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[0001] Priority for this application is claimed from U.S. Provisional Patent Application serial No. 60/192,603, filed on Mar. 27, 2000, and entitled, “Wire Dispenser”.
[0002] This invention relates generally to construction and more particularly to wire dispensers used within the construction industry.
[0003] Wire is used throughout the construction industry. This usage ranges from insulated electrical wires to tie wires used to connect reinforcing bars together. Typically these wires are delivered in rolls from which the worker withdraws the length required.
[0004] As with all industries, the ease and speed upon which a job can be completed dictates the costs of the job. When wire is used, a task which requires a great deal of time is the simple task of obtaining a length of wire for the job.
[0005] To assist with the dispensing of wire, a variety of mechanisms have been developed, including, but not limited to those described in: U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,647, entitled “Cable Storage and Feeding Device” issued to Browning on Sep. 3, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,280, entitled “Hand Carried Wire Spool Rack for Dispensing Wire and Method of Manufacturing Same” issued to Dimitri on Aug. 31, 1999; and, U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,610, entitled “Portable Wire Dispenser” issued to Walsh on Jun. 3, 1997; all of which are incorporated hereinto by reference.
[0006] All of the above devices require the use of an elaborate mechanism which rolls the wire as it is unwound. Further, these devices are not designed to be carried continuously by the user, rather, they are transported to a site and placed on the ground for dispensing the wire.
[0007] To address these problems, a current apparatus provides for a dispensing wheel which is secured to a belt of the worker. The wire is secured to the dispensing wheel and the outer end of the wire is fed through a guide. As the exposed end of the wire is manually pulled, the dispensing wheel turns, allowing the roll of wire to dispense the required wire.
[0008] Unfortunately, this apparatus is heavy and mechanically complex.
[0009] It is clear there is a need for a simple and easy to use wire dispenser.
[0010] The present invention provides a portable wire dispenser which provides a housing/shell with an interior cavity shaped to receive a roll of wire. The wire is protected within the housing/shell from becoming entangled during the work process.
[0011] While a variety of different types of housings/shells are contemplated, the preferred embodiment uses two mating members which are rigidly formed and which slide together to form one unit. This embodiment allows the user to place the roll of wire into one of members and then connect the two members to each other by sliding them together.
[0012] In one embodiment of the invention, the housing/shell is formed in a “shrink wrap” relationship with the roll of wire so that it conforms tightly with the exterior surface of the roll of wire.
[0013] On one surface of the housing/shell is a circular opening which communicates with the interior cavity. The diameter of the circular opening is less than the overall diameter of the roll of wire. This prevents the roll of wire from falling or being pulled through the circular opening during use.
[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, the surface with the opening is either clear or equipped with a window (such as an open slot), thereby allowing the user to monitor the quantity of wire left within the housing/shell.
[0015] An end of the spool of wire, from the interior circumference of the spool, extends through the circular opening so that a user is able to easily draw a length of wire therethrough. In use, when a length of wire is desired, the user merely pulls the extended end from the housing/shell to get the desired length of wire dispensed. Since the wire is drawn from the interior of the roll of wire, snags and bindings are eliminated.
[0016] In the preferred embodiment a belt clasp on the housing/shell allows the user to easily carry the dispenser. By securing the dispenser to a belt, the hands of the construction worker are freed for other uses. Also, since the dispenser is always carried with the user, the user never has to “find” the roll of wire as it is constantly with him.
[0017] In another embodiment, the housing/shell is equipped with a hand-tool receptacle to hold a tool such as a wire cutter or a screwdriver for easy access by the user. This allows the user to have a single device which contains both the supplies (the wire) as well as the tool that is necessary.
[0018] Described in another way, the present invention provides a cup or glove which encircles and engages the roll of wire. The glove is used to assure that the roll does not move during use.
[0019] While one embodiment of the invention provides for a belt loop/clasp, thereby allowing the glove to be secured to a user, other embodiments of the invention do not and are used for larger rolls which are dropped onto the ground and the wire is dispensed from the center of the roll.
[0020] In use, when the worker needs a length of wire, the wire is pulled from the center of the roll, the worker cuts the length needed, and performs the task at hand.
[0021] The invention, together with various embodiments thereof, will be more fully explained by the accompanying drawings and the following description.
[0022]
[0023]
[0024]
[0025]
[0026]
[0027]
[0028]
[0029]
[0030]
[0031] Container
[0032] In this embodiment, belt loop/clasp
[0033] This embodiment is particularly useful for tie wire application where short lengths of wire are need to connect reinforcing bars prior to the application of cement. This embodiment is also useful for electricians when they need short lengths of wire for applications such as switches and such.
[0034]
[0035] Container
[0036] Handle
[0037]
[0038] Container
[0039]
[0040] Referring to
[0041] Once door
[0042]
[0043] In this embodiment, two pieces or shells connect to make the container. Base
[0044] An end
[0045] Once fully assembled, belt loop/clasp
[0046]
[0047] Referring to
[0048] Attached to housing/shell
[0049] A similar structure is shown in
[0050] Holder
[0051] In this embodiment, window
[0052]
[0053] In this embodiment, housing/shell
[0054] Once doorway
[0055] With spool
[0056] Belt loop
[0057]
[0058] In this embodiment, housing/shell
[0059] This embodiment of the invention is particularly useful as a packaging for the wire so that it may be immediately used in the field.
[0060] It is clear that the present invention provides for a simple and easy to use wire dispenser.