Boxed pay-out reel for optic fiber cable or wire or the like with smooth pay-out, high-impact and cable end holding features

摘要

A boxed spool assembly of the present invention includes a spool assembly, a pair of end plates (30) for supporting the spool assembly for rotation, and a box (1) in which the spool assembly and end plates (30) are placed. The bottom of the box (1) is self-locking and requires no tape. Further, the box (1) is constructed so that the overlapping of multiple layers of corrugated fiberboard is avoided in the bottom of the box (1) so that the spool assembly can rotate without interference. The box (1) includes starburst cuts (16,17) to hold the loose end of cable or wire wound on the spool assembly so that a user can readily locate the loose end. One starburst cut (16) has a slit (15) communicating with a horizontal slot (13). Cable or wire can be paid-out or held in position by pulling the cable to the slot (13) or starburst cut (16), respectively, by the slit (15). The end plates (30) include polycarbonate material and have openings (37) corresponding with openings (7,11) in the box (1), to provide handholds for the user. The end plates (30) have arbors (32) protruding away from the plate surfaces of the end plates (30) to hold flanges (45) of the spool assembly away from the end plates (30) for frictionless rotation. The arbors (32) of the end plates (30) that support the spool assembly have annular flat ledge surfaces (33) to confine the flanges (45) of the spool assembly away from the end plates (30). The protrusions of the arbors (32) are drafted or tapered to cause the spool assembly to be centered in the box (1) and to ride away from the end plates (30). Corner supports (39,40,41,42) are provided on the end plates (30) to prevent the corners of the end plates (30) from cutting through the box (1) and also to maintain the box (1) in the proper configuration. The arbors (32) and corner supports (39,40,41,42) include rib reinforcements (35,43). The boxed spool assembly is sized in accordance with industry standard shipment sizes. IMAGE