Abstract:
A spool winder includes a holder for a filament bulk roll, a cantilever member to receive a weed trimmer filament spool, and a crank handle device rotating on the member while holding and interlocking into openings in the trimmer spool.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to a device that allows the rewinding of monofilament line onto emptied spools of a variety commercially available lawn trimming devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The monofilament line is quickly worn away during heavy use of the standard commercially available lawn trimmers, all of the design of the original WEED EATER® devices. All of these devices use a replaceable spool to hold and feed out the monofilament line to a length which when spun a high rate of speed cuts grass and weeds around essentially any obstruction. When the obstruction is abrasive, such a stones or concrete, the monofilament line is quickly worn away. For lawns with such obstructions a lot of line is used. The manufacturers of these trimming devices enjoy a good business of selling replacement spools with a fresh supply of monofilament line. Commercial lawn care companies and frugal homeowners with their own trimmers have purchased the replacement line in bulk packages and attempted to rewind the spools that come with the trimming devices. Rewinding by hand without proper equipment is difficult due the elastic memory of the line, which causes it to snap back to its original shape of a much larger diameter than the small replacement spools. Some manufacturers have offered rewinding devices that accommodate only there own replaceable spools. An easy to use rewinding device that accommodates a wide variety of replaceable spool designs is needed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,326 to Webb discloses a spool rewinder for monofilament lawn line trimmer devices using a plate to engage and mate with the adjacent side of the monofilament spool. It is not clear how this is accomplished except that the face of the plate is designed to be threadably snuggled up to grip the spool as the shaft tightened. U.S. Pat. No. 4,717,086 to Crow discloses a spool rewinder for monofilament lawn line trimmer devices using a resilient gripping washer to hold the spool to a crank handle with a lock washer and groove in the shaft to the shaft to the spool. U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,029 to Robertson et al discloses a spool rewinder for monofilament lawn line trimmer devices using lug keys to engage the lugs on two types of spools. U.S. Pat. No. 2,531,816 to Homoky discloses a spool rewinder for fishing reel devices using ratchet connections on the crank face to engage the spool to turn it one direction only. U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,632 to Chilcoat discloses a spool rewinder for monofilament lawn line trimmer devices using threadably tightened conical members to hold the spool to the shaft. U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,172 to Koehler et al discloses a spool winder for fishing line devices using a friction cone reel retainer to hold the spool to the shaft. U.S. Pat. No. 3,652,027 to Wong discloses a kite reel using engaging teeth. U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,839 to Burch discloses a spool rewinder for monofilament fishing line using O-rings to secure spool to crank shaft. 
     None of these devices satisfy the needs described above or attain the objects enumerated below. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     It is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a device that will support and hold a bulk roll of monofilament line and allow the line to be drawn off to a rewinding section to the device. 
     It is a further object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a device that will support and hold a variety of replaceable line spools of differing sizes and shapes onto which a fresh supply of line can be easily wound from a bulk roll of the line. 
     It is an additional object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a device that allows an empty replaceable spool to be easily inserted onto the device and held by a cranking device that rotates the spool winding the line onto the spool. 
     It is a further object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a device that allows continuous tension to be applied to the line being drawn from the bulk spool with minimal risk of slippage of the replaceable spool. 
     It is an additional object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a device that allows easy holding of the line that has been rewound on the replaceable spool to avoid the line springing off the spool and back to its original shape. 
     It is a further object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide an apparatus that can be held securely to a horizontal surface with one hand and wind the line from the supply onto the spool with the other hand. 
     It is a further object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide an apparatus that adjusts to various sized source rolls of line. 
     An embodiment of this invention is a spool winder apparatus that include a frame comprising a first end, a second end and a central section, a first vertical rod member that includes a first end rigidly attached to the frame proximate the first end and a second free end extending upwardly, at least one cup shaped member including a horizontal top, the member slideably engaged over the first rod member, a second vertical rod member that includes a first end rigidly attached to a center of the horizontal top of the cup shaped member and a second free end extending upwardly, the combination of the first rod member, the cup shaped member, and the second rod member adapted to extend into a central opening of a filament supply spool, and to support the supply spool and allow the supply spool to rotate as the filament is drawn off the supply spool. The apparatus further includes a cantilever member that includes a first end rigidly attached to the frame proximate the second end and a second free round cross-sectioned end section adapted to extend into a central opening of a weed trimmer filament spool, and to support the trimmer spool and allow the trimmer spool to rotate on the free end section. The apparatus further includes a stop means on the free end section to adjustably fix a chosen distance that the trimmer spool slides along the free end section and a crank handle device that includes a cylindrical member interfitting over and freely rotatable on the free end section, the member having a length and first and second ends, projections from the cylindrical member adapted to interlock into openings in the trimmer spool, and an “L” shaped crank member comprising a first end section rigidly attached to the cylindrical member and extending radially outwardly from the cylindrical member and a second free end section extending parallel to the length of the cylindrical member and away from the second end of the cylindrical member. 
