Rotatable Spool For Winding Cords or Hoses

Abstract

A rotatable spool includes a frame with a central rod and a hollow cylinder that is rotatable about the central rod. The cylinder includes an inscribed helical thread that is formed along the length of the cylinder and a central axis parallel with the central rod. The operator is disposed around a portion of the cylinder and includes a projection engaged with the helical thread such that linear movement of the operator causes the cylinder to rotate about its central axis. A reel is rotatably mounted on the frame and a clutch selectively couples the cylinder and the reel when the operator is depressed toward the frame.

1 . A rotatable spool comprising:
 (a) a frame with a central rod;   (b) a hollow cylinder rotatable about the central rod, comprising a helical thread formed along the cylinder and a central axis parallel with the central rod;   (c) an operator disposed around a portion of the cylinder, comprising a projection that is engaged with the helical thread such that linear movement of the operator causes the cylinder to rotate about its central axis;   (d) a reel rotatably mounted on the frame; and   (e) a clutch selectively coupling the cylinder and the reel when the operator is depressed.   
   
   
       2 . The spool of  claim 1 , wherein the cylinder comprises a plurality of helical threads and the operator comprises a corresponding plurality of corresponding projections. 
   
   
       3 . The spool of  claim 1 , wherein engagement between the operator and the cylinder prevents rotation of the operator. 
   
   
       4 . The spool of  claim 1 , wherein the reel is configured to accept a flexible elongated member. 
   
   
       5 . The spool of  claim 1 , where the reel is removable from the frame. 
   
   
       6 . The spool of  claim 1 , further comprising a rotatable bracket aligned concentrically and partially surrounding the cylinder. 
   
   
       7 . The spool of  claim 6 , wherein the bracket is fixed to an output portion of the clutch with a collar. 
   
   
       8 . The spool of  claim 6 , wherein the bracket comprises a plurality of radially extended arms that engage the reel. 
   
   
       9 . The spool of  claim 8 , wherein the bracket comprises a latch that extends from one of the plurality of arms to engage the reel. 
   
   
       10 . The spool of  claim 9 , wherein the latch comprises a tab portion that is engageable with the reel. 
   
   
       11 . The spool of  claim 1 , wherein the operator comprises a disc that is configured to be manipulated by the user to linearly translate the operator with respect to the frame. 
   
   
       12 . The spool of  claim 11 , further comprising a first spring provided between the disc and the cylinder to bias the disc away from the cylinder. 
   
   
       13 . The spool of  claim 7 , further comprising a spring disposed between the cylinder and a collar. 
   
   
       14 . The spool of  claim 7 , wherein the clutch comprises a plurality of first teeth projecting from a bottom surface of the cylinder that are selectively engageable with a plurality of second teeth projecting from the collar. 
   
   
       15 . The spool of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of first and second teeth each comprise a vertical face and an inclined face. 
   
   
       16 . The spool of  claim 1 , wherein the clutch couples the cylinder and the reel when the cylinder rotates in a first direction and the operator is depressed toward the frame, and the clutch disengages the reel and the cylinder when the reel rotates in an opposite direction. 
   
   
       17 . The spool of  claim 1 , further comprising an upstanding portion of the helical thread in the proximity of a bottom end of the cylinder. 
   
   
       18 . The spool of  claim 17 , wherein the upstanding portion of the helical thread defines a loop. 
   
   
       19 . The spool of  claim 17 , wherein the projection of the operator is fixedly engageable within the upstanding portion of the helical thread. 
   
   
       20 . The spool of  claim 1 , wherein the clutch comprises a first magnet disposed upon the cylinder and a second magnet disposed in concert with the spool, wherein the first and second magnets are aligned such that a same polarity of each magnet is proximate the opposing magnet. 
   
   
       21 . The spool of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrical cord connected to a portion of the spool and an electrical connection between the electrical cord and an electrical outlet provided in concert with the reel. 
   
   
       22 . The spool of  claim 21 , wherein the electrical connection comprises a plurality of slip rings disposed upon the frame to receive electrical current from the electrical cord, and a plurality of brushes disposed in concert with the reel in electrical connection with the electrical outlet. 
   
   
       23 . A rotatable spool comprising:
 (a) a rotatable cylinder comprising a helical groove inscribed on an outer surface of the cylinder;   (b) an operator at least partially surrounding the cylinder, the operator comprising a projection that engages the helical groove;   (c) a bracket surrounding a portion of the operator and the cylinder;   (d) a clutch selectively engaging the cylinder and the bracket; and   (d) a reel removeably engageable with the bracket for rotation with the bracket.   
   
   
       24 . The spool of  claim 23 , where the reel and the bracket are rotatable in a first direction cylinder when the clutch is engaged, and the reel and the bracket are rotatable in an opposite direction with respect to the cylinder. 
   
   
       25 . A rotatable spool comprising:
 (a) a rotatable cylinder comprising a helical thread inscribed on an outer surface of the cylinder;   (b) an operator disposed concentrically and at least partially surrounding the cylinder, the cylinder comprising a top end, a bottom end, and a projection radially extending toward the rotational axis provided in the vicinity of the bottom end of the operator;   (c) a reel rotatably mounted at least partially surrounding the cylinder and the operator and engageable with the cylinder to rotate therewith.