Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to spooling and unspooling linear material. Such apparatus and methods can assist the user in deploying and/or retracting linear material.

A cord winding mechanism for a blind cord with a first end fixed to a window blind includes a base, a cord winder rotatably mounted to the base, a cord guiding assembly mounted to the base, and an elastic press member mounted to the base. The cord winder defines an annular slot to wind the blind cord layer by layer. The cord guiding assembly is abutted against an unwound portion of the blind cord between the cord winder and the window blind. A second end of the blind cord is fixed to an end of the cord winder in the slot. The press member is elastically abutted against a portion of the blind cord just separate from the cord winder.

A hose reel includes a hose reel frame, a hose reel spool rotatably mounted on the hose reel frame for rotation about a rotational axis, a drive coupling attached to the hose reel spool and aligned with the rotational axis, a drive mount attached to the hose reel frame, and a drive module mounted on the drive mount that has a drive shaft connected to the drive coupling.

The invention is a centrifugal brake device that is a speed control means for spring motor hose and cable reels. This brake device is mounted to a shaft of a hub associated with the reel, such that the device controls the reel rotation speed.

A roll dispensing apparatus is disclosed herein that comprises a height-adjustable materials platform and vertical roller for dispensing and assisting with the installation of bulk roll materials such as house wrap. In an example, the roll dispensing apparatus is a housewrap installation apparatus, providing attachment mechanisms that enable the attachment of the apparatus to a motorized lift, basket, or like moveable working platform. Accordingly, use of the housewrap installation apparatus can enable a single-person installation of housewrap or other rolled materials from a moveable platform, including installation of housewrap materials of a significant height or width.

A flexible printed circuit board reel device, which includes a left housing, a right housing, a rotary sleeve, an upper spiral spring and a lower spiral spring. The left housing and the right housing of the reel device are caught on each other to form a housing, and the left housing and the right housing are firmly and closely fixed with each other, which can increase the connection area, whereby the left and right housings are not easily separated from each other, and the housing can have a strong structure. The upper spiral spring, the lower spiral spring, an upper central shaft and a lower central shaft of the reel device form a symmetrical and balanced double-spring structure; when a flexible printed circuit board is reeled or unreeled, the force generated by the springs is evenly distributed over the upper portion and the lower portion of the rotary sleeve.

An overhead cable management for charging an electric vehicle employs a reel which receives a cable with an EV connector. A drive assembly employs a bi-positionable clutch and a gear assembly which sequentially engages a drive gear for the reel to unwind the cable from an overhead position to an ADA height, allow the cable and connector to be extended to connect with the EV and to wind the cable until a locked home position is obtained. The cable management is incorporated into an EVSE which is ceiling mounted, or an EVSE which is mounted to a pole or a wall. Numerous modules and features are optionally employed in connection with the operation of the cable management.

A method of deploying a containment boom is provided whereby an elongated material, such as a sheet, yarn, or yarn bundle, is formed into a roll and the material is pulled from the interior of the roll to create a helical structure. A pull rope is threaded through the interior of the roll and is deployed along with the material, such that the material is wrapped around the pull rope. The pull rope prevents the boom from stretching and distorting the helical structure formed by the material, as well as preventing the material from self-wringing. Multiple rolls of material may be provided in a single boom package arranged in coaxial alignment. When the materials are connected in parallel, they are integrated into a single boom having concentrically wrapped materials, thereby providing for greater stability and functionality.

A winder may include a body, a spindle, and a manually actuated winding mechanism. The spindle may be coupled to the body and constructed and arranged to be rotatable with respect to the body and to be removably coupled to at least one spool. The manually actuated winding mechanism may be coupled to the spindle and constructed and arranged to rotate the spindle and the at least one spool.

A rope storage system includes a boat that has at least one cleat coupled to the boat. A retracting unit is removably coupled to the at least one cleat. A rope is releasably contained within the retracting unit. The rope is selectively urged outwardly from the retracting unit and the rope may secure the boat to a restraint. The rope is biased into the retracting unit such that the rope is stored within the retracting unit. Thus, the retracting unit reduces a tripping hazard with respect to the rope. A cleat lock is movably coupled to the retracting unit. The cleat lock releasably engages the at least one cleat such that the retracting unit is removably retained on the at least one cleat.