U.S. patent application number 13/506597 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-22 for electrician's rollable wire dispensing spool rack.
Invention is credited to Crit Randall Killen, John Joseph Tracy.
Application Number | 20120292428 13/506597 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47174224 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120292428 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tracy; John Joseph ; et
al. |
November 22, 2012 |
Electrician's rollable wire dispensing spool rack
Abstract
A rollable dispenser for spooled wire looks much like a large
hose reel. However, instead of the circular platters being held
together by a central cylindrical core, they are held together by
equiangularly-spaced tubular braces which rigidly interconnect the
frames adjacent their circular peripheral edges. One or more wire
spools are retained between the platters on removable axles which
span the distance between both platters at radial intervals. One or
more spools may also be retained by a centrally positioned axle.
For a preferred embodiment of the invention, each platter is
constructed from a length of circularly-bent tubing, the ends of
which are butt welded together to form a hoop. Each platter further
includes a circular laminar plate that includes a circular rim, a
central hub having a single axle aperture, and radial laminar
spokes, each having an axle aperture, which join the rim to the
hub.
Inventors: |
Tracy; John Joseph; (Payson,
UT) ; Killen; Crit Randall; (Orem, UT) |
Family ID: |
47174224 |
Appl. No.: |
13/506597 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61480113 |
Apr 28, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
242/594 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2/4059 20130101;
A61F 2002/30566 20130101; A61F 2002/30769 20130101; B65H 75/40
20130101; A61F 2002/30968 20130101; A61F 2/3601 20130101; A61F
2002/3694 20130101; A61F 2002/30822 20130101; B65H 49/325 20130101;
B65H 49/32 20130101; A61F 2/3676 20130101; A61F 2002/30289
20130101; A61F 2/3094 20130101; H02G 11/02 20130101; A61B 17/72
20130101; A61B 17/80 20130101; A61F 2002/30594 20130101; A61F
2002/30593 20130101; A61F 2/3662 20130101; A61F 2/3859 20130101;
A61F 2/389 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/594 |
International
Class: |
B65H 16/02 20060101
B65H016/02 |
Claims
1. An electrician's rollable dispenser for insulated metal wire
conductors wound on spools, said dispenser comprising: a pair of
generally circular platters, each platter having a generally
circular rim and a plurality of spokes coupled to a central hub; a
plurality of elongate cross braces, each of which is rigidly
attached, at each end thereof, to one of said circular platters,
such that both circular platters are maintained in a parallel,
spaced-apart, coaxial relationship; and a plurality of axles, each
of which is removably installable between said platters at fixed
locations that are either parallel or coincident with a central
axis of the dispenser, which passes through a center of each hub,
each of said axles intended to carry at least one conductor-wound
spool.
2. The electrician's rollable dispenser of claim 1, wherein said
circular rim is fabricated from a hoop of butt-welded steel tubing
that is welded to a plurality of arcuate gussets that reinforce the
hoop and spoke-to-hoop joints.
3. The electrician's rollable dispenser of claim 1, wherein said
elongate cross braces are welded to said platters.
4. The electrician's rollable dispenser of claim 1, wherein said
elongate cross braces are bolted to said platters.
5. The electrician's rollable dispenser of claim 1, wherein: said
elongate cross braces are metal pipe, with a first end of each
being right-hand threaded and a second end being left-hand
threaded; one platter is fitted with a set of right-hand threaded
couplings, the other platter is fitted with a set of left-hand
threaded couplings; said sets of couplings are secured to an inner
surface of their respective platter at radially-spaced locations
adjacent a periphery thereof; and said platters are joined together
by rotatably and simultaneously engaging one right-handed coupling
and one left-handed coupling with each elongate cross brace.
6. The electrician's rollable dispenser of claim 1, wherein
multiple spokes of each platter are each equipped with a
radially-disposed slot having a plurality of axle securing means at
different radial distances from the central axis.
7. The electrician's rollable dispenser of claim 6, wherein each of
said axles is a section of pipe threaded at both ends thereof and
said securing means comprises: multiple semi-circular cutout pairs
on opposite sides of each slot, each semi-circular cutout being
spaced from other semi-circular cutout pairs along the same slot,
each semi-circular cutout pair providing an axle securing location
within that slot; and a securing nut for each end of said
pipe-section axles, each securing nut having a stepped shoulder
sized to engage one semi-circular cutout pair in a slot.
8. The electricians rollable dispenser of claim 6, wherein each of
said axles is a section of pipe threaded at both ends thereof and
said securing means comprises: multiple semi-circular chamfers on
opposite sides of each slot, each semi-circular chamfer being
spaced from other semi-circular chamfer pairs along the same slot,
each semi-circular cutout pair providing an axle securing location
within that slot; and a securing nut for each end of said
pipe-section axles, each securing nut having a chamfered end sized
to engage one semi-circular chamfer pair in a slot.
9. The electricians rollable dispenser of claim 1, wherein each of
said platters is a built-up assembly comprising: a central hub; six
spokes; six identical platter rim sections, each of which comprises
an arcuate plate member, a tubular rim member welded to the arcuate
plate member, and an alignment pin protruding from one end of the
tubular rim member; and wherein said central hub, each of said
spokes and each platter rim section is equipped with bolt holes
that enable one end of each spoke to be bolted to the hub in an
equally-spaced radial pattern, and the opposite end of each spoke
to be bolted to an abutting pair of platter rim sections, thereby
securing together each abutting platter rim section pair.
10. The electricians rollable dispenser of claim 9, wherein each
elongate cross brace is a section of pipe having a flange at each
end thereof that bolts to one of the circular platters.
11. An electrician's rollable dispenser for insulated metal wire
conductors wound on spools, said dispenser comprising: at least two
parallel, coaxial, spaced-apart, generally circular platters, each
platter having a generally circular rim and a framework connecting
the circular rim to a central hub; a plurality of elongate cross
braces, each of which is rigidly attached, at opposite ends
thereof, to a pair of adjacent platters; a plurality of axles, each
of which is removably installable between said platters at fixed
locations that are either parallel or coincident with a central
axis of the dispenser, which passes through a center of each hub,
each of said axles intended to carry at least one conductor-wound
spool.
