Two-Piece Reel Assembly

Abstract

A reel for supporting wound flexible media that includes first and second elements. The first element has a first flange and a first set of legs extending in a directly axially away from a first side of the first flange. The second element has a second flange and a second set of legs extending axially from a first side of the second flange. The first set of legs and the second set of legs are interleaved in a circumferential direction to form at least a portion of a core of the reel disposed between the first flange and the second flange, and around which flexible media may be wound and supported. The first set of legs is configured to snap connect with the second element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reel for supporting wound flexible media, comprising:
 a first element having a first flange and a first set of legs extending in a directly axially away from a first side of the first flange;   a second element having a second flange and a second set of legs extending axially from a first side of the second flange;   wherein the first set of legs and the second set of legs are interleaved in a circumferential direction to form at least a portion of a core of the reel disposed between the first flange and the second flange, and around which flexible media may be wound and supported; and   wherein the first set of legs is configured to snap connect with the second element.   
     
     
         2 . The reel of  claim 1 , wherein the first element and the second element are substantially identical such that first element and second element are interchangeable. 
     
     
         3 . The reel of  claim 1 , wherein each leg of the first set of legs forms an arcuate portion of a cylinder that extends axially from a proximal end to a distal end, the proximal end being closer than the distal end to the first flange. 
     
     
         4 . The reel of  claim 3 , wherein an arcuate length of the proximal end is greater than arcuate length of the distal end. 
     
     
         5 . The reel of  claim 4 , wherein each leg of the first set of legs extends axially from first flange to the second flange. 
     
     
         6 . The reel of  claim 3 , wherein each leg of the first set of legs in includes a connector at the distal end, the connector configured to snap connect to a corresponding receiver the second element. 
     
     
         7 . The reel of  claim 6 , wherein the connector includes an arm and a head that extends radially inward from the arm, the head including a retention surface that engages a corresponding surface in the receiver, and an inclined forward edge configured to aid in insertion head into the receiver. 
     
     
         8 . The reel of  claim 7 , wherein:
 at least a first leg of the first set of legs has an inner arcuate surface and an axial connection shaft disposed on the inner arcuate surface;   the receiver of the second element includes first and second guiding walls disposed between two of the legs of the second set of legs, the first and second guiding walls forming a void for receiving the axial connection shaft;   wherein the void narrows from a most distant point from the second flange to another point closer to the second flange to guide the insertion of the axial connection shaft during assembly of the first element to the second element.   
     
     
         9 . The reel of  claim 6 , wherein:
 at least a first leg of the first set of legs has an inner arcuate surface and an axial connection shaft disposed on the inner arcuate surface;   the receiver of the second element includes first and second guiding walls disposed between two of the legs of the second set of legs, the first and second guiding walls forming a void for receiving the axial connection shaft;   wherein the void narrows from a most distant point from the second flange to another point closer to the second flange to guide an insertion of the axial connection shaft during assembly of the first element to the second element.   
     
     
         10 . The reel of  claim 1 , wherein each leg of the first set of legs extends axially from first flange to the second flange. 
     
     
         11 . A reel for supporting wound flexible media, comprising:
 a first element having a first flange and at least one axial extension extending axially from a first side thereof;   a second element having a second flange and at least one axial extension extending axially from a first side thereof, the second element having a substantially identical structure as the first element;   wherein the first element is configured to snap fit with the second element such that the at least one axial extension of the first element and the at least one axial extension of the second element form a core of the reel, disposed between the first flange and the second flange, and around which flexible media may be wound and supported.   
     
     
         12 . The reel of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one axial extension forms an arcuate portion of a cylinder that extends axially from a proximal end to a distal end, the proximal end being closer than the distal end to the first flange. 
     
     
         13 . The reel of  claim 12 , wherein an arcuate length of the proximal end is greater than arcuate length of the distal end. 
     
     
         14 . The reel of  claim 13 , wherein the first axial extension extends axially from first flange to the second flange. 
     
     
         15 . The reel of  claim 12 , wherein the first axial extension a connector at the distal end, the connector configured to snap connect to a corresponding receiver the second element. 
     
     
         16 . The reel of  claim 15 , wherein the connector includes an arm and a head that extends radially inward from the arm, the head including a retention surface that engages a corresponding surface in the receiver, and an inclined forward edge configured to aid in insertion head into the receiver. 
     
     
         17 . A reel element configured for assembly into a reel for supporting wound flexible media, comprising:
 a first flange and a first set of legs extending in a directly axially away from a first side of the first flange, wherein the first set of legs is configured to snap connected to a second element having a second flange and the second set of legs extending axially from the first side of the second flange, and wherein the first set of legs are configured to be interleaved with the second set of legs in a circumferential direction to form at least a portion of a core of the reel disposed between the first flange and the second flange, and around which flexible media may be wound and supported.