Rewind mechanism

Abstract

A mechanism for rewinding flexible members onto a spool is described. The inventive rewind mechanism permits a flexible member to be pulled outside its housing and remain outside the housing without a rewind force on the flexible member simply by pulling on the flexible member and releasing it. The flexible member is rewound into the housing simply by pulling and releasing it again.

1 . A rewind mechanism, comprising: 
 a housing;    a spool rotatably supported by the housing;    a biasing member that, when enabled, biases the spool so as to wind an elongate flexible member thereon; and    a control mechanism for controlling the biasing member to (1) enable the biasing member during a first pulling of the flexible member that causes the flexible member to unwind from said spool, (2) react to a first cessation of the first pulling by disabling the biasing member, (3) resume enablement of the biasing member during a second pulling of the flexible member that causes the flexible member to unwind from the spool, the second pulling being subsequent to the first pulling and the first cessation, and (4) react to a second cessation of the second pulling by continuing to enable the biasing member.    
     
     
         2 . The rewind mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said control mechanism includes an arm member adapted to enable the biasing member in a first position, and disable the biasing member in a second position, said first and second positions being defined by a track for receiving an end of said arm member.  
     
     
         3 . The rewind mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein said arm member is pivotally mounted to the housing, and wherein the track is slidably mounted to the housing.