Protective spool dispenser and cutter

• US 20040216576A1
• Filed: 04/29/2004
• Published: 11/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NB Properties, LLC
• Original Assignee: NB Properties, LLC
• Inventors: Maxey, James Dewey
• Granted Patent: US 7,124,674 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 83/649
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 13/045 Twine cutters also combined with twine holders
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 29/023 for cutting wires
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 1/30 with limited pivotal movement to effect cut
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 49/32 Stands or frameworks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/8812 Cutting edge in radial plane
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/896 Rotatable wound package supply

Abstract

The present invention relates to a protective spool dispenser that is portable, efficient and convenient for dispensing line. The dispenser has four corner members and upper and lower sidebars, forming a box-like outer frame. A crossbar extends between two adjacent corner members. A spool-receiving arm extends from the crossbar. The end of the spool-receiving arm opposite the crossbar is unsecured, so that a spool of line may be easily slid onto the arm. The arm includes a tensioning spring, two washers and a fastening pin. The spool is sandwiched between the two washers. Free spinning is prevented due to the tensioning spring. The disclosed dispenser also preferably includes a cutter mechanism for cutting line to desired lengths.

Claims

1. A spool dispenser and cutter, comprising:

a skeletal outer frame having a plurality of support members in a hexahedral configuration;

a crossbar attached to at least one of said support members, said crossbar substantially coplanar with a first face of said outer frame;

a receiving arm having a first end attached to said crossbar and a second end extending into an area defined by said outer frame, said receiving arm configured for receiving a spool of line;

a cutter bar having a first end hingedly attached to said outer frame and a second end, said cutter bar having a cutting surface intermediate said first and second ends for cutting line from the spool.

2. The dispenser and cutter of claim 1, wherein said receiving arm is substantially perpendicular to said crossbar.

3. The dispenser and cutter of claim 2, wherein said first end of said receiving arm is attached at a midpoint of said crossbar.

4. The dispenser and cutter of claim 1, wherein said receiving arm has a generally cylindrical configuration.

5. The dispenser and cutter of claim 4, wherein said receiving arm includes a plurality of spaced holes proximate said second end, said holes extending through said receiving arm substantially perpendicular to the axis thereof.

6. The dispenser and cutter of claim 5, further comprising a fastening pin receivable in any one of said holes, the spool securable on said receiving arm between said crossbar and said fastening pin.

7. The dispenser and cutter of claim 6, further comprising a first washer receivable on said receiving arm and intermediate the spool and said fastening pin when the spool is secured on said receiving arm.

8. The dispenser and cutter of claim 7, further comprising a spring surrounding a portion of said receiving arm proximate said first end, the spool tensioned against said first washer by said spring when the spool is secured on said receiving arm.

9. The dispenser and cutter of claim 8, further comprising a second washer receivable on said receiving arm and intermediate said spring and the spool when the spool is secured on said receiving arm.

10. The dispenser and cutter of claim 1, wherein said first end of said cutter bar is hingedly attached proximate a corner of said outer frame.

11. The dispenser and cutter of claim 10, wherein said cutter bar includes a first leg substantially coplanar with a second face of said outer frame.

12. The dispenser and cutter of claim 11, wherein said first face is adjacent said second face.

13. The dispenser and cutter of claim 11, wherein said cutter bar includes a second leg substantially perpendicular to said first leg forming an L-shaped cutter bar.

14. The dispenser and cutter of claim 13, wherein said second leg is substantially coplanar with a third face of said outer frame.

15. The dispenser and cutter of claim 13, wherein said first leg is longer than said second leg.

16. The dispenser and cutter of claim 11, wherein said first leg includes said cutting surface.

17. The dispenser and cutter of claim 1, wherein said outer frame is steel.

18. The dispenser and cutter of claim 11, further comprising a guide bar having a first portion secured to an upper support member on said second face and a second portion spaced from said upper support member, said cutter bar receivable between said upper support member and said second portion when pivoted to a closed position.

