Winder tool and adaptor for manual and power retraction of spoolable material

Abstract

A hand powered or mechanical spooling device includes a spool, a torque transfer connection as an adaptor centered and torsionaly balanced on one end of the spool, a handle, a shoulder to keep string off the handle, and a slip sleeve. The handle, shoulder and spool can be formed as connected parts or as one unitary device. The slip sleeve can be secured in place so that it rotates around a portion of the handle up to and covering most of the shoulder. The torque transfer connection is integrated as either an internal hex bit receiver/adaptor, and/or external round or hexagonal bit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A winding device for spooling material, comprising:
 (a) a spool configured to receive and retain spoolable material;   (b) a handle having a proximal end and a distal end, the handle including a shoulder near the distal end;   (c) a torque transfer connection located at the distal end of the handle, the torque transfer connection comprising at least one of an internal hex bit receiver and an external hex bit shank;   (d) a slip sleeve disposed over at least a portion of the handle and rotatable with respect to the handle, the slip sleeve having a curved transition at the region proximate to the shoulder to ergonomically fit a user's hand and allow smooth rotation;   (e) at least one securing hook for retaining the free end of the spoolable material when not in use; and   (f) frictional engagement between the spool and the shoulder of the handle for securing a disposable spool in position during operation;   wherein the slip sleeve is configured to rotate around the handle and up against the shoulder and maintain a defined region on the handle for manual retraction and deployment of the device.   
     
     
         2 . The line winding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the slip sleeve is secured in place using at least one of a clip and a solid connection. 
     
     
         3 . The line winding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the torque transfer connection is adapted to receive a hex bit. 
     
     
         4 . The line winding apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the hex bit is a ¼-inch hex bit. 
     
     
         5 . The line winding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the slip sleeve is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal, vinyl, and elastomeric materials. 
     
     
         6 . The line winding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the spool is removably mounted to the handle via a friction fit. 
     
     
         7 . The line winding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the handle includes a region configured for manual operation to enable winding of the spool by hand. 
     
     
         8 . The line winding apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable torque transfer bit configured for engagement with a power tool. 
     
     
         9 . The line winding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured for use with a power drill set to a low clutch setting to safely wind material onto the spool. 
     
     
         10 . The line winding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the curved transition of the slip sleeve provides a contoured ergonomic grip surface for user comfort during manual deployment. 
     
     
         11 . A method of spooling material using the winding device of  claim 1 , comprising:
 (a) securing a working end of a string to a stationary object or a second person;   (b) grasping the slip sleeve near the shoulder of the handle;   (c) moving the device away from the secured end of the string to deploy the material;   (d) retracting the material by one of the following methods: (i) inserting a hex bit into the torque transfer connection and applying torque with a power drill; (ii) inserting a removable torque transfer bit into the torque transfer connection, connecting a power drill to the bit, and applying torque; or (iii) manually rotating the handle to wind the string onto the spool.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising manually winding the line using a retractable handle attached to the spool. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the adapter mechanism is configured to allow for attachment and detachment of the drill and facilitating transitions between powered and manual winding.