     It is preferred that the first rod member have a circular cross-section and be vertically positioned. It is also preferred that the cantilever rod member be horizontally positioned. It is further preferred that the second free end section of the “L” shaped crank member has a rounded cross-section. It is further preferred that the projections from the cylindrical member adapted to interlock into openings in the trimmer spool extend outwardly from the first end of the cylindrical member. It is more preferred that the projections from the first end of the cylindrical member adapted to interlock into openings in the trimmer spool be arranged in a circular pattern. It is further preferred that the projections from the cylindrical member adapted to interlock into openings in the trimmer spool extend outwardly from the sides of the cylindrical member. It is further preferred that the apparatus further include removable stop means on the second free end section of the second cantilever member to retain the crank member in position on the free end section. It is further preferred that the apparatus further include an inverted “U” shaped member rigidly attached across the central section of the frame. It is further preferred that the apparatus further include a second cup shaped member that interfits between the first rod member and the cup shaped cup member. 
     A second embodiment of the invention is a spool winder apparatus that includes a frame and a first cantilever (circular) rod member having a first end rigidly attached to the frame and a second free end adapted to extend into a central opening of a filament supply spool, to support the supply spool, and to allow the supply spool to rotate as the filament is drawn off the supply spool. The apparatus further includes a second cantilever member having a first end rigidly attached to the frame and second free round cross-sectioned end section (disposed horizontally) that is adapted to extend into a central opening of a weed trimmer filament spool, to support the trimmer spool, and allow the trimmer spool to rotate on the free end section. The apparatus further includes a stop member on the free end section with adjustment means to fix the stop member at various positions on the free end section. The apparatus further includes crank handle device that includes a cylindrical member engaged over and freely rotatable on the free end section, the member having a length and first and second ends, projections from the first end adapted to interlock into openings in the trimmer spool, and an “L” shaped crank member comprising a first end section firmly attached to the cylindrical member and extending radially outwardly from the cylindrical member and a second (rounded cross-sectioned) free end section extending parallel to the length of the cylindrical member and away from the second end of the cylindrical member. The apparatus further includes removable stop means proximate the end of the free end section to abut the second end of the cylindrical member. 
     A third embodiment of the invention is a spool winder apparatus includes a frame and a first vertically positioned cantilever rod member comprising a circular cross-section, a first end rigidly attached to the frame and a second free end. The rod member is adapted to extend into a central opening of a filament supply spool, and to support the supply spool and allow the supply spool to rotate as the filament is drawn off the supply spool. The apparatus further includes a second cantilever member having a first end rigidly attached to the frame and second free round cross-sectioned end section horizontally positioned. The member is adapted to extend into a central opening of a weed trimmer filament spool, and to support the trimmer spool and allow the trimmer spool to rotate on the free end section. The apparatus further includes a stop member on the free end section with adjustment means to fix the stop member at various positions on the free end section. The apparatus further includes a crank handle device that includes a cylindrical member sliding over and freely rotatable on the free end section, the member having a length and first and second ends. The device further includes projections arranged in a circular pattern from the first end of the cylindrical member adapted to interlock into openings in the trimmer spool, and an “L” shaped crank member comprising a first end section firmly attached to the cylindrical member and extending radially outwardly from the cylindrical member and a second a rounded cross-sectioned free end section extending parallel to the length of the cylindrical member and away from the second end of the cylindrical member. The apparatus further includes a removable stop means on the second free end section of the second cantilever member to retain the crank member in position. 
     A fourth embodiment of the invention is a spool winder apparatus that includes a frame and a bulk spool holding means on an end of the frame to support a supply spool of line and allow the supply spool to rotate as the filament is drawn off the supply spool. The apparatus further includes a cantilever member having a first end rigidly attached to the frame and a free round cross-sectioned end section horizontally positioned. The free end section is adapted to extend into a central opening of a weed trimmer filament spool, and to support the trimmer spool and allow the trimmer spool to rotate on the free end section. The apparatus further includes stop means on the free end section adapted to adjustably fix the trimmer spool at chosen positions along the length of the free end section. The apparatus further includes a crank handle device that includes a cylindrical member sliding over and freely rotatable on the free end section of the cantilever section, the member having a length and first and second ends. The cylindrical member further includes projections from the first end adapted to interlock into openings in the trimmer spool, an “L” shaped crank member that includes a first end section rigidly attached to the cylindrical member and extending radially outwardly from the cylindrical member and a second free end section extending parallel to the length of the cylindrical member and away from the second end of the cylindrical member. The apparatus further includes lock means on the second free end section of the second cantilever member to detachably retain the crank member engaged with the trimmer spool. 
