Patent Publication Number: US-6902133-B1

Title: Material dispenser system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   I hereby claim benefit under Title 35, United States Code, Section 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/432,437 filed Dec. 10, 2002. The 60/432,437 application is currently pending. The 60/432,437 application is hereby incorporated by reference into this application. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable to this application. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to elongate material dispensers and more specifically it relates to a material dispenser system for efficiently dispensing elongate material and providing an automatic system for preventing accidental dispensing of elongate material. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Elongate material dispensers have been in use for years and dispense various types of elongate material such as barricade tape, string and the like. Conventional elongate material dispensers may be comprised of rotating reels. Conventional elongate material dispensers typically allow the user to secure the loose end of the elongate material after dispensing to prevent accidental dispensing of the elongate material. 
   One problem with conventional elongate material dispensers is that they do not provide an automatic system for preventing accidental dispensing of the elongate material. Another problem with conventional elongate material dispensers is that they are not capable of being easily adjusted to frictionally dispense the elongate material. Another problem with conventional elongate material dispensers is that they are relatively expensive to manufacture. A further problem with conventional elongate material dispensers is that they can be time consuming to load and reload the elongate material. 
   While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for efficiently dispensing elongate material. Conventional elongate material dispensers do not adequately prevent the accidental dispensing of elongate material. 
   In these respects, the material dispenser system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of efficiently dispensing elongate material. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of elongate material dispensers now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new material dispenser system construction wherein the same can be utilized for efficiently dispensing elongate material. 
   The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new material dispenser system that has many of the advantages of the elongate material dispensers mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new material dispenser system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art elongate material dispensers, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
   To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a first prong and a second prong resiliently connected by a base in a substantially U-shaped structure. The prongs each have a shoulder and a jaw that receive a spool between thereof. To load a spool, the user compresses the handles of the prongs thereby allowing insertion of the distal portions of the prongs through the core of the spool. To dispense material from the spool, the user compresses the handles of the prongs thereby allowing free rotation of the spool upon the prongs. If the user desires tension within the elongate material being dispenses, the handles are allowed to expand slightly so that the prongs frictionally engage the core of the spool. When it is desired not to have elongate material dispensed, the user allows the prongs to expand outwardly thereby frictionally engaging the core of the spool to prevent rotation of the spool. 
   There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
   In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide a material dispenser system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices. 
   A second object is to provide a material dispenser system for efficiently dispensing elongate material. 
   Another object is to provide a material dispenser system that provides an automatic system for preventing accidental dispensing of elongate material. 
   An additional object is to provide a material dispenser system that is capable of dispensing various types of elongate material such as tape, string and the like. 
   A further object is to provide a material dispenser system that has no rotating components. 
   Another object is to provide a material dispenser system that allows for a user to maintain a desired level of tension upon the elongate material to prevent excess material from unwinding. 
   A further object is to provide a material dispenser system that allows for efficient loading and reloading of elongate material. 
   Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. 
   To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is an upper perspective view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the present invention in a fully expanded state. 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the present invention in a compressed state. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5   a  is an upper perspective view of the present invention with a single spool positioned about the prongs. 
       FIG. 5   b  is an upper perspective view of the present invention with two spools positioned about the prongs. 
       FIG. 6  is an upper perspective view of the present invention being utilized to dispense tape from a spool. 
       FIG. 7  is an end view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view taken along line  8 — 8  of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 9  is the cross sectional view of  FIG. 8  with the prongs compressed to allow for rotation or removal of the spool. 
       FIG. 10  is a side cut away view of the present invention illustrating the loading or removal of a spool. 
       FIG. 11  is an upper perspective view of a first alternative embodiment. 
       FIG. 12  is an upper perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   A. Overview 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1 through 12  illustrate a material dispenser system  10 , which comprises a first prong  20  and a second prong  30  resiliently connected by a base  50  in a substantially U-shaped structure. The prongs  20 ,  30  each have a shoulder and a jaw that receive a spool  12  between thereof. To load a spool  12 , the user compresses the handles  28 ,  38  of the prongs  20 ,  30  thereby allowing insertion of the distal portions of the prongs  20 ,  30  through the core  14  of the spool  12 . To dispense material from the spool  12 , the user compresses the handles  28 ,  38  of the prongs  20 ,  30  thereby allowing free rotation of the spool  12  upon the prongs  20 ,  30 . If the user desires tension within the elongate material being dispenses, the handles  28 ,  38  are allowed to expand slightly so that the prongs  20 ,  30  frictionally engage the core  14  of the spool  12 . When it is desired not to have elongate material dispensed, the user allows the prongs  20 ,  30  to expand outwardly thereby frictionally engaging the core  14  of the spool  12  to prevent rotation of the spool  12 . 
