Dispenser For Reel Of Filament Material

Abstract

A dispenser for a reel of filament material, such as solder, includes an axle having a transverse through hole near each end thereof. An integral frame, formed from a sheet of metal, supports the axle. The frame has a first side portion having a threaded hole therewithin and having a filament receiving notch associated therewith, a second side portion, and a main body portion integrally formed with the two side portions. Both side portions are formed at right angles with respect to the main portion so that the axle can be received within holes formed in both side portions. An elongated cutter, having a blade portion and a finger engaging portion, has a bolt receiving hole therethrough. The cutter is pivotally affixed to the first side portion of the frame by suitable means such as a bolt and a lock nut. The bolt passes through the cutter hole and engages with the threaded hole of the side portion of the frame, and with the lock nut, so that the blade portion becomes selectively engageable with the filament receiving notch. The main body portion of the frame includes a front portion which is integrally formed with the side portions, and further includes a rear portion integrally formed with the front portion in an open loop so as to form an inverted J in cross section, thereby enabling the dispenser to be carried at waist level by the loop of the frame engaging with a wearer's belt. Suitable means, insertable within each of the transverse through holes, retain the axle on the frame. The front and rear portions of the frame have coaligned holes therethrough so that the frame can be mounted on a fixed support. The axle includes a filament receiving transverse hole therethrough so that a roll of material, not otherwise provided on a spool, can be wound directly upon the axle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to dispensers for a reel of filament material and, in particular, relates to portable dispensers which can be carried by an individual at waist lever by insertion within the individual's belt. Accordingly, it is among the general objects of this invention to provide new and improved devices of such character.

This invention is especially suitable for carrying reels of solder and the like. Solder has many applications. For example, in the electronic and electrical fields, electronic components can be affixed, by soldering, to appropriate terminals. Also, solder is used in the building trades; for example, copper pipes can be soldered to appropriate pipe fittings such as tees, elbows and the like. A plumber uses solder in the performance of repairs and in the addition of new conduits in the field (e.g., new home construction, remodeling existing homes). In the past, it was common for a plumber to carry a large reel-five or ten pounds-of solder, utilizing the solder in the performance of various functions. Occasionally, the heavy reels of solder are dropped to the ground and, in passing, are dropped on the plumber's foot, thereby incurring injury or discomfort. Thus, a need arises for a simple dispenser which can be held at a person's waist, such as through a belt hook or at the top of the trousers, so that the reel can be carried while providing for the hands of the user to be free to perform various manual tasks. It is further desirable that the dispenser be provided with a cutter associated therewith, thereby obviating the need for a separate cutting unit.

The following United States Patents, found during the course of a preliminary novelty search performed on behalf of the applicant, suggest the use of a roll of solder being affixed in some manner to a soldering iron so as to provide a combination unit:

2,058,634 Rusk Oct. 27, 1936 2,125,781 Harris Aug. 2, 1938 2,303,947 Moore Dec. 1, 1942 2,432,428 Lang Dec. 9, 1947 3,070,057 Dezzani Dec. 25, 1962 3,101,689 Hammond et al. Aug. 27, 1963

All of the foregoing patents disclose a reel of solder in combination with a soldering iron, thus inherently creating a soldering iron which may be unbalanced due to the extra weight of the solder, or bulky due to its configuration. Hence, it is desirable that the user use a simple soldering iron which is light in weight and which is not encumbered by extra bulk. It becomes readily apparent, therefore, that it is desirable to provide a portable unit for carrying solder which is not directly associated with a soldering iron.

During the course of the preliminary search, several other patents were found which may be of interest:

U.S. Pat. No. 1,200,003 to Marshall, patented Oct. 3, 1916, relating to tape applying device, illustrates a cutter blade in the path of the unwinding tape. Such a device is primarily directed to an appliance for applying gummed tape to packages and bundles for binding them with paper tape or strip, instead of using string.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,805,619 to Fuller, issued May 19, 1931, discloses a device for dispensing pipe cleaners. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 3,250,453 to Halstead, issued May 10, 1966, discloses a pocket type solder dispenser which includes a pocket clip. The foregoing patents, however, have little pertinence, if any, to applicant's invention as claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved dispenser for filament material such as solder.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved dispenser for filament material which can be carried by hooking it onto the belt of trousers of an individual so that the device can be carried without necessitating the use of either of the wearer's hands.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved dispenser for a reel of solder which can be selectively carried by an individual at his waist, or mounted on a fixed support, which dispenser further having a cutter associated therewith which is not directly in the path of the unwinding reel.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved dispenser of the character described which is more economical to manufacture than other known comparable devices.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, a dispenser for a reel of filament material includes an axle for supporting the reel, the axle having transverse through holes near each end thereof. An integral frame supports the axle, the frame having a first side portion having a threaded hole therewithin and having a filament receiving notch associated therewith. The frame further contains a second side portion and a main body portion integrally formed with both side portions. The axle is received within holes formed in the side portions. An elongated cutter, having a blade portion and a finger engaging portion, has a bolt receiving hole therethrough. The cutter is pivotally affixed to the first side by means including a bolt and a lock nut, the bolt passing through the cutter hole engaging with the threaded hole and the lock nut so that the blade portion becomes selectively engageable with the filament receiving notch.

In accordance with other features of the invention, the main body portion of the dispenser includes a front portion which is integrally formed with the side portions and a rear portion integrally formed with the front portion in an open loop so as to form an inverted J in cross section so that the dispenser can be carried at waist level by the loop engaged within the user's belt.

