Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Coil holder or support – Axially adjustable
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-15
2001-06-05
Jillions, John M. (Department: 3653)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Coil holder or support
Axially adjustable
C242S609000, C242S609300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241181
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to equipment for installing electrical wiring into structures, and more particularly relates to spools for distributing electrical wiring.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The process of installing electrical wiring into structures, for example new homes, is relatively time consuming, and can lead to frustrating entanglements or other shortcomings in the distribution of the wire. For example, electrical wiring is often provided from the manufacturer in the form of a wound coil, with a simple plastic wrapping therearound. The electrician installing the wire into the building or structure is required to remove the plastic wrapping and pull an end of the wire to begin installation. This can result in the coil itself being pulled with the wire such that it is not readily distributed. Many electricians therefore are required to produce or fabricate some sort of axle or mandrel about which the coil may rotate. This can be frustrating to the electrician, and necessarily results in slower installation times.
Alternatively, wire coils are sometimes provided within cardboard boxes. The cardboard boxes are typically provided with a scored area which must be removed such that the electrician can reach in and grab an end of the wire to begin the installation process. However, this can also be frustrating and slow in that the cardboard box will tend to be pulled with the wire.
It would be advantageous if the wire were to be provided on a spool adapted for rotation, but such spools are often not provided by the manufacturer for cost reasons. However, if the coils were provided on spools, they could be readily affixed to any axle for rotation such as those disclosed in my previous U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,671. Such a device has a plurality of racks on which the spools can be mounted for easy rotation and replacement once empty.
It would therefore be advantageous if a reusable spool were to be provided, which would allow manufacturers to continue to provide electrical coils either within the aforementioned plastic wrapping or cardboard box, and still enable the electrician to readily, and repeatedly, mount the coil for rotation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a spool having first and second mating halves is provided. The spool may include an end plate, an inner cylinder extending from the end plate, and an outer cylinder extending from the end plate and concentric with the inner cylinder. The inner cylinder may have a plurality of longitudinally extending and circumferentially spaced recesses, with the outer cylinder also having a plurality of longitudinally extending and circumferentially spaced recesses, but with the recesses of the outer cylinder being radially offset from the recesses of the inner cylinder. The spool may also include a locking surface on the inner circumference of the outer cylinder and outer circumference of the inner cylinder, such that rotation of one half relative to the other is inhibited in one direction of rotation by engagement of the locking surfaces.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the inner and outer cylinders may include a plurality of circumferentially spaced segments between the recesses, with the locking surfaces increasing the thicknesses of the circumferentially spaced segments. The locking surfaces may extend along the entire length of the spaced segments such that the first and second halves can be locked together at a plurality of distances, and thus accommodate a variety of coil sizes.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the end plate, inner cylinder, outer cylinder and locking surfaces of each half may be integrally molded together. A central hub defining a bearing surface for rotation of the spool may also be integrally molded in the end plate.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a spool having first and second mating halves is provided, which may include an end plate, a first plurality of arcuate legs extending normal to the end plate, and a second plurality of arcuate legs extending normal to the end plate and being spaced in a circumferential array concentric with the first plurality of legs. The first plurality of legs may also be spaced in a circumferential array with the first and second plurality of legs being arranged in alternating sequence. At least one arcuate leg of each plurality of legs may include a first end of a first thickness and second end of a second thickness, with the second thickness being greater than the first thickness. The first and second halves may be rotatable in opposite directions relative to each other when the first ends are radially aligned, and be substantially prevented from rotation when the second ends are radially aligned.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a two-piece spool is provided which may include a first half, a second half, and a means for releasably connecting the first and second halves at a variable distance. Each half may include an end plate and a central mandrel.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method for mounting a coil of an electrically conductive wire to a reusable spool is provided, which may comprise the steps of inserting a mandrel of a first half of a spool through a central opening in a coil, overturning the first half of the spool, engaging a mandrel of a second half of the spool with the mandrel of the first half, and releasably locking the first half to the second half.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Jillions John M.
Marshall O'Toole Gerstein Murray & Borun
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