Apparatus for storing and dispensing a line

Abstract

The apparatus (1, Figure 1) for storing and dispensing e.g., a washing line includes a reel 10 rotatably mounted within a housing 2. The reel has a flexible elongate member wound thereon. A handle u

Description

The present invention relates to apparatus for storing and dispensing a line and especially, but not solely, a line for hanging items such as textile items thereon, such as a washing line. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Traditionally, lines for hanging washing on to dry were typically a line or rope tied between two fixed points, such as between two posts. These traditional washing lines have the disadvantage that it is complicated and time consuming to put up and take down the washing line because the line needs to be uncoiled and then tied at both ends to the fixed points. It is also difficult to obtain sufficient tension in the line to stop the line sagging under the weight of the washing due to the difficulty of tying the line to the fixed points while simultaneously maintaining sufficient tension in the line. This often resulted in the washing line being left in place, which has the disadvantage that the line can accumulate dirt which can then transfer to the washing being dried and that the line deteriorates over time due to exposure to sunlight and other environmental factors. Recently, it has become common to use retractable washing lines which can be pulled out when required and clipped to a fixed point. Retractable lines generally avoid need for the line to be tied to the fixing points and are easier and quicker to put up and take down the line. Typically, retractable washing lines have a drum rotatably mounted with a housing. The line is wound onto the drum and exits the housing through a hole in the housing. Usually, the drum is spring-loaded so that when the line is pulled out of the housing the spring becomes loaded so that when the line is released from its fixing point, the spring rotates the drum to wind the line back into the housing. In this retractable washing line arrangement, the tension generated in the spring when the line is unwound from the drum maintains the line in tension and reduces sagging of the line. However, this is only partially effective in reducing sagging and is entirely dependent on the tension in the spring being sufficiently high to overcome the weight of the washing that is placed on the line. When there are a large number of items, particularly heavier or larger items which absorb more water, such as items made of cotton, there is a tendency for the weight to overcome the spring tension and the washing line to sag. One approach would be to increase the strength of the spring but this has the disadvantage that it would make it more difficult to pull out the washing line from the housing and would also have the added danger that the pull on the line may be too high for the fixing point at the end of the line remote from the housing or when released from the fixing point, the line may retract too quickly or too violently and be dangerous to the user or others standing near the washing line. STATEMENT OF INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for storing and dispensing a line comprising comprising a housing; a reel rotatably mounted within the housing and adapted to have a flexible elongate member wound thereon; a handle unit rotatably mounted on the housing and moveable between an engaged position, in which it engages with the reel and rotation of the handle unit rotates the reel, and a disengaged position, in which it is disengaged from the reel and the reel is able to rotate without rotation of the handle unit; and a ratchet mechanism wherein when the handle unit is in the engaged position, the handle unit is coupled to the housing by a ratchet mechanism that permits relative rotation between the handle unit and the housing in one direction and inhibits relative rotation between the handle unit and the housing in the opposite direction. The invention has the advantage that by providing a ratchet mechanism that can be engaged and disengaged with the reel, it is possible to tension the line after the line has been unwound from the reel. Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a latch mechanism movable between a retaining position and a release position, the latch mechanism when in the retaining position, retaining the handle unit in the engaged position and when in the release position permitting movement of the handle unit between the engaged and disengaged positions. Typically, when the handle unit is in the disengaged position, the latch mechanism may move from the release position to the retaining position to retain the handle unit in the disengaged position. Preferably, the latch mechanism is movably mounted on the handle unit. Typically, the latch mechanism is movable in a substantially radial direction between the retaining and the release positions. The latch mechanism may be biassed to the retaining position. For example, the latch mechanism may comprise a spring to bias the latch mechanism to the retaining position. Preferably, the latch mechanism is biased radially outwardly to the retaining position. The housing may comprise a first circumferential recess and the latch mechanism moves in a radial direction to locate in the first circumferential recess and to retain the handle unit in one of the engaged and disengaged positions. Preferably, the housing may also comprise a second circumferential recess, axially spaced from the first circumferential recess, and the latch mechanism moves in a radial direction to locate in the second circumferential recess and to retain the handle unit in the other of the engaged and disengaged positions. Typically, the handle unit is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the rotation of the reel between the engaged and disengaged positions. Preferably, a formation on the handle unit is adapted, in use, to engage with a complementary formation on the reel when the handle unit is in the engaged position. The formation on the handle unit may comprise at least one of a projection and a recess and the complementary formation on the reel may comprise at least one of the other of a recess and a projection. Typically, one projection is adapted to locate within one recess to engage the handle unit with the reel. The ratchet mechanism may comprise a pair of mutually engageable formations. One mutually engageable formation may be fixedly coupled to the housing and the other mutually engageable formation may be fixedly coupled to the handle unit. Typically, the one of the mutually engageable formations comprises a number of teeth and the other of the mutually engageable