Spool flipper and payout machine

Abstract

A device to easily and safely rotate a spool of wire from a vertical position that it is typically stored and transported in, to a horizontal position for unwinding. The device includes a platform and a rotating holder that can rotate between a vertical and horizontal orientation. The rotating platform includes two sides with a spool holder extending from one side. The spool holder includes a first support and a second support. Each support includes a clamp for engaging or disengaging from the spool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A spool flipper and payout machine comprising
 a platform; and   a rotating holder coupled to the platform, wherein the rotating holder includes a first side and a second side and is capable of rotating between a first position where the first side is perpendicular to the platform and the second side is parallel to the platform and a second position where first side is parallel to the platform and the second side is perpendicular to the platform, wherein the first side includes a spool holder extending therefrom that is capable of holding a spool of wire therewithin, wherein the spool of wire is placed in the spool holder when the rotating holder is in the first position so that the spool is in a vertical position, and wherein when wire is to be removed from the spool the rotating holder is rotated to the second position so the spool is in the a horizontal position for unwinding.   
     
     
         2 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the spool holder includes a first support extending from a first end of the first side and a second support extending from a second end of the first side. 
     
     
         3 . The machine of  claim 2 , wherein the first support is to secure a first end of the spool and the second support is to secure a second end of the spool. 
     
     
         4 . The machine of  claim 3 , wherein the spool holder includes a first clamp on the first support and a second clamp on the second support, wherein the first clamp is to be received in a hole in the first end of the spool and the second clamp is to be received in a hole in the second end of the spool. 
     
     
         5 . The machine of  claim 4 , wherein the first clamp includes a retractable pin and the second clamp includes a retractable pin. 
     
     
         6 . The machine of  claim 5 , wherein the retractable pin of the first clamp and the retractable pin of the second clamp are retracted to enable the spool to be received and are extended to secure the spool. 
     
     
         7 . The machine of  claim 2 , wherein the first support and the second support are triangularly shaped and include first and second arms extending from opposite ends of the first side and meeting at a point. 
     
     
         8 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the rotating member is manually rotated. 
     
     
         9 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the rotating member is rotated by a mechanical mechanism. 
     
     
         10 . The machine of  claim 9 , wherein the mechanical mechanism is hydraulic. 
     
     
         11 . The machine of  claim 9 , wherein the mechanical mechanism is activated by a user. 
     
     
         12 . The machine of  claim 4 , wherein the rotating holder is only able to rotate when the first and the second clamps are activated to ensure that the spool is securely held in place. 
     
     
         13 . The machine of  claim 12 , wherein the first and the second clamps are released to allow removal of the spool. 
     
     
         14 . The machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a brake that stops or prevents the spool from rotating while in the horizontal position to prevent wire from inadvertently unraveling therefrom. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the brake may be released to enable unwinding and then reactivated to prevent inadvertent unwinding when the process is complete. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first side and the second side include rounded exteriors to allow for rotation within the platform. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first side and the second side includes openings to enable the spool to be visible. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first side and the second side include a plurality of first frame members to engage the platform and a plurality of second frame members to support the plurality of first frame members. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of first frame members are rounded to allow for rotation within the platform.