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`US009796556B1
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`United States Patent
`(12)
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 9,796,556 B1
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`Hill et al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Oct. 24, 2017
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`(72)
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`(*) Notice:
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`(56)
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`(54) CABLE DISPENSER
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`(71) Applicant: TIME SAVER PRODUCTS,INC.,
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`Brook Park, OH (US)
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`Inventors: Douglas C. Hill, Brook Park, OH (US);
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`Ronald James Hill, Parma, OH (US)
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`(73) Assignee: Time Saver Products, Inc., Brook
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`Park, OH (US)
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`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
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`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
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`U.S.C. 154(b) by 371 days.
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`(21) Appl. No.: 14/100,201
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`(22)
`Filed:
`Dec. 9, 2013
`ae
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`Dat
`Related U.S. Application
`Ppmcatron wa
`ee
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`(60) Provisional application No. 61/735,377,filed on Dec.
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`10, 2012.
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`(51)
`Int. Cl.
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`(2006.01)
`BOSH 49/32
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`(52) U.S. Cl.
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`CPC vesseseses B65H 49/322 (2013.01); BOSH 49/32
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`(2013.01)
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`(58) Field of Classification Search
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`CPC...... B65H 49/30; B65H 49/28; B65H 49/305;
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`B65H 49/322
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`USPC sasseeetsscennasecsnnseesnssecesnsceenssceenneeennnsses” 242/129
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`See application file for complete searchhistory.
`
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
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`1,102,128 A *
`6/1914 Bastian vce BOSH 49/28
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`242/597.7
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`2,491,585 A * 12/1949 Sammons ........0... AATF 13/04
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`242/130
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`2,554,615 A *
`5/1951 Dahle... B65D 85/04
`242/146
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`
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`
`
`2,562,650 A“
`............ oOoie
`7/1951 Trunkhill
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`2,965,331 A * 12/1960 Nagy vessssssseeeen AATE 13/04
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`242/138
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`3,464,647 A *
`9/1969 Jacobi wee B65H 49/28
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`942/129
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`3,780,964 A * 12/1973 Gonzalez ww, B21C 47/16
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`206/403
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`4,089,486 A *
`5/1978 Carter accesso B6SH 49/28
`242/129
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`(Continued)
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`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
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`
`
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`Hill, Douglas C.; U.S. Appl. No. 12/572,283 for “CLIP”; filed Oct.
`2, 2009, now abandoned.
`
`
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`(Continued)
`
`
`
`
`Primary Examiner — Emmanuel M Marcelo
`Assistant Examiner — Michael Gallion
`
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`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Rankin, Hill & Clark
`
`LLP
`
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A cable dispensing system for unwinding a spool of cable
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`not having a central core,
`the system comprising a tub
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`having a base and a side wall with a side wall opening
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`partially forming an inner space sized to fit the spool, the
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`system further including an inner assembly having a base
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`plate and a bearing assembly betweenthe plate and the tub
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`base, the bearing assembly supporting both the axial load
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`and providing free rotation of the plate relative to the tub
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`base about an inner space axis and unrestricted rotation of
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`the associated spool about the system axis, the opening in
`the side wall allowing passage of the associated cable out of
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`the inner space wherein pulling the cable out of the inner
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`space rotates the associated spool aboutthe inner space axis
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`and unwinds the cable from the spool with low resistance
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`and without kinking.
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`23 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
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`aq
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`20¢
`20
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`206
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`134
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`606 2 147170
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`N22
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`[147
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`4
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`62 Fb
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`Page 1 of 18
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`PPC Exhibit 1040
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`Page 1 of 18
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`PPC Exhibit 1040
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`

`

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`US 9,796,556 B1
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`Page 2
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`(56)
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`References Cited
`
`
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`4,184,647 A *
`1/1980 Rourke ou. B21C 47/18
`242/129.8
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`4,787,168 A *
`11/1988 Benit we AOI1K 89/003
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`242/588.6
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`4,826,100 A *
`5/1989 Belliveau... B65H 75/364
`242/129
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`4,846,343 A *
`7/1989 Rupert «cs B65D 85/04
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`206/303
`;
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` A/L990 Lia eee BOSH 75/40
`4,913,369 A *
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`242/129
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`9/1990 Stadig wi. ie B65H 49/28
`4,953,810 A *
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`242/129
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`5,103,977 A *
`4/1992 Douglas .......... B65H 75/364
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`5,139,210 A *
`8/1992 Schaff
`BOSH4908
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`
`
`
`nem
`CO AINET see esseeee
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`5,189,719 A
`2/1993 Coleman et al
`aa
`4
`,
`’
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`6/1993 Blackshire............ B65H 49/18
`5,222,683 A *
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`242/129
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`5,915,641 A *
`6/1999 Barberg wees B6SH 75/40
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`19V/12.2R
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`6,056,226 A *
`5/2000 Green oe H02G 11/02
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`191/12.2R
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`6,145,780 A *
`11/2000 Fontana .......000.. B65H 49/24
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`242/400
`6,145,781 A *
`11/2000 Kawabe ........00.. B65D 85/04
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`947/132
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`6,486,395 BL
`11/2002 Temblador
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`RE38,345 E
`12/2003 Falciglia et al.
