Patent classifications
B65H75/30
BOX LACING CHANNEL FOR AUTOMATED FOOTWEAR PLATFORM
A footwear acing apparatus can comprise a housing structure, a spool and a drive mechanism. The housing structure can comprise a first inlet, a second inlet, and a lacing channel extending between the first and second inlets. The lacing channel can comprise a spool receptacle located between the first and second inlets, a first relief area located between the spool receptacle and the first inlet, and a second relief area located between the spool receptacle and the second inlet. The first and second relief areas can be linearly tapered between the spool receptacle and the first and second inlets, respectively. The spool can be disposed in the spool receptacle of the lacing channel. The drive mechanism can be coupled with the spool and adapted to rotate the spool to wind or unwind a lace cable extending through the lacing channel and through the spool.
Drill powered wire puller
Apparatus for a drill powered wire puller are disclosed. In an embodiment the drill powered wire puller includes a center plate, a cradle plate, a housing, a support, the support including a receiver, and a capstan. The center plate is coupled with the cradle plate at a proximal end. The cradle plate includes a U-shaped notch and two hooks or catches which are configured to couple the cradle plate with a powered rotary tool, such as a drill. The right side of the center plate is coupled with a housing, the left side of the center plate is coupled with a support. The left side of the support is coupled with a capstan. The outer perimeter of the capstan includes notches that define at least one “cleat” shape in the outer perimeter.
Self-stowing cable dispenser for figure eighting
A method and apparatus for engaging a cable from a reel having a reel axle, such as for dispensing the cable from the reel with a motor assembly to figure eight a fiber optic cable sensitive to twisting. An adjustable frame is mounted to a first lifting arm. The adjustable frame is stored in a self-stowed configuration wherein the adjustable frame is vertically stacked parallel to the first lifting arm. The adjustable frame is deployed to align a distal frame end of the adjustable frame near the horizontal center of the reel in a plurality of lifting arm pivot positions.
Self-stowing cable dispenser for figure eighting
A method and apparatus for engaging a cable from a reel having a reel axle, such as for dispensing the cable from the reel with a motor assembly to figure eight a fiber optic cable sensitive to twisting. An adjustable frame is mounted to a first lifting arm. The adjustable frame is stored in a self-stowed configuration wherein the adjustable frame is vertically stacked parallel to the first lifting arm. The adjustable frame is deployed to align a distal frame end of the adjustable frame near the horizontal center of the reel in a plurality of lifting arm pivot positions.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DEPLOYING COILS OF SPOOLABLE PIPE
A system for deploying a coil of spoolable pipe from a vessel includes a first tower configured to move longitudinally and transversely along a first track coupled to the vessel, a second tower configured to move longitudinally along a second track coupled to the vessel, and a coil drum assembly coupled to the first tower. The first tower is configured to insert the coil drum assembly transversely into an interior channel of the coil when the coil drum assembly is in a retracted position, the coil drum assembly is configured to support the coil when the coil drum assembly is in an extended position and rotate during deployment of the spoolable pipe, and the first tower and the second tower are configured to move the coil drum assembly vertically.
REEL BASED LACING SYSTEM
A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.
REEL BASED LACING SYSTEM
A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.
HIGH SPEED WINCH REWIND ADAPTER
This disclosure describes a high speed winch rewind adapter for quickly rewinding a loading strap. In one implementation, the adapter includes a body having a volume sized to at least partially surround an annular end of the winch. The annular end is coupled with a ratchet mechanism of the winch and having at least one hole for receiving a winch bar. A drive connector is positioned both within the volume of the body and external to the volume of the body, the drive connector external to the volume of the body having an external profile to receive a torque, and the drive connector within the volume of the body insertable into the annular end of the winch for alignment to the axis of rotation. A coupling mechanism synchronizes the drive connector to the annular end such that both the drive connector and the annular end rotate simultaneously.
Box lacing channel for automated footwear platform
A footwear lacing apparatus can comprise a housing structure, a spool and a drive mechanism. The housing structure can comprise a first inlet, a second inlet, and a lacing channel extending between the first and second inlets. The lacing channel can comprise a spool receptacle located between the first and second inlets, a first relief area located between the spool receptacle and the first inlet, and a second relief area located between the spool receptacle and the second inlet. The first and second relief areas can be linearly tapered between the spool receptacle and the first and second inlets, respectively. The spool can be disposed in the spool receptacle of the lacing channel. The drive mechanism can be coupled with the spool and adapted to rotate the spool to wind or unwind a lace cable extending through the lacing channel and through the spool.
Box lacing channel for automated footwear platform
A footwear lacing apparatus can comprise a housing structure, a spool and a drive mechanism. The housing structure can comprise a first inlet, a second inlet, and a lacing channel extending between the first and second inlets. The lacing channel can comprise a spool receptacle located between the first and second inlets, a first relief area located between the spool receptacle and the first inlet, and a second relief area located between the spool receptacle and the second inlet. The first and second relief areas can be linearly tapered between the spool receptacle and the first and second inlets, respectively. The spool can be disposed in the spool receptacle of the lacing channel. The drive mechanism can be coupled with the spool and adapted to rotate the spool to wind or unwind a lace cable extending through the lacing channel and through the spool.