12. The electrician's rollable dispenser of claim 11, wherein said
framework consists of six, equiangularly-spaced spokes, which
emanate from the hub and connect to the circular rim.
13. The electrician's rollable dispenser of claim 12, wherein each
circular rim comprises a hoop of butt-welded steel tubing that is
welded to a plurality of arcuate gussets that reinforce the hoop
and spoke-to-hoop joints.
14. The electrician's rollable dispenser of claim 11, wherein each
of said platters is a welded, built-up assembly, and said elongate
cross braces are welded to said platters.
15. The electrician's rollable dispenser of claim 11, wherein said
elongate cross braces are bolted to said platters.
16. The electrician's rollable dispenser of claim 11, wherein: said
elongate cross braces are metal pipe, with a first end of each
being right-hand threaded and a second end being left-hand
threaded; one platter is fitted with a set of right-hand threaded
couplings, the other platter is fitted with a set of left-hand
threaded couplings; said sets of couplings are secured to an inner
surface of their respective platter at radially-spaced locations
adjacent a periphery thereof; and said platters are joined together
by rotatably and simultaneously engaging one right-handed coupling
and one left-handed coupling with each elongate cross brace.
17. The electrician's rollable dispenser of claim 11, wherein
multiple spokes of each platter are each equipped with a
radially-disposed slot having a plurality of axle securing means at
different radial distances from the central axis.
18. The electrician's rollable dispenser of claim 17, wherein each
of said axles is a section of pipe threaded at both ends thereof
and said securing means comprises: multiple semi-circular cutout
pairs on opposite sides of each slot, each semi-circular cutout
being spaced from other semi-circular cutout pairs along the same
slot, each semi-circular cutout pair providing an axle securing
location within that slot; and a securing nut for each end of said
pipe-section axles, each securing nut having a stepped shoulder
sized to engage one semi-circular cutout pair in a slot.
19. The electricians rollable dispenser of claim 17, wherein each
of said axles is a section of pipe threaded at both ends thereof
and said securing means comprises: multiple semi-circular chamfers
on opposite sides of each slot, each semi-circular chamfer being
spaced from other semi-circular chamfer pairs along the same slot,
each semi-circular cutout pair providing an axle securing location
within that slot; and a securing nut for each end of said
pipe-section axles, each securing nut having a chamfered end sized
to engage one semi-circular chamfer pair in a slot.
20. The electricians rollable dispenser of claim 11, wherein each
of said platters is a built-up assembly comprising: a central hub;
six spokes; six identical platter rim sections, each of which
comprises an arcuate plate member, a tubular rim member welded to
the arcuate plate member, and an alignment pin protruding from one
end of the tubular rim member; and wherein said central hub, each
of said spokes and each platter rim section is equipped with bolt
holes that enable one end of each spoke to be bolted to the hub in
an equally-spaced radial pattern, and the opposite end of each
spoke to be bolted to an abutting pair of platter rim sections,
thereby securing together each abutting platter rim section pair.
Description
[0001] This application has a priority date based on the filing of
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/480,113 of the same title, by
the inventor, John Joseph Tracy, on Apr. 28, 2011.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates, generally, to construction tools and
equipment used by electricians and, more particularly to racks
designed to hold multiple spools of wound wire and cable, so that
the wire and cable can be selectively dispensed by unwinding it
from the spools, as needed, during installation thereof in a
building or other large structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The installation of electrical wires and cables at a
construction site is normally accomplished in a series of steps.
For commercial and industrial construction, electrical boxes and
conduits are installed on the walls or in the framed structure of
the building. It is not unusual for the space between floors or
spaces above drop ceilings to be used for runs of conduit and
cable. Secondly, insulated copper conductors are pulled through the
conduits and into the boxes. Thirdly, the conductors cut to
appropriate lengths, insulation is stripped from the end of each
conductor, some conductors are connected to others in the same box,
and fixtures, switches, outlets, and other electrical devices are
connected to the ends of the remaining conductors. For residential
construction (and even for some light commercial and office
construction), electrical boxes are installed in the framing of the
building. Secondly, holes are drilled in the framing for runs of
cable between the electrical boxes. Thirdly, cables having multiple
copper conductors are pulled through the holes in the framing and
into the electrical boxes. Fourthly, the cables are cut to an
appropriate length, protective sheathing is removed from the end of
each cable, with a small amount of sheathing remaining where it
enters the electrical box. Fifthly, insulation is stripped from the
ends of each of the conductors, come conductors are connected to
others in the same box, and fixtures, switches, outlets and other
electrical devices are connected to the ends of the remaining
conductors. It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that
these three steps require a substantial amount of materials and
labor, both of which affect the overall cost of the electrical
work. Those skilled in the art of electrical work recognize that
the process of installing electrical wiring in aircraft and ships
most closely resembles the process used for installing electrical
wiring in commercial buildings.
[0004] Electrical cables are frequently obtained from the
manufacturer in a corrugated paperboard box. A center portion of
one side of the box is removable so that one end of the cable can
be pulled from the box. As the box does not rotate as the cable is
extracted, twists are imparted to the cable. Single conductor
insulated wire is almost always provided on a spool, which can be
placed on an axle so that the wire can be unwound from the spool
without imparting twists to the wire. In larger quantities, cable
is also available on spools. For commercial wiring work, it is
frequently necessary to pull many individual conductors at once
through a single conduit. In order to prevent the wires from
becoming tangled during the pulling operation, and to minimize the
cross-sectional area of the pulled bundle, it is essential that the
wire either be laid out on the ground in a bundle having no twists,
or that the individual wires be unwound simultaneously from a rack
on which the spools are mounted on axles so that the wire bundle
can be pulled through the conduit without twists, kinks, or
tangles. The task is made more difficult by the fact that wires may
be of different size (i.e., current carrying capacity), and
provided on different diameter spools. In the case of commercial
buildings or similar structures, typically on the order of six to
twelve or more wires may be pulled at the same time. In the case of
large aircraft and large ships, the simultaneous pulling of between
forty and sixty wires through electrical conduits is not
uncommon.