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`6,655,627 B2* 12/2003 Patton ...... B65H 49/30
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`242/397.2
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`6,676,068 B2*
`1/2004 Emes oo... B65H 75/18
`242/597.7
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`6,825,418 Bl
`11/2004 Dollinset al.
`7,252,193 BI*
`8/2007 Lewis ou... ee B25H 3/02
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`206/225
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`7,456,361 B2
`11/2008 Hill
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`7,608,782 B2* 10/2009 Hill wee HOIR 4/48
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`174/84 C
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`4/2010 Eggen we B65H 49/22
`7,694,911 B2*
`242/578
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`7,832,681 B2* 11/2010 Johnson .........00... B65H 49/305
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`242/129
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`8,052,078 B2* 11/2011 DeLuca veces B65H 49/322
`242/170
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`8,662,300 BL*
`3/2014 Arena veces B25H 3/00
`206/372
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`9002/0066822 AL*®
`6/2002 Emes coeccccccccccccccccee B65H 75/18
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`242/597.7
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`2003/0089818 Al*
`5/2003 Real veces BO65H 49/28
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`242/588.6
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`*
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`2010/0193624 AL*®
`8/2010 Jones: vse oooaob
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`,
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`2010/0314483 A1* 12/2010 Shah oe aie
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`242/587
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`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
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`Hill, Douglas C.; U.S. Appl. No. 60/688,954 for “CLIP”; filed Jun.
`:
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`9, 2005, now expired.
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`Hill, Douglas C.; U.S. Appl. No. 60/759,715 for “CLIP for Flexible
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`Amored. Cable”; filed Jan. 18, 2006, now expired.
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`* cited by examiner
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`Shi@)907
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`O~
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 24, 2017
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`Sheet 9 of 9
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`US 9,796,556 B1
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`Page 11 of 18
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`Page 11 of 18
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`1
`CABLE DISPENSER
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`The invention ofthis application relates to cable dispens-
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`ers and, more particularly, to a new cable dispenser that can
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`be used to unwind cable from a purchased cable spool that
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`does not include a central core. This application claims
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`priority to provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/735,
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`377 filed on Dec. 10, 2012, which is incorporated by
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`The dispenser of this application has been found to work
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`well in the construction industry and for the unwinding of
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`MCCable; accordingly, it will be disclosed in direct relation
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`to this industry and these cables. However, the invention of
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`this application has broader application and could be used in
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`other industries and for other cables, wires and/or conduits
`wherein it should not be limited to the disclosed use.
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`INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
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`The present invention relates to conduits used for elec-
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`trical wiring and, more particularly, for cables used for
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`electrical wiring and the unwinding of the spools of these
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`cable that are purchased for the building and/or construction
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`industry. Coleman et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,719 discloses a
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`rectangular flexible armored cable; Falciglia et al RE38,345
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`discloses a round flexible armored cable; and Dollinset al.
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`USS. Pat. No. 6,825,418 discloses a coded flexible armored
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`cable. These patents are incorporated by reference herein as
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`background information illustrating flexible armored cables
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`including MCstyle cables and form part of this specifica-
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`tion. Temblador U.S. Pat. No. 6,486,395 discloses a flexible
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`armored cable with a special wiring configuration to illus-
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`trate that the invention of this application can be used in
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`connection with all flexible armored cable, regardless of the
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`wire gauge and/or wire configuration in the flexible armored
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`cable, and is also incorporated by reference herein as back-
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`ground information and formspart of this specification. This
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`application also incorporates by reference U.S. patent appli-
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`cation Ser. No. 12/572,283 filed on Oct. 2, 2009 which is a
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`continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/069,780, filed
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`Feb. 13, 2008 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,608,782 issuing on Oct.
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`27, 2009), which application is a continuation-in-part of
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`USS. patent application Ser. No. 11/450,119 filed on Jun. 9,
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`2006 (now USS. Pat. No. 7,456,361 issuing on Nov. 25,
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`2008) which application claims priority in U.S. provisional
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`application Ser. No. 60/688,954, filed Jun. 9, 2005, entitled
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`“CLIP” and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/759,
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`715, filed Jan. 18, 2006, all of which are incorporated by
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`reference herein and form part of this specification.
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`The invention of this application relates to a cable dis-
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`pensing system and, moreparticularly, to a cable dispensing
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`system that can be used to dispense cable from a purchased
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`spool of cable that does not have a central core and do so
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`without low resistance and without kinking. Dispensers of
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`wire and cable have been used for many years and some of
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`these systems have been successful for certain applications.
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`But, there are no systems that can effectively control the
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`unwinding of a spool of cable that when the spool is not
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`wound around a central core. In this respect, some cables,
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`such as MC Cable, are sold in spools that have no central
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`core. Instead, the wire or cable is merely woundaboutitself
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`by wrapping the cable about a central axis such that the
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`wound cable generally forms an annular mass of cable. The
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`spool of cable is then secured by binding the annular mass
`Page 12 of 18
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`US 9,796,556 B1
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`with straps to prevent it from unwinding. While this is a low
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`cost methodofselling cable, this kind of cable is difficult to
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`handle and to unwind without tangles. This is especially true
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`since the wire spooltends to spring outwardly from the cable
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`axis when the straps are removed.
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`Some prior art systems have attempted to control the
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`unwinding of these kinds of cable spools, but these systems
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`have been found to be commercially and functionally inef-
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`fective. In general, these systems utilize a central rotational
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`axil to support a spool of cable. However, these spools do
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`not include a central core wherein central axil type systems
`have been foundto be ineffective.
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`To show the need and advantagesof the present invention,
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`a prior system that incorporates a central axil noted above,
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`will be hereinafter explained in detail. This disclosure
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`merely constitutes background material. The prior system is
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`the Wire Tub by RACK-A-TIERS®. The Wire tub utilizes a
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`rotating base plate positioned within a tub and whichis
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`joined relative to the tub by a central axil. The base plate
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`further includes a central “hub”that rotate together about the
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`central axil, a bolt, that is configured to control the rotation
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`of the base plate. The system further includes one or more
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`spacer washerspositioned betweenthe baseplate and the tub
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`bottom that space the base plate from the tub bottom and
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`allow the base plate and the central hub to rotate together
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`about the central bolt within the tub. While the system
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`provides rotating action within the tub that can be used to
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`unwind the cable from the spool out of a hole in the tub,it
`has been found that the cable can kink as it is unwound and
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`the cable can be difficult to pull from the dispenser.
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`In greater detail, the Wire Tub utilizes a base plate and
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`central hub that are supported by the spacer washers sur-
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`rounding and the central bolt and the remaining portions of
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`the rotating base plate are intended to float above the tub
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`bottom. Thus, spacer washers provide the rotational move-
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`ment and support the weight of the spoolfor the based plate
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`and the central bolt maintains a desired alignment. As can be
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`appreciated, the use of washers for the rotational support
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`produces rotational drag for the rotation of the base plate
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`aboutthe bolt. Further, the center of gravity of the wire spool
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`must be centered within the tub or the base plate can tilt
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`relative to the central bolt and can engage the tub. Oncethis
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`occurs, pulling resistance increases even more and can be
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`significant when the base plate drags against the tub. How-
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`ever, the center of gravity of these kinds of spools is not
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`defined since these spools have no central core. As a result,
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`the center of gravity is often out of alignment with the
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`central axis of the wire spool and this will result in the base
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`plate tilt and base plate drag. The Wire Tub attempts to
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`account for the base tilt by utilizing multiple washers
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`between the base plate and the tub base to increase the
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`spacing therebetween. However, if the center of gravity is
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`spaced far enough from the central washers, base plate tilt
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`and drag will occur. In view of the weight of these spools
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`(can be over 20 pounds), the amount of misalignmentof the
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`center of gravity does not needto be significant to cause base
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`plate drag. Further, the center of gravity of the spool will
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`shift as the wire is unwoundfrom the spoolsince there is no
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`central core and since these kinds of cables spring outwardly
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`when the cable straps are removed. As is knownin theart,
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`this outward springing is not uniform, which can worsenthis
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`shifting center of gravity and the base plate tilt/drag.