   B. First Prong 
     FIGS. 1  though  3  best illustrate the first prong  20  which has an elongate structure. The first prong  20  preferably includes a first jaw  22 , a first shoulder  26 , a first body  24  and a first handle  28  as best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  of the drawings. The first body  24  extends between the first jaw  22  and the first shoulder  26  as further shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  of the drawings. A first handle  28  extends from the first shoulder  26  opposite of the first body  24 . The first prong  20  is preferably constructed of a resilient material such as but not limited to plastic. 
   The first jaw  22  preferably extends transversely from the first prong  20  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  of the drawings. The first jaw  22  preferably has a syncline shaped structure, however various other structures may be utilized for the first jaw  22 . The first jaw  22  retains the spool  12  upon the first body  24  as shown in  FIG. 5   a  of the drawings. 
   The first shoulder  26  extends from the first prong  20  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  of the drawings. The shoulder may have various shapes and structures capable of retaining the spool  12  upon the first body  24  as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  of the drawings. The first shoulder  26  preferably includes a first slot  27  that is capable of receiving a distal portion of the elongate material in a frictional manner when the present invention is not in use. 
   The first body  24  extends between the first jaw  22  and the first shoulder  26  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  of the drawings. The outer portion of the first body  24  is formed to rotatably and frictionally engage a core  14  of a spool  12 . The first body  24  may have a tapered structure as further shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  of the drawings. 
     FIG. 8  illustrates the outer portion of the first body  24  being positioned substantially parallel to an inner surface of a core  14  when the first prong  20  is expanded.  FIG. 9  illustrates the outer portion of the first body  24  positioned a distance away from the inner surface of the core  14  when the first prong  20  is compressed inwardly thereby allowing the spool  12  to rotate about the prongs  20 ,  30 . 
   The first handle  28  extends from the first shoulder  26  and is formed to be grasped by a user&#39;s hand. The first handle  28  may have gripping members  40  to assist in the gripping of the first handle  28  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  of the drawings. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  of the drawings, the first handle  28  may be positioned at an angle with respect to the main body. 
   C. Second Prong 
     FIGS. 1  though  3  best illustrate the second prong  30  which has an elongate structure. The second prong  30  preferably has a structure that mirrors the first prong  20  as best illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  of the drawings. 
   The second prong  30  preferably includes a second jaw  32 , a second shoulder  36 , a second body  34  and a second handle  38  as best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  of the drawings. The second body  34  extends between the second jaw  32  and the second shoulder  36  as further shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  of the drawings. A second handle  38  extends from the second shoulder  36  opposite of the second body  34 . The second prong  30  is preferably constructed of a resilient material such as but not limited to plastic. 
   The second jaw  32  preferably extends transversely from the second prong  30  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  of the drawings. The second jaw  32  preferably has a syncline shaped structure, however various other structures may be utilized for the second jaw  32 . The second jaw  32  retains the spool  12  upon the second body  34  as shown in  FIG. 5   a  of the drawings. 
   The second shoulder  36  extends from the second prong  30  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  of the drawings. The shoulder may have various shapes and structures capable of retaining the spool  12  upon the second body  34  as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  of the drawings. The second shoulder  36  preferably includes a second slot  37  that is capable of receiving a distal portion of the elongate material in a frictional manner when the present invention is not in use. 
   The second body  34  extends between the second jaw  32  and the second shoulder  36  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  of the drawings. The outer portion of the second body  34  is formed to rotatably and frictionally engage a core  14  of a spool  12 . The second body  34  may have a tapered structure as further shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  of the drawings. 
     FIG. 8  illustrates the outer portion of the second body  34  being positioned substantially parallel to an inner surface of a core  14  when the second prong  30  is expanded.  FIG. 9  illustrates the outer portion of the second body  34  positioned a distance away from the inner surface of the core  14  when the second prong  30  is compressed inwardly thereby allowing the spool  12  to rotate about the prongs  20 ,  30 . 
   The second handle  38  extends from the second shoulder  36  and is formed to be grasped by a user&#39;s hand. The second handle  38  may have gripping members  40  to assist in the gripping of the second handle  38  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  of the drawings. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  of the drawings, the second handle  38  may be positioned at an angle with respect to the main body. 
   The first prong  20  and the second prong  30  are connected together opposite of the first jaw  22  and the second jaw  32  forming a space between thereof as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3  of the drawings. The distal ends of the first handle  28  and the second handle  38  are preferably connected to a base  50  or similar structure thereby forming a U-shaped structure with the prongs  20 ,  30  preferably in a substantially parallel position to one another. The base  50  preferably is constructed of a resilient material such as but not limited to plastic. The base  50  may have an opening  52  for allowing attachment to various objects as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3  of the drawings. 
