Abstract:
A dispenser for spools, reels or coils of electrical wire or cable, or other linear products, such as rope, twine, string, fishing line, etc. It comprises a turntable, a central inner spindle, and various attachments. The attachments can be placed on the floor, and then selected attachments can be fitted to the inner spindle. Attachments are selected based on the size of the spool, reel or coil of wire or cable. The attachments include a small pipe spindle for use with smaller spools, a large pipe spindle for use with larger spools or reels, and a coil clamp assembly use with for coils. The wire or cable can pay out in all horizontal directions from the invention. If more wire or cable is pulled out than is needed, the excess can be rewound and will return to the dispenser with the aid of a sloped outer edge of the turntable.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based on and claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/149,165, filed Feb. 2, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference. A separate letter, entitled “Disclosure Document Reference”, was filed on Feb. 2, 2009 in said Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/149,165, for Disclosure Document No. 612431, that was received in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Jan. 31, 2007, for the invention that is described and claimed in this application, entitled “‘CABLE TABLE’ Dispenser for wire &amp; cable on spools-reels-coils”. (Please note that as Jan. 31, 2009 was a Saturday, the deadline for filing said separate letter was Monday, Feb. 2, 2009, under 35 U.S.C. 21(b).) 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to dispensers for cable, wire and other linear products. The present invention is designed for use by electricians, but it may be useful to others. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Electrical wire and cable is supplied for installation by electricians primarily in the following modes: 
     Spools—a seven inch diameter is common. 
     Reels—large spools, for which a four foot diameter is common. 
     Coils—Residential (RX)—two to eight inches in height. 
     Coils—Commercial (CX)—six to eight inches in height. 
     There are many different dispensers available for each of these different modes. The present invention provides a single dispenser that can be used for all four of these common modes. 
     There have been many previous inventions for dispensing linear products, but none that are equivalent to the present invention. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,580,129, issued on Dec. 25, 1951, to Charles C. Rich, discloses a twine dispenser having a spring that presses a spool of twine down against a turntable. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that it uses a turntable with sloping sides. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,059, issued on May 14, 1996, to Thomas A. Gudgeon and John Trinity, discloses an electrical wire spool guide, with adjustable side plates and an adjustable spacer. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that only it uses pipe spindles with setscrews or a spring-loaded pressure plate. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,283, issued on Sep. 22, 1998, to Patrick Joseph Shea, discloses an apparatus and method for wire coil payoff, in which the wire is dispensed through an eyelet in a shroud covering the coil. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that it permits the wire to be paid off in any horizontal direction. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,197, issued on Apr. 20, 1999, to Arthur Kenneth McVaugh, discloses a cable reel handler for mounting at the rear of a truck for loading and unloading of cable reels. Again, the instant invention is distinguishable, in that only it uses pipe spindles with setscrews or a spring-loaded pressure plate. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,073, issued on Apr. 27, 1999, to Arthur K. McVaugh, discloses a reel handler, in which the reel is rotated by an hydraulic motor. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that it is designed to be turned by hand. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,226, issued on May 2, 2000, to Robert L. Green, discloses a caddy for electrical extension cords, including a cylindrical container from which the cord is unwound using a hand crank and passes through an opening in the container. It does not disclose the use of pipe spindles with setscrews or a spring-loaded pressure plate, as in the instant invention. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,662, issued on Jun. 27, 2000, to William C. Miller, discloses an expansible core shaft assembly for retaining spool cores in axially fixed positions, while permitting rotational slipping of the spool cores. Again, it does not disclose the use of pipe spindles with setscrews or a spring-loaded pressure plate, as in the instant invention. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,181, issued on Jun. 5, 2001, to William F. Campbell, discloses a reusable wire distribution spool, with two halves, each having an end plate and a central mandrel. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,481,661, issued on Nov. 19, 2002, to Mika Lauhde, discloses an arrangement for winding cables on and off a reel with a central hole. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,220, issued on Mar. 4, 2003, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,607, issued on Apr. 20, 2004, both to Dustin H. Weaver and Thomas L. Yoast, disclose a knockdown changeable reel system and method. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,007,885, issued on Mar. 7, 2006, to Richard J. Buckwitz, discloses a wire segment reel assembly and method, including a reel having a magnetic rim, turntable, magnetic key, and a wire feed tube. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that it does not require any magnetic parts. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,017,742, issued on Mar. 28, 2006, to Robert K. Dragoo, David E. Shepard and Michael A. Rowland, discloses a cylindrical container for storing material such as welding wire, from which it can be unwound. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,017,848, issued on Mar. 28, 2006, to Thomas William Fleming, discloses a hand-held cable reel, comprising a central cable receiving core mounted between a pair of disc-like end flanges. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,364,109, issued on Apr. 29, 2008, to Chin-Chang Kuo, discloses a cable reel with a turntable that can rewind the cable with the aid a volute spring not required in the instant invention. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0253015, published on Nov. 17, 2005, to Rudolf Bohnisch, discloses an unwinding apparatus for reeling off coiled material. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0008492, published on Jan. 8, 2009, to David E. Phillips, discloses a wire caddy designed to hold single or multiple spools of electrical wire used in the building trades. It does not disclose a turntable with rounded edges or the spring-loaded clamping mechanism of the instant invention. 
     German Patent No. 27 14 328, published on Oct. 27, 1977, inventor Antonio Macchi Cassia, discloses a serviette dispenser with a winding drum that may be mounted on a vertical spindle with a coil spring. 
