Patents by Inventor John L. Rhoads

John L. Rhoads has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11912527
    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: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Bigbee, Jr., John L. Rhoads
  • Patent number: 11881327
    Abstract: An electrical cable assembly comprising a first electrical circuit comprising at least two insulated conductors, a second electrical circuit, and a conductive metallic armor encasing the first and second electrical circuits, wherein the conductive metallic armor provides a return ground path. The second electrical circuit comprising at least two control insulated conductors, a jacket surrounding the control insulated conductors, and a wrap surrounding the jacket which is surrounding the control insulated conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Bigbee, Jr., Micah W. Latimer, John L. Rhoads, Andrew P. Hull, Troy D. Skidmore, Paul Abernathy, David W. Maxey
  • Patent number: 11772930
    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: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Rhoads, Kevin D. Rodgers
  • Patent number: 11767044
    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: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Encore WIre Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin D. Rodgers, John L. Rhoads
  • Patent number: 11745976
    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: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Bigbee, Jr., John L. Rhoads, Andrew P. Hull
  • Patent number: 11738967
    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: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Bigbee, Jr., John L. Rhoads, Andrew P. Hull, Benjamin L. Weatherford
  • Patent number: 11691843
    Abstract: An apparatus for the transportation and dispensing of spooled wire or cable, the apparatus comprising a payoff reel, wherein the payoff reel comprises an arbor hole having a payoff reel diameter and a detachable side car reel, wherein the detachable side car reel comprises an arbor hole having a detachable side car reel diameter and wherein the detachable side car reel is attachable to the payoff reel and wherein the detachable side car reel further comprises a reel lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Bigbee, Jr., Kevin D. Rodgers, John L. Rhoads
  • Patent number: 11538606
    Abstract: An electrical cable assembly comprising a first electrical circuit comprising at least two insulated conductors, a second electrical circuit, and a conductive metallic armor encasing the first and second electrical circuits, wherein the conductive metallic armor provides a return ground path. The second electrical circuit comprising at least two control insulated conductors, a jacket surrounding the control insulated conductors, and a wrap surrounding the jacket which is surrounding the control insulated conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Bigbee, Jr., Micah W. Latimer, John L. Rhoads, Andrew P. Hull, Troy D. Skidmore, Paul Abernathy, David W. Maxey
  • Patent number: 11472457
    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 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin D. Rodgers, John L. Rhoads
  • Patent number: 11339024
    Abstract: An apparatus for the transportation and dispensing of spooled wire or cable, the apparatus comprising a payoff reel, wherein the payoff reel comprises an arbor hole having a payoff reel diameter and a detachable side car reel, wherein the detachable side car reel comprises an arbor hole having a detachable side car reel diameter and wherein the detachable side car reel is attachable to the payoff reel and wherein the detachable side car reel further comprises a reel lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Bigbee, Jr., Kevin D. Rodgers, John L. Rhoads
  • Patent number: 11312593
    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: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Bigbee, Jr., John L. Rhoads, Andrew P. Hull
  • Patent number: 11186461
    Abstract: A reel apparatus and method comprising an inner flange assembly, an outer flange assembly, and a bearing assembly coupled to the inner flange assemblies. The inner flange assembly is capable of freely rotating relative to the outer flange assembly. In another embodiment, wire is spooled from a reel assembly comprising an inner flange assembly and an outer flange assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Bigbee, Jr., John L. Rhoads
  • Patent number: 11161711
    Abstract: An apparatus for the transportation and payoff of coiled wire and cable, the apparatus comprising a clamshell package, an inner void formed by the clamshell package, the inner void comprising a compartment within for containing coiled wire and cable during transportation and payoff of the wire and cable, a payoff port is coupled to the clamshell package, wherein the coiled wire and cable is extracted from the clamshell package through the payoff port on an axis substantially similar to the axis of the extracted wire and cable, and wherein the payoff port extends from the clamshell package through the coiled wire and cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Rhoads, William T. Bigbee, Jr., Troy D. Skidmore, Karolina Zuraw
  • 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: 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: 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: 10625974
    Abstract: An apparatus for the transportation and payoff of coiled wire and cable, the apparatus comprising a clamshell package, an inner void formed by the clamshell package, the inner void comprising a compartment within for containing coiled wire and cable during transportation and payoff of the wire and cable, a payoff port is coupled to the clamshell package, wherein the coiled wire and cable is extracted from the clamshell package through the payoff port on an axis substantially similar to the axis of the extracted wire and cable, and wherein the payoff port extends from the clamshell package through the coiled wire and cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Rhoads, William T. Bigbee, Jr., Troy D. Skidmore, Karolina Zuraw
  • Patent number: 10625975
    Abstract: A reel apparatus and method comprising an inner flange assembly, an outer flange assembly, and a bearing assembly coupled to the inner flange assemblies. The inner flange assembly is capable of freely rotating relative to the outer flange assembly. In another embodiment, wire is spooled from a reel assembly comprising an inner flange assembly and an outer flange assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Bigbee, Jr., John L. Rhoads