Patent ID: 7344102

Claim:
A method for dispensing a cord having a first and second end from a spool comprising the steps of: providing a spool container comprising a spool mounting hub; providing a spool comprising an inner perimeter and a cord take-up channel; providing the variable spring constant spring wherein the step of providing a variable spring constant spring comprises the steps of: providing a single piece of flat spring material having an overall length, a first width, a first free end and an opposing second free end and a continuously tapered width to a second width from substantially the first free end to the second free end; attaching the cord to the spool proximate to the base of the channel; winding the cord onto the spool; mounting the spool onto the spool mounting hub; attaching a first one of the first free end and the second free end, to an attachment point proximate to the inner perimeter of said spool; attaching a second one of the first free end and the second free end comprising said spring to the spool mounting hub; and applying a variable tension to the cord as the cord is drawn from the spool wherein the tension applied to the cord varies according to the amount of cord that is drawn from the spool.