Abstract: A tether-based system for utilizing the aerostatic lift of a light-than-air balloon for the transport of payload across a wide area without having to translate the balloon along with the payload.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion and energy management system for use in marine vessels and other variable demand propulsion applications monitors and draws energy from various energy sources dynamically to implement multiple operating modes and provide efficient system operation across a range of propulsive demands, altering the operation and output of various energy sources in response to propulsive load demands, hotel loads and auxiliary energy demands. The propulsion system incorporates at least two propulsive sources, including at least one main propulsive engine and at least one motor-generator unit arranged to drive a common output shaft, and the energy management system dynamically shifts operation of each of the two sources to satisfy propulsive demands. The main propulsive engine and the motor-generator unit are capable of driving the common output shaft both independently and simultaneously.

Abstract: A method whereby a relatively faster-moving vessel recovers a relatively-slower moving vehicle is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus, kits, and methods for reeling a pool lane line are described herein. Some embodiments of the apparatus can include a lane line guide configured to guide the positioning of a pool lane line along an axis of the apparatus. Some embodiments of the apparatus can include a manipulandum in communication with an axle of the apparatus.

Abstract: In a media storing and feeding device for winding up or rewinding the tapes between reels attached to reel shafts and a drum 120 by torque limiters to feed or store the medium, at the time of feeding the medium, the reel shafts are rotated at a speed faster than a speed at which the drum rewinds the tapes, and at the time of storing the medium, the reel shafts are rotated at a speed slower than a speed at which the drum winds up the tapes. A difference between the rotational speeds of the reel shafts and the reels is absorbed by the torque limiters. The media storing and feeding device is thus implemented by inexpensive torque limiters which operate at low speed in place of expensive torque limiters supporting high speed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for connecting an aircraft to a towed body, which comprises: (a) a reduced towing cable comprising tension filaments to provide the tensional force required for towing the body; (b) a signal cable, separate from said reduced towing cable, for conveying signals between the aircraft and the towed body, said signal cable comprises one or more optical fibers; and (c) conductive wires either within said towing cable or within said signal cable for providing electrical path between the aircraft and the towed body.

Abstract: A reel includes a reel drum enclosed within a housing comprising a first housing portion, a second housing portion, and a middle housing portion positioned therebetween. A spindle member has a first end connected to the first housing portion and a second end connected to the second housing portion. The spindle member extends through an opening in the drum so that the drum is rotatable about a spindle axis defined by the spindle member. The middle housing portion encircles the drum and has an aperture through which linear material can extend, the linear material of a type that may be spooled on the drum. The middle housing portion is rotatable about the spindle axis independently of the drum. In preferred embodiments, the reel is a cord reel and the linear material is electrical cord. In preferred embodiments, the middle housing portion is rotatable at least 360° about the spindle axis. In preferred embodiments, the drum is powered by an electric motor.

Abstract: A kite reel device having a rectangular housing providing a cylindrical frame and a spool having ribs with a v-shaped outer edge, the spool being rotatably mounted onto a cylindrical axle located within a center aperture of the frame. A reel providing a handle is mounted to one side of the frame, while a knob for holding the device is affixed to the other side. Recesses within the frame releasably secure the handle to the frame. A hole in the center of the top side of the frame accommodates the passage of kite string onto the spool. The v-shape of the spool rib outer edges assists in keeping the kite string centered and from getting tangled around the axle. Another embodiment provides a ground anchor, a shoulder harness strap, a digital counter, a multiple gearing selector, and an electric power pickup. At least one replacement spool is also provided.

Abstract: A reeling apparatus may be provided in the form of a kit. The kit may include parts that permit the reeling apparatus to be shipped in a broken down, and therefore relatively compact condition. The kit may include cheek plates (or sideframes), and a set of elements that may be combined to form a substantially cylindrical hub. The sections of the hub may be of a size to nest, or partially nest, within the central passage of the cheek plates. The kit may fit together in a snap fit manner.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioner mechanism (10) for use with a seatbelt retractor (11). The retractor (11) has a spool (16) configured for winding a seatbelt webbing thereon. The pretensioner mechanism (10) is housed inside the retractor spool (16). The pretensioner mechanism (10) includes a movable actuator member (22) slidably coupled to the retractor spool (16), and a stationary member (20) secured to the retractor (11) along a path of slidable movement of the movable member (22). Helical splines (23) extend along a portion of the spool (16), and complementary helical splines (25) extend along a first portion of the movable member (22) for slidingly engaging the splines (23) on the spool (16). Helical splines (29) also extend along a second portion of the movable member (22), and complementary helical splines (28) extend along a portion of the stationary member (20) for slidingly engaging the splines (29) on the second portion of the movable member (22).

Abstract: This invention provides a cargo anchoring system for anchoring cargo to a cargo bed. One cargo anchoring system comprises a rear ring; a forward ring; and a ring connection member connecting the rear ring to the forward ring. A first lateral ring is sized and configured to be directly or indirectly attached to the cargo bed, a first lateral connection member connects the first lateral ring and the rear ring, and a second lateral ring is sized and configured to be directly or indirectly attached to the cargo bed, a second lateral connection member connecting the second lateral ring and the rear ring. A first elongate connection member is attached to the first lateral ring, and a second elongate connection member is attached to the second lateral ring. A front ring is sized and configured to be directly or indirectly attached to an item of cargo. Both elongate connection members are threaded through the forward ring and attached to the front ring.

Abstract: A cord-reel includes a spool for windingly receiving a cord within a spool housing interior and a sanitizer for sanitizing the spool housing interior. According to one embodiment, the sanitizer includes an ultraviolet lamp generating ultraviolet radiation, most preferably having a wavelength between approximately 250 and 260 nanometers, and a reflector redirecting ultraviolet radiation toward the spool housing interior. A control system for activating the sanitizer may include a manual actuation switch or, alternatively, may sense when a cord is unwound from the spool to activate the sanitizer. The control system may be adapted to activate the sanitizer during a predetermined activation time period. The control system may include a light indicator for visually signaling during activation of the sanitizer. The spool housing may define first and second cord openings for respective passage of first and second ends of a cord to an exterior of the spool housing.

Abstract: A container for the dispensing of wire or cable has an external carton which receives a reel of cable as supported by two caddies. Each caddy has an inwardly extending substantially cylindrical bushing which is received in a central hole of a respective cable reel flange. The cylindrical bushings are disposed on an axis which is a first distance from the upper surface of the bottom panel of the carton. The largest radius of each reel flange is preselected to be smaller than this such that the reel may freely rotate inside of the carton on the bushings. Cable is pulled through a slot in the carton's front panel. Preferably, left and right panels of the carton each have an arbor hole formed therein which receives an axial rod, the rod also extending through the reel and caddies. The axial rod may be used to join two or more containers together and may further serve as a support for attachment of a wheel truck on one end of the joined-together containers and a handle at its other end.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for making clips by running a ribbon of material through a stamp that partially cuts the part out of the material. The partially stamped clips stay on the ribbon that is placed on a reel. The reel may then be fed into an assembly machine for inserting the clips into plastic boxes at a rate of at least one per second. The assembly machine breaks the clip off of the reel. The ribbon (and thus the clip) is preferably made of pre-plated or non-corrosive material such as Stainless Steel or Beryllium-Copper.

Abstract: In a number of embodiments, a cord reel can include: (a) an electrical cable; (b) a casing with a first exterior surface; (c) one or more electrical receptacles at the first exterior surface and electrically coupled to the electrical cable; and (d) a frame. The frame can include: (a) at least one wheel; and (b) a body coupled to the at least one wheel and the casing. In these embodiments, the casing is configured such that at least a portion of the electrical cable can be wound around a first portion of the casing. The electrical cable is configured to provide electrical power to the one or more electrical receptacles. The body can include: (a) a shaft portion with an end; and (b) a handle coupled to the end of the shaft portion. A length of the shaft portion can be adjusted between two or more lengths. Other embodiments are disclosed in this application.

Abstract: A contact structure in a cable winding reel is disclosed which maintains rotary contact between two cables connected, at one-side ends thereof, to electric/electronic appliances, namely, one cable which is wound on a rotating body, and the other cable which is maintained in a fixed state without being wound, thereby enabling transmission of electricity and signals between the cables. A cable winding reel is also disclosed, wherein the contact structure is implemented in a well-known cable winding reel structure.

Abstract: The invention as disclosed is a recoverable tethered optical fiber buoy and winch assembly that is mounted to the back of the sail or the back of an aft non-moving surface of an underwater vehicle and housed in a configuration to provide very little additional drag to the underwater vehicle when the assembly is not deployed. The invention provides a capability to connect ocean surface visual or radio frequency sensors to an underwater mobile platform with a very high data rate link that is retrievable.

Abstract: The invention provides a unique winding device specifically for lay flat style hose. The winder rotates either clockwise or counter clockwise via center supporting axis shaft inserted into a universal mounting bracket. Depending on the placement or spacing of described pins into the supporting bar, plurality of spacing options allow for any connector size, style, width, type or configuration of hose to be centered and wound in any standard or custom method. The hose winder produces tightly wound circular coiled lay flat types of hose in end-to-end or center-first (referred herein as “firefighter” style) with ends exposed and adjustable for any size or style of hose connectors. The wound hose can then be simply and easily pulled from the winding device in a tightly wound coil.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool for transferring a film (11) from a strip (6) to a substrate (10), comprising a housing (2) from which a film transfer element (4) protrudes outwardly. Said housing comprises a film supply reel (7) which enables the strip (6) to be pulled over the transfer element (4) in order to transfer the film, and a winding reel (9), both reels being rotatably positioned and a sliding coupling (8) being provided in order to transfer torque from the supply reel (7) to the winding reel (9). After the film (11) has been transferred onto the transfer element, the empty strip (6) is coiled onto the winding reel (9).

Abstract: The invention provides a reeling device for a hoisting system, including a flexible member having a lower end and an upper end, a rotatable drum on which the flexible member is windable, disk means rotatably mounted on said drum, to which disk means the upper end of the flexible member is anchored, and a stop mechanism activated by the disk means once the flexible member has completely unreeled from the drum.

Abstract: A curling device for a filter tip attachment comprises an element placed in contact with a strip of paper material advancing continuously along a given path, and serving to deform the strip in such a way that single tipping papers obtained by cutting the strip are invested with a curled profile; the curling device is associated with a mechanism such as will cause it to vibrate, describing rectilinear or looped trajectories at a predetermined frequency, so as to reduce friction between the curling element and the strip.

Abstract: A fishing line re-winding device includes a handle and a crank is connected to an end of the handle. The crank has a section that is perpendicular to the handle so that a mandrel of fishing line can be mounted to the section. An end member is mounted to the section to urge the mandrel in position. The reel is engaged with the handle and the fishing line is connected to the reel so that the fishing line is wound to the reel by rotating the crank handle of the reel.

Abstract: A hand held fishing reel with an outer reel assembly with a wound line that is releasable when the reel's plane is turned substantially perpendicular to the line and it is locked when its plane is aligned with the line. A ratchet mechanism permits a user to take in the line, when the plane of the reel is aligned with the line. An internal cylinder is rotatably mounted in the central space with an ergonometric grip and ratchet for cooperatively receiving a mating body to releasably holding the reel in place. The hand held fishing reel is releasably mounted to a fixed structure to free a user's hand.

Abstract: A fishing line re-winding device includes a handle and a crank is connected to an end of the handle. The crank has a section that is perpendicular to the handle so that a mandrel of fishing line can be mounted to the section. An end member is mounted to the section to urge the mandrel in position. The reel is engaged with the handle and the fishing line is connected to the reel so that the fishing line is wound to the reel by rotating the crank handle of the reel.

Abstract: A seamless flat-round conductive cable is adapted for use in a retractable cord reel having a spool on which a round portion of the cable is wound and a cable expansion chamber in which a flat portion of the cable is disposed. The cable has a plurality of seamless conductive members, each of which may include an inner conductor and an outer insulating layer. The cable includes a first cable portion with a substantially flat configuration and a second cable portion with a substantially round configuration. The first cable portion includes a plurality of conductive members which are held together in a substantially flat configuration by, alternatively, bonding, jacketing or weaving the conductive members together. The second cable portion includes a plurality of conductive members, each of which is seamlessly connected to i.e., integral with, the respective conductive members of the first cable portion.

Abstract: Method for transmitting thread-specific data in re-reeling operations for the manufacture of two-thread lock stitch seams which have to be documented comprising the following steps: the bobbin taking over the thread, in particular the under-thread bobbin (10) is provided with a definite bobbin identification, in a reeling station (28), in which thread material for the under-thread is reeled from a thread stock (30) onto the under-thread bobbin (10), the bobbin identification is detected and is stored in a data storage medium (24) together with a first data record characterizing the thread material and the reeling operation, after inserting the under-thread bobbin (10) into a sewing machine (18) the bobbin identification is detected, from the bobbin identification the first data record stored therewith is determined and is assigned to a second data record concerning the sewing operation and/or the sewn product, whereupon the data set so formed is stored.

Abstract: Water skiers towed behind a boat can be towed by varying lengths of rope automatically adjusted by letting out or reeling in the rope to provide different lengths. The rope, trailable aft of the boat having a first boat-connecting end and a second terminal handle end has at least one length indicator placed on the rope between the first boat connecting end and the second terminal handle end. The rope is connected to a winching means mounted on said boat attached to the first boat-connecting end. A switching means allows an occupant of the boat to actuate the winching means as the boat moves through the water. A sensing means senses the passage of the length indicator on the rope, and provides a signal to the winching means upon sensing the length indicator. This signal stops the winching means, disposing the sensing means within ten centimeters of the length indicator, thereby providing at least two precisely predetermined lengths of rope trailable aft of the boat.

Abstract: A golf practice apparatus which comprises:a base;an elongated support arm coupled to the base and having a free end;a tether guide including an eyelet coupled to the elongated support arm adjacent the free end; anda reel attached to the elongated support arm near the base and remote from the free end, the reel including a spool,the spool having a central axis which is aligned with a center of the eyelet.

Abstract: A part-packaging embossed tape includes a tape member on which a plurality of part-housing portions are arranged in succession in a longitudinal direction of the tape member. Each of the part-housing portions is arranged obliquely relative to a width direction of the tape member which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction thereof. Recessed portions are further arranged around the part-housing portions, while maintaining given non-recessed spaces between the adjacent part-housing portions. With this arrangement, the embossed tape can be wound around a reel by bending the non-recessed spaces between the adjacent part-housing portions.