U.S. patent application number 12/248174 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-15 for hitch wire stand.
Invention is credited to Rodney Stiltner.
Application Number | 20100090053 12/248174 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42098010 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100090053 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stiltner; Rodney |
April 15, 2010 |
Hitch Wire Stand
Abstract
This invention relates to a multiple wire dispensing hitch stand
assembly which is adapted to fit into a receiver hitch of a
vehicle. The multiple wire dispensing assembly includes 1) an
extension bar that is adapted at one end to fit into a vehicle
hitch; 2) a shaft support member adapted to receive and retain the
second end of the extension bar; 3) a shaft support assembly
perpendicularly connected to the shaft support member. The shaft
support assembly contains a plurality of parallel spaced shaft
members centrally connected to the longitudinal axis of the spindle
support assembly. The shaft members each includes a spool support
rotational member secured coaxially thereon, and additionally, a
retaining cap is secured to the outer end of each shaft member. The
shaft members are adapted to receive and retain a spool of wire
thereon and to provide controlled contact therewith when the wire
strands from the respective spools of wire are to be dispensed
therefrom.
Inventors: |
Stiltner; Rodney; (Box
Springs, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Clifton Tunnell
Anderson Dailey, 2002 Summit Blvd, Suite 1250
Atlanta
GA
30319
US
|
Family ID: |
42098010 |
Appl. No.: |
12/248174 |
Filed: |
October 9, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/594.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 49/321 20130101;
B60R 9/06 20130101; B65H 49/327 20130101; B65H 2701/364
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/594.4 |
International
Class: |
B65H 49/32 20060101
B65H049/32; B65H 49/36 20060101 B65H049/36; B65H 49/26 20060101
B65H049/26 |
Claims
1. A multiple wire dispensing hitch stand assembly adapted for use
with a vehicle receiver hitch, comprising: a) an extension bar
having a first end thereof that includes a substantially square
cross section that is adapted for releasable insertion into said
vehicle receiver hitch, said receiver hitch having a substantially
square cross section, the inside dimensions thereof being larger
than the outside dimensions of said first end of said extension bar
and being adapted to receive and surround a portion of said first
end of said extension bar, and said extension bar having a second
end that is disposed opposite with respect to said first end, said
first end includes a hole in said extension bar adapted to align
with a receiver hitch hole in said receiver hitch whereby a
retaining pin is adapted for insertion through said hole and said
receiver hitch hole; b) a shaft support member that is adapted to
releasably receive and surround a portion of said second end of
said extension bar, said shaft support member having a
substantially square cross section the inside dimensions thereof
being larger than the outside dimensions of said second end of said
extension bar, said second end includes a hole in said extension
bar adapted to align with a shaft support hole in said shaft
support member whereby a retaining pin is adapted for insertion
through said extension bar hole and said receiver shaft support
member hole; c) a shaft support assembly having a longitudinal axis
connected in a substantially perpendicular alignment with respect
to the longitudinal axis of said shaft support member; d) a support
member interconnecting said shaft support member and said shaft
support assembly, wherein said longitudinal axis of said support
member is disposed such that a right triangle is formed with
respect the longitudinal axis of said shaft support assembly and
said shaft support member; e) a plurality of shaft members are
extended in a substantially perpendicular alignment through said
shaft support assembly such that their longitudinal axes are
centrally secured to said shaft support member and disposed at a
predetermined spaced apart parallel relationship in respect to one
another; f) a plurality of spool support rotational members are
located coaxially on the exteriors of said support shafts, said
rotational members permitting rotation of at least one spool of
wire thereon; and g) a plurality of retaining caps connected to the
outer edges of said spool shaft members, said retaining caps
prevents a spool of wire from sliding off a shaft member during
use; whereby a strand of elongate material, such as electrical wire
is dispensed off of a single or multiple spools of wire, when said
strand is attached to a fixed object and then a vehicle is moved a
distance to a desired location causing the strand to be dispensed
as the spool or spools rotate around each shaft member.
