( 12 ) United States Patent
`Thakare et al .
`
`US 10,988,342 B2
`( 10 ) Patent No .:
`( 45 ) Date of Patent :
`* Apr . 27 , 2021
`
`USO10988342B2
`
`( 54 ) CABLE REEL AND SYSTEM OF USE
`( 71 ) Applicant : Amphenol Corporation , Wallingford ,
`CT ( US )
`( 72 ) Inventors : Rakesh Thakare , Cary , NC ( US ) ;
`Caichun Song , Changzhou ( CN ) ;
`Phillip S. Bowen , Chatham , VA ( US ) ;
`Marvin Bryant , Chatham , VA ( US ) ;
`Paul R. Boucher , Callands , VA ( US ) ;
`Barry Holt , Ottawa ( CA )
`( 73 ) Assignee : Amphenol Corporation , Wallingford ,
`CT ( US )
`Subject to any disclaimer , the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154 ( b ) by 0 days .
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis
`claimer .
`( 21 ) Appl . No .: 17 / 073,449
`( 22 ) Filed :
`Oct. 19 , 2020
`( 65 )
`
`Prior Publication Data
`Feb. 4 , 2021
`US 2021/0032072 A1
`
`( * ) Notice :
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`( 60 ) Continuation of application No. 16 / 804,577 , filed on
`Feb. 28 , 2020 , which is a continuation of application
`( Continued )
`
`( 51 ) Int . Cl .
`B65H 75/22
`B65H 75/14
`
`( 52 ) U.S. Ci .
`CPC
`
`( 2006.01 )
`( 2006.01 )
`( Continued )
`
`B65H 75/30 ( 2013.01 ) ; B65H 49/205
`( 2013.01 ) ; B65H 49/305 ( 2013.01 ) ;
`( Continued )
`
`( 58 ) Field of Classification Search
`CPC
`B65H 49/205 ; B65H 49/305 ; B65H 75/14 ;
`B65H 75/22
`See application file for complete search history .
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`( 56 )
`
`1,990,135 A
`2,033,578 A
`
`2/1935 Sato
`3/1936 Kittel
`( Continued )
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`EP
`EP
`
`4001250 Al *
`0922003 A1
`2017211 A1
`
`7/1991
`6/1999
`1/2009
`
`B65H 54/103
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Machine Translation of DE 40 01 250 Al , Jul . 25 , 1991. ( Year :
`1991 ) . *
`
`( Continued )
`Primary Examiner William E Dondero
`( 74 ) Attorney , Agent , or Firm — Blank Rome LLP
`ABSTRACT
`( 57 )
`A system for using a cable reel apparatus that includes
`providing comp
`of a separable cable reel for assembly
`of a cable reel apparatus . The components include a first
`frame , a second frame , and the second frame is separate
`from the first frame . A first flange is configured to engage the
`first frame . The outer side of the first flange faces the first
`frame when the first flange is engaged therewith . A second
`flange is configured to engage the second frame . The outer
`side of the second flange faces the second frame when the
`second flange is engaged therewith . The system also
`includes providing a pre - wound , reel - less coil of cable that
`is separate from the separable cable reel . The first and
`second flanges are configured to releasably couple with one
`another to support the pre - wound , reel - less coil of cable
`therebetween .
`22 Claims , 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`100
`
`105
`
`142
`
`140
`
`101
`
`103
`
`Page 1 of 19
`
`PPC Exhibit 1001
`
`

`

`US 10,988,342 B2
`Page 2
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`No. 15 / 833,091 , filed on Dec. 6 , 2017 , now Pat . No.
`10,589,957 , which is a continuation of application
`No. 15 / 433,789 , filed on Feb. 15 , 2017 , now Pat . No.
`9,862,566 , which is a division of application No.
`14 / 634,007 , filed on Feb. 27 , 2015 , now Pat . No.
`9,695,008 .
`( 51 ) Int . Cl .