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`The Wire Tub also attempts to overcome the shifting
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`center of gravity of the spool by utilizing a central structure
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`that is referred to as a “hub.” The hub is configured to
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`engage the inner annular surface of the wire spool in an
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`attempt to mimic a central spool core. This central hub is
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`Page 12 of 18
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`US 9,796,556 B1
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`FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the dispenser
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`shown in FIG.1;
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`FIG.3 is a sectional view of the dispenser shownin FIG.
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`FIG. 4 is an enlarged bottom view of a locking feature for
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`a lid and which is shown in an unlocked condition;
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`FIG.5 is a sectional view taken alongline 5-5 in FIG.4:
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`FIG.6 is an enlarged bottom view of the locking feature
`shown in FIG.4 for the lid and which is shown in a locked
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`condition side elevational view of the tub shown in FIG. 5;
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`FIG.7 is a sectional view taken alongline 7-7 in FIG.6;
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`FIG.8 is an enlarged side view of a cable opening shown
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`in FIG.1;
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`FIG.9 is a sectional view taken alongline 9-9 in FIG.8;
`FIG. 10 is a sectional view of another set of embodiments
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`of the invention of this application that include a different
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`bearing assembly and base plate arrangement;
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`FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing yet
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`another set of embodiments of the invention of this appli-
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`cation that do not include a bottom base plate and with
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`molded feet; and,
`FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken from FIG. 11.
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`DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
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`EMBODIMENTS
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`therefore fixed relative to the rotating base plate so that the
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`“hub” rotates with the spool of wire and can frictionally
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`engage the inner annular surface of the wire spool. Further,
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`the central hub must be adjustable so that the hub can engage
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`the inner annular surface of a wide range of spools and spool
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`sizes in an attempt to simulate a wire spool that is wrapped
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`about a central spool core (like a spool of thread). This
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`adjustmentfeature comes in the form of three adjustable hub
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`slats that are sheet like and extend radially from the central
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`axis to effectively change the overall diameter of the hub so
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`that the hub can positively engage the inner annular surface
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`of wire spool having different inner diameters. However, the
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`use of the central hub to control the center of gravity has
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`been found to cause kinking in the cable as it is unwound
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`from the spool by not allowing free floating movementofthe
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`cable within the tub. Therefore,
`there is a need in the
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`industry for a spool dispenserthat (a) can work with cables,
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`such as MC Cables, that are not wound about a central core
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`and (b)
`is commercially and functionally effective. The
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`invention of this application has satisfied this need.
`SUMMARY OF INVENTION
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`The invention of this application relates to a cable dis-
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`pensing system and, moreparticularly, to a cable dispensing
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`system that can be used to smoothly dispense cable from a
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`Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are
`purchased spool of cable having no central core without
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`for the purpose of illustrating preferred and alternative
`kinking or tangling.
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`embodiments of the invention only and not for the purpose
`Moreparticularly, the invention of this application relates
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`oflimiting the same, FIGS. 1-12 show several embodiments
`to a cable dispensing system for unwinding a cable from a
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`of a cable dispenser 10 for dispensing a wide range of cables
`spool of cable and moreparticularly for a purchased spool
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`C from a wide range of spools S. In particular, the invention
`of cable without a central core. The system includes a tub
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`is directed to wire spools that do not have a central core and
`having a base andat least one side wall extending upwardly
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`has been found to work extremely well in connection with
`from the base to an upper edge, the tub further includes an
`MC Cable and will therefore be described with relation to
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`openingin the at least one side wall and an inner space sized
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`MC Cable even though it has broader application. In that
`to fit a spool of cable. The system has an inner assembly with
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`spool S has no central core, spool S has a generally annular
`a base plate and a bearing assembly positioned between the
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`configuration with an annular spool body SB that generally
`plate and the tub base. The bearing assembly allowing the
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`extends about a spool axis SA between an inner annular
`free rotation of the plate relative to the tub base about an
`surface or extent IE and an outer annular surface or extent
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`inner space or system axis andisolating the base plate from
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`OE. Annular spool body SB further generally extends
`the tub thereby allowing the associated spoolto rotate about
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`between a top extent TE and an oppositely facing bottom
`the inner space axis. The bearing assembly achieves this by
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`extent BE. As can be appreciated, and whichis discussed in
`being positioned away from the central system axis thereby
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`greater detail in this application, these kinds of spools tend
`supporting the weight of the cable without base platetilt.