2. A multiple wire dispensing hitch stand as described in claim 1,
further including a square sealing cap on the upper end of said
shaft support assembly.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention generally relates to a dispenser apparatus
assembly for dispensing elongate flexible materials and in
particular to a hitch mountable system for providing a highly
portable and convenient means of dispensing multiple spools of
electrical wire for construction purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The use of dispenser apparatuses, especially those adapted
to dispense wire, are known in the prior art. More specifically,
dispenser apparatus for wire have been heretofore devised and tend
to be devices that are manually carried or manually pulled across
the ground. Some known devices are either trailer towed devices or
devices that require permanent attachment to a vehicle. These
devices often dispense a single strand of wire, but are often
either ill suited to the faster pace and greater strains that
accompany the improved pace of movement and dispensing possible
with a movable transport, such as a motorized vehicle, including
strains that may dislodge the spool holding the wire from the
transport.
[0003] Attempts to meet the greater strains of the faster pace of
movement appear to have resulted in the development of devices that
are less convenient and more time consuming to use. Although known
devices have been developed that are able to dispense multiple
strands of wire simultaneously, in general, these devices are
either fairly expensive to manufacture, difficult to use, and are
not capable of being removably attached to a vehicle. Further,
these devices have numerous moving parts that can break or
malfunction and require costly repair.
[0004] The majority of the dispensing devices in the prior art are
adapted for dispensing materials that will be used in agricultural
settings. Apparatus intended for dispensing wire for fencing in
agricultural settings generally have their spools mounted such that
its axis is perpendicular to the ground. These devices will
encounter difficulties in dispensing electrical wire, because if
the spool is mounted perpendicular to the ground, the inherent
weight of the wire causes it to fall and bind upon itself during
the process of dispensing.
[0005] In a construction settings, a single strand of wire can be
installed the length of the job site and then the process can be
repeated as many times as is necessary for each parallel run that
is required. However it is preferred to be able to install a
plurality of parallel runs of wire simultaneously. Accordingly, if
only one traversing across the job site can result in the
dispensing of two, four, or even six parallel runs of wire, a
savings of both time and effort will result.
[0006] As receiver hitches are in common use, a spooled wire
dispenser that is adapted for use with a receiver hitch can readily
be used with many vehicles. This eliminates the expense that is
associated with the use of a tow dolly to support and to transport
the dispenser. Further, a dispenser that extends an appropriate
distance away from the vehicle allows the operator to operate a
"pick-up truck," a commonly used vehicle in the construction
industry, with the vehicle's tail gate in the open or closed
position, thereby maximizing the use of the vehicle.
[0007] Examples of wire dispensing assemblies are those disclosed
in:
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 3,000,588. (Brady)--The Brady patent discloses
a rather elaborate trailer for unrolling heavy rolls of wire used
in electrical power lines and has means to use gear and chain
drives to insure the proper and accurate dispensing of the wire
from the spools.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 3,107,878 (Wong) The Wong patent discloses a
multiple reel carrier mounted on a wheelbarrow type structure and
having reel compensating features and separate brake
structures.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 2,789,778. (Zogg)--The Zogg et al patent
teaches a wire dispensing structure attached to the three-point
hitch on a farm tractor having pairs of wire spools which are
rotated in opposite directions to act against each other as a brake
when the tractor is stopped.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 3,934,655--(Whistle) The Whistle patent
discloses a rather elaborate post setting and wire dispensing
apparatus attached to a tractor structure.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,208,021 (Wall)--The Wall patent discloses a
plurality of stacked coil members utilized for the dispening
fencing wire and is substantially different structurally.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,737 (Sigle)--The Sigle patent discloses
a multiple wire dispensing assembly for use in fences that holds
the spools in a vertical position and includes an additional
trailer structure for supporting the assembly.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,900 (Conroy)--The Conroy patent
discloses a multiple wire dispensing assembly for use in fences
that holds the axes of the spools in a perpendicular position in
relation to the ground that is unsuitable for dispensing heavy
wire, such as electrical wire, because it binds upon itself during
dispensing due to gravity.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 6,951,316 B1 (Heidelberger)--The Heidelberger
patent discloses a towable wire dispensing assembly that includes
ground engaging apparatus for supporting the dispenser which are
unnecessary to the purpose of dispensing wire.
[0016] In these respects, the Multiple Wire Dispensing Hitch Stand
system according to the present invention substantially departs
from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in
so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose
of providing a highly portable and convenient means of dispensing
elongate flexible materials such as electrical wire.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of dispenser apparatus now present in the prior art, the
present invention provides a new vehicle hitch mountable dispenser
system construction wherein the same can be utilized for providing
a highly portable and convenient means of dispensing single or
multiple strands simultaneously of elongate flexible materials,
including heavy gage electrical wire. To attain this, the present
invention generally comprises a frame removably attachable to a
vehicle's hitch behind the vehicle, and a spool mounting assembly
mounted to the frame for supporting one or more spools on the
frame. The spool mounting assembly comprises a plurality of shaft
members attached through the center of an upwardly rising
longitudinal axis of the frame that are diposed parallel to the
ground and at a predetermined space apart from one another. Each
shaft member has a spool support rotational member mounted
coaxially thereon in order to allow the spool to freely rotate
around the shaft member. The exterior end of each shaft members
includes a retaining cap for securely retaining spools on the spool
support rotational member during operation.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0018] Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a wire
dispensing hitch assembly for readily connecting to a pickup truck,
tractor, or other vehicle's hitch member.
[0019] Another object of the invention is to provide a wire
dispensing assembly having a plurality of shaft support assemblies,
whereby it can retain and rapidly dispense multiple spools of wire
simultaneously.
[0020] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
wire dispensing assembly that retains the wire spools in a
horizontal position, such that the axes of the spools are parallel
to the ground, such that the electrical wire will not bind during
the dispensing process.
[0021] Another object of this invention is to provide a wire
dispensing assembly that securely retains the wire spools on said
assembly during operation.
[0022] Another object of this invention is to provide a wire
dispensing assembly that can be manufactured easily and
economically.
[0023] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
wire dispensing assembly that is easy to use and can be easily
assembled or disassembled on site.
[0024] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
wire dispensing assembly that can be operated when the tail gate of
pickup truck is in its raised or lowered position.
[0025] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
wire dispensing assembly that can be easily disassembled for
compact storage when not in use.
[0026] Another object of this invention is to provide a sturdy,
long lasting wire dispensing assembly that with sufficient strength
to withstand the forces imparted on it.
[0027] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
wire dispensing assembly that has a minimum amount of parts that
can wear out or be damage such that it substantially maintenance
free.
[0028] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached
specification and appended claims.
[0029] Various other objects, advantages, and features of the
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the
following discussion, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
FIGURES OF THE INVENTION
[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a new multiple
wire dispensing hitch stand assembly having wire spools located
thereupon as they would used in actual operation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0031] Referring now to the drawings, the new multiple wire
dispensing hitch stand assembly of this invention can be better
understood by reference to FIG. 1. Illustrated in FIG. 1, is a
multiple wire dispensing hitch stand assembly, indicated generally
at 10. The multiple wire dispensing hitch stand assembly 10 of the
invention is highly suitable for dispensing elongate flexible
materials or members. The elongate flexible materials may include
relatively stiff materials from a spool, such as wire, cable,
barbed wire, and also may include relatively more flexible
materials such as cord, rope, chain, and string. The dispenser is
highly suitable for being mounted to a towing vehicle, such as an
all terrain vehicle with three or four wheels, smaller tractors and
utility vehicles, but may be used with larger vehicles.
[0032] In the preferred embodiment, the multiple wire dispensing
hitch stand 10 includes an extension bar 12 that is adapted at a
first end 12a thereof for insertion into a receiver hitch 14 of a
vehicle (not shown.) Extension bar 12 allows a vehicle, such as a
pickup truck, that has a tailgate to be operated in raised or
lowered position while the hitch stand 10 is in use.
