The disclosure relates to a winding device for winding a rope onto a rope drum rotatable about a rotation axis. The winding device includes a rope guide for feeding the rope to the rope drum. The rope guide has a pivoting arm having a longitudinal axis and has a deflection element. The pivoting arm is pivotable about a pivot axis. The deflection element is disposed on the pivoting arm. The winding device is conceived such that the rope when being wound onto the rope drum passes the pivoting arm before the deflection element. The rope guide includes a delimitation element. The delimitation element is disposed such that a pivoting movement of the pivoting arm about the pivot axis is limited to a critical angular range (Δ). The deflection element is tiltable about a tilting axis. The tilting axis extends along the longitudinal axis of the pivoting arm.

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 holder for straps includes a base including a body portion and a tail portion, and a waist where the body portion and the tail portion join. The base defines first and second horizontally opposed recesses and a wrap area disposed therebetween. First embodiments of the holder include pegs disposed on opposing sides of the wrap area. The pegs can engage with S-hooks, D rings, snap hooks, carabiners and the like. Second embodiments of the holder include a base defining slots from edges of the body portion and disposed on opposing sides of the wrap area. The slots can engage with J-hooks, T-hooks, U-hooks, and the like. After securing the hook thereof, each strap is wrapped around the base through first and second recesses. Straps can be secured by disposing a loop such as a loop of bungee cord or a tie about the waist and tightening the cord or tie.

A rope dispensing system for dispensing a continuous rope from a compressed rope cartridge. The device has a canister for storage of the rope cartridge, a resealable lid with a grommet for passing the rope through the lid, and a replaceable cutting mechanism for cutting the rope. Preferably the rope cartridge is shrink-wrapped to fit within case and keep rope from unraveling.

A retractable pet leash assembly includes a housing, a spool, a leash and a braking assembly. The spool is disposed inside the housing and biased by a spring and includes braking notches. The leash is wound about the spool. The braking assembly includes a pawl, a pawl spring and an operating member. The pawl selectively engages the braking notches, the pawl spring biases the pawl towards engagement with the spool. The operating member moves the pawl between first and second positions to move the pawl into and out of the path of the braking notches. The operating member has a pawl non-engaged position in which the pawl is in the first position, a first pawl engaged position in which the pawl is in the second position, and a second pawl engaged position in which the operating member is retained while the pawl is in the second position.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for convenient tightening and loosening of strings such as those found in shoelaces of footwear. 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.

Aspects of the present invention relate to a rope dispensing device for delivering elongated material such as rope, wire, or hosing and generally has a mounting frame operatively coupled to a material feeding device comprising a wheel and pinch device, an adjustable shroud, and a stabilizing device. The elongated material is received into the material feeding device from a first location and driven through the rope dispensing device by the wheel to be output at a second location. The adjustable shroud may be positioned about the periphery of the wheel so as to direct the output elongated material from the rope dispensing device. The invention is at least partially supported by the stabilizing device operatively coupled to a body of a user. Additionally, the stabilizing device is extendable, collapsible, and detachable allowing the invention to take on a more compact form for easier storage and/or transportation.

A retractable tool lanyard comprises a housing, a drum rotatably connected to the housing, a biasing member interconnecting the housing and the drum, a cord operatively connected to the drum and adapted to be wound about and paid out from the drum, and an engaging mechanism. The engaging mechanism comprises a locking plate connected to the drum, at least one lock pawl connected to the locking plate, and a ratchet plate. When the drum rotates at a predetermined speed, the at least one lock pawl pivots from an unlocked position to a locked position to engage the ratchet plate thereby rotating the ratchet plate with the drum. At least one of a braking mechanism and a clicker pawl are used to create friction to assist in reducing a rate of rotation of the drum.

The present invention relates to decoys for simulating the movement of animals on land, air, or water. The invention includes a small, enclosed, and portable unit that comprises a motor, a rechargeable power supply, a timing control mechanism, and a spool attached to a line. The line extends from the unit and attaches to one or more animal decoys and, at the end, to an anchoring mechanism (e.g., an anchor placed in the water or a tether attached to a tree or other stationary support). The anchoring mechanism preferably is attached to the line via a bungee cord or other flexible connection that exhibits elasticity. The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises four main parts: (1) a string portion, which extends from an anchor system to a mechanical unit; (2) one or more animal decoys attached to the string portion; (3) an anchor assembly attached to one end of the string assembly for creating tension in the string assembly and securing its position; and (4) a mechanical unit containing a low-power, motorized spool assembly, a rechargeable power supply, a spool, and a timing mechanism for repeatedly winding and releasing the string portion.

A retractable leash device (e.g., for pets, children, or the like) having a length control system for limiting the extendable length of a main line is provided. The device includes a cover plate mounted on a wind-up spool and having at least one ridged channel that interacts with a length control switch during line extension to control the extendable length of the main line while simultaneously maintaining the retractability of the main line.