     None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a dispenser for spools, reels or coils of electrical wire or cable. It may also be used for other linear products, such as rope, twine, string, fishing line, etc. It comprises a turntable, a central inner spindle, and various attachments. The attachments can be placed on the floor, and then selected attachments can be fitted to the inner spindle. Attachments are selected based on the size of the spool, reel or coil of wire or cable. The attachments include a small pipe spindle for use with smaller spools, a large pipe spindle for use with larger spools or reels, and a coil clamp assembly for use with coils. The wire or cable can pay out in all horizontal directions from the invention. If more wire or cable is pulled out than is needed, the excess can be rewound and will return to the dispenser with the aid of a sloped outer edge of the turntable. The coil clamp assembly includes a hub, a pressure plate that is placed over and holds down the coil, and three springs with T-shaped handles for holding down the pressure plate. The pressure plate has three inward metal extensions or spring holds, with holes through which shafts extending from the handles may be inserted. The spring holds may be retained between coils in the springs. The handles can be raised to release the pressure plate. One edge of the spring holds may be filed to facilitate insertion and removal of the springs. 
     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a means for dispensing a variety of linear products. 
     It is another object of the invention to make it easier to rewind spools, reels or coils, without the need for a brake in the dispenser. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a means for attaching a variety of spindles to a turntable. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a means for utilizing the power of coil springs to retain linear products. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a photograph of the turntable of the preferred embodiment of the invention, with no attachments. 
         FIG. 2  is a photograph showing a coil of BX commercial cable lying on the turntable, retained by the coil clamp attachment of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a photograph showing a coil of RX residential cable lying on the turntable, retained by the coil clamp attachment of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a photograph showing small spools of wire stacked on the turntable, retained by the small spindle attachment of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a photograph showing a large reel of cable lying on the turntable, retained by the large spindle attachment of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the turntable of the preferred embodiment of the invention, with no attachments. 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the turntable of the preferred embodiment of the invention, with no attachments. 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the turntable of the preferred embodiment of the invention, drawn along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded sectional view of the turntable of the preferred embodiment of the invention, drawn along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is a front elevational view of the small spindle of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the small spindle of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional view of the small spindle of the preferred embodiment of the invention, drawn along lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a detail sectional view of the small spindle combined with the turntable of the preferred embodiment of the invention, drawn along lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 14  is an exploded detail sectional view of the small spindle combined with the turntable of the preferred embodiment of the invention, drawn along lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 15  is a sectional view of the small spindle combined with the turntable of the preferred embodiment of the invention, showing it holding four small spools, drawn along lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 16  is a front elevational view of the attachment connector of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a left side elevational view of the attachment connector of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a top plan view of the attachment connector of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a front elevational view of the large spindle of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a top plan view of the large spindle of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 21  is a sectional view of the large spindle of the preferred embodiment of the invention, drawn along lines  16 - 16  of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 22  is a front elevational view of the large spindle combined with the turntable of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 23  is a sectional view of the large spindle combined with the turntable of the preferred embodiment of the invention, showing it holding a large reel, drawn along lines  16 - 16  of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 24  is a front elevational view of the clamping assembly of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 25  is a top plan view of the clamping assembly of the preferred embodiment of the invention combined with the turntable. 
         FIG. 26  is an exploded sectional view of the clamping assembly of the preferred embodiment of the invention, combined with the turntable, drawn along lines  21 - 21  of  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 27  is a front elevational view of the clamping assembly combined with the turntable of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 28  is a sectional view of the clamping assembly combined with the turntable of the preferred embodiment of the invention, showing it holding a coil of cable, drawn along lines  21 - 21  of  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 29  is a detail top view of the central part of the clamping assembly. 
         FIG. 30  is a detail top view of the pressure plate of the clamping assembly. 
         FIG. 31  is a sectional view of the pressure plate of the clamping assembly, drawn along lines  26 - 26  of  FIG. 30 . 
         FIG. 32  is a front detail view of one of the spring handles of the clamping assembly. 
         FIG. 33  is a side detail view of one of the spring handles of the clamping assembly. 
         FIG. 34  is top detail view of one the spring handles of the clamping assembly. 
         FIG. 35  is a front detail view of one of the springs in the clamping assembly. 
         FIG. 36  is a top view of one of the springs in the clamping assembly. 
         FIG. 37  is a front detail view of a spring and spring handle combined in the clamping assembly. 
         FIG. 38  is front detail view showing the connection of the springs to the hub base in the clamping assembly. 
         FIG. 39  is a top detail view of one of the spring holds in the clamping assembly. 
         FIG. 40  is a side detail view of one of the spring holds in the clamping assembly. 
         FIG. 41  is a bottom detail view of one of the spring holds in the clamping assembly. 
         FIG. 42  is a detail elevational view of the inner end of one of the spring holds in the clamping assembly. 
     
