Reel mechanism

• US 7,621,856 B1
• Filed: 09/23/2008
• Issued: 11/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary S. Keith, Lia M. Keith
• Original Assignee: Gary S. Keith, Lia M. Keith
• Inventors: Keith, Gary S., Keith, Lia M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mathew; Fenn C
• Application Number:
  US12/232,727
• Time in Patent Office: 427 Days
• Field of Search: 482114-118, 482/120, 482/74, 482 72- 73, 482/127, 482/131, 482/133, 473/445, 273/317, 119794-796
• US Class Current: 482/127
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 27/004 Retractable leashes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/025 Spiral springs with turns lying substantially in plane surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/04 attached to static foundation , e.g. a user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/068 using user's body weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/1645 for anchoring on a door
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4043 Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03541 Moving independently from each other A63B22/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/12 for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles bench press exercises A63B21/078; for teaching music G09B15/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1218 Chinning, pull-up, i.e. concentric movement
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4434 actuated by pulling on or imparting an inclination to the material

Abstract

The reel mechanism includes a case and a flexible line (webbing, etc.) retractably coiled therein. The line passes over a ramp and doubles back around a pin to exit the case. A pivoting chock has a toggle end raised by the line, depending on the line'"'"'s departure path from the case, and an opposite grip end clamping the line against itself and the ramp when the toggle end is raised. Control of line payout, retraction, or locking is determined by the departure path of the line from the case. This mechanism provides sufficient clamping force on the line to support the weight of person therefrom while performing arm strengthening exercises. The case may include various handle configurations for different exercise routines, and the distal end of the line permits attachment to a variety of structures. The device may also be used as a pet leash or for other purposes.

Claims

1. A reel mechanism, comprising:

a housing defining a reel cavity, a reel axle generally centrally disposed within the reel cavity, and a line opening extending from the reel cavity;

a reel disposed within the reel cavity, the reel being rotatably disposed upon the reel axle, the reel having a retraction spring cavity defined therein;

a line retraction spring disposed within the retraction spring cavity of the reel, the spring extending between the reel and the reel axle;

a ramp disposed within the housing;

a guide pin disposed within the housing distal to the ramp;

a chock pivotally disposed within the housing adjacent the line opening, the chock having a line contact surface, a toggle end, and a line grip end opposite the toggle end, the line grip end being disposed opposite the ramp and defining a line passage therebetween; and

a flexible, extensible line coiled about the reel and extending across the ramp, around the guide pin, doubling back between the ramp and the grip end of the chock, and exiting the line opening, the line having a distal attachment end, the line defining a departure path from the housing, the line lifting the toggle end of the chock and pivoting the grip end of the chock toward the ramp and gripping the line between the toggle end of the chock and the ramp when the departure path is aligned generally radially with the reel axle, the chock releasing the line when the departure path is aligned generally tangentially with the line contact surface of the chock and the guide pin.

2. The reel mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a handle extending from the housing opposite the line opening.

3. The reel mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the housing has opposed first and second sides and the handle has first and second ends substantially coplanar with the first and second sides of the housing, the reel mechanism further comprising a crossmember extending between the first and second ends, the housing, the first and second ends, and the crossmember defining an ovoid handgrip passage.

4. The reel mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the handle comprises a substantially circular ring.

5. The reel mechanism according to claim 2, further comprising handgrip padding disposed upon the handle.

6. The reel mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the line comprises a flat woven fabric web.

7. The reel mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a high friction gripping surface disposed upon the ramp and the contact surface of the chock.

8. The reel mechanism according to claim 7, wherein each of the high friction gripping surfaces comprises a resilient coating.

9. The reel mechanism according to claim 7, wherein each of the high friction gripping surfaces comprises a roughened surface.

10. The reel mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising an anchor attachment formed in the distal attachment end of the line.

11. The reel mechanism according to claim 10, wherein the anchor attachment comprises a loop.

12. A reel mechanism, comprising first and second exercise units, each of the exercise units including;

a housing defining a reel cavity, a reel axle centrally disposed within the reel cavity, and a line opening extending from the reel cavity;

a reel disposed within the reel cavity and rotatably disposed upon the reel axle, the reel defining a retraction spring cavity;

a line retraction spring disposed within the retraction spring cavity of the reel, the spring extending between the reel and the reel axle;

a ramp disposed within the housing;

a guide pin disposed within the housing distal to the ramp;

a chock pivotally disposed within the housing adjacent the line opening, the chock having a line contact surface, a toggle end, and a line grip end opposite the toggle end, the line grip end being disposed opposite the ramp and defining a line passage therebetween;

a flexible, extensible line coiled about the reel and extending across the ramp, around the guide pin, doubling back between the ramp and the grip end of the chock, and exiting the line opening, the line having a distal attachment end having an anchor attachment extending therefrom, the line defining a departure path from the housing, the line lifting the toggle end of the chock and pivoting the grip end of the chock toward the ramp and gripping the line between the toggle end of the chock and the ramp when the departure path is aligned generally radially from the reel axle, the chock releasing the line when the departure path is aligned generally tangentially with the line contact surface of the chock and the guide pin; and

a handle extending from the housing opposite the line opening.

13. The reel mechanism according to claim 12, wherein the housing has opposed first and second sides and the handle has first and second ends substantially coplanar with the first and second sides of the housing, the reel mechanism further comprising a crossmember extending between the first and second ends, the housing, the first and second ends, and the crossmember defining an ovoid handgrip passage.

14. The reel mechanism according to claim 12, wherein the handle comprises a substantially circular ring.

15. The reel mechanism according to claim 12, further comprising handgrip padding disposed upon the handle.

16. The reel mechanism according to claim 12, wherein the line comprises a flat woven fabric web.

17. The reel mechanism according to claim 12, further comprising a high friction gripping surface disposed upon the ramp and the contact surface of the chock.

18. The reel mechanism according to claim 17, wherein each of the high friction gripping surfaces comprises a resilient coating.

19. The reel mechanism according to claim 17, wherein each of the high friction gripping surfaces comprises a roughened surface.

20. The reel mechanism according to claim 12, wherein the anchor attachment comprises a loop formed in the distal attachment end of the line.