formation comprises a tooth engagement member that is biassed into engagement with the teeth. In one example, the tooth engagement member may comprise a finger projection, a pawl or a dog. The tooth engagement member may be located on the latch mechanism. Preferably, the teeth are disposed at least partially circumferentially around an inside surface of the housing. More preferably, the teeth are disposed entirely around the inside surface. Most preferably, the teeth are disposed at least partially circumferentially around the inside of the circumferential recess in which the latch member locates to retain the handle unit in the engaged position. Preferably, the handle unit comprises user engagement means to permit the handle unit to be rotated by a user, in use. Typically, the user engagement means may comprise an engagement formation that may be engaged by the fingers, hand or other body part of a user. For example, the user engagement means may comprise a handle and / or recesses engageable by at least one finger or a hand of a user to effect rotation of the handle unit. In one example of the invention, the apparatus may further comprise a spring coupled between the housing and the reel, rotation of the reel in one direction relative to the housing creating tension in the spring and release of the created tension causing the reel to rotate in the opposite direction. The advantage of this feature is that it enables the reel to be spring-loaded. Therefore, when line is unwound from the reel, in use, the spring is tensioned and when the unwound line is released, the spring tension causes the reel to rotate in the opposite direction to wind the line back onto the reel, in use. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus according to the first aspect further comprising a line wound onto the reel, an end of the line protruding from an opening in the housing. The apparatus may be manufactured from plastic, metal or a combination of plastic and metal materials. For example some components could be metal and some components could be plastic. If plastic, the components could be moulded, such as injection moulded. All or some of the components of the apparatus may be formed by 3D printing in either metal or plastic. The term “line” as used herein may mean any flexible elongate member that may be wound onto a reel. For example, the line may be a cord, string, tape or rope. The line may be formed from a natural material, a synthetic material or a combination of natural and synthetic materials. The line may be at least one of woven, wound, extruded. The line may comprise multiple components. For example, the line may comprise an external sheath, which may be woven, with a core, which may be extruded, within the sheath. The term “line” does not include flexible pipe or hose. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An example of apparatus for storing and dispensing a line will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus for storing and dispensing a washing line; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 with a handle unit locked in a disengaged position; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 2 but with the handle unit unlocked; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view with the handle unit moved to an engaged position and unlocked; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 4 but with the handle unit locked in the engaged position; and Fig. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view along the line AA of Fig. 5. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus 1 for storing and dispensing a washing line (not shown). The apparatus 1 comprises a housing 2 and a handle unit 3 rotatably mounted on a first side wall 4 of the housing 2. Mounted on the handle unit 3 are two actuators 5. The handle unit 3 comprises a cylindrical knob 6 that extends from a disc 7 on a hub 8. The actuators 5 are mounted on the hub 8. The housing has an opening 9 through which the line can be wound into and out of the housing 2 of the apparatus 1. As shown in Fig. 2, internally the apparatus 1 comprises a drum (or reel) 10 rotatably mounted on a first axle 11 located on the inside of a second side wall 12 of the housing 2. The drum 10 comprises a hub 13 mounted on the axle 11 and two flanges 14, 15 extending out from the hub 13 away from the axle hole 16. The two flanges 14, 15 form a recess which is adapted to enable the washing line to be wound onto the drum 10 between the flanges 14, 15. The washing line can be any type of suitable flexible elongate member but preferably has a substantially circular or rounded cross-section. For example, suitable types of line may be synthetic or natural cord or rope. For example, the line could be formed from a plastics material, such as polyester or nylon. The line may be a woven or wound plastics material or an extruded plastics material. In another example, the line may comprise an extruded or woven outer sheath with a woven or wound core. Extending coaxially out from the first axle 11, on the opposite end of the first axle 11 from the second side wall 12, is a second axle 17 with a diameter smaller than the first axle 11. Rotatably mounted on the second axle 17 is the handle unit 3. As shown in Fig. 2, the second axle 17 is located within a recess 18 in the hub 8. Also shown in Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the first side wall 4. This has a central aperture 19 within which the handle unit 3 is mounted on the second axle 17. Adjacent to and the central aperture 19, are three flanges 20, 21, 22, an outer flange 20, a central flange 21 and an inner flange 22. The flanges 20, 21, 22 define two openings 23, 24 with the central flange 21 separating the openings 23, 24. Each actuator 5 has a latch member 25 located adjacent its inner end that extends radially outwardly from the actuator 5 and the axle 17. Each latch member 25 has a radially outer end 26 located within the opening 23. A spring 28 biases each actuator 5 away from central axis 30 to the position shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 3, the actuators 5 can be depressed, against the action of the springs 28, so that they move radially inwardly towards the central axis 30. This causes the latch members 25 to move radially inwardly and for the outer ends 26 to move out of the opening 23. This then permits the handle unit 3 to slide axially on the axle 17 towards the drum 10 so that projections 31 on the handle unit 3 locate in recesses 32 on the hub 13 of the drum 10, as shown in Fig. 4. It can be seen from Fig. 4 that when the projections 31 are located in the recesses 32, the latch members 25 are aligned with the second opening 24 defined by the flanges 21, 22. Hence, when