Abstract: There is disclosed a lifting feature for releasably gripping from within the reel-less cores about which coils of wire in bulk are wound, the fixture including a central lifting member from which pivotally attached lifting bars radiate to engage the core in an upwardly inclined attitude so that the weight of the load causes the bars to press into the walls of the core to establish a solid coupling.

Abstract: A reel assembly for rapidly feeding wire from heavy coils over a range of sizes, with the coil being clamped in a basket rotatably mounted within an inwardly tapering conical shield and with wire being guided from the coil by a split annular deflector bar coaxial with the coil and opening into a wire-confining guide which is vertically adjustable. The frame supporting the reel assembly extends away laterally from the conical shield to carry a support for a spring guide through which the wire passes on its way to a forming machine.