Apparatus for storing and dispensing pliable, elongated articles
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B65H-075/30
B65H-075/18
출원번호
US-0173501
(2005-06-30)
등록번호
US-7293734
(2007-11-13)
발명자
/ 주소
Kantner,Robert C
출원인 / 주소
Kantner,Robert C
대리인 / 주소
Law Office of Jeffrey R. Ramberg
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
8인용 특허 :
7
초록▼
An apparatus for storing and dispensing pliable, elongated articles such as electrical cords or cables. The apparatus features a reel, an axle and a bucket, with the axle being co-axial with the reel and with the bucket. The reel is mounted on the axle in the bucket with minimal wobble, which makes
An apparatus for storing and dispensing pliable, elongated articles such as electrical cords or cables. The apparatus features a reel, an axle and a bucket, with the axle being co-axial with the reel and with the bucket. The reel is mounted on the axle in the bucket with minimal wobble, which makes for essentially no contact to the interior wall(s) of the bucket. The mounting also utilizes a low friction bearing, such as a line or near-line contact. The result is very little friction, which is especially significant when pulling the cord out of the bucket, as it helps prevent tipping or sliding of the apparatus when the apparatus has to provide its own stability. The apparatus may also feature one or more anti-tipping or anti-skidding devices.
대표청구항▼
I claim: 1. An apparatus for neatly storing and dispensing an elongated element, comprising: (a) a reel assembly comprising a hub and a pair of parallel and opposing polygons, each having an axis, with the axis of the hub being co-linear with the axes of the polygons, the opposing polygons being id
I claim: 1. An apparatus for neatly storing and dispensing an elongated element, comprising: (a) a reel assembly comprising a hub and a pair of parallel and opposing polygons, each having an axis, with the axis of the hub being co-linear with the axes of the polygons, the opposing polygons being identified as upper and lower, respectively, with the upper polygon featuring at least one hole sufficiently large to pass an end of the elongated element therethrough; (b) a bucket whose horizontal cross-section defines a regular polygon, and comprising a base and at least one wall attached to the base and defining an edge of the at least one polygon, the at least one wall containing at least one hole therethrough, the hole being sufficiently large to pass an end of the elongated element therethrough, the bucket further more comprising at least one weight located near the base, thereby moving the center of gravity of the apparatus closer to the base; (c) an axle attached to the bucket such that it is co-linear with the axis of the bucket, the reel assembly being mounted on the axle such that the axle is co-linear with the hub of the reel assembly and such that is supports the reel assembly off of the bottom surface of the bucket, and wherein the axle or the surface of the hub in contact with the axle is made of a material that is harder than wood or plastic and which forms a point or near-point contact, thereby forming a low-friction bearing surface, and wherein the hub has an inner diameter than is only slightly larger than the axle diameter. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one hole in said wall doubles as a water drain hole. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a separate water drain hole located near the base of the bucket. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one stop to hold the reel assembly within the bucket. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means for centering and stabilizing said axle. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said means comprises a cross-brace. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a crank for rotating said reel assembly. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means for engaging a nut driver, screwdriver or drill. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of tabs for holding a section of said elongated element in place above said reel assembly. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said crank doubles as one of said tabs. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a handle for carrying said apparatus. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said handle can be rotated from a side or downward position to an upright position, and further comprising a detent to hold said handle in said upright position. 13. The apparatus of claim 1, not comprising a cover or lid to cover said top opening. 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said side opening is just barely large enough to pass an end of said elongated article. 15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means for wiping moisture or debris off of said elongated article. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said means for wiping comprises an elastic material mounted circumferentially around said side hole. 17. The apparatus of claim 1, arranged to be stackable. 18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the weight is non-uniformly distributed around the circumference of the base such that the weight opposite the hole in the wall is greater than the weight nearest said hole. 19. An apparatus for neatly storing and dispensing an elongated element, comprising: (a) a reel assembly comprising a hub and a pair of parallel and opposing polygons, each having an axis, with the axis of the hub being co-linear with the axes of the polygons, the opposing polygons being identified as upper and lower, respectively, with the upper polygon featuring at least one hole sufficiently large to pass an end of the elongated element therethrough; (b) a bucket whose horizontal cross-section defines a regular polygon, and comprising a base and at least one wall attached to the base and defining an edge of the at least one polygon, the at least one wall containing at least one hole therethrough, the hole being sufficiently large to pass an end of the elongated element therethrough, (c) an axle attached to the bucket such that it is co-linear with the axis of the bucket, the reel assembly being mounted on the axle such that the axle is co-linear with the hub of the reel assembly and such that is supports the reel assembly off of the bottom surface of the bucket, and wherein the axle or the surface of the hub in contact with the axle is made of a material that is harder than wood or plastic and which forms a line or low surface area contact, thereby forming a low-friction bearing surface, and wherein the hub has an inner diameter than is only slightly larger than the axle diameter; and (d) a skid-resistant surface mounted to a bottom surface of said base of said bucket. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said skid-resistant surface features a plurality of serrations to contact the surface upon which the apparatus is placed.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (7)
Green Robert L., Caddy for electric extension cords.
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