Supporting fixtures for wire-carrying spools

Abstract

A supporting fixture for tilting and holding heavy wire-carrying spools in predetermined angular positions with respect to a fixture base, such that wire can be readily payed-off the free ends of the spools. The device includes an upstanding elongate post which is pivotally secured to the base, and a clamping jaw slidably carried along the post and adapted to grip the flange of the spool being supported. The position of the jaw is adjustable to enable different sized spools to be accommodated. In one embodiment, tilting of the spool is accomplished by manually swinging the post. In another embodiment, a hydraulic cylinder is provided to shift the post and hold it in predetermined angular positions. A spindle is carried by the post, for insertion into the bore of a spool once the latter has been rolled into position on the base. The arrangement is particularly useful in tilting and supporting heavy wire-carrying spools which would otherwise be rather awkward to position and cumbersome to handle.