    
    
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention a turntable dispenser for wire, cable, rope, and other linear products, with a set of three attachments, namely, a small spindle, a large spindle, and a clamping assembly. 
     The following items are referenced in the drawings: 
     In the Turntable Assembly: 
     
         
         
           
               1 . turntable base 
               2 . sloped side of turntable base 
               3 . lower ball bearing race 
               4 . ball bearings 
               5 . seal to keep dirt from ball bearings 
               6 . threaded hole for bolt  11   
               7 . turntable 
               8 . rounded edge 
               9 . threaded hole for attachments 
               10 . upper ball bearing race 
               11 . bolt to secure turntable  7  to base  1   
               12 . inner spindle 
               13 . threads at bottom of inner spindle that engage threads in hole  9   
               14 . first set screw to secure small outer spindle  16   
               15 . threads to accept threads  21  of part  20 
 
In the Small Spindle Assembly:
 
               16 . small outer spindle for small spools 
               17 . first transverse hole for set screw  14   
               18 . spool retainer to prevent spools from sliding up 
               19 . third set screw to retain  18  to  16 
 
In the Large Spindle Assembly:
 
               20 . attachment connector 
               21 . threads to engage threads  15   
               22 . second set screw to secure large outer spindle  23   
               23 . large outer spindle for large reels 
               24 . second transverse hole for set screw  22   
In the Coil Clamp Assembly:
 
               25 . hub base 
               26 . center hole for hub attachment to turntable 
               27 . slots to receive and retain springs 
               28 . springs 
               29 . T-shaped spring handle 
               30 . slip bushing 
               31 . shaft of spring handle that secures spring  38  to hub base 
               32 . coil hub 
               33 . hub slots to receive spring holders  39   
               34 . holes to secure hub  32  to base  25   
               35 . screw to secure hub  32  to base  25   
               36 . pressure plate 
               37 . inner edge of pressure plate 
               38 . outer edge of pressure plate 
               39 . spring holds 
               40 . receiving ends of spring holds 
               41 . spring lock-in hole to receive shaft of spring handle 
               42 . bolts to retain spring holders  39  on pressure plate  36   
           
         
       
    
       FIG. 1  is a photograph of the turntable of the preferred embodiment of the invention, with no attachments.  FIG. 2  is a photograph showing a coil of BX commercial cable lying on the turntable, retained by the coil clamp attachment of the preferred embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 3  is a photograph showing a coil of RX residential cable lying on the turntable, retained by the coil clamp attachment of the preferred embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 4  is a photograph showing small spools of wire stacked on the turntable, retained by the small spindle attachment of the preferred embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 5  is a photograph showing a large reel of cable lying on the turntable, retained by the large spindle attachment of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the turntable of the preferred embodiment of the invention, with no attachments, showing the circular turntable base  1  with sloped side  2  along its circumference. The turntable  7  rests in the base, and has a rounded edge  8 . The sloped side of the base and rounded edge of the turntable make is easy to manually rewind linear products on the floor. The inner spindle  12  extends upwards from the center of the turntable, and has first set screw  14  and screw threads  15  at its upper end.  FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the turntable of the preferred embodiment of the invention, with no attachments.  FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the turntable of the preferred embodiment of the invention, drawn along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 7 , showing ball bearings  4  retained between a lower race  3  on the bottom of the turntable and an upper race  10  on the top of the base, seal  5  to keep dirt from the ball bearings, bolt  11  to secure the turntable to the base, and the hole  9  with threads that can engage threads  13  at the bottom of the inner spindle to removably retain the inner spindle in the center of the turntable.  FIG. 9  is an exploded sectional view of the turntable of the preferred embodiment of the invention, drawn along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 10  is a front elevational view of the small spindle of the preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the small outer spindle  16 , with first transverse hole  17 , spool retainer  18  to prevent spools from sliding up and off the spindle, and third set screw  19  to removably retain the spool retainer on the small outer spindle. When the first set screw on the inner spindle is screwed all the way in, the small outer spindle may be removed from the inner spindle. But when the first set screw is screwed part way out, so that its head fills the first transverse hole, the small outer spindle is fixed in place on the inner spindle. (The first set screw may be screwed out by placing a screw driver through the first transverse hole.)  FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the small spindle of the preferred embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 12  is a sectional view of the small spindle of the preferred embodiment of the invention, drawn along lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 13  is a detail sectional view of the small spindle combined with the turntable of the preferred embodiment of the invention, drawn along lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 14  is an exploded detail sectional view of the small spindle combined with the turntable of the preferred embodiment of the invention, drawn along lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 11 . Note that when first set screw  14  is turned all the way in, the inner spindle  12  has a smooth outer surface that will not hinder the small outer spindle from being placed down around it.  FIG. 15  is a sectional view of the small spindle combined with the turntable of the preferred embodiment of the invention, showing it holding four small spools A, drawn along lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 11 . The small outer spindle can be made from one-half inch electrical metallic tubing (“EMT”) or other suitable material. 
       FIG. 16  is a front elevational view of the attachment connector  20  of the preferred embodiment of the invention, which is used to attach both the large spindle and the clamping assembly to the turntable, but in different manners. The attachment connector has inner threads  21  that can engage the outer threads on the upper part of the inner spindle, and the second set screw  22 .  FIG. 17  is a left side elevational view of the attachment connector of the preferred embodiment of the invention. Note that when second set screw  22  is turned all the way in, the attachment connector  20  has a smooth outer surface that will not hinder the large outer spindle  23  from being placed down around it.  FIG. 18  is a top plan view of the attachment connector of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 19  is a front elevational view of the large spindle of the preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the large outer spindle  23 , with second transverse hole  24 . When the second set screw on the attachment connector is screwed all the way in, the large outer spindle may be removed from the attachment connector and the turntable. But when the second set screw is screwed part way out, so that its head fills the second transverse hole, the large outer spindle is fixed in place on the attachment member to the turntable (when the attachment member has been screwed onto the inner spindle). (The second set screw may be screwed out by placing a screw driver through the second transverse hole.)  