Abstract:
A device and method for dispensing and measuring a plurality of strands from a single spool of stranded material is disclosed. The device is comprised of a mobile portion on which a plurality of pulleys is mounted. The mobile portion includes a frame mounted on an axle to which tires are attached so that the mobile portion may be wheeled about readily. A stationary portion includes a plurality of pulleys and a supply spool of wire. Stranded material from the supply spool is routed back and forth between the mobile portion and the stationary portion, over the pulleys attached to each, until the number of strands between the mobile portion and the stationary portion corresponds with the desired number. Next the mobile portion is displaced away from the stationary portion a distance equal to the length of strands desired. A distance measurement device is mounted on the mobile portion to aid the user in ascertaining the distance that the mobile portion has moved, thereby indicating the wire length. Another embodiment of the invention includes open-faced pulleys that facilitate more rapid routing of the wires over the pulleys during use thereof.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates in general to devices for dispensing material stored on spools and more specifically to a device for dispensing and accurately measuring multiple strands of wire from stock stored on a single spool.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Electricians charged with the task of wiring sophisticated electrical systems in buildings wherein multiple extended lengths of insulated wire are needed typically use a vertical rack system to aid in dispensing the wire from spool stocks mounted on horizontal rods in the rack. In such a system, where multiple strands of wire of equal length are needed, the electrician will mount a quantity of spools on the rack with the number of spools corresponding to the number or quantity of wires needed. Then, a strand of wire from each spool is simultaneously pulled from each spool to a desired length and cut. If the quantity of wires needed is in excess of the spool mounting capacity of the rack or the number of spools of wire available to the electrician, then multiple “pulling and cutting” operations are required to obtain the desired quantity of elongated equal lengths of wire. Where the length of wire needed is significant, such as 20 feet or more as in the wiring of a commercial facility, an electrician or technician must perform multiple wire “pulling and cutting” operations. The prior art does not provide any convenient device or method for accurately dispensing multiple strands of wire other than requiring a spool of wire for each strand desired when dispensing the wire. What is needed is a method and device for accurately measuring and dispensing multiple strands of wire from a single spool of wire.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    A device for measuring and dispensing multiple elongated lengths of wire at a desired wire length from a single supply spool of wire, according to one aspect of the present invention, comprises a stationary member, a first plurality of pulleys rotatably attached to said stationary member, a supply spool rotatably attached to said stationary member, said supply spool having a wire wound thereon, a mobile member, a second plurality of pulleys rotatably attached to said mobile member, and wherein said wire on said supply spool is looped once about each of said second plurality of pulleys on said mobile member, and about each of said first plurality of pulleys on said stationary member in an alternating fashion in accordance with the number of elongated lengths of wire desired, and wherein said mobile member is displaced from said stationary member a distance equal to the desired wire length and said wires are cut from said first and second plurality of pulleys.  
           [0004]    One object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for measuring and dispensing desired lengths of wire.  
           [0005]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that enables the measuring and cutting of multiple equal lengths of wire from a single spool of wire in one operation.  
           [0006]    Still another object of the present invention is to reduce the time and difficulty encountered when multiple long lengths of wire are needed for an electrical wiring project.  
           [0007]    These and other object of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments and accompanying figures.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a mobile portion of a device for measuring multiple strands of material dispensed from a single spool.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the vertical frame shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a stationary portion of the device for measuring multiple strands of material dispensed from a single spool.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 4 is a side view of the stationary portion shown in FIG. 3.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of another mobile portion of a device for measuring multiple strands of material dispensed from a single spool.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 6 is a right side elevational view of the pulley and bracket assembly shown in FIG. 5.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 7 is a is a left side elevational view of the pulley and bracket assembly shown in FIG. 5.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the pulley and bracket assembly shown in FIG. 5.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 9 is a plan view of a pulley array shown in FIG. 5.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic illustration of the operation of the device for measuring multiple strands of material dispensed from a single spool.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of another stationary portion of the device for measuring multiple strands of material dispensed from a single spool.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 12 is a top elevational view of the bracket and pulleys attached thereto shown in FIG. 11.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the stationary portion shown in FIG. 11.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.  
