Patent ID: 7621856

Claim:
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.