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.

The invention relates to a cable guide apparatus, wherein the cable guide apparatus comprises: a guide apparatus, a slide which is movably guided in the guide apparatus, a deflection roller which is connected to the slide, a first tension weight, a cable pull apparatus which connects the first tension weight to the slide guided in the guide apparatus, wherein the connection cable has a free end and a fixed end connected to a connection apparatus and extends over the deflection roller, a second tension weight and a second guide apparatus in which the tension weights are each movably guided, such that the connection cable extending over the deflection roller is preloaded in a first displacement region of the free end by a force generated by the weight force of the first tension weight and is preloaded in a second displacement region of the free end by a force generated by a total of the weight forces of the tension weights.

A device for receiving a suction hose that connects a nozzle of a vacuuming device to a central unit of the vacuuming device. The device is has at least one holding device that can be arranged on the central unit of the vacuuming device, wherein the suction hose is able to be fitted in the at least one holding device such that the hose can be accommodated in a secure and stable manner. This advantageously makes it possible for the user of the vacuuming device to be able to adapt the length of the suction hose as required to the task currently to be performed. Here, the unused part of the suction hose is stored in a particularly secure and stable manner in the device or in cavities of the device that can be formed between the at least one holding device and a rear part. In a second aspect, the invention relates to a vacuuming device having a central unit that is connected to a suction hose having a nozzle.

An energy chain and storage unit for an energy chain (1) has a first chain portion (3) and a second chain portion (5), wherein the chain links (2) of the first chain portion and the chain links (4) of the second chain portion are connected to one another in a pivotable manner and comprise in each case two side parts (6, 7), which are located opposite one another in a transverse direction (q) in relation to the longitudinal direction (l) of the energy chain and have upper and lower narrow surfaces (8), which are oriented perpendicularly to the transverse direction (q) and to the longitudinal direction (l), wherein at least some of the chain links (2) of the first chain portion (3) have guide elements (12), which project outwards in the transverse direction (q) from the side parts (6, 7) of the chain links and are intended for guiding on guide tracks (35), which are arranged on the outside of the side parts of the chain links, and at least some of the chain links (4) of the second chain portion (5) have roller elements (13) or sliding elements (14), which project beyond the upper or the lower narrow surfaces (8) of the side parts (6, 7) of the chain links and can respectively roll or slide on a region which is located opposite said narrow surfaces (8) and establishes contact with the energy chain (1).

In an example, a lacing engine apparatus can include a housing and a drivetrain. The housing can be securable within a footwear article. The drivetrain can include a motor, a sun gear, a planet gear, a rotating ring gear, and a spool. The spool can be secured to the ring gear and can be rotatable therewith. The spool can be configured to control a lace of the footwear article and can be configured to wind the lace as the ring gear rotates in a first direction.

A device for winding a flexible tube, the device including two identical blades LA placed opposite ways round one against the other and pivotally secured to each other about their respective axes of axial symmetry, which together constitute a pivot axis PIV. One of the blades presents in its left edge an upwardly open notch EC that is formed by a first circular arc ARC1 having its origin at a connection point PR situated on the right edge of the notch and on the longitudinal axis LG of the blade; a diameter of the first circular arc lying on the longitudinal axis; and the first circular arc presenting a central angle α of not less than 180°.

A device for winding a flexible tube, the device including two identical blades LA placed opposite ways round one against the other and pivotally secured to each other about their respective axes of axial symmetry, which together constitute a pivot axis PIV. One of the blades presents in its left edge an upwardly open notch EC that is formed by a first circular arc ARC1 having its origin at a connection point PR situated on the right edge of the notch and on the longitudinal axis LG of the blade; a diameter of the first circular arc lying on the longitudinal axis; and the first circular arc presenting a central angle α of not less than 180°.

The present invention is directed to a hose holder that nests individual hose loops separately in grooves formed on (or forming) a sloped surface. The holder includes a series of arched grooves, each groove provided at a different position along the slope of the surface such that adjacent grooves are at different vertical heights when the holder is mounted for use. Grooves further from the mounting point are lower than those nearer. In general, each groove is wide enough to hold and guide a single loop of hose and is configured for easy deployment of the hose when the hose is pulled away from the hose holder.

The invention relates to an energy chain for receiving and guiding cables, having pivotal chain links which adjoin one another in the longitudinal direction and each of which has cross members and comprises two side pieces lying opposite each other in a direction (q) transverse to the longitudinal direction (I), wherein the energy chain (5) includes a plurality of sections, each of which is designed in the form of two strand (7, 8) that are connected together by a deflecting region (6) extending about a deflecting arc. The energy chain can be moved about the deflecting arc, and each deflecting region (6) of the plurality of sections is guided on the inner face and the outer face thereof through guide elements (10) extending in an arc-shaped manner about the respective axis of the deflecting arc.

Described herein is a fish tape reel comprising a housing with two side shells coupled together. The housing defines an internal cavity. An internal portion of the housing defines a plurality of flat gripping portions and a plurality of finger notches. The housing comprises a plurality of tabs in the internal cavity, the tabs interfacing against an inner annular portion that is coupled to the handle when the handle rotates around the housing.