Wire Reel Assembly

Abstract

A wire reel assembly includes a wire reel defining an axis and including first and second reel halves having first and second barrels and first and second flanges extending from the first and second barrels, respectively. The first barrel has an inner surface that is formed with a first engaging member protruding radially and inwardly therefrom. The second barrel has an outer surface that is formed with a second engaging member protruding radially and outwardly therefrom. The first barrel is sleeved on and is rotatable relative to the second barrel between a first angular position, in which the first and second engaging members disengage each other, and a second angular position, in which the first and second engaging members engage each other.

1 . A wire reel assembly comprising:
 a wire reel defining an axis and including first and second reel halves which have axially extending first and second barrels and first and second flanges extending radially and outwardly from said first and second barrels, respectively, said first and second barrels being coaxially aligned along the axis, said first barrel having an inner surface that is formed with a first engaging member protruding radially and inwardly therefrom, said second barrel having an outer surface that is formed with a second engaging member protruding radially and outwardly therefrom, said first barrel being sleeved on and rotatable relative to said second barrel between a first angular position, in which said first and second engaging members disengage each other, and a second angular position, in which said first and second engaging members engage each other.   
   
   
       2 . The wire reel assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said inner surface of said first barrel is formed with a plurality of inner ribs protruding radially and inwardly therefrom, displaced angularly from each other, and cooperatively defining said first engaging member, each of said inner ribs being formed with a retaining recess, said second barrel having an annular base part and a plurality of arm parts extending axially from said annular base part and displaced angularly from each other, each of said arm parts having a free end that is formed with an outer rib protruding radially and outwardly therefrom, said outer rib having a first circumferential end which is formed with a retaining protrusion protruding axially therefrom, said outer ribs of said arm parts cooperatively defining said second engaging member, said retaining protrusion of each of said outer ribs engaging said recess in a respective one of said inner ribs when said first barrel is disposed at the second angular position. 
   
   
       3 . The wire reel assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said inner surface of said first barrel is further formed with a plurality of guiding ribs protruding radially and inwardly therefrom and disposed alternately with and axially spaced apart from said inner ribs, said outer ribs being respectively in sliding contact with said guiding ribs when said first barrel is disposed at the first angular position. 
   
   
       4 . The wire reel assembly as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein each of said inner ribs has opposite first and second circumferential ends, said recess being disposed adjacent to said first circumferential end, said second circumferential end of each of said inner ribs being formed with a stopper protruding axially therefrom, each of said outer ribs further having a second circumferential end opposite to said first circumferential end of the respective one of said outer ribs and abutting against said stopper of a respective one of said inner ribs when said first barrel is disposed at the second angular position. 
   
   
       5 . The wire reel assembly as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said inner surface of said first barrel is further formed with a plurality of slots for insertion of said arm parts, respectively, each of said slots being disposed at an opposite side of a respective one of said guiding ribs opposite to said inner ribs. 
   
   
       6 . The wire reel assembly as claimed in  claim 4 , further comprising first and second grip parts that are respectively received in said first and second barrels and that are secured to each other.