Patents Assigned to Encore Wire Corporation
  • Patent number: 11117780
    Abstract: A reel apparatus comprising a pipe; an outer flange assembly comprising two outer support walls connected to the pipe and wherein each outer support wall comprises an inner wall and an outer wall; an inner flange assembly comprising two inner support walls, wherein the inner flange assembly is rotated relative to the outer flange assembly and the pipe and wherein each inner support wall comprises an inner wall and an outer wall; and a motor assembly connected to the inner flange assembly and outer flange assembly, wherein the motor assembly is physically connect to the outer flange assembly and wherein the motor assembly is rotationally connected to the inner flange assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Rhoads, Kevin D. Rodgers
  • Patent number: 11111100
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing wire or cable from a reel assembly. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an inner flange assembly and an outer flange assembly. The inner flange assembly is capable of freely rotating relative to the outer flange assembly for dispensing wire from any surface. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes an inner flange assembly, an outer flange assembly, and an external bay. The inner flange assembly is capable of freely rotating relative to the outer flange assembly and the external bay. The external bay is capable of freely rotation relative to the outer flange assembly and the inner flange assembly. In another embodiment, wire is dispensed from a reel assembly comprising an inner flange assembly and an outer flange assembly. In yet another embodiment, wire is dispensed from a reel assembly comprising an inner flange assembly, an outer flange assembly, and an external bay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Bigbee, Jr., John L. Rhoads
  • Patent number: 11101053
    Abstract: A composition and method for reducing the coefficient of friction and required pulling force of a wire or cable are provided. A composition of aqueous emulsion is provided that is environmentally friendly, halogen free and solvent free. The composition is compatible with various types of insulating materials and may be applied after the wire or cable is cooled and also by spraying or submerging the wire or cable in a bath. The composition contains lubricating agents that provide lower coefficient of friction for wire or cable installation and continuous wire or cable surface lubrication thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Bigbee, Jr., Sheri H. Dahlke, Ronald A. Raedeke, Jason Drew Gillen, Melvin Glenn Debord
  • Patent number: 11095100
    Abstract: An apparatus for the movement of a barrel pack containing spooled wire or cable. The apparatus comprising a frame, a handle attached to the frame, a plurality of wheels rotatably attached to the frame, securing structures attached to the frame, the securing structures securing the barrel pack to the frame and a footage counting assembly attached to the handle. The footage counting assembly counts the amount of footage of wire or cable passing through the footage counting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Abraham Hrbacek, John Lamar Rhoads, David Wayne Maxey
  • Patent number: 11046100
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a print head implemented on a wire and cable manufacturing line, the apparatus comprising a sleeve, wherein the sleeve has an internal portion and an external portion and wherein the sleeve forms an internal void marginally larger than the size of the print head and wherein the sleeve further comprises an elongated surface; a front surface connected to the elongated surface, wherein the front surface comprises an ink outlet opening; a rear surface connected to the elongated surface, wherein the rear surface comprises a cable opening; a channel connected to the internal portion of the sleeve, wherein the channel comprises an open side facing the internal void and wherein the channel on the internal portion of the sleeve extends from the rear to the front of the sleeve; an air inlet compartment in communication with the channel and enclosed by the rear surface; an air inlet in communication with the air inlet compartment; and an exhaust channel connected to the sleeve and extending from
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew P. Hull, Jeffrey T. Mileger
  • Patent number: 11040733
    Abstract: An apparatus for the transportation and dispensing of spooled wire or cable, the apparatus including a handle structure wherein the handle structure has a first end and a second end, a first support structure attached to the first end of the handle structure, a second support structure attached to the second end of the handle structure, a first spool center insert attached to the first support structure, a second spool center insert attached to the second support structure, a first leg moveably attached to the first support structure, a second leg moveably attached to the second support structure, and wherein a spool of spooled wire or cable is attached to the first and second spool center inserts during transportation and dispensing of the spooled wire or cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin D. Rodgers, John L. Rhoads
  • Patent number: 10954099
