WO2012056480A1

WO2012056480A1 - Spool for storing a filiform element such as a cable, a rope or the like

Info

Publication number: WO2012056480A1
Application number: PCT/IT2010/000430
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giancarlo Bartolucci
Original assignee: Tait S.R.L. A Socio Unico; Computer House-Prato; Giannini, David
Priority date: 2010-10-25
Filing date: 2010-10-25
Publication date: 2012-05-03

Abstract

Spool (1) for storing a filiform element such as a cable, a rope or the like, comprises a support portion (2) around which a filiform element can be wound and a pair of side panels (3) facing each other and applied to the drum (2) to define, in cooperation with the drum (2), an annular seat (4) able to hold said filiform material wound over the drum (2). The spool (1) can be reversibly shifted between an operative configuration in which said side panels (3) are retained in a spaced apart position by the drum (2)', and a storage and transfer configuration in which said side panels (3) can be moved close to each other to reduce the external overall dimensions of the spool (1).

Description

SPOOL FOR STORING A FILIFORM ELEMENT

SUCH AS A CABLE, A ROPE OR THE LIKE Technical Field- of the Invention

The object of the present invention is a spool for storing a filiform element such as a cable (for example an electric cable), a rope or the like.

State-of- the-Art

In particular, the present invention applies to the sector for storing reels of filiform material wound over suitable supports.

Universally known in various applications are supports (similar to sprockets) for storing filiform materials, said supports being made up of a central cylindrical body over which the filiform material is wound, said cylindrical support being provided with walls or side edges which define an annular seat for holding the wound filiform material .

Said supports are made of wood and assembled by means of screws, nails or other traditional systems.

The major disadvantage of said known supports is due to their overall dimensions which, upon the storage and transfer stage, require a considerable housing space.

In particular, it will be enough to point out that such supports exhibit an external diameter, in correspondence of the side edges, which may exceed one meter, so that the overall dimensions of same supports are evidently large. Moreover, the particular geometry of said supports- cannot but to hardly rationally exploit the storage spaces, owing to the considerable volume occupied by the annular seat intended to hold the reeled material. Actually, the bulkiness of such supports is the same whether they are full (that is, with the material wound thereon) or empty. Besides, the production of such known supports brings about problems of wood consumption: recycling of material, duration, supply of wood, etc.

Detailed Description

In this context, the specific technical object of the present invention is to provide a spool for storing a filiform element such as a cable, a rope or the like, able to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks.

In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a spool for storing a filiform element such as a cable, a rope or the like, able to optimize (and especially reducing) the space necessary for the storage and transfer thereof .

A further object of the present invention is to provide a spool for storing a filiform element such as a cable, a rope or the like, which exhibits a long service life.

The above indicated technical objects and specified purposes are substantially obtained by providing a spool for storing a filiform element such as a cable, a rope or the like, comprising the technical characteristics set forth in one more of the annexed claims.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more evident from the indicative, and thus non limitative, description of one preferred, but non exclusive embodiment of a spool for storing a filiform element such as a cable, a rope or the like, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

- Fig. 1 is a lateral view of a first embodiment of a spool, according to the present invention, in an operative configuration apt to store a filiform element such as a cable, a rope or the like;

- Fig. 2 is a side view, with some parts taken away to best illustrate others, of the spool shown Fig. 1 in an intermediate closing configuration; - Fig. 3 is a side view, with some parts taken away to best illustrate others, of the spool shown in Fig. 1 in a closed storage configuration;

- Fig. 4 is a side view of the spool of Fig. 1 in the storage and transfer configuration;

- Fig. 5 shows a first face of a side panel of the spool shown in Fig . 1 ;

- Fig. 6 shows a second face of the panel shown in Fig. 5;

- Fig. 7 is a front view of an inner component of the spool shown in Fig. 1;

- Fig. 8 is a front view of the component shown in Fig. 7;

- Fig. 9 is a side view of a portion of the drum for supporting the spool shown in Fig. 1;

- Fig. 10 is a front view of the portion shown in Fig. 9; - Fig. 11 is a side view, with some parts taken away to best illustrate others, of a second embodiment of the spool, according to the present invention, in an intermediate configuration;

- Fig. 12 is a front view of an inner portion of the spool shown in Fig. 11;

- Figs. 13A and 13B illustrate two components of a third embodiment of the spool according to the present invention, in a disassembled configuration; and

- Figs. 14 and 15 are section views of the spool shown in Figs. 1-10, in two different operative configurations.

