Spool organizer and method

Abstract

A spool organizer includes an elongate trough, having end walls on opposing ends, a back configured for attachment to a generally vertical support structure, and a generally open top, whereby spools of elongate material can be placed side-by-sided in the trough in a generally upright orientation.

1 . A spool organizer, comprising:
 an elongate trough, having;
 end walls on opposing ends; 
 a back configured for attachment to a generally vertical support structure; and 
 a generally open top, whereby spools of elongate material can be placed side-by-side in the trough in a generally upright orientation. 
   
   
   
       2 . A spool organizer in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a movable end stop, extending into the trough, configured to abut a side of a spool to provide lateral support thereto. 
   
   
       3 . A spool organizer in accordance with  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an upper rail, extending between the opposing end walls, the end stop being slidably attached to the upper rail; and   the end stop further comprising
 a substantially vertical panel portion, extending downward into the trough, and 
 a tab, positioned for manual contact by a user, the end stop being configured to resist sliding upon the upper rail in response to force applied upon the panel portion, and to slide in response to force applied upon the tab. 
   
   
   
       4 . A spool organizer in accordance with  claim 2 , further comprising multiple movable end stops. 
   
   
       5 . A spool organizer in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising means for attaching remnants of the elongate material to the spool organizer. 
   
   
       6 . A spool organizer in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the means for attaching remnants of the elongate material to the spool organizer comprises:
 a lower rail, extending between the end walls; and   a plurality of clips, attachable to the lower rail, configured for releasably holding the remnants.   
   
   
       7 . A spool organizer in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a measuring scale, associated with the elongate trough. 
   
   
       8 . A spool organizer in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the measuring scale is selected from the group consisting of:
 a measuring tape fixedly attached to a front wall of the elongate trough;   a ruler attached to the front wall of the trough;   raised length markings in a surface of the trough;   printed length indicia on a surface of the trough;   a flexible measuring tape attached to the trough; and   an extensible measuring tape attached to the trough.   
   
   
       9 . A spool organizer in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a tool storage slot, provided in an end wall of the trough. 
   
   
       10 . A spool organizer in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of fastener locations along the back wall, positioned for passage of fasteners for attachment of the elongate trough to the support structure; and   a fastener cover, removably attachable to hide the fastener locations from view.   
   
   
       11 . A spool organizer, comprising:
 an elongate trough, having
 end walls on opposing ends; 
 a generally open top, whereby spools of elongate material can be placed side-by-sided in the trough in a generally upright orientation, the spools being slidingly rotatable within the trough; and 
 a movable end stop, extending into the trough, configured to abut a side of a spool to provide lateral support thereto. 
   
   
   
       12 . A spool organizer in accordance with  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of clips, removably attachable to the elongate trough, configured for releasably holding remnants of the elongate material. 
   
   
       13 . A spool organizer in accordance with  claim 11 , further comprising a measuring scale, associated with the elongate trough. 
   
   
       14 . A spool organizer in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the movable end stop comprises:
 a substantially vertical panel portion, extending downward into the trough; and   a tab, positioned for manual contact by a user, the end stop being configured to resist sliding in response to force applied upon the panel portion, and to slide in response to force applied upon the tab.   
   
   
       15 . A spool organizer in accordance with  claim 11 , further comprising tool storage means, provided in an end wall of the trough. 
   
   
       16 . A method for handling elongate material stored on spools, comprising the steps of:
 placing one or more spools of elongate material on edge in an elongate trough having a front edge; and   orienting the spools so that a free end of the elongate material is accessible by pulling the free end toward the front edge, thereby slidingly rotating the spool within the trough.   
   
   
       17 . A method in accordance with  claim 16 , further comprising the step of sliding a movable end stop within the elongate trough against a lateral side of an end one of the spools, to retain the spools on edge. 
   
   
       18 . A method in accordance with  claim 16 , further comprising the step of removing one of the spools by manually withdrawing the spool from a generally open top of the trough. 
   
   
       19 . A method in accordance with  claim 16 , further comprising the steps of orienting a portion of the free end of material along a length measuring scale, associated with the elongate trough, and cutting the free end to a desired length. 
   
   
       20 . A method in accordance with  claim 16 , further comprising the step of storing remnants of the elongate material on clips, removably attachable to the elongate trough.