U.S. patent number 3,696,697 [Application Number 05/157,979] was granted by the patent office on 1972-10-10 for dispenser for reel of filament material.
Invention is credited to John T. Hoffman.
United States Patent |
3,696,697 |
Hoffman |
October 10, 1972 |
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.
Inventors: |
Hoffman; John T. (Allentown,
PA) |
Family
ID: |
22566178 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/157,979 |
Filed: |
June 29, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
83/649; 225/78;
242/129.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H
49/20 (20130101); B23K 3/063 (20130101); B65H
54/71 (20130101); Y10T 83/896 (20150401); Y10T
225/283 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
B23K
3/06 (20060101); B65H 49/00 (20060101); B65H
49/20 (20060101); B65H 54/71 (20060101); B65H
54/00 (20060101); B26d 007/00 (); B65h
049/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;242/129.5,129.6,129.62,141 ;225/46,78 ;30/127 ;83/649,650 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Christian; Leonard D.
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.
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.
* * * * *