A cable sleeve dispenser

Abstract

A cable sleeve dispenser 2 comprises a housing 4 which has a housing body 6 defining a cavity 8 and a first outlet 10 in communication with the cavity 8 and a second outlet 20 and a reel cartridge 22

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cable sleeve dispenser, and in particular to a portable cable sleeve dispenser. Background During electrical installations, cable sleeving is measured and cut and mounted on wires. This process can be costly, laboursome and time consuming. There is therefore a need for a compact, portable device for efficiently providing cable sleeve at the point of use. Prior Art GB201808615 discloses an apparatus for dispensing sleeving in short lengths for use in an electrical installation, which apparatus is configured and arranged to be carried by a user and comprises a support holding a plurality of spools of the sleeving differentially marked to signify its use, wherein each said spool is releasably held by the support and removable therefrom to be replaced by a replacement spool of sleeving. US5154336 discloses a dispenser for wire markers that are detachably linked to one another by breakable connections, thereby forming a chain of wire markers. The dispenser comprises a casing including: two parallel generally flat side walls that are substantially perpendicular to a central axis of said casing. A peripheral wall is disposed between the side walls and around said central axis, forming with said side walls a housing for receiving a portion of said chain of wire markers. The dispenser comprises a channel having an inlet is in communication with said housing, an outlet facing away from said casing, and having an inner section providing a frictional contact which opposes against free movement of a portion of said chain of wire markers through said channel. The outlet has a substantially sharp edge for breaking the connections between the wire markers. The channel is concavely arched with respect to said central axis so that spaces are produced between adjacent wire markers. Means are located along a section of said channel by which a user can drive said chain of spaced wire markers from said housing to said outlet. The user can drive said chain of spaced wire markers through said channel and individually dispense said spaced wire markers by breaking said connections by means of said sharp edge. US4979414 discloses a tape dispenser for dispensing a roll of adhesive tape, comprising: a housing having at least one compartment for rotatably mounting a roll of tape; a hingedly mounted door integral with said housing and movable between an open position, a closed position and a tape severance position; a severance means for separating discrete sections of tape from the roll; and spring means for presenting the distal end of the tape outward of said compartment facilitating removal of the tape, said spring means being integrally formed with said housing and positioned within said compartment. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a cable sleeve dispenser comprising: a housing comprising: a housing body defining a cavity and a first outlet in communication with the cavity and a second outlet; and a reel cartridge comprising cable sleeve, in which the reel cartridge is configured in use to be received through the first outlet, positioned within the cavity and rotatable relative to the housing body, and in which the cable sleeve of the reel cartridge is configured in use to extend through the second outlet of the housing body. The cable sleeve dispenser is preferably portable. The cable sleeve dispenser is preferably sized and shaped to be easily carrier by a user, for example by a hand of user. The cable sleeve dispenser is preferably configured to be releasably mounted on an item of clothing, for example a belt, of a user. The cable sleeve dispenser is configured to quickly and easily dispense a required length of cable sleeve. As such, the cable sleeve dispenser reduces waste. The cable sleeve may be cut by the user using cutting tools such as pliers. The housing body preferably further comprises a cutting tool located at or adjacent the second outlet. The cutting tool may form an integral part of the housing body. The cutting tool may be releasably connected to the housing body and may therefore be easily replaced. The housing may further comprise an attachment portion for attaching the cable sleeve dispenser to a user, for example to an item of clothing (for example a belt) of a user. In one embodiment, the attachment portion may a clip. The cable sleeve dispenser may be operated single-handedly during use. Preferably, the housing body has a base, an opposed top end, and side portions upstanding from the base to the top end and defining the cavity extending therebetween. The top end of the housing body preferably defines the first outlet. In one embodiment, the housing body has a base, an opposed top end, and side portions upstanding from the base to the top end and defining the cavity extending therebetween. The side portion preferably defines the first outlet. The housing may further comprise a housing cap releasably engageable to the housing body, in which the housing cap is moveable between: a first open position in which at least a portion of the housing cap is spaced apart from the housing body to provide access to the first outlet of the housing body; and a second closed position in which the housing cap is positioned adjacent and engages the housing body to prevent access to the first outlet and the cavity of the housing body. The housing cap may be hingeably mounted to the housing body. The housing cap may slideably engage the housing body. The cable sleeve dispenser may further comprise a locking mechanism configured in use to maintain the housing cap in the second closed position. The second outlet is preferably configured in use to frictionally engage the cable sleeve extending therethrough. The reel cartridge is preferably releasably mounted within the cavity of the housing body. The housing body preferably further comprises a mounting mechanism for engaging and rotatably mounting the reel cartridge. The mounting mechanism is preferably located within the cavity. The mounting mechanism may for example comprise an engagement feature, such as for example a pin to engage the reel cartridge. The housing body preferably further comprises a retraction mechanism configured to return excess cable sleeve onto the cartridge reel. The retraction mechanism is preferably manually operable. In one embodiment, the retraction mechanism comprises a manually rotatable portion located on an external surface of the housing body, in which the manually rotatable portion is in communication with the cartridge reel. The manually rotatable portion preferably comprises a rotatable disc comprising a recess (for example a divet) or protrusion (for example a handle) for engaging a finger or hand of a user. The retraction mechanism may be resiliently biased. The cable sleeve dispenser may be composed of any suitable material. In one embodiment, one or more of the housing body, housing cap and / or cartridge reel is injection moulded. The cartridge reel may be composed of a pair of cartridge reel parts which are configured for snap fit engagement defining a spool for receiving and mounting cable sleeve thereon. The cartridge reel is preferably releasably mounted to or within the housing. In one embodiment, the cartridge reel is configured to be slideably received within the housing body. The cartridge reel may be easily removed and replaced with a new cartridge reel, without removing the dispenser from the user, and therefore avoids unnecessary interruptions to the process of introducing cable sleeve to wires. The dispenser may further comprise a push button configured to release the cartridge reel from the housing. The housing preferably further comprises an opening providing a visual indicator of the amount of cable sleeve presenton the cartridge reel. The opening may be for example a slot positioned to provide a direct eye line of the amount of cable sleeve present on the cartridge reel The housing may further comprise a protective portion extending across at least a portion of an outer surface of the housing (for example along the edges and / or base of the housing body). The protective portion preferably comprises rubber or rubberised material. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows a perspective from view of the cable sleeve dispenser according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective rear view of the cable sleeve dispenser of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded front view of the cable sleeve dispenser of Figure 1; and Figure 4 shows an exploded rear view of the cable sleeve dispenser of Figure 1. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the Figures, the cable sleeve dispenser 2 comprises a housing 4 comprising a housing body 6 defining a cavity 8 and a first outlet 10 in communication with the cavity 8. The housing body 6 has a base 12, an opposed top end 14, and side portions 16 upwardly outstanding from the base 12. The housing 4 further comprises a housing cap 18 hingeably connected to a side portion 16 at the top end 14 of the housing body 6. The housing cap 18 is moveable between: a first open position in which at least a portion of the housing cap 18 is spaced apart from the housing body 6 to provide access to the first outlet 10 of the housing body 6; and a second closed position in which the housing cap 18 is positioned adjacent and engages the housing body 6 to prevent access to the first outlet 10 and the cavity 8 of the housing body 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 4 has a substantially circular cross-section. The cavity 8 also has a substantially circular cross-section. Each of the housing body 6 and housing cap 18 have a substantially semi-circular cross-section. It is however to be understood that the housing 4 and each respective part thereof (i.e. housing body 6 and housing cap 18) may have any suitable shape and / or dimensions. The housing cap 18 provides a second outlet 20 in the form of an elongate slit and in communication with the cavity. The dispenser 2 further comprises a releasably mounted reel cartridge 22 comprising cable sleeve. The reel cartridge 22 is configured in use to be received through the first outlet 10, positioned within the cavity 8 and rotatable relative to the housing body 6 and housing cap 18. The cartridge reel 22 comprises a pair of cartridge reel parts 22a, 22b which are configured for snap fit engagement defining a spool for receiving and mounting cable sleeve thereon. The cartridge reel is releasably mounted to or within the housing 4. The cartridge reel 22 is configured to be slideably received within the housing body 6. The cartridge reel is easily removed and replaced with a new cartridge reel, without removing the dispenser from the user, and therefore avoids unnecessary interruptions to the process of introducing cable sleeve to wires. The cable sleeve of the reel cartridge 22 is configured in use to extend through the second outlet 20 of the housing cap 18. The second outlet 20 is dimensioned to frictionally engage the cable sleeve extending therethrough. The dispenser 2 further comprises a releasably mounted cutting tool 24 in the form of a blade positioned adjacent an upper edge of the second outlet 20. Releasable mounting of the cutting tool 24 enables the tool 24 to be replaced when required. It is to be understood that the dispenser 2 may comprise an integrally mounted cutting tool 24. Alternatively, the dispenser 2 may not include a cutting tool 24 and the user may instead cut the cable sleeve manually using for example pliers. The dispenser 2 further comprises an attachment portion 26 in the form of a clip on a rear side portion 16. The attachment portion 26 is configured to engage the user, for example an item of clothing (for example belt) of a user. The housing 4 further comprises a retraction mechanism 28 configured to return excess cable sleeve onto the cartridge reel 22. The retraction mechanism 28 is manually operable. The retraction mechanism 28 comprises a manually rotatable portion 30 (for example disc) located on a side portion 16 of the housing body 6, in which the manually rotatable portion 30 is in communication with the cartridge reel 22. The manually rotatable portion 30 comprises a recess (for example a divet) for engaging a finger or hand of a user. The housing 4 further comprises an opening 32 providing a visual indicator of the amount of cable sleeve present on the cartridge reel 22. One or more of the housing body 6, housing cap 18 and / or cartridge reel 22 is injection moulded. The cable sleeve dispenser 2 is portable. The cable sleeve dispenser is sized and shaped to be easily carrier by a user, for example by a hand of user. The cable sleeve dispenser is configured to be releasably mounted on an item of clothing, for example a belt, of a user to enable the dispenser 2 to be operated single handedly. The cable sleeve dispenser is configured to quickly and easily dispense a required length of cable sleeve. As such, the cable sleeve dispenser reduces waste. In use, the user moves the housing cap 18 to the first open position and slides a reel cartridge 22 into the cavity 8 of the housing body 6. An end of the cable sleeve is positioned so as to extend through the second outlet 20 provided by the housing cap 18. The user moves the housing cap 18 to the second closed position and secures the dispenser 2 in position by attaching the attachment portion 26 to an item of clothing, such as for example a belt. The user withdraws a required length of cable sleeve from the second outlet 20. The cutting tool 24 cuts the required length of cable sleeve and releases this from the reel cartridge 22. If any excess cable sleeve is protruding from the opening, the user may utilise the retraction mechanism 28 to return the cable sleeve to the cartridge 22 by rotation. The cable sleeve can continue to be withdrawn from the dispenser 2 and used. The user has a clear visual indication of the amount of cable sleeve remaining in the dispenser 2 via the opening 32. When needing to be replaced, the user can rotate the housing cap 18 relative to the housing body 6 and slideably remove the empty cartridge 22 from the cavity 8 and replace this with a new cartridge 22. The cap 18 is returned to the closed position, and the user can continue to dispense cable sleeve. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A cable sleeve dispenser comprising:a housing comprising:a housing body defining a cavity and a first outlet in communication with the cavity and a second outlet; anda reel cartridge comprising cable sleeve,in which the reel cartridge is configured in use to be received through the first outlet, positioned within the cavity and rotatable relative to the housing body, and in which the cable sleeve of the reel cartridge is configured in use to extend through the second outlet of the housing body.

2. A cable sleeve dispenser as claimed in claim 1, in which the housing body further comprises a cutting tool located at or adjacent the second outlet.

3. A cable sleeve dispenser as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, in which the housing further comprises an attachment portion for attaching the cable sleeve dispenser to a belt of a user.

4. A cable sleeve dispenser as claimed in claim 3, in which the attachment portion is a clip.

5. A cable sleeve dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the housing body has a base, an opposed top end, and side portions upstanding from the base to the top end and defining the cavity extending therebetween, and in which the top end defines the first outlet.

6. A cable sleeve dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the housing body has a base, an opposed top end, and side portions upstanding from the base to the top end and defining the cavity extending therebetween, and in which a side portion defines the first outlet.

7. A cable sleeve dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the housing further comprises a housing cap releasably engageable to the housing body, in which the housing cap is moveable between:a first open position in which at least a portion of the housing cap is spaced apart from the housing body to provide access to the first outlet of the housing body; anda second closed position in which the housing cap is positioned adjacent and engages the housing body to prevent access to the first outlet and the cavity of the housing body.

8. A cable sleeve dispenser as claimed in claim 7, in which the housing cap is hingeably mounted to the housing body.

9. A cable sleeve dispenser as claimed in claim 7, in which the housing cap slideably engages the housing body.

10. A cable sleeve dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising a locking mechanism configured in use to maintain the housing cap in the second closed position.

11. A cable sleeve dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the second outlet is configured in use to frictionally engage the cable sleeve extending therethrough.

12. A cable sleeve dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the reel cartridge is releasably mounted within the cavity of the housing body.

13. A cable sleeve dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the housing body further comprises a mounting mechanism for engaging and rotatably mounting the reel cartridge. The mounting mechanism is located within the cavity14. A cable sleeve dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the housing body further comprises a retraction mechanism configured to return excess cable sleeve onto the cartridge reel.

15. A cable sleeve dispenser as claimed in claim 14, in which the retraction mechanism is manually operable.

16. A cable sleeve dispenser as claimed in claim 15, in which the retraction mechanism comprises a manually rotatable portion located on an externalsurface of the housing body, in which the manually rotatable portion is in communication with the cartridge reel.

17. A cable sleeve dispenser as claimed in claim 16, in which the manually rotatable portion comprises a rotatable disk comprising a divet or handle for engaging a hand of a user.

18. A cable sleeve dispenser as claimed in claim 14, in which the retraction mechanism is spring biased.

19. A cable sleeve dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, in which one or more of the housing body, housing cap and / or cartridge reel is injection moulded.

20. A cable sleeve dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the cartridge reel is composed of a pair of cartridge reel parts which are configured for snap fit engagement defining a spool for receiving and mounting cable sleeve thereon.

21. A cable sleeve dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the cartridge reel is releasably mounted to or within the housing.

22. A cable sleeve dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the housing further comprises an opening providing a visual indicator of the amount of cable sleeve present on the cartridge reel.

23. A cable sleeve dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the housing further comprises a protective portion extending across at least a portion of an outer surface of the housing.

24. A cable sleeve dispenser as claimed in claim 23, in which the protective portion comprises rubber or rubberised material.12

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