A composite driveshaft includes a body having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion defining a driveshaft axis (DSA). The first end defines a first coupling region and the second end defines a second coupling region. At least one of the first and second coupling regions defines a virtual hinge configured to accommodate both bending moments and axial changes of the body.

A pin retention system includes a pin having a circumferential groove disposed along the pin, and a plurality of retention elements sized to sit within the circumferential groove, each of the retention elements including a plurality of holes. The system also includes a plurality of dowels sized to slide within the holes in the retention elements.

An alternator damper pulley for a vehicle includes a pulley body connected to an engine to receive a rotational power from an engine. A shaft connection portion is provided within the pulley body such that a rotational shaft of an alternator is insertedly coupled therein. A torsion spring is installed on an outer circumferential surface of the shaft connection portion to reduce a variation of the rotational power transmitted from the pulley body. A clutch is interposed between the torsion spring and the pulley body to connect or disconnect the shaft connection portion and the pulley body. A friction damper is installed to apply frictional damping force to the shaft connection portion.

A flexible coupling assembly includes a power transmitting body to carry a torsional load between opposed rotating members and a quill shaft for carrying an axial load extending through the cavity of the torsional body. The power transmitting body defines an axis, a longitudinally extending cavity, and a first and second flanged portions for coupling opposed rotating members. The quill shaft extends through the cavity of the power transmitting body, spanning the power transmitting body, and fixed to the first and second flanged portions for carrying the axial load across the power transmitting body.

An isolating pulley comprising a hub comprising an inertia carrier, the inertia carrier having an inner surface, a spring carrier journalled to the hub, the spring carrier having a releasable driving engagement with the inertia carrier, a pulley journalled to the hub, a spring drivingly engaged between the spring carrier and the pulley, a clutch spring having a frictional engagement with the inner surface, and which frictional engagement is partially releasable upon a temporary, pressing contact of the pulley upon the clutch spring.

A device for capturing selfie images is integrated into a writing device. The device includes an extendable (e.g., telescopic) section, such that when refracted the device is useful as a writing instrument (e.g., a pen, stylus, etc.), and when extended, provides a way of capturing selfie images, or other images that benefit from a point of view that is removed from the user beyond the user's reach. Advantages of one or more embodiments of the device include low cost, in some cases through the use of an optical trigger rather than more complex radio frequency (e.g., Bluetooth) transmission. Other advantages can include portability as a result of the device being integrated into a writing device, which is more compact than a smartphone

Projection and camera systems may employ a joint locking mechanism that may enable a user to reposition or move structures (arms, lenses, etc.) that are otherwise locked in position. The joint locking mechanism may include a touch-activated presence detector to sense a presence of an extremity of a user. In response to the presence detector sensing the presence, an actuator may unlock a joint or structure to enable movement of the joint or structure while the presence detector continues to sense the presence. In response to a detection of an absence of the extremity, the actuator may return to a locked state to prevent further movement of the joint or structure.

A gear motor includes a gear mechanism driven via a clutch by an electric motor. The clutch is at least partially enclosed by a protective part, and the protective part includes two cowl parts. The cowl parts are connected to one another and each cowl part includes grill openings, e.g., on their side facing toward the electric motor.

An I-shaft assembly includes an upper shaft extending along an axis between a first upper end and a first lower end bounding a first hollow bore. An intermediate shaft extends along the axis between a second upper end and a second lower end bounding a second hollow bore. The second upper end is disposed in the first hollow bore. A lower shaft extends along the axis between a third upper end and a third lower end disposed in the second hollow bore. The upper shaft is releasably fixed for controlled movement along the axis relative to the intermediate shaft, and the lower shaft is releasably fixed against movement along the axis relative to the intermediate shaft during a normal operating condition. The upper shaft moves along the axis relative to the intermediate shaft and the lower shaft moves along the axis relative to the intermediate shaft during an abnormal operating condition.