Reel buck apparatus

Abstract

An inventive reel carrier and stand apparatus, termed a reel buck, provides a quick and easy way to set up strand and cable reels, examples of which may vary in diameter. The apparatus can be assembled and disassembled, and can be stored, transported, and shipped in a space efficient essentially flat configuration. The apparatus is designed to be easily moved about a job site, handling the apparatus using ergonomically oriented handles on the frame while a mounted spool serves as a wheel. The reel buck is collapsible upon disassembly for quick loading and has multiple mounting positions to accommodate various spool sizes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for supporting and rolling a reel or spool, the apparatus comprising two frame assemblies positioned side-by-side in an assembled condition of the apparatus, each frame assembly of the two frame assemblies comprising a reel support beam, and a handling beam connected to the reel support beam,
 wherein, for each frame assembly of the two frame assemblies:
 a mounting ring defining an axle axis is connected to the reel support beam; 
 the handling beam comprises a proximal end connected to the reel support beam, and a distal end; 
 a tubular bar is rigidly fixed to the distal end of the handling beam, the tubular bar extending parallel to the axle axis and rigidly fixed on a side of the handling beam facing a direction in which the reel support beam extends; 
 the tubular bar is offset from, and extends perpendicular to, a longitudinal axis of the handling beam; and 
 the tubular bar extends parallel to the axle axis, 
   wherein the apparatus in the assembled condition has a standing position in which:
 the apparatus is supported at least in part by the distal end of each handling beam on a support surface; 
 a high side of each handling beam is defined facing upward in the direction in which the reel support beam extends; and 
 for each frame assembly, the respective tubular bar is mounted on and fixed to the high side of the handling beam. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein in the assembled condition and standing position, the axle axis defined by the mounting ring connected to the reel support beam of each frame assembly of the two frame assemblies is aligned with the axle axis defined by the mounting ring connected to the reel support beam of the other frame assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , for each of the two frame assemblies, the mounting ring comprises a hollow circular cylinder mounted on and connected to the reel support beam, the hollow circular cylinder extending parallel to the axle axis and perpendicular to the reel support beam. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein for each of the two frame assemblies, a tubular foot is fixed to a proximal end of the reel support beam to serve as a support fulcrum when tipping the apparatus, and stabilizing the apparatus in the standing position. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein for each of the two frame assemblies, the tubular foot comprises a hollow circular tube extending parallel to the axle axis and perpendicular to the reel support beam. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein for each of the two frame assemblies, an acute angle is defined between the handling beam and the support beam. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the two frame assemblies includes a rigid truss bar diagonally spanning a space between medial portions of the handling beam and the reel support beam. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for supporting and rolling a reel or spool, the apparatus comprising two frame assemblies positioned side-by-side in an assembled condition of the apparatus, each frame assembly of the two frame assemblies comprising a reel support beam, and a handling beam connected to the reel support beam,
 wherein, for each frame assembly of the two frame assemblies:
 the reel support beam comprises a tubular foot; 
 the handling beam comprises a proximal end connected to the reel support beam, and a distal end to which a respective tubular bar is rigidly fixed, each said tubular bar extending parallel to the tubular foot and rigidly fixed on a side of the handling beam facing a direction in which the reel support beam extends; and 
 the respective tubular bar is offset from, and extends perpendicular to, a longitudinal axis of the handling beam, and 
   wherein the apparatus has a standing position in which:
 the apparatus is supported at least in part by the distal end of each handling beam on a support surface; 
 a high side of each handling beam is defined facing upward in the direction in which the reel support beam extends; and 
 for each frame assembly, the respective tubular bar is mounted on and fixed to the high side of the handling beam. 
   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein for each of the two frame assemblies, the tubular foot comprises a hollow circular tube extending parallel to the tubular bar. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein for each of the two frame assemblies, an acute angle is defined between the handling beam and the support beam. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein each of the two frame assemblies includes a rigid truss bar diagonally spanning a space between medial portions of the handling beam and the reel support beam.