Patent ID: 8516979

Claim:
A retractable leash for restraining an animal attached to the retractable leash, the retractable leash comprising; a housing including an inner wall; a spool rotationally mounted in said housing, wherein the inner wall extends around the outer circumference of said spool and is stationary relative to said spool; a leash wound around the spool, at least a portion of the leash extending from the housing, said leash causing said spool to rotate when said leash is extracted from said housing; a cam that is pivotally attached to said spool that contacts the inner wall of said housing when said spool rotates above a threshold speed; a retaining spring that prevents said cam from contacting the inner wall of said housing until said spool reaches the threshold speed; and a manual brake, wherein the manual brake is configured to prevent rotation of the spool when engaged by a user.