Reel device for extension cord
United States Patent 11 1 Knarreborg l l REEL DEVICE FOR EXTENSION CORD [76] Inventor: Otto H. Knarreborg, PO. Box 427.  
 Alexandria, Minn. 56308 [22] Filed: Sept. 27, 1972 [2]] Appl. No.: 292,732  
 [52] U.S. Cl. l9l/l2.2 R; 242/54 R; l9l/l2.4 [51] Int. Cl &#34;02g ll/OO [58] Field of Search 242/54 R, l58.l. 86.8. 242/58 R, 581; l9l/l2.2 R, 12.2 A. I24  
 [56] Reierences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 339.256 4/1886 Benedict 242/868 936.385 10/1909 Thornburg 242/1581 3.258.545 6/l966 Bernard l9l/l2.2 R  
 [ Apr. s, 1975 3.66l .340 5/1972 Truss/ell 242/868 Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant E.\&#39;anu&#39;ner-D. W. Keen Attorney, Agent. or Firm-Clarence A. O&#39;Brien &amp; Harvey B. Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT A reel device for extension cords comprising a pair of reels rotatably supported on a manual crankshaft which is axially movable for transmitting rotation to one of the reels, and a guide mechanism including a drive wheel in selective frictional engagement with one of the reels to automatically level wind the cord during rewind.  
 13 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures REEL DEVICE FOR EXTENSION CORD The present invention is generally related to reel de vices and. more particularly, to an improved reel device for conveniently handling electrical extension cords and the like.  
  In the past. various reel assemblies have been provided for dispensing electrical cords. Several such assemblies have been provided with means for rewinding the cords subsequent to their use. However. such conventional constructions. for the most part, have been difficult to operate during rewind. due in part to the cords tendency to buckle or tangle. Guide rollers and the like have been proposed to alleviate these problems. but such have met with only partial success. particularly in applications utilizing heavier cords wound in several layers on the associated reel.  
  Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel reel device including means for conveniently effecting dispensing and rewind of electrical extension cords with a minimum amount of effort and without tangling, buckling or the like.  
  Another object of the present invention is to provide a unique reel device including a level wind mechanism drivingly connected to a cord reel for actuation thereby when rotated to effect rewind of the extension cord.  
  It is a further object of the present invention to provide a versatile reel device including a pair of cord reels selectively rotated by a crank mechanism and a level wind mechanism including a frictional drive wheel which may be manually shifted into operative engagement with either reel. whereby the extension cord may be neatly and conveniently rewound without tangling on the associated reel.  
  These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed. reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof. wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.  
  FIG. I is a perspective view of the reel device of the present invention.  
  FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along section 22 of FIG. I with portions removed to expose the electrical collector rings.  
  FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along section 3-3 of FIG. 2.  
  FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along section 44 of FIG. 2.  
  FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the clutch mechanism associated with the present invention.  
  FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along section 6-6 of FIG. 4.  
  Referring now. more particularly. to FIG. 1 of the drawings. the reel device of the present invention is generally indicated by the numeral 10 and includes a housing comprised of a pair of oppositely disposed side panels I2 and 14 attached to a generally rectangular frame 16. A pair of rigid straps 18 and 20 are attached to side panels 12 and I4 and extend upwardly and inwardly to provide a mounting for a carrying handle 22 disposed at the top of the device. A crankshaft 24 extends between side panels I2 and I4 and is provided with a crank handle 26 for manual rotation. A pair of reels 28 and 30 are mounted to crankshaft 24 for selec tive rotation thereby. as hereinafter explained. The reels are provided with electrical extension cords as indicated at 32 and 34 which extend through apertures in a reciprocal guide member 36 associated with a level wind mechanism.  
  Crankshaft 24 is axially movable and is provided with a clutch member which engages one of the reels depending upon the crankshafts axial position. A lever 38 may be positioned in any one of a plurality of notches 40 spaced along the length of a member 42 extending between panels 12 and 14. As hereinafter explained. lever 38 is connected to a drive wheel which operatively engages one of the reels to transmit movement to the level wind mechanism. In operation, lever 38 is positioned to place the drive wheel in snug engagement with one of the reels and crankshaft 24 is axially positioned for rotatably driving the same reel by way of crank handle 26.  
  With reference to FIGS. 2-4, it will be observed that lever 38 is pivotally connected to the housing at its lower end as indicated at 44. Preferably, the pivotal connection is loosely fitted such that the lever may be moved in and out of notches 40 with a minimum amount of effort. A coil tension spring 46 extends between frame 16 and lever 38 for biasing the lever in a direction toward notched member 42, whereby lever 38 is latched in the selected groove. A support bearing 48 is carried by lever 38 intermediate its ends for rotatably supporting a drive shaft 50 with drive wheel 52 affixed to one end. The opposite end of the drive shaft is connected to a universal joint 54 or the like which is drivingly connected to the level wind mechanism gen erally indicated by the numeral 56.  