[0005] Electricians are not the only tradesmen who routinely need
to dispense multiple wires and/or multiple cables. Television cable
installers and computer network installers have similar needs. For
all of these applications, a wire and/or cable dispenser should
have certain characteristics to provide maximum efficiency and
convenience for the user. First, a dispenser of electrical wire or
cable (hereinafter referred to as a wire/cable dispenser) should
hold a plurality of wire/cable spools. Second, the wire spools
should be directly observable to check the amount of wire remaining
on each spool. Third, each wire spool should be easily replaceable
when it becomes exhausted, with the removal of other spools being
held to an absolute minimum. Fourth, the wire spools held by the
wire/cable dispenser should not free spin in a coasting manner as
the wire is dispensed therefrom. Free spinning is a problem because
it can cause tangles as the wire is unwound. Fifth, the wire/cable
dispenser should be portable. That is to say that it should be
capable of being readily transported between work sites and
manually movable to different areas if a particular job site.
Finally, the wire/cable dispenser should be easily locked in a
desired location so that it does not creep or roll as wire or cable
is dispensed therefrom.
[0006] Electrician racks and carts, on which spools of wire can be
mounted for the simultaneous, untangled and unkinked unwinding of
multiple wires have likely been available for more than a hundred
years. Over that period, available racks and carts have become
generally more transportable, lighter in weight and better adapted
to electrical installation work. As will be seen from the following
descriptions, a plethora of electrician wire rack and cart patents
have been patented.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 1,230,591 to Lou Gray discloses an inclined
display rack for holding spools of wound electric wire of various
grades and gages. The rack is designed such that wire from multiple
spools may be unwound simultaneously. The rack, though lacking
wheels, could be moved to different locations, either with the
spools of wire in place, or by removing the spools and moving the
rack and spools separately.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 2,957,644 to Gerald M. Beardslee discloses a
conveniently transportable rack for retaining a plurality of spools
of wire on tubular latched cross supports. Wire can be dispensed
from multiple spools simultaneously.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 3,856,230 to Edward J. Zimmer discloses a wire
dispensing cart that is combination of a two-wheeled hand dolly and
a rigid supplemental frame superstructure that is adapted to hold a
plurality of axles in a ladder like configuration. At least one
spool of wire can be suspended from each of the axles. Wire can be
dispensed from one or more spools simultaneously.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,533,091 to Reed H. Knight discloses a
portable multiple-spool wire dispenser. The wire dispenser includes
two brackets adapted to mount on the spaced-apart support legs of a
step ladder, and a spool-supporting shaft spanning the distance
between the brackets and secured to each of them. The shaft is
mounted so that one end thereof can be swung out for adding or
removing spools.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,308 to Norman P. Tussing discloses a
cart for use by electricians, which has a main longitudinal member
supported at its ends by pairs of wheels with one pair being of the
swivel type to facilitate passage through narrow doorway openings
of a building. End-mounted post assemblies on the longitudinal
member are equipped with arms for the optional carrying of wire
reels or electrical conduit. Each post assembly includes at least
one sleeve through which may be inserted a spindle on which a large
reel of wire may be carried.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,349, also to Norman P. Tussing,
discloses a cart for transporting wire spools as a job site and
having a tee-shaped frame with a three wheel undercarriage. A spool
support includes a post with arms on which wire spools are
rotatably carried.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,981 to Steven M. Pavelka discloses a
spooled wire dispenser cart, which includes a central frame and a
plurality of spaced spool bars. At the free end of each spool bar
is a spool retainer. Each spool retainer includes an elongate
element which has an unblocking position relative to the spool bar,
which permits wire spools to be freely slid over the free end of
the spool bar and a blocking position which prevents wire spools
from sliding over the free end of the spool bar. The wire cat may
also include a folding handle having an extended maneuvering
position.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,012 to Carsen S. Fuller discloses a
folding wire cart convertible into a float and handtruck. The wire
cart has a body rotatably attached to a base, main wheels secured
to the base, and a handtruck handle. Additionally, the convertible
folding wire cart has a float handle and swivel wheels spaced apart
from the main wheels and adjacent the handtruck handle so that the
wire cart may also be used in a float configuration.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,232 to John A. Lambert, Jr. discloses an
omnidirectional wire dispenser for transporting and dispensing
single and multiple wires in any direction. The wire dispenser
comprises a boxlike outer frame, with wheeled legs, a parallel
inner shaft, with perpendicular spool holders thereon, and spool
tension bars. The top out frame contains individual wire guide
windows, which permit omnidirectional dispensing of one or more
wires from spool holders without repositioning the dispenser.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,928 to Daniel T. Lassiter discloses a
rack for rotatably mounting one or more wire dispensing spools. A
set of four rollers extend horizontally between a pair of spaced
parallel side walls and are positioned in a generally square-shaped
configuration and rotatably mount and retain the spools
therebetween. Each roller includes a cylindrical low-friction
plastic sleeve mounted on a center suport rod or axle. A plurality
of spacers separate the sleeve into a plurality of sleeve sections,
thereby allowing the spools to rotate independently of each other
without affecting the rotation of adjacent spools. A top roller of
each set is spring biased and moves horizontally within a pair of
aligned slots formed in the spaced side walls, thereby allowing the
spring biased roller to move horizontally toward and away from the
other top roller of each set so that the spools may be easily
inserted or removed from the rack. Front and rear wheels and a
handle allow the rack to used as a cart to transport the spools and
other equipment and materials to and from the work site.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,280 to Angelo S. Dimitri discloses a
hand-carried wire spool rack for dispensing wire. The rack includes
a frame having a pair of horizontally extending parallel members
for rotatably supporting at least one removable wire spool. The
members are spaced apart by a distance that is less than the
diameter of the spool. An upper member is secured to the frame and
extends parallel with one of the parallel members. The upper member
is positioned upwardly and outwardly from one of the parallel
members. The wire spool is positionable in a first position in
rotatable supported engagement with one fo the parallel members and
the upper member when a dispensing force is exerted on the wire
spool which is generally greater than the relative weight of the
wire spool.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,819 to Francis Korn, et al. discloses a
rack for dispensing wire or tubing from spools rotatably mounted on
a rod supported at its ends by retaining slots in opposing sides of
a rectangular frame.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,451 to Hristos Radaios discloses a
carrier for one or more rotatably-mounted spools of wire. The
carrier is portable, and is suitable for the separate or
simultaneous dispensing of wire from one or more wire spools housed
within the carrier. The carrier includes a central rod, which is
inserted through the center of each spool. The carrier further
includes a generally semi-circular cradle positioned below the wire
spools. A pair of end walls supports the semi-circular cradle.
