Reel for wire

Abstract

A reel for holding and dispensing wire that is used for tying reinforcing steel comprises a spool that rotates within a housing. The spool has a cover that covers one side of the housing and the wire that is contained on the spool. The cover is retained in place over the spool by a retaining member, which is positioned over the cover. The retaining member holds the cover in place relative to the spool by other than threaded means, so that the retaining member does not unscrew and separate from the spool or cover during use.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A reel, which is adapted to be worn by a user, for holding and dispensing wire for tying reinforcing steel, comprising: 
 a. a housing having at least one loop for receiving a belt, wherein said housing has a generally circular opening on one side thereof;    b. a spool which is located within said housing and which rotates relative to said housing, said spool having a center arbor;    c. a cover for said spool which is positioned over said spool and engages said center arbor of said spool, and which covers said generally circular opening of said housing; and    d. a retaining member which is attached to said cover when said cover is removed from said center arbor, and is positioned over said center arbor and engages said center arbor when said reel is assembled, wherein said retaining member is not attached to said cover or said center arbor by threaded means.    
     
     
         2 . A reel, which is adapted to be worn by a user, for holding and dispensing wire for tying reinforcing steel as described in  claim 1 , wherein said retaining member comprises a pin, and wherein said pin engages a slot that is formed in said center arbor.  
     
     
         3 . A reel, which is adapted to be worn by a user, for holding and dispensing wire for tying reinforcing steel as described in  claim 1 , further comprising spring biasing means positioned between said retaining member and said cover, wherein said spring biasing means urges said retaining member away from said cover.  
     
     
         4 . A reel, which is adapted to be worn by a user, for holding and dispensing wire for tying reinforcing steel as described in  claim 2 , further comprising spring biasing means positioned between said retaining member and said cover, wherein said spring biasing means urges said retaining member away from said cover.  
     
     
         5 . A reel, which is adapted to be worn by a user, for holding and dispensing wire for tying reinforcing steel as described in  claim 2 , wherein said center arbor has a J shaped slot therein which receives said pin.  
     
     
         6 . A reel, which is adapted to be worn by a user, for holding and dispensing wire for tying reinforcing steel as described in  claim 4 , wherein said center arbor has a J shaped slot therein which receives said pin.  
     
     
         7 . A reel, which is adapted to be worn by a user, for holding and dispensing wire for tying reinforcing steel, comprising: 
 a. a housing having at least one loop for receiving a belt, wherein said housing has a generally circular opening on one side thereof;    b. a spool which is located within said housing and which rotates relative to said housing, said spool having a center arbor that extends beyond said housing and through said generally circular opening of said housing;    c. a cover for said spool which is positioned over said spool and engages said center arbor of said spool, and which covers substantially all of said generally circular opening of said housing; and    d. a retaining member which is attached to said cover when said cover is removed from said center arbor, and is positioned over said center arbor and engages said center arbor when said reel is assembled, wherein said retaining member is not attached to said cover or said center arbor by threaded means.    
     
     
         8 . A reel, which is adapted to be worn by a user, for holding and dispensing wire for tying reinforcing steel as described in  claim 7 , wherein said retaining member comprises a pin, and wherein said pin engages a slot that is formed in said center arbor.  
     
     
         9 . A reel, which is adapted to be worn by a user, for holding and dispensing wire for tying reinforcing steel as described in  claim 8 , further comprising spring biasing means positioned between said retaining member and said cover, wherein said spring biasing means urges said retaining member away from said cover.  
     
     
         10 . A reel, which is adapted to be worn by a user, for holding and dispensing wire for tying reinforcing steel as described in  claim 9 , further comprising spring biasing means positioned between said retaining member and said cover, wherein said spring biasing means urges said retaining member away from said cover.  
     
     
         11 . A reel, which is adapted to be worn by a user, for holding and dispensing wire for tying reinforcing steel as described in  claim 8 , wherein said center arbor has a J shaped slot therein which receives said pin.  
     
     
         12 . A reel, which is adapted to be worn by a user, for holding and dispensing wire for tying reinforcing steel as described in  claim 10 , wherein said center arbor has a J shaped slot therein which receives said pin.