  The level wind mechanism includes a vertically slotted member 58 which is attached to guide member 36 to effect back and forth reciprocal movement thereof. A crank member 60 is operatively connected to the slot of member 58 and is driven by way of a gear mechanism including a pair of gears 62 and 64 coupled to universal joint 54. Drive wheel 52 is provided with a circumferential drive surface 66 of frictional material such as rubber which engages the sides of one of the reels under the influence of lever 38.  
  As mentioned above. crankshaft 24 is provided with a clutch member which is indicated by the numeral 68, best illustrated in FIG. 5. The clutch member is comprised of a sleeve which is affixed to the crankshaft for rotation therewith. Each axial end of the clutch member is provided with a pair of fingers adapted to engage corresponding apertures 70 formed in the side of each reel. A cylindrical spacer 72 surrounds sleeve 68 and maintains spacing between the reels. In addition, a pair of bushings 74 and 76 are provided at the outer sides of the reels to prevent their rubbing against side panels 12 and I4. Cylindrical spacer 74 is slightly greater in length than clutch member 68, thereby providing a neutral position for the crankshaft wherein neither of the reels is in driving engagement with the clutch member. This position is utilized when dispensing the extension cords. During rewind. of course. the crankshaft is axially displaced to the desired setting to effect rewind of one of the reels.  
  It will be observed in FIGS. 3 and 4, that the crank shaft is illustrated in the neutral position with the right and left hand positions being shown in dash line at 78 and 80. Lever 38 is provided with an opening through which arm 82 extends with coil compression springs 84 and 86 engaging opposite sides of the lever. The opening in lever 38, not illustrated, is of sufficient size to permit the lever to move freely relative to arm 82. This provides a lost-motion type connection. whereby the lever exerts forces on the drive wheel by way ofthe coil compression springs. Thus. with drive wheel 52 in engagement with the left reel 30, coil compression spring 86 will be compressed somewhat. while coil compres sion spring 84 is expanded. as illustrated in FIG. 6. This biases the drive wheel into frictional engagement with the reel such that rotation of the reel by way of the crank handle effects rotation of the drive wheel to operate the level wind mechanism. When lever 38 is shifted to the right reel. the springs operate in a reverse fashion to maintain the drive wheel in engagement with reel 28. During rewind operation, drive wheel 52 is effective to rotate the level wind mechanism, whereby guide 36 reciprocates back and forth in track 37 to guide the cords back and forth along the associated reels to provide level winding.  
  ln order to connect the cords to external circuitry. each reel is provided with a set of concentric collector rings 88. 90 and 92 mounted on its outer side and as best illustrated in FIG. 2. A plurality of brushes 94. 95 and 96 are provided adjacent to each reel and in engagement with collector rings 88. 90, and 92, respectively. Preferably. the brushes are of conventional construction. such as carbon. and are mounted in junction boxes 98 in a manner which maintains them in wiping engagement with the associated collector rings. Extension cord 34 is provided with a male plug 100 adapted to be inserted into an electrical outlet. while cord 32 is provided with a female receptacle 102 adapted to receixe a male plug. such as plug 100. A pair of internal junction boxes [04 and 106 are mounted to side panels 14 and [2 with a cable 108 extending therebetween. Each junction box is connected to the associated set of brushes. This provides a circuit between the extension cords. During use of the reel device. cord 34 is first dis pensed from reel 30 and plugged into a wall receptacle. Additional length of extension cord may be provided by dispensing cord 32 from reel 28 to locate receptacle 102 at the job site. Thus. the total length of the exten sion cord is equal to the combined lengths of cords 32 and 34.  
  From the foregoing description. it will be appreciated that the reel device ofthe present invention provides a versatile means of expeditiously dispensing and rewinding extension cords. The crank handle mechanism permits selective rotation of either reel. while adjustable lever 38 may be positioned for effectively driving the level wind mechanism. The overall device is of relatively simple construction. requiring a minimum number of moving parts. the device may be made of light weight material and is of compact construction. such that it may be easily carried from place to place with a minimum amount of effort.  
  The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further. since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art. it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to. falling within the scope of the invention.  
