Patent classifications
B65H75/4484
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.
PIPELINE INSPECTION DEVICE
A pipeline inspection device including a stand, a drum rotatably supported by the stand, the drum including an opening in a front wall of the drum, a cable disposed at least partially within the drum, the cable including a camera disposed on a distal end of the cable, the camera and the cable configured to be directed into a conduit, a hub including a body at least partially insertable into the opening of the drum, the hub being electrically coupled to the cable when inserted into the opening, a wireless communication module housed within the hub, and a battery supported by the hub, the battery and the hub being removable from the drum as a single unit.
Motorized hose reel
The motorized hose reel is a storage device. The motorized hose reel is configured for use with a hose. The motorized hose reel stores the hose. The motorized hose reel deploys the hose for use. The motorized hose reel retracts the hose for storage. The motorized hose reel comprises a hose structure, a spool structure, a control circuit, and a personal data device. The spool structure stores the hose structure. The control circuit is an electrically powered device. The control circuit deploys the hose structure from the spool structure for use. The control circuit retracts onto the spool structure for storage. The personal data device controls the operation of the control circuit.
Cable retractor
A cable retractor includes a housing. A spool is disposed within the housing and is mechanically coupled to the housing and rotatable about an axis. A spring mechanism is operatively attached to the spool and is configured to urge the spool to rotate in a first rotational direction about the axis. An electricity operated rotation regulator is operatively attached to the spool and is configured to, when activated, prevent the spool from rotating in the first rotational direction.
AUTOMATED FOOTWEAR LACING SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND TECHNIQUES
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.
Material tracking system and method
A material tracking system is provided for tracking material stored on and drawn from a reel. The material tracking system may include a reel, detection element, digital logic components, battery and power components, transceiver and communication components, location receiver, enclosure, analytic component and interface component. One or more sensors relative to the reel may detect a position indicative of forward or reverse reel rotation. A processor may analyze signals to count rotations of the reel, which is savable in memory. A battery may provide power. The system may also record the time and location associated with rotations. A method to operate a tracking material stored on and drawn from a reel using the material tracking system is also provided.
MOTORIZED CABLE RETRACTOR
A cable retractor includes a housing. A motorized drive section within the housing urges at least a segment of cable past the drive section. A chamber within the housing holds at least another segment of the cable that is stored freely without a specific arrangement of the cable. The motorized drive section urges the cable in a first direction to draw the at least another segment from the chamber, then past the motorized drive section, and then through an external opening in the housing to outside. The motorized drive urges the cable in a second, opposing direction to draw the another segment through the external opening in the housing from outside, then past the motorized drive section, and then into the chamber, the another segment being urged freely into the chamber without a specific arrangement of the cable in the chamber.
Oxygen Tubing Reel Device
The present invention relates to an oxygen tubing reel device that is primarily comprised of a housing with at least one motor that rotates at least one reel that stores a tubing. The motor may be automatically engaged via a proximity sensor that extends or retracts the tubing into or out of the housing as a user moves closer or farther away from the housing. The motor may also be manipulated via a control.
Autolacing footwear motor having force-directing supports
An article of footwear, motorized lacing system, and method includes a motor, a transmission, operatively coupled to the motor, a power source, operatively coupled to the motor, a lace spool, operatively coupled to the motor via the transmission, configured to spool and unspool the lace based on operation of the motor, a printed circuit board, and a housing. The housing contains the motor, the transmission, the power source, the lace spool and the printed circuit board, the printed circuit board positioned between an interior surface of the housing and at least one of the power source and the motor, wherein the interior surface includes a post that extends through a hole formed in the printed circuit board. A flexing of the interior surface causes force on the housing to be at least partially imparted on the at least one of the power source, the transmission, and the motor.
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.