         [0022]    Referring now to FIG. 1, a mobile portion  10  of the device for measuring multiple strands of material dispensed from a single spool, according to one aspect of the present invention, is shown. Mobile portion  10  includes upright members  12  and  14 . A horizontal brace  16  is attached to both upright members  12  and  14  to provide structural support for the mobile portion  10 . At the lower end of upright members  12  and  14  are inverted U-channels  18  formed therein. Axle  20  is inserted through apertures at locations  21  in U-channels  18 . Axle  20  is inserted through U-channels  18  and tires  22  are positioned to receive axle  20  therethrough so that tires  22  are captured within U-channels  18  as shown. At least on of tires  22  are fixedly attached to axle  20  so that as tires  22  rotate, axle  20  rotates in accordance therewith. Axle  20  is rotationally mounted to and retained within U-channels  18  via any mechanism well known in the art, including c-clips, cotter pins, clamps with set screws and the like. Gear  24 , mounted on axle  20  and rotating in accordance with the rotation of axle  20 , engages gear  26 . Gear  26  is attached to shaft extending from rotational counter device  28 . Counter device  28  is a mechanical or electronic rotational counter and includes a numerical display  30 . Counter device  28  includes a reset button  31  that resets or zeroes display  30  when depressed. Numerical display  30  indicates visually to the user the rotary displacement of gear  26 . The gear ratio for gears  26  and  24  is selected to provide meaningful measurement data on display  30 . Hinged braces (shown in more detail in FIG. 2) are shown in their “folded-up” position. Pulleys  34  are rotatably mounted on rods  36  and  38 . Rods  36  and  38  extend between upright members  12  and  14  to provide support for pulleys  34 . Pulleys  34  optionally include sleeve or ball bearings (not shown) to reduce rotational frictional forces that develop between pulleys  34  and rods  36  and  38  as pulleys  34  are rotated. Handles grips  40  are installed on the distal ends of rod  38  to provide a convenient location for the user to grasp and move mobile portion  10 .  
         [0023]    Referring now to FIG. 2, a side elevational view of mobile portion  10  is shown in an inclined resting position. Support legs  42  (of which mobile portion  10  includes two such legs that are identical) extend rearwardly from upright members  12  and  14 . In this particular view, only one of the support legs  42  is visible. Legs  42  are attached to hinges  43 . Hinges  43  are also attached as shown to upright members  12  and  14 . Hinged braces  32  are pivotally attached at their distal ends to upright members  12  and  14  and legs  42  at locations  44 . Hinged braces  32  establish a fixed distance that legs  42  are extended or displaced from upright members  12  and  14  so that the free end of leg  42  may rest upon the ground surface. Legs  42 , braces  32  and hinges  43  provide a convenient mechanism for supporting mobile portion  10  in a substantially upright position when mobile portion  10  is at rest. Also shown in FIG. 2 are pulleys  34 , gear  26 , counter device  28 , tire  22  and axle  21 .  
         [0024]    Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, front and side elevational views of a stationary portion  50  of the device for measuring multiple strands of material dispensed from a single spool, according to the present invention, are shown. Stationary portion  50  includes a base  52  and two vertical braces  54  attached to and extending upward from base  52 . Angled braces  57  are attached to vertical braces  54  and base  52  to provide added support and rigidity to the structure of stationary portion  50 . Rods  56  and  58  extend across and through vertical braces  54 . Mounted on rods  56  and  58  are pulleys  60  and a spool  62  of stranded material, such as insulated wire. Clamps  64  are attached to rods  56  and  58  to secure the rods in position with respect to vertical braces  54 . Pulleys  60  rotate freely on rods  56  and  58 . Spool  62  also rotates freely on rod  56 .  
