MULTIFUNCTION CRAFTSMAN'S TOOL

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to the construction and maintenance of buildings including the electrical wire installation and maintenance and apparatus for dispensing wire from spools, and the guidance, control, and containment of such wire during dispensing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Craftsmen, at a work site may need multiple tools to complete required tasks at a given worksite. Unfortunately, the respective functions cannot all be performed by a single tool. Thus, the electrician must have access to multiple tools at a worksite.

When a craftsman such as an electrician goes to a work site, he or she must transport all the necessary tools that could be required. Access to the required tools is always a material consideration. Access, in some cases, is complicated by scaffolding, a ladder, or a cherry picker. Transporting all the necessary tools can be cumbersome even without such complications. Additionally, switching tools to accomplish respective tasks can be awkward and time-consuming. The problem is most pronounced if the craftsman needs to search for the necessary tool to perform a required task. To address these concerns, multifunction tools extend the range of jobs that can be accomplished with the minimum number of tools.

Given the above conditions, the present invention employs various features in multiple situations.

The present invention utilizes the most recent embodiments of the electrical wire dispensers distributed by Rack-A-Tiers Mfg. Inc. in Victoria, BC Canada.

In the description herein, the term “wire dispenser” will be used herein to describe the apparatus shown, for example in FIGS. 5, 6, 8, 9A, 9B, 10, 11, and 12. It will be understood that the “wire dispenser” can also function as a wire spool holder, a workbench or a sawhorse. More particularly, as in earlier embodiments first and second wire dispensers selectively lock together as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,396 FIG. 12. The two wire dispensers selectively lock together to form an assembly having the planar base of one wire dispenser at the bottom of the assembly and the planar surface of the second dispenser disposed at the top with the respective planar bases in parallel relationship. That assembly facilitates easy movement to and from a work site as well as utilization as a sawhorse or work bench.

The current form is 22″ tall and 13″ wide, and rated for reels up to 40″ (1 m) in size and weights of 500 lbs. (226 kg).

The wire dispenser is manufactured of ultra-durable high-density polyethylene that is waterproof and rustproof.

Electricians install wire in buildings by pulling different colored strands from wire spools and running the collection of wires through metal and plastic conduits. To make this operation more efficient, the wire spools are mounted on racks where they are free to rotate to allow the wire to unwind from the spools. Often, as the spools spin, the centrifugal force expands the circular axial sections of wire radially outward causing sections of the wire to fall off the spool and become tangled with each other or the rack. Even after the electrician stops pulling the wire, the spool may continue to spin, under stored momentum, so that the wire billows out into a tangled mess. Thus, substantial time is wasted keeping the wire clear and free.

This problem is exacerbated when the electrician moves to different parts of the job and pulls the wire from a different direction. In this situation, wire may spill off the end of the spool without even turning the spool, causing the wire to wrap around the spindle supporting the spool.

The prior art has attempted to deal with this kind of problem by supplying spool supports that have guides incorporated to control the path of the wire. Often, they are designed for a given size spool, they are not transferrable to many different size spools. Electrical wire is marketed on spools having many different shapes and sizes, depending on the wire size, function, and manufacturer. An electrician cannot predict the exact spool shape and size he will encounter. It is preferable to have a wire control device that will control any spool size and any spool shape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides considerable enhancement of the capabilities and synergistic aspects.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tool that will function as a vise to enhance the capabilities of a craftsman.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a vise capability that engages a wide range of workpiece sizes and shapes.

The objects of the present invention are achieved in a wire dispenser stand for use in pairs of wire dispenser stands. Each stand comprises a base having a generally flat horizontal support surface on the underside thereof and an upright member extending generally vertically upward from the base.

The upright surface has a top surface provided with openings therein. Each opening communicates with an internally helically threaded surface. Accordingly, workpieces can be secured to the upright member. The wire dispensing apparatus includes a support surface for an associated spindle.

In some embodiments, the wire dispenser support surface is an opening dimensioned and configured to accommodate an associated spindle. Embodiments of the wire dispenser stand have at least one V-shaped notch in the upper surface. Other embodiments have two V-shaped notches and each is disposed intermediate first and second internally helically threaded surfaces that are accessible from the top of the wire dispenser stand.

The wire dispenser apparatus may include at least one V-shaped notch disposed intermediate first and second internally helical threaded surfaces that are accessible from the top of the wire dispenser stand. The wire dispenser apparatus may further include an external jaw having an arcuate engagement surface intermediate elongated mutually parallel cavities dimensioned to accommodate bolts extending through the external jaw and engage respective internally helical threaded surfaces.

The external jaw may further include a second engagement surface on a side opposed to the arcuate engagement surface. The second engagement surface may be V-shaped.

Embodiments may include a support which includes (a) first and second L-shape bars secured to respective first and second wire dispenser stands disposed in spaced relation with the respective upright surfaces in parallel relationship or (b) a U-shaped bar having extremities thereof secured to respective first and second wire dispenser stands disposed in spaced relation with the respective upright surfaces in parallel relationship.

The support may include a guide for wire held on a spool supported by the wire dispensers. Some embodiments include a guide that includes a counter apparatus capable of feeding and measuring the length of axial sections of wire.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. Although specific features of various exemplary embodiments of the invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. Any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing.

