Modular reel assembly

Abstract

A modular reel assembly for winding, dispensing, transporting, or storing hose, cord, or cable, is provided. Such a reel comprises of a pair of substantially similar polymeric support endplates and a pair of substantially similar polymeric spool endplates. The substantially similar support endplates are connected by at least one support endplate connecting member defining a predetermined support assembly width. The substantially similar spool endplates are connected by at least one spool endplate connecting member defining a predetermined spool assembly width. The modular reel assembly can thus be adjusted to particular discrete spool assembly and support assembly widths through appropriately selected interchangeable spool endplate and support endplate connecting members.

1 . A reel for winding, dispensing, transporting, or storing hose, cord, or cable, the reel comprising:
 a support assembly comprising:
 a pair of substantially similar opposed planar support endplates comprised of a polymeric material; 
 at least one first elongate support endplate connecting member having opposed ends and extending lengthwise between the opposed support endplates, each of the at least one first support endplate connecting members having a first defined support endplate connecting element disposed about each end thereof and separated by a first predetermined support assembly width, the first defined support endplate connecting elements being configured to engage the opposed support endplates such that the support endplates are separated by the first predetermined support assembly width; and 
 at least one second elongate support endplate connecting member having opposed ends and configured to be interchangeable with the at least one first support endplate connecting member, each of the at least one second support endplate connecting members having a second defined support endplate connecting element disposed about each end thereof and separated by a second predetermined support assembly width different from the first predetermined support assembly width, the second defined support endplate connecting elements being configured to engage the opposed support endplates such that the support endplates are separated by the second predetermined support assembly width; and 
   a spool assembly operably engaged with the support assembly, between the support endplates thereof, such that the spool assembly is rotatably supported by the support assembly, the spool assembly comprising:
 a pair of substantially similar opposed planar spool endplates comprised of a polymeric material; 
 at least one first elongate spool endplate connecting member having opposed ends and extending lengthwise between the opposed spool endplates, each of the at least one first spool endplate connecting members having a first defined spool endplate connecting element disposed about each end thereof and separated by a first predetermined spool assembly width, the first defined spool endplate connecting elements being configured to engage the opposed spool endplates such that the spool endplates are separated by the first predetermined spool assembly width and cooperate to define an axis extending therebetween, the spool assembly being supported along the axis by the support assembly, when the spool assembly is operably engaged therewith, such that the spool assembly is rotatable about the axis; and 
 at least one second elongate spool endplate connecting member having opposed ends and configured to be interchangeable with the at least one first spool endplate connecting member, each of the at least one second spool endplate connecting members having a second defined spool endplate connecting element disposed about each end thereof and separated by a second predetermined spool assembly width different from the first predetermined spool assembly width, the second defined spool endplate connecting elements being configured to engage the opposed spool endplates such that the spool endplates are separated by the second predetermined spool assembly width. 
   
   
   
       2 . A reel according to  claim 1 , wherein one of the support endplates and spool endplates is comprised of a rotomolded polymeric material. 
   
   
       3 . A reel according to  claim 1 , wherein one of the support endplates and spool endplates comprises a polyurethane foam core. 
   
   
       4 . A reel according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting members are comprised of a metallic material. 
   
   
       5 . A reel according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second predetermined support assembly widths and the first and second predetermined spool assembly widths are nonadjustable. 
   
   
       6 . A reel according to  claim 1 , wherein the first elongate support endplate connecting member, the second elongate support endplate connecting member, the first elongate spool endplate connecting member, and the second elongate spool endplate connecting member have substantially similar cross-sections. 
   
   
       7 . A reel according to  claim 1 , wherein each support endplate defines an aperture configured to receive at least a portion of one of the support endplate connecting elements of one of the support endplate connecting members. 
   
   
       8 . A reel according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the support endplates comprises a mount configured to receive at least one of a motor and a manual crank, the at least one of the motor and the manual crank being configured to operably engage the spool assembly so as to provide rotation thereof about the axis and with respect to the support assembly. 
   
   
       9 . A reel according to  claim 1 , further comprising a bearing and an axle operably engaged between the support assembly and the spool assembly and cooperable to allow the spool assembly to be rotatable about the axis and with respect to the support assembly, one of the bearing and the axle being coupled to one of the support endplates, and the other of the bearing and the axle being coupled to one of the spool endplates. 
   
   
       10 . A reel according to  claim 1 , further comprising a guide member operably engaged with the support assembly and adapted to guide one of a hose, a cord, and a cable therethrough to be wound onto the spool assembly. 
   
   
       11 . A reel according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a gear mounted to one of the spool endplates; and   a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the gear and configured to drive the spool assembly to rotate about the axis of the spool assembly.   
   
   
       12 . A reel according to  claim 7 , wherein the aperture is configured to receive the connecting element of a connecting member, the connecting element comprising a threaded end portion of the connecting member, with opposing threaded end portions being separated by an unthreaded medial portion of the connecting member and the medial portion having a greater diameter than the end portions, the connecting element being configured to be operably engaged by a complementarily-threaded securing member so as to secure the support endplate between the unthreaded medial portion of the connecting member and the securing member. 
   
   
       13 . A reel assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein one of the support endplates and spool endplates is comprised of a molded polymeric material, and wherein the one of the support endplates and spool endplates comprises a tubular insert operably engaged with and extending axially through the polymeric material, the tubular insert being configured to receive at least a portion of one of the support endplate and spool endplate connecting elements of one of the support endplate and spool endplate connecting members. 
   
   
       14 . A method of manufacturing a reel for winding, dispensing, transporting, or storing hose, cord, or cable, the reel comprising a spool assembly rotatably supported by a support assembly, the method comprising:
 connecting at least one first elongate support endplate connecting member lengthwise between a pair of substantially similar opposed planar support endplates, the support endplates being comprised of a polymeric material, and the at least one first elongate support endplate connecting member having opposed ends each having a first defined support endplate connecting element disposed thereabout so as to be separated by a first predetermined support assembly width, the first defined support endplate connecting elements being configured to engage the opposed support endplates such that the support endplates are separated by the first predetermined support assembly width, and being interchangeable with at least one second elongate support endplate connecting member having opposed ends each having a second defined support endplate connecting element disposed thereabout so as to be separated by a second predetermined support assembly width different from the first predetermined support assembly width, the second defined support endplate connecting elements being configured to engage the opposed support endplates such that the support endplates are separated by the second predetermined support assembly width;   connecting at least one first elongate spool endplate connecting member lengthwise between a pair of substantially similar opposed planar spool endplates, the spool endplates being comprised of a polymeric material, and the at least one first spool endplate connecting member having opposed ends each having a first defined spool endplate connecting element disposed thereabout so as to be separated by a first predetermined spool assembly width, the first defined spool endplate connecting elements being configured to engage the opposed spool endplates such that the spool endplates are separated by the first predetermined spool assembly width, and being interchangeable with at least one second elongate spool endplate connecting member having opposed ends each having a second defined spool endplate connecting element disposed thereabout so as to be separated by a second predetermined spool assembly width different from the first predetermined spool assembly width, the second defined spool endplate connecting elements being configured to engage the opposed spool endplates such that the spool endplates are separated by the second predetermined spool assembly width, the at least one first and second spool endplate connecting members each being configured to connect the opposed spool endplates such that the spool endplates cooperate to define an axis extending therebetween; and   operably engaging the spool assembly with the support assembly such that the spool assembly is supported along the axis by the support assembly and is rotatable about the axis.   
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 14  further comprising forming at least one of the support endplates and the spool endplates from the polymeric material using a rotomolding process about a polyurethane foam core.