Patent ID: 6676068
Filing Date: 2004-01-13
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
A method of use of a spool support apparatus, comprising the steps of:firstly, providing a spool having a core with first and second opposed ends, and the first opposed end of the core fixedly supporting a first peripheral coil retaining flange and the second opposed end of the core fixedly supporting a second peripheral coil retaining flange whereby the fixed first and second peripheral coil retaining flanges are prevented from moving along the core toward and rotating with respect to one another, and a rotational axis of the spool extending through the fixed first and second peripheral coil retaining flanges and the core, and the spool coming from a factory filled with coiled material wrapped around the core; secondly, the spool support apparatus, having: a first plate having a peripheral edge; fastener receiving openings spaced about the peripheral edge of the first plate; a second plate rotatably mounted to the first plate for rotation about the rotational axis of the support apparatus; a bearing disposed between the first plate and the second plate, thereby facilitating relative rotation of the first plate and the second plate; thirdly, resting the spool on one of the fixed first and second peripheral coil retaining flanges and securing the first plate to the other of the fixed first and second peripheral coil retaining flanges of the spool with threaded fasteners having heads and bodies, the heads engaging the first plate and the bodies extending through the fastener receiving openings to penetrate one of the first and second fixed peripheral coil retaining flanges, and the rotational axis of the spool support apparatus being substantially axially aligned with the rotational axis of the spool; and fourthly, tipping the spool so that the spool support apparatus underlies and rotatably supports the spool to facilitate dispensing of the coiled material from the spool.