[0033] In general, the requirements for the construction of
extension bar 12 for use with receiver hitch 14 are well known and
are not discussed in great detail herein. Briefly, extension bar 12
is sized to fit inside receiver hitch 14. Passing through extension
bar 12 is a hole 22 that is disposed near the first end 12a
thereof. When the extension bar is properly inserted into receiver
hitch, hole 22 aligns with a receiver hitch hole 24 that passes
through receiver hitch 14. A retaining pin 26 is then inserted
through receiver hitch hole 24 and simultaneously through hole 22
in extension bar 12, thus securing the extension bar in a fixed
position in receiver hitch 14. Pin 26 is usually held in place by
the use of a second pin (not shown) which passes through it once it
is inserted through receiver hitch hole 24 and hole 22 in extension
bar 12.
[0034] Extension bar 12 also has a second end 12b that is disposed
at the end opposite to the first end 12a thereof, that is adapted
for insertion into shaft support member 44. Extension bar end 12b
includes a hole 32 passing through extension bar 12. When extension
bar end 12b is properly inserted into the shaft support member 44,
hole 32 aligns with shaft support member hole 34. A retaining pin
36 is then inserted through support member hole 34 and
simultaneously through hole 32, thereby securing extension bar 12
in a fixed position in shaft support member 44. Pin 36 is usually
held in place by the use of a second pin (not shown) which passes
through it once it is inserted through shaft support member 44 and
hole 32 in extension bar 12.
[0035] Shaft support member 44 is perpendicularly attached to a
shaft support assembly 50. A support member 48 creates a right
triangle by interconnecting said shaft support member 44 and shaft
support assembly 50 and provides additional reinforcement for the
integrity of the structure of multiple wire dispensing hitch stand
assembly 10.
[0036] Extension bar 12, shaft support member 44, and shaft support
assembly 50 are preferably of a square shape in transverse cross
section so as to present a rigid structure for support of a
plurality of horizontal shaft members 60. Each shaft member 60 is
interconnected through a central section of shaft support assembly
50 and is attached, by welding or the like, in a substantially
perpendicular alignment thereto and at a predetermined spaced apart
parallel relationship with respect to each other.
[0037] Each shaft member 60 is provided with a hollow coaxial
rotational member 80 to receive and support a respective spool of
wire 100 thereon and to allow a reduced frictional rotation of a
spool 100 during use as will be explained. The interior of each
coaxial rotational member 80 is lubricated and then placed such
that it coaxially surrounds said shaft member 60 allowing said
rotational member 80 to coaxially rotate around said shaft member
60. Exterior retaining cap 90 is connected to the exterior end of
said shaft member 60 to retain said coaxial rotational member 80.
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, when wire spool 100 is placed on wire
caddy 10, said exterior retaining cap 90 retains said wire spool
100 in place during operation. Each of the shaft members 60 are
capable of holding a spool 100. Thus the maximum number of spools
of wire (not shown) that can be simultaneously dispensed depends
upon the number and relative positioning of the shaft members 60.
In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, six shaft members
are able to hold six spools respectively.
[0038] During operation, a strand of elongate material, such as
electrical wire is dispensed off of a spool, such as spool 100, by
securing the strand (not shown) to a fixed object that is not
attached to the vehicle and then moving the vehicle to the general
location that is desired. As the vehicle moves, the strand, or up
to six strands simultaneously, are dispensed as the spool 100 or
spools rotate around each shaft member. After the vehicle stops,
the strand or strands are then manually urged into location and
severed from the spool.
[0039] The materials used for all of the component parts of the
multiple wire dispensing hitch stand assembly 10 are as desired as
are the methods whereby each component part is attached to the
other. However for purpose of example, a common material for the
component parts of the hitch stand assembly 10 is steel and a
common method of attaching them together is by welding. The
extension bar 12 must of course be sized to fit into the receiver
hitch 14 and shaft support member 44. Usually square steel tubing
is required to accomplish this. As it is common practice to
construct the receiver hitch 14 of different sizes of material
stock to accommodate different towing capacities, the exact size is
not given. If it is desired, certain of the component parts may be
formed as an assembly by casting or by any other process that is
known or preferred. Similarly other alloys as well as synthetic
materials may be used to form the component parts other than by use
of the steel that is described hereinabove.
[0040] The invention has been shown, described and illustrated in
substantial detail with reference to the presently preferred
embodiment. It will be understood by those skilled in this art that
other and further changes and modifications may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is
defined by the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *