U.S. patent application number 12/504285 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-01 for portable wire spool holding device.
Invention is credited to JERRY L. THOMPSON.
Application Number | 20100078514 12/504285 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42056341 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100078514 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
THOMPSON; JERRY L. |
April 1, 2010 |
PORTABLE WIRE SPOOL HOLDING DEVICE
Abstract
The present invention provides a spool holding device. The spool
holding device in several embodiments includes at least two
separate mechanical devices for supporting a cross bar between to
vertical supports. Each mechanical device can be comprised of three
primary components, two gripping elements connected by a leveraged
bar support element. The leveraged bar support element can be
adapted to hold a cross bar member. In several embodiments the
levered bar support element has a notch for holding a cross member
on one end, is connected to a gripping element on the other end and
a second gripping element connected between the notch and the other
gripping element. Both gripping elements are connected to leveraged
bar support element in a way that allows for at least partial free
rotation of each element, for example a bolt, washer and nut
arrangement could be used.
Inventors: |
THOMPSON; JERRY L.; (MALDEN,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
James Ray & Associates
2640 Pitcairn Road
Monroeville
PA
15146
US
|
Family ID: |
42056341 |
Appl. No.: |
12/504285 |
Filed: |
July 16, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61194425 |
Sep 26, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
242/588 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 49/327 20130101;
B65H 49/325 20130101; B65H 49/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/588 |
International
Class: |
B65H 49/32 20060101
B65H049/32; B65H 49/20 20060101 B65H049/20; B65H 49/26 20060101
B65H049/26 |
Claims
1. A portable wire spool holding device comprising: a. a pair of
support members each support member including: i. a first
structural shaped member and second structural member each
manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first
predetermined size and a first predetermined shape and each being
for engaging a predetermined portion of a predetermined vertical
support member; ii. an elongated support arm manufactured from a
second predetermined material and having a second predetermined
size and a second predetermined shape, said elongated support arm
being engageable with said first structural member, said second
structural member and said securing means at predetermined
locations, said elongated support arm including a groove member
disposed at a first end thereof; b. a cross bar member manufactured
from a third predetermined material and having a third
predetermined size and a third predetermined shape, said cross bar
member for fitting within each of said groove members of each of
said support members when said support members are each engaged
with predetermined vertical supports a predetermined distance apart
from each other and said groove members of said support arms are
substantially parallel to each other, said cross bar for supporting
at least one spool of wire thereon.
2. A portable wire spool holding device according to claim 1
wherein said first predetermined material is at least one of metal,
plastic, and a combination thereof.
3. A portable wire spool holding device according to claim 1
wherein said first predetermined material is a metal.
4. A portable wire spool holding device according to claim 1
wherein said first predetermined material is steel.
5. A portable wire spool holding device according to claim 1
wherein said second predetermined material is at least one of
metal, plastic, and a combination thereof.
6. A portable wire spool holding device according to claim 5
wherein said first predetermined material is a metal.
7. A portable wire spool holding device according to claim 5
wherein said first predetermined material is steel.
8. A portable wire spool holding device according to claim 1
wherein said third predetermined material is at least one of metal,
plastic, and a combination thereof.
9. A portable wire spool holding device according to claim 8
wherein said first predetermined material is a metal.
10. A portable wire spool holding device according to claim 8
wherein said first predetermined material is steel.
11. A portable wire spool holding device according to claim 1
wherein said device further includes a securing means for securing
each of said first structural member and said second structural
member to such respective predetermined vertical support members
such that said first structural member and said second structural
member each engage such predetermined portions of such
predetermined vertical support members.
12. A portable wire spool holding device according to claim 11
wherein said securing means is a nut and bolt type securing means.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application is related to and claims priority
from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/194,425 filed
Sep. 26, 2008.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates, in general, to wire spool
holding devices and, more particularly, this invention relates to a
wire spool holding device which can be attached to two wooden
studs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Prior to the conception and development of the present
invention, wire spools, as are generally well known in the prior
art, are used to hold various types of electrical wire. Such wire
spools are cumbersome, unwielding, and difficult to retrieve wire
therefrom. Additionally, having a wire spool sitting on the floor
of a work site can be hazardous as construction workers,
electricians, carpenters, and other workers may trip over such wire
spool injuring themselves or damaging the work site.
[0004] Specifically of interest to the present invention are the
following: Cinker, U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,754, discloses a support for
supporting items from an open stud wall or from an A-frame step
ladder. The support includes a pair of spaced, parallel crossbars,
and a support arm that interconnects the crossbar substantially at
their centers and extends outwardly therefrom to define a
supporting surface for supporting one or more spools of electrical
wire.
[0005] Berousek, U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,592, discloses a portable and
detachable wire and cable despooler firmly attaching to dimensional
lumber at a construction site, the despooler accepting pre-wound
spools of cable, flexible hose or wire, or accepting unspooled
rolls of wire, flexible hose and cable on spools which are part of
the invention. The despooler securely clamps onto the dimensional
lumber and one or more spools are attached to T-shaped extending
arms, the multiple spools of wire and cable attaching to the
extending arms secured by a pin placed through the end of the
extending arms, allowing for the unrolling or despooling of the
wire, flexible hose or cable.
[0006] Shelton, U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,301, discloses a stud mounted
reel support system for facilitating efficient spooling of wire
from a wire spool by removably attaching to a conventional stud
without a fastener inserted thereby elevating the wire spool off of
the floor increasing the workable surface area of the floor.
[0007] Silkey, U.S. Pat. No. 4,214,718, discloses a wire reel
support structure and bracket therefor which permits the user to
mount a reel of electrical wire between upright members such as
wooden studs. The support structure includes a pair of generally
L-shaped brackets adapted to fit on and engage respective studs,
with one projecting arm of the bracket being obliquely oriented and
adjacent the proximal stud face; an elongated, reel-supporting pipe
extends between the stud-mounted brackets and is disposed between
and engages the respective oblique bracket arms and corresponding
stud faces. The weight of the wire reel anchors the structure on
the studs and allows the wire to be unwound from the reel as
desired.
[0008] Benson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,167,255, discloses a stud grip or
clamp bracket for removable mounting onto a building stud. The
bracket includes a generally channel-shaped end which permits
lateral positioning of the bracket toward a stud for engagement
therewith. An elongate pivot arm is pivotally connected
intermediate its ends to the bracket for engaging the stud such
that the stud is clamped or frictionally engaged between the
channel-shaped end and a contacting end of the arm. A coil of cable
may be suspended from the pivot arm so that the cable may be paid
out for installation in a home or building.
[0009] Tyler, U.S. Publication No. 2007/0181731 discloses a
foldable reel for uncoiling electrical cable is described which
includes a suspension connector, pivoting bottom frame, vertical
brace maintaining the separation of the suspension connector and
the bottom frame, and flexible cable roll supports extending
between the distal portions of the bottom frame and the suspension
connector.
[0010] Stone, U.S. Publication No. 2004/0065770, discloses a tool
developed to clip on the vertical-building members (ie: studs) to
facilitate dispensing of electrical wire and plastic water lines as
well as provide scaffold and workbench capabilities for those
trades working in building construction prior to the wallboard
installation stage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention provides a spool holding device. The
spool holding device in several embodiments includes at least two
separate mechanical devices for supporting a cross bar between to
vertical supports. Each mechanical device can be comprised of three
primary components, two gripping elements connected by a leveraged
bar support element. The leveraged bar support element can be
adapted to hold a cross bar member. In several embodiments the
levered bar support element has a notch for holding a cross member
on one end, is connected to a gripping element on the other end and
a second gripping element connected between the notch and the other
gripping element. Both gripping elements are connected to leveraged
bar support element in a way that allows for at least partial free
rotation of each element, for example a bolt, washer and nut
arrangement could be used.
[0012] When used the present invention allows for the temporary
support of a rod or cross bar between vertical supports. When
downward force is applied to leveraged bar support element
preferably at the notch, gripping elements are forced closer
together until they grip a vertical support. This allows for the
support of a cross member that could hold a spool of wire or other
material.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0013] It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present
invention to provide a device for use in supporting a wire spool
such that such wire spool is removed from the ground thereby
eliminating the possibilities of worker's tripping on such wire
spool.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
convenient to use device for supporting at least one wire spool
between two vertical supports such as wooden studs.
[0015] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a device which includes a pair of support members for supporting a
cross bar there between; such cross bar fitting through a center
portion of a wire spool to support such spool and enable a user to
un-spool wire there from quickly, easily, and efficiently.
[0016] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
wire spool holding device releasably attachable to two supports,
such as wooden studs, such wire spool holding device being portable
and easy to engage with and release from such supports such that it
can be used over and over again to the advantage of a user.
[0017] Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a wire spool holding device releasably attachable to two
supports, such as wooden studs, such wire spool holding device
being portable and easy to engage with a range of different sized
and shaped supports such that it can be used over and over again to
the advantage of a user.
[0018] In addition to the various objects and advantages of the
present invention described with some degree of specificity above
it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the
present invention will become more readily apparent to those
persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more
detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such
description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing
figures and with the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention
in use with supported spools.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a general perspective view of the components of
the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a close up view of the present invention gripping
a vertical support.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the
present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity
and understanding, identical components which have identical
functions have been identified with identical reference numerals
throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing
figures.
[0023] Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-3 which
show a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Each support
member 10 is designed to be temporarily securable to a vertical
support 12. Each support member 10 comprises front structural
shaped member 14, rear structural shaped member 16, elongated
support arm 18 with notch 20 and securing means 22. Securing means
22 could be a nut and bolt type arrangement, or any securing means
that allows for at least partial rotation. When front structural
shaped member 14 and rear structural shaped member 16 are placed
around a vertical support 12 and cross member 24 with spool 26 is
placed in notch 20, front structural shaped member 14 and rear
structural shaped member 16 firmly grip vertical support 12
providing off the ground storage of spool 26.
[0024] Front structural shaped member 14 and rear structural shaped
member 16 are preferably shaped as channel shaped members that
closely fit the dimensions of the vertical supports 12 they are
engaging. Additionally, Front structural shaped member 14 and rear
structural shaped member 16 could have grip enhancing means to
better grip vertical support 12. Grip enhancing means could include
teeth, rubber grips, texturing or any means know in the art to
increase friction and grip. The grip enhancing means should be
applied to the contact surfaces, surfaces that contact vertical
support 12, of Front structural shaped member 14 and rear
structural shaped member 16.
[0025] While a presently preferred and various alternative
embodiments of the present invention have been described in
sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant
art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various
other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those
persons skilled in such art without departing from either the
spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
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