the actuators 5 are released when the handle unit is in the position shown in Fig. 4, the springs 28 push the actuators outwards away from the axis 30, so that the outer ends 26 of the latch members 25 engage in the inner opening 24, as shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 6 is a partial cross-section along the line AA in Fig. 5 with the inner flange 22 omitted for clarity. As can be seen from Fig. 6, the inner opening 24 has a plurality of latch teeth 33 extending circumferentially around the inner circumferential surface of the inner opening 24. Each latch member 25 has finger projection (or pawl or dog) 34 on its outer end 26. Therefore, when the actuators 5 are biased out to the position shown in Fig. 5, the pawls 34 engage with corresponding spaces 35 between the teeth 33, so that the combination of the teeth 33 and pawls 34 form a rotational ratchet mechanism. This permits the handle unit 3 to rotate only in the direction of the arrows 36, relative to the housing 2, which corresponds to rotation of the handle unit 3 in an anti-clockwise direction, as viewed externally in the direction of arrow 40 (see Fig. 5). When the handle unit 3 is in the position shown in Fig. 5 and rotated clockwise relative to the housing 2, the pawls 34 slide against the sloping surfaces of the teeth 33. This has the effect of pushing the pawls 34 and the latch members 25 inwards towards the axis 30 until the pawls 34 pass over the ends of the teeth 33 and engage in the next space 35. The radially extending surfaces of the pawls 34 and the teeth 33, then prevent the pawls 34 moving relative to the teeth 33 in the reverse, anticlockwise direction. Hence, when the handle unit 3 is in the position shown in Fig. 5 in which the handle unit 3 engages with the drum 10 and the pawls 34 of the latch members 25 engage with the ratchet teeth 33, the handle unit 3 and drum 10 can be rotated clockwise in the direction of the arrow 36 but the handle unit 3 and drum 10 are prevented from rotating relative to the housing in the opposite, ant-clockwise direction. In use, a washing line is wound on to the drum 10. Normally, the washing line would be preinstalled on the drum 10 before assembly of the apparatus 1. However, it is possible that the line could be wound onto the drum 10 after assembly of the apparatus 1. This would enable a distributor, retailer or end user to receive the apparatus 1 without a line and to install a line of their choosing after receiving the apparatus 1. A first end the line would preferably be attached to the drum with the opposite, second end of the line protruding from the opening 9. In one example of the invention, the opening 9 would have a fixture which would inhibit the second end from being wound into the housing 2. The apparatus 1 would be attached to a fixed point, such as a wall or post. With the handle unit in the disengaged position shown in Fig. 2, the second end of the line is pulled away from the apparatus 1, so that the line is pulled off the drum 10 and out of the housing 2 through the opening 9. This is possible because the handle unit 3 is disengaged from the drum 10 so that the drum 10 is free to rotate on the axle 11 in the anti-clockwise direction. The second of the line is then fixedly attached to an attachment point. For example, the second end could be fixedly attached by being tied, clamped or cleated to a fixed or stationary object. Alternatively, the second end may have a fixing member or device attached to it which engages with a fixture attached to a fixed or stationary object. Once the second end is fixedly attached to the attachment point, a user can tension the line. This is performed by the user first pushing the actuators 5 inwards by hand towards the axis 30, this causes the latch members 25 to disengage from the recess 23, as shown in Fig. 3. This then enables the handle unit 3 to be pushed towards the housing 2, so that the hub 8 slides on axle 17 towards the drum 10. Rotation of the handle unit 3 while pushing it towards the drum 10, enables the projections 31 to align with and enter the recesses 32, so that the handle unit 3 is engaged with the drum 10, as shown in Fig. 4. The user can then release the actuators 5, which are then biased radially outwards by the springs 28, so that the latch members 25 enter the recess 24 and the dogs 34 engage with the ratchet teeth 33, as shown in Fig. 5. When the apparatus 1 is in the position shown in Fig. 5, the handle unit 3 can be rotated clockwise in the direction of arrow 36, to wind line back onto the drum 10 and to tension the line between the drum 10 and the attachment point to which the second end is fixedly attached. The ratchet mechanism of the teeth 33 and dogs 34 prevent the line being unwound from the drum 10 after it has been tensioned and the tension from being lost or reduced. When it is desired to remove the line, the second end can be detached from the attachment point and the handle unit rotated clockwise to wind the line back into the housing 2 and onto the drum 10. In the apparatus 1, the drum 10 is shown as not being spring-loaded. This means that when a user wishes to retract the line onto the drum 10, the user has to wind the line manually onto the drum using the handle unit 3. However, the apparatus 1 could be modified to incorporate a spring, such as a helical spring to enable the drum 10 to be spring-loaded. In such an arrangement, an end of the spring would typically be attached internally to the housing 2, such as to the side wall 12, and the other end attached to the drum 10 with the spring wound around the first axle 11 . When the line is unwound from the drum 10, rotation of the drum in one direction would tension the spring. Hence, when a user wishes to retract the line and the line is released, the spring tension causes the drum 10 to rotate in the opposite direction, thereby causing the line to be wound back onto the drum. In addition, if there is too much tension in the line, the tension can be readjusted by moving the handle unit back to the position in Figs 2 or 3 to disengage the handle unit 3 from the drum 10. This permits the line to be wound from the drum 10 to reduce the tension in the line. The line can then be re-tensioned by moving the handle unit 3 back to the position shown in Fig. 5 to re-engaging the handle unit 3 with the drum 10 and the dogs 34 with the teeth 33. The invention has the advantage of enabling a washing line to be tensioned to minimise sag of the line when washing is hung on the line to dry. It also has the 5 advantage of enabling the tension to be adjusted as desired by permitting an increase or a decrease in the tension of the line. The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the 10 appended claims.

Claims

1. Apparatus for storing and dispensing a line comprising a housing; a reel rotatably mounted within the housing and adapted to have a flexible elongate member wound thereon; a handle unit rotatably mounted on the housing and moveable between an engaged position, in which it engages with the reel and rotation of the handle unit rotates the reel, and a disengaged position, in which it is disengaged from the reel and the reel is able to rotate without rotation of the handle unit; and a ratchet mechanism wherein when the handle unit is in the engaged position, the handle unit is coupled to the housing by a ratchet mechanism that permits relative rotation between the handle unit and the housing in one direction and inhibits relative rotation between the handle unit and the housing in the opposite direction.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a latch mechanism movable between a retaining position and a release position, the latch mechanism when in the retaining position, retaining the handle unit in the engaged position and when in the release position permitting movement of the handle unit between the engaged and disengaged positions.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the handle unit is in the disengaged position, the latch mechanism may move from the release position to the retaining position to retain the handle unit in the disengaged position.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the latch mechanism is mounted on the handle unit.

5. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the latch mechanism is movable in a substantially radial direction between the retaining and the release positions.

6. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the latch mechanism is biassed to the retaining position.

7. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the housing comprises a first circumferential recess and the latch mechanism moves in a radial direction to locate in the first circumferential recess and to retain the handle unit in one of the engaged and disengaged positions.

8. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the housing comprises a second circumferential recess, axially spaced from the first circumferential recess, and the latch mechanism moves in a radial direction to locate in the second circumferential recess and to retain the handle unit in the other of the engaged and disengaged positions.

9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the handle unit is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the rotation of the reel between the engaged and disengaged positions.

10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a formation on the handle unit is adapted, in use, to engage with a complementary formation on the reel when the handle unit is in the engaged position.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the formation on the handle unit comprises at least one of a projection and a recess and the complementary formation on the reel comprises at least one of a recess and a projection, wherein a projection is adapted to locate within a recess to engage the handle unit with the reel.

12. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ratchet mechanism comprises a pair of mutually engageable formations, one mutually engageable formation fixedly coupled to the housing and the other mutually engageable formation fixedly coupled to the handle unit.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the one of the mutually engageable formations comprises a number of teeth and the other mutually engageable formation comprises a tooth engagement member that is biassed into engagement with the teeth.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the tooth engagement member is located on the latch mechanism.

15. Apparatus according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the teeth are disposed at least partially circumferentially around an inside surface of the housing.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 when ultimately dependent on claims 7 or 8, wherein the teeth are disposed at least partially circumferentially around the inside of the circumferential recess in which the latch member locates to retain the handle unit in the engaged position.12

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