DEVICE FOR GUIDING WIRE AND METHOD THEREFOR

Abstract

A device for guiding wire and method therefor having a guide loop, a first extension member, a second extension member, a first attaching member, and a second attaching member, wherein first extension member and second extension member extend from the guide loop and wherein first attaching member and second attaching member attach to the rod of a wire spool such that the device dispenses the wire or cable evenly from the spool without causing entanglement of the wire or cable.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED CASE

This U.S. non-provisional application claims priority to U.S. Provisional application 61/230,706 filed Aug. 1, 2009, entitled Device for Guiding Wire and Method Therefor.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to wire guides, and more particularly to wire guides that aid in dispensing wire or cable off a spool.

BACKGROUND

Whether at home or on a job site many people have experienced the frustrating task of dispensing wire or cable off of a storage spool. This frustration is typically due to the wire or cable becoming snagged or tangled. On job sites where running wire or cable can be extensive typically two people are required for the job. One person's job is to run the cable to the desired area, and the other person's job is to monitor the wire or cable being dispensed from the spool ensuring even dispensing and fixing snags or wire tangles. This practice of requiring two people for one task is very inefficient costing employers' unnecessary time and money. If there were a device that could perform the task of even wire or cable dispensing and eliminating snags and tangles, the second person previously required to monitor the cable or wire could perform other tasks saving employers' time and money. Furthermore, the device would reduce the frustration associated with wire or cable snags and tangles when someone attempts to run wire or cable by themselves.

There have been previous attempts to develop a device that aid in wire or cable dispensing, however, these attempts did not eliminate wire snagging or tangling completely. A device is needed that eliminates the need for two people to run wire or cable by ensuring even wire or cable dispensing and eliminating wire or cable snags and tangles.

As such, it is clear that there is an unmet need for a device for guiding wire and method therein which provides an alternative to consumers whereby the device controls the even dispensing of wire or cable from a spool eliminating the wire or cable from snagging or becoming tangled.

SUMMARY

Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the device for guiding wire and method therefor of the present disclosure overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a device for guiding wire and method therefor having a guide loop, a first extension member, a second extension member, a first clip member, and a second clip member.

More specifically, first extension member and second extension member preferably extend from the guide loop respectively. Extension members are preferably angled outward and upwards from the guide loop such that the device dispenses the wire or cable evenly from the spool without causing entanglement of the wire or cable. Furthermore, the top edge of the guide loop is preferably angled forward and downward such that it further aids in even and controlled wire or cable dispensing. At each end of the extension members there are clip members. The clip members are preferably designed to attach to the wire or cable spool at each end clipping to the spool rod. Attachment to the spool holds the guide wire device in place during use. The clip design allows the device to attach to spool rods of various diameter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Accordingly, the present disclosure will be understood best through consideration of, and with reference to, the following drawing Figures, viewed in conjunction with the Detailed Description referring thereto, in which like reference numbers throughout the various Figures designate like structure, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the device for guiding wire and method therefore as shown in use attached to a spool of wire;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the device for guiding wire and method therefore as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an additional alternate embodiment of the device for guiding wire and method therefore;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an additional alternate embodiment of the device for guiding wire and method therefore as shown in use attached to a spool of wire;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the device for guiding wire and method therefore as shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of the device for guiding wire and method therefore;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a front view of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 16 is a side view of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 17 is a top view of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 18 is a rear view of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 11.

It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the invention to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In describing preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention illustrated in the Figures, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The claimed invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

First referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present wire guide 10 is shown in use with a wire spool A, rod B and wire C. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, wire guide 10 preferably comprises guide loop 20, first extension member 40, second extension member 50, first clip member 60, and second clip member 70. In use, first clip member 60 and second clip member 70 are clipped onto rod B and around wire spool A. Wire C is drawn through guide loop 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, alternate embodiment wire guide 110 preferably comprises guide loop 120, first extension member 140, second extension member 150, first loop member 160, and second loop member 170, wherein in use, rod B is extended through said first loop member 160 and second loop member 170.

As best shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 8, first extension member 40 preferably comprises angled section 42 and generally horizontal section 44. Second extension member 50 preferably comprises angled section 52 and generally horizontal section 54. Angled sections 42 and 52 project from guide loop 20 at a downward angle between 10-60 degrees and preferably at an approximately 40 degree angle as measured from a horizontal line. Angled section 42 and 52 further project from guide loop 20 each at an outward angle between 25-65 degrees and preferably at an approximately 45 degree angle as measured from a vertical line. Horizontal sections 44 and 54 extend preferably horizontally and at a zero degree vertical angle from angled sections 42 and 52, respectively, to first clip member 60 and second clip member 70, respectively.

As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, guide loop 20 extends downward and back at an angle between 25-65 degrees and preferably at an approximately 45 degree angle as measured from a vertical line. In an alternate embodiment, guide loop 20 could extend upward and back at an angle between 25-65 degrees as measured from a vertical line. In an additional alternate embodiment, guide loop 20 could extend upward and forward at an angle between 25-65 degrees as measured from a vertical line. In an additional alternate embodiment, guide loop 20 could extend downward and forward at an angle between 25-65 degrees as measured from a vertical line.

Now referring to FIG. 10, an alternate embodiment of the wire guide 210 is shown in use with a wire spool A, rod B and wire C. As shown in FIGS. 10-11, wire guide 210 preferably comprises guide loop 220, first extension member 240, second extension member 250, first clip member 260, and second clip member 270. In use, first clip member 260 and second clip member 270 are clipped onto rod B and around wire spool A. Wire C is slid into guide loop 220.

As shown in FIG. 12, alternate embodiment wire guide 310 preferably comprises guide loop 320, first extension member 340, second extension member 350, first loop member 360, and second loop member 370, wherein in use, rod B is extended through said first loop member 360 and second loop member 370.

As best shown in FIGS. 13, 14, 16, and 17, first extension member 240 preferably comprises angled section 242 and generally horizontal section 244. Second extension member 250 preferably comprises angled section 252 and generally horizontal section 254. Angled sections 242 and 252 project from guide loop 220 at a downward angle between 10-60 degrees and preferably at an approximately 40 degree angle as measured from a horizontal line. Angled section 242 and 252 further project from guide loop 220 each at an outward angle between 25-65 degrees and preferably at an approximately 45 degree angle as measured from a vertical line. Horizontal sections 244 and 254 extend preferably horizontally and at a zero degree vertical angle from angled sections 242 and 252, respectively, to first clip member 260 and second clip member 270, respectively.

As best shown in FIGS. 13 and 16, guide loop 220 extends upward and forward at an angle between 25-65 degrees and preferably at an approximately 45 degree angle as measured from a vertical line. In an alternate embodiment, guide loop 220 could extend upward and back at an angle between 25-65 degrees as measured from a vertical line. In an additional alternate embodiment, guide loop 220 could extend downward and forward at an angle between 25-65 degrees as measured from a vertical line. In an additional alternate embodiment, guide loop 220 could extend downward and back at an angle between 25-65 degrees as measured from a vertical line.

As shown in FIG. 1-18, the wire guide is preferably constructed of a single material. In use, once the wire or cable is drawn through the device, the operator may draw the wire or cable off the spool without the wire or cable tangling or becoming snagged. The addition of this device eliminates the need for two people to dispense the wire or cable since the device performs the task that was previously performed by one of the operators.

Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, as an alternative, different mechanisms may be used in place of the clips described above to attach the device to the wire or cable spool. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein.

Claims

1. A wire guide for guiding wire off of a spool and rod, comprising:

a loop portion;

a first extension member extending from said loop portion;

a second extension member extending from said loop portion;

a first means for removably attaching the wire guide to the rod, wherein said first attaching means extends from said first extension member; and

a second means for removably attaching the wire guide to the rod, wherein said second attaching means extends from said second extension member.

2. The wire guide of claim 1, wherein said first attaching means and said second attaching means are clips dimensioned for slidably attaching to the rod.

3. The wire guide of claim 1, wherein said first attaching means and said second attaching means are loops dimensioned for receiving the rod.

4. The wire guide of claim 1, wherein said loop portion is closed.

5. The wire guide of claim 1, wherein said loop portion is open.

6. A method for guiding wire off of a spool and rod, comprising the steps of:

a. attaching a wire guide having a first extension arm, a second extension arm and a loop to the rod; and

b. extending the wire through said loop.