Collapsible rewind spindle

Abstract

A collapsible rewind spindle includes a main spindle body, and a filler spindle body removably coupled to the main spindle body and movable between an expanded position a collapsed position relative to the main spindle body. A release assembly is provided for allowing movement of the filler spindle body from the expanded position to the collapsed position. A release assembly is provided for allowing movement of the filler spindle body from the expanded position to the collapsed position, wherein the release assembly is configured to effect a controlled movement of the filler spindle body from the expanded position to the collapsed position.

1 . A collapsible rewind spindle, comprising:
 a main spindle body;   a filler spindle body removably coupled to the main spindle body and movable between an expanded position a collapsed position relative to the main spindle body;   a release assembly for allowing movement of the filler spindle body from the expanded position to the collapsed position, wherein the release assembly is configured to effect a controlled movement of the filler spindle body from the expanded position to the collapsed position.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible rewind spindle of  claim 1 , wherein both an upper portion of the filler spindle body and a lower portion of the filler spindle body shift toward the main spindle body during movement toward the collapsed position. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible rewind spindle of  claim 1 , wherein the release assembly includes an upper linkage, a bar extending downward from the upper linkage and between the main spindle body and the filler spindle body, wherein a lower end of the bar includes a first guide part facing a guide part on the main spindle body and a second guide part facing a guide part on the filler spindle body. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible rewind spindle of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the first guide part is a first guide surface or a first guide roller;   the second guide part is a second guide roller or a second guide surface;   the guide part on the main spindle body is a guide roller or a guide surface; and   the guide part of the filler spindle body is a guide roller or a guide surface.   
     
     
         5 . The collapsible rewind spindle of  claim 1 , wherein the release assembly includes an upper linkage, a bar extending downward from the upper linkage and between the main spindle body and the filler spindle body, wherein a lower end of the bar includes one or more rollers for engaging internal surface portions of the main spindle body and/or the filler spindle body. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible rewind spindle of  claim 5 , wherein the upper linkage is movable between a lowered condition and a raised condition, and movement of the upper linkage from the lowered condition toward the raised condition shifts the bar upward to enable movement of the filler spindle body toward the collapsed position. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible rewind spindle of  claim 5 , wherein the upper linkage is a pivot linkage that is pivotably mounted to the filler spindle body and is pivotable between the lowered condition, when the filler spindle body is in the expanded position, and the raised condition, when the filler spindle body is in the collapsed position. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible rewind spindle of  claim 7 , wherein the bar is pivotably connected to the pivot linkage and moves upward, relative to the main spindle body and the filler spindle body, as the pivot linkage moves from the lowered condition to the raised condition. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible rewind spindle of  claim 5 , wherein the inner surface portions operate as cam tracks for the one or more rollers as the bar is moved upward relative to the main spindle body and the filler spindle body. 
     
     
         10 . The collapsible rewind spindle of  claim 1 , wherein the main spindle body includes a lower end with an upwardly open slot traversed by a pin, wherein the filler spindle body includes a downwardly extending tongue that fits with the slot and includes a notch engageable on the pin, wherein the notch faces radially outwardly relative to a rotation axis of the collapsible rewind spindle. 
     
     
         11 . The collapsible rewind spindle of  claim 10 , wherein the notch has an open side facing radially outward. 
     
     
         12 . A collapsible rewind spindle, comprising:
 a main spindle body;   a filler spindle body removably coupled to the main spindle body and movable between an expanded position a collapsed position relative to the main spindle body;   a release assembly for allowing movement of the filler spindle body from the expanded position to the collapsed position, wherein the release assembly is configured to effect a controlled movement of the filler spindle body from the expanded position to the collapsed position;   wherein the release assembly includes a bar extending downward between the main spindle body and the filler spindle body, wherein a lower end of the bar includes one or more rollers for engaging internal surface portions of the main spindle body and/or the filler spindle body.