In accordance with still other features of the invention, means are provided which are insertable within each of the transverse through holes for retaining the axle on the frame. Both the front and the rear portions of the body portion of the frame have coaligned holes therethrough so that the frame is further adapted for mounting purposes. The means that are insertable within each of the transverse throughholes can include cotter pins for retaining the axle on the frame. In addition, a filament receiving transverse hole can be provided through the axle, the filament transverse receiving the hole being oriented between the transverse through holes to enable the reel of solder to be directly coupled to the axle in lieu of using a separate spool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the device illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a layout view of the frame of FIG. 1 prior to its being bent into its final shape.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, in particular to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, there is shown a dispenser 10 for a reel of filament material 12. The filament material 12 can be carried on a spool 14 as is customarily commercially provided.

The spool 14 can be supported on an axle 16, the axle 16 having a pair of transverse through holes 18, 20 at each end thereof.

The axle 16 further contains, in the preferred embodiment, a pair of filament receiving transverse holes 22, 24 disposed between the transverse through holes 18, 20. Either of the filament receiving holes 22, 24 may receive the filament material 12 in the absence of a spool 14.

The axle 16 is supported in a frame 26. The frame 26 includes a first side portion 28 having an axle receiving hole 30 therethrough, a filament receiving notch 32, and a threaded hole 35 through the first side portion 28, which threaded hole 35 is in relatively close proximity to the notch 32. The frame 26 is integrally formed and further includes a main body portion 34 and a second side portion 36. The second side portion has a corresponding axle receiving hole 38 therethrough. Both side portions 28, 36 are formed at right angles with respect to the main body portion 34 so that the axle receiving holes 30, 38, are co-aligned. The main body portion 34 includes a front portion 40, and a rear portion 42, the rear portion being integrally formed with the front portion in an open loop so as to form an inverted J in cross section, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, so that the dispenser 10 can be carried at the waist level by the loop 44 formed by the front portion 40 and the back portion 42 of the frame.

The axle 16 can be retained within the frame 26 after a spool 14 of solder has been placed thereon, or prior to the addition of solder 12 being coupled to one of the filament receiving transverse holes 22 or 24, by the use of appropriate cotter pins 46, 48 which are inserted through the transverse through holes 18, 20 in the axle 16, so as to retain the axle onto the frame 26. Holes 50, 52 are provided through the front portion 40 and the rear portion 42 of the main body portion 34 of the frame 26 so that the frame can be mounted on a fixed support, such as a wall, at the option of the user.

Referring again to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown an elongated cutter 54 including a blade portion 56 and a finger engaging portion 58. The cutter 54, near the blade 56, has a bolt receiving hole so that a bolt 60 can be inserted therethrough and threaded within the threaded hole 35 in the first side portion 28 to effectively mate with a lock nut 62. As illustrated, the axis of the bolt 60 lies in the plane of the finger engaging portion 58 of the elongated cutter 54 to provide for convenient thumb engagement with the portion 58.

As depicted in FIG. 4, there is illustrated a layout view of the frame prior to bending. As shown in FIG. 4, a blank is depicted prior to bending with the axial holes 30 and 38 formed through the side portions 28, 26. The threaded hole 35 is provided in the first side portion 28 close to the notch 32. Holes 50 and 52 are provided in the front section 40 and the rear section 42. This blank, as depicted in FIG. 4, is bent along the dotted lines illustrated to form the frame 26 as more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

Thus, as shown and described, a simple and economical dispenser can be constructed with a minimum of components that can be easily machined. The dispenser is highly effective for carrying such items as a roll of solder which, typically, may vary in weight from one up to ten pounds, in a preferred embodiment, but can be of even larger size depending upon the requirements of the user.

It is recognized that various alternatives may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. For example, it is apparent that the frame 26 can be formed by methods other than by bending. That is, the frame 26 may be formed of plastic in a mold, for example. In addition, in lieu of cotter pins placed through the transverse holes 18, 20, a piece of solder can be inserted therethrough and bent at its ends, to effectively perform the same result. Other variations will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

Claims

What is Claimed Is:

1. A dispenser for a reel of filament material comprising

a. an axle for supporting said reel of filament material, said axle having a transverse through hole near each end of said axle;

b. an integral frame for supporting said axle, said frame having a first side portion having a threaded hole therewithin and having a filament receiving notch associated therewith, a second side portion, and a main body portion integrally formed with said side portions, said axle being received within holes formed in said side portions;

c. an elongated cutter having a blade portion and a finger engaging portion, said cutter having a hole therethrough;

d. means including a bolt and lock nut for pivotally affixing said cutter to said first side portion, said bolt passing through said cutter hole and engaging with said threaded hole and said lock nut, so that said blade portion becomes selectively engageable with said filament receiving notch.

2. The dispenser as recited in claim 1 further comprising

e. means insertable within each of said transverse through holes for retaining said axle on said frame.

3. The dispenser as recited in claim 1 wherein said main body portion has a hole therethrough so that said frame is adaptable for mounting purposes.

4. The dispenser as recited in claim 1 wherein said main body portion of said frame includes a front portion integrally formed with said side portions, and a rear portion integrally formed with said front portion in an open loop so as to form an inverted J in cross section, whereby said dispenser can be body carried at waist level by said loop engaged within a person's belt.

5. The dispenser as recited in claim 4 further comprising

e. means insertable within each of said transverse through holes for retaining said axle on said frame.

6. The dispenser as recited in claim 4 wherein said front and rear portions have co-aligned holes therethrough so that said frame is further adaptable for mounting purposes.

7. The dispenser as recited in claim 6 further comprising cotter pins for insertion within each of said transverse through holes for retaining said axle on said frame.

8. The dispenser as recited in claim 7 further including a filament receiving transverse hole through said axle, said filament receiving hole being oriented between said transverse through holes.