Winding device

Abstract

This invention generally relates to a winding device and more particularly to an apparatus and method to rewind the line of marker buoys, pre-strung blanks, kite string reels, and similar objects. In general the winding device comprises a turning receiver adapted to contact the outer surface of one end of the object to be rewound and, with power from a power source, to rotate the object to rewind the line. The winding device also comprises an end piece adapted to contact the outer surface of the other end of the object and to hold the object in a desired position for rewinding. A winding device of the present invention may rewind the line of a variety of sizes, shapes and configurations of such objects.

1 . A winding device comprising: 
 a housing adapted to receive an object to be rewound, the housing comprising a first end and a second end;    a support member positioned at the first end of the housing and adapted to contact the outer surface of at least a portion of a first end of the object; and    a drive member positioned at the second end of the housing and adapted to contact the outer surface of at least a portion of a second end of the object and to rotate the object about its longitudinal axis.    
   
   
       2 . The winding device of  claim 1 , wherein the drive member is adapted to frictionally hold the second end of the object.  
   
   
       3 . The winding device of  claim 1 , wherein the drive member is adapted to grippingly hold the second end of the object.  
   
   
       4 . The winding device of  claim 1 , wherein the drive member comprises a concave surface adapted to contact at least a portion of the outer surface of the second end of the object.  
   
   
       5 . The winding device of  claim 1 , wherein the drive member comprises a plurality of arms adapted to contact at least a portion of the outer surface of the second end of the object.  
   
   
       6 . The winding device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is adapted to selectively vary the distance between the support member and the drive member.  
   
   
       7 . The winding device of  claim 1 , wherein the support member further comprises an end piece adapted to be positioned at a selected position along the longitudinal axis of the housing and to contact at least a portion of the outer surface of the first end of the object.  
   
   
       8 . The winding device of  claim 1 , wherein the support member further comprises an end piece adapted to be inserted into an opening in the first end of the housing, to be positioned at a selected position along the longitudinal axis of the housing and to contact at least a portion of the outer surface of the first end of the object.  
   
   
       9 . The winding device of  claim 8 , wherein the end piece and at least a portion of the first end of the housing are threaded.  
   
   
       10 . The winding device of  claim 1 , wherein the support member further comprises a rotating member adapted to rotate about the rest of the support member.  
   
   
       11 . The winding device of  claim 1 , wherein the support member comprises a concave surface adapted to contact at least a portion of the outer surface of the first end of the object.  
   
   
       12 . The winding device of  claim 1 , further comprising a power source adapted to rotate the drive member.  
   
   
       13 . The winding device of  claim 12 , wherein the power source comprises at least one battery.  
   
   
       14 . The winding device of  claim 12 , wherein the power source comprises at least one rechargeable battery.  
   
   
       15 . The winding device of  claim 1 , further comprising a socket adapted to electrically connect the winding device to an external power source.  
   
   
       16 . The winding device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one side panel extending from the first end of the housing to the second end of the housing, wherein the at least one side panel comprises a guide.  
   
   
       17 . The winding device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a cover.  
   
   
       18 . The winding device of  claim 1 , wherein the drive member is adapted to be selectively rotated in one of a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction.  
   
   
       19 . The winding device of  claim 1 , further comprising a mount adapted to releasably hold the housing.  
   
   
       20 . A winding device comprising: 
 a housing adapted to receive an object to be wound, the housing comprising a first end, a second end and at least one side panel extending from the first end to the second end;    a support member positioned at the first end of the housing and comprising a concave surface adapted to contact the outer surface of at least a portion of a first end of the object;    a drive member positioned at the second end of the housing and comprising a concave surface adapted to contact the outer surface of at least a portion of a second end of the object, to hold the object in a desired location and to rotate the object about its longitudinal axis;    a power source adapted to rotate the drive member; and    an activation control adapted to activate and deactivate the power source,    wherein the housing is adapted to selectively vary the distance between the support member and the drive member.    
   
   
       21 . The winding device of  claim 20  wherein the drive member is adapted to grippingly hold the object.  
   
   
       22 . The winding device of  claim 20  wherein at least a portion of the concave surface of the drive member is substantially circular in cross section, with a diameter at least as large as the height of the second end of the object.  
   
   
       23 . The winding device of  claim 20  wherein the support member further comprises an end piece adapted to be positioned at a selected position along the longitudinal axis of the housing and to contact at least a portion of the outer surface of the first end of the object.  
   
   
       24 . The winding device of  claim 23  wherein the end piece and at least a portion of the first end of the housing are threaded.  
   
   
       25 . The winding device of  claim 20  wherein the power source comprises at least one rechargeable battery.  
   
   
       26 . The winding device of  claim 20  wherein the drive member is adapted to be selectively rotated in one of a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction.  
   
   
       27 . A winding device comprising: 
 a housing adapted to receive an object to be wound, the housing comprising a first end, a second end and at least one side panel extending from the first end to the second end;    a support member positioned at the first end of the housing and comprising a concave surface adapted to contact the outer surface of at least a portion of a first end of the object;    a drive member positioned at the second end of the housing and comprising a plurality of arms adapted to contact the outer surface of at least a portion of a second end of the object, to hold the object in a desired location and to rotate the object about its longitudinal axis;    a power source adapted to rotate the drive member; and    an activation control adapted to activate and deactivate the power source,    wherein the housing is adapted to selectively vary the distance between the support member and the drive member.    
   
   
       28 . The winding device of  claim 27  wherein the plurality of arms of the drive member are adapted to frictionally hold the object in the desired location.  
   
   
       29 . The winding device of  claim 27  wherein the support member further comprises an end piece adapted to be positioned at a selected position along the longitudinal axis of the housing and to contact at least a portion of the outer surface of the first end of the object.  
   
   
       30 . The winding device of  claim 29  wherein the end piece and at least a portion of the first end of the housing are threaded.  
   
   
       31 . The winding device of  claim 27  wherein the power source comprises at least one rechargeable battery.  
   
   
       32 . A method of winding a line around an object comprising: 
 inserting the object into a housing;    contacting at least a portion of the outer surface of a first end of the object with a drive member located at one end of the housing, adapted to contact at least a portion of the outer surface of the first end of the object and adapted to rotate the object about its longitudinal axis;    positioning a support member to contact a least a portion of the outer surface of a second end of the object;    securing the position of the support member at a desired location in the housing; and    activating a power source to rotate the drive member and thereby rotate the object.