U.S. patent application number 12/008193 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-08 for rewind mechanism.
Invention is credited to Joseph Unkyung Han.
Application Number | 20080105779 12/008193 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39150151 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080105779 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Han; Joseph Unkyung |
May 8, 2008 |
Rewind mechanism
Abstract
A mechanism for rewinding flexible members onto a spool is
described. The inventive rewind mechanism permits a flexible member
to be pulled outside its housing and remain outside the housing
without a rewind force on the flexible member simply by pulling on
the flexible member and releasing it. The flexible member is
rewound into the housing simply by pulling and releasing it
again.
Inventors: |
Han; Joseph Unkyung;
(Irvine, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DRAFTINGHOUSE P.C.
612 NW 20th Ave.
#17
PORTLAND
OR
97209
US
|
Family ID: |
39150151 |
Appl. No.: |
12/008193 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11470101 |
Sep 5, 2006 |
|
|
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12008193 |
Jan 8, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
242/386 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B44D 3/38 20130101; B65H
75/4434 20130101; B65H 75/4431 20130101; A45F 5/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/386 |
International
Class: |
B65H 75/38 20060101
B65H075/38 |
Claims
1. A rewind mechanism, comprising: a housing; a spool rotatably
supported by the housing; a biasing member that, when enabled,
biases the spool so as to wind an elongate flexible member thereon;
and a control mechanism for controlling the biasing member to (1)
enable the biasing member during a first pulling of the flexible
member that causes the flexible member to unwind from said spool,
(2) react to a first cessation of the first pulling by disabling
the biasing member, (3) resume enablement of the biasing member
during a second pulling of the flexible member that causes the
flexible member to unwind from the spool, the second pulling being
subsequent to the first pulling and the first cessation, and (4)
react to a second cessation of the second pulling by continuing to
enable the biasing member.
2. The rewind mechanism of claim 1, wherein said control mechanism
includes an arm member adapted to enable the biasing member in a
first position, and disable the biasing member in a second
position, said first and second positions being defined by a track
for receiving an end of said arm member.
3. The rewind mechanism of claim 2, wherein said arm member is
pivotally mounted to the housing, and wherein the track is slidably
mounted to the housing.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.
11/470,101 filed Sep. 5, 2006.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to rewind mechanisms, and
particularly to mechanisms permitting a flexible member to be
pulled from the mechanism and remain outside the mechanism without
exerting a retracting force until the flexible member is pulled
again to activate a retracting force. The present invention also
relates to rewind mechanisms while interrupting the retracting
force can be prevented so that the retracting force constantly acts
on the flexible member.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention improves upon currently available
rewind mechanisms by reliably permitting tension on a flexible
member to be relieved, and reintroduced, simply by pulling on the
flexible member.
[0004] Many applications where a flexible member is pulled from its
housing require the flexible member to remain outside the housing
for a period of time. These applications also require the flexible
member to be retracted into the housing at a later time. Examples
include retractable cords on items such as a computer mouse or a
vacuum cleaner; earphones connected to an MP3 player or other
audio/video device; air hoses; garden hoses; tether lines such as a
writing implement retained on a string; display screens; window
blinds; electrical power cords and tape measures.
[0005] A common need among the above examples is a user's desire to
pull a length of the flexible member from the housing. Users also
want the pulled length to remain outside the housing without any
tension on the flexible member while the user uses either the
flexible member itself or something attached to the flexible
member. However, the flexible member is most neatly stored within
its housing and users desire the flexible member to return to the
housing when they are finished using the flexible member or item
attached to the flexible member. Ideally, the flexible member
automatically rewinds into its housing when a user is finished with
the flexible member.
[0006] Currently available rewind mechanisms typically operate in
one of three manners. The first manner is a rewind mechanism
requiring manual rewinding. For example, many chalk lines used in
construction to mark a straight line require a user to turn a small
crank in order to rewind the chalk line into its housing.
Extraordinarily long tape measures, garden hose reels and some air
hose reels also require manual cranking in order to return the
flexible member to its housing. The disadvantage of such a manner
is two-fold. First, it requires a user to be proximate the housing
in order to rewind the flexible member, and second it often
requires two hands and is slow.
[0007] The second manner constantly exerts a rewind, or retraction,
force on a flexible member--typically by increasingly tensioning a
torsion spring as a flexible member is pulled out of the rewind
mechanism's housing. Clothesline retraction mechanisms often
operate in such a manner as well as some air hose mechanisms and
tether lines. The obvious drawback is that a user is constantly
fighting the rewind force while using the flexible member.
[0008] Tape measures also fall into this category. Most tape
measures overcome the constant exertion of the retraction force
through a mechanical slide which is operated as a brake on the
flexible member to prevent its rewind. The main disadvantages with
such a mechanical brake on the flexible member are that it tends to
wear, becoming less effective over time, and it requires dexterity
to operate with one hand, or if hands are too small, two hands (one
to hold the housing and the other to operate the brake).
[0009] The third manner of operation for rewind mechanisms is to
automatically interrupt the retraction force when a user stops
pulling on the flexible member. The retraction force is typically
created similarly to the retraction force used in the second manner
of rewind mechanisms, namely by increasingly tensioning a torsion
spring as the flexible member is pulled from its housing. These
devices also reintroduce the retraction force when the user pulls
on the flexible member a second time, thus providing one-handed
retraction.
[0010] The drawback with current devices falling into the third
manner is that they are not reliable. Current devices are delicate
and may work for a limited number of iterations before breaking
down, resulting in a constant retraction force exerted on the
flexible member. Or, they do not work reliably at all because they
require a specific orientation to function while a user requires
the device to be in a different orientation.
[0011] An exemplary device for the third manner is shown in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,736,346 ("'346 patent") to Park. The device disclosed in
the '346 patent contains a torsion spring 400 which exerts a
retraction force on flexible member 500 when it is pulled from
housing 130, 140. A ball 300 acts in combination with track 170 to
interrupt the retraction force from acting on flexible member 500
and to reintroduce the retraction force to rewind flexible member
500 in response to a user pulling on flexible member 500.
[0012] As described in the '346 patent the ball 300 is
free-floating, that is not guided by a spring force or otherwise.
Operation of the '346 patent's device thus relies upon the unguided
ball 300 correctly moving through track 170, making the device
susceptible to unreliability. For example, any wear in the track
170 (generally a low density material such as plastic) affects how
ball 300 (generally made of metal or other dense material) moves
and may prevent ball 300 from being in the correct portion of track
170 at any given time. Or, if stop area 174 wears, ball 300 will
not be able to prevent the rewinding of flexible member 500.
[0013] Another example of unreliability is if the device disclosed
in the '346 patent is tilted or upside down. The '346 patent's
device is designed to operate optimally when track 170 is
orthogonal to gravitational forces. Orienting the device other than
orthogonally to gravitational forces may cause the ball 300 to rest
in one portion of track 170, or if upside down may decrease the
frictional forces acting on the ball 300 to the point where it does
not move through track 170 at all. The frictional forces on ball
300 are also a function of how tightly housing halves 130, 140 are
compressed together--not enough compression leaves ball 300 too
free and prevents its proper movement through track 170, whereas
too much compression keeps ball 300 stopped in one place and may
cause the device to "seize."
[0014] Other devices displaying the third manner of operation, such
as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,318,665 to King, 5,481,607
to Hsiao, 2,521,178 to Meleth and U.S. Published App. No.
2005/0011982 to Salentine et al. have a fairly complex arrangement
of levers, stops and springs which are prone to breaking or wearing
to the point where they no longer function properly.
[0015] The device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,697 to ("'697
patent") provides a mechanism that prevents a flexible member from
being rewound until a user desires. However, the '697 patent's
device does not operate simply by pulling on the flexible member.
It requires a user to tilt engaging member 60 into a lock position
and out of the lock position. Additionally, engaging member 60
contacts ratchet wheel 50 while the flexible member is being
pulled, thus causing excessive wear to engaging member 60 and
ratchet wheel 50.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] There is a need for a rewind mechanism with a high level of
reliability. There is also a need for a rewind mechanism with a
simple, one-handed operation. There is a further need for a rewind
mechanism that is simply constructed and durable.
