Lighting string storage device

Abstract

A device comprises two identical side structures (or halves) attached to each other. The side structures are separable for packaging and storage. Each side structure comprises an outer ring attached to a concentric, elevated inner ring by at least one spanning support. The inner ring comprises a handle attached to the inner perimeter of the inner ring. Each side structure comprises at least one projecting attachment tang and at least one receiving notch. The attachment tang further comprises a head element and a body element. The body element extends axially from the inner ring and the head element extends radially from the body element. The attachment tang and receiving notch are located on the inner ring such that when two side structures are brought together, the attachment tang on one side structure mates with, and is received by, the corresponding receiving notch on the second side structure.

1 . A reel that comprises two identical side structures attached to each other, each of said identical side structure comprising: an outer ring attached to an inner ring by at least one spanning support, the inner ring further comprising a handle attached to an inner perimeter of the inner ring, the handle including a central aperture; each side further comprising at least one projecting attachment tang and at least one attachment tang receiving notch, the attachment tang and attachment tang receiving notch located on the inner ring such that when two reel halves are brought together, the attachment tang on one reel half mates with, and is received by a matching attachment tang receiving notch located on the inner ring of the second reel half. 
     
     
         2 . The reel half of the reel according to  claim 1  wherein the attachment tang further comprises a radial leg attached to the inner ring by an axial let and the attachment tang receiving notch further comprises a head element and a body element. 
     
     
         3 . The reel half of the reel according to  claim 1  wherein the handle is substantially D-shaped. 
     
     
         4 . The reel half of the reel according to  claim 2  wherein the handle is substantially D-shaped. 
     
     
         5 . A method for assembling a reel comprising the steps of:
 a) providing two essentially identical reel sides, each essentially identical reel side comprising an outer ring attached to an inner ring by at least one spanning support, the inner ring further comprising a handle attached to an inner perimeter of the inner ring, the handle including a central aperture; each side further comprising at least one projecting attachment tang and at least one attachment tang receiving notch, the attachment tang and attachment tang receiving notch located on the inner ring such that when two reel halves are brought together, the attachment tang on one reel half mates with, and is received by a matching attachment tang receiving notch located on the inner ring of the second reel half;   b) bring the inner rings of each of the two ring sides together such that the radial leg of the attachment tangs of each ring side is received by the head element of the attachment tang receiving notches of the other reel half,   c) rotating one ring side relative to the other ring side such that the attachment tang of each reel side is received by the attachment tang receiving notch of the other reel half.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5  wherein the attachment tang further comprises a radial leg attached to the inner ring by an axial let and the attachment tang receiving notch further comprises a head element and a body element. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5  wherein the handle is substantially D-shaped. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein the handle is substantially D-shaped.