    Abstract: An apparatus for the accumulation of wire or cable, the apparatus including a collapsible reel assembly, the collapsible reel assembly including a central hollow arbor, a fixed inner support structure axially centered on and rigidly attached to the central hollow arbor, wherein the fixed inner support has a first end and a second end, a fixed flange, axially centered on and attached to the first end of the fixed inner support structure, a removable flange, axially centered on and removably attached to the second end of the fixed inner support structure opposite the fixed flange and an inner drum assembly. The inner drum assembly including a plurality of moving inner support structures movably attached to the fixed inner support structure and a plurality of inwardly-collapsible drum segments. Wherein the inwardly-collapsible drum segments collapse inward after the removable flange is removed from the collapsible reel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Bigbee, Jr., John L. Rhoads, Andrew P. Hull, Benjamin L. Weatherford
  • Patent number: 10943713
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing finished wire and cable having reduced coefficient of friction and pulling force during installation, includes providing a payoff reel containing at least one internal conductor wire; supplying the at least one internal conductor wire from the reel to at least one extruder; providing the least one extruder, wherein the at least one extruder applies an insulating material and a polymerized jacket composition over the at least one internal conductor wire, wherein the polymerized jacket composition comprises a predetermined amount by weight of nylon; and at least 3% by weight of a silica providing a cooling device for lowering the temperature of the extruded insulating material and the polymerized jacket composition and cooling the insulating material and the polymerized jacket composition in the cooling device; and, reeling onto a storage reel the finished, cooled, wire and cable for storage and distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: ENCORE WIRE CORPORATION
    Inventors: William T. Bigbee, Jr., Stephen S. Griffin
  • Patent number: 10906685
    Abstract: A method for applying labels to a cable or conduit with a known circumference, the method including supplying at least one label, wherein the at least one label has a known label height, the label height is greater than the known circumference of the cable or conduit, and the label has a bottom, middle, and top portions, providing at least one tamping device, tamping the middle portion of the at least one label to the cable or conduit with the at least one tamping device, wherein the middle portion of the at least one label adheres to the cable or conduit, providing a guide shoe assembly, pressing the top portion of the at least one label against the cable or conduit with the guide shoe assembly, and pressing the bottom portion of the at least one label against the cable or conduit with the guide shoe assembly, wherein the top portion of the at least one label and the bottom portion of the at least one label overlap after pressed onto the cable or conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Bennett, William T. Bigbee, Stephen S. Griffin
  • Patent number: 10910131
    Abstract: An electrical cable assembly, comprising a first electrical circuit further comprising a first plurality of insulated conductors longitudinally disposed to one another, wherein the first plurality of insulated conductors are cabled together in a bundle. The electrical cable assembly further comprises a second electrical circuit longitudinally disposed to the first electrical circuit, the second electrical circuit comprising a second plurality of insulated conductors longitudinally disposed to one another and cabled together in a bundle and a nonmetallic jacket surrounding the second plurality of insulated conductors and wherein the nonmetallic jacket isolating the first electrical circuit from the second electrical circuit. The electrical cable assembly further comprises a flexible interlocking metallic armor encasing the first and second electrical circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: Troy D. Skidmore, Paul Abernathy, David W. Maxey, William T. Bigbee, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10875737
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing wire or cable, the apparatus including an enclosure with a top and a bottom portion and at least three side portions of a first height, a plurality of holes located in both the top and bottom portions of the enclosure, and a core of a second height located within the enclosure, wherein the core forms an area, wherein at least one of the plurality of holes has a first hole diameter and is located in the top and bottom of the enclosure and is located within the area formed by the core, and wherein the wire or cable is placed around the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Weatherford, William T. Bigbee, Jr., Clifton S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 10875738
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing wire or cable, the apparatus including an enclosure with a top and a bottom portion and at least three side portions of a first height, a plurality of holes located in both the top and bottom portions of the enclosure, and a core of a second height located within the enclosure, wherein the core forms an area, wherein at least one of the plurality of holes has a first hole diameter and is located in the top and bottom of the enclosure and is located within the area formed by the core, and wherein the wire or cable is placed around the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Weatherford, William T. Bigbee, Jr., Clifton S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 10850885