Channels in the end walls permit rotation of the cradle relative to
these end walls. The channels are formed by a generally circular
cut-out in each of the end walls. The carrier also includes one or
more slots in the cradle for the passage and dispensing of the wire
through these slots.
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,533 to Doyle Elder discloses a wheeled
dispenser for dispensing wire from spools. The dispenser has a
rectangular frame, three stationary vertical posts, and two
rotatable vertical posts each located between two stationary posts.
Each rotatable post has a plurality of laterally projecting rods
for supporting spools. The rotatable post can be rotated to a first
position such that the rods are accessible for loading spools, and
rotated to a second position wherein each rod can latch to an
adjacent stationary post, with the spools held parallel so that
they all pay out wire in one direction. The dispenser also has
wheels and a handle which can incline relative to the frame. A pin
arranged to close a clevis secured the handle in a substantially
upright position relative to the frame.
[0021] U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,920 to David G. Watkins discloses a
collapsible dolly for dispensing cable or wire from spools mounted
thereon. The dolly includes a frame body having first and second
ends, a substantially vertical support having upper and lower ends
and an inclined support having first and second ends, with at least
one of the supports including a spool axle. The lower end of the
vertical support is releasably pivotally affixed to the first end
of the body, the first end of the inclined support is releasably
affixed to the upper end of the vertical support and the second end
of the inclined support is releasably pivotally affixed to the
second end of the body. The dolly also includes an optional handle
releasably pivotally affixed to the second end of the body and
interchangeable with an extendible elevating cable boom.
[0022] U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,094 to William F. Campbell discloses a
wire dispensing utility cart adapted to carry wire spools for
dispensing wire during installation. A relatively large utility
cart is provided for carrying multiple large spools of wire in a
mobile fashion for dispensing wire during the installation of
electrical wiring in buildings, structures, aircraft, and the like.
The cart provides at least two elongated storage bays to facilitate
transportation of relatively large objects such as ladders,
conduits and other materials and supplies needed for the
installation process.
[0023] U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,504 to Doyle W. Elder discloses an
easily-maneuvered, four-wheeled cart upon which a number of spools
of wire, or other spooled material, of either like size or
different sizes can be rotatably mounted along an inclined plane
such that wires can be pulled from multiple spools without becoming
entangled one with another. A wire guide aids in bringing the
various wires together as a bundle for pulling as a single
unit.
[0024] U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,777 to Michael F. Gaudio discloses a
portable wire spool caddy for releasably holding at least one
cylindrical spool having an outer diameter while a wire or the like
is being unwound from the spool. The caddy comprises an elongated
frame which includes first and second spaced apart ends, a
plurality of generally parallel fixed rods which each extend
between and are connected to the first and second ends, and at
least one movable rod which is generally parallel to the fixed rods
and which extends between and is pivotably connected to the first
and second ends. The movable rod is pivotable between a first
position in which the movable rod is separated from an adjacent
fixed rod by a second distance that is less than the diameter of
the spool, and a second position in which the movable rod is
separated from the adjacent fixed rod by a third distance, which is
greater than the diameter of the spool. When the movable rod is in
its first position, the spool is retained between the movable rod
and the fixed rods, and when the movable rod is in its second
position, the spool may be removed ro inserted between the movable
rod and the adjacent fixed rod.
[0025] U.S. Pat. No. 7,150,459 to Jay Anderson, et al. discloses a
manually-operated wheeled reel support and dispensing cart for
supporting multiple reels of material and for dispensing the
material from the reels. The cart includes a cart frame having
spaced side members, handles for manual cart handling and a top
cross brace, which the frame being connected to a support plate and
wheel assembly. A plurality of spindle hinge elements, each having
a pivot opening, are fixed in spaced relation on one of the frame
side members and receive L-shaped removable spindle elements for
pivotal opening and closing movement. When open, the spindle
elements are supported so that reels can be added or removed. When
the spindle elements are closed, the secure reels of material to
the cart.
[0026] U.S. Pat. No. 7,243,876 to Clyde R. Robison discloses an
apparatus for handling wire spools. The apparatus includes a brace
and a spool handle removably connected to the base. A spool is
mounted on the handle and thereafter a user picks up the handle and
mounts it on the base. Thereafter, wire can be dispensed from the
spool.
[0027] U.S. Patent Publication 2007/0120003 for Geoffrey L. Grant
discloses a caddy for spooled materials, which facilitates the
removal and installation of spools of coiled materials (wire,
cable, rope, cord, chain, etc.) within the device, while positively
retaining the spools as material is withdrawn. The caddy includes a
pair of opposed lateral frame members having a series of fixed
crossmembers therebetween, which define a spool retaining cradle
therein. A pivotally mounted arm extends from each frame member
adjacent the first or rear fixed crossmember, with a spool
retaining crossmember connecting the distal ends of the arms. When
the movable cross-member is raised, sufficient room is provided
between the first fixed crossmember and movable crossmember to
allow a spool to be placed within or removed from the caddy.
However, when the movable crossmember is lowered, the space between
the first fixed crossmember and the movable crossmember is reduced
to less than the diameter of the spool, thereby securing the spool
in place.
[0028] U.S. Pat. No. D584,471 to Johannes Petrus Louis Diedericks
discloses a wire and cable spool cart having a frame with a
longitudinal backbone and two transverse supports at opposite ends
thereof. Each of the transverse supports is equipped with a spaced
apart swiveling wheel assemblies. An inverted L-shaped support,
which is affixed to one end of the frame, is equipped with a
plurality of transverse horizontal spool-mounting tubes, which
extend from both sides of the L-shaped support. Multiple spools of
wire may be placed on each end of a spool-mounting tube. Each end
of a spool-mounting tube is equipped with a spool retainer.