 What is claimed as new is as follows:  
  1. A reel assembly comprising a housing. a crankshaft supported by said housing for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. first and second reels mounted on said crankshaft for selective rotation thereby, first and second electrical cords normally spooled around said first and second reels. respectively. level wind means associated with said housing for guiding each of said cords onto the associated reels during rewind. said level wind means including a reciprocal guide member sup ported by said housing for reciprocal movement along a path extending transversely of said reels. and a rotary drive member drivingly connected to said reciprocal guide member. and latch means for selectively positioning said rotary drive member in operative engagement with one of said reels for rotation thereby. said first and second reels being axially spaced apart from each other with said drive member being disposed therebetween. said rotary drive member including a drive wheel. said latch means maintaining frictional en gagcnient between one of said reels and said wheel. whereby rotation of said reel is transmitted to said wheel. said latch means including a lever pivotally sup ported by said housing. and a bearing carried by said lever rotatably supporting said drive wheel. said lever being selectively movable between first and second po sitions wherein said drive wheel engages said first and second reels respectively.  
  2. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said latch means includes a detent member associated with said housing adjacent said lever with a plurality of spaced notches therein for retaining said lever in a selected position.  
  3. The structure set forth in claim 2 wherein said latch means includes means for biasing said lever toward the selected notch.  
  4. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein a crank mechanism is mounted to said housing and connected to said guide member, said drive wheel being affixed to a drive shaft supported near one end by said bearing. and a universal joint at the opposite end of said drive shaft connected to said crank mechanism.  
  5. The structure set forth in claim I, wherein the first and second reels are mounted on the crankshaft for rotation with respect thereto. and further including means for selectively connecting the reels to the crankshaft for rotation thereby, said means including a clutch member mounted on the crankshaft for move ment therewith and provided at each axial end thereof with at least one finger arranged for engaging an aper ture formed in an adjacent reel for connecting the reel to the crankshaft, the crankshaft being axially movably supported by the housing for selectively engaging the reels.  
  6. A reel assembly for electrical extension cords. said assembly comprising a housing. a crankshaft supported by said housing for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. a cord reel mounted on said crankshaft for selective rotation thereby. an electrical cord normally spooled around said reel. level wind means associated with said housing for guiding said cord onto said reel during rewind. level wind means including a reciprocal guide member supported by said housing for reciprocal movement along a path extending transversely of said reel and including a rotary drive member affixed to a drive shaft for rotation thereof. a lever pivotally mounted to said housing. a bearing carried by said lever rotatably supporting said drive shaft, a crank mechanism drivingly connected between said reciprocal guide member and said drive shaft for operation thereby upon rotation of said drive member. and latch means for selectively maintaining said lever in a desired position, wherein said drive member is in engagement with said reel for rotation thereby,  
  7. The structure set forth in claim 6 wherein said latch means includes an elongated member associated with said housing with a plurality of spaced notches therein for retentatively embracing said lever.  
  8. The structure set forth in claim 7 wherein said latch means includes means for biasing said lever to maintain it in the selected notch.  
  9. The structure set forth in claim 6 wherein the crank mechanism is mounted on said housing, and the drive member includes a drive whee] affixed to the drive shaft, and a universal joint is connected to the crank mechanism at the opposite end of the drive shaft.  
  10. The structure set forth in claim 6, wherein the first and second reels are mounted on the crankshaft for rotation with respect thereto, and further including means for selectively connecting the reels to the crankshaft for rotation thereby, said means including a clutch member mounted on the crankshaft for movement therewith and provided at each axial end thereof with at least one finger arranged for engaging an aperture formed in an adjacent reel for connecting the reel to the crankshaft, the crankshaft being axially movably supported by the housing for selectively engaging the reels.  
 11. A reel assembly comprising, in combination, a  
 crankshaft mounted for rotation about an axis, first and second reels mounted on the crankshaft for rotation with respect thereto, and means for selectively connecting the reels to the crankshaft for rotation thereby, said means including a clutch member mounted on the crankshaft for movement therewith and provided at each axial end thereof with at least one finger arranged for engaging an aperture formed in an adjacent reel for connecting the reel to the crankshaft. the crankshaft being axially movably supported for selectively engaging the reels.  
  12. A reel assembly comprising. in combination, a housing. a crankshaft supported by said housing for rotation about an axis, first and second reels mounted on said crankshaft for selective rotation thereby, first and second cords normally spooled around said first and second reels, respectively, level wind means associated with said housing for guiding each of said cords onto the associated reels during rewind. said levcl wind means including a reciprocal guide member supported by said housing for reciprocal movement along a path extending transversely of said reels, a rotary drive member drivingly connected to said reciprocal guide member, and latch means for selectively positioning said rotary drive member in operative engagement with one of said reels for rotation thereby, said rotary drive member including a drive wheel. said latch means maintaining frictional engagement between one of said reels and said wheel, whereby rotation of said reel is transmitted to said wheel, and said latch means including a lever pivotally supported by said housing. and a bearing carried by said lever rotatably supporting said drive wheel, said lever being selectively movable between first and second positions wherein said drive wheel engages said first and second reels respectively.  
  13. The structure set forth in claim 12 wherein said first and second reels are axially spaced apart from each other with said drive member being disposed