According to the attached figures, numeral 1 indicates in whole a spool for storing a filiform element (not shown) such as a cable, a rope or the like.

Within the scope of the present invention, the term "spool" in the description that follows will indicate only the support on which the filiform element is wound, and will not include, therefore, the filiform element wound thereon. The spool 1 comprises a support portion 2, around which the filiform element can be wound, and a pair of side panels (or edges) 3 facing each other and applied to the support portion 2 on opposite sides thereof.

The two side panels 3 define, in cooperation with the support portion 2, an annular seat 4 intended to hold the filiform element being wound on the support portion 2.

The side panels 3 develop about an axis "X" , which coincides with the axis of rotation of spool 1 during the operations of winding/unwinding of the filiform element, and are disposed coaxially to each other.

Preferably, the side panels 3 has circular shape (disc shaped) substantially axial symmetrically about the axis "X" .

Advantageously, the spool 1 can be reversibly shifted between an operative configuration (Fig. 1) in which . the side panels 3 are retained in a spaced apart position by the support portion 2, and a storage and transfer configuration (Figs. 3 and 4) in which side panels 3 can be moved close to each other to reduce the external overall dimensions of the spool 1.

Figs. 1 to 9 show a first embodiment of the spool according to the present invention.

According to this embodiment, the support portion 2 comprises a plurality of foldable arms 5 uniformly distributed about the axis "X" and intended to directly support the filiform element.

Each foldable arm 5 comprises a first part 5a and a second part 5b connected to one another by a respective intermediate hinge 6.

At the free ends thereof, the two parts 5a, 5b are each connected to a respective side panel 3 by end hinges 7.

In other words, each arm 5 exhibits an intermediate hinge 6 which divides it into two half arms (or staves) 5a, 5b pivoted to one other. The intermediate hinge 6 and the end hinge 7 of each foldable arm 5 define axes of rotation parallel to each other. The axes of rotation of hinges 6, 7 are perpendicular to said axis "X" of spool 1 and, preferably, they all lie in a plane parallel to the plane in which the two side panels 3 develop.

Advantageously, each foldable arm 5 is apt to take up a configuration stretched out between the two side panels 3 (Fig. 1), in correspondence of said operative configuration of spool 1, and is also apt to take up a configuration folded over itself (Fig. 3) in correspondence of said storage and transfer configuration of spool 1.

In other words, in the stretched out configuration (Fig. 1) the two parts 5a, 5b of each foldable arm 5 are lined up to each other, that is, they define one external, continuous, uniform surface generated by the union of the two external surfaces of the two individual parts 5a, 5b.

Preferably, in the operative configuration of spool 1, the foldable arms 5 are oriented substantially perpendicularly to the side panels 3 and define, in cooperation to each other, a support drum 8 having a substantially continuous, external surface 9 shaped as a cylinder or a barrel which, preferably, develops substantially in an axial symmetric fashion about said axis "X" .

In other words, the support portion 2 is defined by a drum 8 subdivided into foldable segments (each defined by a foldable arm 5) hinged to each other and to the side panels 3.