[0029] U.S. Pat. No. 7,481,394 to John T. Gleason discloses a caddy
for carrying spools of electrical wire. The caddy has complementary
T-shaped slots in opposite side walls and members affixed between
the side walls that support the spools, forming a cage, and one
member rides within the T-shaped slot. The moving member may be
pulled away from the cage to allow for room to release a spool from
its cage, but the member will move by itself in response to
movement of the caddy to keep the spool or spools locked within the
cage.
[0030] U.S. Patent Publication 2010/0078514 for Jerry L. Thompson
discloses a portable wire spool holding device that includes at
least two separate mechanical devices for supporting a cross bar
between two 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.
[0031] The heretofore described electrician racks and carts have
one or more deficiencies. Some are overly complicated; others are
unwieldy; others are not particularly portable; others are
difficult to and still others are unnecessarily heavy. What is
needed is a new type of carrier for spools wound with electrical
wire and/or cable. The carrier should be relatively inexpensive,
easy to manipulate, ultra compact, lightweight, easy to move
without having to lift and carry it, simple to manufacture, easily
rendered unmovable for the pulling of multiple wires, and capable
of holding a number of spools of wire sufficient for serious
electrical installation work.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0032] A rollable dispenser for spooled wire and/or cable looks
much like a large reel for garden hose storage. Like many such
reels, the circular, spaced-apart, parallel platters thereof are
constructed from a circular rim, a plurality of radial spokes, and
a central disc, with the spokes interconnecting the rim and the
central disc. However, instead of the spaced-apart, parallel
platters of the reel being held together by a central cylindrical
core, they are held together by equiangularly-spaced tubular braces
which rigidly interconnect the platters near their peripheral
edges. The spokes of each platter are radially aligned with those
of the opposite platter. One or more wire spools are retained
between the platters on removable axles which span the distance
between the radially-aligned spokes of both platters. One or more
spools may also be retained by an axle passing through the reel's
central axis.
[0033] For a preferred embodiment of the invention, the circular
rim of the platter is constructed from a length of circularly-bent
tubing, the ends of which are butt welded together to form a hoop.
Each of the radial spokes is constructed from a length of steel
channel stock. The central disc is surrounded by a cylindrical
wall, which is either formed with the disc in a single stamping or
welded to the periphery of the disc. The inner ends of the spokes
are welded to the cylindrical wall, with the spoke channels and the
wall of the central disc facing one direction, which will be the
outer platter of the platter. The outer ends of the spokes are
welded directly to the hoop so that the flat major surface of each
spoke is coplanar with the inner surface of the hoop. This
configuration will enable spools of wire to be installed within the
rolling spool rack without the hoop interfering with the entry
thereof into the rack. An arcuate gusset reinforces each section of
hoop between each pair of adjacent spokes, and is welded to the
hoop, as well as to each of the adjacent spokes. Each spoke is
equipped with one or two axle apertures, which each axle aperture
accommodating different spool sizes. Each axle aperture is
reinforced with a surrounding flat washer that is welded to the
spoke. For smaller-diameter embodiments of the invention, the
entire central portion of the platter (i.e., spokes and central
disc) can be stamped or cut from a single piece of steel plate
stock. This can even be done for the larger-diameter embodiments,
but with substantial waste of steel between the spokes.
[0034] Once a pair of platters has been fabricated, they are
positioned parallel to one another, with the spokes and arcuate
gussets of one platter radially aligned with the spokes and
gussets, respectively, of the other platter. Each end of a tubular
brace is then welded to a middle region of a gusset of each
radially aligned pair of gussets, thereby interconnecting the
platters, yet still leaving sufficient space to insert spools into
the rollable rack from the periphery thereof. The tubular braces
are radially spaced so that spools containing wound wire can be
placed between the platters and mounted on a removable axle which
spans the distance from one platter to the other. Each axle is
preferably fabricated from a length of pipe that has been threaded
on both ends. Retaining nuts are most easily made by sawing a pipe
coupler in a direction that is perpendicular to the coupler's
central axis.
[0035] The fabrication process results in a structure that can be
easily rolled from one location to another, and which can be rolled
up or down a loading ramp. The circular hoop on each platter serves
several functions: it strengthens the outer edges of the platter,
reduces rolling and turning friction, and minimizes the likelihood
that the outer edges of the bobbin will cut items over which it
might roll (e.g., worker's toes).
[0036] The rollable, spooled wire dispenser can be prevented from
rolling by locking it in place with a chock modeled after those
which have been used to chock airplane wheels for nearly a century.
The rollable wire/cable dispenser can be manufactured in various
diameters and in various widths to accommodate wire spools of
different sizes and widths. Presently preferred embodiments of the
invention are built with 60-inch, 48-inch, and 24-inch outplatter
diameters. A 60-inch-diameter embodiment having a width of 37
inches can accommodate up to six 23.5-inch-diameter, 16-inch-wide
spools (two spools on every other radially-spaced axle) wound with
up to 2500 feet of #6 insulated wire and three 15.5-inch-diameter,
9.5-inch-wide spools (three spools on the central axle) wound with
up to 1000 feet of #6 or #8 insulated wire. Alternatively, the
60-inch diameter embodiment can accommodate twenty-one
15.5-inch-diameter spools (three spools on each radially-spaced
axle and three spools on the central axle) wound with up to 1000
feet of #6 or #8 insulated wire. A 48-inch-diameter embodiment
having a width of 34 inches accommodates up to twenty-one
15.5-inch-diameter, 9.5-inch wide spools (three per axle) wound
with up to 2500 feet of #10 or #12 insulated wire. A
24-inch-diameter embodiment having a width of 23.5 inches
accommodates up to twenty-eight 7-inch-diameter, 5-inch-wide spools
(two per axle) wound with up to 500 feet of #14 or #16 insulated
wire.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a first embodiment
60-inch-diameter rolling spool rack;
[0038] FIG. 2 is front or rear elevational view of a first
embodiment 60-inch-diameter embodiment rolling spool rack having a
width of 37 inches;
[0039] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the first embodiment
60-inch-diameter rolling spool rack showing a configuration for
installation of 23.5-inch-diameter, 16-inch-wide spools (three are
shown mounted on three different, radially-spaced axles) and
15.5-inch-diameter, 9.5-inch-wide spools (six are shown on
different, radially-spaced axles and one is shown on a central
axle);
[0040] FIG. 4 is front or rear elevational view of the first
embodiment 60-inch-diameter embodiment rolling spool rack having a
width of 37 inches showing a frontal (or rear) configuration for
installation of 23.5-inch-diameter, 16-inch-wide spools (two are
shown mounted on a single axle);
[0041] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment
60-inch-diameter rolling spool rack showing a configuration for
installation of 23.5-inch-diameter, 16-inch-wide spools (four are
shown mounted on four different, radially-spaced axles);
[0042] FIG. 6 is front or rear elevational view of a second
embodiment 60-inch-diameter embodiment rolling spool rack having a
width of 37 inches showing a frontal (or rear) configuration for
installation of 23.5-inch-diameter, 16-inch-wide spools (two are
shown mounted on a single axle);
[0043] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a 48-inch-diameter
embodiment of a rolling spool rack, showing a configuration for
installation of 15.5-inch-diameter, 9.5-inch-wide spools (six are
shown mounted on different, radially-spaced axles, and one is shown
mounted on a central axle);
[0044] FIG. 8 is front or rear elevational view of a
48-inch-diameter embodiment of a rolling spool rack having a width
of 34 inches, showing a frontal (or rear) configuration for
installation of 15.5-inch-diameter, 9.5-inch-wide spools (three are
shown mounted on a single axle);
[0045] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a 24-inch-diameter
embodiment of a rolling spool rack, showing a configuration for
installation of 7-inch-diameter, 5-inch-wide spools (six are shown
mounted on different, radially-spaced axles, and one is shown
mounted on a central axle);
[0046] FIG. 10 is front or rear elevational view of a
24-inch-diameter embodiment of a rolling spool rack having a width
of 23.5 inches, showing a frontal (or rear) configuration for
installation of 7-inch-diameter, 5-inch-wide spools (four are shown
mounted on a single axle); and
[0047] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a single axle and a pair of
retainer nuts.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0048] Various embodiments of the rolling wire spool rack will now
be described in detail, with reference to the attached drawing
FIGS. 1 through 13. It should be understood that the drawings are
not, necessarily, drawn to scale, and that they are intended to be
merely illustrative of the invention.
[0049] Referring now to FIG. 1, a first embodiment 60-inch-diameter
rolling spool rack 100 is seen in a side view, which shows only one
platter 101-A of two identical, spaced-apart circular platters
101-A and 101-B (item number 101 applies to either). Each of the
platters 101 is fabricated from a peripheral hoop 102, a central
disc 103, and plurality of radially-spaced spokes 104, which
interconnect the central disc 103 to the peripheral hoop 102. The
hoop 102 is constructed from a length of circularly-bent tubing,
the ends of which are butt welded together, thereby forming the
hoop 102. Each of the spokes 104 is constructed from a length of
steel channel stock. The central disc 103 is, preferably,
surrounded by a cylindrical wall 105, which is either formed with
the disc 103 in a single stamping or welded to the periphery of the
disc 103. The inner end 106 of each spoke 104 is welded to the
cylindrical wall 105, with the spoke channels 107 and the
cylindrical wall 105 on one side of the platter 101, which will be
the outer side thereof. The outer end 108 of each spoke 104 is
welded directly to the hoop 102, so that the flat major surface of
each spoke (i.e., the surface behind the channel 107) is coplanar
with the inner surface of the hoop 102. This configuration will
enable spools of wire to be installed within the rolling spool rack
without the hoop interfering with the entry thereof into the rack.
An arcuate gusset 109 reinforces each section of hoop 102 between
each pair of adjacent spokes 104, and is welded to the hoop 102, as
well as to each of the adjacent spokes 104. Each spoke is 104
equipped with two axle apertures 110-A and 110-B, with each axle
aperture on a single spoke 104 accommodating the mounting of spools
of different diameters. In addition, the central disc is also
equipped with a single axle aperture 110-C. Each axle aperture
110-A, 110-B, and 110-C is reinforced with a surrounding flat
washer 111 that is welded to the spoke 104. It should be noted that
the positions of the hidden tubular cross braces are indicated by
six broken-line circles 112-A, 112-B, 112-C, 112-D, 112-E and 112-F
(item number 112 applies, generally, to any of the six tubular
cross braces of the first embodiment 60-inch-diameter rolling wire
spool rack 100). The ends of each tubular cross brace 112 are
welded to two opposing arcuate gussets 109 on opposite platters
101.
[0050] Referring now to this FIG. 2, the first embodiment
60-inch-diameter rolling spool rack 100 is seen in a front or rear
view, in which both platters 101-A and 101-B are visible. This
particular embodiment has a width of 37 inches so that it can
accommodate two 23.5-inch-diameter, 16-inch-wide spools on a single
axle. The two platters 101-A and 101-B are held together by the
tubular cross braces 110-A, 110-B, 110-C, 110-D, 110-E and
110-F.
[0051] Referring now to FIG. 3, this side view of the first
embodiment 60-inch-diameter rolling spool rack 100 shows
alternative configurations for the installation of
23.5-inch-diameter, 16-inch-wide spools 301 on three different,
equiangularly-spaced axles 302-A, 302-B and 302-C in a first
circular pattern 303, and for the installation of
15.5-inch-diameter, 9.5-inch-wide spools 303 on seven different
axles--six radially-spaced axles 304-A, 304-B, 304-C, 304-D, 304-E,
304-F and one central axle 304-G.
[0052] Referring now to FIG. 4, this front or rear elevational view
of the first embodiment 60-inch-diameter embodiment rolling spool
rack having a width of 37 inches shows a frontal (or rear)
configuration for the installation of two 23.5-inch-diameter,
16-inch-wide spools 301 on a single axle 302-A. With two spools
mounted on axles 302-A, 302-B and 302-C, this rolling spool rack
100 is capable of holding a total of six 23.5-inch-diameter,
16-inch-wide spools 301, in addition to up to three
15.5-inch-diameter, 9.5-inch-wide spools 303 on the central axle
304-A. As three 15.5-inch-diameter, 9.5-inch-wide spools 303 may be
mounted on each of axles 304-A, 304-B, 304-C, 304-D, 304-E, 304-F
and 304-G, this rolling spool rack 100 is also capable of holding a
total of twenty-one of those spools.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 5, a second embodiment
60-inch-diameter rolling spool rack 500 is seen in a side view,
which shows only one platter 501-A of two identical, spaced-apart
circular platters 501-A and 501-B (item number 501 applies to
either). Each of the platters 501 is fabricated from a peripheral
hoop 102, a central disc 103, and plurality of radially-spaced
spokes 502, which interconnect the central disc 103 to the
peripheral hoop 102. The hoop 102, the central disc 103, and the
cylindrical wall 105 are identical to those of the first embodiment
60-inch-diameter rolling spool rack 100. However, as there are only
four spokes rather than six, each of the spokes 502 is constructed
from a length of steel channel stock that is about fifty percent
wider than the spokes 104 used for the first embodiment
60-inch-diameter rolling spool rack 100. The inner end 503 of each
spoke 502 is welded to the cylindrical wall 105, with the spoke
channels 504 and the cylindrical wall 105 on one side of the
platter 501, which will be the outer side thereof. The outer end
505 of each spoke is welded directly to the hoop 102, so that the
flat major surface of each spoke (i.e., the surface behind the
channel 504) is coplanar with the inner surface of the hoop 102.
This configuration will enable spools of wire to be installed
within the rolling spool rack without the hoop interfering with the
entry thereof into the rack. An arcuate gusset 506 reinforces each
section of hoop 102 between each pair of adjacent spokes 502, and
is welded to the hoop 102, as well as to each of the adjacent
spokes 502. Each spoke 502 is equipped with a single axle aperture
507. Each axle aperture 507 is reinforced with a surrounding flat
washer 110 that is welded to the spoke 502. It should be noted that
the positions of the hidden tubular cross braces are indicated by
four broken-line circles 508-A, 508-B, 508-C, and 508-D (item
number 508 applies, generally, to any of the four cross braces of
the second embodiment 60-inch diameter rolling spool rack 500). The
ends of each tubular cross brace 508 are welded to two opposing
arcuate gussets 506 on opposite platters 501. Also shown in this
side view is a configuration for the installation of
23.5-inch-diameter, 16-inch-wide spools 301 on four different,
equiangularly-spaced axles 509 in a circular pattern. A central
axle 510 provides an optional mounting location for smaller wire
spools.
[0054] Referring now to this FIG. 6, the second embodiment
60-inch-diameter rolling spool rack 500 is seen in a front or rear
view, in which both platters 501-A and 501-B are visible. The two
platters 501-A and 501-B are held together by the tubular cross
braces 508-A, 508-B, 508-C, and 508-D. This particular embodiment
has a width of 37 inches so that it can accommodate two
23.5-inch-diameter, 16-inch-wide spools 301 in a side-by-side
arrangement on a single axle, as is shown in this view. With two
such spools on four axles, a total of eight spools can be mounted
on this second embodiment 60-inch diameter rolling spool rack
500.
[0055] Referring now to FIG. 7, a 48-inch-diameter embodiment of a
rolling spool rack 700 is seen in a side view, which shows only one
platter 701-A of two identical, spaced-apart circular platters
701-A and 701-B (item number 701 applies to either). Each of the
platters 701 is fabricated from a peripheral hoop 702, a central
disc 703, and plurality of radially-spaced spokes 704, which
interconnect the central disc 703 to the peripheral hoop 702. The
hoop 702 is constructed from a length of circularly-bent tubing,
the ends of which are butt welded together, thereby forming the
hoop 702. Each of the spokes 704 is constructed from a length of
steel channel stock. The central disc 703 is, preferably,
surrounded by a cylindrical wall 705, which is either formed with
the disc 703 in a single stamping or welded to the periphery of the
disc 703. The inner end 706 of each spoke 704 is welded to the
cylindrical wall 705, with the spoke channels 707 and the
cylindrical wall 705 on one side of the platter 701, which will be
the outer side thereof. The outer end 708 of each spoke 704 is
welded directly to the hoop 702, so that the flat major surface of
each spoke (i.e., the surface behind the channel 707) is coplanar
with the inner surface of the hoop 702. This configuration will
enable spools of wire to be installed within the rolling spool rack
without the hoop interfering with the entry thereof into the rack.
An arcuate gusset 709 reinforces each section of hoop 702 between
each pair of adjacent spokes 704, and is welded to the hoop 702, as
well as to each of the adjacent spokes 704. Each spoke is 704
equipped with a single axle aperture 710, as is the central disc
703. Each axle aperture 710 is reinforced with a surrounding flat
washer 711 that is welded to the spoke 704. It should be noted that
the positions of the hidden tubular cross braces are indicated by
six broken-line circles 712-A, 712-B, 712-C, 712-D, 712-E and 712-F
(item number 111 applies, generally, to any of the six tubular
cross braces of the 48-inch-diameter embodiment of the rolling wire
spool rack 700). The ends of each tubular cross brace 712 are
welded to two opposing arcuate gussets 709 on opposite platters
701. Also shown in this side view of FIG. 7 is a configuration for
the installation of 15.5-inch-diameter, 9.5-inch-wide spools (six
are shown mounted on different, radially-spaced axles 713, and one
is shown mounted on a central axle 714).
[0056] Referring now to this FIG. 8, the 48-inch-diameter
embodiment of the rolling spool rack 700 is seen in a front or rear
view, in which both platters 701-A and 701-B are visible. The two
platters 701-A and 701-B are held together by six tubular cross
braces 711-A, 711-B, 711-C, 711-D, 711-E and 711-F. This particular
embodiment has a width of 34 inches so that it can accommodate
three 15.5-inch-diameter, 9.5-inch-wide spools in a side-by-side
arrangement on a single axle. With three such spools on seven
axles, a total of twenty-one spools can be mounted on this 48-inch
diameter embodiment of the rolling spool rack 700.
