Reel Assembly with Multi-Part Core

Abstract

A kit for forming a reel includes a core, at least a first flange and a second flange. The core has at least a first section and a second section, each forming first cylinders between a first edge and a second edge. The first edge of the first section includes a first lateral protrusion extending therefrom, which has a detent. The second section includes a first receiver configured to receive the first lateral protrusion and engage the detent via a retention structure to at least in part couple the first section to the second section. At least one of the first lateral protrusion and the first receiver is elastically deformable. The first flange can be disposed at a first axial end of the core, and the second flange can be disposed at a second axial end of the core.

1 . A reel kit for forming a reel for supporting wound flexible media, comprising:
 a core having at least a first section and a second section, the first section forming a first partial cylinder between a first edge and a second edge, the first edge including a first lateral protrusion extending therefrom, the first lateral protrusion having a detent, the second section forming a second partial cylinder and couplable to the first section, the second section including a first receiver configured to receive the first lateral protrusion and engage the detent via a retention structure to at least in part couple the first section to the second section, wherein at least one of the first lateral protrusion and the first receiver is elastically deformable to allow the first lateral protrusion to slide in an engagement direction past the retention structure, and then release from at least part of an elastic deformation after the protrusion passes the retention structure to engage the retention structure to inhibit disengagement of the first section from the second section;   a first flange; and   a second flange.   
     
     
         2 . The reel kit of  claim 1 , wherein the first flange and the second flange are configured to couple to the core. 
     
     
         3 . The reel kit of  claim 1 , wherein the first flange includes at least a first axial protrusion configured to engage a receptacle on the core. 
     
     
         4 . The reel kit of  claim 3 , wherein the first axial protrusion in includes a barb and the receptacle on the core includes a void configured to receive the barb when the first flange is coupled to the core. 
     
     
         5 . The reel kit of  claim 1 , wherein the first lateral protrusion comprises a cantilever, and wherein the detent is disposed on the cantilever. 
     
     
         6 . The reel kit of  claim 5 , wherein the first receiver comprises a window extending through the second section, and wherein the detent extends from radially outward from the cantilever at least partially through the window. 
     
     
         7 . The reel kit of  claim 6 , wherein the retention structure comprises an edge of the window formed by the second section. 
     
     
         8 . The reel kit of  claim 7 , wherein first receiver comprises a mating recess formed in the second section, the mating recess including a pocket having an outer wall, an inner wall, and side walls configured to receive at least portion of the cantilever, and wherein the window is disposed in the outer wall. 
     
     
         9 . The reel kit of  claim 8 , wherein the cantilever further comprises ribs disposed on the cantilever. 
     
     
         10 . A core kit for use in a reel for supporting wound flexible media, comprising:
 a first section forming a first partial cylinder between a first edge and a second edge, the first edge including a first lateral protrusion extending therefrom, the first lateral protrusion having a detent; and   a second section forming a second partial cylinder and couplable to the first section, the second section including a first receiver configured to receive the first lateral protrusion and engage the detent via a retention structure to at least in part couple the first section to the second section, and   wherein at least one of the first lateral protrusion and the first receiver is elastically deformable to allow the first lateral protrusion to slide in an engagement direction past the retention structure, and then release from at least part of an elastic deformation after the protrusion passes the retention structure to engage the retention structure to inhibit disengagement of the first section from the second section; and   wherein the first section and the second section are each configured to be coupled to a first flange and a second flange.   
     
     
         11 . The core kit of  claim 10 , wherein the first section includes a plurality of lateral protrusions configured to be received by corresponding receivers on the second section. 
     
     
         12 . The core kit of  claim 11 , wherein the first section includes at least on second receiver configured to receive a lateral protrusion having a structure of the first lateral protrusion. 
     
     
         13 . The core kit of  claim 10 , wherein the first section includes at least on second receiver configured to receive a lateral protrusion having a structure of the first lateral protrusion. 
     
     
         14 . The core kit of  claim 10 , wherein the first section and the second section form a cylindrical tube when coupled. 
     
     
         15 . The core kit of  claim 14 , wherein each of the first section and the second section has a half-cylinder wall. 
     
     
         16 . The reel of  claim 10 , wherein the first lateral protrusion comprises a cantilever, and wherein the detent is disposed on the cantilever. 
     
     
         17 . The reel of  claim 16 , wherein the first receiver comprises a window extending through the second section, and wherein the detent extends from radially outward from the cantilever at least partially through the window. 
     
     
         18 . The reel of  claim 17 , wherein the retention structure comprises an edge of the window formed by the second section. 
     
     
         19 . The reel of  claim 18 , wherein first receiver comprises a mating recess formed in the second section, the mating recess including a pocket having an outer wall, an inner wall, and side walls configured to receive at least portion of the cantilever, and wherein the window is disposed in the outer wall.