Abstract: A locking retractor is disclosed, as are stretchers and cots using the retractor to secure a patient. The retractor includes structure for locking the retractor spool to prevent rotation in both directions. However, a cam is coupled to the shaft and is arranged relative to the locking structure to prevent the spool from locking during an initial portion of the spool's rotation, until a first locking point is reached. Once the first locking point has been reached, a clutch prevents the locking structure from engaging while the spool is still rotating, but the locking structure will engage to lock the spool in both directions once active rotation stops. A user-actuatable lever is provided externally that disengages the locking structure when actuated to allow the spool to extend and retract freely.

Abstract: A locking retractor is disclosed, as are stretchers and cots using the retractor to secure a patient. The retractor includes structure for locking the retractor spool to prevent rotation in both directions. However, a cam is coupled to the shaft and is arranged relative to the locking structure to prevent the spool from locking during an initial portion of the spool's rotation, until a first locking point is reached. Once the first locking point has been reached, a clutch prevents the locking structure from engaging while the spool is still rotating, but the locking structure will engage to lock the spool in both directions once active rotation stops. A user-actuatable lever is provided externally that disengages the locking structure when actuated to allow the spool to extend and retract freely.

Abstract: A weight lifting free-weight support method and apparatus comprising a support frame connected to at least one retractor assembly comprising a first and second reel having a locked and unlocked condition and an elongated strap with a first end and second end, the second end attached to a weight lifting free-weight, the first end having first and second spooling portions diverging from each other, the first spooling portion connected to the first reel and the second spooling portion connected to the second reel such that when the reels are in the unlocked condition the elongated strap is allowed to travel freely along a user-defined path relative to the support frame, and when at least one of the reels is in the locked condition, the spooling portions are prevented from unspooling from the reels, the locked condition triggered by unspooling the spooling portions at a rate greater than a predetermined rate.