[0057] Referring now to FIG. 9, a 24-inch-diameter embodiment of a
rolling spool rack 900 is seen in a side view, which shows only one
platter 901-A of two identical, spaced-apart circular platters
901-A and 901-B (item number 901 applies to either). Each of the
platters 901 is fabricated from a peripheral hoop 902 and a central
patterned plate 903 cut from a single plate of steel stock. The
central patterned plate 903 incorporates a central disc 904, a
circular rim 905, and six equiangularly-spaced radial spokes 906,
which interconnect the circular rim 905 to the central disc 904.
The central patterned plate 903 is sized so that it can be welded
to the hoop 902, with one major surface coplanar, or flush, with
the inner surface thereof. It should be understood that although
the platters of the larger diameter embodiments of the rolling wire
spool rack 100, 500, and 700 can also be fabricated from a hope and
a one-piece central patterned plate, the waste of steel is deemed
excessive. In addition, for the larger diameter embodiments, the
spokes fabricated from channel stock impart a desired degree of
rigidity to the structure without a commensurate increase in rack
weight. It should be clear that a one-piece central patterned
plate, such as 903, can be cut with one of more saw tools, with
laser cutter, with a high-pressure water cutter, or even milled,
although laser or high-pressure water techniques are deemed to be
the least expensive method. As with the other embodiments of the
rolling spool rack 100, 500, and 700, the hoop 902 is constructed
from a length of circularly-bent tubing, the ends of which are butt
welded together, thereby forming the hoop 902. This configuration
will enable spools of wire to be installed within the rolling spool
rack without the hoop interfering with the entry thereof into the
rack. The circular rim 905 takes the places of the arcuate gussets
of the other embodiments of the rolling wire spool rack 100, 500
and 700. Each spoke of the central patterned plate 903 is equipped
with a single axle aperture 907-A. The central disc is also
equipped with a single axle aperture 907-B. Each axle aperture 907
is reinforced with a surrounding flat washer 908 that is welded to
its respective spoke 906. It should be noted that the positions of
the hidden tubular cross braces are indicated by six broken-line
circles 909-A, 909-B, 909-C, 909-D, 909-E and 909-F (item number
909 applies, generally, to any of the six tubular cross braces of
the 24-inch-diameter embodiment of the rolling wire spool rack
900). The ends of each tubular cross brace 909 are welded to the
two opposing circular rims 905 on opposite platters 901. Also shown
in this side view of FIG. 9 is a configuration for the installation
of showing a configuration for the installation of 7-inch-diameter,
5-inch-wide spools 910 (six are shown mounted on different,
radially-spaced axles 911, and one is shown mounted on a central
axle 912).
[0058] Referring now to this FIG. 10, the 24-inch-diameter
embodiment of the rolling spool rack 900 is seen in a front or rear
view, in which both platters 901-A and 901-B are visible. The two
platters 901-A and 901-B are held together by six tubular cross
braces 908-A, 908-B, 908-C, 908-D, 908-E and 908-F. This particular
embodiment has a width of 23.5 inches so that it can accommodate
four 7-inch-diameter, 5-inch-wide spools in a side-by-side
arrangement on a single axle. With four such spools on seven axles,
a total of twenty-eight spools can be mounted on this 24-inch
diameter embodiment of the rolling spool rack 900.
[0059] Referring now to FIG. 11, a single representative spool axle
assembly 1100 is shown, including a tubular axle 1101 threaded at
both ends and a pair of retaining nuts 1102-A and 1102-B (1102,
generally). As previously stated, the retaining nuts 1102 are
fabricated by sawing a rigid electrical conduit couplings in half
through its central axis. It should be understood that rigid
electrical conduit and electrical couplings, unlike rigid water
pipe and couplings therefor, have threads which are not tapered.
Thus, the half-couplings function effectively as screw-on nuts. It
should be understood that rigid pipe is, of course, available in
different diameters, and that pipe of an appropriate diameter can
be selected to accommodate spools having central aperture of a
certain diameter. Likewise, rigid pipe or conduit of a desired
diameter can be cut to appropriate lengths for any particular
embodiment of the rolling wire spool rack. In addition, although
all of the embodiments of the rollable wire dispensing spool racks
are disclosed in widths that accommodate at least two spools on the
same axle, other embodiments can be fabricated that accommodate
fewer spools on a single axle by simply shortening each of the
tubular cross braces. All other physical attributes of that
particular embodiment of the rollable wire dispensing spool rack
will remain the same.
[0060] Referring now to the drawing labeled "Spooly", this is an
assembled knock-down or built-up embodiment of the Electrician's
Rollable Wire Dispensing Spool Rack. Though the bolts and nuts
holding the assembly together are not shown, it should be easily
understood by someone having ordinary skill in the art that bolts
and nuts can be used to secure the various components in a rigid
integrated assembly. The knock-down design dramatically reduces
shipping costs.
[0061] The drawing labeled Universal Hub, Spokes, Cross Members,
Spool Poles, Spool Pole Nuts, Outer Ring Sections, Tubular Rim
Section Rim Pin, Rim with Welded Pin and Welded Finished Wheel Rim
Section shows the various components required to make a single
platter. The cross members, of course are used to interconnect both
platters.
[0062] The drawing labeled Hub Assembly (weld) shows the build-up
of a hub from channel iron. It, of course, can be stamped from a
single sheet of steel or stainless steel.
[0063] The drawing labeled Wheel Assembly shows the attachment of a
rim section with two spokes and the hub. Also shown in detail the
slot detail of a single spoke.
[0064] The drawings with the first drawing labeled Bolt on another
Wheel Rim Section continues the assembly of the platter or wheel
assembly. The wheel is constructed in two halves, which are then
bolted together.
[0065] The drawing labeled Loading the Spool shows how spools wound
with wire are most easily loaded on the completed dispensing spool
rack.
[0066] The drawing labeled Cross Member shows two embodiments of
bolt-on cross members.
[0067] The spool rack could be built with more than two platters.
However, two platter embodiments are considered the preferred
embodiment. In the case of three platters, both platters would be
spaced apart in a parallel, coaxial arrangement.
[0068] Although only several embodiments of a rolling wire spool
rack have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those
having ordinary skill in the art that changes and modifications may
be made thereto without departing from the scope and the spirit of
the invention as may be hereinafter claimed.
* * * * *