Patent ID: 8662436
Filing Date: 2014-03-04
Classification: B60R,B64D,B65H

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for selectively adjusting the maximum payout of tether from a reel assembly, the reel assembly including a reel shaft with a ratchet, the apparatus comprising: first and second housing components, the first housing component being interconnected to the reel assembly and including an offset gear, the second housing component including a payout marker; a ring gear rotatably positioned within the second housing component, the ring gear having both external and internal geared surfaces, the ring gear further including a peripheral edge with an arcuate extent and a cut-out; a dial rotatably positioned within the second housing component, the dial including a lower geared surface and an outer face with a series of payout indicators, the dial further including a central shaft, the payout indicators of the dial being selectively alignable with the payout marker to indicate the maximum payout of the tether from the reel assembly, a spring biasing the lower geared surface of the dial out of engagement with the external geared surface of the ring gear; a pinion shaft interconnected between the reel shaft and the central shaft of the dial, the pinion shaft including a geared extent, the geared extent meshed with the offset gear of the first housing component, whereby rotation of the reel shaft rotates the offset gear at a first reduction ratio; a pinion clutch interconnected to the offset gear, the pinion clutch having a first position wherein the pinion clutch is engaged with the internal geared surface of the ring gear and a second axially displaced position wherein the pinion clutch is not engaged with the ring gear, whereby rotation of the reel shaft causes the rotation of the pinion shaft, offset gear and pinion clutch, and whereby with the pinion clutch in the first position, rotation of the pinion clutch causes rotation of the ring gear at a second reduction ratio; a pawl pivotally coupled to the first housing component, the pawl having an upper extent adapted to ride about the peripheral edge of the ring gear, the pawl having a first orientation wherein the upper extent is in contact with the arcuate extent of the ring gear and the pawl is prevented from engaging the ratchet of the reel shaft and the reel shaft is permitted to rotate freely, the pawl having a second orientation wherein the upper extent is in contact with the cut-out of the ring gear and whereby the pawl is permitted to engage the ratchet and lock reel shaft and limit the maximum payout of the tether; wherein the apparatus can be adjusted by depressing the dial to overcome the force of the spring and thereby engage the lower teeth of the dial with the upper geared surface of the ring gear, depressing the dial brining the pinion clutch into the second axially displaced position whereby the ring gear and reel shaft rotate independently, depressing the dial also permitting the ring gear and dial to be rotated together, with such rotation orienting the upper extent of the pawl relative to the cut-out of the ring gear to thereby selectively adjust the maximum payout of the tether from the reel shaft.