Portable and adjustable reeled wire dispenser

Abstract

A portable and adjustable reeled wire dispenser having a base platform with first and second side walls extending upwardly from the base platform and a plurality of adjustable rotatable members for accommodating various reel sizes to assist an individual in the installation of electric, cable wire or other material.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The instant invention relates generally to wire dispensers, and in particular to a portable and adjustable wire dispenser for accommodating various sizes of spools, preferably to assist individuals at construction locations and industrial sites.

2. Description of the Related Art

The use of insulated electrical wire is widespread and is available to construction contractors, electricians, hobbyists and homeowners at most hardware stores. The wire is generally obtained from a wholesaler or maker in standard sized coils which are wrapped and held in a coil configuration by ties for transport or handling. The retailer, such as the hardware store, must uncoil the wire to measure and sell desired lengths to a customer. These coils generally have the same inner diameter, but the cross section of the coil may vary, depending on the size of wire.

The use of wire dispensers for electrical wire, cable or any other material wrapped in a coil configuration is known in the art. These wire dispensers are designed to make the installation of wire an easier and quicker operation. Electricians regularly use large quantities of electrical wire during installation at either commercial or residential locations. In addition, various other technicians and contractors use wire dispensers to assist in the installation of many materials, including cable, copper and rope.

The instant invention relates to a portable and adjustable wire dispenser that assists an individual during the installation of wire, for example while attempting to install electrical wire. Many devices have been developed to provide some type of assistance to individuals engaged in the installation of wire, especially contractors and electricians who often dispense large quantities of electrical wire. Ultimately, it is the design goal for such an apparatus to provide a wire dispenser that is portable and adjustable to accommodate various sizes of spools and reels, wherein the apparatus utilizes a plurality of rotatable members that allow for a reel to freely rotate when in use.

Presently, there are several wire dispensers that employ a variety of means to assist an individual during the installation of such wire. One of the most common types of devices for dispensing wire involves placing a tube or some type of cylindrical object through the open core of the reel and then elevating the reel onto some type of support stand for operation. However, this apparatus requires an individual to physically lift the reel off of the ground and place it on the support stand, which make prove a difficult task depending on the weight of the reel. Furthermore, there is a limit to the amount of weight that the support stand could withstand from a reel, thereby prohibiting the use of larger and heavier wire reels. Lastly, some of the wire dispensers are not able accommodate different sizes, which requires multiple apparatus to handle a variety of reels.

A large number of wire dispensers are known in the art, and in fact are in wide use in the industry. But there exists in the art no portable and adjustable wire dispensers that employ a base platform with a plurality of adjustable rotatable members used to accommodate a range of reel sizes while also eliminating the need to elevate the reel for rotation.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,263 to Storimans discloses a nonmagnetic bulk feeder for feeding electronic components one at a time into a lead forming machine, wherein the feeder comprises a hopper and a chute for loading the components into the hopper.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,908,060 to Hibbs discloses a retail electrical wire reel caddy that has a steel frame which may be rested upright, wherein the upper portion of the caddy serves as a handle. The back possesses a slightly angled configuration allowing for easy grasping in order to lift from a prone to an upright position. The caddy has a shaft extending forward from a mounting plate located on the back vertical portion of the frame, the frame having a forward extending base portion extending beneath the reel for stability.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,232 to Lambert Jr. discloses a tangle-free wire dispenser for transporting and simultaneously dispensing single and multiple wires in any direction. The wire dispenser comprises a boxlike outer frame, with wheeled legs, a parallel inner shaft, with perpendicular spool holders thereon, and spool tension bars.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,085 to Letoumeau discloses a dispenser for stiff resilient wire such as guy wire. The dispenser comprises a box-shape casing having an upwardly rearward opening diagonal cover and a removable mounted rotating spool therein on three corner-mounted transverse rollers in the casing with one transverse roller in the cover.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,449 to Stutzman et al. discloses an apparatus for storage and subsequent unwinding and reeling of an associated hose for use particularly in recreational vehicle application, wherein a flexible hose is wound about a central drum and is in fluid communication with a central spindle.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,647 to Browning discloses a portable, cable feeding or dispensing device having a base adapted to be placed on and rest firmly on a floor, the ground or other support, wherein stanchions are affixed to the base and extending generally normally there from, and wherein the stanchions contains shoulders that are formed by notches in an edge of each shoulder, and a spool assembly having a hub.

In summary, investigation of these disclosed devices illustrates that presently, there is no single device known in the art or combination thereof that meets the requirements of a portable and adjustable wire dispenser that utilizes a plurality of adjustable rotatable members situated on a base platform, enabling the use of various sizes of reels on the single apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention, as described further herein, imparts a novel wire, hose, rope, cord dispenser which encompasses the advantages of other wire dispensers, but creates flexibility in the size of reel an individual desires to use based on the adjustability of the rotatable members. The instant invention as illustrated herein, is clearly not anticipated, rendered obvious, or even present in any of the prior art mechanisms, either alone or in any combination thereof.

The primary object of the instant invention is to provide an apparatus capable of dispensing wire material, wherein the apparatus contains a plurality of adjustable rotatable members to accommodate varying sizes of reels of wire.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide an apparatus capable of dispensing wire material, wherein the apparatus is portable in nature to allow an individual the option to selectively move the apparatus to different locations during the installation of wire material.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide an apparatus capable of dispensing wire material, wherein the apparatus eliminates the need for an individual to lift and elevate a reel off the ground and onto a support stand; instead the instant invention allows a reel to simply be placed on a base platform with the adjustable rotatable members.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide an apparatus capable of dispensing wire material, wherein the apparatus does not possess a weight limitation regarding different reels since the reels weight is distributed throughout the base platform and rotatable members rather than solely on a support stand.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the apparatus for dispensing wire material in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understand, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the portable and adjustable reeled wire dispenser in use having a base platform with a pair side walls and a plurality of adjustable rotatable members, and a plurality of wheels to assist an individual in moving the wire dispenser to different locations and wherein the base platform is hingedly connected to allow for easy transportation by an individual.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a coiled apparatus 10 having a base platform 12, wherein first and second side walls 14A and 14B extend upwardly from the base platform 12. Each side wall 14A and 14B contains a plurality of apertures 16 equidistantly disposed along the side walls 14A and 14B capable of receiving a plurality of rotatable members 18 for retaining a reel 20 of wire. In the preferred embodiment, the side walls 14A and 14B along with the base platform 12 are constructed from a single piece of material which is appropriately cut and shaped to produce the side walls 14A and 14B and the base platform 12 as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the side walls 14A and 14B, along with the base platform 12 may be separately constructed and attached together to form the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, using any type of standard type of fastening compound or device, such as a bolt or screw, or using any standard method such as welding, or any combination thereof.

The wire dispenser 10 further comprises a plurality of rotatable members 18 each having a first and second end 22A and 22B, wherein the rotatable members 18 support and distribute the weight of the reel 20. Each end 22A and 22B of each rotatable member 18 includes a protruding member 24 extending outwardly, wherein each protruding member 24 is receivable in each corresponding aperture 16. Each rotatable member 18, preferably a cylindrical bar is associated with the first and second side wall 14A and 14B for retaining a reel 20 of wire while also allowing the reel 20 to freely rotate to dispense wire. Each rotatable member 18 is attachable to the first and second side walls 14A and 14B by placing the first end 22A of each rotatable member 18 into the first side wall 14A such that the protruding member 24 couples with the aperture 16, and likewise placing the second end 22B of each rotatable member 18 into the second side wall 14B such that the protruding member 24 couples with the pin aperture 16. The placement of each rotatable member 18 depends on the size of the reel 20 being used, and as such, the dispenser 10 accommodates various reel sizes by simply adjusting the placement of the rotatable members 18. An individual who desires to adjust each rotatable member 18 to accommodate a different sized reel can simply depress protruding member 24 from each aperture 16 and place the rotatable member in another aperture 16. Preferably, each protruding member 24 is a pin.