`B651 49/20
`B65H 49/30
`B65H 75/30
`B65H 75/24
`B65H 49/32
`B65H 59/04
`( 52 ) U.S. CI .
`CPC
`
`( 2006.01 )
`( 2006.01 )
`( 2006.01 )
`( 2006.01 )
`( 2006.01 )
`( 2006.01 )
`B65H 49/322 ( 2013.01 ) ; B65H 49/325
`( 2013.01 ) ; B65H 59/04 ( 2013.01 ) ; B65H
`75/14 ( 2013.01 ) ; B65H 75/22 ( 2013.01 ) ;
`B65H 75/242 ( 2013.01 ) ; B65H 75/245
`( 2013.01 )
`
`( 56 )
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2,268,547 A
`2,400,417 A
`2,952,420 A
`2,965,331 A
`3,693,784 A
`3,696,697 A
`3,836,093 A
`4,650,073 A
`4,667,896 A
`5,139,210 A
`5,464,171 A
`5,704,479 A
`5,775,621 A
`5,810,283 A
`6,045,087 A
`6,145,780 A
`6,234,421 B1
`6,241,181 B1
`
`1/1942 Haines
`5/1946 Hickey
`9/1960 Von Hoorn
`12/1960 Nagy
`9/1972 Holmes
`10/1972 Hoffman
`9/1974 Mozina et al .
`3/1987 Young
`5/1987 Frey et al .
`8/1992 Schaffer
`11/1995 Ripplinger
`1/1998 Barnett
`7/1998 Sauber
`9/1998 Shea
`4/2000 Vislock
`11/2000 Fontana
`5/2001 Cox
`6/2001 Campbell
`
`6,328,238 B1
`6,352,215 B1
`6,523,777 B2
`7,140,598 B2
`7,204,452 B2
`7,891,601 B2
`7,938,357 B2
`D641,161 S
`D641,162 S
`D641,163 S
`8,016,222 B2
`8,230,996 B1
`8,251,212 B2
`8,366,126 B2
`8,371,519 B2
`8,387,909 B2
`8,424,795 B2
`D686,907 S
`9,637,343 B2
`9,862,566 B2
`9,873,588 B2
`9,908,737 B2
`10,239,725 B2
`10,689,223 B2
`2005/0035240 A1
`2006/0157366 Al
`2006/0231672 A1
`2007/0018031 A1
`2010/0078514 A1
`2010/0314484 Al
`2010/0320309 Al
`2011/0240791 A1
`2012/0091249 Al
`2012/0153069 Al
`2012/0168554 Al
`2014/0312159 Al
`2015/0312159 Al
`2015/0321876 Al
`
`12/2001 Chism
`3/2002 Cash
`2/2003 Gaudi
`11/2006 Verakis et al .
`4/2007 Wilkinson et al .
`2/2011 Higashisaka et al .
`5/2011 Johanson et al .
`7/2011 Houston et al .
`7/2011 Houston et al .
`7/2011 Houston et al .
`9/2011 Galgano
`7/2012 Cummings et al .
`8/2012 Dunlap
`2/2013 Galgano et al .
`2/2013 McManus
`3/2013 Galgano et al .
`4/2013 Galgano et al .
`7/2013 Chastain et al .
`5/2017 Allwood
`1/2018 Thakare
`1/2018 Thakare
`3/2018 Chastain
`3/2019 Chastain
`6/2020 Chastain et al .
`2/2005 Weck
`7/2006 Jamie
`10/2006 Eastwood
`1/2007 Sycko
`4/2010 Thompson
`12/2010 Houston
`12/2010 Galgano et al .
`10/2011 Lindley
`4/2012 Crosset
`6/2012 Allwood
`7/2012 Blunt
`10/2014 Troitzsch et al .
`10/2015 Ertugay et al .
`11/2015 Galindo Gonzalez
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Perfect Tote by Ppc Broadband , Inc .; 2 pages .
`Axjo Cable Reel , “ Attachment a ” ; 1 page .
`Times Fiber Communications ; Innovative Broadband Solutions ;
`Tech Service Bag , pp . 1-2 .
`* cited by examiner
`
`Page 2 of 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 27 , 2021
`
`Sheet 1 of 10
`
`US 10,988,342 B2
`
`100
`
`105
`
`142
`
`Kand 112
`
`"
`101
`
`108
`
`104
`
`A
`
`1110
`
`106
`
`140
`
`-102
`
`103
`
`FIG . 1
`
`Page 3 of 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 27 , 2021
`
`Sheet 2 of 10
`
`US 10,988,342 B2
`
`102 , 104
`
`med
`
`135
`
`-- 124
`
`-120
`
`128
`
`136
`
`132
`
`130
`
`122
`
`122
`
`FIG . 2
`
`Page 4 of 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 27 , 2021
`
`Sheet 3 of 10
`
`US 10,988,342 B2
`
`106 , 108
`
`
`
`146
`
`144
`
`FIG . 3
`
`Page 5 of 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 27 , 2021
`Apr. 27, 2021
`
`Sheet 4 of 10
`Sheet 4 of 10
`
`US 10,988,342 B2
`US 10,988,342 B2
`
`164
`
`174
`
`150
`
`C
`
`
`
`172
`
`164
`
`1154
`
`162
`
`FIG . 4A
`
`106
`
`Page 6 of 19
`
`Page 6 of 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 27 , 2021
`
`Sheet 5 of 10
`
`US 10,988,342 B2
`
`140
`
`150
`
`170
`164
`
`172
`
`156
`
`162
`
`146
`
`CARONS
`
`166
`
`106
`
`160 164
`
`158
`
`154
`
`FIG . 4B
`
`Page 7 of 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 27 , 2021
`Apr. 27, 2021
`
`Sheet 6 of 10
`Sheet 6 of 10
`
`US 10,988,342 B2
`US 10,988,342 B2
`
`152
`
`182
`
`108
`
`
`
`FIG . 5A
`
`180
`
`Page 8 of 19
`
`Page 8 of 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 27 , 2021
`
`Sheet 7 of 10
`
`US 10,988,342 B2
`
`180
`
`176
`
`152
`
`PORT
`
`182
`
`108
`
`FIG . 5B
`
`Page 9 of 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 27 , 2021
`
`Sheet 8 of 10
`
`US 10,988,342 B2
`
`FIG . 6
`
`126
`
`130
`
`130 M 128
`
`124
`
`122
`
`Page 10 of 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 27 , 2021
`
`Sheet 9 of 10
`
`US 10,988,342 B2
`
`148
`
`?? m 144
`146 mmin
`
`FIG . 7
`
`Page 11 of 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 27 , 2021
`Apr. 27, 2021
`
`Sheet 10 of 10
`Sheet 10 of 10
`
`US 10,988,342 B2
`US 10,988,342 B2
`
`
`
`128
`
`130
`
`ho
`
`135
`
`112
`
`146
`
`124
`
`148
`
`106 , 108
`106,108
`
`FIG . 8
`FIG. 8
`
`Page 12 of 19
`
`Page 12 of 19
`
`

`

`US 10,988,342 B2
`
`45
`
`1
`CABLE REEL AND SYSTEM OF USE
`
`2
`extends through the cable coil ; and inserting the second hub
`portion inside of the first hub portion , thereby expanding the
`flexible segments so that the flexible segments engage the
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`cable coil .
`The present disclosure may yet further provide a method
`This application is a continuation of application Ser . No. 5
`of installing cable on a cable reel that comprises the steps of
`16 / 804,577 , filed Feb. 28 , 2020 , which is a continuation of
`providing a cable reel that includes first and second oppos
`application Ser . No. 15 / 833,091 , filed Dec. 6 , 2017 , now
`ing flanges where the first flange has a first hub portion and
`U.S. Pat . No. 10,589,957 , which is a continuation of appli-
`the second flange having a second hub portion and the first
`cation Ser . No. 15 / 433,789 , filed Feb. 15 , 2017 , now U.S.
