Radially flexible securing ring for cotton spool - has inclined guide slot which is radially expandable for string location

摘要

A storage spool (10) for string or cotton thread (34) has a slotted retainer ring (22) which is radially expandable. One end (24) of the retainer ring (22) has a guide slot for the string (34) so that its inclination points the closed end of the slot (26) against the direction of coiling. The flexible retainer ring (22) allows string to be coiled onto the spool, whilst it secures the free end of the string against unwanted uncoiling. To unwind the spool (10), the string has to be pulled in a tangential direction in order to overcome the clamping action of the securing ring.