An automatic line reel includes a flexible line wound onto a motor-driven reel assembly. A processor controlling the motor detects contact pressure between the flexible line and a triangular pressure transducer, automatically extending the flexible line when the contact pressure exceeds a preset threshold. Line extension stops when contact pressure falls below a second preset threshold. The flexible line may be retracted and rewound around the reel assembly by activation of a switch on a wireless remoted control, by a switch on the automatic line reel, or by activation of a smart phone application program in data communication with the processor controlling the reel assembly. A reel assembly is optionally configured to maintain uninterrupted fluid communications through the automatic line reel as the reel assembly rotates. The reel assembly may optionally be configured to maintain uninterrupted electrical signal communication through the automatic line reel.

A sheet conveying device includes a sheet cassette including a first housing, a pressing plate, a raising plate, a first resilient member, and a second resilient member. The sheet conveying device further includes a second housing, a sheet-cassette accommodating portion, a first electrode, a second electrode, a sheet conveyor, a driver, a first signal output device, and a second signal output device. When controlling the driver to move the raising plate to move the pressing plate upward, the controller detects a state change in the first signal output device from not outputting a conduction signal to outputting the conduction signal; upon this detection, starts counting the number of pulse signals; and determines an amount of upward movement of the pressing plate based on the counted number.

A fiber injector (8) has a fixed attachment (10) rigidly secured to the end of a material delivery boom. The fixed attachment (10) has a control handle (20) for controlling the location of the boom and distribution of fibers (62) into the material flowing through the boom. A rotary attachment (30) is rotatably secured to the fixed attachment (10) and is selectively rotated by an electric motor (12). A fiber distribution ring (40) is removably secured to the rotary attachment (30) and has a number of box holders (50) for receiving fiber boxes (60). The fiber boxes (60) contain the fiber (62) being injected into a material flow stream. A fiber brake (24) is mounted for selectively moving to cover fiber delivery apertures (52) in the fiber distribution ring (40) to selectively stop injection of the fiber (62) into the material flow stream.

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.

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 imaging device having a sheet restraint sensing system is disclosed. The system includes a frame having an opening, a linear sensor strip located on the frame having a length, and a media tray having a sheet restraint that presses against the linear sensor strip when the media tray is located in the opening. The sheet restraint is constrained by the media tray to move relative to the media tray no more than a maximum adjustment displacement. The maximum adjustment displacement is less than the length of the linear sensor strip. Other systems are disclosed.

A charge-eliminating apparatus includes a charge-eliminating member for eliminating charge of a sheet while nipping and conveying the sheet, a voltage applying unit for applying a voltage to the charge-eliminating member, and a detecting unit for detecting a voltage applied to the charge-eliminating member or a current flowing through the charge-eliminating member. A controller measures an electrification charge amount of the sheet based on a detecting result of the detecting unit while the sheet passes through the charge-eliminating member.

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device, a sheet transport mechanism, a sheet abnormality detection device, an output tray, an escape tray, a notification device, and a control device. The escape tray is provided separately from the output tray, and receives the sheet, from which abnormality has been detected by the sheet abnormality detection device, and delivered by the sheet transport mechanism. The control device causes the image forming device to again form, on another sheet, a same image formed on a sheet, from which the sheet abnormality has been detected, and delivered to the escape tray, and to continue with the image forming operation on subsequent sheets, and decides, according to a predetermined condition, whether to allow the notification device to announce the sheet abnormality.

The present disclosure relates to a safety-enhanced hydraulic metal coil loading system and method thereof (100) comprising a hydraulic lifting unit (102) configured to elevate metal coils, the hydraulic lifting unit (102) including a large hydraulic cylinder (104) and a small hydraulic cylinder (106), a positioning mechanism (110) mechanically linked to the hydraulic lifting unit (102), the positioning mechanism (110) including a lifter fork (112), a decoiler machine (116) operatively connected to the positioning mechanism (110), a support structure (118) comprising a frame and a carriage (120), a control unit (122) electrically coupled to the hydraulic lifting unit (102), positioning mechanism (110), and decoiler machine (116), the control unit (122) programmed to regulate lifting operations, monitor alignment, and prevent overload conditions, a monitoring interface (124) in communication with the control unit (122), a floor with a cutout cover (126) secured below the frame.