Portable and adjustable reeled wire dispenser

Abstract

A portable and adjustable reeled wire dispenser having a base platform with first and second side walls extending upwardly from the base platform and a plurality of adjustable rotatable members for accommodating various reel sizes to assist an individual in the installation of electric, cable wire or other material.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The instant invention relates generally to wire dispensers, and in particular to a portable and adjustable wire dispenser for accommodating various sizes of spools, preferably to assist individuals at construction locations and industrial sites.

2. Description of the Related Art

The use of insulated electrical wire is widespread and is available to construction contractors, electricians, hobbyists and homeowners at most hardware stores. The wire is generally obtained from a wholesaler or maker in standard sized coils which are wrapped and held in a coil configuration by ties for transport or handling. The retailer, such as the hardware store, must uncoil the wire to measure and sell desired lengths to a customer. These coils generally have the same inner diameter, but the cross section of the coil may vary, depending on the size of wire.

The use of wire dispensers for electrical wire, cable or any other material wrapped in a coil configuration is known in the art. These wire dispensers are designed to make the installation of wire an easier and quicker operation. Electricians regularly use large quantities of electrical wire during installation at either commercial or residential locations. In addition, various other technicians and contractors use wire dispensers to assist in the installation of many materials, including cable, copper and rope.

The instant invention relates to a portable and adjustable wire dispenser that assists an individual during the installation of wire, for example while attempting to install electrical wire. Many devices have been developed to provide some type of assistance to individuals engaged in the installation of wire, especially contractors and electricians who often dispense large quantities of electrical wire. Ultimately, it is the design goal for such an apparatus to provide a wire dispenser that is portable and adjustable to accommodate various sizes of spools and reels, wherein the apparatus utilizes a plurality of rotatable members that allow for a reel to freely rotate when in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention, as described further herein, imparts a novel wire, hose, rope, cord dispenser which encompasses the advantages of other wire dispensers, but creates flexibility in the size of reel an individual desires to use based on the adjustability of the rotatable members. The instant invention as illustrated herein, is clearly not anticipated, rendered obvious, or even present in any of the prior art mechanisms, either alone or in any combination thereof.

The primary object of the instant invention is to provide an apparatus capable of dispensing wire material, wherein the apparatus contains a plurality of adjustable rotatable members to accommodate varying sizes of reels of wire.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide an apparatus capable of dispensing wire material, wherein the apparatus is portable in nature to allow an individual the option to selectively move the apparatus to different locations during the installation of wire material.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide an apparatus capable of dispensing wire material, wherein the apparatus eliminates the need for an individual to lift and elevate a reel off the ground and onto a support stand; instead the instant invention allows a reel to simply be placed on a base platform with the adjustable rotatable members.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide an apparatus capable of dispensing wire material, wherein the apparatus does not possess a weight limitation regarding different reels since the reels weight is distributed throughout the base platform and rotatable members rather than solely on a support stand.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the apparatus for dispensing wire material in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understand, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the portable and adjustable reeled wire dispenser in use having a base platform with a pair side walls and a plurality of adjustable rotatable members, and a plurality of wheels to assist an individual in moving the wire dispenser to different locations and wherein the base platform is hingedly connected to allow for easy transportation by an individual.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the portable and adjustable reeled wire dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a coiled apparatus 10 having a base platform 12, wherein first and second side walls 14A and 14B extend upwardly from the base platform 12. Each side wall 14A and 14B contains a plurality of apertures 16A arranged in a first row, and a plurality of apertures 16B arranged in a second row, wherein the second row of apertures 16B is located substantially above the first row of apertures 16A. Furthermore, each row of apertures 16A and 16B is equidistantly disposed along the side walls 14A and 14B, wherein each aperture 16A and 16B is capable of receiving a plurality of rotatable members 18 for retaining a reel 20 of wire. Moreover, each aperture 16A located in the first row is in substantial alignment with each corresponding aperture 16B located in the second row, wherein each pair of first and second row apertures 16A and 16B are substantially perpendicular to each side wall 14A and 14B.

In one embodiment, the side walls 14A and 14B along with the base platform 12 are constructed from a single piece of material which is appropriately cut and shaped to produce the side walls 14A and 14B and the base platform 12 as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the side walls 14A and 14B, along with the base platform 12 may be separately constructed and attached together to form the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, using any type of standard type of fastening compound or device, including but not limited to a bolt or screw, or using any standard method such as welding, or any combination thereof.

