US1515960A - Automatic reel - Google Patents

Description

-Nov.18,1924. 1,515,960

B. P. METTRAS AUTOMATIC REEL Filed April 1, 1924 gwuentoz I m Maw 66M I Eltboanm Patented Nov. 18, 1924.

BELLE PARKS METER-118, 01 DE BEQUE, COLORADO.

AUTOMATIC REEL.

Application filled April 1,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BELLE PARKs Mirr- TRAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at De Beque, in the county of Mesa and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Reels, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to an automatic reeling device.

More particularly the invention relates to an automatic reeling device of small size, and adapted for use inreeling and unreeling spectacle fastening chains, small tape measures, and like uses where a simple, reliable, sturdy and compact arrangement of parlts which may be cheaply manufactured is highly desirable.

Although small reels designed to meet the demand for such uses have been provided, these devices rely on spiral or helical springs and complicated ratchet mechanisms, more or less unsatisfactory in operation.

The present invention has for its objects the provision of a reeling device in which a more reliable, simplified, and compact ratchet mechanism is provided.

Other objects are such as may be attained by utilization of the mechanisms and principles hereinafter set forth.

Referring to the drawings Fig. 1 is an enlarged side elevation of a preferred form of reel with the cover removed.

Fig 2 is a sectional View taken along line A-A of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the assembled reel in its case. I

Fig. 4 is a fragmental view showing the ratchet pawl structure.

The preferred form of mechanism comprises a case 1, with a cover 2 fastened thereto by screw threads or in any convenient manner. Rotatably mlounted in holes formed in case 1 and cover 2 is a spindle 3 upon which spacing shoulders 4 may be formed. Rigidlysecured' to and rotatable with spindle 3 is a drum 5 and a drive pinion 6. Pinion 6 is in engagement with a segmental toothed rack 7 pivotally mounted at 8 in a block 9 which in turn is secured to case 1 in any convenient manner. Fastened to block 9 is a fiat spring 10 which is slidably linked to rack 7 by a loop or hook connec tion 12 in such manner that as pinion 6 rotates and drives rack 7 about its pivot, to

1924. Serial No. 703,370. p

the left in Fig. 1, spring 10 will be deflected and stressed. I

Secured to drum 5 is a ratchet wheel 13, with the teeth of which a retaining pawl tooth 14, secured to a relatively stiff spring roove 21 is formed in drum 5, in which the chain, tape or cord 22 to be reeled and unreeled is wound. One end of 22 is secured to the drum 5 and the other end thereof is passed through an opening 23 in case 2. A securing pin 24 fastened to the back of case 1 may be provided so that the case may be conveniently pinned to a garment.

In operation the chain or cord 22 is fully reeled in the position of parts shown in Fig. 1. To unreel or change the length thereof extending out through opening 23, a pull is exerted on 22. This causes drum 5 to rotate, unwinding 22 and rotating pinion 6 to drive rack 7 to the left in Fig. 1, about its pivot 8, in this manner stressing spring 10. As the drum rotates, pawl 14 will snap over the teeth of ratchet 13 and when the pull on 22 is removed, the parts will be prevented from restoring under the influence of spring 10, by engagement of pawl 14 with a ratchet tooth. It will be seen that in this manner any desired length of 22 may be drawn out of the case and will remain out until pawl 14 is released. To shorten the length of 22 outside of the case, member 19 is depressed and member 17 will push pawl 14 out of engagement with the ratchet teeth. Spring 10 will then force segment 7 Ito the right in Fig. 1, driving drum 5 through pinion 6 and shaft 3 to wind 22 on the reel as long as 1 member 19 is held depressed or until the position of parts shown in Fig. 1 has been reassumed.

Having described a preferred embodiment of my invention, what is desired to be secured by Letters Paltent and clalnied as new is:

1. In an automlatic reeling device, a drum,

an internal toothed ratchet wheel secured to said drum, a releasing pawl coacting with said drum and carried by a fiat spring memher, and a releasing push rod coactlng with said fiat spring to force sald pawl inward-toward the center of said drum to release said ratchet wheel.

2. An automatic reeling device comprising a casing; a drum rotatably supported in said casing; a ratchet mechanism controlling said drum; a pinion rotatable with said drum; a segmental toothed ra'ck meshing with said pinion and pivotally supported in said casing; a flat leaf spring having one BELLE PARKS METTRAS.

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