Patent ID: 6951316

Claim:
A towable dispenser for dispensing an elongate flexible member from a spool while being towed by a towing vehicle, the dispenser comprising: a frame removably attachable to a vehicle for pulling the frame behind the vehicle; ground engaging means for engaging a ground surface in a manner supporting the frame above the ground surface and permitting the frame to move over the ground surface; and a spool mounting assembly mounted on the frame for supporting at least one spool on the frame, the spool mounting assembly comprising: a primary support member mounted on the frame; a spool axle being mounted on the primary support member for positioning in a bore of the spool supported on the spool mounting assembly, the spool axle having opposite ends; at least one spool retaining assembly for releasably retaining the spool on the spool axle, the at least one spool retaining assembly being movable between an engaged position in which a retaining arm engages the end of the spool axle such that spool movement in an axial direction off of the spool axle is blocked and a disengaged position in which the retaining arm is disengaged from the end of the spool axle such that spool movement in the axial direction off of the spool axle is permitted without raising the spool axle; wherein the at least one spool retaining assembly includes retaining arm for releasably retaining the spool on the spool axle, the retaining arm being mounted on the frame and on one of the ends of the spool axle; wherein the spool retaining assembly includes an inner guide plate mounted on the spool axle and an outer guide plate removably mounted on the spool axle for positioning the at least one spool between the inner and outer guide plates; wherein the spool retaining assembly includes a support tube for inserting into the bore of the spool, the support tube having a passage therethrough for receiving a portion of the spool axle therethrough, the support tube being removably positioned between the inner and outer guide plates.