The wire dispenser 10 further comprises a plurality of rotatable members 18 each having a first and second end 22A and 22B, wherein the rotatable members 18 support and distribute the weight of the reel 20. Each end 22A and 22B of each rotatable member 18 includes a protruding member 24 extending outwardly, wherein each protruding member 24 is receivable in each corresponding aperture 16A and 16B. Each rotatable member 18, preferably a cylindrical bar, is associated with the first and second side wall 14A and 14B for retaining a reel 20 of wire while also allowing the reel 20 to freely rotate to dispense wire. Each rotatable member 18 is attachable to the first and second side walls 14A and 14B by placing the first end 22A of each rotatable member 18 into the first side wall 14A such that the protruding member 24 couples with either a first or second row aperture 16A and 16B, and likewise placing the second end 22B of each rotatable member 18 into the second side wall 14B such that the protruding member 24 couples with the corresponding aperture 16A and 16B. The placement of each rotatable member 18 depends on the size of the reel 20 being used, and as such, the dispenser 10 accommodates various reel sizes by simply adjusting the placement of the rotatable members 18. An individual who desires to adjust each rotatable member 18 to accommodate a different sized reel can simply depress protruding member 24 from each aperture 16A and 16B and place the rotatable member in another aperture 16A and 16B. Preferably, each protruding member 24 is a pin.

In use, an individual first determines the size of reel 20 necessary for the task at hand, and after this determination is made, an individual adjusts and secures each rotatable member 18 at the appropriate location to ensure proper contact and support with the reel 20, when an individual places the reel 20 on the wire dispenser 10. Once each adjustable rotatable member 18 is secured, an individual simply needs to roll the reel onto the rotatable members 18 and can immediately begin to dispense wire. The instant invention eliminates the need to place some type of cylindrical object through the core of the reel 20, and then elevate the reel onto some type of support stand for use; rather the reel 20 in connection with the instant invention does not have to leave the ground for placement on the wire dispenser 10. Furthermore, the instant invention is not confined to one size of reel 20 for use because of the plurality of adjustable rotatable members 18 that are not locked into position as in most prior art wire dispensers.

In use, the plurality of rotatable members 18 is able to freely rotate in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise based on an individual's use and rotation of the reel 20. Additionally, multiple reels 20 are placeable on the wire dispenser 10 simultaneously for use by an individual.

In one preferred embodiment (shown in FIG. 1), the wire dispenser 10 includes three rotatable members 18, wherein two of the rotatable members are placed in the first row of apertures 16A at a predetermined distance apart, depending on the size of the reel 20 in use. A third rotatable member 18 is placed in the second row of apertures 16B substantially above one of the rotatable members 18 located in the first row of apertures 16A. This configuration allows for an individual to place a reel 20 on the wire dispenser 10 and feed the material contained within the reel 20 underneath the lower-most of the two rotatable members 18 which are disposed one above the other, in order to provide sufficient tension upon the reel 20 to prevent the reel 20 from disengagement with the wire dispenser 10 due to light weigh of the reel 20 through displacement of the material on the reel 20.

In alternate embodiments, an individual may vary either the amount or placement of the rotatable members 18 depending on the specific use of the wire dispenser 10 or the specific type or size of the reel 20 in use with the dispenser 10. Yet in other alternate embodiments, the construction of each side wall 14A and 14B may vary in design (as shown in FIG. 2) such that each side wall 14A and 14B extends upwardly to accommodate a third rotatable member 18, wherein each side wall 14A and 14B includes approximately half the amount of apertures 16B in the second row as in the first row. Furthermore, the amount of apertures 16B located in the second row may vary due to design of each side wall 14A and 14B based upon an individual's preference and specific use of the wire dispenser 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 the instant invention permits easy inspection of the reel 20 in use by an individual, such that a visual inspection can be made to determine how much wire is remaining on each reel 20. Furthermore, when the reel 20 has no material left to dispense, an individual can simply remove the reel 20 without disturbing other reels in use, and easily replace the empty reel 20 with a full reel 20.

An alternate embodiment of the instant invention is shown, wherein the wire dispenser 10 contains a plurality of wheels 26 located on the base platform 12 enabling an individual to move the wire dispenser 10 while the reel is located on the dispenser 10 instead of removing the reel and carrying the dispenser 10 to another location for use. Each wheel 26 is attachable to the base platform 12 using any standard fastening means such as a bolt or screw.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the instant invention, wherein the wire dispenser 10 includes three rotatable members 18, and wherein each side wall 14A and 14B extends upwardly approximately at the midpoint of each side wall 14A and 14B to accommodate a rotatable member 18 in the second row of apertures 16B.

While several embodiments of the instant invention have been illustrated by way of example, it is apparent that further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scope of the instant invention. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the instant invention, as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A coiling apparatus comprising: a base platform;a first and second side wall extending upwardly from said base platform, wherein said first and second side wall are attached to said base platform by a fastening means;a plurality of apertures arranged in a first row, equidistantly disposed along said first and second side wall;a plurality of apertures arranged in a second row, equidistantly disposed along said first and second side wall, wherein said second row of apertures is located substantially above said first row of apertures; anda plurality of adjustable rotatable members, wherein each rotatable member includes a first end and a second end, having a protruding member extending outwardly from each end such that each rotatable member is receivable in said first and second side by coupling each pin with each corresponding aperture.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of supporting side walls placeable against said first and second side wall.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each adjustable rotatable member comprises a cylindrical tube.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each protruding member is a pin.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a plurality of wheels are removeably attachable to the base platform by a fastening means.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the means for fastening each wheel to said base platform is selected from the group consisting of screws, bolts or rivets.

7. A portable adjustable apparatus for dispensing wire comprising: a base platform;a first and second side wall extending upwardly from said base platform, wherein said first and second side wall are attached to said base platform by a fastening means;a plurality of apertures arranged in a first row, equidistantly disposed along said first and second side wall;a plurality of apertures arranged in a second row, equidistantly disposed along said first and second side wall, wherein said second row is substantially located above said first row such that each aperture located in the first row is substantially in alignment with each corresponding aperture located in the second row; anda plurality of adjustable rotatable members, wherein each rotatable member includes a first end and a second end, having a protruding member extending outwardly from each end such that each rotatable member is receivable in said first and second side by coupling each pin with each corresponding aperture.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of supporting side walls placeable against said first and second side wall.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein each adjustable rotatable member comprises a cylindrical tube.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein each protruding member is a pin.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein a plurality of wheels are removeably attachable to the base platform by a fastening means.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for fastening each wheel to said base platform is selected from the group consisting of screws, bolts or rivets.

13. A portable adjustable apparatus for dispensing wire comprising: a plurality of interconnected sections consisting of a base platform, a first and second side wall, wherein the first and second side wall are attachable to the base platform by a fastening means;a plurality of apertures equidistantly disposed along said first and second side wall; anda plurality of adjustable rotatable members, wherein each rotatable member includes a first end and a second end, having a protruding member extending outwardly from each end such that each rotatable member is receivable in said first and second side by coupling each pin with each corresponding aperture.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the means for fastening said first and second side walls to said base platform is selected from the group consisting of screws, bolts, rivets, nail plates, adhesives or welding.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of supporting side walls placeable against said first and second side wall.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each adjustable rotatable member comprises a cylindrical tube.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein each protruding member is a pin.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein a plurality of wheels are removeably attachable to the base platform by a fastening means.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the means for fastening each wheel to said base platform is selected from the group consisting of screws, bolts or rivets.

20. A portable adjustable apparatus for dispensing wire comprising: a base platform;a first and second side wall extending upwardly from said base platform, wherein said first and second side wall are attached to said base platform by a fastening means;a plurality of apertures arranged in a first row, equidistantly disposed along said first and second side wall;a plurality of apertures arranged in a second row, equidistantly disposed along said first and second side wall, wherein said second row is substantially located above said first row such that each aperture located in the first row is substantially in alignment with each corresponding aperture located in the second row; anda pair of adjustable rotatable members located in said first row of apertures, wherein each rotatable member includes a first end and a second end, having a protruding member extending outwardly from each end such that each rotatable member is receivable in said first and second side by coupling each pin with each corresponding aperture, and a third adjustable rotatable member located in said second row of apertures, wherein the third rotatable member is located substantially above one of the rotatable members located in the first row of apertures.