[0017] These needs and others are met by embodiments of the present
invention, which provide a rewind mechanism for automatically
rewinding a flexible member when a user desires. A rewind mechanism
comprises a housing with an opening configured to permit a flexible
member to pass through the opening and a spool rotatably connected
to the inside of the housing. The spool is configured to have a
flexible member wound onto it, and a portion of the spool is
configured to engage a stop element. A biasing element is
configured to apply a force to the spool in a direction that
rotates the spool to wind a flexible member onto the spool. There
is a track inside the housing. An arm attached inside the housing
has a portion configured to engage a flexible member, a stop
portion configured to engage the portion of the spool that is
configured to engage a stop element, and a guide portion configured
to interact with the track inside the housing.
[0018] Other embodiments of a rewind mechanism comprise a housing
with an opening configured to permit a flexible member to pass
through the opening and a spool rotatably connected to the inside
of the housing. The spool is configured to have a flexible member
wound onto it and there is a flexible member wound onto the spool
with a portion of the flexible member extending outside the
housing. A portion of the spool is configured to engage a stop
element. There is a biasing element configured to apply a force to
the spool in a direction that rotates the spool to wind a flexible
member onto the spool, and a track inside the housing. An arm is
also attached inside the housing and comprises a portion configured
to engage a flexible member when the flexible member is pulled and
further configured to rotate the arm away from the spool when the
flexible member is pulled. The arm also comprises a stop portion
configured to engage the portion of the spool that is configured to
engage a stop element; and a guide portion configured to interact
with the track inside the housing.
[0019] Embodiments of the present invention overcome the difficulty
of providing reliable operation. This is accomplished by a simply
constructed device providing a guided, positive stopping mechanism
which operates the same regardless of its orientation to
gravitational forces. The mechanism may also wear over the course
of time without substantially altering its performance.
[0020] Embodiments of the present invention also overcome the
difficulty of providing simple, one-handed operation. The present
invention consistently alternates between interrupting a retracting
force acting on a flexible member and permitting a retracting force
to act on a flexible member merely by pulling on the flexible
member. No slides, levers or tilting engaging members are required
by embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments of the
present invention also permit a constant retracting force to be
applied to a flexible member based on a user's need.
[0021] Embodiments of the present invention are also simply
constructed of durable materials. Due to the simple construction of
embodiments of the present invention it is durable and
long-lasting.
[0022] Additional advantages and novel features of the invention
will be set forth in part by the description which follows, and in
part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon
examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The advantages of the invention may be realized and
attained by the instrumentalities and combinations, particularly
pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and
not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying
drawings in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements
and in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the
invention depicting the arm 20 in a first position.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of FIG.
1 depicting the arm 20 in a second position.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of FIG.
1 depicting the arm 20 in a third position.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of FIG.
1 depicting the arm 20 in a fourth position.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the preferred
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The present invention addresses and solves problems related
to flexible member rewind mechanisms, particularly where current
mechanisms do not permit simple, one-handed operation for
interrupting a rewinding force and applying a rewinding force. The
present invention also addresses and solves problems related to
providing a rewind mechanism which reliably operates, is durable
and simple to construct.
[0030] The present invention solves the above problems by providing
a mechanism as discussed below. One of ordinary skill in the art
will realize that the following discussion is illustrative and
intended to describe preferred embodiments of the present invention
and is not intended to limit the present invention to the
embodiments discussed. The present invention has numerous
applications where a flexible member is pulled from a housing and
stored within the housing. The present invention may be scaled and
adapted to many applications and is defined by the claims, which
set forth the metes and bounds of the present invention.
[0031] Referring now to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1, a
rewind mechanism 5 is described. A housing comprises a first
portion 60 in which the rewind mechanism is mounted and a second
portion (not depicted for illustrative purposes) that closes the
housing. The second portion is attached to the first portion, for
example, by gluing, welding or an inner lip which is press fit into
the first portion 60 as is well known in the art.
[0032] Flexible member 15 is wound around the central axis 55 of
spool 52. For illustrative purposes, only a segment of flexible
member 15 is shown. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will
realize that nearly any desired length of flexible member 15 may be
wound onto spool 52 depending upon the dimensions of spool 52.
