Handheld Spooling Device

Abstract

A handheld wire spooling device is provided for spooling wire, and for tensioning fence wire while mending the same. The tool comprises a wire spool, a rotatable handle that can rotate the spool, a side grip, and a ratchet mechanism. The spool and handle are rotatable relative to the side grip, while the ratchet mechanism allows relative rotation in one direction. The spool further comprises a wire slot therein, which is used to receive a length of wire therethrough, whereafter the spool is rotated to draw the wire over and around the spool exterior. The user grips the side grip and rotates the rotatable handle to rotate the spool. The ratchet mechanism prevents unwanted reverse rotation, which would unspool the wire. The tool is useful for spooling wire, and particularly to tensioning fence wire while mending two lengths together during a repair.

I claim: 
     
         1 ) A handheld fence wire tensioner tool for mending wire fences, comprising:
 a spool comprising cylindrical body, a first end, and a second end;   a U-shaped handle having a pair of handle arms and a cross member;   the handle arms being rotatable relative and disposed adjacent to the spool at the first end and the second end of the spool;   a ratchet mechanism disposed on the first end of the spool for operably coupling the handle arms to the spool in a first rotational direction;   a grip extending from the first end of the spool and outboard of the ratchet mechanism;   the spool having an axial direction along its length, and the grip extending perpendicularly away from the axial direction of the spool;   wherein the grip is rotatably connected to the spool, whereby the user may grasp the grip in a first hand while rotating the U-shaped handle about the spool with a second hand to cause rotation of the spool relative to the grip when the U-shaped handle is rotated in the first rotational direction;   whereby the U-shaped handle and the spool are decoupled when the U-shaped handle is rotated relative to the spool in a second rotational direction that is opposite to the first rotational direction;   whereby the spool further comprises a slot therethrough that is adapted to receive a length of fence wire therethrough.   
     
     
         2 ) The handheld fence wire tensioner tool of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the slot through the spool is curved with respect to the axial direction of the spool and extends between the first end and second end of the spool;   the slot extends through an outer surface of the spool to receive the fence wire into the slot.   
     
     
         3 ) The handheld fence wire tensioner tool of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the ratchet mechanism further comprises a gear and a pawl;   the gear has a center point aligned with a center axis of the spool;   the gear further comprises asymmetrical teeth;   the pawl is pivotably connected to one of the pair of handle arms of the U-shaped handle and spring biased against the asymmetrical teeth of the gear;   whereby the asymmetrical teeth allow the pawl to ride over the asymmetrical teeth when the U-shaped handle is rotated in the second rotational direction; and   whereby the asymmetrical teeth are adapted to bear against the pawl when the U-shaped handle is rotated in the first rotational direction.   
     
     
         4 ) A method of mending wire fences, comprising the steps of:
 providing a handheld fence wire tensioner tool that comprises:
 a spool comprising cylindrical body, a first end, and a second end; 
 a U-shaped handle having a pair of handle arms and a cross member; 
 the handle arms being rotatably connected to the spool at its first end and second end; 
 a ratchet mechanism disposed on the first end of the spool for operably coupling the handle arms to the spool in a first rotational direction; 
 a grip extending from the first end of the spool and outboard of the ratchet mechanism; 
 the spool having an axial direction along its length, and the grip extending perpendicularly away from the axial direction of the spool; 
 wherein the grip is rotatably connected to the spool, whereby the user may grasp the grip in a first hand while rotating the U-shaped handle about the spool with a second hand to cause rotation of the spool relative to the grip when the U-shaped handle is rotated in the first rotational direction; 
 whereby the U-shaped handle and the spool are decoupled when the U-shaped handle is rotated relative to the spool in a second rotational direction that is opposite to the first rotational direction; 
 whereby the spool further comprises a slot therethrough that is adapted to receive a length of fence wire therethrough. 
   
     
     
         5 ) The method of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the slot through the spool is curved with respect to the axial direction of the spool and extends between the first end and second end of the spool;   the slot extends through an outer surface of the spool to receive the fence wire into the slot.   
     
     
         6 ) The method of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the ratchet mechanism further comprises a gear and a pawl;   the gear has a center point aligned with a center axis of the spool;   the gear further comprises asymmetrical teeth;   the pawl is pivotably connected to one of the pair of handle arms of the U-shaped handle and spring biased against the asymmetrical teeth of the gear;   whereby the asymmetrical teeth allow the pawl to ride over the asymmetrical teeth when the U-shaped handle is rotated in the second rotational direction; and   whereby the asymmetrical teeth are adapted to bear against the pawl when the U-shaped handle is rotated in the first rotational direction.   
     
     
         7 ) A method of mending wire fences, comprising the steps of:
 using a handheld fence wire tensioner tool to mend a first length and a second length of wire fence together;   the handheld fence wire tensioner tool comprising:
 a spool comprising cylindrical body, a first end, and a second end; 
 a U-shaped handle having a pair of handle arms and a cross member; 
 the handle arms being rotatably connected to the spool at its first end and second end; 
 a ratchet mechanism disposed on the first end of the spool for operably coupling the handle arms to the spool in a first rotational direction; 
 a grip extending from the first end of the spool and outboard of the ratchet mechanism; 
 the spool having an axial direction along its length, and the grip extending perpendicularly away from the axial direction of the spool; 
 wherein the grip is rotatably connected to the spool, whereby the user may grasp the grip in a first hand while rotating the U-shaped handle about the spool with a second hand to cause rotation of the spool relative to the grip when the U-shaped handle is rotated in the first rotational direction; 
 whereby the U-shaped handle and the spool are decoupled when the U-shaped handle is rotated relative to the spool in a second rotational direction that is opposite to the first rotational direction; 
 whereby the spool further comprises a slot therethrough that is adapted to receive a length of fence wire therethrough; 
   forming a loop at an end of the first length of wire fence;   positioning an end of the second length of wire fence through the loop at the end of the first length of wire fence;   feeding the end of the second length of wire fence through the slot in the spool;   holding the grip with the first hand;   rotating the U-shaped handle in the first rotational direction to cause the second length of wire to wrap around the spool, tension the second length of wire, and pull on the loop at the end of the first length of wire fence;   wrapping the second length of wire onto itself and around the second length of wire.   
     
     
         8 ) The method of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the slot through the spool is curved with respect to the axial direction of the spool and extends between the first end and second end of the spool;   the slot extends through an outer surface of the spool to receive the fence wire into the slot.   
     
     
         9 ) The method of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the ratchet mechanism further comprises a gear and a pawl;   the gear has a center point aligned with a center axis of the spool;   the gear further comprises asymmetrical teeth;   the pawl is pivotably connected to one of the pair of handle arms of the U-shaped handle and spring biased against the asymmetrical teeth of the gear;   whereby the asymmetrical teeth allow the pawl to ride over the asymmetrical teeth when the U-shaped handle is rotated in the second rotational direction; and   whereby the asymmetrical teeth are adapted to bear against the pawl when the U-shaped handle is rotated in the first rotational direction.