U.S. patent application number 11/371509 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-13 for enclosed spool.
Invention is credited to David B. Skinner, John Dean Yarborough.
Application Number | 20070210131 11/371509 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38477918 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070210131 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yarborough; John Dean ; et
al. |
September 13, 2007 |
Enclosed spool
Abstract
An enclosed spool for flexible wound line comprising a spool
member including: a base axis member defining an axis of rotation,
and first and second circular sidewalls secured to and separated by
the base axis member and extending substantially radially to the
axis of rotation to provide an axial gap, the first circular
sidewall terminating at a first peripheral edge, and the second
circular sidewall terminating at a second peripheral edge; and an
enclosure encircling the first and second peripheral edges and
spanning the axial gap to define a spool volume.
Inventors: |
Yarborough; John Dean;
(Columbia, SC) ; Skinner; David B.; (Columbia,
SC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RENNER, KENNER, GREIVE, BOBAK, TAYLOR & WEBER
FIRST NATIONAL TOWER FOURTH FLOOR
106 S. MAIN STREET
AKRON
OH
44308
US
|
Family ID: |
38477918 |
Appl. No.: |
11/371509 |
Filed: |
March 8, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
225/56 ; 242/170;
242/601 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 75/32 20130101;
B65H 49/205 20130101; B65H 75/14 20130101; Y10T 225/257
20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
225/056 ;
242/170; 242/601 |
International
Class: |
B65H 75/32 20060101
B65H075/32 |
Claims
1. An enclosed spool for flexible wound line comprising: a spool
member including: a base axis member defining an axis of rotation,
and first and second sidewalls spaced apart by said base axis
member to provide an axial gap, said first sidewall terminating at
a first peripheral edge, and said second circular sidewall
terminating at a second peripheral edge; flexible line wound about
said base axis member; an enclosure secured about said first and
second peripheral edges and adapted to encase the flexible wound
line within a volume defined by said spool member and said
enclosure; and a dispensing aperture in said enclosure, wherein an
end of said flexible line is fed through said dispensing aperture
and said flexible line is rotationally movable about said axis of
rotation and relative to said enclosure to dispense said flexible
line through said dispensing aperture.
2. The enclosed spool of claim 1, wherein said enclosure includes a
first peripheral groove receiving said first peripheral edge and a
second peripheral groove receiving said second peripheral edge.
3. The enclosed spool of claim 1, wherein said enclosure is formed
of first and second enclosure members.
4. The enclosed spool of claim 3, wherein said first enclosure
member provides support legs extending therefrom to define a
substantially planar profile upon which the enclosed spool can be
placed on a surface.
5. The enclosed spool of claim 4, wherein said first enclosure
member provides a first portion of a handle and said second
enclosure member provides a second portion of said handle, said
first and second portions of said handle being joined together.
6. The enclosed spool of claim 5, wherein said first and second
portions of said handle are joined through the interaction of male
tab members and female port members.
7. The enclosed spool of claim 5, wherein, when the enclosed spool
rests on said support legs, said handle is offset from a vertical
centerline of the enclosed spool at an angle of from 0 to 45
degrees around the circumference of said enclosure.
8. The enclosed spool of claim 1,wherein said enclosure provides a
line dispensing aperture.
9. The enclosed spool of claim 1, further comprising a cutting
element.
10. The enclosed spool of claim 9, wherein said cutting element is
secured to said enclosure.
11. The enclosed spool of claim 10, wherein said cutting element
includes a slot, a cutting blade positioned in said slot, and
cutting arm pivotally mounted to pivot toward said cutting blade in
said slot.
12. The enclosed spool of claim 1, wherein said base axis member
and first and second sidewalls are of one piece construction.
13. The enclosed spool of claim 1, wherein said base axis member
and first and second sidewalls are of two-part construction.
14. An enclosed spool for flexible wound line comprising: a spool
member defining an axial gap; flexible line wound within said axial
gap; at least two enclosure members joining together and encircling
the spool member to span across said axial gap such that at least a
portion of said flexible line is encased within a volume defined by
said spool member and said at least two enclosure members; and a
dispensing aperture in one of said at least two enclosure members,
wherein an end of said flexible line is fed through said dispensing
aperture.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention resides in the art of spools for
flexible wound line, e.g., trimmer line, fishing line, pulling line
and wire, and, more particularly, to an enclosed spool wherein the
volume retaining the line is enclosed, and the line is rotationally
movable relative to an enclosure. In particular embodiments, the
enclosed spool includes a cutting device for cutting a length of
the line about the spool.
[0002] Spools are employed for a variety of materials that are able
to wind around a central axis element. Sometimes the material wound
on the spool has a tendency to unwind, due to its inability to
maintain the tightly wound configuration that it has when wound on
the spool. This is particularly true with polymer-based
monofilament lines, for example vegetation trimmer lines, fishing
lines and pulling line, which is used to pull electrical wiring
throughout buildings during wire installation.
[0003] When sold in bulk, such flexible line is typically provided
on a plain spool member and it has a tendency to unravel from its
original, tightly wound, state. Any portion of the wound line that
unravels from the spool is difficult to neatly wind back thereon.
The wound line is also exposed and not protected from debris and
the elements. Additionally, when sold on a common spool, the
desired length of wound line must be cut from the spool, requiring
the user of the spool to carry a separate cutting element. Thus,
there exists a need in the art for a spool that prevents wound line
thereon from unraveling, protects it from debris and the elements,
and/or includes an implement for cutting the line.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides an enclosed spool for
flexible wound line. The enclosed spool includes a spool member
having a base axis member defining an axis of rotation and first
and second sidewalls spaced apart by the base axis member to
provide an axial gap. The first sidewall terminates at a first
peripheral edge, and the second sidewall terminates at a second
peripheral edge. A length of flexible line is wound about (but not
necessarily onto) the base axis member, within the axial gap. The
enclosed spool further includes an enclosure secured about the
first and second peripheral edges and adapted to encase the
flexible line within a volume defined by the spool member, the
axial gap and the enclosure. A dispensing aperture is provided in
the enclosure, and an end of the flexible line is fed through this
aperture and the flexible wound line is rotationally movable about
the axis of rotation and relative to the enclosure to dispense the
flexible line through the dispensing aperture.
[0005] In accordance with another embodiment, the present invention
provides an enclosed spool for flexible wound line including a
spool member defining an axial gap, flexible line wound within the
axial gap, at least two enclosure members joining together and
encircling the spool member to span across the axial gap such that
the flexible line is encased within a volume defined by the spool
member and the at least two enclosure members, and a dispensing
aperture in one of the at least two enclosure members, wherein an
end of the flexible line is fed through the dispensing
aperture.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an enclosed spool in
accordance with the present invention;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a spool member of the
enclosed spool of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first enclosure member of
the enclosed spool;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second enclosure member of
the enclosed spool;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the enclosed spool of FIG.
1, shown with the first and second enclosure members not yet fully
closed around the spool member;
[0011] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cutting element of the
enclosed spool; and
[0012] FIG. 7 provides a general schematic view of the interaction
of female slots and male lock tabs for one embodiment of a handle
for the enclosed spool.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] An enclosed spool in accordance with the present invention
is shown and generally designated by the numeral 10 in FIG. 1.
Enclosed spool 10 includes spool member 12 and enclosure 14.
Enclosure 14 encircles spool member 12 to define a spool volume in
which flexible line may be retained.
[0014] Referring to FIG. 2, spool member 12 includes base axis
member 16. First sidewall 18 and second sidewall 20 extend from and
are separated by base axis member 16. They extend substantially
radially, and is one embodiment, substantially perpendicularly, to
the axis of rotation A, which is defined by base axis member 16,
i.e., the axis of rotation A extends through the center line of
base axis member 16, as shown in FIG. 1. The extension of first and
second sidewalls 18, 20 defines an axial gap G. First sidewall 18
terminates at first peripheral edge 22, and second sidewall 20
terminates at second peripheral edge 24.
[0015] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, it can be seen that, in the
embodiment shown, enclosure 14 includes first enclosure member 26
and second enclosure member 28. Enclosure 14 may include handle 30,
which, as can be seen in FIGS. 3-5, is formed from the connection
of a first handle portion 32 of handle 30, provided on first
enclosure member 26 proximate end 31, and a second handle portion
34 of handle 30, provided on second enclosure member 28 proximate
end 35. First handle portion 32 includes female slots 36 while
second handle portion 34 includes male lock tabs 38 to mate with
slots 36. At an opposite end 33 of first enclosure member 26, hook
member 40 is provided to interact with rod member 42 at end 37 of
second enclosure member 28. This is shown and explained more
particularly in FIG. 5. Dispensing apertures 44, 44A may be located
anywhere within either enclosure member 26 or 28, but are provided
proximate ends 31 and 33, respectively in the present embodiment.
Support legs 46 may be provided on either enclosure member 26 or
28, but are provided on second enclosure member 28 and extend
radially therefrom to define a substantially planer profile upon
which the enclosed spool 10 can be placed on a surface in the
present embodiment. In one embodiment, four support legs 46 are
employed as shown in the Figures (although not every support leg
can be viewed in the Figures).
[0016] As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, first and second enclosure
members 26, 28 join together to encircle or encase spool member 12
and enclose the spool volume V defined by spool member 12, the
axial gap G, and the enclosure members 26, 28, when encircling or
encasing spool member 12. From a review of FIGS. 3-5, it will be
appreciated that first and second enclosure members 26, 28 together
provide a first peripheral groove 50 and second peripheral groove
52 for respectively receiving first peripheral edge 22 and second
peripheral edge 24 of spool member 12. More particularly, first and
second enclosure members 26, 28 pivotally join at hook member 40
and rod member 42 to lock around spool member 12 through the
interaction of female slots 36 and male lock tabs 38. This creates
the "enclosed" spool 10.
[0017] It will be appreciated that the enclosed spool 10 may be
used for any flexible line product suitable for spooling (i.e.,
winding about an axis member of a spool), including particularly
trimmer line, fishing line and pulling line, or other monofilament
type line. The flexible line may be wound about base axis member 16
in any of a number of ways, and each means for winding the flexible
line about the base axis member permits a different type of
enclosed spool structure, as will be described herein.
[0018] It can be seen in the embodiment of FIG. 2 that base axis
member 16 includes starting hole 54, for receiving an end of a
flexible line. After an end of a flexible line is placed in
starting hole 54, spool 12 may be rotated to take up the flexible
line onto base axis member 16, between first and second sidewalls
18, 20, i.e., within the axial gap G. It will be appreciated that
starting hole 54 can be positioned on either first or second
sidewall 18, 20 near the base axis member 16, and the flexible line
would be inserted through this hole from the side of gap G and
secured so that rotation of the spool member results in the line
being wound on base axis member 16. When the spool volume V is
filled with the desired amount of flexible line, spool member 12
can be enclosed with the first and second enclosure members 26, 28.
To remove a length of flexible line 56 from such an enclosed spool
10, a free end (i.e., that end not secured to hole 54) of the
flexible line is fed through dispensing aperture 44 (this can be
done during the initial manufacturing of the enclosed spool, or
afterward by the end user) and pulled outside of enclosure 14 until
a desired length of flexible line is outside the enclosed spool 10.
The line is then cut. To pull line outside of enclosure 14, it will
be appreciated that spool member 12 rotates in a dispensing
direction about axis A, because peripheral edges 22 and 24
rotationally slide or otherwise move within their respective
grooves 50 and 52.
[0019] It will be appreciated that the spool member 12 of the
figures is shown with circular sidewalls 18, 20 because their
peripheral edges 22, 24 are to slide or move within peripheral
grooves 50, 52 of enclosure 14. This is due to the fact that the
flexible line is ultimately secured to base axis member 16, and,
thus, dispensing line from within enclosed spool 10 requires that
spool member 12 rotate within enclosure 14. Non-circular sidewalls
would not permit such rotation. In this embodiment, the enclosure
members 26 and 28 are shown as being arcuate, but they may be made
flexible enough to lie more flat so long as they are made to be
capable of forming an enclosure around a the spool member.
[0020] In an alternative embodiment, the spool member may be made
without circular sidewalls if the enclosed spool is constructed
such that the sidewalls of the spool member do not have to rotate
relative to the enclosure. This may be accomplished by making the
base axis member 16 and the sidewalls 18, 20 of a two part
construction. The coil of flexible wound line may be secured about
the base axis member either by affixing it thereto or by affixing
it to another element that is rotationally iMovable about the base
axis member. When pulling on the free end of the flexible line
outside of the enclosed spool to unwind the line, the base axis
member 16 (or element about the base axis member) rotates, but not
the sidewalls. In other words, the flexible line would move
rotationally relative to the axis of rotation defined by the base
axis member as a desired length of line is unwound therefrom.
Again, in such an embodiment, the sidewalls would not move during
line dispensing, and virtually any shape of sidewall could be
practiced.
[0021] In another embodiment, and as suggested above, the spool
member could be made to not rotate during dispensing of line by
providing a collar member around the base axis member and securing
the line to that collar. The collar would rotate about the base
axis member, permitting the base axis member to remain stationary
while the line moves rotationally relative to the axis of rotation
defined by the base axis member.
[0022] In one embodiment, dispensing aperture 44 is positioned
below a horizontal center line (see axis of rotation A) of enclosed
spool 10 when placed on a support surface on support legs 46 (FIG.
1). This positioning may be preferred because it ensures that the
flexible line extending outside of enclosed spool 10 will not be
entirely drawn back through dispensing aperture 44 by rotation of
spool member 12 in a counter-feed direction when the flexible line
is cut, if there happens to be counter tension on the wound line.
Where line tension is not an issue, it may be preferred to use the
dispensing aperture 44A closer to the cutting means or handle as
described herein. Such dispensing aperture 44A provides for less
line to remain outside the enclosed spool.
[0023] Essentially any cutting means known in the art may be used
to cut the spooled line within the enclosed spool 10. However,
referring to FIG. 6, a cutting element for enclosed spool 10 is
shown and designated by the numeral 60. Cutting element 60 includes
cutting blade 62 and cutting arm 64, both of which are shown
mounted to first enclosure member 26 proximate first handle portion
32 of handle 30. More particularly, cutting blade 62 is mounted in
slot 66 (between two sidewalls), and cutting arm 64 is pivotally
mounted to be manipulate at grip 68 to pivot and contact cutting
blade 62. Slot 66 has a line-receipt detent 70 into which cutting
blade 62 extends. Thus, by placing a length of flexible line in
line-receipt detent 70, touching against cutting blade 62, and
thereafter pivoting cutting arm 64 in the direction of arrow B to
contact cutting blade 62, the flexible line is pinched between
cutting arm 64 and cutting blade 62, and is cut to the desired
length. Again, this is merely one type of cutting element that may
be used in accordance with the present invention, it being
appreciated that other cutting elements might be employed and
configured into an enclosed spool in accordance with this
invention.
[0024] In one embodiment and as shown in FIG. 1, line slots 71A and
71B may optionally be provided for holding the free end of the line
when the enclosed spool is not in use or is being carried. Line
slot 71A is provided for line of a larger cross section than line
slot 71B. Measuring indicia 73 may also optionally be provided on
the enclosure 14 or, in an alternative embodiment, on the side
walls 18, 20 near their peripheral edges 22, 24, to aid one in
measuring the amount of line cut off of the wound line.
[0025] FIG. 7 provides a general schematic view of the interaction
of female slots 36 and male lock tabs 38 for one embodiment of the
present invention. Male lock tabs 38 have ramped surfaces, as at
72, having a narrow distal end 74 and a wide proximate end 76,
which provides a lock surface 78. The ramped surfaces 72 permit the
initial feeding of male lock tabs 38 into slots 36 (in direction of
arrow C), and, when inserted the full length of the ramped surface
72, lock surfaces 78 extend axially beyond slots 36 such that male
lock tabs 38 can not be easily removed from interaction with slots
36 (see phantom, FIG. 7). In order to remove male lock tabs 38 from
their locking interaction with slots 36, they must be squeezed
toward each other such that lock surfaces 78 realign with slots 36
so that male lock tabs 38 may be removed from slots 36 is the
opposite manner in which they were inserted and locked. This type
of connection is well known, and other connections can be practiced
in accordance with the present invention.
[0026] In light of the foregoing, it should thus be evident that
the process of the present invention, substantially improves the
art of spools for flexible spooling products, and provides
particular advantages for storing and dispensing flexible line.
While a full and complete description of the invention has been set
forth in accordance with the dictates of the patent statutes, it
should be understood that modifications can be resorted to without
departing from the spirit hereof or the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *