Modular spooler
OwnerScott L. Pattoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spooler is used for storing and distributing an elongate, flexible member. The spooler has a base and a rotary support rotatably and detachably mounted to the base. A plurality of load-bearing arms are detachably connected to and extend radially from the rotary support. At least one spool guide is included, each spool guide being slidably located and selectively mounted along one of the load-bearing arms. Each spool guide extends substantially vertically from one of the load-bearing arms.
Claims16
A spooler for storing and distributing an elongate, flexible member, said spooler comprising:
- a base including a plurality of legs threadably mounted to said base;
- a rotary support rotatably and detachably mounted to said base;
- a plurality of load-bearing arms, each load-bearing arm including a threaded arm end, each load-bearing arm being both threadably connected to and extending radially from said rotary support at said threaded arm end;
- and
- at least one spool guide, each spool guide being slidably located and selectively mounted along one of said load-bearing arms, each spool guide extending substantially vertically from one of said load-bearing arms.
A method of feeding an elongate, flexible member from a spooler, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a spooler, said spooler comprising:
- a base including a plurality of legs threadably mounted to said base;
- a rotary support rotatably and detachably mounted to said base;
- a plurality of load-bearing arms, each load-bearing arm including a threaded arm end, each load-bearing arm being both threadably connected to and extending radially from said rotary support at said threaded arm end;
- and
- at least one spool guide, each spool guide being slidably located and selectively mounted along one of said load-bearing arms, each spool guide extending substantially vertically from one of said load-bearing arms;
- providing a coil of the elongate, flexible member around said at least one spool guide on said spooler, said coil having a free coil end and an inner coil diameter, said coil being supported on said load-bearing arms, said inner coil diameter being supported by said at least one spool guide;
- and
- pulling on said free coil end to thereby feed out a length of the elongate, flexible member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.