The invention, however, both as to organization and method of practice, together with the further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one form of 1st and 2nd wire dispensers supporting a spindle carrying a single wire spool of wire feeding through a wire dispenser.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the invention and utilizing a bifurcated wire feeding assembly having 1st and 2nd parts respectively engaging 1st and 2nd wire dispensers that support a spindle carrying 1st and 2nd spools that feed wire to respective guides on each of the 1st and 2nd parts of a bifurcated wire feeding assembly,

FIG. 3 is a view of a first side of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are collectively a top view of the bifurcated wire feeding assembly,

FIG. 5 is a side view of a first side of the wire dispenser illustrating an embodiment providing a pipe vise function by clamping a conduit or pipe to the wire dispenser, and

FIG. 6 is a view of a first side wire dispenser illustrating an embodiment achieving two pipe vice functions by clamping 1st and 2nd conduits or pipes to the wire dispenser,

FIG. 7 is a wire length measuring device that may be utilized in the wire feeding apparatus described herein,

FIG. 8 is an end view of the wire dispensing apparatus,

FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective isometric views illustrating conduit or pipe vise embodiments

FIG. 10 is a top view of one form of the wire dispenser.

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of one form of the wire dispensing apparatus,

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of one form of the wire dispensing apparatus.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are additional isometric views of the wire dispensing apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1 a wire dispenser 10 supports an axle or shaft 20. The shaft 20 supports a coil 30 of wire 32. The axial extremity of the wire 32 extends from a coil 30 into a guide 34 carried on a U-shaped bar 36 and then extends into the building work site (not shown).

As best seen in FIG. 3 the bolts 40, 40 engage respective nuts 14, 14 that are insert molded into the wire dispenser 10. Respective sleeves 16 extend from the top surface of the dispenser 10 to each nut 14. Thus, elongated bolts can extend past the surface of the dispenser 10, through the sleeve 16 and engage the nut 14. Accordingly, objects can be tightly secured to the dispenser 10. In FIG. 3 the wire feeding apparatus is secured to the dispenser 10 in the same manner.

A guide 34 is carried on a U-shaped bar 36. The U-shaped bar 36 has planar axial extremities 38 secured by bolts 40 to respective wire dispensers 10. In some embodiments the U-shaped bar 36 is bifurcated as collectively shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. More particularly, the respective first and second U-shaped bar parts 36a and 36b collectively function the same as the baR 36. Similarly, FIG. 5 illustrates the mounting of an external jaw 18 with bolts 40 engaging nuts 14 that are insert molded into the dispenser 10 to produce a vise function, on a first conduit 22 positioned intermediate a first jaw surface 19 and a first internal jaw 24.

FIG. 6 illustrates the same external jaw 18 inverted to present a second jaw surface 21 engaging a conduit 2 against a first internal jaw 24 as well as a second external jaw 18 having a first jaw surface 19 engaging a second conduit 23 against the second internal jaw 25. It will be understood that the bolts 40 extend further through the nuts 14 if the effective height of the external jaw 18 changes. For example, inverting the external jaw 18 changes the effective height of the external jaw 18 because the first jaw surface 19 and the second jaw surface 21 engage a work piece differently. Although the preferred embodiments illustrate a cylindrical workpiece it will be understood that other jaw faces, for example, parallel planar jaw faces. FIGS. 5 and 6 display some of the possible vise options with the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative to the guide 30 referred to above. More particularly, a wire length measuring device 42 replaces the guide 34 shown for example in FIG. 2. The wire length measuring device 42 is secured to the bar 36, 36a or 36b and free end of the wire 32 extending from the coil 30 passes through the wire length measuring apparatus 42. Accordingly, the free end of the wire 32 has constrained movement to prevent tangling issues. In addition, the user can use the apparatus 42 to select a predetermined length. This particular feature is most significant when a given job may repetitively require the same length or lengths of wire.

FIG. 8 is an end view of wire dispensing apparatus 10 illustrating the planar base 11. Each of the wire dispensers 10 is provided with engaging surface whereby two such devices will snap together with the base 11 of one horizontal and the base of the other also horizontal in a mutually parallel spaced relationship. Alternatively, connecting the tops of two wire dispensers 10 provide a much higher saw horse or workbench. Thus, the combination provides a craftsman with a workbench or saw horse. This additional utility contributes to the craftsman user having more alternatives to accomplish multiple tasks.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are isometric views corresponding respectively to FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the wire dispenser 10.

FIG. 11 is a view of a second side of the wire dispenser 10.

FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 are additional isometric views of one form of the wire dispenser 10.

It will thus be seen that embodiments provide the craftsman with a work table, a sawhorse, a vise, a wire dispenser with an optional wire guide and wire length measurement. The wire guide and wire measurement functions are achieved with very compact additional hardware. Collectively, the various possible functions contribute to a craftsman having a compact tool that has multiple functions meaning the craftsman is less encounter a need to fetch another tool.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention.

The recitation herein of desirable objects which are achieved in any embodiment of the present invention is not meant to imply or suggest that any or all of these objects are present as essential features, either individually or collectively, in the most general embodiment of the present invention or in any of its more specific embodiments.

The publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. All publications and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

It will be understood that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims, are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of introductory phrases such as “at least one” or “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “an imager” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one imager”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, it will be recognized that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two images,” or “a plurality of images,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two images). Furthermore, in those instances where a phrase such as “at least one of A, B, and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” or “an [item] selected from the group consisting of A, B, and C,” is used, it is intended to be disjunctive (e.g., any of these phrases would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together, and may further include more than one of A, B, or C, such as A1, A2, and C together, A, B1, B2, C1, and C2 together, or B1 and B2 together). It will be further understood that virtually any disjunctive word or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” Although the description above contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of this invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be encompassed by the present claims.

Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims. While certain embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications are contemplated and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claim(s).

The teachings disclosed herein may be applied to other systems and may not necessarily be limited to any described herein. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being refined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the present invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be constructed to limit the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification unless the above description section explicitly define such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosed present invention. The above description of embodiments of the present invention is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise form disclosed above or to a particular field of usage.

While certain aspects of the present invention are presented below in particular claim forms, various aspects of the present invention are contemplated in any number of claim forms. Thus, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the present invention.