`Pat . No. 9,862,566 , which is a divisional of U.S. application 10 hub portion has one or more flexible segments ; placing a
`Ser . No. 14 / 634,007 , entitled Cable Reel , filed on Feb. 27 ,
`cable coil over the first hub portion and on the first flange so
`2015 , now U.S. Pat . No. 9,695,008 , the content of each of
`that the first hub portion substantially extends through an
`inner diameter of the cable coil ; and expanding the one or
`which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in
`more flexible segments by inserting the second hub portion
`their entirety .
`15 inside of the first hub portion so that the one or more flexible
`segments engage the cable coil .
`BACKGROUND
`The present disclosure may also further provide a method
`of installing cable on a cable reel , that comprises the steps
`Cable installers are commonly required to carry cable to
`of providing a cable reel that includes first and second
`installation locations . The installers usually use some type of
`shoulder bag or other types of packing solutions with an 20 frames that rotatably support first and second opposing
`opening for paying out the cable . These cables are often
`flanges , respectively , where the first flange has a first hub
`wound on a reel to form a cable coil and packaged in a box
`portion and the second flange has a second hub portion and
`or bag for payout during installations . The installer may ,
`the first hub portion has an elongated wall that defines a
`however , payout too much cable if the installer pulls too
`receiving area for a truncated wall of the second hub portion ;
`25 placing a cable coil over the first hub portion and on the first
`hard on the cable .
`Therefore , a need exists for a cable reel that allows for
`flange so that the first hub portion substantially extends
`through an inner diameter of the cable coil ; and inserting the
`easy installation of cable in a bag or the like .
`truncated wall of the second hub portion inside of the
`receiving area of the first hub portion , thereby retaining the
`SUMMARY
`30 cable coil between the first and second frames such that the
`cable coil rotates with respect to the first and second frames ,
`Accordingly , the present disclosure may provide a cable
`reel that has first and second opposing flanges . The first
`thereby allowing payout of the cable of the cable coil .
`flange has a first hub portion and the second flange has a
`The present disclosure relates to a method of installing a
`second hub portion . The first and second hub portions are
`coil of cable in a bag , that comprises the steps of : placing a
`axially aligned and configured to mate with one another to 35 coil of cable on a first hub of a first flange of the cable reel ;
`support cable , such as a cable coil . The first hub portion
`placing a second flange of the cable reel , that is separable
`includes an elongated wall that extends from the first flange .
`from the first flange , opposite from the first flange to hold the
`The elongated wall is sized to support the cable . The
`coil of cable on the first hub of the first flange ; positioning
`elongated wall defines an inner area that is configured to
`the first flange on or next to a first support frame received in
`accept the second hub portion . The elongated wall includes 40 the bag ; and placing the second flange on or next to a second
`a plurality of flexible segments . The second hub portion
`support frame received in the bag . The second support frame
`includes a truncated wall that is receivable in the inner area
`is positioned in the bag such that the first flange , the coil of
`of the first hub portion . The truncated wall includes a tapered
`cable and the second flange are located between the first
`outer surface for engaging and expanding the plurality of
`support frame and the second support frame .
`flexible segments .
`In some examples , the method further comprises the step
`The present disclosure may also provide a cable reel that
`of engaging the first and second flanges after placing the
`includes at least one support frame that has an outwardly
`second flange opposite from the first flange , thereby holding
`extending braking gear member . The outwardly extending
`the coil of cable between the first and second flanges ; the
`gear member is located off - center on the frame . A first flange
`step of engaging the first and second flanges includes
`has a central opening and a first hub portion that surrounds 50 snapping the first and second flanges together ; the step of
`the central opening . The central opening has an internal
`engaging the first and second flanges includes engaging a
`braking gear member that engages the outwardly extending
`second hub of the second flange with the first hub of the first
`gear member of the frame , thereby rotatably coupling the at
`flange ; and / or the first hub of the first flange is an elongated
`least one support frame and the first flange . A second flange
`wall .
`opposes the first flange and has a second hub portion . The 55
`In other examples , the method further comprises the step
`first and second hub portions are configured to mate with one
`of disengaging the first flange from the second flange ;
`another to support cable . The engagement of the gear
`further comprises the step of disengaging the first flange
`members provides a friction for cable payoff .
`from the second flange after opening the bag ; and / or further
`The present disclosure may further provide a method of
`comprises the steps of rotatably coupling the first flange and
`installing the cable , such as a cable coil , on a cable reel that 60 the first frame and rotatably coupling the second flange and
`includes the steps of providing a cable reel that includes first
`the second frame .
`and second opposing flanges , the first flange having a first
`The present disclosure relates to a method of installing a
`hub portion and the second flange having a second hub
`coil of cable in a bag , that comprises the steps of : placing a
`portion , the first hub portion being longer than the second
`coil of cable on a first hub of a first flange of the cable reel ;
`hub portion , and the first hub portion having a plurality of 65 placing a second flange of the cable reel opposite from the
`flexible segments ; placing a cable coil over the first hub
`first flange to hold the coil of cable on the first hub of the first
`portion and on the first flange so that the first hub portion
`flange ; positioning the first flange on or next to a first support
`
`Page 13 of 19
`
`

`

`US 10,988,342 B2
`
`3
`4
`the cable coil through a payout slot in the bag after the step
`frame located in the bag ; and placing the second flange on
`of releasably coupling the elongated wall and the truncated
`or next to a second support frame located in the bag , wherein
`wall together , the method further comprises the step of
`the second support frame is positionable in the bag such that
`decoupling the elongated wall and the truncated wall from
`the first flange , the coil of cable and the second flange are
`located between the first support frame and the second 5 one another for replacement of the coil of cable with another
`support frame . The step of placing the coil of cable on the
`coil of cable ; at least a portion of the truncated wall is
`first hub of the first flange occurs before the step of posi-
`received in a receiving area of the elongated wall when
`releasably coupling the elongated wall and the truncated
`tioning the first flange on the first support frame .
`In certain examples , the step of placing the second flange
`wall together ; the elongated wall is an annular wall and the
`of the cable reel opposite from the first flange to hold the coil 10 truncated wall is an annular wall ; the first frame and the
`of cable on the first hub of the first flange includes engaging
`elongated wall are integral , and the second frame and the
`a second hub of the second flange with the first hub ; and / or
`truncated wall are integral ; the first hub portion includes a
`the method further comprises the step of disengaging the
`first engagement member configured to engage a second
`engagement member of the second hub portion ; and / or the
`second hub from the first hub after opening the bag .
`The present disclosure relates to a method of installing a 15 method further comprises the step of locking the first flange
`coil of cable in a bag , the bag having a cover for opening the
`to the second flange .
`bag , a base opposite the cover , and sides extending between
`The present disclosure may also relate to a method of
`the cover and the base , the comprises the steps of : placing
`installing a cable reel in a bag , that can comprise the step of
`a coil of cable on a first hub of a first flange of the cable reel ;
`releasably coupling a hub portion of a first flange of the
`placing a second flange of the cable reel , that is separable 20 cable reel with a second flange of the cable reel , the hub
`from the first flange , opposite from the first flange to hold the
`portion being configured to support a coil of cable ; placing
`coil of cable on the first hub of the first flange ; positioning
`a coil of cable on the hub portion ; and placing the first flange
`the first flange on or next to a first support frame received in
`on a first support frame secured to the bag for dispensing the
`the bag , the first support frame being on an inner surface the
`cable from the bag .
