CA2105463C - Wire dispenser stand - Google Patents

Abstract

A light-weight, compactly storable and transportable wire dispenser stand that is adaptable as a workstand. The stand comprises a base and an upright fixed to and integral with the base. Such stands are intended to be used in pairs. The upright has a hole or other support means for supporting an end of a spool or reel support axle so that a wire dispenser may be rotatably mounted on such axle supported by a pair of stands.
The stands are securably and releasably engageable with one another so that two such stands may be temporarily secured together to form a compact structure for storage or transport.
This interfitting combination can also be used as a workstand whose upper work surface is the inverted base of one of the stands.

Description

2~o54s3 ..~, WIRE DISPENSER STAND
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to wire dispenser stands, and more particularly, to wire dispenser stands that matingly and compactly engage one another for storage and transport.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The building industry, during the construction phase, uses numerous disciplines of skilled, trained journeymen. Each trade uses its own particular set of materials, tools and accessories to complete the necessary tasks involved in fabricating any structure, large or small. Tools used by the tradesmen have changed or have been created due to new technology such as carpenters using a high-speed router with carbide bits.
Some ancient tools are seemingly irreplaceable such as the saw horse; each trade has its own examples. Newly created building materials and methods have found multiple and creative use during the course of work on a construction site. Computer cable dispenses from inside a box, plastic tubing replaces copper pipe and metal studs replace conventional lumber.
SU1~ARY OF THE INVENTION
To increase efficiency and productivity of the electrical trades a device has been invented to allow the journeyman to dispense wire and cable easily from one central location, function as a workbench, tool-holder, seat, step, saw-horse and drill jig. The device is a stand, used singly or in pairs, made of wood, plywood or synthetics and fabricated in such a manner as to be inter-locking for step, transport or storage.
Each stand has a multiplicity of specifically drilled holes, cut .'2105463 -w and marked so, when used in pairs, provide a multiple use utility tool stand and work bench for building trades, general construction or residential, home-owner project.
The invention relates to a rectangular, upright stand, capable of interlocking with another stand, and used singly or in pairs to form a device for dispensing supplies, such as wire and cable, or used as a work bench to support or hold materials such as metal pipe, plywood sheets or lumber to be drilled, cut or fabricated. During the construction phase it is usual practice to set up tools and supplies in one particular location to form a common work area for that construction zone. Supplies are stored and handiwork, fabrication and modifications are done using this central location. The location may change depending upon the size and type of construction. This location usually has electrical power, tool supports and temporary structures such as wall racks, work benches or saw horses. It is usual to find the location disorganized, cluttered, inefficient and often difficult to gain access to adequate workspace or dispense supplies, more specifically, electrical supplies such as wire from reels. Tool-holders, drill jigs and cutting benches tend to be costly to provide for temporary use, are difficult to re-locate and must remain on site for hours.
The inventors have found that by creating a pair of identical interlocking stands, which contain specific holes, lines and notches, that these can be used to form a structure so a temporary work location can be made an organized, efficient, suitable workspace and facility to dispense supplies. The stands can be set up to hold reels of electrical wire for dispensing and at the same time be a toolholder, a work bench, pipe holder or saw table. The stands are relatively small, lightweight and interlocking so as to provide ease of portability for moving, re locating or transport off the job site. Cost is low compared to fixed benches.

a BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention:
Figure 1 is a side view of one stand.
Figure 2 is a top view of one stand.
Figure 3 is a view of a pair of stands interlocked and ready for use as a work stand, step, seat or for transport, re-location or storage.
Figure 4 is a bottom view detailing the drill holes and alignment markings.
Figure 5 is a side view detailing one stand and showing locating holes, notches, carrying handles and bracing.
Figure 6 is the reverse view of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a view of a pair of stands in common use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In Figure l, the Upright, l, is attached to Bottom 2 with fasteners with support 3 centrally located as shown and attached to both. Guide 4 is attached to the Bottom and provides a register and grip when the stands are interlocked for use or storage. Each stand is identical and intended to be used singly or in pairs.
The device comprises of a number of holes in the upright numbered 5 through 17 and notches 18 and 19. Holes numbered 20 through 23 are located in the Bottom with registration grooves 24 through 27. working surfaces are numbered 28, 29 and 30. Holes numbered 5, 6, and 7 are handle grips for carrying, moving or gripping for support during the work task; when a pair of stands are interlocked the handles are aligned. Hole number 6 is also indented at 6A to support and locate a pipe or rod for holding wire reels when the stands are used in pairs. Holes numbered 8 through 12 are located and sized to accommodate common sized rod and pipe, as used in construction, to provide axles or support rods for wire on different size reels or for cutting and fitting said pipe or rods. Holes 13, 14, and 15 are used for holding screwdrivers, drills with bits or locating pins. Holes 16 and 17, located on sides of the upright and angled downward are used for tool storage or pins when the top surface of the upright, number 28, is being used. Notches 18 and 19 are used in a vise-like fashion for containing rod or pipe when it is being cut or worked upon.
Flat surface 28 is used for supporting sheets of plywood or pieces of lumber being cut or fabricated. Flat surface Number 31 of the Bottom is used as a step, workbench or chair. Hole number 30 is used for hanging on a wall or stud for use as a shelf or for storage. The Bottom, Number 2, contains holes 20, 21, 22, 23 and alignment markings 24, 25, 26, and 27 for use in drilling and fabrication. Holes 20 through 23 also serve to hold axles or pipe for storage during transport. Figure 7 is an illustration of the stands being used as a pair and arranged to dispense wire and for the placement of pipe for fitting or cutting. The pair of stands, when interlocked, form a rectangular box and may be laid on any one of the six sides to form a step or flat work area. A stand may also be attached to a wall by hooks or supports though the Bottom holes and form a dispensing rack or shelf.

Claims (5)

1. A wire dispenser stand, comprising:
a base having a generally flat horizontal support surface on the underside thereof;
an upright fixed to and extending generally vertically upward from the base, the upright having means for supporting an end of an axle, whereby a wire dispenser may be rotatably mounted on such axle supported by and between two such stands, one at each end of the axle; and engagement means for temporarily securing the stand with a second such stand in a mating interfitting engagement, whereby two such stands may be coupled together to form a compact structure.

2. The stand as defined in claim 1, wherein the engagement means comprises a configured engagement end of the top of the upright and at least one recess in the base structure located near the bottom of the upright, the recess mating with the configured engagement end of the top of the upright.

3. The stand as defined in claim 2, wherein:
the upright has a generally laterally extending upper engagement end of generally rectangular cross-section, and the base has fixed thereto:
at least one securing rib projecting generally vertically upwards from the base and one end of which is generally horizontally spaced from the lower end of the upright so as to form with the opposed generally vertical surface of the upright a recess whose width is selected to match that of the upper engagement end of the upright such that the upper end of the upright of a first such stand may fittingly engage the recess of a second such stand, the upper engagement end of the upright and the recess together constituting the engagement means.

4. The stand as defined in claim 3, where the upper end of the upright and the recess are configured to provide a secure engagement.

5. A pair of identical stands each constructed according to any one of claims 1 to 4.