Retractable strap system

Abstract

A retractable strap system includes a retractor assembly and a strap. The retractor assembly includes a base plate, a retractor housing, and a center spindle. The retractor housing extends from the base plate and defines a housing cavity therein. The center spindle is rotatably located within the housing cavity of the retractor housing. The strap is partially disposed within the housing cavity of the retractor housing and is operably coupled to the center spindle. The strap is extendable from and retractable within the retractor housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A retractable strap system comprising:
 a retractor assembly including:
 a base plate, 
 a retractor housing extending from the base plate, the retractor housing defining a housing cavity therein, 
 a center spindle rotatably located within the housing cavity of the retractor housing; and 
 a strap partially disposed within the housing cavity of the retractor housing and operably coupled to the center spindle, wherein the strap is extendable from and retractable within the retractor housing. 
   
     
     
         2 . The retractable strap system according to  claim 1 , wherein the retractor housing includes a base wall having a center post extending perpendicularly therefrom, wherein the center post is configured to extend through the center spindle to rotatably couple the center spindle and the retractor housing. 
     
     
         3 . The retractable strap system according to  claim 2 , wherein the center spindle includes a ratchet wheel operably coupled to the retractor housing, the ratchet wheel being configured to selectively engage the retractor housing to prevent rotation of the center spindle about the center post when the strap is fully extended from the retractor housing. 
     
     
         4 . The retractable strap system according to  claim 3 , wherein the retractor housing includes an actuator operably coupled to the center spindle, wherein when the actuator is actuated from a starting position, the center spindle is actuated such that the ratchet wheel disengages from the retractor housing and the center spindle is able to rotate about the center post. 
     
     
         5 . The retractable strap system according to  claim 4 , wherein the retractor housing includes a first biasing member disposed on the center post, the first biasing member operably coupled to the actuator and resiliently biased to return the actuator to the starting position. 
     
     
         6 . The retractable strap system according to  claim 5 , wherein the retractor housing includes a second biasing member having a first end and a second end, the second biasing member being coiled about the center post such that the first end of the second biasing member is fixed to the center post and the second end of the second biasing member is secured to the strap, wherein the second biasing member is resiliently biased to retract the strap to within the retractor housing. 
     
     
         7 . The retractable strap system according to  claim 6 , wherein the center spindle includes a spindle cavity, wherein when the center spindle is disposed within the housing cavity of the retractor assembly and the center post extends through the center spindle, the first and second biasing members are disposed within the spindle cavity. 
     
     
         8 . The retractable strap system according to  claim 7 , wherein the strap extends between a first end and a second end, the first end of the strap being secured to a fastening member and the second end of the strap being secured to the second end of the second biasing member. 
     
     
         9 . The retractable strap system according to  claim 8 , wherein the center spindle includes an outer wall having a spindle slot therein, the spindle slot being configured to receive the second end of the strap within the spindle cavity to secure the second end of the strap to the second end of the second biasing member within the spindle cavity. 
     
     
         10 . The retractable strap system according to  claim 9 , wherein the strap extends from the spindle slot and is configured to wrap around the outer wall of the center spindle. 
     
     
         11 . The retractable strap system according to  claim 10 , wherein the retractor housing includes an outer wall defining a housing slot therein, the housing slot configured to feed the first end of the strap from within the housing cavity of the retractor housing to provide access to the strap from outside the retractor housing. 
     
     
         12 . The retractable strap system according to  claim 11 , wherein the fastening member includes a first width and the housing slot includes a second width, wherein the first width of the fastening member is greater than the second width of the housing slot such that the fastening member and the first end of the strap secured thereto are prevented from retreating into the housing cavity of the retractor housing through the housing slot. 
     
     
         13 . The retractable strap system according to  claim 6 , wherein the first biasing member is a compression spring and the second biasing member is a power spring. 
     
     
         14 . The retractable strap system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a receiver assembly having:
 a base plate, 
 a receiver housing coupled to the base plate of the receiver assembly, the receiver housing defining a housing cavity therein, and 
 a capture/release member actuatably disposed within the housing cavity of the receiver housing, the capture/release member configured to selectively secure the strap to detachably couple the retractor housing and the receiver housing. 
   
     
     
         15 . The retractable strap system according to  claim 14 , wherein the receiver housing includes an outer wall having a socket and the capture/release member includes an outer wall having a window, wherein in a first position, the window is substantially in registration with the socket and wherein in a second position, the window translates out of registration with the socket. 
     
     
         16 . The retractable strap system according to  claim 14 , wherein the capture/release member includes an inner surface defining an arcuate recess and the receiver housing includes a base wall defining a center post extending perpendicularly therefrom, wherein when the capture/release member is disposed within the housing cavity of the receiver housing, the center post of the receiver housing is configured to be located within the arcuate recess of the capture/release member such that the capture/release member is operably coupled to the receiver housing. 
     
     
         17 . The retractable strap system according to  claim 15 , wherein the receiver housing includes a biasing member disposed on a center post of the receiver housing, the biasing member of the receiver housing operably coupled to the capture/release member to resiliently bias the capture/release member to the first position. 
     
     
         18 . The retractable strap system according to  claim 17 , wherein the strap includes a fastening member secured thereto, wherein the window of the capture/release member and the socket of the receiver housing are configured to selectively locate and secure the fastening member. 
     
     
         19 . The retractable strap system according to  claim 18 , wherein the fastening member includes a slot and the window of the capture/release member includes a tooth, wherein when the fastening member is disposed within the window of the capture/release member and the socket of the receiver housing, the tooth engages the slot of the fastening member such that the fastening member is selectively secured within the receiver housing in the first position. 
     
     
         20 . The retractable strap system according to  claim 18 , wherein actuating the capture/release member against a bias of the biasing member of the receiver housing depresses the window of the capture/release member relative to the socket of the receiver housing such that the window and the socket are not in registration, wherein the tooth of the window dislocates from the slot of the fastening member to release the fastening member from the capture/release member in the second position. 
     
     
         21 . A kit including a retractable strap system, the kit comprising:
 a retractor assembly including:
 a first base plate; 
 a retractor housing extending from the first base plate, the retractor housing defining a first housing cavity therein; 
 a center spindle rotatably located within the first housing cavity; 
 a strap partially disposed within the first housing cavity, the strap including a first end secured to the retractor housing and a second end secured to a fastening member, wherein the strap is extendable from and retractable within the retractor housing; and 
   a receiver assembly including:
 a second base plate; 
 a receiver housing extending from the second base plate, the receiver housing defining a second housing cavity therein; and 
 a capture/release member actuatably disposed within the second housing cavity, the capture/release member configured to locate and detachably secure the fastening member and the second end of the strap secured thereto to detachably couple the retractor housing and the receiver housing.