Apparatus for adjusting the payout of tether from a reel assembly

US8662436B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Carleton Life Support Systems Inc. · US

Inventors

• Brian DeMenezes · Belleair Bluffs, US
• Don Blackman · Bradenton, US
• Brian Ford · Sanford, US
• Marc Jung · Indian Shores, US
• Justin Robinson · Carr, US
• Kevin Holler · Largo, US
• Joel Harshbarger · Memphis, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 23, 2010
• Grant date: Mar 4, 2014
• Expiry date: Aug 16, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64D25/02
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus for selectively adjusting the maximum payout of a tether from a reel assembly. The maximum payout can be selected by the user via a dial indicator on the end of the apparatus. By rotating the dial, an internal pawl is positioned relative to an associated ring gear. The ring gear includes a cut-out about its peripheral edge. The shaft of the reel assembly is rotatably interconnected to the ring gear via a series of gear reductions. After a predetermined about of tether has been paid out, the pawl encounters the cut-out about the ring gear. This, in turn, causes the pawl to engage the reel shaft to prevent further rotation. The maximum payout is determined by the initial spacing between the pawl and the cut-out.