   D. Alternative Embodiments 
     FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate two potential alternative embodiments of the present invention. It can be appreciated that various other variations may be made to the present invention within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11  illustrates a first alternative embodiment wherein the first body  24  and the second body  34  are connected to one another by an end portion  60 . The spool  12  is loaded/unloaded over the jaws  22 ,  32  wherein the jaws  22 ,  32  have a tapered back structure and are resilient for allowing the core  14  of the spool  12  to pass over. Once the spool  12  has passed over the jaws  22 ,  32 , the jaws  22 ,  32  prevent the spool  12  from passing outwardly from the present invention. 
     FIG. 12  illustrates a second alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein the spool  12  is loaded/removed about the end of the handles  28 ,  38  instead of the end of the first body  24  and the second body  34 . The first shoulder  26  and the second shoulder  36  have a smaller structure than in the preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 12  to allow for the spool  12  to be passed over the shoulders  26 ,  36  during loading/unloading of the spool  12 . The first slot  27  and the second slot  37  are preferably positioned within the first jaw  22  and the second jaw  32  respectively within the second alternative embodiment of the invention as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
   E. Operation of Invention Loading/Unloading Spools 
   To load a spool  12  onto the present invention, the user first grasps the handles  28 ,  38  and compresses the handles  28 ,  38  towards one another. The prongs  20 ,  30  thereby taper inwardly towards one another as shown in  FIG. 3  of the drawings. This allows for the spool  12  to be slid over the prongs  20 ,  30  as shown in  FIG. 10  of the drawings. When the spool  12  is being slid over the prongs  20 ,  30 , the inner surface of the core  14  of the spool  12  will engage the jaws  22 ,  32  thereby further compressing the distal portions of the prongs  20 ,  30  to allow passage of the spool  12 . After the jaws  22 ,  32  extend through the opposing end of the core  14 , the jaws  22 ,  32  expand thereby retaining the spool  12  positioned upon the first body  24  and the second body  34  of the prongs  20 ,  30  between the respect shoulders  26 ,  36 . 
   After the spool  12  is properly positioned about the first body  24  and the second body  34  between the jaws  22 ,  32  and the shoulders  26 ,  36 , the user then releases the handles  28 ,  38  to allow for the prongs  20 ,  30  to expand outwardly as shown in  FIG. 8  of the drawings. With the prongs  20 ,  30  extended outwardly as shown in  FIGS. 5   a ,  8  and  9  of the drawings. 
   With the prongs  20 ,  30  extended outwardly, the first body  24  and the second body  34  frictionally engage the inner surface of the core  14  to prevent rotation of the spool  12 . In addition, the user preferably attaches the distal end of the elongate material within either the first slot  27  or the second slot  37  to prevent accidental dispensing. 
   To unload a used spool  12  from the present invention, the user simply compresses the handles  28 ,  38  together and then removes the spool  12  by passing the spool  12  over the jaws  22 ,  32  of the prongs  20 ,  30 . 
   F. Operation of Invention—Dispensing Elongate Material 
   To dispense the elongate material from the spool  12 , the user preferably first removes the distal portion of the elongate material from one of the slots  27 ,  37  and then attaches the distal portion of the elongate material to an object as shown in  FIG. 6  of the drawings. 
   The user then compresses the handles  28 ,  38  of the prongs  20 ,  30  as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 9  of the drawings thereby reducing the friction between the prongs  20 ,  30  and the inner surface of the core  14 . The user then is able to walk away from the object the elongate material is attached to and dispense the elongate material as shown in  FIG. 6  of the drawings. 
   If the user desires tension within the elongate material being dispensed to prevent over-dispensing the elongate material, the user simply relaxes their grip upon the handles  28 ,  38  thereby allowing the prongs  20 ,  30  to frictionally engage the core  14  at a level that allows rotation of the spool  12  but with a desired level of friction to prevent free rotation of the spool  12 . 
   G. Operation of Invention—Terminating Dispensing Elongate Material 
   To terminate dispensing of the elongate material from the spool  12 , the user relaxes their grip upon the handles  28 ,  38  thereby allowing the prongs  20 ,  30  to expand outwardly as shown in  FIG. 8  of the drawings. The prongs  20 ,  30  expand outwardly until the core  14  of the spool  12  prevents further expansion thereof. The prongs  20 ,  30  thereby frictionally engage the core  14  of the spool  12  to prevent rotation of the spool  12 . The user then attaches the distal portion of the elongate material within one of the slots  27 ,  37  to prevent accidental unwrapping from the spool  12  as shown in  FIG. 5   a  of the drawings. 
   What has been described and illustrated herein is a preferred embodiment of the invention along with some of its variations. The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention, which is intended to be defined by the following claims (and their equivalents) in which all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.