Wire spool cart

Abstract

A dolly or cart for rotatably holding one or more wire dispensing spools comprising a cylinder disposed between a pair of round end flanges. The dolly includes at least three parallel retaining rods extending between a pair of spaced apart end walls when the dolly is in the storage or transport position whereby the top of the dolly can be lowered and supported by a stand for use in its resting horizontal position. At least one and preferably a plurality of spools are disposed between and supported by the rods with the spools being stacked one upon another when the dolly is in the vertical position and stacked end to end with the spool flanges supported by the rods in the in-use horizontal position. Upon lowing the dolly in a resting position parallel to the surface of the ground, the spools are positioned to freely rotate between the retaining rods. The rods are configured so that when the dolly is in the in-use horizontal resting position at least one rod is at or near the bottom and the other two form the top of the configuration. Means for removably attaching at least one of the rods comprises a moveable rod wherein at least one end is removably held within a slot formed in an end wall and wherein the distal end of the movable rod extends slightly past the end wall. A spring urges the movable rod towards one end of the slot so that this rod tends to hold or capture spools and bias them against the other rods. The movable rod mechanism can also be duplicated and provided for use on the opposing end wall in order that both ends of the movable rod are releasably held in position.

1 . A wire spool cart for dispensing wire from a spool comprising:
 a frame having a first end wall and a second end wall fixed at each end thereof, said first and second end wall having at least three parallel longitudinal members connected there between, said longitudinal members configured to support spools at the circumferential edges thereof, wherein at least one longitudinal member is at the bottom and two longitudinal members are at the top;   said at least one bottom longitudinal member and a first one of said two longitudinal members being rigidly fixed to said first end wall and said second end wall, a second one of said two longitudinal members being movable within slotted apertures in each of said first and second end wall, each end of said second longitudinal member being urged toward a spool embracing position by a spring, said two longitudinal members thus forming a flexible gate through which a spool is urged, said configuration of longitudinal members capturing said spool and holding said spool in place by spring tension holding said second longitudinal member against said spool;   two brackets mounted at a first end of said frame, said brackets including an axle;   two wheels, one at each end of said axle; and   a handle disposed at a second end of said frame, said handle and said wheels allowing the transport of said wire spool cart.   
     
     
         2 . The wire spool cart defined in  claim 1  wherein said handle includes a foot member extending in a direction perpendicular to a bottom of said frame to support said second end of said frame, said foot having its bottom surface which resists sliding across a floor surface. 
     
     
         3 . The wire spool cart defined in  claim 1  wherein one of said first and second end wall includes a tube having pair of transverse apertures formed therein, said tube containing a longitudinal member having a pair of transverse apertures formed therein, said longitudinal member being fastened with a pin through a selected one of said transverse apertures in either a raised position for use or a lowered non use position, said longitudinal member capable of rotatably holding a spool for unwinding wire therefrom. 
     
     
         4 . The wire spool cart defined in  claim 1  wherein the tension of said spring can be adjusted. 
     
     
         5 . A wire spool cart for dispensing wire from a spool comprising:
 a frame having two opposing first and second end wall fixed at each end thereof, said first and second end wall having at least three parallel longitudinal members connected there between, said longitudinal members configured to support spools at the circumferential edges thereof, wherein at least one longitudinal member is at the bottom and two longitudinal members are at the top of a spool embracing configuration;   said at least one bottom longitudinal member and a first of said two longitudinal members being rigidly fixed to said two first and second end wall, each of said first and second end wall including an arm pivoting on a pin and having a free end connected to one end of a second of said two longitudinal members, each of said arms being connected to one end of a spring, the other end of said spring being connected to said end wall by a pin, said spring urging said second arm to a spool embracing position;   said two longitudinal members thus forming a flexible gate through which a spool is urged, said configuration of longitudinal members capturing said spool and holding said spool in place by spring tension holding said second longitudinal member against said spool;   two brackets mounted at a first end of said frame, said brackets including an axle;   two wheels, one at each end of said axle; and   a handle disposed at a second end of said frame, said handle and said wheels allowing the transport of said wire spool cart.   
     
     
         6 . A wire spool frame for dispensing wire from a spool comprising:
 two opposing first and second end wall fixed at each end thereof, said first and second end wall having at least three parallel longitudinal members connected there between, said longitudinal members configured to support spools at the circumferential edges thereof, wherein at least one longitudinal member is at the bottom and two longitudinal members are at the top of a spool embracing configuration;   said at least one bottom longitudinal member and a first of said two longitudinal members being rigidly fixed to said two first and second end wall, each of said first and second end wall including an arm pivoting on a pin and having a free end connected to one end of a second of said two longitudinal members, each of said arms being connected to one end of a spring, the other end of said spring being connected to said end wall by a pin, said spring urging said second arm to a spool embracing position;   said two longitudinal members thus forming a flexible gate through which a spool is urged, said configuration of longitudinal members capturing said spool and holding said spool in place by spring tension holding said second longitudinal member against said spool;   a first mounting bracket connected at a first end of said frame; and   a second mounting bracket connected at a second end of said frame, said first bracket and said second bracket being capable of supporting said frame and for connecting said frame to a selected surface or support stand.