Electrical wire dispensing device and package

Abstract

A disposable or recyclable device that can be used by a manufacturer as a shipping container for coils of wire or cable and subsequently by a contractor to support and unwind electrical wire in a manner that prevents the undesired kinking or knotting of such wire is disclosed. The circular base of the device has outer and inner raised walls where the base is suspended by equally spaced support lines of equal length, with one end of each line being attached to the inner raised wall of the base and its opposite end being attached to a swivel hook assembly. For shipping and distribution by the manufacturer, the electrical wire is placed within the walls of the circular base and the support lines with swivel hook assembly are folded within the center compartment formed by the inner raised wall. For use the support lines are extended upward from the center compartment of the support base and the device is attached to an overhead beam or pipe by means of the swivel hook assembly. The free end of the electrical wire is pulled over the outer wall of the support to the desired length and frictionally engages that wall in order to preclude uncoiling of the wire in excess of a desired amount.

1 . A wire dispensing device comprising: 
 a flat, rigid base for supporting a coil of wire, the coil having an inner diameter, an outer diameter, and a height, the base defining an outer perimeter greater than the outer diameter of the coil and an inner region the outer perimeter defining an outer wall extending upwardly therefrom and having a height at least equal to the height of the coil; and    a plurality of support lines connected to and extending from the inner region of the base and converging to a rotatable hanging means.    
   
   
       2 . The wire dispensing device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the base is circular in shape.  
   
   
       3 . The wire dispensing device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the height of the outer wall is greater than the height of the coil.  
   
   
       4 . The wire dispensing device as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the inner region of the base comprises a center compartment for stowage of the support lines and hanging means.  
   
   
       5 . The wire dispensing device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the inner region of the base comprises an inner wall extending upwardly from the base.  
   
   
       6 . The wire dispensing device as set forth in  claim 5  wherein the inner wall is circular and concentric with the outer wall, having a diameter less than the inner diameter of the coil.  
   
   
       7 . The wire dispensing device as set forth in  claim 6  further comprising an upper ridge extending inwardly from the upper surface of the inner wall and parallel to the base.  
   
   
       8 . The wire dispensing device as set forth in  claim 7  wherein the support lines are connected to and extend from the upper ridge.  
   
   
       9 . The wire dispensing device as set forth in  claim 5  wherein the support lines are connected to and extend from the inner wall.  
   
   
       10 . The wire dispensing device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the support lines comprise metal chain.  
   
   
       11 . The wire dispensing device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the support lines comprise polymeric rope.  
   
   
       12 . The wire dispensing device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the support lines are symmetrically spaced.  
   
   
       13 . A disposable or recyclable package for distributing and dispensing a coil of wire, comprising: 
 a flat, rigid base supporting a coil of wire, the coil having an inner diameter, an outer diameter, and a height, the base defining an outer perimeter greater than the outer diameter of the coil and an inner region;    a plurality of support lines connected to and extending from the inner region of the base and converging to a rotatable hanging means;    wherein the inner region of the base comprises a center compartment for stowage of the support lines and hanging means; and    an outer covering.    
   
   
       14 . The package set forth in  claim 12  wherein the outer covering comprises an overwrapped plastic sheeting material.  
   
   
       15 . The package set forth in  claim 12  wherein the outer covering comprises a box.  
   
   
       16 . The package set forth in  claim 12  wherein the outer covering comprises a strap.  
   
   
       17 . The package set forth in  claim 12  wherein the base is circular in shape.  
   
   
       18 . The package set forth in  claim 12  wherein the inner region of the base comprises an inner wall extending upwardly from the base.  
   
   
       19 . The package set forth in  claim 12  wherein the support lines comprise polymeric rope.  
   
   
       20 . The package set forth in  claim 12  further comprising means for symmetrically spacing the support lines.