The invention relates to an accessory connector device and to a connection system comprising said device, for connecting and locking at least one accessory to at least one cable, wherein the connector device comprises at least one spiral curved wire whose pitch is between 0.1 and 50 cm, extending and forming an outer envelope and an inner zone surrounded by said outer envelope, wherein the spiral curved wire pitch defines spiral sections, so that the connector device comprises between 1 to 1000 spiral sections along its extension, wherein the inner zone of the connector device comprises a spiral axis, so that the outer envelope formed by the spiral curved wire surrounds said spiral axis, wherein said inner area is configured to receive a first cable arranged along the spiral axis, and wherein at least one of the spiral sections of the spiral curved wire is configured to connect the connector device with the accessory in said at least one spiral section, locking the lateral sliding of the accessory with respect to the spiral axis, so that at least part of the accessory is located between the first cable and the spiral curved wire.

The invention relates to an accessory connector device and to a connection system comprising said device, for connecting and locking at least one accessory to at least one cable, wherein the connector device comprises at least one spiral curved wire whose pitch is between 0.1 and 50 cm, extending and forming an outer envelope and an inner zone surrounded by said outer envelope, wherein the spiral curved wire pitch defines spiral sections, so that the connector device comprises between 1 to 1000 spiral sections along its extension, wherein the inner zone of the connector device comprises a spiral axis, so that the outer envelope formed by the spiral curved wire surrounds said spiral axis, wherein said inner area is configured to receive a first cable arranged along the spiral axis, and wherein at least one of the spiral sections of the spiral curved wire is configured to connect the connector device with the accessory in said at least one spiral section, locking the lateral sliding of the accessory with respect to the spiral axis, so that at least part of the accessory is located between the first cable and the spiral curved wire.

A dual-sided ratchet strap apparatus has a strap cam configured on the ratchet base configured to lock a cam strap against a cam lock interface to secure the cam strap in position. The dual-sided ratchet strap apparatus has the cam strap extension, extending in a first direction from the ratchet buckle and a ratchet strap extension, extending in an opposing direction from the ratchet buckle. The ratchet buckle is actuated by the ratchet handle that can be rotated about the ratchet shaft. The strap cam is self-locking wherein tension from the extended end of the strap cam pulls the cam surface into engagement with the cam lock interface. The cam strap can however be pulled out of the cam interface toward the ratchet buckle to enable quick and easy positioning of the ratchet. The cam handle may be configured to rotate in a ratchet base aperture.

The specification discusses various lacing engine configurations for use in an automated footwear platform. For example, lacing engines with mechanisms to detect lace cable position and/or lace cable tensions are discussed. In an example, the lacing engine can include a housing, a lace spool and a detection mechanism. The lace spool can be at least partially disposed within the housing, and be adapted to collect a portion of the lace cable in response to rotation in a first direction during tightening of the footwear platform. The detection mechanism can detect a state of the lace cable manipulated by the lacing engine.

The specification discusses various lacing engine configurations for use in an automated footwear platform. For example, lacing engines with mechanisms to detect lace cable position and/or lace cable tensions are discussed. In an example, the lacing engine can include a housing, a lace spool and a detection mechanism. The lace spool can be at least partially disposed within the housing, and be adapted to collect a portion of the lace cable in response to rotation in a first direction during tightening of the footwear platform. The detection mechanism can detect a state of the lace cable manipulated by the lacing engine.

An article of footwear, lacing engine, and method includes a motor, a transmission operatively coupled to the motor, and a lace spool. The lace spool is operatively coupled to the transmission and includes a top lace groove in a top surface of the lace spool and a circumferential channel, wherein the lace is configured to be inserted in the top lace groove and be taken up around the circumferential channel based on a turning of the lace spool from action by the motor and transmission. A fastener is configured to couple the lace spool to the transmission and is inserted into the lace spool via the top surface, the fastener having a head having a head width sufficient to partially cover the top lace groove, leaving a top gap having a gap width less than a thickness of the lace.

An article of footwear, lacing engine, and method includes a motor, a transmission operatively coupled to the motor, and a lace spool. The lace spool is operatively coupled to the transmission and includes a top lace groove in a top surface of the lace spool and a circumferential channel, wherein the lace is configured to be inserted in the top lace groove and be taken up around the circumferential channel based on a turning of the lace spool from action by the motor and transmission. A fastener is configured to couple the lace spool to the transmission and is inserted into the lace spool via the top surface, the fastener having a head having a head width sufficient to partially cover the top lace groove, leaving a top gap having a gap width less than a thickness of the lace.

A compact, open path cable pulling apparatus, having a low center of gravity, composed of two detachable, single person hand-portable components, and useful in either a vertical or horizontal configuration. The apparatus is competent to pull cable horizontally through space underground with a pulling force in the range of at least about 20 to 100 tons using low pressure flow hydraulics and has utility in the cable pulling industries, including in the drilling and horizontal directional drilling industries, and as part of a method for pulling cable through space, including pulling cable through space in the pipe bursting and trenchless pipe replacement industries.

The invention relates to an accessory connector device and to a connection system comprising said device, for connecting and locking at least one accessory to at least one cable, wherein the connector device comprises at least one spiral curved wire whose pitch is between 0.1 and 50 cm, extending and forming an outer envelope and an inner zone surrounded by said outer envelope, wherein the spiral curved wire pitch defines spiral sections, so that the connector device comprises between 1 to 1000 spiral sections along its extension, wherein the inner zone of the connector device comprises a spiral axis, so that the outer envelope formed by the spiral curved wire surrounds said spiral axis, wherein said inner area is configured to receive a first cable arranged along the spiral axis, and wherein at least one of the spiral sections of the spiral curved wire is configured to connect the connector device with the accessory in said at least one spiral section, locking the lateral sliding of the accessory with respect to the spiral axis, so that at least part of the accessory is located between the first cable and the spiral curved wire.

The invention relates to an accessory connector device and to a connection system comprising said device, for connecting and locking at least one accessory to at least one cable, wherein the connector device comprises at least one spiral curved wire whose pitch is between 0.1 and 50 cm, extending and forming an outer envelope and an inner zone surrounded by said outer envelope, wherein the spiral curved wire pitch defines spiral sections, so that the connector device comprises between 1 to 1000 spiral sections along its extension, wherein the inner zone of the connector device comprises a spiral axis, so that the outer envelope formed by the spiral curved wire surrounds said spiral axis, wherein said inner area is configured to receive a first cable arranged along the spiral axis, and wherein at least one of the spiral sections of the spiral curved wire is configured to connect the connector device with the accessory in said at least one spiral section, locking the lateral sliding of the accessory with respect to the spiral axis, so that at least part of the accessory is located between the first cable and the spiral curved wire.