A spool apparatus is described to include in one particular example a cable spool with a first cylindrical lip and a second cylindrical lip on an opposite side of the cable spool. A center of the spool includes a clutch bearing in the center of both the first cylindrical lip and the second cylindrical lip that provides a rotational axis for the cable spool to rotate around. The apparatus may also include a feed slot near the first cylindrical lip that provides a passage for cable to pass from the second cylindrical lip to the first cylindrical lip.

A pull-out type cord winding module, comprising a rotary wheel (6) which a cord (7) is wound on and which is connected with a coil spring (5), and a stopper mechanism working cooperatively with the rotary wheel (6) and including a functional rail, a ball (3) and a rolling assisting device. The functional rail comprises a locking rail, a communicating rail (25) and annular rails (21, 22) which are connected, groove-shaped and arranged around an outer circumference of the rotary wheel (6). A guide groove (91) is provided on the rolling assisting device, and two ends of the guide groove (91) are located at the upper and lower sides of the outer circumference of the rotary wheel (6) respectively. The guide groove (91) cooperates with the functional rail to hold the ball (3). When the rotary wheel (6) rotates, the ball (3) rolls in the functional rail to lock or unlock rotation of the rotary wheel (6).

An electric vehicle charging assembly includes a cord reel, a cord reel locking mechanism, and a master control unit for selectively unlocking the cord reel in response to an authorization signal. The electric vehicle charging assembly monitors the rotational position of the cord reel to prevent unauthorized use, and to record or relay information related to the improper use or malfunction of the electric vehicle charging assembly.

A case for a portable electronic device configured to provide protection for the electronic device and further provide storage for one or more corded-accessories for use with the electronic device, including, but not limited to, headphones. The electronic device case includes a case member configured to cover at least a portion of an electronic device and a spool member configured to retain a pair of headphones. The case member includes a cavity configured to receive the spool member and one or more channels in fluid communication with the cavity configured to receive portions of headphone cord. The case member further includes recesses in fluid communication with the one or more channels and configured to receive and retain the headphone earphones within. The case member further includes a means of releasably retaining the spool member within the cavity of the case member.

In accordance with the present invention, a system and method for a powered vertical axis hose reel is shown. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a powered hose reel is disclosed having a spool around which a hose may be coiled, in which the spool is on a vertical axis relative to the ground. In various embodiments, the powered hose reel includes a programmable controller for implementing a rewind protocol adapted to encourage the hose to fill from the bottom of the spool cup to the top.

A rotational friction brake regulated by the rate of change of angular speed is disclosed. The rotational friction brake includes: a first body, a second body rotationally attached to said first body, the second body rotating around a rotational center axis of said second body, and at least one braking arm rotationally attached to said second body in a pivot point. The pivot point is eccentrically offset to said rotational center axis. The at least one braking arm comprises a braking member arranged to frictionally engage a part of said first body. The at least one braking arm has a mass center placed at a distance from said pivot point that is longer than a distance from said pivot point to said rotational center axis. The braking member is arranged to frictionally engage said part of said first body. A fishing reel comprising a rotational friction brake is also disclosed.

Provided is a winding device configured so that the entirety of the device can be thinned and looseness of an elongated member can be reduced. In a winding device 1A, a flat motor 2 is used as a motor, and a spool 3 and a magical planetary gear mechanism 4 are formed flat along an extending XY plane of the flat motor 2. Thus, the entirety of the device can be configured flat, and can be thinned. Moreover, the magical planetary gear mechanism 4 prevents rotation of the spool 3 by external force, and therefore, looseness of the elongated member can be reduced.

A sensor apparatus for a movable barrier system having a rotatable drum and an elongate member that winds up on and pays out from an external surface of the rotatable drum. The sensor apparatus includes a base portion, a sensing portion, and a controller. The sensing portion senses a first spaced apart proximity of the elongate member relative to the sensing portion and a second spaced apart proximity of the elongate member relative to the sensing portion. The controller detects a change in the proximity of the elongate member relative to the sensing portion without the elongate member contacting the sensing portion.

One aspect of the disclosed subject matter is seen in a wire access line drum assembly that includes a tubular drum and an insert positionable therein to accommodate wire access lines of varying diameter. The tubular drum has a first and a second end and an inner and outer surface. The insert is positionable adjacent the first end of the tubular drum and has a curved channel formed therein extending between the inner and outer surfaces of the tubular drum. The insert has a ramp substantially coinciding with the outer surface of the drum at a first end portion and extending above the outer surface of the drum at a second end portion adjacent the curved channel. The height of the ramp at the second end portion is selected to be substantially similar to the diameter of the wire access line to be stored on the drum assembly.

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.