FIG. 20  is a top plan view of the large spindle of the preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the large outer spindle  23  retained on the attachment connector  20  retained on the inner spindle  12 .  FIG. 21  is a sectional view of the large spindle of the preferred embodiment of the invention, drawn along lines  16 - 16  of  FIG. 20 .  FIG. 22  is a front elevational view of the large spindle combined with the turntable of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 23  is a sectional view of the large spindle combined with the turntable of the preferred embodiment of the invention, showing it holding a large reel B, drawn along lines  16 - 16  of  FIG. 20 . The large outer spindle can be made from one and one-quarter inch electrical metallic tubing (“EMT”) or other suitable material. 
       FIG. 24  is a front elevational view of the clamping assembly of the preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the hub  32  (around which a coil of cable may be placed), pressure plate  36  that can push down on a coil to hold it in place, springs  28  (preferably three) that cause the pressure plate to push down, T-shaped handles  29  for each spring, spring holds  39  attached to the pressure plate for each spring, and slots  33  in the hub for each spring through which the inner ends of the spring holds can pass.  FIG. 25  is a top plan view of the clamping assembly of the preferred embodiment of the invention, combined with the turntable, showing the rounded inner edge  37  and rounded outer edge  38  of the pressure plate, and the bolts  42  that retain the spring holds on the pressure plate. 
       FIG. 26  is an exploded sectional view of the clamping assembly of the preferred embodiment of the invention, combined with the turntable, drawn along lines  21 - 21  of  FIG. 25 . The springs  28  are attached to the perimeter of the hub base  25 . This allows the springs to rotate to either side of the slots  27  (shown in  FIG. 38 ), while keeping the springs close to the side of the coil hub  32 , and accessible for use. 
       FIG. 27  is a front elevational view of the clamping assembly combined with the turntable of the preferred embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 28  is a sectional view of the clamping assembly combined with the turntable of the preferred embodiment of the invention, showing it holding a coil of cable, drawn along lines  21 - 21  of  FIG. 25 .  FIG. 29  is a detail top view of the central part of the clamping assembly.  FIG. 30  is a detail top view of the pressure plate of the clamping assembly. The T-shaped spring handles  29  extend from springs  28 . When a handle is pulled up to stretch the spring, the handle prevents the user from getting his or her fingers pinched on top of the coil hub  32 , the spring holder  39  should fail to hold the spring.  FIG. 31  is a sectional view of the pressure plate of the clamping assembly, drawn along lines  26 - 26  of  FIG. 30 . 
       FIG. 32  is a front detail view of one of the spring handles of the clamping assembly.  FIG. 33  is a side detail view of one of the spring handles of the clamping assembly.  FIG. 34  is top detail view of one the spring handles of the clamping assembly.  FIG. 35  is a front detail view of one of the springs in the clamping assembly.  FIG. 36  is a top view of one of the springs in the clamping assembly.  FIG. 37  is a front detail view of a spring and spring handle combined in the clamping assembly. The bottoms of the springs are retained on screws  35  in slots  27  between flattened areas on the circumference of the hub base and the wall of the hub  32 . The bottoms of the springs can rotate on the screws within the slots.  FIG. 38  is front detail view showing the connection of the springs to the hub base in the clamping assembly.  FIG. 39  is a top detail view of one of the spring holds in the clamping assembly.  FIG. 40  is a side detail view of one of the spring holds in the clamping assembly.  FIG. 41  is a bottom detail view of one of the spring holds in the clamping assembly.  FIG. 42  is a detail elevational view of the inner end of one of the spring holds in the clamping assembly. Each spring hold  39  has a receiving end  40  that has tapered surfaces on the top and bottom that will allow the coils of the spring to slip onto the holder without resistance when its T-shaped handle is pulled up to stretch the spring. After a T-shaped handle is pulled up and the coiled spring  28  is stretched and slipped onto the spring hold  39 , the T-shaped handle is pushed down, pushing its shaft  31  through the lock-in hole  41 . The slip bushing  30  will drop and be aligned with the lock-in hole, allowing the shaft of the T-shaped handle to pass through both the bushing and the lock-in hole. The spring is thus locked onto the spring hold, and is applying pressure to the top of a coil of cable through the pressure plate  36 . 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.