An apparatus for the transportation and dispensing of spooled wire or cable, the apparatus including a handle structure wherein the handle structure has a first end and a second end, a first support structure attached to the first end of the handle structure, a second support structure attached to the second end of the handle structure, a first spool center insert attached to the first support structure, a second spool center insert attached to the second support structure, a first leg moveably attached to the first support structure, a second leg moveably attached to the second support structure, and wherein a spool of spooled wire or cable is attached to the first and second spool center inserts during transportation and dispensing of the spooled wire or cable.

A lead wire storage mechanism stores most of a lead wire such that the lead wire can be taken out from a tip end portion. A tension adjusting mechanism including a dancer roller and two lifting and lowering guide rollers is formed with a partial space that is to be a part of a hand travel space at a time of a preparation state. A lead wire guide mechanism including an opening and closing lead guide is formed with a partial space that is to be a part of the hand travel space at the time of the preparation state. A lead wire grasping and moving mechanism can execute a grasping operation for grasping a tip end portion of the lead wire with a grasping part, and a grasping part moving operation for moving the grasping part through the hand travel space.

A reel apparatus and method comprising an inner flange assembly, an outer flange assembly, and a bearing assembly coupled to the inner flange assemblies. The inner flange assembly is capable of freely rotating relative to the outer flange assembly. In another embodiment, wire is spooled from a reel assembly comprising an inner flange assembly and an outer flange assembly.

A tube holder supports a spool of flexible line wrapped onto the outer surface of a tube. The tube holder comprises a body portion configured to support the tube thereon, such that the interior surface of the tube rests of the top surface of the body portion; and an end protector detachably secured to the distal end of the body portion via a quick-release, contact fastener. The end protector is configured to be detachably secured to the body portion, while remaining spaced away from the tube such that the tube does not interfere with connecting the end protector with the body portion.

A handheld reel device for collecting and releasing string lights and that accommodates use of handles of variable lengths for manually rotating the reel.

A lead wire storage mechanism stores most of a lead wire such that the lead wire can be taken out from a tip end portion. A tension adjusting mechanism including a dancer roller and two lifting and lowering guide rollers is formed with a partial space that is to be a part of a hand travel space at a time of a preparation state. A lead wire guide mechanism including an opening and closing lead guide is formed with a partial space that is to be a part of the hand travel space at the time of the preparation state. A lead wire grasping and moving mechanism can execute a grasping operation for grasping a tip end portion of the lead wire with a grasping part, and a grasping part moving operation for moving the grasping part through the hand travel space.

An apparatus for the transportation and payoff of coiled wire and cable, the apparatus comprising a clamshell package, an inner void formed by the clamshell package, the inner void comprising a compartment within for containing coiled wire and cable during transportation and payoff of the wire and cable, a payoff port is coupled to the clamshell package, wherein the coiled wire and cable is extracted from the clamshell package through the payoff port on an axis substantially similar to the axis of the extracted wire and cable, and wherein the payoff port extends from the clamshell package through the coiled wire and cable.

An automated unspooling mechanism capable of dispensing of knitting material strands in a dynamically-controlled tension on a knitting machine. An unspooling device is configured to sense the tension of a strand fed to the knitting machine, and responsively adjust the strand deployment speed to avoid too little or too much strand dispensing without interrupting the knitting process. The unspooling device includes a variable motor drive that can rotate the strand package in various speeds, and a spring arm trigger that can sense the current tension of the dispensed material. The spring arm trigger can vary its arm position based on the sensed tension. The arm position is then processed and converted to a signal to vary the motor speed. Therefore, the deployment speed of the strands can be dynamically controlled based on a sensed tension of feeding the strand.

An automated unspooling mechanism capable of dispensing of knitting material strands in a dynamically-controlled tension on a knitting machine. An unspooling device is configured to sense the tension of a strand fed to the knitting machine, and responsively adjust the strand deployment speed to avoid too little or too much strand dispensing without interrupting the knitting process. The unspooling device includes a variable motor drive that can rotate the strand package in various speeds, and a spring arm trigger that can sense the current tension of the dispensed material. The spring arm trigger can vary its arm position based on the sensed tension. The arm position is then processed and converted to a signal to vary the motor speed. Therefore, the deployment speed of the strands can be dynamically controlled based on a sensed tension of feeding the strand.

A speed adjusting cable assembly in accordance with some example embodiments is configured for use with a cable feeder having at least one motor-driven roller configured to pay out cable. The assembly includes a frame, a boom arm pivotally connected thereto by a shaft, a cable guide on the boom arm configured to allow at least one cable to pass therethrough, a sensor in communication with the shaft and configured to measure a rotational position of the boom arm relative to a plane, and a controller in communication with the sensor. The controller is configured to control a speed at which the at least one roller rotates to feed the cable through the cable feeder based upon information received from the sensor. A method of use is also provided.