Cable reel with axially adjustable coupling mechanism

Abstract

A cable reel is described. The cable reel includes first and second opposing flanges. The first flange has a first hub portion and the second flange has a second hub portion. The first and second hub portions are configured to be axially aligned and configured to mate with one another to support cable. The cable reel includes an axially adjustable coupling mechanism configured to couple the first hub portion to the second hub portion at a plurality of stable axial positions. The first hub portion is rotationally fixed to the second hub portion at the plurality of axial positions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cable reel, comprising:
 first and second opposing flanges, the first flange having a first hub portion and the second flange having a second hub portion, the first and second hub portions configured to be axially aligned and configured to mate with one another to support cable; and   an axially adjustable coupling mechanism configured to couple the first hub portion to the second hub portion at a plurality of stable axial positions, wherein the first hub portion is rotationally fixed to the second hub portion at the plurality of axial positions.   
     
     
         2 . The cable reel of  claim 1 , the first hub portion including an elongated wall extending from the first flange, the elongated wall being sized to support cable, the elongated wall defining an inner area configured to accept the second hub portion, and the elongated wall including a plurality of flexible segments; and
 the second hub portion including a truncated wall receivable in the inner area of the first hub portion, said truncated wall including a tapered outer surface for engaging and expanding the plurality of flexible segments.   
     
     
         3 . The cable reel of  claim 1 , wherein the axially adjustable coupling mechanism includes a threaded connection. 
     
     
         4 . The cable reel of  claim 3 , wherein the axially adjustable coupling mechanism includes a ratcheting pawl. 
     
     
         5 . The cable reel of  claim 1 , wherein the axially adjustable coupling mechanism includes at least one axial spline and complementary axial slot. 
     
     
         6 . The cable reel of  claim 1 , wherein the axially adjustable coupling mechanism includes a plurality of recesses, wherein at least two of the recesses of the plurality of recesses are located at different axial positions, and at least one radially-biased flexible arm configured to engage with at least one recess of the plurality of recesses. 
     
     
         7 . The cable reel of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one recess is a circumferential recess around one of the first hub portion or the second hub portion. 
     
     
         8 . The cable reel of  claim 1 , wherein the axially adjustable coupling mechanism includes a plurality of flexible arms, wherein at least two of the flexible arms of the plurality of flexible arms have a protrusion located at different axial positions, and at least one recess is configured to receive a protrusion. 
     
     
         9 . The cable reel of  claim 8 , wherein a first arc length of at least one protrusion is substantially equal to a second arc length of a recess. 
     
     
         10 . The cable reel of  claim 8 , wherein at least one flexible arm of the plurality of flexible arms has a plurality of protrusions protruding therefrom. 
     
     
         11 . The cable reel of  claim 1 , wherein the first hub portion is longer than the second hub portion in the axial direction. 
     
     
         12 . The cable reel of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second support frames rotatably coupled to the first hub portion and second hub portion, respectively. 
     
     
         13 . The cable reel of  claim 12 , wherein each of the first and second flanges is substantially disc shaped. 
     
     
         14 . The cable reel of  claim 12 , further comprising a braking mechanism configured to limit rotation of at least one of the first flange and second flange relative to the first support frame. 
     
     
         15 . A method of installing a cable coil on a cable reel, the method comprising:
 providing a first flange of the cable reel, wherein the first flange has a first hub portion connected thereto;   positioning a cable coil on the first hub portion and contacting the first flange;   coupling the first hub portion to a second hub portion by an axially adjustable coupling mechanism; and   moving the second hub portion through a plurality of stable axial positions of the axially adjustable coupling mechanism until a second flange contacts the cable coil.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein coupling the first hub portion to a second hub portion by an axially adjustable coupling mechanism includes rotating the second hub portion relative to the first hub portion. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein coupling the first hub portion to a second hub portion by an axially adjustable coupling mechanism includes moving the second hub portion axially relative to the first hub portion without rotating the second hub portion relative to the first hub portion. 
     
     
         18 . A cable reel kit, the kit comprising:
 a first flange including a first hub portion, wherein the first hub portion includes a first part of an axially adjustable coupling mechanism; and   a second flange having a second hub portion, wherein the first hub portion includes a second part of an axially adjustable coupling mechanism and the first part and the second part of the axially adjustable coupling mechanism are configured to mate to provide a plurality of stable axial positions of the axially adjustable coupling mechanism.   
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18 , further comprising a first support frame and a second support frame configured to support the first flange and the second flange, respectively, wherein the first support frame and second support frame are configured to allow the first flange and second flange to rotate freely relative to the first support frame and the second support frame. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 19 , further comprising a cover configured to cover the first support frame, the second support frame, the first flange and the second flange.