Lunge line controller

Abstract

A lunge line controller (20) which can be easily and conveniently operated by one hand for lunging a horse for training or exercising purposes while avoiding injury to the operator or the animal, includes a housing (22) in which a reel (26) is disposed and pivoted on a shaft (60). The reel includes a cylindrical central hub (96) containing a spring (30). The reel has planar circular flanges (106) that project outwardly from both outer surfaces and includes evenly spaced teeth (112) on the outside of the flanges. The spring connects to the shaft to urge the reel in one direction of rotation. A flexible tape (32) is connected to the reel and extends out of the housing and has a clip (36) at its free end. When in a release position, the spring rotates the reel, thus coiling the tape around the reel until the clip reaches the housing. The latching means (28) comprises an actuation and locking button (38) biased by a spring (132) to an outward position. The button comprises two rectangular portions, i.e., a back rectangular portion (134) which extends to a transverse rectangular portion (136). The back rectangular portion extends out of the housing and includes an angled outer end (142). The back rectangular portion also includes a locking notch (144) on its underside that can be hooked onto the housing to hold the button in position. The transverse rectangular portion of the button includes two projecting fingers (138) that provide interference with the teeth (112) on the reel. This configuration allows the operator to select three separate functions by pushing the button, i.e., the tape can either be (1) freely paid-out and retracted, (2) locked against pay-out or retraction, or (3) momentarily-locked against pay-out or retraction.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.