[0033] Spool 52 is rotatably mounted within housing 60 as is well
known in the art. Spool 52 is biased to rotate in a clockwise
direction by a biasing element, for example, a helix, torsion or
coil spring (not shown), as is well known in the art. Exemplary
manners for biasing spool 52 to rotate are described in U.S. Pat.
No. 2,521,178 to Meleth (see FIG. 1 and corresponding description),
U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,607 to Hsiao (see FIG. 5 and corresponding
description), U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,697 to Tsan (see FIGS. 3 and 7
and corresponding descriptions) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,346 to Park
(see FIG. 3 and corresponding description); all of which are fully
incorporated herein by reference. The biasing element (not shown)
rotates spool 52 in order to rewind flexible member 15 after it has
been pulled out of housing 60. As is well understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art the rotation direction of the biasing
element could be reversed with simple modifications to teeth 50 on
spool 52, to stop arm 30 and to the biasing element (not
shown).
[0034] Attachment device 10 is connected to flexible member 15 and
is dimensioned to prevent flexible member 15 from being completely
wound around central axis 55. This prevents flexible member 15 from
being completely withdrawn within housing 60 where a user cannot
grasp it. Attachment device 10 is also configured to permit items
to be rapidly attached and detached to and from flexible member 15
as is well known in the art. For example, attachment device 10 can
be a quick release device, a clip device, a split ring, a small
carabineer or a pencil/pen/stylus holder as described in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,854,681 to Kish.
[0035] Another manner for preventing flexible member 15 from
completely withdrawing into housing 60 is to configure the biasing
element to stop rewinding before a free end of flexible member 15
disappears into housing 60.
[0036] Arm 20 is pivotally mounted about pin 35 within housing 60.
In FIG. 1, pin 35 is molded as an integral part of housing 60. Pin
35 could also be fixed to housing 60 in any well known manner such
as, but not limited to, a bolt or other threaded fastener, gluing,
welding or a rivet. A spring 40 engages arm 20 and housing 60 via
post 45. Spring 40 biases arm 20 towards spool 52. Alternatively,
arm 20, or select portions of arm 20, are made from an elastic
material, for example a flexible plastic or spring steel. In these
alternative embodiments, arm 20 is rigidly attached to pin 35, or
directly to housing 60. In these alternative embodiments, spring 40
is not needed to bias arm 20 towards spool 52 as the elastic
deformation of arm 20 will bias arm 20 towards spool 52.
[0037] Arm 20 is configured with an opening containing a post 25.
In FIG. 1 post 25 is fixed at both ends to arm 20 and is made from
a smooth material that provides frictional engagement with flexible
member 15. For example, depending upon the amount of friction
required to move arm 20, post 25 can be made of a hard material,
such as plastic, steel or a ceramic or glass, or post 25 can be
made of a hard material covered with a softer material, for example
a hard plastic covered with a softer plastic or a durable rubber
such as Santoprene.RTM.. An alternative construction for post 25 is
to make post 25 with a rotatable cover over it, for example a
bushing or nylon sleeve, which will provide frictional engagement
for flexible member 15 and decrease the wear caused by flexible
member 15 passing over post 25.
[0038] An alternate construction for post 25 within arm 20 is to
place post 25 in a position (for example, moving post 25 in the
direction towards guide post 22) where flexible member 15 engages,
e.g., is pinched by, both post 25 and arm 20. For such an
embodiment, arm 20 does not need to be made from a flexible
material and spring 40 is not needed. The force of flexible member
15 moving between post 25 and arm 20 is sufficient to rotate arm 20
away from spool 52 when flexible member 15 is pulled. The force of
flexible member 15 moving between post 25 and arm 20 is also
sufficient to rotate arm 20 towards spool 52 when flexible member
15 is rewound by the biasing element (not shown). In such an
embodiment, there is always resistance to movement of flexible
member 15. Referring to FIG. 5, such an embodiment placing constant
resistance to movement of flexible member 215 is made, for example,
by wrapping one or more complete turns of flexible member 215 onto
guide roller 225.