19. The dispenser and cutter of claim 18, wherein said guide bar is aligned with said cutting surface when said cutter bar is in said closed position.

20. The dispenser and cutter of claim 19, wherein said upper support member includes an inwardly extending first notch aligned with said cutting surface when said cutter bar is in said closed position.

21. The dispenser and cutter of claim 20, wherein said first notch includes first and second angled surfaces extending outwardly relative to said area defined by said outer frame.

22. The dispenser and cutter of claim 21, wherein said first notch is V-shaped.

23. The dispenser and cutter of claim 20, wherein said second portion of said guide bar includes a second notch aligned with and spaced from said first notch.

24. The dispenser and cutter of claim 23, wherein said second notch is V-shaped.

25. The dispenser and cutter of claim 23, wherein said second notch has an inverted keyhole configuration.

26. A spool dispenser, comprising:

a skeletal outer frame having a hexahedral configuration;

a crossbar attached to and extending between opposing support members on a face of said outer frame;

a cylindrical arm having a first end secured to said crossbar and a second end extending into an area defined by said outer frame, said arm configured for receiving a spool of line;

at least one hole extending through said arm proximate said second end, said hole extending generally perpendicular to the axis of said arm;

a spring surrounding said arm proximate said first end;

a fastener receivable within said hole, the spool of line securable between said crossbar and said fastener and tensioned against said fastener by said spring with sufficient force to prevent the spool from free spinning.

27. The spool dispenser of claim 26, wherein said outer frame includes four L-shaped members having first and second legs, said L-shaped members defining edges of said hexahedral outer frame.

28. The spool dispenser of claim 27, wherein said L-shaped members are parallel.

29. The spool dispenser of claim 28, wherein said crossbar is parallel to said L-shaped members.

30. The spool dispenser of claim 28, wherein said crossbar is perpendicular to said L-shaped members.

31. The spool dispenser of claim 28, wherein said arm is perpendicular to said L-shaped members.

32. The spool dispenser of claim 28, wherein said arm is perpendicular to said L-shaped members.

33. The spool dispenser of claim 26, further comprising a first washer receivable on said arm and intermediate the spool and fastening pin when the spool is secured on said arm.

34. The spool dispenser of claim 32, further comprising a second washer receivable on said arm and intermediate said spring and the spool when the spool is secured on said arm.

35. The spool dispenser of claim 26, further comprising a cutter bar having a first end hingedly attached to a support member of said outer frame and a second end, said cutter bar having a cutting surface intermediate said first and second ends for cutting line from the spool.

36. The spool dispenser of claim 34, wherein said support member includes an inwardly extending first notch aligned with said cutting surface when said cutter bar is in a closed position.

37. The spool dispenser of claim 35, wherein said first notch is V-shaped.

38. The spool dispenser of claim 36, wherein said first notch includes first and second angled surfaces extending outwardly relative to said area defined by said outer frame.

39. The spool dispenser of claim 35, further comprising a guide bar having a first portion attached to said support member and a second portion aligned with and spaced from said first notch, said cutter bar receivable between said second portion and said support member.

40. The spool dispenser of claim 38, wherein said second portion includes a second notch aligned with and spaced from said first notch.

41. The spool dispenser of claim 39, wherein said second notch is V-shaped.

42. The spool dispenser of claim 39, wherein said second notch has an inverted keyhole configuration.

43. A method of protecting and dispensing a spool of line, comprising the steps of:

providing a protective frame having a hexahedral configuration with a receiving arm, the receiving arm having a first end attached to a crossbar of the frame and a spring proximate the first end, and a second unsecured end extending into an area defined by the frame and a plurality of holes proximate the second end;

inserting a spool of line onto the unsecured end of the receiving arm;

engaging a side of the spool against the spring and thereby compressing the spring between the crossbar and the spool;

inserting a fastener into one of the holes;

decompressing the spring and thereby tensioning the spool against the inserted fastener with sufficient force to prevent the spool from free spinning.