Abstract:
A wire roll dispenser apparatus utilizing a base member having a surface contacting foundation. The base member also includes a platform element which extends outwardly from the foundation member. A plate of a certain in mass and engages a plurality of projections which span the plate and the surface element. The plate and surface element form space for a wire roll which is unrolled for use.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a novel and useful wire roll dispensing apparatus. 
     Rolls of material such as wire or fencing mesh are often wound into layers of spiral configuration. Since the winding is often achieved through a machine, a considerable degree of compression is applied to the spirally wound roll. To maintain such compression during shipping, securing wires, ropes, lines, and the like are temporarily tied around the roll. When the securing line is severed, the roll has a tendency to expand and unravel uncontrollably. Dispensing of the wire or wire mesh is not easily achieved requiring multiple persons to orient and turn the roll. 
     In the past, systems have been devised to handle coils and rolls of material. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,539,016, 1,706,605, 2,019,857, and 3,556,431 show reels which rotate about a central axis to unwind material which is wrapped around the reel. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,918 teaches a roller which unwinds a web material through a roll friction bar. The bar maintains a constant tension on the screen material across the width of the screen roll. 
     U.S. Pat. 3,868,070 and 4,666,102 describe coil and cable dispensing apparatuses in which the wound material is held on a rotatable spindle and allowed to dispense or pay out from the reel. During the pay-out plates hold tension on the reel throughout its turning motion. 
     A wire roll dispensing apparatus which does not require a reel for use would be a notable advance in mechanical arts. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention a novel and useful apparatus for dispensing wire rolls is herein provided. 
     The dispenser of the present invention utilizes a base member which includes a foundation for contacting a surface and for supporting a platform element in an upright position. The platform element is rotatably mounted to the foundation member. In certain cases, the platform element make take the form of a plurality of arms and each having an upper surface for supporting wire roll. The arms may be adjustable to accommodate rolls of varying sizes and configurations. 
     A plurality of projections extend relative to the platform element. Such projections may be constructed in the forms of tubes that fit over bosses or protuberances located on any one of the plurality of arms. The projections may be removably held to the arms and are of a predetermined length to accommodate a roll of wire material without interfering with the same. 
     A plate of a pre-determined mass is also employed in the present invention. The plate is configured to engage the plurality of projections extending relative to the platform element. The plate and platform element form a space for accommodating the wire roll. That it is to say, the wire roll lies between the pressing plate and the platform element when being dispensed in the present invention. The plate may be formed with a number of recesses to positively engage the ends of the plurality of projections extending form the platform element. Such recesses may be patterned to engage the plurality of projections when the arms of the platform elements are extended or retracted as the case may be. Once the wire roll is placed beneath the weight of the plate and above the platform element it may dispensed easily such that the weight of the plate counter acts the expanding tendency of the roll. The base member also constructed such that the platform element is rotatably mounted with respect to the foundation member to allow the user to easily direct the paying-out of the wire roll when it is being employed in a construction or repair project. 
     It may be apparent that novel and useful surface supported wire roll dispenser apparatus has been herein above described. 
     Is therefor an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for dispensing wire-like material which is simple to operate and requires a minimum of moving parts. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a wire roll dispenser apparatus which mounts on a surface and is capable of permitting the user to unwind or pay-out wire-like material in any direction about a central axis. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a wire roll dispenser apparatus which elimintes the need for a reel to dispense wire material. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a wire roll dispenser apparatus which greatly increases the safety of the workers who are unwinding a roll for use. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a wire roll dispenser which includes a minimum number of parts and is easily maintained and repaired. 
     Another object for the present invention is to provide a wire roll dispenser apparatus which is capable paying out wire-like material and possesses versatility in accommodating wire rolls of varying sizes. 
     The invention possesses other objects and advantages especially of concerns particular characteristics and features thereof which will become apparent as the specification continues. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line  2 — 2  of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line  3 — 3  of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a partial single arm of the platform element showing the engagement of a projection thereto. 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an arm of the present invention in which a projection has been in place there upon. 
     FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the apparatus of the present invention indicating rotation of the platform element and plate to allow dispensing of wire-like material in various directions. 
    
    
     For a better understanding of the invention references made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be taken in conjunction with the herein above described drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Various aspects of the present invention will evolve from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be referenced to the prior delineated drawings. 
     The embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings in whole by reference character  10 . Apparatus  10  includes as one of its elements base member  12 . Base member  12  possesses a foundation element  14  having a foot  16  and a post  18  held by hollow support  20 . Foot  16  rests on ground surface  22  and supports post  18  in an upright position, as depicted in FIG.  1 . 
     Base  12  also includes a platform element  24 . Platform element  24 , FIGS. 1 and 3 may take the form of a plurality of arms  26  which extend outwardly from a central hub or socket  28 . Each arm includes an upper surface which lies generally at the same height and provide a platform for wire roll  30 . That is to say, the embodiment described in the drawing shows arms  32 ,  34 ,  36 , and  38 . Each of the arms  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  is formed into two parts. With reference to exemplary arm  36 , it may be seen that a hollow first portion  40  accommodates a movable second portion  42 , directional arrow  44 . A multiplicity of openings  46  through second portion  44  accommodate elongated fastener such as bolt  48  to fix the overall length of arm  36  relative to hub  28 . It should be understood that arms  32 ,  34 , and  38  are likewise adjustable. Platform element  24  provides a platform for a roll  30  by contact of the upper surfaces  50 ,  52 ,  54 , and  56  of arms  32 ,  34 ,  36 , and  38 , respectively. In certain embodiments, platform element  24  may include a solid uninterrupted surface in this regard. Platform element  24  is rotatably mounted with respect to post  18 . That is to say, hub  28  rotates relative to post  18  according to direction al arrow  68 , FIG. 3 Returning to FIG. 1, it may observed that a plurality of projections  58  extend outwardly relative to platform element  24 . For example, projections  60 ,  62 ,  64  and  66  (truncated) are depicted in FIGS. 1-3. Projections  60 , 62 ,  64 , and  66  are associated with arms  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  respectively. Projections  60 ,  62 ,  64  and  66  serve to control the expansion of roll  30 . 
     A plate  70 , FIG. 2, is also employed in apparatus  10 . Plate  70  is constructed of a certain weight to press on wire roll  30  in the space  72  created between plate  70  and platform element  24 . In this regard, lower surface  74  of plate  70  includes plurality of recesses  76 . Such plurality of recesses  76  are aligned to encompass any of the plurality of projections  58 ,  60 ,  62 , and  64 , commensurate with the length adjustment of arms  32 ,  34 ,  36 , and  38 . 
     With reference to FIG. 4, it may be seen that arm  32  is depicted with respect to fixed second portion  80  thereof. A boss  82  is welded or otherwise fixed to surface  50  and includes an L-shaped spacer  84  which lies against boss  82 . Projection  60 , in the form of a tube, includes a cutout lower portion  88  which fits adjacent upper portion  86  of L-shaped spacer  80 . Thus, projection  60 , when fitting over boss  82  and L-shape spacer  84 , does not rotate, FIG.  5 . 
     In operation, the user places roll  30  in space  72  between plate  70  and platform element  24 . Wire roll  30  is pressed downwardly by the weight of plate  70  which maintains compression of the coil roll  30 . Projections  60 ,  62 ,  64  and  66  confine roll  30  laterally within space  72 . Roll  30  may be barbed wire, as shown in FIG.  6 . The end  90  of roll  30  may be a singly strand or a mesh or matrix, is then pulled outwardly from space  72  for use. Wire roll  30  turns within space  72  in a controlled manner. A rotation of platform elements  24  and plate  70  permits the user to orient or direct the paying out of end  90  of roll  30  in multiple directions. FIG. 6 indicates the rotation of plate  70  and platform element  24  about axis  92  according to directional arrow  94 . End  90 , in form a single strand is depicted in multiple directions while a matrix, such as a fencing type material  96 , is also depicted as being unraveled from roll  30 . 
     While, in the foregoing, embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, it may be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such detail without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.