Patent Application
20050150991
1. Field of the Art
The present invention relates generally to a wire spool decoiler and, more specifically, to a wire spool decoiler that allows for the easy loading, unloading, and handling of rolls of barbed wire. In particular the decoiler is able to pick up, support, and transport a wire spool and further holds the wire spool in an upright, transport position. This upright position allows the spool to rotate in a manner that makes it easy to uncoil the wire when the wire is being stretched during fencing.
2. Background of the Art
Since the advent of barbed wire there has been a need for an apparatus that can effectively and easily assist a user in handling barbed wire spools. To date there have been tools created to allow a user to hold and carry wire spools by hand. Two examples include U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,079,663 and 3,967,793. Both patents disclose an invention related to a hand-held tool for lifting and moving the wire spools. Neither patent discloses a device for transporting wire that carries the wire spool other than by hand.
There are also devices that independently support a wire spool and may be used to move the spool from one location to another without the use of a hand-held tool. Two examples illustrating this type of device are U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,808 and Patent Application No. U.S. 2002/0038837, which disclose a tool or device in which the wire spool is situated on a horizontal support axle. In the '808 patent, loading and unloading the wire spool requires removing a cotter pin and taking off a wheel in order to insert the axle horizontally through the wire spool opening. This method is time consuming and requires the use of tools or removable parts that can become damaged or lost during the process. The spool of barbed wire is sitting horizontally on the device and is typically positioned close enough to the ground that the spool intermittently contacts the ground causing problems with transport and pay-out of the spool and resulting in the spool picking up debris. Momentum of the spinning spool during pay-out may cause the wire spool to continue to spool even after transport movement has stopped, causing the wire to tangle, which again is time consuming for the user and necessitates additional handling of the wire. To keep the wire spool from over spooling, some of the devices have been made with a spring-loaded rod that touches the roll and causes friction in order to brake the spool when transport stops. The spring-loaded rod becomes an extra component that adds to the weight and complexity of the device, and may create problems for the user when loading and unloading the wire spool.
In application No. 2002/0038837, the axle on which the spool is supported must be released and the spool must be lifted for loading or unloading onto the device. The disclosed invention of application '837 is problematic because it is difficult to pull due to a lack of wheels and involves a great deal of lifting to correctly position the spool on the horizontal axle.
The prior art also includes a type of device that is fashioned in lawnmower style in which a simple handle is used to straddle the horizontal spool, the handle is then connected to a rod that is inserted through the spool. In this manner the spool is rolled on the ground without the use of wheels. Again this simple method is very hard to pull or maneuver and is known to collect a lot of debris during use.
Of the known devices, none provide a way to a easily handle or maneuver a barbed wire spool or easily load and unload the spool on and off the device without the use of tools, lifting, or other unwanted contact with the barbed wire spool. A need exists for a decoiler on which a spool may be quickly loaded and unloaded by a single person, is easy to pull and maneuver, and positions the barbed wire spool in an upright position to ensure the spool does not create extra drag by collecting debris or touching the ground during transport, while still allowing the wire spool to swivel and release wire as needed but not allowing the wire spool to over-spool during use.
The present invention relates to a decoiler for storing, transporting, and uncoiling spools of wire consisting of a base member having a platform with an insertion post attached perpendicularly to the top of the platform for inserting into a wire spool and positioning the wire spool in a generally upright position. The base member further having an axle rod, longer in length than the platform and attached to the bottom of the platform, along with a handle base attached perpendicular to the axle rod and similarly on the bottom of the platform. The wheels of the apparatus are located at each end of the axle rod and an adjustable handle is connected to the end of the handle base opposite the axle rod, the handle further having a slidable clevis for attachment to and transport by a ground vehicle, such as an all terrain vehicle (ATV).
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the following specification, drawings, and claims.
There is illustrated in
The base member 14 is further comprised of an axle rod 24 that is secured horizontally across the bottom side of the platform 18. The axle rod 24 is longer than the length of the platform 18 and protrudes from the sides of the platform 18 when the two are secured together. The wheels 22a and 22b are attached to each end of the axle rod 24 to allow for easy transporting of the wire spool 12 when supported on the decoiler 10. In order to ensure even distribution of the weight of the wire spool 12, and thus greater stability of the decoiler 10, it is preferred that the axle rod 24 be positioned across the longer of the two middle axis of the platform 18. It is also preferred that the wheels 22a and 22b used be a high wheel design, meaning larger in diameter, to help keep the wire spool 12 off of the ground in order to minimize entanglement of grass and weeds in the wire.
Attached to the bottom of the platform 18 is a handle base 26 (
The end of the handle 16 opposite the handle base 26 has a T-shaped grip 36 for easy grasping by a user of the handle 16 and maneuvering of the decoiler 10 during use. The grip 36 may be coated with a plastic or rubber material for added comfort during use. The handle 16 further has a sliding clevis 38 which allows the decoiler 10 to be hooked to a ground vehicle, such as an all terrain vehicle (ATV) (not shown) for towing. The sliding clevis 38 slides along the shank of the handle 16 and rests on the set bar 28 when not in use. When the decoiler 10 is to be hooked to the ground vehicle, the sliding clevis 38 slides to the top of the handle 16 and over the grip 36 in a manner that allows the sliding clevis 38 to form a tongue which can be attached to the vehicle for towing.
In operation, the decoiler 10 may be used conveniently to mount and transport a wore spool 12 from a ground-supported position. The wire spool 12 is set on the ground and tipped on its side so that the hollow middle of the wire spool 12 is horizontal. The decoiler 10 is positioned so that the post 20 is substantially horizontal by raising the handle 16. A user then maneuvers the decoiler 10 to insert the post 20 into the middle of the wire spool 12 to the transport position by lowering the handle 16. If needed, the user may steady the decoiler 10 by putting a foot on the axle rod 24, thus allowing the wire spool 12 to be transported in an upright position on the decoiler 10. The transport of the wire spool 12 in an upright position allows the wire spool 12 to rotate and release wire as necessary during the construction of fencing or the like. Rotating of the wire spool 12 occurs easily during movement of the decoiler 10 and, due to its self-created friction between the spool 12 and the plate 18, stops when the movement of the decoiler 10 stops, therefore preventing over spooling.
The slidable clevis 38 is mounted for sliding movement along the shank of the handle 16 and is moved adjacent the handle 16 for use in connecting the decoiler 10 to a vehicle. Therefore, the present invention easily loads and unloads a wire spool 12 in an upright position, includes an adjustable handle 16 for user comfort, and provides for easy handling and maneuvering during transport and use. The decoiler 10 is preferably lightweight to facilitate easy handling and is preferably constructed of powder coated steel for long lasting durability. The decoiler 10 is also preferably constructed using a high wheel 22 design in order to provide better maneuverability and minimize the entanglement of grass and weeds that would otherwise get caught in the barbed wire.
The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments of the present inventions. The foregoing embodiments and the methods described herein may vary based on the ability, experience, and preference of those skilled in the art. Merely listing the steps of the method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of the method. The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention, and the invention is not limited thereto, except insofar as the claims are so limited. Those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.
This application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 60/439,702, filed on Jan. 13, 2003.
