Patent ID: 8567221

Claim:
A lock for locking adjacent first and second spools, the first and second spools having fixed parallel, non-collinear adjacent axes of rotation, the lock comprising: first and second locking plates, each locking plate having first and second spool-engaging surfaces, the first spool-engaging surface of the first locking plate and the first spool-engaging surface of the second locking plate being angled outward from a length-adjustable member to define a first spool engagement receptacle that engages the first spool, and the second spool-engaging surface of the first locking plate and the second spool-engaging surface of the second locking plate being angle outward from the length-adjustable member to define a second spool engagement receptacle that engages the second spool; the length-adjustable member connecting and controlling the relative position of the locking plates, the length-adjustable member being positioned between the first and second spool-engaging surfaces, the length-adjustable member selectively moving the first and second locking plates together to cause the first and second spool engaging receptacles to apply an outward clamping force on the first and second spools, respectively, the outward clamping force urging the first spool away from the second spool.