Patent classifications
F16G11/12
TENSIONING DEVICE INCLUDING A CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
A tensioning device includes a housing, a drive member, an inner sleeve, a driven member, and a clutch assembly. The housing includes an attachment feature. The drive member is rotatably coupled with the housing. The inner sleeve is disposed in the housing and is coupled with the drive member. The inner sleeve is rotatable together with the drive member relative to the housing. The driven member is disposed within the housing and is operably coupled with the drive member. The clutch assembly facilitates selective coupling between the drive member and the inner sleeve. A second attachment feature is coupled with the driven member. The driven member is slidably coupled with the inner sleeve such that the driven member and the second attachment feature are translatable together between a retracted position and an extended position in response to rotation of the inner sleeve.
TENSIONING DEVICE INCLUDING A CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
A tensioning device includes a housing, a drive member, an inner sleeve, a driven member, and a clutch assembly. The housing includes an attachment feature. The drive member is rotatably coupled with the housing. The inner sleeve is disposed in the housing and is coupled with the drive member. The inner sleeve is rotatable together with the drive member relative to the housing. The driven member is disposed within the housing and is operably coupled with the drive member. The clutch assembly facilitates selective coupling between the drive member and the inner sleeve. A second attachment feature is coupled with the driven member. The driven member is slidably coupled with the inner sleeve such that the driven member and the second attachment feature are translatable together between a retracted position and an extended position in response to rotation of the inner sleeve.
Self-Tightening Cable Clamp
A clamp for use with a cable or safety includes a receiving member and a jamming member configured to move relative to the receiving member. In use, an end of the safety line is looped around the jamming member. The clamp further may include an actuator, which is adjustable to reconfigure the clamp between: an unlocked state, wherein in the unlocked state the safety line can be moved through the clamp, and a locked state, wherein in the locked state the jamming member is urged into the receiving member. The safety line is thus clamped between the jamming member and at least a portion of the receiving member. The actuator may be a handle and the position of the handle may be manually adjustable. The clamp may include at least one indicator to provide a visual indication of the state of the clamp.
Closure devices including incremental release mechanisms and methods therefor
According to an embodiment, a device for tightening an article includes a housing, a spool rotatably positioned within the housing, a knob operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate within the housing, and a stop mechanism. The device is configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a first direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool within the housing that incrementally tensions a tension member and thereby tightens the article. The device is also configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a second direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool that incrementally loosens the tension member's tension. The stop mechanism is configured to prevent rotation of the spool in the second direction when the tension member's tension achieves or falls below a tension threshold.
Closure devices including incremental release mechanisms and methods therefor
According to an embodiment, a device for tightening an article includes a housing, a spool rotatably positioned within the housing, a knob operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate within the housing, and a stop mechanism. The device is configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a first direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool within the housing that incrementally tensions a tension member and thereby tightens the article. The device is also configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a second direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool that incrementally loosens the tension member's tension. The stop mechanism is configured to prevent rotation of the spool in the second direction when the tension member's tension achieves or falls below a tension threshold.
Automated footwear lacing systems, devices, and techniques
Lacing engine systems, apparatus, and methods of operation are discussed. In an example, a lacing engine apparatus can include a housing, a drivetrain, and a lace take-up mechanism for retracting a length of lace cable upon activation. The drivetrain can include various reduction gears to reduce rotational speed out of the motor and power the lace take-up mechanism. The lace take-up mechanism can include structures such as a double-yoke, a radial pulley including an outer rotating disc and an inner stationary disc, a variable take-up spool, or a zip-strip mechanism.
Tensioning device and driven member thereof
A tensioning device includes a housing, a drive member, an inner sleeve and a driven member. The housing includes a first attachment feature. The driven member includes a second attachment feature. The inner sleeve is disposed at least partially in the housing and is rotatably coupled with the housing. The drive member is rotatably coupled with the housing and is operably coupled with the inner sleeve such that rotation of the drive member facilitates rotation of the inner sleeve. The driven member is movable with respect to the guide member between a retracted position and an extended position along a centerline.
Tensioning device and driven member thereof
A tensioning device includes a housing, a drive member, an inner sleeve and a driven member. The housing includes a first attachment feature. The driven member includes a second attachment feature. The inner sleeve is disposed at least partially in the housing and is rotatably coupled with the housing. The drive member is rotatably coupled with the housing and is operably coupled with the inner sleeve such that rotation of the drive member facilitates rotation of the inner sleeve. The driven member is movable with respect to the guide member between a retracted position and an extended position along a centerline.
Deployable slackline
Deployable slackline systems are disclosed which can support a slackline at a desired height and nominal tension. The disclosed systems may maintain one or more slacklines and can adjust height and tension of individual slacklines while the slacklines are in use. The disclosed slackline systems are stowable; tensioning and termination assemblies of the slackline system can each fold into a compact housing having a height substantially less than a vertical range of motion of the slackline. The disclosed slackline systems can be implemented in aquatic or non-aquatic performance environments such as on cruise ships or other hospitality settings.
Locking release systems for articulable elements and methods of operating the same
Various embodiments concern locking release mechanisms that allow an articulated support arm to be moved between various vertical orientations. A locking release mechanism may include a handle release mechanism positioned within the handle of the articulated support arm, and a gas spring release mechanism positioned within the body of the articulated support arm. The articulated support arm can include a gas spring that remains locked until the handle release mechanism is activated, e.g. by applying pressure to a grip actuator. Other embodiments concern cable management techniques for articulated support arms. Oftentimes, an articulated support arm will include cables routed through the arm that are configured to support an attachment. For example, the cable(s) may be adapted for audio signals, video signals, power, etc. The cable(s) can be readily cleaned and/or serviced when routed through an articulated support arm composed of one or more removable pieces.