[0039] Referring again to FIG. 1, flexible member 15 is positioned
through the opening in arm 20 and interacts with post 25 in such a
manner that pulling on flexible member 15 places a force (Force A
in FIGS. 2 and 4), for example through friction, on post 25. The
force resulting from pulling flexible member 15 outside housing 60
overcomes the biasing force from spring 40 (or the internal force
of arm 20 if it is a flexible material rigidly attached to pin 35
or housing 60) and causes arm 20 to rotate away from spool 52.
[0040] Guide post 22 on arm 20 is configured to interact with a
track 75 contained on plate 70. Stop arm 30 on arm 20 is configured
to interact with teeth 50 on spool 52 in a manner that prevents the
biasing element (not shown) from rotating spool 52. The present
invention is not limited to a ratchet and pawl type stop mechanism,
but uses any suitable mechanism such as frictional engagement or a
post that fits into grooves or holes, for example.
[0041] Plate 70 is slidably mounted within housing 60 on posts 65.
Other manners for slidably mounting plate 70, for example on a
flexible beam extending from a wall of housing 60, or a ball joint
sliding within a groove are also covered by the present invention.
As arm 20 and guide post 22 rotate away from and towards spool 52
guide post 22 impacts walls within track 75. Guide post 22
impacting the walls within track 75 causes plate 70 to slide on
posts 65 which permits guide post 22 to move between positions C,
D, B and A within track 75. Alternatively, guide post 22, and/or
arm 20 (or select portions of arm 20), can be made from an elastic
material (as described above) and plate 70 can be fixedly mounted
within housing 60. Such an embodiment permits guide post 22 to move
between positions C, D, B and A by impacting walls within plate 70
and deflecting enough to be guided to one of positions C, D, B or
A. Another alternative construction used with an elastic guide post
22 and/or arm 20 is to make track 75 directly in the wall of
housing 60 so that no plate 70 is required. In FIG. 1 track 75 is
depicted with an opening to the outside of plate 70. The opening to
the outside of plate 70 is to facilitate assembling the rewind
mechanism 5 by making it easier to insert guide post 22 into track
75. The opening to the outside of plate 70 is not necessary to the
functioning of rewind mechanism 5.
[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, operation of the
depicted embodiment of the inventive rewind mechanism 5 is
described. With flexible member 15 fully wound around central axis
55, e.g., with attachment device 10 abutting housing 60 or with the
biasing element (not shown) not exerting any rotational force upon
spool 52, guide post 22 rests in position C within track 75 as
depicted in FIG. 1. While guide post 22 rests in position C, stop
arm 30 does not interact with teeth 50 on spool 52.
[0043] Referring now to FIG. 2, flexible member 15 is pulled from
housing 60 which exerts Force A upon post 25. The force upon post
25 is sufficient to overcome the force exerted by spring 40, or the
internal stiffness of arm 20 if it is rigidly attached to pin 35 or
housing 60 in other embodiments, and causes arm 20 to rotate away
from spool 52. As arm 20 rotates away from spool 52 guide post 22
moves within track 75, impacts a wall within track 75 sliding plate
70 on posts 65 and relocating to position D. While flexible member
15 is being pulled from housing 60 guide post 22 remains in
position D. Stop arm 30 remains free from engaging teeth 50 and
spool 52 rotates as flexible member 15 is pulled from housing 60.
Pulling flexible member 15 also transfers mechanical energy to the
biasing element (not shown) so that the biasing element has enough
energy to completely rewind flexible member 15 about central axis
55.
[0044] Referring now to FIG. 3, when flexible member 15 is no
longer pulled from housing 60 Force A exerted on post 25 subsides
and spring 40, or the internal stiffness of arm 20, or the
resistance to movement of flexible member 15 through arm 20, causes
arm 20 to rotate towards spool 52. As arm 20 moves towards spool 52
the biasing element (not shown) rotates spool 52 and rewinds a
small amount of flexible member 15 about central axis 55. Guide
post 22 impacts a wall within track 75 sliding plate 70 on posts 65
and moving from position D to position A. As illustrated in FIG. 3,
arm 20 is still rotating towards spool 52, and guide post 22 is
moving into position A. Alternatively, guide post 22 and/or arm 20
have enough flex to move through track 75 when plate 70 is fixedly
mounted within housing 60 or when track 75 is directly formed in a
wall of housing 60. With guide post 22 in position A, stop arm 30
interacts with teeth 50 to prevent spool 52 from rotating and
further rewinding flexible member 15 about central axis 55. While
guide post 22 remains in position A stop arm 30 prevents spool 52
from rotating due to the force exerted by the biasing element (not
shown). The portion of flexible member 15 which was pulled from
housing 60 remains outside housing 60 without any tension placed on
it by the biasing element (not shown).
