A creel, such as may be used to supply fiberglass roving to a production process, includes an enclosure and a number of rotatable axles held within the enclosure. Each of the axles is of a shape and size to be inserted into a bobbin of roving. The creel also includes a drive mechanism coupled to each of the plurality of rotatable axles, the drive mechanism synchronizing the rotation of the axles. Bobbins of roving may be stacked on the axles and connected to provide continuous roving. As roving is drawn from the creel, the rate of rotation of the axles may be selected to counteract twisting of the roving that would otherwise result.

A spool configured to support a roll of material. The spool comprises an arbor, a first flange, and a second flange. The first flange includes a first plurality of flange panels that are rotatably connected to respective arbor panels of the arbor at a first arbor edge of the arbor. The second flange is connected to a second arbor edge of the arbor. The first flange is configured to transition between a retention configuration and an open configuration. In the retention configuration, the roll of material is substantially prevented from removal from the arbor along an arbor axis by the first and second flanges. In the open configuration, the roll of material is removable from the arbor and receivable on the arbor in the arbor direction.

A modular wire spool rack that enables spools to be easily and quickly changed. Spool bearings are included to ensure smooth rotation of the spool without bouncing. Multiple modular wire spool racks may be connected by spools to form linear and two-dimensional arrays of spool racks so any number of spools may be accommodated. The modular wire spool rack is portable and self-contained, and so may be taken where needed. Optional attachment to a slat wall to avoid tipping of tall combinations of modular wire spool racks is provided. Optional rack bars for additional strength and stability are also provided.

A coiler bar assembly includes a coupler housing and a bearing housing used to suspend a reel shaft above a surface. The reel shaft is configured to include bearings to permit its rotation relative to the housings. The coupler housing includes a receiving plate coupled to an end of the reel shaft and a coupler that is engaged with a motor shaft. The motor shaft extends up to the receiving plate. A handle is included and is pivotally coupled to the coupler housing and the coupler about two separate axes. Pivoting the handle permits translation of the coupler along the motor shaft to selectively engage the receiving plate. When engaged, rotation of the motor shaft induces rotation of the reel shaft. The handle is operated externally from the coupler housing.

A collapsible stand for holding and dispensing craft materials includes a base having a front, a rear, a first side, a second side, an upper surface, and a lower surface. A first arm is coupled to the upper surface at the first side of the base by a first hinge. At least one first dowel slot is defined through the first arm. A second arm is coupled to the upper surface at the second side of the base by a second hinge. At least one second dowel slot is defined through the second arm.

Implementations of a material roll dispenser for holding and dispensing rolls of materials are provided. In some implementations, the material roll dispenser comprises one or more configurations of a roll dispensing assembly, a platform assembly, a handle assembly, and a wheel assembly each configured to telescopingly position and secure onto a vertical member to form the material roll dispenser.

In some implementations, a method of using the material roll dispenser comprises telescopingly positioning and securing the roll dispensing assembly, the platform assembly, the handle assembly, and the wheel assembly onto the vertical member to form the material roll dispenser. In some implementations, the method of using the material roll dispenser further comprises loading, holding, and dispensing one or more rolls of material from the material roll dispenser.

An apparatus for lifting, maneuvering, winding or unwinding reels comprising a pair of devices having an elongated retractable frame having a first end and a second end which are adjustable relative to one another; a first crossbar having two opposite ends, the first crossbar being mounted to a first end of the elongated retractable frame; a second crossbar having two opposite ends, the second crossbar being mounted to a second end of the elongated retractable frame; a first roller carrier mounted on the first crossbar; a second roller carrier mounted on the second crossbar, parallel to the first roller carrier, wherein the roller rotates axially about the roller carrier; and a means for adjusting the first and second end of the elongated retractable frame relative to one another so that the first and second ends of the elongated retractable frame are moved closer together and further apart.

A pair of flanges attachable to the arbor hole of a reel is disclosed. The flanges provide a mechanism to allow the reel to be easily loaded, and lifted into place. Once loaded into place, the flanges may include a locking mechanism that locks the reel in place, centered on the flanges. Additionally, the flanges are attachable using a hub that allows them to rotate independently from one another, and from the reel to which they are attached.

A spool configured to support a roll of material. The spool comprises an arbor, a first flange, and a second flange. The first flange includes a first plurality of flange panels that are rotatably connected to respective arbor panels of the arbor at a first arbor edge of the arbor. The second flange is connected to a second arbor edge of the arbor. The first flange is configured to transition between a retention configuration and an open configuration. In the retention configuration, the roll of material is substantially prevented from removal from the arbor along an arbor axis by the first and second flanges. In the open configuration, the roll of material is removable from the arbor and receivable on the arbor in the arbor direction.

The present invention relates to a device or a pair of devices for lifting, maneuvering, winding or unwinding reels, each comprising a center retractable member having an adjustable length; a first and second angularly-oriented vertical support bar, each pivotally mounted, at its proximal end, on opposite ends of the center retractable member, wherein the first and second angularly-oriented vertical support bars are pivotally joined to each other at their distal ends; a reel support member mounted on the joint of the first and second angularly-oriented vertical support bars, wherein the reel support member is adapted to removably by received by the bore of the reel; and a means for adjusting the length of the center retractable member, thereby moving the reel support member upward and downward, respectively.