In use, an individual first determines the size of reel 20 necessary for the task at hand, and after this determination is made, an individual adjusts and secures each rotatable member 18 at the appropriate location to ensure proper contact and support with the reel 20, when an individual places the reel 20 on the wire dispenser 10. Once each adjustable rotatable member 18 is secured, an individual simply needs to roll the reel onto the rotatable members 18 and can immediately begin to dispense wire. The instant invention eliminates the need to place some type of cylindrical object through the core of the reel 20, and then elevate the reel onto some type of support stand for use; rather the reel 20 in connection with the instant invention does not have to leave the ground for placement on the wire dispenser 10. Furthermore, the instant invention is not confined to one size of reel 20 for use because of the plurality of adjustable rotatable members 18 that are not locked into position as in most prior art wire dispensers.

In use, the plurality of rotatable members 18 is able to freely rotate in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise based on an individual's use and rotation of the reel 20. Additionally, multiple reels 20 are placeable on the wire dispenser 20 simultaneously for use by an individual.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 the instant invention permits easy inspection of the reel 20 in use by an individual, such that a visual inspection can be made to determine how much wire is remaining on each reel 20. Furthermore, when the reel 20 has no material left to dispense, an individual can simply remove the reel 20 without disturbing other reels in use, and easily replace the empty reel 20 with a full reel 20.

An alternate embodiments of the instant invention is shown, wherein the wire dispenser 10 contains a plurality of wheels 26 located on the base platform 12 enabling an individual to move the wire dispenser 10 while the reel is located on the dispenser 10 instead of removing the reel and carrying the dispenser 10 to another location for use. Each wheel 26 is attachable to the base platform 12 using any standard fastening means such as a bolt or screw.

While several embodiments of the instant invention have been illustrated by way of example, it is apparent that further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scope of the instant invention. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the instant invention, as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A coiling apparatus comprising:

a base platform;

a first and second side wall extending upwardly from said base platform, wherein said first and second side wall are attachable to said base platform by a fastening means;

a plurality of apertures equidistantly disposed along said first and second side wall; and

a plurality of adjustable rotatable members, wherein each rotatable member includes a first end and a second end, having a protruding member extending outwardly from each end such that each rotatable member is receivable in said first and second side by coupling each pin with each corresponding aperture.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of supporting side walls placeable against said first and second side wall.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each adjustable rotatable member comprises a cylindrical tube.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each protruding member is a pin.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a plurality of wheels are removeably attachable to the base platform by a fastening means.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the means for fastening each wheel to said base platform is selected from the group consisting of screws, bolts or rivets.

7. A portable adjustable apparatus for dispensing wire comprising:

a base platform;

a first and second side wall extending upwardly from said base platform, wherein said first and second side wall are attachable to said base platform by a fastening means;

a plurality of apertures equidistantly disposed along said first and second side wall; and

a plurality of adjustable rotatable members, wherein each rotatable member includes a first end and a second end, having a protruding member extending outwardly from each end such that each rotatable member is receivable in said first and second side by coupling each pin with each corresponding aperture.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of supporting side walls placeable against said first and second side wall.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each adjustable rotatable member comprises a cylindrical tube.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each protruding member is a pin.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a plurality of wheels are removeably attachable to the base platform by a fastening means.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for fastening each wheel to said base platform is selected from the group consisting of screws, bolts or rivets.

13. A portable adjustable apparatus for dispensing wire comprising:

a plurality of interconnected sections consisting of a base platform, a first and second side wall, wherein the first and second side wall are attachable to the base platform by a fastening means;

a plurality of apertures equidistantly disposed along said first and second side wall; and

a plurality of adjustable rotatable members, wherein each rotatable member includes a first end and a second end, having a protruding member extending outwardly from each end such that each rotatable member is receivable in said first and second side by coupling each pin with each corresponding aperture.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the means for fastening said first and second side walls to said base platform is selected from the group consisting of screws, bolts, rivets, nail plates, adhesives or welding.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of supporting side walls placeable against said first and second side wall.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each adjustable rotatable member comprises a cylindrical tube.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein each protruding member is a pin.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein a plurality of wheels are removeably attachable to the base platform by a fastening means.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the means for fastening each wheel to said base platform is selected from the group consisting of screws, bolts or rivets.