. The invention may include variants not described or illustrated herein in detail. Thus, the embodiments described and illustrated herein should not be considered to limit the invention as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.