Abstract: A spring rewound tagline device in which a cable reel has a fairlead with a cable guide means for guiding a cable to and from the cable reel as the cable is payed out and retrieved. The fairlead according to the present invention is self-adjusting and includes a support arm on which the cable guide means is pivoted for rotation, and the support arm is mounted on the tagline device for pivotal swinging movement, so that the support arm and the cable guide means are free to adjustably change their operative positions in response to the changes in the lead-off angle of the tagline or other cable, whereby to minimize acute cable bends and undesirable binding in the cable guide means.

Abstract: A spring rewound tagline device having an elongated housing on which a cable reel is rotatably mounted by a shaft journalled in a bearing fixed to the housing. The shaft rotates a core structure which in turn tightens a coiled spring arranged around the core structure by winding the coils relative to the bearing. One end of the spring is connected with the core structure by an anchor means, and the other end of the spring is connected with a fixed structure by an anchor means in the form of a frangible shear pin which will break and release this end of the spring, when a predetermined excessive load is placed on the spring, thus preventing damage to the spring as a result of the excessive load.

Abstract: A spring rewound tagline device having a mechanism in the form of a brake for controlling unwinding of the spring and its operation of a connected cable reel, with the brake being selectively operable to engage a peripheral portion of an associated member arranged for rotation with the reel. Manipulation of the brake permits the reel to be locked against rotation, and the spring held against unwinding, or permits rotation of the reel in a regulated manner to control unwinding of the associated spring.