         [0025]    Upright members or braces  12 ,  14 , legs  42 , hinged brace  32 , base  52 , vertical brace  54 , and angled brace  57  are constructed of high strength materials such as steel, reinforced plastics, fiberglass or suitable high strength materials. Rods  36  and  38 , axle  20 , rod  58  and rod  56  are made of durable materials such as metal, steel, plastics such as nylon or the like, or suitable substitutes therefor. Tires  22  are rubber or plastic composite material, though metal is also contemplated. Pulleys  34  and  60  are metal, wood, plastic, or any suitable substitute material. Clamps  64  are made of metal or plastic.  
         [0026]    Operationally speaking, the embodiment of the invention including mobile portion  10  and stationary portion  50  is used in accordance with the diagrammatic illustration shown in FIG. 10. Mobile portion  10  is positioned close to stationary portion  50  as shown in FIG. 10. Wire  66  from spool  62  is drawn out and routed over pulleys  34  and  60  as shown until the desired number of strands extend between mobile portion  10  and stationary portion  50 . Wire  66  is then secured either to mobile portion  10  or stationary portion  50 , according to the number of strands of wire desired. At this point, the reset button of counter device  28  is depressed to reset the display  30  to zero. Next, mobile portion  10  is displaced away from stationary portion  50  by the user in accordance with the visual information provided on display  30  (which corresponds preferably to distance in inches, feet or meters). When display  30  indicates the appropriate separation distance is achieved between mobile portion  10  and stationary portion  50 , the user extends the hinged legs  42  of mobile portion  10  and leans mobile portion  10  to rest on legs  42  and tires  22 . Next, the user cuts the wires extending between mobile portion  10  and stationary portion  50  near each corresponding pulley and each wire will be of the desired length. Referring now to FIG. 5, another embodiment of a mobile portion  70  comprising a part of a device for measuring multiple strands of material, according to the present invention, is shown. Mobile portion  70  is comprised of substantially the same features and provides the same functionality as mobile portion  10 , with the primary difference being the mounting configuration of pulleys  72  thereon. Mobile portion  70  includes upright members  74  and  76  that are identical in features with members  12  and  14  of FIG. 1. At the lower end of upright members  74  and  76  are inverted U-channels  78  formed therein. U-channels  78  provide an aperture within which tires  80  are disposed. At least one of tires  80  is fixedly mounted to axle  82 , and the other tire may rotate freely on the axle. Rotational counter device  84  provides visual feedback to the user concerning the rotational motion of gear  86 . Gear  86  is rotated in accordance with gear  88  as axle  82  turns in response to the rotation of tires  80 . Thus, device  84  provides a visual indication of the rotation of tires  80 . Reset button  85  provides a mechanism to reset the displayed value on device  84  to zero. The selection of gear ratios for gears  86  and  88  in accordance with the functional parameters of device  84  combine to produce a display value on device  84  corresponding to displacement in units of length (such as feet, inches or meters) in response to the rotation of axle  82  by tires  80 . Hinged braces  90  (identical to those shown in FIG. 2) attach to support legs (not shown) mounted on the rear surfaces of upright members  74  and  76  that are physically and functionally identical to legs  42  shown in FIG. 2. Handles  92  are attached to upright members  74  and  76  to provide a convenient mechanism for the user to grasp mobile portion  70  and move or displace mobile portion  70  on tires  80 . Pulleys  72  are rotatably mounted on mounting brackets  94 . Mounting brackets  94  are attached to mounting plates  96 . Mounting plates  96  are attached to upright members  74  and  76  and provide structural stability therebetween.  
         [0027]    Referring now to FIGS.  6 - 9 , further detail of the pulleys  72  and associated mounting brackets  94  and mounting plate  96  is shown. Pulleys  72  are rotatably mounted on shaft  98 . It is contemplated that ball, roller or sleeve bearings are optionally used in mounting pulleys  72  on shafts  98  to reduce frictional forces. Nuts and bolts  99  attach brackets  94  to mounting plate  96  and retain pulleys  72  on shafts  98 . Welds or adhesives may be used as substitutes for nuts and bolts  99 , as is well known in the art. Further, c-clips, sleeve clamps and the like may be used to attach pulleys  72  to shafts  98 .  
         [0028]    Referring now to FIGS. 11, 12 and  13 , a stationary portion  100 , according to another aspect of the present invention, is shown. Stationary portion  100  includes a base  102 , vertical braces  104 , angled braces  106 , rod  108 , supply spools  110  having wire  112  wound thereon, and an array of pulleys  114 . Pulleys  114  (identical to pulleys  72 ) are mounted on brackets  116  that are identical to brackets  94 . Each pulley  114 , shaft  115  and bracket  116  assembly is identical in form and function to those shown in FIGS.  6 - 8 . An array of bracket/pulley assemblies is attached as shown to mounting plate  118 . Nuts and bolts indicated at  120  are employed to attach various components to one another as is shown-in the FIGS.  11 - 13 . Clamps  122  retain rod  108  in the channel  124  atop vertical braces  104 .  
         [0029]    The materials required for construction of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 11- 13  are the same as for the embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 4 . Brackets, braces and mounting plates are preferably constructed from steel or other suitable high strength materials.  
         [0030]    Operationally speaking, mobile portion  70  substitutes for mobile portion  10  in the diagrammatic illustration of FIG. 10, and stationary portion  100  substitutes for stationary portion  50  in FIG. 10. The primary advantage of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 and FIGS.  11 - 13  becomes more apparent when one routes a wire over the pulleys of the embodiment in preparation for dispensing, measuring and cutting such wire. In the embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 4 , the end of the wire must be routed around pulleys  34  and  60  whereas in the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 12, one need only loop the wire over the open face of pulleys  72  and  114  for the wire to engage the pulley, thereby providing a more convenient method of using the invention.  
         [0031]    The stationary portion  100  shown in FIG. 11 includes multiple supply spools of wire  110  that are contemplated as needed when the length of wire on a supply spool is not sufficient to provide all of the lengths of wire needed of a particular length. For example, if a supply spool of wire  110  includes wire that is only 100 feet in length, and the user desires 6 lengths of wire that are 50 foot in length, then a wire from each of the second and third spools  110  is used to create six strands of wire between the mobile portion  70  and the stationary portion  100  prior to displacing the mobile portion fifty feet away from the stationary portion  100 . In this example, a wire is looped about one of the pulleys  72  from each of the three supply spools  110  on mobile portion  70  and then secured to the stationary portion (about vertical brace  104  for example). Then, mobile portion  70  is displaced away from stationary portion  100  and the six desired lengths of wire are dispensed. The user need only cut the wires at the pulleys to complete the process.  
         [0032]    It is contemplated that the embodiments disclosed may be used to dispense stranded material other than wire, such as rope, thread, bare metal cables, or any material that is supplied on spools and takes the form of a stranded material.  
         [0033]    The disclosed embodiments include a distance measuring mechanism comprised of a rotational measurement device driven by a gear linkage mechanism coupled to a rotating axle, yet other distance measuring devices such as laser or light based measuring devices, and even a simple mechanical tape measure, are contemplated as reasonable substitutes for measurement of distance traversed while dispensing stranded material with the embodiments disclosed herein.  
         [0034]    Another desirable mechanism for use with the embodiments disclosed herein is a wheel or tire locking mechanism to prevent rotation of the tires  22  and  80  when the mobile portions of the disclosed embodiments are at rest. Such well known caster or tire locking mechanisms serve to stabilize the mobile portion and are a contemplated feature for the embodiments of the disclosed invention.  
         [0035]    Further, though the embodiments disclosed include a movable and a stationary portion, it follows that the stationary portion may be equipped with tires or the like so that both portions if the invention are readily movable. Tires and tire locking mechanisms for tires on both the stationary and the movable portion of the invention disclosed are contemplated to provide convenience in deploying the present invention to a worksite. While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description of the preferred embodiment, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.