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 4, when it is desired to rewind
flexible member 15 about central axis 55 within housing 60 an
additional amount of flexible member 15 is pulled from housing 60.
This exerts Force A upon post 25 which, again, is sufficient to
overcome the force exerted by spring 40, or the internal stiffness
of arm 20 if it is rigidly attached to pin 35 or housing 60,
causing arm 20 to rotate away from spool 52. As arm 20 rotates away
from spool 52 guide post 22 moves within track 75, impacts a wall
within track 75 sliding plate 70 on posts 65 and relocates to
position B. While the additional amount of flexible member 15 is
being pulled from housing 60 guide post 22 remains in position B.
Stop arm 30 is moved free from engaging teeth 50 and spool 52
rotates as flexible member 15 is pulled from housing 60. Pulling
flexible member 15 also transfers additional mechanical energy to
the biasing element (not shown) so that the biasing element has
enough energy to completely rewind flexible member 15 about central
axis 55.
[0046] Referring now to FIG. 1, after an additional amount of
flexible member 15 is pulled from housing 60 flexible member 15 is
released. The Force A exerted on post 25 subsides and spring 40, or
the internal stiffness of arm 20, causes arm 20 to rotate towards
spool 52. As arm 20 moves towards spool 52 the biasing element (not
shown) rotates spool 52 and rewinds flexible member 15 about
central axis 55. Guide post 22 impacts a wall within track 75
sliding plate 70 on posts 65 and moves from position B to position
C. Stop arm 30 is held free from teeth 50 to allow spool 52 to
rotate and further rewind flexible member 15 about central axis 55.
The portion of flexible member 15 which was pulled from housing 60
is rewound within housing 60 by the biasing element (not
shown).
[0047] Flexible member 15 can be completely rewound into housing 60
while guide post 22 remains in position C. Rewinding stops when
attachment device 10 abuts housing 60, or when the biasing element
stops rotating spool 52--depending upon the design as discussed
above. Additionally, rewinding can be interrupted by pulling on
flexible member 15. As described above in relation to FIG. 2, guide
post 22 will move to position D upon pulling flexible member 15.
Guide post 22 will then move to position A, as described above in
relation to FIG. 3, when flexible member 15 is no longer pulled.
Any portion of flexible member 15 that is outside housing 60 will
remain outside housing 60 at this time. Thus, the portion of
flexible member 15 outside housing 60 can be shortened (or
lengthened) without first rewinding all of flexible member 15 into
housing 60.
[0048] The embodiment of the inventive rewind mechanism depicted in
FIG. 1 is also designed to prevent flexible member 15 from becoming
locked outside housing 60. One end of flexible member 15 is
securely attached to spool 52 as is well known in the art. Thus, it
is possible to pull flexible member 15 outside housing 60 until
only the portion of flexible member extending from its attachment
point to spool 52 to the opening in housing 60 remains within
housing 60. In the event that flexible member 15 is pulled this far
outside housing 60 the distance guide post 22 must move from
position D to position A within track 75 is far enough to rewind a
sufficient amount of flexible member 15 onto spool 52 to permit
guide post 22 to move from position A to position B. Thus, pulling
out too much of flexible member 15 to prevent guide post 22 from
moving between positions C, D, B and A within track 75 is
avoided.
[0049] Referring now to FIG. 5, a preferred embodiment of the
inventive rewind mechanism 205 is described. A housing comprises a
first portion 260 in which the rewind mechanism is mounted and a
second portion (not depicted) that closes the housing. The second
portion is attached to the first portion, for example, by gluing,
welding or an inner lip which is press fit into the first portion
as is well known in the art.
