Patent ID: 7455257
Filing Date: 2008-11-25
Classification: B63C

Abstract:
1. An automated reel device for controlling the pay out of a diver's safety cord, the automated reel device comprising; a water-tight housing attachable to a piece of diver's equipment' a take-up reel rotatably attached to the housing and including a predetermined length of safety cord wound therearound, with an interior termination attached to said take-up reel, and an exterior termination capable of being fixedly attached by a diver to a point of origin, the safety cord being unwound off of said take-up reel as the diver moves away from the point of origin; a battery-operated motor disposed within said housing and coupled to said take-up reel through a gearing arrangement such that when the motor is activated the take-up reel rotates to re-wind slack safety cord; and a tension sensing mechanism disposed in proximity to both the battery-operated motor and the take-up reel such that upon sensing slack in the safety cord, the tension-sensing mechanism functioning to: (1) activate the battery-operated motor and impart rotation of said take-up reel; and (2) de-activate the battery-operated motor when the slack along the safety cord is eliminated.