The cylinder or barrel-like shape of the drum 8 is obtained by giving the two parts 5a, 5b of foldable arms 5 a rounded shape, with their concavity facing the axis "X", that is, by having their section, in a view taken on a plane perpendicular to the axis "X", arch-shaped with concavity facing the axis "X" . To obtain this, at least the intermediate hinges 6 are disposed on the relevant foldable arms 5 in a position facing the axis "X" so that, in the stretched out configuration, they cannot be visible from the outside and do not interfere with the continuity of the external surface 9 of drum 8 when shifting from one part 5a to the other 5b of the foldable arms 5.

Accordingly, the external surface 9 of drum 8, in the operative configuration of spool 1, is preferably formed without through apertures facing the axis "X" . In particular, in the operative configuration between the side-by-side foldable arms 5, these result so close to each other that no gap is left and, therefore, the drum 8 is given the said continuous external surface 9.

Advantageously, the two parts 5a, 5b of each foldable arm 5 reach a limit position of rotation in correspondence of said stretched out configuration so as to prevent any further rotation towards the axis "X" . This is obtained, for example, by a suitable abutment of front walls mutually facing the two parts 5a, 5b, and by a "low" position of the intermediate hinge 6 which is disposed on the two parts 5a, 5b facing the axis "X". In this circumstance, once the stretched out configuration (in which there is alignment between the two parts 5a, 5b, and the foldable arm 5 is therefore straight or substantially straight) is reached, any further rotation is no longer possible and the spool 1 can thus be kept retained in the operative position by the stabilizing action of the filiform element wound around the support portion 2. The more the filiform element is wound, the more the operative configuration of spool 1 becomes rigid.

In the storage and transfer configuration (Fig. 3) the two parts 5a, 5b of each foldable arm 5 take up, instead, an orientation substantially lying in abutment against a respective side panel 3.

Preferably, in -the storage and transfer configuration, the two parts 5a, 5b of each foldable arm 5 (which lie one against the other and against the side panels 3) are fully enclosed by the side panels 3. In other words, in such configuration, the arms 5 do not protrude radially from the side panels 3 since their extension respect to the axis "X" is less than the external diameter of same side panels 3. According to the above, therefore, the spool 1 is able to take up an "accordion" -like configuration owing to the hinges 6, 7, and this allows the two side panels 3 to move close to, and away from each other in the direction of the axis "X". It thus follows that, in the storage and transfer configuration, the two side panels 3 are at the minimum distance from each other and cause the foldable arms 5 to become compacted in a folded position, while the annular seat 4 results substantially suppressed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the foldable arms 5 are in number of eight and angularly distributed about the axis "X" in an octagon- like configuration.

Advantageously, the spool 1 further comprises driving means which operate between the foldable arms 5 and at least one of the side panels 3 to promote at least the shift of the foldable arms 5 from the stretched out to the folded configurations .

Figs. 7, 8 show a first embodiment of the driving means. According to such embodiment, the driving means comprise at least one auxiliary ring 10, rotatively mounted on one of said side panels 3 to rotate about the axis "X", and rotatively coupled to the foldable arms 5 to cause a lifting of the latter away from axis "X" .

The auxiliary ring 10 is rotatively connected to the side panel 3 through suitable guide means which, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, comprise a plurality of slots 22 angularly distributed about the axis "X" and having retention pivots (or screws) 26 housed therein and solid to the side panel 3.

In greater detail, fig. 14-15, the auxiliary ring 10 has an outer profile 11 engaged to an internal surface of the foldable arms 5, while the external profile 11 of the auxiliary ring 10 and said internal surface of the foldable arms 5 are so shaped that a rotation of the auxiliary ring 10 about the axis "X", at least in one direction of rotation, will cause the said lifting of foldable arms 5. Said external profile 11 of the auxiliary ring 10 exhibits a succession of rises 12 having curvilinear profile and each being slidingly engaged with the said internal surface of a respective foldable arm 5 to provide a cam-like coupling with the foldable arm 5. In this way, a rotation of the auxiliary ring 10 will cause a progressive lifting of the foldable arm 5 away from the axis "X" .

