Electric cord reel construction

Claim 2

In an electric cord reel, a unitary construction member adapted to serve as a support for substantially the remaining parts of the reel, said unitary member comprising a plastic, generally tubular hub portion having a radially extending integral plastic flange adjacent one end, and an internal plastic wall member extending generally radially across the tubular hub portion to divide it into housing chambers on opposite sides of the wall member, a second flange secured adjacent the free end of the hub portion, a shaft extending through said flanges anD wall member substantially coaxially of the tubular hub portion and adapted for relative rotation therewith, a coiled spring stationed in one of said housing chambers having portions thereof secured to the hub portion in said one chamber and to the shaft, a commutator block carried in the other of said housing chambers, at least one pair of integral, spaced-apart ribs extending from that side of the wall member facing the housing chamber containing the commutator block to serve as strain-relief means for insulated electric cord or the like, ratchet means carried by the shaft, and pawl means carried by one of said flanges engageable with said ratchet means.

Claim 3

In an electric cord reel, a unitary construction member adapted to serve as a support for substantially the remaining parts of the reel, said unitary member comprising a plastic, generally tubular hub portion having a radially extending integral plastic flange adjacent one end, and an internal plastic wall member extending generally radially across the tubular hub portion to divide it into housing chambers on opposite sides of the wall member, a second flange secured adjacent the free end of the hub portion, a plastic shaft having integral ratchet means adjacent one end extending its opposite end through said flanges and wall member substantially coaxially of the tubular hub portion and adapted for relative rotation therewith, a coiled spring stationed in one of said housing chambers having portions thereof secured to the hub portion in said one chamber and to the shaft, the internal periphery of the plastic hub portion of the other of said housing chambers having integrally formed, axially extending notched portions, a commutator block in said other housing chamber having tab portions adapted to seat in said notched portions, and pawl means carried with respect to a flange adjacent said ratchet means of the shaft for engagement therewith.

Claim 4

In an electric cord reel, a unitary construction member adapted to serve as a support for substantially the remaining parts of the reel, said unitary member comprising a plastic, generally tubular hub portion having a radially extending integral plastic flange adjacent one end, and an internal plastic wall member extending generally radially across the tubular hub portion to divide it into housing chambers on opposite sides of the wall member, a second flange secured adjacent the free end of the hub portion, a plastic shaft having integral ratchet means adjacent one end extending its opposite end through said flanges and wall member substantially coaxially of the tubular hub portion and adapted for relative rotation therewith, a coiled spring stationed in one of said housing chambers having portions thereof secured to the hub portion in said one chamber and to the shaft, the internal periphery of the plastic hub portion of the other of said housing chambers having integrally formed, axially extending notched portions, a commutator block in said other housing chamber having tab portions adapted to seat in said notched portions, and pawl means carried with respect to a flange adjacent said ratchet means of the shaft for engagement therewith.

Claim 5

The electric cord reel construction of claim 2 wherein said plastic wall member has a shaft opening and an integral plastic hollow projection coaxial with said opening extending from the wall member into one of said housing chambers to define a bearing for said shaft.

Claim 6

The electric cord reel construction of claim 3 wherein said hollow projection extends into the housing chamber containing the commutator block, and said projection has an offset portion defining a seat for said block.

Claim 7

The electric cord reel construction of claim 3 wherein said hollow projection extends into the housing chamber containing the commutator block, and said shaft has an offset portion to seat against the other side of the wall member.

Claim 8

The electric cord reel construction of claim 2 wherein said commutator block is removable with respect to said notched portions.

Claim 9

The electric cord reel construction of claim 2 wherein said plastic wall member has a shaft opening and an integral, plastic, hollow projection coaxial with said opening extending from a side of the wall member into the housing chamber containing the commutator block to define a bearing for said shaft, and said plastic shaft has an offset portion to seat against the other side of the wall member.

Claim 10

The electric cord reel construction of claim 2 wherein said second flange has a press fit on said free end of the hub portion.

Claim 11

The electric cord reel construction of claim 2 wherein the free end of said hub portion has a plurality of axially extending, circumferentially spaced tab portions, and said second flange has openings to receive said tab portions and mount the flange thereon.

Claim 12

The electric cord reel construction of claim 2 wherein said second flange is metallic.

Claim 13

The electric cord reel construction of claim 2 wherein that side of the wall member facing the housing chamber containing the coiled spring has an integral plastic rib extending therefrom for attachment with one of said portions of the spring to define said securance of the spring to the hub portion.