US 12,139,367 B1
Apparatus and method for packaging wire or cable in a barrel or drum container
William T. Bigbee, Jr., Hawkins, TX (US); John L. Rhoads, Lewisville, TX (US); Andrew P. Hull, McKinney, TX (US); and Benjamin L. Weatherford, Princeton, TX (US)
Assigned to Encore Wire Corporation, McKinney, TX (US)
Filed by Encore Wire Corporation, McKinney, TX (US)
Filed on Jul. 24, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/225,510.
Application 18/225,510 is a continuation of application No. 17/190,980, filed on Mar. 3, 2021, granted, now 11,738,967.
Application 17/190,980 is a continuation of application No. 16/739,691, filed on Jan. 10, 2020, granted, now 10,954,099, issued on Mar. 23, 2021.
Application 16/739,691 is a continuation of application No. 16/363,906, filed on Mar. 25, 2019, granted, now 10,549,945, issued on Feb. 4, 2020.
Application 16/363,906 is a continuation of application No. 15/388,763, filed on Dec. 22, 2016, granted, now 10,294,066, issued on May 21, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/270,589, filed on Dec. 22, 2015.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B65H 75/22 (2006.01); B65H 75/14 (2006.01); B65H 75/16 (2006.01); B65H 75/36 (2006.01)
CPC B65H 75/2227 (2021.05) [B65H 75/14 (2013.01); B65H 75/16 (2013.01); B65H 75/364 (2013.01); B65H 2701/34 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for the accumulation of wire or cable, the apparatus comprising:
a collapsible reel assembly, the collapsible reel assembly comprising:
a central hollow arbor;
a plurality of radial spokes rigidly attached to the central hollow arbor;
a plurality of circular supports connected to the radial spokes; and
a plurality of integral radial inner hinge blocks connected to the circular supports.