The outline of each rise 12 is such as to move progressively away from the axis "X". In other words, each rise 12 defines a cam member intended to lift a respective foldable arm 5.

In the illustrated embodiment provision is made for a single auxiliary ring 10 mounted on one of the side panels 3 and coupled only to one of the two parts 5a, 5b of each foldable arms 5 (and, in particular, to the part 5b hinged directly to said side panel 3) .

Preferably, the auxiliary ring 10 allows the said parts 5b to perform an angular travel about the respective end hinge 7 of minor extent than the whole angular travel (which is about 90 degrees) run by the same part 5b when the spool 1 shifts from the operative configuration to the storage and transfer configuration. Preferably, the rotation of the auxiliary ring 10 for achieving the said lifting effect ranges from 20 to 25 degrees, and is more preferably of about 22.5 degree.

The auxiliary ring 10, which is disposed within a substantially cylindrical space enclosed by the foldable arms 5 and the side panel 3 to which the auxiliary ring 10 (fig. 5-6) is connected, exhibits at least one through aperture 13 allowing an operator to drive the same auxiliary ring 10 into rotation.

Preferably, there are provided two through apertures 13 disposed diametrally opposite with respect to the axis "X" to allow the passage of engagement means, for example a pivot "P" (Fig. 7) connectable to a bar having the function of a handle and rotatable about the axis "X") .

The said through apertures 13 are shaped as an extended slot allowing the said pivot "P" to slide therein during the rotation of the auxiliary ring 10.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the trough apertures 13 comprise at one end a broadening 27 of the section able to allow the insertion of a blocking element

(not shown) fixed on the opposite lateral panel 3, or on the lateral panel 3 on which the said auxiliary ring 10 is mounted.

In use, once the spool 1 is closed, it is sufficient to rotate the blocking element inside the apertures 13 to maintain the spool 1 in the closed position, in order to avoid possible accidental opening during transport and\or storage .

Advantageously, therefore, the driving means also provide for blocking the foldable arms 5 in the said operative configuration (both in the open and close position) .

Figs. 14 and 15 show in detail the blocking function performed by the driving means . As shown in these figures, the auxiliary ring 10 exhibits, in correspondence of each foldable arm 5, a detent 24 (visible also in Fig. 7) intended to retain a respective peg (or screw) 25 formed on, or applied to the foldable arm 5 in the operative position. Such detent 24 disengages instead from the peg 25 in the storage and transfer position owing to the rotation of the auxiliary ring 10 which takes the detent 24 to a position that cannot interfere with the peg 25.

In greater detail, the peg 25 extends transversally to the axis "X" and preferably along a direction incident with the axis "X" , and develops from a lower surface of the arm 5 (in the part 5b thereof closer to the auxiliary ring 10) in the direction of axis "X" .

Preferably, moreover, the engagement between the peg 25 and detent 24 takes place in a point closer to the axis "X" with respect to the respective hinge 7: in this way, a rotation of the part 5b of foldable arm 5 about the end hinge 7 is cause for a displacement of the head 25a (facing the axis "X") of peg 25 along a direction parallel to the axis "X", so that the head 25a of peg 25 comes to abut against the detent 24 in the operative configuration shown in Fig. 14. In this condition, the foldable arm 5 is prevented from bending and is forced to remain in stretched out configuration.

Advantageously, moreover, the head 25a of peg 25 also defines a cam follower slidingly engaged with the external profile 11 of the auxiliary ring 10 to determine a lifting of the foldable arms 5 as a consequence of the rotation of same auxiliary ring 10.

As far as the detent 24 is concerned, this is preferably formed in a portion of the auxiliary ring 10 axially offset (on the side opposite to the side panel 3 to which the auxiliary ring 10 is applied) with respect to the rises 12 so that the head 25a of peg 25 be able to engage, simultaneously or in succession, with the respective rise 12 during the lifting of the foldable arm 5 and with detent 24 in the operative position.

Preferably, the detent 24 is angularly disposed about the axis "X" in correspondence of the portion of relevant rise 12 having minor diameter. In this way, starting from the operative portion (of retention, Fig. 1), and following the rotation of the auxiliary ring 10, the peg 25 can overtake the detent 24 without undergoing an appreciable lifting which, otherwise, would cause a sensible displacement of the head 25a toward the detent 24, with consequent seizure of the system for lifting the arms 5.

Once the detent 24 is overtaken, the peg 25 continues its sliding onto the external profile of rise 12, thereby covering the whole lifting travel provided for the foldable arm 5. In this final driving stage, the detent 24 does not interfere any longer with the peg 25 inasmuch as it is angularly disengaged from the latter (Fig. 15) .

Figs. 11 and 12 show a second embodiment of the driving means .

According to such embodiment, the driving means comprise, for each foldable arm 5, a linear actuator 14 interposed between at least one of the side panels 3 and at least one of the two parts 5a, 5b of the foldable arm 5.

According with the illustrated embodiment, the linear actuator 14 is of screw/lead screw type and comprises a screw 15 rotatively mounted on the side panel, and a lead screw 16 rotatively coupled to the screw 15.

The screw 15 is disposed in a direction perpendicular to the axis "X" and preferably incident with the axis "X" so as to cause the lead screw 16 to move close to, and away from the axis "X" owing to the rotation of screw 15. The driving means further comprise a connecting rod 17, having a first end applied to the lead screw 16 and a second end, opposite to the first, applied to the part 5b of the foldable arm 5 which is hinged to the side panel 3 having applied the actuator 14 thereon.

The screw 15 is provided with manoeuvring portion 18 driven into motion by the same screw 15 about the axis thereof to lift or lower the connecting rod 17.

Preferably, the manoeuvring portion 18 is a toothed wheel. The manoeuvring portions 18 of all the linear actuators 14 are simultaneously engaged with a single driving member - operable by a user, for example by hand.

In . the illustrated embodiment, the manoeuvring portions 18 of all the linear actuators 14 are simultaneously engaged with a toothed crown 19 which is rotatively mounted on the side panel 3 to which the linear actuator 14 is applied, as is clearly visible in fig. 12.

The toothed crown 19 rotates about the axis "X" and is manually operable by a user (for example through a pinion 20 connected to a screw-rotatable handle) to make the spool

1 shifting from said operative configuration to storage- transfer configuration and vice versa.

Figs. 13A and 13B show a different embodiment of the spool according to the present invention.

According to such embodiment, and with particular reference to fig. 13b, the support portion 2 comprises a hollow drum 8, preferably formed in one piece, having a substantially cylindrical external surface 9, which is removably applicable to the side panels 3, preferably by means of bayonet joints 21.

Such bayonet joints 21 comprise recesses 21a formed on the side panels 3, and protruding hooks 21b provided on both the heads of drum 8. In this configuration, the coupling between drum 8 and side panels 3 is made by first moving the drum and side panels close to each other and then driving them into a mutual rotation to obtain the engagement of the protruding hooks 21b onto the recesses 21a.

In all the embodiment herein described and illustrated, the side panels 3 may exhibit, in correspondence of their external face (that, is, the face on the side opposite to the support portion 2) a plurality of seats 23 for housing spacers (not shown) intended to space apart side panels 3 of spools 1 being piled up in a storage and transfer configuration, in order to avoid any possible damage to spools 1 by rubbing during storage and\or transport and to facilitate gripping by manual or automatic transporting means .

Such seats 23 are preferably made up in the form of blind holes .

Preferably, the spool 1 (and in particular the support portion 2, side panels 3 and auxiliary ring 10) is made from plastic material, for example polyethylene PE HD.

Advantageously, moreover, a device of RFI type for writing and/or reading information can be housed within the side panels 3. Such RFI device is preferably embedded in the plastic material the side panels 3 are made of.

In said plastic material from which the side panels 3 are made, a GPS device may also be housed for instantaneously monitoring the position of spool 1.

