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 strap winding, storage, and dispensing assembly for storing and dispensing a plurality of straps includes a spacing element engaged to and extending between a pair of plates. Each of a set of strap stowing units engaged to the pair of plates comprises a spindle having a winding element and a braking element operationally engaged thereto. The spindle can engage a respective end of a strap so that the strap is removably engaged to the spindle. The winding element is positioned to selectively rotate the spindle, in a first direction, to coil the strap therearound. The braking element is engaged to a respective one of the plates and is positioned to selectively engage the spindle, to prevent rotation thereof, to retain the strap therearound. The braking element also is positioned to selectively disengage the spindle so that the spindle can rotate in a second direction to uncoil the strap.

A hose guide for a hose reel deck box is provided. More specifically, the hose guide is a one piece, or unitary body, component. The unitary body hose guide is structured to snap-fit to one or two travel bars that are part of the unitary body of the hose reel deck box housing assembly. The hose guide preferably includes two semi-enclosed passages that are structured to be slidably coupled to the travel bars.

A stiffener structured to support a unitary housing component comprised of substantially flat sidewalls is provided. A unitary housing comprised of substantially flat sidewalls, e.g. a housing for a hose reel, is a housing component that is substantially free of support ribs and other contoured surfaces. The stiffener is molded separately from the unitary housing component and coupled thereto. Preferably, the stiffener is a band extending under, or about, the perimeter of the lower side of the unitary housing component. Use of the stiffener allows the unitary housing component to remain free of substantial support ribs and other contoured surfaces thereby allowing for less expensive molds and a reduced failure rate of produced elements.

A pressure assisted washer or pressure washer with hose reel and motor pump assembly. The hose reel defines a bore in which a motor pump assembly is disposed. The hose reel comprises a cylinder having an aperture through which pressurized fluid can be accessed through a coupling in fluid communication with a pump. The pump has a rotating collar.

Provided is a reel for a conductor of an electric fence. The reel includes a bobbin, a frame for supporting the bobbin, and a connector. The connector can be two jaws and can have passages to connect the reel to a support such as a conductor of an existing fence or a tube of a vehicle. One of the jaws can be wide for stability. The connector can have an electrical conductor for connecting to the support and electrifying the conductor. The connector can also be operated by a trigger and can have a locking mechanism. The frame can be a one-piece frame made of plastics material. The reel can have a spreader and a hot-up bar. The reel can have a crank that can be disengaged from the bobbin and a brake that is applied when the crank is disengaged.

A fastening device includes a case unit, a spool, a connecting unit, a knob and an engaging unit. The case unit includes a wall forming a receiving space, a partition separates the receiving space into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, a through hole located at the partition, and a base detachably connected to at least one part of the wall. The spool is located at the lower chamber. The knob is connected to the connecting unit. The engaging unit is located at the upper chamber. After the connecting unit is inserted into the spool, the through hole and the engaging unit to couple to the knob, the partition, the spool, the connecting unit, the knob and the engaging unit are connected integrally without being separated from each other while the base is separated from the at least one part of the wall.

The present invention relates to a device used to aid the rolling up and storage of a water mat or similar material.

A tape measuring device includes a housing having an aperture, a reel assembly disposed in the housing, a tape having a first end operably coupled to an end hook and configured to extend from the housing through the aperture and having a second end configured to be wound on the reel assembly, and a retraction assembly configured to interface with the reel assembly to enable the tape, after extension from the housing, to be wound onto the reel assembly. The retraction assembly includes a crank operably coupled to the reel assembly to turn the reel assembly responsive to rotation of the crank, and includes a knob operably coupled to the crank via a knob hinge. The knob hinge is rotatable between a closed position for storage or transport and an open position for operation of the retraction assembly, and is configured to be retained in each of the open position and the closed position.

The invention provides a hoist mechanism for a backdrop as used in the photographic setting. The hoist uses two vertical channels, each having and upper and a lower pull around which a belt is attached. A bracket, secured to the belt, is used to secure a roller of the backdrop thereto. A connecting rod, secured to the lower pullies of the vertical channels, is used to keep the two belts operating in concert. A hand crank, secured to the connecting rod, permits the operator to move the two brackets up/down which moves the a roller having the backdrop in like fashion.