A tensioning device for a load carrier, such as a bike carrier or a roof box. The tensioning device includes a torque limiting mechanism which is adapted to limit the amount of transferable torque. The torque limiting mechanism includes a first torque transmission member and a second torque transmission member. The first torque transmission member is biased into working cooperation with the second torque transmission member such that upon a torque threshold value, the first and second torque transmission members are disengaged from working cooperation so that a torque limiting function is provided. An activation member is associated with the first torque transmission member, which enables a user to operate the first torque transmission member to transfer torque to the second torque transmission member.

A non-reverse ratchet assembly includes a stationary ring with a plurality of saw teeth equally distributed over an outer surface of the stationary ring; a rotating housing with a rotating ring surrounding the stationary ring; and a plurality of ratchet elements equally distributed and positioned between the rotating ring and the stationary ring, wherein each ratchet element is configured to engage with or disengage from the plurality of saw teeth, and wherein each ratchet element comprises a slot for a distributed load sharing of the plurality of ratchet elements when engaging with the plurality of saw teeth. Furthermore, a vertical shaft motor including a non-reverse ratchet assembly is described.

An operating mechanism is provided for a screen assembly having an elongate endless pull cord hanging from the screen assembly in a loop. The operating mechanism has a housing having an opening at an upper end thereof. At least a lower portion of the pull cord can pass into the housing to be enclosed therein. A guide means for guiding passage of the pull cord through the housing. The guide means has a locking means adapted to selectively restrain first or second sides of a loop defined by the pull cord. The guide means includes a cord-retaining member engaging a lower end of the looped pull cord. The cord-retaining member is moveable within the housing between vertically spaced first and second positions, the second position being above the first position, the cord-retaining member being biased towards the first position by biasing means. The housing may be displaced downwardly with respect to the pull cord by upward movement of the cord-retaining member between the positions against the force of the biasing means.

The structures described herein use an actuating system that can selectively switch between a lower and a raise mode of operation by rotating a rod assembly, and use a downward displacement of a pull member to lower and raise the window shade depending on whether its switching state. The actuating systems are simple to operate, allow convenient adjustment of the window shade, and are safe as the pull member has a limited length of extension.

A pump handle system includes a pump handle and a main shaft. The pump handle is operable to radially pivot from a starting position in a first pivot direction and back to the starting position in a second pivot direction opposite the first pivot direction. The main shaft is driven by the pump handle to rotate approximately a first half of a predetermined rotational distance in a first rotational direction a first time the pump handle is pivoted out from the starting position in the first pivot direction, and rotate approximately a second half of the predetermined rotational distance in the first rotational direction a first time the pump handle is pivoted back to the starting position in the second pivot direction. The main shaft rotates in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction a second time the pump handle is pivoted in the two-movement push-pull motion.

A rotator mechanism for rotating an elongate member that is coupled to a reciprocating member of a pumping system includes: a body having a through-hole for receiving a portion of the elongate member; a first freewheel clutch configured to cause the elongate member to rotate incrementally about the body axis in a predetermined direction when the reciprocating member reciprocates; and a second freewheel clutch spaced from the first clutch and configured to prevent the elongate member from rotating opposite the predetermined direction when the reciprocating member reciprocates. One or both of the clutches includes circumferentially-spaced clutch elements, that may include rollers or sprags or both.

A vehicle automatic transmission of a multistage type includes multiple engagement elements having an engagement state switched by an oil pressure to selectively establish a plurality of shift stages based on a combination of engagement and release of the multiple engagement elements according to an oil pressure supplied from a hydraulic circuit, each of the shift stages being established by engagement of two or more engagement elements of the multiple engagement elements, at least one of the multiple engagement elements being a normally closed engagement element engaged when no oil pressure is supplied from the hydraulic circuit, and the normally closed engagement element being a meshing engagement element.

A multi-position actuator includes a solenoid selectively energized to extend a rod. The actuator also includes a push-lever pivotably mounted to the rod and a crank-arm rotatably mounted on a first axis. The crank-arm includes multiple engagement elements arranged on a diameter centered relative to the first axis, and also includes a projection. The push-lever engages one of the engagement elements to rotate the crank-arm about the first axis in a forward direction when the solenoid is energized. The actuator additionally includes a pivoting locking-lever that blocks rotation of the crank-arm in forward direction and a one-way-clutch that blocks rotation of the crank-arm in reverse direction when the solenoid is de-energized. Furthermore, the actuator includes a slider-box lever having first and second slots. The projection slidably engages the first slot. The second slot is engaged with and operates an external device when rotation of the crank-arm swings the slider-box lever.

A pawl mechanism that reduces the possibility of pawl spring over-compression and damage. The invention can include bumpers disposed near the internal surfaces of the pawls and can space the internal surfaces when the pawls contact one another to reduce the amount of compression applied to the pawl spring. The pawl spring can be inserted into respective cavities on the pawls to further prevent additional compression of and damage to the pawl spring.

The present invention relates to a self-power generating apparatus that can generate power by converting an external force that alternately acts in a forward and reverse direction into a unidirectional force, and can generate power by winding a wire around a pulley axially coupled to a drive shaft and applying, by a user, an external force to the wire with his/her hands to rotate the pulley in a forward and reverse direction, thereby enhancing power generation efficiency. To this end, the self-power generating apparatus comprises: a drive shaft alternately rotated by an external force in a forward and reverse direction; a forward power transmission part that transmits only the forward rotating force of the drive shaft to a power generating shaft; a reverse power transmission part that transmits only the reverse rotating force of the drive shaft to the power generating shaft; and a power generator that generates power using a unidirectional rotating force of the power generating shaft.