The present invention achieves the proposed objects by overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art .

The "shrinkable" configuration of the spool, being obtained by making the support portion "accordion" like, allows a high degree of reduction of the overall dimensions which can save up to 70% of volume with respect to the one-piece spools of known type. A considerable reduction of the spool's overall dimensions is obtained also by the embodiment shown in Figs. 13A and 13B in which the parts thereof can be disassembled.

Moreover, the construction of the whole spool in plastic material allows a sensible increase of the spool's service life inasmuch as the same spool results less affected by wear and weather conditions.

Moreover, the use of plastic material makes it possible to eliminate the drawbacks deriving from the supply, consumption and recycling of wood.

Claims

1. Spool (1) for storing a filiform element such as a cable, a rope or the like, comprising:

- a support portion (2) around which said filiform element can be wound;

- a pair of side panels (3) facing each other and applied to said support portion (2) on opposite sides thereof to define, in cooperation with said support portion (2) , an annular seat (4) for holding the filiform material wound on the support portion (2) ;

characterized in that it can be reversibly shifted between an operative configuration in which said side panels (3) are retained in spaced apart positions by said support portion (2), and a storage and transfer configuration in which said side panels (3) are kept blocked in a position of proximity to reduce the external overall dimensions of said spool (1) .

2. Spool according to claim 1, wherein said support portion

(2) comprises a plurality of foldable arms (5) uniformly distributed about the axis (X) and intended to directly support said filiform element, and having a first end connected to one of said side panels (3) and a second end, opposite to the first, connected to the other side panel

(3) ; each of said foldable arms (5) being apt to take up a configuration stretched out between the two side panels (3) in correspondence of said operative configuration of spool (1) , and being also apt to take up a configuration folded over itself in correspondence of said storage and transfer configuration of spool (1) .

3. Spool according to claim 2, wherein said foldable arms

(5) define, in said operative configuration, a support drum (8) having a substantially continuous external surface (9) shaped as a cylinder or a barrel developing about said axis (X) .

4. Spool according to claim 3, wherein said external surface (9) , in said operative configuration, is without through apertures facing the axis (X) .

5. Spool according to any of claims 2 to 4 , wherein each of said foldable arms (5) is rotatively connected to said side panels (3) through respective end hinges (7) and exhibits also an intermediate hinge (6) which subdivides said foldable arm (5) into two parts (5a, 5b) , each extending between the intermediate hinge (6) and an end hinge (7) , and wherein each part (5a, 5b) of said foldable arms (5) takes up an orientation substantially perpendicular to said side panels (3) in said operative configuration of spool (1) and takes up, instead, an orientation substantially lying in abutment against a respective one of said side panel (3) in said storage and transfer configuration of spool (1) .

6. Spool according to claim 5, wherein the end hinges (7) and intermediate hinge (6) of each foldable arm (5) define axes of rotation parallel to each other.

7. Spool according to any of previous claims, further comprising driving means (10; 14, 17, 19) which operate between said foldable arms (5) and at least one of said side panels (3) to promote at least the shift of the foldable arms (5) from the stretched out to the folded configurations.

8. Spool according to claim 7, wherein said driving means (10; 14, 17, 19) comprise an auxiliary ring (10) rotatively coupled to said foldable arms (5) to rotate about said axis (X) , and having an external profile (11) engaged with an internal surface of said foldable arms (5) , and wherein said external profile (11) of the auxiliary ring (10) and said internal surface of the foldable arms (5) are so shaped that a rotation of the auxiliary ring (10) about said axis (X) , at least in one direction of rotation, will cause a lifting of the foldable arm (5) away from said axis (X) .

9. Spool according to claim 8, wherein said auxiliary ring (10) is rotatively coupled to one of said side panels (3) to rotate about said axis (X) and is disposed within a space enclosed by said foldable arms (5) , and wherein the side panel (3) connected to the auxiliary ring (10) exhibits at least one through aperture (13) allowing an operator to drive the auxiliary ring (10) into rotation.

