Two-stage retractable cord reel

A storage assembly for storing a length of cord, the storage assembly comprising:

• a reel rotatable about a transverse axis;
• a direction sensor operably arranged with the reel, the direction sensor operable to latch the reel such that the reel is prevented from moving in a retraction direction for winding the material onto the reel;
• and
• a lever operably engageable with the direction sensor, the lever movable between an engaged and a disengaged position, wherein when the lever is in the engaged position, the lever prevents the direction sensor from operating to latch the reel, and wherein when the lever is in the disengaged position, the direction sensor is free to operate to latch the reel, the lever being automatically placed in the engaged position over a desired range of lengths of material extending from the reel, wherein the desired range of lengths is between the cord being fully wound onto the reel and the material extending a predetermined length from the reel.

A storage assembly for storing a length of cord comprising:

• a housing having a cavity;
• a reel disposed in the cavity of the housing and rotatable about a transverse axis;
• a plate mounted to the housing;
• a latch mechanism mounted to the plate, the latch mechanism selectively operable to latch the reel such that the reel is prevented from moving in a retraction direction for winding the material onto the reel;
• and
• a pilot mechanism mounted to the plate, the pilot mechanism operably engageable with the latch mechanism to prevent the latch mechanism from operating.

A storage assembly for storing a length of material comprising:

• a reel rotatable to wind and unwind the length of material;
• means for selectively latching the reel such that the reel is prevented from moving in a retraction direction for winding the material onto the reel;
• prevention means for preventing the latch mechanism from operating over a predetermined range of lengths of material extending from the reel, wherein the range of lengths comprises the material being fully wound onto the reel;
• and
• means for indexing the prevention means to incrementally move the prevention means.

A method for selectively latching a length of cord, the material being wound onto a reel, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a latch mechanism;
• providing a pilot mechanism;
• engaging the pilot mechanism with the latch mechanism to prevent the operation of the latch mechanism over a predetermined range of travel of the length of material from the reel;
• and
• extending the material to a length greater than the predetermined length to disengage the pilot mechanism from the latch mechanism to allow the latch mechanism to operate.

A storage assembly for storing a length of material comprising:

• a reel rotatable to wind and unwind the length of material, wherein the reel includes an internal gear portion;
• a latch mechanism, wherein the latch mechanism comprises a direction sensor operably arranged with a gear wheel, the direction sensor and the gear wheel being operably arranged to engage each other such that the direction sensor is engageable with the internal gear portion of the reel to achieve latching of the reel;
• and
• a pilot mechanism operably engageable with the latch mechanism, the pilot mechanism movable between a first and a second position, wherein in the first position the pilot mechanism prohibits the functioning of the latch mechanism, and wherein in the second position the latch mechanism is operable.

A storage assembly for storing a length of material comprising:

• a reel rotatable to wind and unwind the length of material;
• a latch mechanism;
• a pilot mechanism operably engageable with the latch mechanism, the pilot mechanism movable between a first and a second position, wherein in the first position the pilot mechanism prohibits the functioning of the latch mechanism, and wherein in the second position the latch mechanism is operable,
• wherein the pilot mechanism comprises a lever, the lever being movable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the lever is in the first position, the lever prevents the latch mechanism from operating, and wherein when the lever is in the second position, the lever allows the latch mechanism to operate to selectively latch the reel;
• and
• a lever spring arranged to bias the lever toward the first position.