Abstract: A reel is provided with a housing having a triangular aperture for entry and removal of linear material wound upon the reel drum. The drum has a spool surface onto which a linear material may be wound, the spool surface having two ends. The housing substantially encloses the drum, and the drum is rotatable about a drum axis relative to at least a portion of the housing. The at least a portion of the housing has a generally triangular aperture sized to receive a linear material wound onto the drum. The aperture has a first side oriented generally parallel to the drum axis, and second and third sides meeting at a vertex generally midway between opposing ends of the spool surface of the drum.

Abstract: A reel assembly includes a bracket and a reel pivotally received in the bracket. The bracket has a slanted face formed on a top face of the sidewall to be adjacent to the cutout for facilitating receiving of the extensions in the cutouts. A supporting arm is formed on a side face of the sidewall and has two steps formed on a top face of the supporting arm to increase load capability of the supporting arm. An inclined edge and an arcuate corner are formed on an inner face defining the through hole so that when a strip is extended through the through hole, friction to the strip by the inner face defining the through hole is reduced.

Abstract: A cord seat assembly includes a seat, a spool rotatably supported by the seat, and a cord. The seat includes an end wall and a through-hole in a bottom thereof. The cord extends through the through-hole of the seat. The cord is wound around the spool and includes an end fixed to a first end of the spool. The end wall of the seat includes a lateral extension wall extending from a side of the end wall along a lateral side of the seat. The lateral extension wall is adjacent to the through-hole and includes a guiding face facing a second end of the spool. The cord that has passed through the through-hole abuts against and is guided by the guiding face onto the spool when the spool is turned in the retrieving direction of the cord, avoiding the cord from overlapping or getting stuck.

Abstract: A safety element retention system having a reel upon which a safety element or strap may be wound, a spring return mechanism, for rewinding the reel and retrieving the safety strap, and further having at least one locking plate, connected integrally with the reel, with a locking hook associated with the reel, a ramp adjacent the hook, a locking dog adjacent to the hook and being swingable about a pivot axis, a damping device connected to said dog for slowing down movement a spring biassing the dog into a predetermined first position, and, a ramp follower member to contact the ramp on the locking plate, and cause the dog to move against the biassing force of the spring, into engagement with a hook on the locking plate, the biassing force of the spring causing swinging of the dog in the reverse direction, during normal operation, to remove the dog out from the path of the hook.

Abstract: A cord shortening device includes a housing having a first portion and a second portion. One of the portions includes a post configured to windably receive a first section of a length of cord. At least one of the portions has an opening at one end for mating second and third sections of the length of cord.

Abstract: A reel housing enclosing a reel assembly includes an access panel, wherein opening or removal of the access panel allows access to the interior of the housing. The exterior surface of the access panel is decorated with facial indicia so that the access panel resembles the face of an animal or character. The exterior surface of the housing has a color design to visually enhance the depiction of the animal or character.

Abstract: The present invention relates to portable hose reel carts for handling and storage of large lengths of flexible hoses, such as garden or air hoses. The cart is constructed of plastic and steel components having a centrally rotatable spool for winding of the flexible hose, a frame for supporting the spool, wheels at each end of the base of the frame, and a handle assembly attached to the frame to facilitate moving the cart. The crank handle assembly which may or may not be foldable for easy storage. The cart includes a large tray for storage and transport of garden supplies.

Abstract: The invention provides a cable-winder device comprising first and second hinged-together portions, the second portion having a housing for a cable winder. In an in-use position, the device is self-supporting can be used as a stool, for example. A liftable hatch can be provided to give access to one or more stowage compartments.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a device and a method for supplying conditioned air for heating and/or cooling to an aircraft. More specifically, the present invention provides a hose in a container and a retractor. The retractor may engage the hose and pull the hose from the container. The container may deliver the hose to the aircraft via the retractor. In addition, the retractor may also retract the hose into the container when the hose is not needed. Further, the retractor may be released from the hose and container, allowing the hose to be pulled manually from the container.

Abstract: A tethered guidance system for a lawnmower is provided to reduce operator fatigue and exposure to dust and debris by inserting a staked stand with a fixed spool. This spool has a circumference slightly less than the cut width of a self propelled lawnmower to allow sufficient overlap. A wire is connected to this spool through an eyelet and and is connected to the lawnmower by means of a simple bracket and snap hook. As the mower travels around the spool it is guided and retracted over the area of a circle.

Abstract: A portable light reel system holding electro-luminescent (EL) wire and self-contained electronics, providing a stand-alone and self-contained light reel. The rotatably mounted cylindrical hub about which the EL wire is wound accommodates a battery and inverter. A waterproof switch is operative to impress a high frequency A.C. voltage upon the EL wire providing an “ON” state or a “BLINKING” state. An external power connector is provided the means for charging the batteries as well as supplying power to the inverter.

Abstract: A spooling device for storing and dispensing a cable. The device can store and deploy an optical jumper cable without exposure of excess cable cordage and without tangling.

Abstract: A safety enclosure for a powered reel apparatus for use with an associated elongated flexible member. The reel is carried by and enclosed within the enclosure and is rotatable by a electric motor. The enclosure has left and right wall panels, front and rear wall panels extending between the left and right wall panels, and a cover. When one of the panels is in an open position, the motor is operationally locked out, and when one of the panels is rotated into a closed position, the motor is operable.

Abstract: The invention provides a cable-winder device comprising first and second hinged-together portions, the second portion having a housing for a cable winder. In an in-use position, the device is self-supporting can be used as a stool, for example. A liftable hatch can be provided to give access to one or more stowage compartments.

Abstract: A retractable mud flap assembly for a motor vehicle consisting of two side plates connected by rods upon which are fitted rollers such that the assembly forms a cage in which the mud flap is rolled when in the retracted position and the machinery necessary to direct a motive force to cause the retraction and extension of said mud flap.

Abstract: A measuring tape dispenser with an impact buffer housing and tentative tape halting device, in which the housing is at least or partially covered with an impact buffer layer formed of an elastic material so as to protect the housing from being deformed or even destroyed. Furthermore, a slip resistant effect and tentative tape halting device is also provided.

Abstract: A device is provided for moving a plurality of fibers parallel to a spooling axis around which the fibers are spooled. The device can include a plurality of lifters adapted to be disposed beneath at least a bottom-most fiber from the plurality of fibers and adapted to be movable parallel to the spooling axis.

Abstract: A storage system for organizing, handling and storing small electrical appliances with powercords and adapters, in an orderly and efficient manner for ease of access, and especially for handling and storing loose powercords. The system comprises a powercord storage tool, and an appliance storage container. The powercord storage tool provides efficient means for gripping, winding and retaining a powercord. It also provides means for attaching the tool, with powercord on it, to an electrical appliance, and alternately for attaching the tool, with powercord on it, to the outside of the appliance storage container. The appliance storage container provides storage of the appliance inside, and a rack on the outside for attaching and holding the tool, with powercord wound thereon, onto the outside of the container. The tool also provides manual guiding and direct sensory feedback to the operator of the tension on the powercord while it is being wound onto the powercord storage tool.

Abstract: A cord storage device is provided which allows the simultaneous winding and unwinding of both halves of a cord while maintaining both cord ends in position for use and the device also permits unwinding of the cord from the storage device while one cord end is held in a fixed position.

Abstract: A multi-functional retractable pet leash comprising a housing having integrally formed therewith a handle wherein the housing houses therein a first spooling mechanism which spools a flexible leash member for tethering an animal and a second spooling mechanism which spools a strapping means for strapping the housing to a tree or post of varying circumferences. Additionally, the housing houses therein a flashlight assembly wherein at least a portion of the front of the housing is transparent to allow light to project therethrough.

Abstract: A hand held strap winder has an oval, planar base with a hand grip, a hub on which the strap is wound and a strap guide aligned on the major axis of the oval base.

Abstract: A manual swivel winch is pivotally attached to a D-ring of a barge deck, boat deck or the like. The manual swivel winch includes a pair of spaced side plates defining a substantially open bottom, a drum rotatably supported between the side plates, and a rotatable handle attached to the drum and extending from one of the side plates. A swivel link is attached to the side plates for pivotally attaching the winch to the D-ring. Each side plate may include a pair of spaced feet extending down at a lower edge thereof with a recess extending between the pair of feet. The recess combined with the open bottom provides a self-cleaning action to the manual swivel winch.

Abstract: A storage system for organizing, handling and storing small electrical appliances with powercords and adapters, in an orderly and efficient manner for ease of access, and especially for handling and storing loose powercords. The system comprises a powercord storage tool, and an appliance storage container. The powercord storage tool provides efficient means for gripping, winding and retaining a powercord. It also provides means for attaching the tool, with powercord on it, to an electrical appliance, and alternately for attaching the tool, with powercord on it, to the outside of the appliance storage container. The appliance storage container provides storage of the appliance inside, and a rack on the outside for attaching and holding the tool, with powercord wound thereon, onto the outside of the container. The tool also provides manual guiding and direct sensory feedback to the operator of the tension on the powercord while it is being wound onto the powercord storage tool.

Abstract: A carpet runner for positioning upon a floor and for permitting rolled storage of the carpet during periods of non-use thereof. The inventive device includes a housing having a slot extending through a front wall thereof. An elongated length of carpet extends through the slot and can be stored upon a spool rotatably mounted within the housing. A crank mounted within a recess in the side wall of the housing permits for manual rolling of the carpet into the housing and onto the spool for storage. Removable indicia plates can be mounted to the length of carpet for permitting customizing of the invention to a particular occasion.

Abstract: A dispenser reel assembly for automatically dispensing a fire extinguisher upon activation. This dispenser reel assembly is typically supported from an overhead support well above the floor, thereby protecting the fire extinguisher from damage and/or theft. To operate the assembly, a release plate covering a lower opening of a supporting frame is removed, thereby permitting the cable, and hence the suspended fire extinguisher, to be dispensed from the reel assembly via gravity. Typically, the fire extinguisher will come to rest about eight (8') feet above the floor so as not to inadvertently cause injury or damage. To lower the extinguisher further, a short retrieve rope is used to pull the extinguisher downwardly so that the extinguisher can either be used or removed from the dispenser reel assembly for use and/or inspection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting assembly for retaining a length of flexible tubing in ready communication with a source of liquid. The assembly provides for the use of a reel portion which retains the flexible tubing and a mounting portion which supports the wheel portion above the ground. The reel portion is rotationally detachably connected to a tubing which, in turn, is fluidly connected to either an underground source or to a conventional municipal water supply.

Abstract: The invention relates to a yarn guidance rod and to a device for the laying of a yarn on a cross-wound bobbin in a textile machine. A plurality of winding stations installed next to each other is serviced by a yarn guidance rod made of a carbon fiber reinforced plastic which can be moved back and forth. The yarn guidance rod is provided with a sheathing. The yarn guidance rod has segments made of a highly heat-expandable material in order to achieve heat compensation as compared with the textile machine.

Abstract: A hose storage system comprising a cylindrical core with opposed ends and a central hose supporting extent therebetween; a bracket having a centrally disposed horizontal central component and vertically disposed end components with apertures rotatably receiving the ends of the core; a drive controller coupled to one end component of the bracket; and a box having an open interior end and an open exterior end and a passage therethrough for the passage of portions of a hose supported on the core, the box having a long interior extent and a short exterior extent.

Abstract: A dual pivoted hook line stowing or flaking system is provided for storing coiled line either vertically as on a mast or horizontally as on a deck, in which both of the hooks contain tabs rotatable in a plane parallel to the plane of the loops from outwardly pointed positions to inwardly pointed positions. The rotation of the tabs to the interior of the coiled or looped line permits easy removal of the line for rapid lowering of the sails or to permit unfettered casting or throwing of the line from a coiled position on deck. In one embodiment, the pivoted hook includes a two part structure, with a fixed flange base and an integral fixed barrel into which is inserted a rotatable barrel with the top secured to the top of the rotatable barrel.

Abstract: A reel assembly for storing, coiling, and decoiling a flexible elongate member, such as a water hose, includes a stationary base and an enclosure rotatably mounted relative to the stationary base. The hose enclosure is designed such that the coiled hose can be removed from the receiving cavity and a new flexible elongate member positioned within the receiving cavity. The enclosure is also constructed so that the assembly be easily altered from a usable configuration to a storage/shipment configuration. Fluid may be transmitted through a center support member of the reel assembly to a coiled hose within the receiving cavity. According to the method of the present invention, the user pulls outward on the hose to rotate the enclosure relative to the base and thereby withdraw the hose from the assembly, and thereafter pushes the hose toward the assembly to rotate the enclosure in the opposite direction and thereby recoil the hose within the assembly.

Abstract: A reel assembly for storing, coiling, and decoiling a flexible elongate member, such as a water hose, includes a stationary base and an enclosure rotatably mounted relative to the stationary base. The hose enclosure is designed such that the coiled hose can be removed from the receiving cavity and a new flexible elongate member positioned within the receiving cavity. The enclosure is also constructed so that the assembly be easily altered from a usable configuration to a storage/shipment configuration. Fluid may be transmitted through a center support member of the reel assembly to a coiled hose within the receiving cavity. According to the method of the present invention, the user pulls outward on the hose to rotate the enclosure relative to the base and thereby withdraw the hose from the assembly, and thereafter pushes the hose toward the assembly to rotate the enclosure in the opposite direction and thereby recoil the hose within the assembly.