Patent ID: 6257558
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: A01K,A01M,H05C

Abstract:
An apparatus for dispensing and collecting an electrified wire, comprising:a hollow reel housing adapted to be mounted on a first support member;a rotatably-mounted reel means disposed within said hollow reel housing;a preselected length of wire disposed in coiled relation about said reel means;a proximal end of said wire being adapted for connection to a remote source of electrical power that is external to said hollow reel housing;an electrically conductive handle latch means having a proximal end and a distal end;an electrically insulated handle means mounted on said handle latch means between said proximal and said distal end of said handle latch means;a distal end of said wire being connected to said proximal end of said handle latch means;a bias means connected to said reel means;said bias means being loaded when a length of said wire is dispensed from said reel means, said bias means rotating in a first direction during such dispensing;said bias means being unloaded when said length of wire is collected onto said reel means, said bias means rotating in a second direction opposite to said first direction during such collecting;continuous contact means for maintaining said proximal end of said wire in electrical contact with said remote source of power when said wire is being dispensed from said reel means and collected onto said reel means;a first opening formed in said hollow reel housing;a truncate conductor having a proximal end disposed within said hollow reel housing in electrical communication with said proximal end of said wire;said truncate conductor extending through said first opening formed in said hollow reel housing;a first bracket means formed of an electrically conducting material, said first bracket means being mounted on said first support member adjacent said hollow reel housing, and said first bracket means being electrically connected to said remote source of electrical power;said truncate conductor having a distal free end adapted to be electrically connected to said first bracket means;a second opening formed in said hollow reel housing through which said wire extends when being dispensed or collected, said second opening having a size sufficient to allow use of a wire having a large diameter and said second opening further allowing use of a wire of small diameter, said size of said second opening being independent of a wire size extending therethrough;whereby a user of said apparatus may use one apparatus to accommodate wires of differing diameters under differing applications;whereby operation of said apparatus is not subject to fouling by outdoor elements;whereby a user of said apparatus need touch only said insulated handle means when dispensing and collecting wire; andwhereby wire that is not extended across a gate means is coiled about said reel means.