10. Spool according to claim 9, wherein said external profile (11) of the auxiliary ring (10) exhibits a succession of rises (12) having curvilinear profile, each being engaged in sliding relationship with a respective foldable arm (5) to provide a cam- like coupling with the foldable arm (5) , so that a rotation of the auxiliary ring (10) will cause a progressive lifting of the foldable arm (5) away from said axis and respective blocking of the foldable arm (5) .

11. Spool according to claims 5 and 10, wherein said auxiliary ring (10) is engaged in sliding relationship with one (5b) of the two parts (5a, 5b) of each foldable arm (5) and causes an angular travel of said part (5b) about the respective end hinge (7) lower than the whole angular travel run by the same part (5b) when the spool (1) shifts from the operative configuration to the storage and transfer configurations.

12. Spool according to claim 7, wherein said driving means (10) also cause a retention of said foldable arms (5) in said operative configuration.

13. Spool according to claim 12, wherein said driving means comprise, a detent (24) engageable with a respective peg (25) of the foldable arm (5) to maintain said foldable arm (5) in the stretched out configuration by retaining said peg (25), and wherein said detent (24) is movable about said axis (X) between a retention position in which it intercepts said peg (25) to maintain the foldable arm (5) in the stretched out configuration, and in a release position, angularly spaced from said retention position, in which it releases said peg (25) to allow said foldable arm (5) to shift from the stretched out position to the folded position.

14. Spool according to claims 11 and 13, wherein said peg (25) is slidingly engaged with a respective one of said rises (12) to cause said angular travel of said part (5b) of foldable arm (5) , and wherein said peg (25) is disposed on the respective foldable arm (5) in such a position as to be able, during the rotation of the foldable arm (5) from the stretched out configuration to the folded configuration, to run a travel along said axis (X) in direction of said detent (24) .

15. Spool according to claim 14, wherein said detent (24) is disposed in axially offset position along said axis (X) with respect to said rises (12) , and preferably offset away from the side panel (3) to which said auxiliary ring (10) is applied.

16. Spool according to claim 7 when dependent on claim 5, wherein said driving means (10; 14, 17, 19) comprise, for each foldable arm (5) , a linear actuator (14) interposed between at least one of the side panels (3) and at least one (5b) of said two parts (5a, 5b) of the foldable arm (5) .

17. Spool according to claim 16, wherein said linear actuator (14) comprises an actuator of screw/lead screw type.

18. Spool according to claim 16 or 17, wherein said linear actuator (14) comprises a screw (15) rotatively mounted on said side panel (3) and disposed along a direction incident with said axis (X) , and a lead screw (16) rotatively coupled to the screw (15) to be driven into motion close to, and away from said axis (X) owing to the rotation of said screw (15) ; and wherein said driving means (10; 14, 17, 19) comprise a connecting rod (17) having a first end applied to said lead screw (16) and a second end, opposite to the first, applied to the part (5b) of foldable arm (5) and hinged to said side panel (3) .

19. Spool according to claim 18, wherein said driving means (10; 14, 17, 19) furhter comprise a toothed crown (19) rotatable about said axis (X) and simulatenously engaged in meshing relationship with respective maneuvring portion (18) of all said screws (15) , said toothed crown (19) being manually operable by a user to cause the spool (1) to shift from said operative configuration to said storage and transfer configuration, and vice versa.

20. Spool according to claim 1, wherein said support portion (2) comprises a hollow drum (8) having an external surface (9) of substantially cylinder or barrel-like shape, and wherein said hollow drum is removably applicable to said side panels (3) .

21. Spool according to claim 20, wherein said hollow drum (8) and said side panels (3) are steadily connectable by means of bayonet joints (21) .

22. Spool according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said side panels (3) and said support portion (2) are made of plastic material, preferably of polyethylene.