[0050] Flexible member 215 is wound around the central axis 255 of
spool 252. Spool 252 is rotatably mounted within housing 260 as is
well known in the art. Spool 252 is biased to rotate in a clockwise
direction by a biasing element, for example, a torsion or coil
spring (not shown), as is well known in the art. The biasing
element (not shown) rotates spool 252 in order to rewind flexible
member 215 after it has been pulled out of housing 260. As is well
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art the rotation
direction of the biasing element could be reversed with simple
modifications to teeth 250 on spool 252 and to stop arm 230.
[0051] Attachment device 210 is connected to flexible member 215
and is dimensioned to prevent flexible member 215 from being
completely wound around central axis 255. This prevents flexible
member 215 from being completely withdrawn within housing 205 where
a user cannot grasp it. Although illustrated as proximate to
housing 260 in FIG. 5, for simplicity, one of ordinary skill in the
art will realize that attachment device 210 will not abut housing
260 with guide post 222 in position A. Attachment device 210 will
abut housing 260 when guide post 222 is in position C. Attachment
device 210 is also configured to permit items to be rapidly
attached and detached to and from flexible member 215 as is well
known in the art. For example, attachment device 210 can be a quick
release device, a clip device, a split ring, a small carabineer or
a pencil/pen/stylus holder as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,681
to Kish.
[0052] Another manner for preventing flexible member 215 from
completely withdrawing into housing 260 is to configure the biasing
element to stop rewinding before a free end of flexible member 215
disappears into housing 260.
[0053] Arm 220 is pivotally mounted about pin 235 within housing
260. In FIG. 5, pin 235 is molded as an integral part of housing
260. Pin 235 could also be fixed to housing 260 in any well known
manner such as, but not limited to, a bolt or other threaded
fastener, gluing, welding or a rivet. A spring 240 engages arm 220
and an internal wall of housing 260. Spring 240 biases arm 220
towards spool 252. Alternatively, arm 220, or select portions of
arm 220, are made from an elastic material, for example a flexible
plastic or spring steel. In these alternative embodiments, arm 220
is rigidly attached to pin 235, or directly to housing 260. In
these alternative embodiments, spring 240 is not needed to bias arm
220 towards spool 252 as the elastic deformation of arm 220 will
bias arm 220 towards spool 252.
[0054] Arm 220 is configured with a guide roller 225. In FIG. 5
guide roller 225 is attached to arm 220, for example by a press
fit. Alternatively, guide roller can be made as an integral part of
arm 220. Guide roller 225 is configured to have a rolling element,
for example a plastic or metal bushing or a nylon sleeve, which
provides rolling engagement for flexible member 215. Alternatively
(not shown), guide roller 225 is made from a smooth material that
provides non-rolling engagement with flexible member 215. For
example, depending upon the amount of friction required to move arm
220, guide roller 225 can be made of a hard material, such as
plastic, steel, ceramic or glass, or guide roller 225 can be made
of a hard material covered with a softer material, for example a
hard plastic covered with a softer plastic or a durable rubber such
as Santoprene.RTM.. In this alternative embodiment, guide roller
225 does not have a rolling element and the flexible member 215
passes over a fixed guide roller 225--which is actually a post.
Guide roller 225 is configured to flare at the end distal from arm
220 (or to have a lip or rim) in order to prevent flexible member
215 from disengaging guide roller 225.
[0055] Flexible member 215 engages guide roller 225 in such a
manner that pulling on flexible member 215 places a force on guide
roller 225. The force resulting from pulling flexible member 215
outside housing 260 overcomes the biasing force from spring 240 (or
the internal force of arm 220 if it is a flexible material rigidly
attached to pin 235 or housing 260) and causes arm 220 to rotate
away from spool 252.
[0056] Guide post 222 on arm 220 is configured to interact with a
track 275 contained on plate 270. Stop arm 230 on arm 220 is
configured to interact with teeth 250 on spool 252 in a manner that
prevents the biasing element (not shown) from rotating spool
252.