`base of the bag ; and placing the second flange on or next to 25
`In some examples , the hub portion comprises wall ; the
`a second support frame received in the bag , the second
`step of releasably coupling the hub portion and the second
`support frame being on an inner surface of the cover of the
`flange includes inserting another hub portion of the second
`bag . When the cover of the bag is closed , the first flange , the
`flange into a receiving area of the hub portion of the first
`coil of cable and the second flange are located between the
`flange ; the step of releasably coupling the first hub portion
`first support frame and the second support frame inside the 30 includes coupling the hub portion and another hub portion of
`bag .
`the second flange by a friction fit ; the hub portion includes
`In some examples , the method further comprises the step
`a first engagement member configured to engage a second
`of engaging the first and second flanges after placing the
`engagement member of another hub portion of the second
`second flange opposite from the first flange , thereby holding
`flange ; the first flange and the hub portion form one - piece ;
`the coil of cable between the first and second flanges ; the 35 and / or the step of placing the coil of cable on the hub portion
`step of engaging the first and second flanges includes
`occurs before releasably coupling the hub portion and the
`engaging a second hub of the second flange with the first hub
`second flange .
`of the first flange ; the method further comprises the step of
`The present disclosure may further relate to a method of
`disengaging the first flange from the second flange ; the
`installing a coil of cable in a bag , that can comprise the steps
`method further comprises the step of opening the bag by 40 of : placing a pre - wound , reel - less coil of cable on a hub
`opening the cover and the step disengaging the first flange
`portion of a first flange ; after placing the coil of cable on the
`from the second flange occurs after opening the bag ; and / or
`hub portion of the first flange , releasably coupling the hub
`the method further comprises the steps of rotatably coupling
`portion to a second flange , to form a hub that holds the coil
`the first flange and the first frame and rotatably coupling the
`of cable between the first and second flanges ; and placing the
`45 first flange and the second flange with the coil of cable
`second flange and the second frame .
`In other examples , the coil of cable is prepacked with a
`therebetween into the bag .
`plastic wrap prior to the step of placing the coil of cable on
`In certain examples , the method further comprises the
`the first hub of the first flange ; and / or the method further
`step of positioning the first flange on or next to a first support
`comprises the step of dispensing the cable through a payout
`frame received in the bag , the first support frame being on
`slot in the bag .
`50 an inner surface a base of the bag ; and / or the method further
`The present disclosure may yet further relate to a method
`comprises the step of positioning the second flange on or
`of installing a cable reel in a bag , the cable reel comprising
`next to a second support frame received in the bag , the
`a first flange with a first hub portion and a second flange with
`second support frame being on an inner surface of a cover
`a second hub portion , the method can comprise the steps of :
`of the bag , wherein , when the cover of the bag is closed , the
`placing the first flange on a first support frame secured to a 55 first flange , the coil of cable and the second flange are
`base of the bag , wherein either the first hub portion or the
`located between the first support frame and the second
`second hub portion includes an elongated wall and the other
`support frame inside the bag .
`of the first hub portion and the second hub portion includes
`In other examples of the method , the reel - less coil of cable
`a truncated wall ; and releasably coupling the elongated wall
`is pre - wound prior to the step of placing the coil of cable on
`and the truncated wall together to form a hub member 60 the hub portion of the first flange ; the method further
`configured to support a coil of cable .
`comprises the step of dispensing cable of the coil of cable
`In certain examples , the elongated wall and the truncated
`from the bag ; the method further comprises the step of
`wall are releasably coupled by a friction fit therebetween ;
`decoupling the hub portion and the second flange ; the
`the method further comprises the step of placing the coil of
`method further comprises the step of placing another pre
`cable on the elongated wall prior to the step of releasably 65 wound reel - less coil of cable on the hub portion after the step
`coupling the elongated wall and the truncated wall together ;
`of decoupling the hub portion and the second flange ; the hub
`the method further comprises the step of dispensing cable of
`portion comprises an elongated wall ; the step of releasably
`
`Page 14 of 19
`
`

`

`US 10,988,342 B2
`
`6
`5
`that has an inner side and an outer side , and the first flange
`coupling the hub portion and the second flange comprises
`is configured for engaging the first frame such that the outer
`releasably coupling the hub portion with another hub portion
`side of the first flange faces the first frame , and the first
`of the second flange ; and / or the hub portion and the another
`hub portion form a friction fit .
`flange has a first hub portion on the inner side of the first
`The present disclosure may also provide a method of 5 flange , and a second flange that has an inner side and an
`installing a coil of cable in a bag , that can comprise the steps
`outer side , and the second flange is configured for engaging
`of providing a user with a cable reel , the cable reel com
`the second frame such that the outer side of the second
`prising a first flange and a second flange , the first flange
`flange faces the second frame , and the second flange has a
`having a hub member configured to releasably couple to the
`second hub portion on the inner side of the second flange .
`second flange ; instructing the user to place the coil of cable 10
`The system also comprises providing a pre - wound , reel - less
`on the hub member and then releasably couple the hub
`coil of cable that is separate from the separable cable reel ,
`member with the second flange with the coil of cable
`and the first and second hub portions are sized to fit within
`between the first and second flanges ; and instructing the user
`the inner diameter of the coil of cable and are configured to
`to place the cable reel with the coil of cable into the bag for
`dispensing of the cable . In the example , the method further 15 releasably couple with one another to form a hub member
`for supporting the pre - wound , reel - less coil of cable between
`comprises the step of providing the user the coil of cable that
`the first and second flanges .
`is pre - wound and reel - less .
`In certain examples the coil of cable is prepackaged with
`An aspect of the present disclosure is a system for using
`a cable reel apparatus that comprises providing components
`plastic wrap ; the first hub portion has an inner friction
`of a separable cable reel for assembly of a cable reel 20 surface and the second hub portion has an outer friction
`apparatus . The components of the separable cable reel
`surface such that when the first and second hub portions are
`includes a first frame , a second frame , and the second frame
`engaged , a friction fit is formed therebetween ; one of the
`is separate from the first frame . A first flange is configured
`first and second hub portions is
`elongated annular wall
`to engage the first frame . The first flange has an inner side
`and the other of the first and second hub portions is a
`and an outer side , and the outer side of the first flange faces 25 truncated annular wall , and the elongated and truncated
`the first frame when the first flange is engaged therewith . A walls extend substantially perpendicularly to a plane of the
`second flange is configured to engage the second frame . The
`inner side of the respective first or second flange ; and / or the
`second flange has an inner side and an outer side , and the
`first flange and the first hub portion are one - piece and the
`outer side of the second flange faces the second frame when
`second flange and the second hub portion are one - piece .
`the second flange is engaged therewith . The system also 30
`In other aspects , the system further comprises assembling
`comprises providing a pre - wound , reel - less coil of cable that
`the cable reel apparatus by releasably coupling the first and
`is separate from the separable cable reel . The first and
`second hub portions to form a hub member to support the
`second flanges are configured to releasably couple with one
`pre - wound , reel - less coil of cable therebetween along a
`another to support the pre - wound , reel - less coil of cable
`central longitudinal axis of the separable cable reel ; and / or
`therebetween .
`35
`disassembling the first and second hub portions .
`In certain examples , the system further comprises assem
`Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a system for
`bling the cable reel apparatus by releasably coupling the first
`using a cable reel apparatus that comprises providing com
`and second flanges such that the respective inner sides
`ponents of a separable cable reel for assembly of a cable reel
`thereof face one another to support the pre - wound , reel - less
`coil of cable therebetween along a central longitudinal axis 40 apparatus . The components of the separable cable reel
`of the separable cable reel ; the system further comprises
`include a bag that has a base and a cover , wherein the bag
`disassembling the cable reel apparatus by decoupling the
`is sized to hold the cable reel apparatus when assembled , a
`first and second flanges ; the system further comprises a bag
`first frame sized to be disposed in the base of the bag , and
`having a base and a cover , wherein the bag is sized to hold
`a second frame sized to be disposed at the cover of the bag ,
`the cable reel apparatus when assembled ; the base of the bag 45 and the second frame is separate from the first frame . A first
`has a cable payout opening sized for dispensing cable from
`flange is configured to engage the first frame , and the first
`the cable reel apparatus ; the first frame has a geometry
`flange has an inner side and an outer side , and the outer side
`configured for placement on inside surface of the bag and
`of the first flange faces the first frame when the first flange
`wherein the second frame has a geometry configured for
`is engaged therewith . A second flange is configured to
`placement on another inside surface of the bag ; the geometry 50 engage the second frame , and the second flange has an inner
`of the first and second frames is substantially square ; and / or
`side and an outer side , and the outer side of the second flange
`each of the first and second flanges has a substantially disc
`faces the second frame when the second flange is engaged
`shape .
`therewith . A hub portion extends from the inner side of one
`In other examples , at least one of the first and second
`of the first and second flanges . The system also comprises
`flanges includes a hub portion that is receivable in an inner 55 providing a pre - wound , reel - less coil of cable that is separate
`diameter of the pre - wound , reel - less coil of cable ; the hub
`from the separable cable reel , wherein the first and second
`portion extends transversely from the inner side of the at
`flanges are configured to releasably couple with one another
`least one of the first and second flanges ; the hub portion is
`to support the pre - wound , reel - less coil of cable on the hub
`an elongated wall ; the first flange is one - piece and the
`portion therebetween , and wherein the base of the bag
`second flange is one - piece ; and / or the first and second 60 includes a payout opening sized for dispensing cable of the
`flanges are configured to interlock with one another .
`pre - wound , reel - less coil of cable therebetween .
`Another aspect of the present disclosure is a system for
`In certain examples , the system further comprises assem
`using a cable reel apparatus that comprises providing com-
`bling the cable reel apparatus by releasably coupling the first
`ponents of a separable cable reel for assembly of a cable reel
`and second flanges such that the respective inner sides
`apparatus . The components of the separable cable reel 65 thereof face one another to support the pre - wound , reel - less
`include a first frame and a second frame that is separate from
`coil of cable therebetween along a central longitudinal axis
`the first frame . The components also include a first flange
`of the separable cable reel ; the system further comprises
`
`Page 15 of 19
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`US 10,988,342 B2
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`10
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`7
`8
`disassembling the cable reel apparatus by decoupling the
`or next to a second support frame located in the bag , wherein
`first and second flanges ; and / or the hub portion is an
`the second support frame is positionable in the bag such that
`elongated wall .
`the first flange , the coil of cable and the second flange are
`This summary is not intended to identify essential features
`located between the first support frame and the second
`of the claimed subject matter , nor is it intended for use in 5 support frame . The step of placing the coil of cable on the
`determining the scope of the claimed subject matter . It is to
`first hub of the first flange occurs before the step of posi
`be understood that both the foregoing general description
`tioning the first flange on the first support frame .
`and the following detailed description are exemplary and are
`The present disclosure relates to a method of installing a
`intended to provide an overview or framework to understand
`coil of cable in a bag , the bag having a cover for opening the
`the nature and character of the disclosure .
`bag , a base opposite the cover , and sides extending between
`the cover and the base , the comprises the steps of : placing
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
`a coil of cable on a first hub of a first flange of the cable reel ;
`placing a second flange of the cable reel , that is separable
`The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and
`constitute a part of this specification . It is to be understood 15 from the first flange , opposite from the first flange to hold the
`coil of cable on the first hub of the first flange ; positioning
`that the drawings illustrate only some examples of the
`the first flange on or next to a first support frame received in
`disclo