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`to spring outwardly (both radially and axially) wherein these
`The opening in the at least one side wall being configured to
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`extents are often not well defined and can constantly change.
`allow passage of the cable out of the inner space wherein
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`However, as will be discussed more below, the invention of
`pulling the cable out of the inner space rotates the spool
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`this application maintains a general annular configuration,
`about the inner space axis and prevents kinking.
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`which will be referenced below, that allows for the smooth
`According to yet another aspect of the present invention,
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`and tangle free unwinding of the cable from the spool that
`the dispenser further includes a central column that
`is
`has not been realized before.
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`rotatably joined to the base plate that can rotate relative to
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`More particularly, dispenser 10 includes a tub or tub
`the base plate to further reduce friction in the dispenser.
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`assembly 12, an inner tub assembly 14 and can includealid
`According to a further aspect of the present invention, the
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`16. Tub 12 can be produced by a wide range of manufac-
`column transforms the inner space of the dispenser into an
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`turing techniques and can be formed from a wide range of
`annular inner space and the bearing assembly includes
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`materials. However, it is preferred that tub 12 and other
`rolling members that are general centered in the annular
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`space.
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`components of dispenser 10 be formed by durable material
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`(s) in that dispenser 10 is for use at a jobsite. The materials
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`for producing the tub (and other components) include, but
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`are not limited to, PVC, ABS, polypropylene, steel, alumi-
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`The invention may take physical form in certain parts and
`num,glass filled polymers and/or composites. In a preferred
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`arrangementof parts, a preferred embodiment of which will
`embodiment, tub 12 is formed from a glass filled polycar-
`bonate.
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`be described in detail and illustrated in the accompanying
`Tub 12 includesat least one side wall 20 that extends from
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`drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
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`FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a dispenser
`a tub base 22 to an upperside wall edge 24. Side wall 20 has
`an inner surface 20a and an outer surface 20b. Side wall
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`according to certain aspects of the invention of this appli-
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`cation along with a purchased spool of cable;
`extends about a system axis 23, which will be discussed
`Page 13 of 18
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`Page 13 of 18
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`US 9,796,556 B1
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`10
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`25
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`6
`5
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`including improving the stability of dispenser 10 on the
`more below. In a preferred embodiment, side wall 20 is a
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`surface such that the dispenser does not rock or wobble
`single side wall having a generally cylindrical configuration.
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`during use and to provide a controlled wear point to allow
`Further, this cylindrical wall configuration can include one
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`for the sliding of the device around on the floor. In one set
`or more tapered sections wherein the tub wall can have a
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`of embodiments, tub base 22 includes a thickened and/or
`conical configuration(s). However, side wall 20 could be
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`raised portions 60a to provide the controlled wear point (see
`formed by multiple side walls (such as a polygonal configu-
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`FIG. 12). As in knownin the art, cable spools can be heavy
`ration) and could be formed by multiple layers wherein inner
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`wherein it may beeasierto slide device 10 from one location
`and outer side surfaces 20a and 208, respectively, could be
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`to the next over picking up the device with the cable inside
`part of separate components. As will be discussed more
`for movement.
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`below, side wall 20, or in particular inner side wall surface
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`feet 605 can be separate
`In yet other embodiments,
`20a, partially defines an inner tub space 26 that is sized to
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`components that are secured relative to tub base 22 (See
`fit a desired spool S of cable C. Similarly, tub base includes
`a tub base inner surface 22a andatub base outer surface 225
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`FIGS. 3&10). This configuration can be utilized to create
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`wherein tub base inner surface 20a faces inner space 26 and
`additional functions to those noted above including allowing
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`the tub base outer surface 226 is configured to allow the
`for the use of specialized materials that have either better
`wear characteristics and/or increased frictional contact to
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`system to rest on an associated support surface SS.
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`Tub 12 can further include a top edge flange 30 extending
`prevent unwanted movementof the dispenser as the cable is
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`about upper side wall edge 24 and flange 30 can have a
`bei