Dispenser for elongate material
First Claim
1. A dispensing device comprising:
- a spool comprisinga central barrel having an axial opening in each end, anda pair of flanges positioned at opposite ends of the barrel and extending radially outward therefrom;
a length of elongate material wound on the barrel and between the flanges, an end portion of the elongate material exposed for initiating unwinding of the material from the spool; and
first and second end plates, the end plates positioned in a parallel and spaced relationship, the end plates comprisinga planar portion having a peripheral dimension greater than the radial extension of the flanges of the spool,a support extending from the planar portion, one end of the spool rotationally mounted on the support and permitting a pivoting motion of the spool about the support, the support normally supporting the spool in a radially offset position, anda friction member supported on the planar member radially outwardly of the support, the periphery of the flange engaging the friction member in the normal, radially offset position,wherein during unwinding of the elongate material wound on the spool by pulling the end portion of the elongate material and causing a rotation of the spool about the support, the spool pivots on the support in the direction of the pulling of the elongate material and disengages from the friction member to permit free rotation about the support and,when the pulling force is removed, the spool pivots back into the radially offset position in frictional contact with the friction member stopping by friction the rotation of the spool.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device is provided for dispensing a length of elongate material wound on the barrel of a spool. A support is provided for the spool including first and second end plates. The end plates are positioned in a spaced relationship. A support hub extends from each plate and is engaged within an opening in the spool on opposite sides thereof, such that the spool may rotate about the support hub. The support hub includes a peripheral dimension that permits a dynamic, pivoting motion of the spool about the contact with the hub. The support hub normally positions the spool in a radially offset position and engages a friction member formed adjacent the periphery of the flange of the spool. During unwinding, pulling of the end of the elongate material causes the spool to pivot in the direction of the pulling force and away from the friction member. Once the pulling force is removed, the spool pivots about the hub, back into frictional engagement with the friction member.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A dispensing device comprising:
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a spool comprising a central barrel having an axial opening in each end, and a pair of flanges positioned at opposite ends of the barrel and extending radially outward therefrom; a length of elongate material wound on the barrel and between the flanges, an end portion of the elongate material exposed for initiating unwinding of the material from the spool; and first and second end plates, the end plates positioned in a parallel and spaced relationship, the end plates comprising a planar portion having a peripheral dimension greater than the radial extension of the flanges of the spool, a support extending from the planar portion, one end of the spool rotationally mounted on the support and permitting a pivoting motion of the spool about the support, the support normally supporting the spool in a radially offset position, and a friction member supported on the planar member radially outwardly of the support, the periphery of the flange engaging the friction member in the normal, radially offset position, wherein during unwinding of the elongate material wound on the spool by pulling the end portion of the elongate material and causing a rotation of the spool about the support, the spool pivots on the support in the direction of the pulling of the elongate material and disengages from the friction member to permit free rotation about the support and, when the pulling force is removed, the spool pivots back into the radially offset position in frictional contact with the friction member stopping by friction the rotation of the spool. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus comprising:
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a spool assembly having first and second flanges, the spool assembly adapted to support and dispense an elongate material wound thereon, first and second end plates positioned on opposite sides of the spool, adjacent the first and second flanges, a support positioned on at least one of the end plates, the support dynamically supporting a respective end of the spool assembly to allow rotation of the spool assembly and to allow for pivoting of the spool assembly on the support between a rest position and an unwinding position to allow for unwinding of the elongate material, and a brake for frictionally engaging at least one of the flanges of the spool assembly, wherein the spool is in engagement with the brake in the rest position and rotating on the support in the unwinding position out of engagement with the brake. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An end plate for rotationally supporting a spool having an elongate material wound thereof, the spool having a central barrel having an axial opening at one end and at least one flange positioned extending radially outward from the barrel, the end plate comprising:
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a planar member having a peripheral dimension greater than the at least one flange of the spool; a support extending outwardly from the planar member, the support having a periphery adapted to fit within the axial opening of the barrel of the spool to rotatably mount the spool on one side of planar member, the periphery of the support normally supporting the spool in an radially offset position and permitting rotating of the spool during unwinding of the elongate material; and a friction member supported on the planar member radially outwardly of the support such that the periphery of the at least one flange frictionally engages the friction member in the radially offset position of the spool on the support, the spool capable of pivoting on the support to a position that is out of engagement with the friction member during unwinding of the elongate material. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for retaining and dispensing a length of elongate material comprising:
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a spool assembly having first and second flanges and a central barrel extending between the first and second flanges, the spool assembly adapted to support a length of an elongate material wound on the barrel, first and second end plates positioned on opposite sides of the spool, adjacent the first and second flanges, a support positioned on at least one of the end plates, the support dynamically supporting a respective end of the spool assembly to allow for rotation of the spool assembly substantially about a longitudinal spool axis, and a brake for frictionally engaging at least one of the flanges of the spool assembly, the spool pivoting on the support to engage the brake in the resting position and rotating on the support out of engagement with the brake during unwinding of elongate material. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification