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US 12,024,397 B2Granted
Drill-powered drip tape winder and method of use
OwnerJohn Baumaninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A drip tape winder for easily and cost-effectively rolling lengths of drip tape in the field is described. The winder comprises a frame and a mandrel rotatably received in the frame and utilizes a battery powered drill to provide the power necessary to turn the mandrel and neatly wind lengths of drip tape thereon.
Claims18
A handheld drill-powered portable drip tape winder, the winder comprising:
- a frame configured for receipt on a generally horizontal surface, the frame including a drill cradle configured to receive and hold a handheld drill, and a mandrel cradle;
- and
- a drip tape mandrel being rotatably received in the mandrel cradle, the drip tape mandrel having a generally cylindrical hub and a drill attachment head centered on an axis of rotation, the hub configured to permit the winding of a drip tape thereon, and the drill attachment head configured to facilitate direct or indirect attachment to a chuck of the handheld drill;
- wherein (a) when the handheld drill is received in the frame and coupled to the drill attachment head and activated, the drip tape mandrel rotates relative to the frame, (b) the hub has a first diameter and the drip tape mandrel further includes a circumferential flange at a hub proximal end, the circumferential flange having a second diameter, the second diameter being substantially greater than the first diameter, and (c) the mandrel cradle comprises a pair of substantially vertical members spaced apart a first distance, and a substantially horizontal member spanning between the vertical members, wherein (i) the first distance is at least slightly greater than the first diameter and less than the second diameter and (ii) the hub rests on the horizontal member with the hub proximal end between the vertical members.
1 more element
A handheld drill-powered portable drip tape winder, the winder comprising:
- a drip tape mandrel, the drip tape mandrel having (i) a generally cylindrical hub of a first diameter, proximal and distal ends, and a drip tape receiving slit extending inwardly from the distal end, (ii) a circumferential flange at the proximal end having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, and (iii) a drill attachment head centered on an axis of rotation, wherein the hub is configured to permit winding of drip tape thereon, and the drill attachment head is configured to facilitate direct or indirect attachment to a chuck of a handheld drill;
- and
- a frame comprised substantially of metal rod, the frame for receipt on a generally horizontal surface, the frame including (a) a drill cradle for receiving and holding a battery pack attached to the handheld drill, and (b) a mandrel cradle, wherein the mandrel cradle includes (1) a pair of substantially vertical members spaced apart a first distance, and a substantially horizontal member spanning between the vertical members, the first distance being at least slightly greater than the first diameter and less than the second diameter, and (2) at least one positioning member being spaced axially from the pair of vertical members a second distance, the second distance being at least slightly greater than a circumferential flange thickness;
- wherein the drip tape mandrel is rotatably received in the mandrel cradle with the hub resting on the horizontal member and with the proximal end of the hub between the pair of vertical members, and the circumferential flange being at least partially received between the pair of vertical members and the at least one positioning member.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.