[0057] Switch 280 is slidably mounted to housing 260 with a portion
external to housing 260 and a portion internal to housing 260. The
external portion of switch 280 is engaged by a user to move the
switch 280 between two positions. In the first position, switch 280
does not engage arm 220 and the rewind mechanism 205 operates in a
manner similar to that described in relation to FIGS. 1 through 4
above. In the second position, the internal portion of switch 280
engages arm 220 and overcomes the biasing force from spring 240 (or
the internal force from a flexible arm 220) to rotate arm 220 away
from spool 252. In the second position, switch 280 prevents the
rewind mechanism 205 from operating as described in relation to
FIGS. 1 through 4. Instead, the rewind mechanism 205 operates by
constantly exerting a rewind force upon flexible member 215 by the
biasing element (not shown) acting to rotate spool 252.
[0058] Instead of utilizing a switch 280 the portion 224 of arm 220
that engages switch 280 is configured to extend outside housing 260
in another embodiment. With portion 224 outside housing 260, and
housing 260 configured to hold portion 224 in one of two positions
as is well known in the art, the rewind mechanism 205 can be
selected to operate either as described in relation to FIGS. 1
through 4 above or with a constant rewind force on the flexible
member 215.
[0059] Plate 270 is slidably mounted within housing 260 on posts
265. Other manners for slidably mounting plate 270, for example on
a flexible beam extending from a wall of housing 260, or a ball
joint sliding within a groove are also covered by the present
invention. As arm 220 and guide post 222 rotate away from and
towards spool 252 guide post 222 impacts walls within track 275.
Guide post 222 impacting the walls within track 275 causes plate
270 to slide on posts 265 which permits guide post 222 to move
between positions C, D, A and B within track 275. Alternatively,
guide post 222, and/or arm 220 (or select portions of arm 220), can
be made from an elastic material (as described above) and plate 270
can be fixedly mounted within housing 260. Such an embodiment
permits guide post 222 to move between positions C, D, A and B by
impacting walls within plate 270 and deflecting enough to be guided
to one of positions C, D, A and B. Another alternative construction
used with an elastic guide post 222 and/or arm 220 is to make track
275 directly in the wall of housing 260 so that no plate 270 is
required. In FIG. 5 track 275 is depicted with an opening to the
outside of plate 270. The opening to the outside of plate 270 is to
facilitate assembling the rewind mechanism 205 by making it easier
to insert guide post 222 into track 275. The opening to the outside
of plate 270 is not necessary to the functioning of rewind
mechanism 205. Pulling on and releasing flexible member 215
operates rewind mechanism 205 in the same manner as described for
rewind mechanism 5 above.
[0060] While the depicted embodiments for the inventive rewind
mechanism show a narrow, thin flexible member 15, 215 the present
invention is not limited to such flexible members. For example, the
present invention can be used for wide flexible members such as
flexible display screens (such as those being developed by Philips
and Plastic Logic Ltd.) or window shades. In order to adapt the
embodiment depicted in FIG. 5 to a wide flexible member the guide
roller 225 depicted in FIG. 5 is made long enough to accommodate
the width of the flexible member. The spool 252 has central axis
255 extended a distance sufficient to accommodate the width of the
flexible member. In an alternate embodiment, a spool 252 with an
extended central axis 255 has teeth 250 on both rims. This
embodiment permits two arms 220 to be employed (one a mirror image
of the other and placed within housing 260 at either end of the
wide flexible member) with a guide roller 225 extending between the
two arms 220. Likewise, one of ordinary skill in the art
appreciates that the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 can be extended
to accommodate wide flexible members by extending central axis 55,
post 25 and the opening in arm 22 that contains post 25.
[0061] Other applications for the present invention include
rewinding garden and air hoses. The present invention can also be
used to rewind and store electrical cords, cords for earphones,
computer mice and other electronics requiring wires. As described
in relation to wide flexible members the present invention can also
be used as a retractable reel in a car, for example for rewinding
seatbelts. The present invention's uses also include tape measures,
chalk lines (used for marking straight lines), rope storage,
clothes lines and many others.
[0062] While this invention has been described in connection with
what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not
limited to the described embodiments, but, on the contrary, is
intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements
included within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *