Push-to-expand mandrel for stretch-wrap hand tool

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a dispenser for use with rolls of film material, particularly coreless rolls. The mandrels of the dispenser can move between a retracted position wherein the dispenser has a reduced diameter, such as for when the dispenser is being inserted into a roll of film, and an increased diameter, such as for when the film is being dispensed from the dispenser. The mandrels have sections which are joined by various spring configurations and are formed as being axially slidable with respect to a central shaft with lug elements. As the mandrel is slid along the central shaft, the lug elements deflect the spring configurations outwardly so as move the mandrels radially outwardly and increase the radius of the dispenser.

1 . A dispenser for roll material, comprising:
 an axial shaft;   at least one mandrel in sliding relationship with the axial shaft, wherein the mandrel includes at least a first mandrel section and a second mandrel section which can move toward or away from each other; and   wherein relative movement between the axial shaft and the at least one mandrel causes the first mandrel section and the second mandrel section to move away from each other thereby increasing a radius of the dispenser.   
   
   
       2 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the at least one mandrel is positioned along an exterior of the axial shaft. 
   
   
       3 . The dispenser of  claim 2  wherein the axial shaft includes cam elements. 
   
   
       4 . The dispenser of  claim 3  wherein the first mandrel section and the second mandrel section are connected by a spring configuration. 
   
   
       5 . The dispenser of  claim 4  wherein the spring configuration includes first springs configured in tension to urge the first mandrel section toward the second mandrel section. 
   
   
       6 . The dispenser of  claim 5  wherein the spring configuration includes second springs which can be urged by the cam elements of the axial shaft into an extended position thereby urging the first mandrel section away from the second mandrel section. 
   
   
       7 . The dispenser of  claim 6  wherein the first and second mandrel sections move in a radial direction with respect to the axial shaft. 
   
   
       8 . The dispenser of  claim 7  wherein the dispenser has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end includes a first configuration for attaching a first fixture and the second end includes an integral second fixture. 
   
   
       9 . The dispenser of  claim 8  wherein the second end of the dispenser moves axially in concert with the first mandrel section and the second mandrel section. 
   
   
       10 . The dispenser of  claim 9  wherein the first end of the dispenser moves axially in concert with the axial shaft. 
   
   
       11 . The dispenser of  claim 10  wherein the first configuration for attaching a first fixture comprises an axially oriented blind aperture. 
   
   
       12 . The dispenser of  claim 11  wherein the first fixture includes a stem for insertion into the blind axial aperture. 
   
   
       13 . The dispenser of  claim 12  wherein the second fixture includes an axial aperture for allowing axial movement of the axial shaft therethrough. 
   
   
       14 . The dispenser of  claim 13  wherein the stem of the first fixture includes detent elements for engaging the blind axial aperture. 
   
   
       15 . The dispenser of  claim 14  wherein the first and second fixtures further include respective first and second slip rings over the exterior of the respective first and second fixtures. 
   
   
       16 . The dispenser of  claim 15  wherein the first fixture is a handle. 
   
   
       17 . A dispenser for roll material, comprising:
 an axial shaft including a first appliance on a first end thereof;   at least one radially expandable mandrel assembly concentrically outward of the axial shaft;   a first bushing with a first inclined camming wall abutting a first end of the at least one radially expandable mandrel;   a second bushing with a second inclined camming wall abutting a second end of the at least one radially expandable mandrel;   a second appliance on the second bushing;   whereby when the first appliance is pushed toward the second appliance, the first and second inclined camming walls are urged against the at least one radially expandable mandrel assembly thereby radially expanding the at least one radially expandable mandrel assembly.   
   
   
       18 . The dispenser of  claim 17  wherein the at least one radially expandable mandrel includes first and second radially expandable mandrels, wherein the first bushing abuts a first end of the first radially expandable mandrel and the second bushing abuts a second end of the first radially expandable mandrel, further including a third bushing abutting a first end of the second radially expandable mandrel and a fourth bushing abutting a second end of the second radially expanding mandrel. 
   
   
       19 . The dispenser of  claim 18  wherein the radially expandable mandrels include longitudinally extending fingers which are pushed apart by the inclined camming walls. 
   
   
       20 . The dispenser of  claim 19  wherein the second bushing abuts the third bushing.