Method and apparatus for unspooling cable

Abstract

The subject method and apparatus for unspooling cable provides a spool cradle with a substantially rectangular shape formed by parallel spaced side walls and parallel spaced end walls. Roller assemblies are mounted on opposite end walls of the cradle and, preferably, one roller assembly is adjustable with respect to relative spacing between roller assemblies to accommodate spools of different sizes. A support frame assembly receives a plurality of spool cradles when the job requires multiple cables.

I claim  
     
         1 . A method for dispensing and installing spooled electrical/data/wire/cable comprising the steps of. 
 providing a spool cradle having a substantially rectangular shape with a pair of parallel spaced side walls and a pair of parallel spaced end walls, at least four equally spaced feet depending from the corners of said cradle, and pairs of roller assemblies mounted at opposite ends of the cradle spanning between said side walls;    placing said spool cradle at a job site location;    loading a spool of cable onto said cradle and pulling the cable therefrom with the spool freely rotating in the roller assemblies.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein one roller assembly being adjustable along said side walls to accommodate spools of different sizes.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus for dispensing and installing spooled electrical/data/wire/cable comprising: 
 a substantially rectangular spool cradle having parallel spaced side walls and parallel spaced end walls;    a roller assembly mounted on said end walls of the cradle with, each said roller assembly having an elongated bolt passing the width of said cradle between said side walls, a pair of rollers mounted spaced apart on said bolt, each said roller having a cylindrical outer surface with a flange at one end thereof and an axial bore with sealed bearing means fixedly mounted at each end of said bore, whereby a spool of cable can be readily placed on said cradle, supported on said roller assemblies and dispensed by pulling the cable causing the spool to readily rotate on said roller assemblies.    
     
     
         4 . An apparatus for dispensing and installing spooled electrical/data/wire/cable according to  claim 3  further comprising 
 integral leg means depending from the respective corners of said spool cradle.  
 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus for dispensing and installing spooled electrical/data/wire/cable according to  claim 3  further comprising: 
 aligned holes in one respective end of said side walls whereby one of said roller assemblies is adjustable with respect to the spacing between it and the other roller assembly to accommodate spools of different sizes.  
 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for dispensing and installing spooled electrical/data/wire/cable according to  claim 3  further comprising: 
 a support assembly having a base, a pair of spaced vertical side arms and a plurality of spaced, horizontal support bars spanning said side arms; and  
 each said spool cradle having means to suspend it from a respective horizontal support arm.  
 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for dispensing and installing spooled electrical/data/wire/cable according to  claim 6  wherein said support assembly further comprises: 
 stabilization means attached to said support assembly to prevent it from overturning during use.  
 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for dispensing and installing spooled electrical/data/wire/cable according to  claim 6  wherein said support assembly further comprises: 
 wheeled carriage means attached to said support assembly providing ease of relocation of the assembly.  
 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for dispensing and installing multiple spooled electrical/data/wire/cables comprising: 
 support stand means having a base member, a pair of parallel spaced side arms extending vertically from said base member, and a plurality of transverse support means parallel spaced spanning between said side arms;    a plurality of substantially rectangular spool cradles having parallel spaced side walls and parallel spaced end walls, roller assembly means mounted on said end walls of the spool cradle, and means attached to said side walls for suspending said spool cradle from a respective transverse support means of said support stand, whereby a spool of cable can be readily place on said spool cradle, supported on said roller assemblies and dispensed by pulling the cable causing the spool to readily rotate on said roller assemblies.    
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for dispensing and installing multiple spooled electrical/data/wire/cables according to  claim 9  wherein: 
 each said roller assembly has an elongated bolt passing between said side walls the width of said spool cradle, a pair of rollers mounted spaced apart on said bolt, each said roller having a cylindrical outer surface with a flange at one end thereof and an axial bore with sealed bearing means fixedly mounted at each end of said bore.