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying a label to a spool or reel containing wire and a wire tail extending from the spool or reel, the apparatus comprising a wire tail sensor, wherein the wire tail sensor identifies the location of the wire tail protruding from the spool or reel and a label application mechanism, wherein the labeling mechanism applies a label to the spool or reel and wherein the label does not contact the wire tail protruding from the spool or reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Bigbee, Jr., Clifton S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 10847955
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus lubricating a wire or cable during manufacturing, wherein the wire is aligned with an entry to a spraying enclosure and passes through a first seal of the spraying enclosure. Lubricant is sprayed onto the wire inside of the spraying enclosure while the unapplied, but sprayed, lubricant is collected at the bottom of the spraying enclosure. The wire passes through a second seal of the spraying enclosure, is aligned, and exits from the spraying enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: ENCORE WIRE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark D. Bennett, William T. Bigbee, Jr., Ramon V. Hernandez
  • Patent number: 10829340
    Abstract: An apparatus for the dispensing and retraction of wire or cable. The apparatus including a first and second plate, at least one shaft attached to the first plate and the second plate, a spool gear attached to the shaft, a power gear shaft attached to the first or second plate, and a power gear attached to the power gear shaft and in mesh with the spool gear, wherein when the power gear is rotated, the spool gear is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Bigbee, Jr., John L. Rhoads, Andrew P. Hull
  • Patent number: 10777338
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing finished wire and cable having reduced coefficient of friction and pulling force during installation, includes providing a payoff reel containing at least one internal conductor wire; supplying the at least one internal conductor wire from the reel to at least one extruder; providing the least one extruder, wherein the at least one extruder applies an insulating material and a polymerized jacket composition over the at least one internal conductor wire, wherein the polymerized jacket composition comprises a predetermined amount by weight of nylon; and at least 3% by weight of a silica providing a cooling device for lowering the temperature of the extruded insulating material and the polymerized jacket composition and cooling the insulating material and the polymerized jacket composition in the cooling device; and, reeling onto a storage reel the finished, cooled, wire and cable for storage and distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: ENCORE WIRE CORPORATION
    Inventors: William T. Bigbee, Jr., Stephen S. Griffin
  • Patent number: 10759558
    Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a label to a moving cable, the apparatus comprising: a roller for pressing a label against the moving cable, wherein the label has a first attaching edge and a second attaching edge and wherein the roller comprises: a first roller for pressing the label against the moving cable, wherein the label is pressed against the moving cable with the first attaching edge and the second attaching edge of the label on opposites sides of the moving cable; a first roll down roller for folding the second edge of the label against the moving cable; and a second roll down roller for folding the first edge of the label against the moving cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: ENCORE WIRE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert Eugene Brooks
  • Patent number: 10733486
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the printing on wire or cable. The apparatus including a processor, a bus connected to the processor, a user input connected to the bus, a display screen connected to the user input and the bus, a first storage system connected to the bus, data stored in the first storage system and displayable on the display screen, wherein the data includes manufacturing and print information, a printer connected to the bus, wherein the printer prints the data on the wire or cable, a communication device connected to the bus, and an identification device connected to the bus, wherein identification device receives information from a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Bigbee, Jr., Clifton S. Thompson, Ferrin E. Gomez, Tony Ornelas, III
  • Patent number: 10680418
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus lubricating a wire or cable during manufacturing, wherein the wire is aligned with an entry to a spraying enclosure and passes through a first seal of the spraying enclosure. Lubricant is sprayed onto the wire inside of the spraying enclosure while the unapplied, but sprayed, lubricant is collected at the bottom of the spraying enclosure. The wire passes through a second seal of the spraying enclosure, is aligned, and exits from the spraying enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Bennett, William T Bigbee, Jr., Ramon V. Hernandez
  • Patent number: 10672534
    Abstract: A wire cable comprising a ground conductor and an insulated conductor wherein the insulated conductor comprises a metal conductor, an insulated material surrounding the metal conductor, and a nylon jacket surrounding the insulated material. A binder surrounds the ground conductor and the insulated conductor and a jacket surrounds the binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventor: Paul W. Abernathy