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Suspended cable reelSuspended cable reel description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070181731, Suspended cable reel. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]Not Applicable. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002]The present invention relates to reel devices for uncoiling electrical cable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]The following discussion is provided solely to assist the understanding of the reader, and does not constitute an admission that any of the information discussed or references cited constitute prior art to the present invention. Each of the references cited herein is incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, including for their descriptions of mounting brackets, wire guides, and rotation control mechanisms, all of which may be incorporated in the present cable reels. [0004]A few cable dispensers have been described. For example, Maraman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,729, entitled "Hold and Unwind Reel for Coiled Material" describes a device which includes a generally conical mandrel which includes a plurality of flexible support members which are spread apart at the bottom and gathered together at the top, a support, and a means for rotatably connecting the mandrel to the support. [0005]Marcell, U.S. Pat. No. 3,729,092, entitled "Unwind Support for Coiled Wire" describes a device in which a coil of wire rests on a base plate attached to a plurality of lines connected to a swivel ring, and is suspended from a rafter or the like. Marcell, U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,980, entitled "Wire Dispensing Device" describes similar devices which include additional features. [0006]Huete, U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,241, entitled "Romex Wire Dispenser" describes a wire dispenser which includes a bracket for mounting on wall studs, a spindle mounting assembly, spreader bars for supporting the wire coil, and a wire guide assembly. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007]The present invention provides a compact, portable cable reel for dispensing coiled wire materials, especially electrical cable (e.g., ROMEX.RTM. cable). The cable reel can be collapsed, e.g., folded, into a compact configuration allowing convenient storage and/or transport. In its compact configuration, the cable reel can be wrapped with a strap or band or the like and/or stored in a pouch or case to maintain the compact configuration, e.g. during transport. [0008]Thus, a first aspect of the invention concerns a foldable cable reel which includes a pivoting suspension connector, a foldable base frame, a spacing brace (also referred to as spacer bar) which extends between and maintains the separation of the pivoting suspension connector and the foldable base frame; and at least 3 flexible cable roll supports or stays, where the supports extend between the pivoting suspension connector and the distal ends of the foldable base frame. [0009]In certain embodiments, the cable reel can also include a combination stud and rafter suspension arm linked to the pivoting suspension connector; the suspension arm includes a first and a second end and a central elongated extension, where the first end includes a stud hook and stud brace combination, the brace also includes a joist hook suitable for suspending the arm from a horizontal building member, and the second end includes an attachment point or fitting for attaching the pivoting suspension connector; the brace extends essentially perpendicular to the central elongated extension and the stud hook includes a hook extension pivotably attached at one end to the central elongated extension and at its other end includes a hook dimensioned to fit around a standard wall stud. [0010]In certain embodiments, the pivoting suspension connector includes a rotation brake. [0011]In certain embodiments, the spacing brace comprises a section of steel strap with a perpendicular bend at each end; the steel strap fits over a location projection (e.g., stud) at the center of the base frame; the spacing brace includes a locking hinge approximately at its center; the spacing brace includes a hinge at or near its connection with the base frame; the spacing brace includes a hinge at an approximately central location; the spacing brace includes a hinge in the middle 1/3; the spacing brace includes a bottom hinge and an approximately central hinge; an approximately central hinge in the spacing brace is a locking hinge; a reel with a foldable spacing brace includes a clip which retains the folded brace against the foldable base. [0012]In particular embodiments, the foldable base frame folds essentially in the plane of the base circle; the foldable base frame folds along the central axis of the reel. [0013]In particular embodiments, the cable reel is mounted on a wall stud; the cable reel is suspended from a ceiling joist; a roll of electrical cable (e.g., Romex electrical cable) is installed on the cable reel. [0014]A related aspect concerns a method for dispensing electrical cable, which includes pulling a desired length of cable from a cable roll mounted on the cable reel of the preceding aspect. The desired length of cable can then be cut from the roll. [0015]Another related aspect concerns a cable reel kit which includes a cable reel according to the first aspect and a cable reel storage case and/or written instructions for use of the cable reel. [0016]In particular embodiments, the kit also includes a retaining band which holds the cable reel in its compact configuration and/or a case or pouch. [0017]Additional embodiments will be apparent from the Detailed Description and from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018]FIG. 1 shows an exemplary wire reel mounted on a wall stud. [0019]FIG. 2 shows an exemplary wire reel similar to that shown in FIG. 1, but suspended from a joist hanger and having a cable roll mounted on the reel. Continue reading about Suspended cable reel... Full patent description for Suspended cable reel Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Suspended cable reel patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Suspended cable reel or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Cord retriever Next Patent Application: Winding method of multi polar armature and winding apparatus of same Industry Class: Winding, tensioning, or guiding ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Suspended cable reel patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.15769 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Canon USA , Celera Genomics , Cephalon, Inc. , Cingular Wireless , Clorox , Colgate-Palmolive , Corning , Cymer , 174 |
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