Miniature spooling apparatus

Abstract

A miniature spooling apparatus is described. The miniature spooling apparatus includes a housing having a miniature motor attached within the housing. The miniature motor has a shaft extending therefrom, with a mechanically powered spool attached with the shaft. An integrated circuit is connected with the motor to operate the motor. A cover apparatus having first and second cap parts are used to conceal the spool while providing a real-looking pen cap. Additionally, the miniature spooling apparatus is housed in an item, such as a pen, to conceal the apparatus.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A miniature spooling apparatus, comprising;
 a main housing having a miniature motor affixed therein, the miniature motor having a shaft extending therefrom;   a mechanically powered spool attached with the shaft of the miniature motor, the miniature motor being connected with the spool for powering the spool to wind thread around the spool;   an integrated circuit connected with the motor and configured to cause the motor to start and stop winding the thread around the spool; and   a cover apparatus with an open end, the cover apparatus being formed such that it covers a portion of the mechanically powered spool and being attached with the housing such that a space exists between the cover apparatus and the spool to allow for rotation of the spool therein, wherein the cover apparatus is formed of a first cap part and a second cap part, the first cap part having the open end with the second cap part being affixed with the first cap part.   
     
     
         2 . The miniature spooling apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first cap part includes a plurality of cap slits formed therein. 
     
     
         3 . The miniature spooling apparatus as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the first cap part includes a ridge protruding therefrom and a notch formed therethrough, the notch rising from the open end to the ridge. 
     
     
         4 . The miniature spooling apparatus as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the second cap part has a recess formed therein, such that when the second cap part is affixed with the first cap part, the ridge matingly engages with the recess. 
     
     
         5 . The miniature spooling apparatus as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the ridge has a ridge depth and the second cap part has a cap thickness, such that the ridge depth is substantially the same as the cap thickness. 
     
     
         6 . The miniature spooling apparatus as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the ridge is shaped to form an opening when the cover apparatus is affixed with the main housing, the opening allowing thread to pass therethrough. 
     
     
         7 . The miniature spooling apparatus as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the first cap part and the second cap part are formed of dissimilar materials. 
     
     
         8 . The miniature spooling apparatus as set forth in  claim 7 , further comprising a motor housing, the motor housing positioned around the miniature motor and affixing the miniature motor within the main housing. 
     
     
         9 . The miniature spooling apparatus as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the motor housing has a pair of housing slits formed therethrough, with the integrated circuit being positioned within the pair of housing slits. 
     
     
         10 . The miniature spooling apparatus as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the ridge depth and cap thickness form a lip for the cover apparatus. 
     
     
         11 . A miniature spooling apparatus as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the housing is shaped to resemble a barrel of a writing utensil with second cap part being formed to resemble a pen cap. 
     
     
         12 . The miniature spooling apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first cap part includes a ridge protruding therefrom and a notch formed therethrough, the notch rising from the open end to the ridge. 
     
     
         13 . The miniature spooling apparatus as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the second cap part has a recess formed therein, such that when the second cap part is affixed with the first cap part, the ridge matingly engages with the recess. 
     
     
         14 . The miniature spooling apparatus as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the ridge is shaped to form an opening when the cover apparatus is affixed with the main housing, the opening allowing thread to pass therethrough. 
     
     
         15 . The miniature spooling apparatus as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the ridge has a ridge depth and the second cap part has a cap thickness, such that the ridge depth is substantially the same as the cap thickness. 
     
     
         16 . The miniature spooling apparatus as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the ridge depth and cap thickness form a lip for the cover apparatus. 
     
     
         17 . The miniature spooling apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first cap part and the second cap part are formed of dissimilar materials. 
     
     
         18 . The miniature spooling apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a motor housing, the motor housing positioned around the miniature motor and affixing the miniature motor within the main housing. 
     
     
         19 . The miniature spooling apparatus as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the motor housing has a pair of housing slits formed therethrough, with the integrated circuit being positioned within the pair of housing slits. 
     
     
         20 . A miniature spooling apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the housing is shaped to resemble a barrel of a writing utensil with second cap part being formed to resemble a pen cap.