Elastic spool protector

Abstract

A device is provided for protecting a spool, such as, for example, a wire reel. An example of the device is useful for both preventing damage to spools and permitting damaged spools to be continued to be used. The elastic spool protector may include a disk-shaped member and a rim portion. In one example, an elastic spool protector is capable of being positioned on a flange of a wire reel. In one example, and an edge region of a flange may be received between a main portion and a lip portion of the elastic spool protector. The elastic spool protector may include one or more of various elastomeric materials.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A spool protector, comprising:
 a substantially disk-shaped first portion;   a substantially disk-shaped second portion, configured to be positioned opposite said first portion to define a space between said first and second portions capable of receiving at least a portion of a flange of a spool;   an outer portion extending from said first portion to said second portion;   wherein said outer portion is configured to cover an outer edge circumference of said flange of said spool;   wherein said first portion is configured to extend along and cover at least part of an outside face of said flange, and said second portion is configured to extend along and cover at least part of an inside face of said flange; and   wherein said first and second portions and said outer portion are separate from said flange, and are configured to be removed from said flange.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said first portion comprises a center opening. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said second portion is a fraction of the size of said first portion, and is adapted to avoid contact with wire surrounding a spool drum proximate to said flange. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second portions and said outer portion are each capable of covering and reinforcing damaged portions of said flange. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said spool protector is configured to be removed from said flange without affecting the structure of said flange. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said outer portion is curved. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said first, second and outer portions of said spool protector each comprise an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said outer portion extends from an outermost circumferential edge of said first portion to an outermost circumferential edge of said second portion. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said first and second portions are configured to be positioned parallel to one another. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said first, second and outer portions of said spool protector define a single structural unit. 
     
     
         11 . A spool rim cover, comprising:
 an elastomeric disk or ring shaped member configured to snugly and removably fit over the outer perimeter of a rim of a spool;   wherein said member is configured to fit over the circular extent of the rim and extend at least part way over an inner face of the rim and at least part way over an outer face of the rim when installed on the rim.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein said member is configured to avoid contact with wire surrounding a spool drum proximate to said flange. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein said member includes a first portion configured to extend at least part way over said outer face, a second portion configured to extend at least part way over said inner face, and a third portion configured to extend between said first and second portions. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said first and second portions are configured to be positioned parallel to one another. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said third portion is configured to cover said outer perimeter of said rim. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said second portion is smaller than said first portion. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said second portion includes a center opening dimensioned to prevent said second portion from contacting wire located at a drum of said spool. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said first portion comprises an opening smaller than said center opening of said second portion. 
     
     
         19 . A wire reel spool protector, comprising:
 a substantially disk-shaped first portion;   a substantially disk-shaped second portion, configured to be positioned parallel to said first portion to define a space between said first and second portions capable of receiving an outer extent of a flange of a wire reel spool;   an outer portion extending from an outermost circumferential edge of said first portion to an outermost circumferential edge of said second portion;   wherein said outer portion is configured to cover an outer edge circumference of said flange of said wire reel spool;   wherein said first portion is configured to extend along and cover at least part of an outside face of said flange, and said second portion is configured to extend along and cover at least part of an inside face of said flange; and   wherein said first and second portions and said outer portion are separate from said flange, and are configured to be removed from said flange without affecting the structure of said flange.   
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein said first, second and outer portions of said spool protector define a single structural unit, and each comprise an elastomeric material.