The present system for fall restraint includes a mounting frame connected to a trigger mechanism and firing blocks, with a trigger cable extending through apertures in the mounting frame and trigger mechanism. Sudden movement by a user, such as a fall, actuates the trigger mechanism to trigger the firing blocks. The firing blocks are loaded with anchors and firing cartridges. Triggering the firing blocks causes the cartridges to fire, propelling the anchors into an anchoring surface, such as a roof. Because the user is connected to the trigger cable, once the anchors deploy the user is anchored to the roof and their fall arrested.

A selectable one-way clutch includes: a shaft; an actuator configured to cause the shaft to perform a rectilinear motion in a shaft direction; and an arm including an operation portion configured to receive force in the shaft direction from the shaft. The shaft includes a first flange and a second flange. An engaged state and a released state the selectable one-way clutch are switched by an operation of the arm by the rectilinear motion of the shaft, in an assembled state of the shaft and the arm in which the operation portion is arranged between the first flange and the second flange. The first flange is provided with a cut portion in an outer peripheral edge of the first shaft. The shaft has a structure in which the first flange does not face the operation portion in the shaft direction by the cut portion of the first flange.

An adjuster adjusts the position of a fog lamp, headlamp, or other form of adjustable, automotive lamp. The adjuster includes a side-opening retainer screw interface. The side-opening retainer allows the adjuster to provide clutching throughout travel. In addition, a distal end of the retainer includes a set of retainer snap fingers and a separate set of spring fingers. The snap fingers and spring fingers allow for a strong, elastic connection to a lamp mating panel and allow the retainer to securely connect to lamp mating panels of various thicknesses.

An adjuster adjusts the position of a fog lamp, headlamp, or other form of adjustable, automotive lamp. The adjuster includes a side-opening retainer screw interface. The side-opening retainer allows the adjuster to provide clutching throughout travel. In addition, a distal end of the retainer includes a set of retainer snap fingers and a separate set of spring fingers. The snap fingers and spring fingers allow for a strong, elastic connection to a lamp mating panel and allow the retainer to securely connect to lamp mating panels of various thicknesses.

A multi-appliance power unit (100) selectively driving one of a plurality of power driven appliances (114) from one relocatable power plant (102). The modular power plant (102) is entrapped on a platform (108) and is movable therealong to any one of the appliances (114) fastened to the platform (108), which appliance (114) can then be driven by the power plant (102). A modular power plant and power driven appliance kit (200) includes a wheeled chassis (204) having a handle (220), a removable modular power plant (202 or 212), and a removable modular power driven appliance (212 or 202). A flexible drive shaft (300), is optionally integrated with a power plant or a powered appliance. The flexible drive shaft (300) includes an outer flexible sheath (310), roller type bearings (308), and a multifilament torque conducting flexible core (306) held spaced apart from the outer flexible sheath (310) by the bearings (308).

A multi-appliance power unit (100) selectively driving one of a plurality of power driven appliances (114) from one relocatable power plant (102). The modular power plant (102) is entrapped on a platform (108) and is movable therealong to any one of the appliances (114) fastened to the platform (108), which appliance (114) can then be driven by the power plant (102). A modular power plant and power driven appliance kit (200) includes a wheeled chassis (204) having a handle (220), a removable modular power plant (202 or 212), and a removable modular power driven appliance (212 or 202). A flexible drive shaft (300), is optionally integrated with a power plant or a powered appliance. The flexible drive shaft (300) includes an outer flexible sheath (310), roller type bearings (308), and a multifilament torque conducting flexible core (306) held spaced apart from the outer flexible sheath (310) by the bearings (308).

A tailgate adjuster in a preferred example comprises an adjustably locking rotatable bracket comprising a plurality of rotatably linked shank components, with at least one shank component joined to a sprocket component having a plurality of sprocket teeth, and at least one other shank component joined to a rotatable trigger component having a sprocket-engaging trigger tooth. The trigger component is preferably spring biased to maintain the trigger tooth in an engaged position with the sprocket teeth, and can be adjusted to disengage the trigger component from the sprocket teeth. The sprocket teeth are spaced to permit the locking of shank components at a desired angle to each other. Holes at each end of the tailgate adjuster permit the rotatable mounting of one such end to a vehicle tailgate or hatchback and the other end to a fixed location of the vehicle. In other examples the invention concerns a tailgate-reinforcing sheath and methods for maintaining a vehicle tailgate or other hinged door, gate or window in a one of a plurality of partly open positions.

A tailgate adjuster in a preferred example comprises an adjustably locking rotatable bracket comprising a plurality of rotatably linked shank components, with at least one shank component joined to a sprocket component having a plurality of sprocket teeth, and at least one other shank component joined to a rotatable trigger component having a sprocket-engaging trigger tooth. The trigger component is preferably spring biased to maintain the trigger tooth in an engaged position with the sprocket teeth, and can be adjusted to disengage the trigger component from the sprocket teeth. The sprocket teeth are spaced to permit the locking of shank components at a desired angle to each other. Holes at each end of the tailgate adjuster permit the rotatable mounting of one such end to a vehicle tailgate or hatchback and the other end to a fixed location of the vehicle. In other examples the invention concerns a tailgate-reinforcing sheath and methods for maintaining a vehicle tailgate or other hinged door, gate or window in a one of a plurality of partly open positions.

A buoyancy module for use with a water environment robotic system of the type having an underwater robotic vehicle having a winch has a buoyancy configuration which can be selectively altered. The system includes a module that is configured to be repeatedly, selectively buoyantly engaged and buoyantly disengaged with the underwater robotic vehicle. A tether is connected to the module and is extendable and retractable in response to operation of the winch. Extending and retracting the module can buoyantly engage or buoyantly disengage the buoyancy module with the underwater robotic vehicle according to the operation of a state controller. By engaging and disengaging the buoyancy module, the buoyancy of the underwater robot can be selectively altered. A method is also disclosed.

A two-part, selectively dockable robotic system having counterbalanced stabilization during performance of an operation on an underwater target structure is provided. The robotic system includes a first underwater robotic vehicle that is sized and shaped to at least partially surround the underwater target structure. A second underwater robotic vehicle is sized and shaped to at least partially surround the underwater target structure and selectively dock with the first underwater robotic vehicle. The first and second robotic vehicles include complimentary docking mechanisms that permit the vehicles to selectively couple to each other with the underwater target structure disposed at least partially therebetween. One robot includes a tool that can act upon the target structure and the other robot includes a stabilization module that can act upon the target structure in an opposite manner in order to counterbalance the force of the tool.