Brian Scott Gordon

US Patent:

59477903, Sep 7, 1999

Filed:

May 7, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/853055

Inventors:

Brian K. Gordon - Livingston NJ

International Classification:

A63H 3300

US Classification:

446247

Abstract:

A hand-held device permits playout and retrieval of line with reduced incidence of tangling. A spool is drivingly connected a motor selectively energizable by the user. A line is receivable on the rotating spool for uptake in windings thereabout when the motor is energized during a retrieval operation. When the motor is not energized, and sufficient force is applied to the other end of the line, the spool rotates in a direction opposite to the rotational direction during uptake against the resting rotational resistance of the motor to permit unwinding and playout of the line. The device is conveniently wand-shaped, and includes a rear portion of the device defining a user grip, and a remaining head portion disposed forward of the hand when held. The spool is disposed inside the head portion. An opening provided in the head portion, is advantageously located in a position in the head portion between imaginary planes drawn through opposed ends of the spool and perpendicular to a rotational spool axis, the opening thereby orienting a portion of the line interior the device in a controlled direction relative to the spool axis irrespective of a direction of a counter force applied to the line.