a cord reel wherein the cord is rendered operative only for such time as the cord is substantially unwound from the reel ; when the cord is operative the reel is locked to prevent the cord being wound thereon . in the preferred embodiment the cord is rendered inoperative by capturing a cord connector at the hub end of the reel in a hub compartment , the compartment having a shutter interconnected with the reel lock . the captured connector when released may be drawn from the compartment to connect the cord to a convenience receptacle .