     It is preferred that the bulk spool holding means include a vertically positioned cantilever rod member with a circular cross-section. It is further preferred that the projections from the first end of the cylindrical member adapted to interlock into openings in the trimmer spool are arranged in a circular pattern. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front left side perspective view of an apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 1A is a front left side perspective view of said apparatus with the supply spool removed and spool size adjustment parts exploded outwardly. 
     FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of said apparatus. 
     FIG. 3 is a cutaway partial exploded right side perspective view of the cranking and spool holding section of said apparatus. 
     FIG. 4 is a front right side perspective view of the same section of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5 with the in working alignment. 
     FIG. 5A is a right side plan view of a replaceable spool shown in use with said apparatus in prior figures. 
     FIG. 5B is a left side bottom plan view of the crank and cylindrical member of said apparatus shown in prior figures. 
     FIG. 6A is a right side plan view of a second replaceable spool shown in use with said apparatus in prior figures. 
     FIG. 6B is a left side bottom plan view of the crank and second embodiment cylindrical member of said apparatus shown in prior figures. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Spool winder apparatus  10 , illustrated in FIGS. 1,  1 A and  2 , may be constructed entirely of polymeric plastic, such a rigid polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, ABS, or preferably an engineering plastic, although certain parts such as cotter pins are more easily provided in metal. Apparatus  10  includes elongate rectangular base frame  12  with longitudinal side members  16  and  18  with upwardly extending inverted “U” shaped cross member  14  rigidly attached at its ends between the side members acting as a stiffener, a lifting handle and most importantly as a hand hold to securely hold the apparatus in place on a horizontal surface during the spool winding process. Frame  10  is also stiffened by cross members  20  extending between the side members proximate an end of the frame. Vertically disposed cylindrical base member  17  is rigidly attached centrally between cross members  20  with vertical rod member  19  attached to and extending upwardly from a top surface of base member  17 . Inverted cup shaped spacer and alternate spool holder  21  slideably fits over member  19  and inverted cup member  23  slideably fits over spacer  21 . Vertically disposed axle cantilever member  22  is rigidly attached at a lower end to a central position on a top surface of member  23  with member  22  extending upwardly and terminating at free end  24  through which a horizontal hole is provided to receive cotter pin  26  which holds disc washer  28  over a bulk roll  30  of monofilament replacement line supplied on package disc  32 . Roll  30  and disc  32  are free to rotate on vertical member  22  as line  34  is drawn off to replaceable trimmer line spool  35 , supplied on the trimmer by the manufacturer, that is held by spool holder and winding device  36  proximate the opposite end of frame  12  as also shown in FIG. 3 with parts exploded outwardly and ready to use in FIG.  4 . Device  36  includes “L” shaped cantilever support member  38  with end section  40  extending vertically upwardly from its rigid end attachment to side member  16 . Integral member  38  continues with section  42  extending horizontally toward side member  18  over frame  12  and terminating in reduced diameter circular cross-sectioned tubular cantilever section  44  held horizontally at a height over frame  12 . Tubular spacer stop  46  slides over section  44  against end  48  of section  42 . A plurality of various lengthed stops  46  are provided to accommodate varying width replaceable trimmer line spools from various manufacturers. Spool  35  from a trimmer with central bore  50  slides over section  44  of member  38  after which crank handle device  52  engages the spool to hold and turn the spool. Integral device  52  includes cylindrical base  54  with lengthwise central bore  56 , which allows the base to slide over and freely rotate on section  44  of member  38 . “L” shaped crank handle  58  is rigidly attached to base  54  with section  60  of handle  58  extending radially outwardly from base  54 . Free section  62  of handle  58  extends parallel to section  44  of member  38  and horizontally outwardly away from side member  16  to allow easy turning of base  54 . Base  54  engages and interlocks with a variety of styles of spool  54  through a series of circumferential spaced projections  64  around the inside end of cylindrical base  54 . Projections  64  may be narrower than are shown in this embodiment. Projections  64  engage into arc openings  66  of spool  35  and turning torque is exerted by leading edges  68  of projections  64  against sides  70  of openings  66  formed by radial cross-members  72  in spool  35 . Capped pin  74  interfits through transverse hole  76  through section  44  of member  38  close to the end of section  44 . Pin  74  holds cylindrical base  54  in engagement with spool  35  and cotter pin through a hole in pin  74  keeps the pin in place. With winding device  36  engaged into spool  35 , turning crank handle  56  rotates spool  35  drawing line  34  from bulk roll  30  and winds the line onto replaceable trimmer spool  35 . It is an easy matter to maintain tension on the line until the spool is full and secured. An alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B wherein prime (′) designations indicate a similar element shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B and other figures. Replaceable trimmer spool  74  is supplied with notches  76 . Cylindrical base  54 ′ is equipped with flanges  78  which interfit into notches  76  allowing the crank and spool to interlock and turn as an integral unit. 
     While this invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments disclosed herein, it is not confined to the details set forth and the patent is intended to include modifications and changes that may come within and extend from the following claims.