Retractable drop light

A locking and release mechanism for use in connection with a retractable drop light comprising a spring loaded reel member mounted for rotational movement whereby a conductor means for said drop light may be reeled and unreeled from said spring loaded reel member, a ratchet member fixed to said reel member for rotation therewith, a pawl member pivotably mounted adjacent to said ratchet member, said pawl member pivotable between first and second positions, said first position being the normal rest position for said pawl member, whereby said pawl member engages said ratchet member when said pawl member is in said first position so as to prevent said reel member from rewinding under the force of said spring loaded reel member, and said pawl member disengages from said ratchet member when said pawl member is in said second position so as to permit said reel member to freely rewind under the influence of said spring, electrically operated means for pivoting said pawl member from said first position to said second position only upon activation of said electronically operated means, and switch means located in proximity to said drop light for connection to said electrically operated means through said conductor means whereby said electrically operated means may be selectively activated from a location proximate to said drop light for remotely controlling said pawl member between said first and second positions.