Retriever device and method

A retriever device for applying a tension to a tether line comprising:

• a) a structural unit;
• b) a tether line extending from the structural unit;
• c) a spool mounted for rotation on the structural unit and dimensioned to hold the tether line;
• d) a motor mounted on the structural unit and connected to the spool for allowing removal of the tether line from the spool and for providing a force to wind the spool and retrieve the tether line onto the spool;
• and
• e) a control mechanism that senses at least one operating parameter of the retriever device corresponding to the tension on the tether line and responds to the operating parameter:
• (1) to engage a stop mechanism to stop the retrieval of the motor when tension on the tether line is below a predetermined tension, and (2) to disengage the stop mechanism to allow the motor to retrieve the tether line when the tension on the tether line is above a predetermined tension;
• and
• f) wherein the motor comprises a spring motor configured to increase retrieval force proportionally with the length of the tether pulled from the retriever device.

A water vessel retriever device for being connected between a water vessel and a stationary object, applying a tension to a tether line and retrieving the water vessel floating in water towards the stationary object after the water vessel is launched from a trailer comprising:

• a) a structural unit;
• b) a tether line extending from the structural unit and having a length and strength dimensioned for launching the water vessel from the trailer and pulling the water vessel toward the stationary object;
• c) a spool mounted for rotation on the structural unit and dimensioned to hold the tether line;
• d) a spring motor on the structural unit and connected to the spool for allowing removal of the tether line from the spool while the water vessel is being launched and for providing a force to wind the spool and retrieve the tether line onto the spool, the spring motor being dimensioned and configured in proportion to the size of the water vessel so that the spring motor will pull the water vessel from a launched position floating in the water towards the stationary object;
• and
• e) a control mechanism that senses at least one operating parameter of the retriever device corresponding to the tension on the tether line and responds to the operating parameter:
• (1) to engage a stop mechanism to stop the retrieval of the motor when tension on the tether line is below a predetermined tension, and (2) to disengage the stop mechanism to allow the motor to retrieve the tether line when the tension on the tether line is above a predetermined tension.

A retriever device for applying a tension to a tether line and retrieving an object towards the retriever device, comprising:

• a) a structural unit;
• b) a tether line extending from the structural unit;
• c) a spool mounted for rotation on the structural unit and dimensioned to hold the tether line;
• d) a spring motor mounted on the structural unit and connected to the spool for allowing removal of the tether line from the spool and for providing a force to wind the spool and retrieve the tether line onto the spool;
• e) a limiter body;
• f) a pivotal mount connected to the limiter body and the structural unit to pivotally mount the limiter body to the structural unit;
• g) a plurality of teeth formed on the limiter body at a position distal from the pivotal mount;
• the teeth being configured to engage and lock onto the tether line;
• h) a spring attached to the limiter body for moving the limiter body in a first rotational direction around the pivot mount and moving the teeth toward the tether line to engage and lock the teeth onto the tether line and stop retrieval of the tether line by the motor;
• i) a roller attached to the limiter body, the tether line extending from the spool and around the roller such that tension on the tether line will rotate the limiter body in a second direction moving the teeth away from the tether line to disengage the teeth from the tether line and allow retrieval of the tether line by the motor;
• j) the spring being sized and configured to rotate the limiter in the first direction when the tension on the tether line is below a predetermined amount and thereby prevent retrieval by the motor;
• and
• k) the roller and tether line being positioned such that the tether line will rotate the limiter body in the second direction overcoming the spring and disengaging the teeth from the tether line to allow retrieval of the tether line by the motor when tension on the tether line is above a predetermined amount.