A fall-protection apparatus with a drum and a rotationally-activated braking device including at least one velocity-actuated pawl that is mounted on a pawl-support plate that is rotatable relative to the drum through a predetermined range between a first position and a second position. The pawl-support plate is rotatable relative to the drum from the first position to the second position upon the pawl-support plate experiencing a rotational acceleration that is above a predetermined threshold value of rotational acceleration. When the pawl-support plate is in the second position, the velocity-actuated pawl can be actuated by a rotational velocity that is lower than a rotational velocity required to actuate the pawl when the pawl-support plate is in the first position.

A fall-protection apparatus comprising a rotationally-activated braking device that comprises at least one flexure-borne pawl.

The reverse input shutoff clutch includes: an input member, an output member coaxially arranged with the input member, a pressed member having a pressed surface, and an engaging element. The engaging element, when rotational torque is inputted to the input member, moves in a direction away from the pressed surface due to engagement with the input member and transmits the rotational torque to the output member, and when rotational torque is reversely inputted to the output member, moves in a direction toward the pressed surface due to engagement with the output member, and prevents or suppresses relative rotation between the output member and the pressed member.

A gear apparatus for controlling movement of an output by an input coupled to a power source. The apparatus an input member coupled to the input, an output member coupled to the output and the input member so that movement of the input member causes movement of the output, a selectably releasable member coupled to the input member and the output member, wherein the selectably releasable member remains in a fixed position while the input member and the output member move, and a releasable member brake mechanism coupled to the selectably releasable member, wherein the releasable member brake mechanism is arranged to prevent movement of the selectably releasable member when the input member and the output member move and to allow back driving of the selectably releasable member.

A rotational friction brake actuated and regulated by the rate of change of the angular speed is disclosed. The rotational friction brake includes a first body and a second body rotationally attached to the first body. The second body is arranged to rotate around a rotational center axis of the second body. An actuator arrangement is configured to move a second friction surface into frictional engagement with a first friction surface. The actuator arrangement includes an actuator arm pivotably attached to the second body in a pivot point that is eccentrically offset to the rotational center axis. The actuator arrangement has a radius of gyration (RG) longer than a distance from the pivot point to the rotational center axis. The actuator arrangement has an internal flexibility which allows its shape to depend on centrifugal forces. A fishing reel comprising such a rotational friction brake is also disclosed.

A rotational friction brake actuated and regulated by the rate of change of the angular speed is disclosed. The rotational friction brake includes a first body and a second body rotationally attached to the first body. The second body is arranged to rotate around a rotational center axis of the second body. An actuator arrangement is configured to move a second friction surface into frictional engagement with a first friction surface. The actuator arrangement includes an actuator arm pivotably attached to the second body in a pivot point that is eccentrically offset to the rotational center axis. The actuator arrangement has a radius of gyration (RG) longer than a distance from the pivot point to the rotational center axis. The actuator arrangement has an internal flexibility which allows its shape to depend on centrifugal forces. A fishing reel comprising such a rotational friction brake is also disclosed.

A knockdown, portable lift is relatively compact and lightweight for transport and use where there is no existing means for lifting a load between a lower surface and an upper surface or where the existing means cannot be used. Components of the lift are stored in a base portion of the lift and are assembled on site for forming a lift frame extending between the upper and lower surfaces. A platform and drive assembly are supported on the lift frame and are driven together up and down tracks on each side of the lift frame using a rotary drive, such as a hand crank or electric motor, to power the drive assembly. The drive assembly is operable by a person on or off the platform from either the upper or lower surface or traversing stairs over which the platform is moving. The drive assembly incorporates a unique overspeed braking system and a unique clutch arrangement.

A knockdown, portable lift is relatively compact and lightweight for transport and use where there is no existing means for lifting a load between a lower surface and an upper surface or where the existing means cannot be used. Components of the lift are stored in a base portion of the lift and are assembled on site for forming a lift frame extending between the upper and lower surfaces. A platform and drive assembly are supported on the lift frame and are driven together up and down tracks on each side of the lift frame using a rotary drive, such as a hand crank or electric motor, to power the drive assembly. The drive assembly is operable by a person on or off the platform from either the upper or lower surface or traversing stairs over which the platform is moving. The drive assembly incorporates a unique overspeed braking system and a unique clutch arrangement.

A non-backdrivable clutched module for a bi-directional actuator such as actuators used for active aerodynamics on vehicles. The module has both a stopper mode and a clutch mode. During the stopper mode a back-driving force gets diverted away from the actuator using a locking bearing member. If the force is too great a clutch mode will disengage the back-driving force completely from the shaft connected to the actuator, thereby preventing damage to the actuator.

Power lines are installed with a rope brake apparatus that enables a rope to be suspended above the ground during installation and that thereby eliminates the need to block off the ground between power poles. The rope brake apparatus has a pair of opposed cam cleats mounted on a base adjacent each other for allowing movement of a rope between them in one direction and for preventing movement of a rope between them in an opposite direction.