An article of footwear can include a ferromagnetic body disposed in the article, and a magnetometer to measure a strength or direction of a magnetic field that is influenced by a position of the ferromagnetic body. One of the ferromagnetic body and the magnetometer can be configured to move relative to the other one of the ferromagnetic body and the magnetometer, for example according to movement of a foot in the article. In an example, the ferromagnetic body is disposed in a compressible insole and the ferromagnetic body moves in response to compression or relaxation of the insole. The magnetometer can be disposed in a platform or sole portion of the article that is relatively stationary compared to the ferromagnetic body. Rate of change information about the magnetic field can be used to control article functions or to provide information about a foot strike or step rate.

A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive or magnetic sensor configured to sense changes in a body's proximity to the sensor in footwear. Characteristics of the sensed proximity can be used to update an automated footwear function, such as an automatic lacing function, or can be used to determine a step count, foot strike force, a rate of travel, or other information about a foot or about the footwear.

A multi-link device includes a load tension pin including a sensor configured to measure tension applied to the load tension pin, network interface hardware, one or more processors, and one or more memory modules storing computer readable and executable instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the multi-link device to: determine whether the tension measured by the load tension pin exceeds a threshold value; and transmit, by the network interface hardware, load event data to a receiver in response to determination that the tension exceeds the threshold value.

A force/torque sensor includes a plurality of serpentine or spiral deformable beams connecting a TAP and MAP. These classes of shapes increase the overall length of the deformable beams, which reduces their stiffness. In addition to the deformable beams is a plurality of straight overload beams, each connected at a first end to one of the TAP and MAP, and separated from the other of the TAP and MAP at the second end by an overload gap of a predetermined width. Over a first range of forces and torques, strain gages on the deformable beams transduce compressive and tensile strains into electrical signals, which are processed to resolve the forces and torques. Over a second range of forces and torques greater than the first range, the overload beams close the overload gap, establishing rigid contact to both the TAP and MAP. The stiffness of the sensor in the second range of forces and torques is greater than over the first range.

An article of footwear can include a ferromagnetic body disposed in the article, and a magnetometer to measure a strength or direction of a magnetic field that is influenced by a position of the ferromagnetic body. One of the ferromagnetic body and the magnetometer can be configured to move relative to the other one of the ferromagnetic body and the magnetometer, for example according to movement of a foot in the article. In an example, the ferromagnetic body is disposed in a compressible insole and the ferromagnetic body moves in response to compression or relaxation of the insole. The magnetometer can be disposed in a platform or sole portion of the article that is relatively stationary compared to the ferromagnetic body. Rate of change information about the magnetic field can be used to control article functions or to provide information about a foot strike or step rate.

The invention relates to a safety link for use in lifting, winching, towing or securing apparatus or similar. The safety link including, a first connection point, a second connection point, and an indicator means positioned substantially between and associated with the first connection point and the second connection point. If an overload force is applied, the forces between the first connection point and the second connection point cause a change in the indicator means, whereby the change indicates the overload to the user so safety checks may be conducted. The invention also relates to a method of use.

An example apparatus includes a controller operatively coupled to an electric actuator via a network. The controller is configured to obtain torque curve data over the network from the electric actuator, the torque curve data being associated with actuation of an electric motor of the electric actuator, the actuation to cause a flow control member of a motor-operated valve to move, the flow control member being mechanically coupled to the electric motor and being movable between an open position and a closed position. The controller is configured to determine an area under a torque curve based on the torque curve data, determine a variance between the area under the torque curve and an area under a reference curve, and generate a first control signal indicating that the electric actuator is healthy when it is determined that the variance does not exceed the variance threshold.

An anti-tip system for a lifting machine that includes a boom pivotally attached to a boom pivot joint, boom supporting member that raises or lowers the boom with a load attached to the boom, and a boom supporting member that supports, and transfers forces exerted on the boom to the lift machine's chassis. The system includes a bracket attached to the chassis that includes at least one guide arm and at least one force arm. The guide and force arms are pivotally attached at their proximal ends to the bracket's base and their distal ends converge and pivotally coupled at a common pivot joint that also pivotally connects to the boom supporting member. The longitudinal axes of the guide and force arms are perpendicularly aligned. When assembled, the extended longitudinal axis of the guide arm passes through the boom pivot joint. A strain gauge is attached to the force arm that measures the force exerted on the force arm.

The torque sensor of the present embodiments comprises a first structure to be coupled to an object to be measured, a second structure, a first bridge circuit including a plurality of first strain sensors configured to detect force to be transmitted between the first structure and the second structure, a second bridge circuit including a plurality of second strain sensors configured to detect force to be transmitted between the first structure and the second structure, and a controller configured to output a signal indicating an abnormality when a difference between a first output voltage of the first bridge circuit and a second output voltage of the second bridge circuit is greater than a first threshold voltage.

A force balance sensor including a mechanical strain amplification system including a sensor torsion member having a first end and a second end spaced from one another along a longitudinal axis of the sensor torsion member, at least one strain sensor coupled to the sensor torsion member between the first and second ends, a first torsional stiffening member coupled to the first end of the sensor torsion member, and a second torsional stiffening member coupled to the second end of the sensor torsion member, wherein the first torsional stiffening member and the second torsional stiffening member are coupled to a torque member.