Overhead spool mount and method

Abstract

The system for mounting a spool includes first and second brackets, each having an extension portion and a mounting portion, a second extension portion having an aperture, and a rod having a bar portion provided between the first extension portion and the second extension portion for supporting a spool, the rod passing through the aperture in the second extension portion. The method includes sliding a spool onto the rod and mounting the system with the mounting portions of the brackets.

1 . A system for mounting a spool, the system comprising: 
 a first bracket, the first bracket having a first extension portion and a first mounting portion;    a second bracket, the second bracket having a second extension portion and a second mounting portion, the second extension portion provided with an aperture; and,    a rod having a bar portion provided between the first extension portion and the second extension portion for supporting a spool, wherein the rod passes through the aperture in the extension portion.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the rod has a first end and a second end, a stopping device provided on the second end of the rod for preventing the rod from slipping through the aperture.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the rod has a pin hole adjacent the second end, and the stopping device is a pin passing through the pin hole.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the stopping device is a clip positioned on the rod adjacent the second end.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first extension portion is provided with a first aperture, wherein the aperture on the second extension portion is a second aperture, the rod passing through the first aperture and the second aperture.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the rod has a first end and a second end, the first end provided with a stopping device for preventing the rod from slipping through the first aperture.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the stopping device is a head portion on the first end of the rod, the head portion larger than the first aperture.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first mounting portion is provided with a first opening, and the second mounting portion is provided with a second opening.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  further comprising a first bolt passing through the first opening for securing the first mounting portion to a surface, and a second bolt passing through the second opening for securing the second mounting portion to the surface.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first mounting portion is angularly extended from the first extension portion and the second mounting portion is angularly extended from the second extension portion.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the first mounting portion is perpendicular to the first extension portion and the second mounting portion is perpendicular to the second extension portion.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the first mounting portion has a first end attached to the first extension portion and a second end, and the second mounting portion has a first end attached to the second extension portion and a second end, wherein a distance between the first extension portion and the second extension portion is less than a distance between the second end of the first mounting portion and the second end of the second mounting portion.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the first mounting portion has a first end attached to the first extension portion and a second end, and the second mounting portion has a first end attached to the second extension portion and a second end, wherein a distance between the first extension portion and the second extension portion is greater than a distance between the second end of the first mounting portion and the second end of the second mounting portion.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first extension portion, the rod, and the second extension portion form a U shape.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a spool threaded upon the bar portion, wherein the spool is slidable upon the bar portion and rotatable about the bar portion.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the bar portion is sized for holding a plurality of spools thereon.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a wire rack for suspending the system from a ceiling, the first and second mounting portions securable to the wire rack.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first bracket and the second bracket are movable along the rod along a longitudinal axis of the rod.  
   
   
       19 . A spool mounting system comprising: 
 a first bracket, the first bracket having a first extension portion and a first mounting portion perpendicularly depending from the first extension portion, the first extension portion having a first aperture and the first mounting portion having a first opening;    a second bracket, the second bracket having a second extension portion and a second mounting portion perpendicularly depending from the second extension portion, the second extension portion having a second aperture and the second mounting portion having a second opening; and,    a rod passing through the first aperture and the second aperture and having a bar portion provided between the first extension portion and the second extension portion for supporting a spool, wherein the first bracket and the second bracket are slidable along the rod between a first stopping device on the rod and a second stopping device on the rod, wherein the second stopping device is removable.    
   
   
       20 . A method of supporting a spool of filament comprising: 
 providing a first bracket with a first extension portion and a first mounting portion;    extending a rod from the first extension portion;    threading a spool on the rod;    providing a second bracket with a second extension portion and a second mounting portion, the second extension portion having an aperture;    threading the rod through the aperture in the second extension portion;    attaching the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion to an overhead location; and,    pulling on an end of the filament to rotate the filament off of the spool.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising attaching a stopping device to an end of the rod for preventing the rod from slipping out of the aperture of the second extension portion.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising, prior to attaching the second mounting portion to an overhead location, adjusting the position of the second extension portion along the rod for changing a distance between the first extension portion and the second extension portion.