Towed vehicle deployment apparatus incorporating mechanical brake

摘要

A towed vehicle deployment apparatus comprising a rotatable spool defining a rotor portion. The spool is rotatably connected to a stationary brake drum in a manner wherein the cylindrical outer surface of the rotor portion is disposed in sliding contact with the cylindrical inner surface of the brake drum. Dispensably stored in windings about the spool is a tow line having a decoy connected thereto. Disposed within the rotor portion of the spool is a brake assembly comprising at least one brake element which is adapted to yield at a predetermined rotational speed of the spool and move radially outward upon yielding so as to contact the inner surface of the brake drum and apply a braking force to the spool.