Spring loaded, trigger activated reel device for managing a rope or other line

Abstract

A reel device for storing towing rope or line such as used in water skiing and like activities. A spring-loaded reel is contained in a ventilated housing. A short bridle line with a clip is carried on the reel for leading the tow rope into the housing. When an end of the tow line is attached to the clip and a trigger is pulled, the reel turns under action of the springs, winding the bridle and tow rope onto the reel. Most water in the line is squeezed out in the coiling process; the remainder is air dried through ventilation holes in the housing and reel sides. For use of the tow rope, the rope is pulled from the reel against the action of the springs, winding them back up. The tow rope is detached from the bridle line and affixed to the boat or other vehicle for use in pulling a skier through the water, or the like.

1 . A reel assembly for storing and then releasing for use a tow rope, the rope selectively carrying a load along its length during use out of the reel assembly and being wound on the reel while not in use, the assembly comprising: 
 a housing;    a reel mounted rotatably in the housing about an axis therein;    at least one spring mounted to act between the housing and the reel to rotate the reel in a first direction about the axis for a desired number of rotations;    a trigger and a latch controlled by the trigger, both mounted in the housing and selectively engaging the reel with the latch in a first position of the trigger to stop rotation of the reel in said first direction and to allow said rotation in said first direction in a second, actuated position of the trigger and latch; and    a connection member engaged at or adjacent one side or end with the reel and free at another side or end to selectively engage and disengage with one end of said tow rope, as for a water skier or other item,    whereby the tow rope is substantially fully collected for storage on the reel by the action of the spring in the housing when the rope is connected to the connection member and the trigger and latch are then actuated.    
   
   
       2 . The reel assembly defined in  claim 1 , wherein the latch is configured to allow rotation of the reel in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, without actuation of the trigger and upon application of a suitable force to the rope on the reel that is sufficient to overcome the opposing spring force applied on the reel, for removing the tow rope from the reel and to wind the spring for later use in retracting the tow rope.  
   
   
       3 . The reel assembly defined in  claim 1 , wherein the connection member is a short length of rope with one end engaging the reel and with a hook at an end opposite the one end, whereby the tow rope can be readily connected to the hook for storage and disconnected from it for use in towing with the full length of the rope.