An apparatus for convenient tightening and loosening of strings such as those found in shoelaces of footwear is provided. The apparatus includes a rotating portion within a base portion. A cover portion, when operated in a first position, provides a ratchet movement that allows rotation in a tightening direction while preventing movement in a loosening direction. When the cover is moved to a second position, the ratchet mechanism disengages, and the strings can then be easily loosened.

A cord management device securable to objects lacking a cord management system. An embodiment includes a flexible substratum on which two outwardly facing hooks are secured in a longitudinally spaced manner. An embodiment further includes a receptacle adapted to receiving and temporarily house the prongs on an electrical cord. The flexible substratum preferably includes an adhesive, magnet, or fastener to temporarily or permanently secure the device to objects. The device is thereby attachable to an object to aid in the securement of an electrical cord.

An apparatus configured to extend onto and retract from a body of water a flotation mat. The apparatus includes first and second spaced apart support members such that both support members include an upper and a lower end. The spaced apart support members are secured to a boat dock by mounting hardware. First and second vertically slidable members are slidably mounted to the first and second spaced apart support members. The apparatus also includes a rotatable shaft that extends between the upper ends of the first and second slidable members. A sprocket assembly is mounted to one of the ends of the rotatable shaft to facilitate either manual or powered rotation of the shaft for purposes of extending or retracting the mat onto or off the body of water.

A multi-functional winding roll, comprising: a housing (4), the housing having a cuboid hollow structure, circular openings (61, 62) being provided on a front panel (41) of the housing and a rear panel (42) of the housing respectively, rectangular openings (63, 64) being provided on a left panel (43) of the housing and a right panel (44) of the housing respectively; a grip (2), both ends of the grip being rotatably connected to an upper panel (45) of the housing, an elongated groove (8) being provided at the upper portion of the grip; a work lamp (1), the work lamp being provided inside the elongated groove; a roller (11), the roller being provided inside the housing; a socket (5), the socket being fixed inside the roller; and a box cover (10), the box cover fitting the end of the roller which is close to the rear panel.

A multi-functional winding roll, comprising: a housing (4), the housing having a cuboid hollow structure, circular openings (61, 62) being provided on a front panel (41) of the housing and a rear panel (42) of the housing respectively, rectangular openings (63, 64) being provided on a left panel (43) of the housing and a right panel (44) of the housing respectively; a grip (2), both ends of the grip being rotatably connected to an upper panel (45) of the housing, an elongated groove (8) being provided at the upper portion of the grip; a work lamp (1), the work lamp being provided inside the elongated groove; a roller (11), the roller being provided inside the housing; a socket (5), the socket being fixed inside the roller; and a box cover (10), the box cover fitting the end of the roller which is close to the rear panel.

A tape drive comprises a roll of a tape that can be extended from a rolled state to an extended state. The tape includes a rigid material that supports the tape and a pliable material disposed at least partially on one side of the tape. A compression roller is disposed on a side of the tape and is biased toward the tape. A drive roller is disposed on the other side of the tape. The drive roller comprises an uneven surface that mechanically engages the pliable material of the tape, without protruding through the tape, as a result of the bias of the compression roller forcing the tape toward the drive roller. A motor turns the drive roller to extend the tape from the roll as the protrusions of the uneven surface of the drive roller mechanically engage the pliable material of the tape as the drive roller turns.

A pipeline inspection device including a stand, a drum rotatably supported by the stand, the drum including an opening in a front wall of the drum, a cable disposed at least partially within the drum, the cable including a camera disposed on a distal end of the cable, the camera and the cable configured to be directed into a conduit, a hub including a body at least partially insertable into the opening of the drum, the hub being electrically coupled to the cable when inserted into the opening, a wireless communication module housed within the hub, and a battery supported by the hub, the battery and the hub being removable from the drum as a single unit.

A drain cleaning device includes a drum, and a cable positioned within the drum. The cable is operable to be extended out of the drum and into a conduit. The drain cleaning device also includes a motor coupled to the drum to rotate the drum, a sensor operable to detect a characteristic of the cable, and a controller coupled to the sensor and the motor. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the sensor indicative of the characteristic of the cable and send an instruction to the motor to change an operating parameter of the motor based on the signal received from the sensor.

The present invention relates to an automatic winding device for a golf towel, which can hold a towel out of a case when a user pulls the towel and automatically wind the towel so that the towel is put into the case when the user pulls and releases the towel after using it, thereby providing user convenience.

A system for dispensing a flexible hose includes a hose dispensing carousel having a frame, a spool support plate rotatably mounted to the frame and having a plurality of spool axles for rotatably supporting a plurality of spools of hose, and a lock adapted to fix a position of the spool support plate relative to the frame in a plurality of discrete positions. The system further includes a guide defining an opening adapted to receive a free end of a hose held on one of the plurality of spools. The guide defines at least one rotatable bearing surface positioned at the opening, and is adapted to guide the hose toward a tool for performing a manufacturing operation on the hose.