Reeling Device Patents (Class 242/370)
  • Patent number: 11713621
    Abstract: A kit of parts for assembling a control assembly for a roller blind includes a plurality of driven parts each having a tubular body with a different diameter and/or profile adapted to be inserted into and drivingly engage a respective roller blind tube. The kit further includes a plurality of mounting parts each having an outer face incorporating a different arrangement of securing formations adapted to be engageable with a respective mounting bracket, and a drive part including (i) a housing adapted to be coupled with any one of the mounting parts and (ii) a drive rotatingly mounted within the housing and adapted to be coupled with any one of the driven parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Fourds Limited
    Inventors: Cormac Diamond, Frank McCullagh, Kevin McCullagh, Patrick McGirr, Kathryn Bleakley
  • Patent number: 11027942
    Abstract: A hose guide for a hose reel deck box is provided. More specifically, the hose guide is a one piece, or unitary body, component. The unitary body hose guide is structured to snap-fit to one or two travel bars that are part of the unitary body of the hose reel deck box housing assembly. The hose guide preferably includes two semi-enclosed passages that are structured to be slidably coupled to the travel bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: The Ames Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Blaszczak, Peter Arcati
  • Patent number: 10937405
    Abstract: A portable piano keyboard is configured to be separable into multiple keyboard sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: Lindley Frahm
  • Patent number: 10562488
    Abstract: A seatbelt retractor includes a base, a spool, a cylinder and a cylinder lock. The spool is rotatably coupled to the base and has a piston portion. The cylinder is engaged with the piston portion and therewith defines a first chamber. The piston portion is movable from a first position yielding a first chamber volume to a second position yielding a second chamber volume. The cylinder lock in a first condition rotatably fixes the cylinder to the base. Damping fluid is disposed in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammed Omar Faruque, James Chih Cheng, Robert William McCoy, Saeed David Barbat, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Patent number: 10486644
    Abstract: A seatbelt retractor includes a base, a spool, a cylinder, a transfer plate, and a cylinder lock. The spool is rotatably coupled to the base and has a piston portion. The cylinder is engaged with the piston portion and therewith defines a chamber. The piston portion is movable from a first position to a second position. The transfer plate is translateably disposed in the first chamber. The cylinder lock in a first condition rotatably fixes the cylinder to the base. Damping fluid is in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammed Omar Faruque, James Chih Cheng, Robert William McCoy, Saeed David Barbat, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Patent number: 10442396
    Abstract: A seatbelt retractor includes a base, a spool, a cylinder, a sleeve and a cylinder lock. The spool is rotatably coupled to the base and has a piston portion. A smaller initialization piston extends from the piston portion. The cylinder is engaged with the piston portion and therewith defines a first chamber. The sleeve is within the cylinder and receives the initialization piston. The sleeve and the initialization piston define an initialization chamber. The cylinder lock in a first condition rotatably fixes the cylinder to the base. Damping fluid is disposed in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, James Chih Cheng, Robert William McCoy, Saeed David Barbat, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Patent number: 9669799
    Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioner is provided including an inner tube with a gas generator housed therein, an intermediate sleeve extending over the inner tube, and a spool portion housing the sleeve and the tube. The spool portion includes spiraling flutes thereon that correspond to a protruding member in the form of flutes or pegs extending from the intermediate sleeve. In response to the gas generator firing, the sleeve will be driven longitudinally, causing the protruding member to act on the spiraling flutes of the spool, thereby causing the spool to rotate. The intermediate sleeve can include a spiraling slot that receives a peg from the inner tube, so that the intermediate sleeve will rotate to compound the spool rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Earl Henry Nelson, Hans-Otto Kock, Isaac Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9440617
    Abstract: A system for pretensioning a seatbelt includes a minispool and a drive rod. The drive rod includes a spiral portion that, when driven along a longitudinal axis, causes the minispool to rotate about the longitudinal axis. The spiral portion of the drive rod engages the minispool, which includes corresponding structure that tracks the spiral portion. The minispool is restricted from longitudinal travel such that tracking the spiral portion causes the minispool to rotate and the drive rod passes through the minispool. In another form, the minispool can be arranged transverse to the longitudinal axis, with the translation of the drive rod causing the minispool to translate in the same direction of the drive rod. The minispool can include teeth that engage a bracket, such that the translation of the minispool causes the minispool to rotate as it translates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Bin Wang, Jon Burrow, Robert Verhoven, Tim Cahill, Robert J. Desmarais, Bradley W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140306050
    Abstract: A seatbelt retractor includes a rotation transfer mechanism configured to transfer rotation of an adjustment gear to a sensor housing to swing the sensor housing in the front-back direction of a vehicle. The turning axis of the adjustment gear and the swing axis of the sensor housing intersect each other at a predetermined angle with the swing axis of the sensor housing arranged in a horizontal direction with respect to the left-right direction of the vehicle. An inertial element support surface of the sensor housing is kept horizontal by swing motion of the sensor housing in the front-back direction of the vehicle, even if a seat back is tilted in the front-back direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Ito, Yusuke Shinya, Ganta Hibata, Jin Hayashihara
  • Patent number: 8853541
    Abstract: An overhead electrical cord holder allows the user to safely operate a household appliance without tripping with the power cord. The power cord holder includes a hollow outer tube and an inner tube slide able inside the hollow outer tube. The inner tube includes an end protruding from the bottom end of the hollow outer tube. A rotatable mounting block is attached to the protruding end of the inner tube. The hooks are secured to the rotatable mounting block. The rotatable mounting block is rotatable with the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: Glen Maurice Ingram, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20140271075
    Abstract: A reel system includes a reel having a rotational axis, the reel including a plurality of ledges spaced radially from the rotational axis, the ledges defining a stepped configuration along an interior surface of the reel. The reel system also includes a first clamp having a first width and a second clamp having a second width greater than the first width, wherein the first clamp and the second clamp engage the plurality of ledges as the reel is rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Harnischfeger Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard Pusheck, Jason Knuth
  • Patent number: 8800907
    Abstract: A mobile device case includes a reel assembly, including a reel, a supporting plate, and a hub between the reel and the supporting plate. The hub includes a first cavity between the hub and the supporting plate for housing a spring, and a second cavity between the hub and the reel for housing a flat flexible cable (FFC). The spring is wound in a first direction, while the FFC is wound in a second direction. The FFC includes a first end for electrically coupling to a female jack connector of a device. A female connector is electrically coupled to a second end of the FFC for engaging a male jack connector of user-provided headphones. When the reel rotates in the first direction, the spring tightens and the FFC loosens. When the reel rotates in the second direction, the spring loosens and the FFC tightens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventors: Scott Koenig, David Conroy
  • Publication number: 20140216779
    Abstract: A charging stand includes: a charging cable provided with a connector connected to a vehicle; a holding unit to hold the connector; and a reel to wind the charging cable automatically when the connector is placed on the holding unit. A vehicle includes: a charging cable provided with a plug connected to an external power supply; a holding unit to hold the plug; and a reel to wind the charging cable automatically when the plug is placed on the holding unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigeki Kinomura
  • Publication number: 20140217225
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for unwinding and winding one or more lines for uninterrupted connection of each of the one or more lines between two connection points, it being possible to produce the uninterrupted connection between a fixed first connection point and a second connection point which is at a variable distance or in each case one of a plurality of second connection points which are at different distances. The device comprises a rotatable winding body for unwinding and winding the one or more lines, in that the line(s) is/are guided from the first fixed connection point in a first sub-portion from a stationary first position coaxial with the winding body to a second position opposite the first position and from said second position to a third position which is substantially in one plane with the first position but is rotatable with the winding body, the line(s) in the first sub-portion being guided helically at least in portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: IPALCO B.V.
    Inventor: Michael Widegren
  • Publication number: 20140175209
    Abstract: An apparatus including a casing; a cable configured to be moved between a first position and a second position, wherein the cable includes an attachment portion and in the first position the attachment portion is positioned outside of the casing and in the second position the attachment portion is positioned within the casing; and a pulling member configured to enable a user to pull the cable from the first position towards the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Juhani Valdemar KARI, Osmo KNUUTTILA, Timo TOIVOLA, Juha RANKI
  • Patent number: 8684390
    Abstract: A retractable tow strap apparatus includes a housing containing a spool operably connected to a crank on the exterior of the housing. A tow strap is wound around the spool, the ends of the strap extending through a pair of apertures on opposite sides of the housing. Unwinding the strap from the spool through the apertures rotates the spool in a first direction. The strap is retrieved onto the spool by rotating the spool in a second direction using the crank. Springs within the housing apply a braking force on the portion of the strap that is on the spool, whereby slack in the strap and resultant tangling may be minimized as the strap is wound and unwound from the spool. The strap is formed of a unitary webbing element that extends through the spool, thereby minimizing the application of tension forces directly to the spool during a towing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Hampton Products International Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey N. Barrette
  • Publication number: 20140054404
    Abstract: A cylindrical cartridge used for the storage and protection of all types of barrier fencing. The devise is designed to extend the life of barrier fencing, reduce waste and reduce cost. The cartridge has an interior hollow pipe shaft with rollers mounted to the shaft to create a spool. The spool shaft extends through the top of the cartridge and is fitted with a manually operated crank handle. A vertical slotted opening in the side of the cartridge of varying widths dependent on the barrier material being used allows the extraction and retraction of the barrier fencing. The bottom of the cartridge has an opening in the centre equal to that of the interior dimension of the hollow shaft. The bottom opening allows for the mounting of the cartridge to a ground spike or stabilizing plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventor: Paul Mitchell
  • Patent number: 8590181
    Abstract: An electrical iron comprising: a body; a connector; a cord being connected at a first point to the body and being connected at a second point to the connector; a receiving means that is mounted on the body, and is suitable for receiving the connector, wherein the receiving means includes a means for adjusting the tension the in cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Simon Saba
  • Publication number: 20130279990
    Abstract: A platform (10) with a central region (70) for production and/or processing and/or storage of hydrocarbons, has a hose reel (30) arranged adjacent to a service area (50). The hose reel is arranged outside the central region and oriented with its axis of rotation (a-a) being directed towards the central region, and the service area is not between the reel and the central region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Aker Pusnes AS
    Inventor: Stig André Nygaard
  • Patent number: 8556884
    Abstract: Packaging including a coiled and optionally prelubricated catheter, its distal end insertable into the urethra, a slidable hygienic sheath, a proximal catheter end for voiding urine from the distal end through the assembly to the proximal end. Mutually rotatable elements providing for withdrawal of the catheter from its coiled state to an extended state, and refraction of the catheter back to its coiled state. Methods of extending the catheter, inserting it into the urethra, and voiding urine through the catheter, without requiring complete removal from the catheter packaging. A kit including automatic extrusion of the catheter's distal end upon package opening, and a water pouch for hydrophilic lubrication, and sanitary wipes for reducing the likelihood of infection. A catheter within a flexible and optionally coiled tube, a slidable hygienic sheath covering a catheter's distal end that can move along the length of the catheter during insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: CompactCath, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Wei-Chen Hong, Myung Sun Choi, Katherine Muterspaugh Steele, David Philip Janka, Sean Kshitij Mehra, Naama Stauber
  • Patent number: 8506758
    Abstract: A method for guiding web patching, using a re-reeler, in connection with a paper machine and an off-line coating machine, in which method a defect map of the web is created on the paper machine, to show deviations some of which are shown on the coating machine, using selected criteria, to the operator, the deviations being patched using the re-reeler, guided by the defect map and preset patching rules. On the coating machine, the virtual location of the selected deviations is monitored through the coating machine and if a possible web break occurs, a deviation is localized relative to the web break, and on the basis of this monitoring, feedback is provided to the patching rules of the re-reeler, in order to optimize them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Metso Automation Oy
    Inventor: Hannu Ruuska
  • Patent number: 8500054
    Abstract: A method and device for adjusting the unstored length of tubing directed to improving the use of infusion sets that deliver fluids to a user. The device includes a storage module and other features for adjusting, storing and securing the length of the tubing. The method of adjusting the length of the tubing to a desired length typically comprises removably attaching the tubing to the adjuster, adjusting the tubing by wrapping the tubing around a hub or post of the adjuster, and fixing the length of the unstored tubing by attaching the tubing to a securing device such as a friction structure or fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Kevin L. Grant, Larry B. Gray, Matthew C. Harris, Jeffrey L. Klein, Craig R. Steinfels, Brian D. Tracey
  • Patent number: 8360371
    Abstract: The invention is a suspension apparatus for maintaining conduits (hoses, cables, wires, tubing) in desirable positions to prevent conduit abrasion, drag, and friction damage. The suspension apparatus connects a series of conduit guides, having bores through which conduits run, with a guy wire assembly that holds the conduits in a desired position. The guy wires are held by a tension cable connected to a tension reel installed on a mounting. The ends of the guy wires are connected by brackets to mounting structures in a way that provides for the majority of tension forces and system movement to be accounted by the guy wires instead of the conduits. One embodiment is used to manage cables and hoses installed on tractor-trailer rigs having hoses and cables that extend along the length of the trailer. A more particular embodiment includes an installation on a tandem slider trailer with an adjustable wheel base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas James Getts
  • Patent number: 8361263
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for protecting a display facility, comprising a protective element for covering an image surface of the display facility. As the protective element is designed to be transparent and the retaining means are provided for the exchangeable arrangement of the protective element in front of the image surface, a protective device is provided, which allows the image surface to be examined and is easy to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Martin Hoheisel
  • Publication number: 20120292417
    Abstract: [Object] To improve detection accuracy of a rotation detecting member, reduce a load applied to the rotation detecting member, and suppress an increase in size in the thrust direction. [Solution] A transmitting gear 24 is mounted on a rotating shaft 10a of a spool so as to be rotatable integrally with the rotating shaft 10a. A rotation sensor 15 is disposed eccentrically with respect to the rotating shaft 10a in a radial direction of the rotating shaft 10a. The rotation sensor 15 is disposed in a direction in which the rotating shaft 10a is separated from the rotation sensor 15 by a large load F applied from a seatbelt to the spool 10 in an emergency. The rotation sensor 15 includes annularly arranged magnets 21 and a magnet holding member 22 that holds the magnets 21. The magnet holding member 22 includes a receiving gear 23.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Kenji Ikeda, Tomofumi Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20120280075
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for reinspecting a prescription drug, which reinspect the defect state of a defective drug pack after the defect state of an individually packaged drug has been inspected by analyzing the image of the drug. The apparatus includes a drug pack information transceiving module to receive primary inspection data, a drug reinspection controlling module to control a procedure of reinspecting a defect state of a drug pack which has been primarily determined as a defective drug pack, an image processing module to photograph the drug pack, which has been primarily determined as the defective drug pack, and to process an image of the drug pack, and a defect analyzing module to determine a defect state of the drug by analyzing a drug contained in the image of the drug pack provided from the image processing module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: JVM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jun-Ho KIM
  • Publication number: 20120269581
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for reeling or unreeling a pipeline having an inner corrosion-resistant metallic liner that is tightly fitted within the pipeline. To minimize or avoid wrinkling of the liner during the reeling or unreeling, a length of the pipeline is internally pressurized in a two-stage pressurizing process, and then the length of pipeline is reeled or unreeled, as the case may be. In the first stage of the pressurizing process, the length of the pipeline is filled with fluid at an elevated pressure, and in the second stage the fluid pressure is raised to a higher pressure, which may be 25 bars or more, absolute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: John Arthur Mair, Thomas Schüller, Gernold Holler, Friedrich Henneicke, Joachim Banse
  • Publication number: 20120256031
    Abstract: Methods and devices for connecting a current source to a target storage device via a transmission cable extendable and/or retractable via a conduit that may be repositioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventor: ALBERT JOSEPH FLACK
  • Patent number: 8262009
    Abstract: A system for managing a flexible electrical cable for use in limited rotational applications is provided. The system includes a main hub coupled with a substrate, the main hub comprising an outer hub portion, an inner cavity portion and a gap portion, the main hub rotatable about a stationary post disposed inside the inner cavity portion and coupled with the substrate. The system is for managing a contiguous length of flexible electrical cable having a first free end and a second end, the second end electrically coupled to the inner post wherein a first portion of the flexible electrical cable proximate the free end is wrapped around the outer hub portion in a first direction and a second portion of the flexible electrical cable proximate the second end is wrapped inside the inner cavity portion in a second direction and wherein the contiguous length of flexible electrical cable passes through the gap portion of the main hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Quantum Corporation
    Inventors: Christian Allen Todd, Wyatt Erickson
  • Patent number: 8210459
    Abstract: A wire winder includes a body configured to anchor a wire and such that the wire extends from the body. The body is at least partially surrounded by a rotatable bobbin journalled on the body. The wire is windable onto the body within the rotatable bobbin from a direction substantially aligned with a bobbin axis. The bobbin rotation is indexed by coaction between at least one projection or depression on the body and at least one depression or projection on the bobbin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignees: Sony EMCS (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Mohd Asri Yusof, Yuen Chang Chuah, Toshihide Ooba
  • Publication number: 20110253827
    Abstract: An extendible structure which includes an elongated extendible member having elasticity, and a storage part that serves to store the extendible member by winding it up, wherein a tip end of the extendible member can be extended from the storage part in a one-dimensional manner, so that an extendible part thus extended becomes a hollow tubular structure. The extendible member is composed of three divided extendible members so that the extendible part of the hollow tubular structure is divided into three parts, and the individual divided extendible members are constructed such that their tip end portions are joined with one another, and at the same time, their base end portions are wound around individual storage parts, respectively, independently from each other. Surface fasteners are each provided on a side of each of the divided extendible members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: SAKASE ADTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihito Watanabe, Hiroaki Ito, Toshiyuki Hori, Nobuyoshi Kawabata
  • Publication number: 20110158597
    Abstract: A technique for storing cable slack in an automatic and safe manner, to allow a plug and play connectivity for fiber optic cable installation between floors in multi-floor high-rise apartment buildings. A tamper-proof storage box is located in a prescribed location for which its footprint is intended, such as a utility closet in a lobby or basement. The box contains a number of reels of cable (bundles of individual optical strands), each reel's contents designated for a different floor in the building. As pre-connectorized strands are pulled from a rotatable spindle mounted in the storage box to its intended floor, any cable excess (slack) remains automatically on the spindle in the storage box in an out-of-the-way location avoiding tampering and tripping. This allows off the shelf lengths of cable saving time and expense.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.
    Inventor: George N. Bell
  • Publication number: 20110151941
    Abstract: A mobile device, particularly a wireless headset, includes a cord to which an earpiece is fixed and a module having a spring-actuated retractor reel into which the cord is retracted for storage. A fastener on the module makes the device wearable. A rotary encoder generates a position data output according to the rotational position of the reel, and a controller receives the position data output from the sensor, and, in response, controls a function such as placing the device in an on-hook or off-hook state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Yuet Ming Chan
  • Publication number: 20110068919
    Abstract: Methods and other embodiments associated with a display stand with a tether stop are presented. In the preferred embodiment, a display stand includes a base, a mounting member, a tether, a recoiler, and a cable stop. The mounting member is adapted for mounting thereon a display item and is movable between a mounted position in contact with the base. The mounting member is configured to be removed from the base to facilitate viewing and handling of the display item. The tether includes a connector located at one end of the tether to attach the tether to the mounting member. The recoiler recoils the tether. The cable stop moves to a first position to allow the connector to pass through an opening in the base and to a second position to prevent the connector from passing through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: MICHAEL RAPP, DENNIS D. BELDEN, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110017856
    Abstract: An apparatus to aid in the holding and retention of oxygen tubing used in a health care environment comprising approximately fifty (50) feet of oxygen tubing wound upon a retractable reel is herein disclosed. A spring-loaded tensioning system is provided for automatic retraction of the oxygen line. The spring-loaded system would allow the user or care provider the ability to retract the tubing at the push of a button. The apparatus would be provided with a hand grip and belt clip to enhance handling and portability. As such, the patient would no longer be encumbered by excessive slack oxygen tubing when moving between locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: Amy J. Penn
  • Publication number: 20110011401
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and method for delivering oxygen from an oxygen supply to a person in a convenient, sanitary and organized manner. The oxygen delivery system includes a rail attached to a surface of the room and a sliding trolley attached to the rail. An oxygen supply tube is attached to the oxygen supply and the trolley for transferring oxygen from the oxygen supply to the trolley. The system enables the person to move to various locations in the room while receiving oxygen from the oxygen supply through the oxygen supply tube, the trolley, a drop tube and a nasal cannula, or other breathing device connected to the trolley. The person may guide the trolley around the room by pulling the drop tube in the desired direction of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: Joan Skovgard
  • Publication number: 20100276530
    Abstract: A winder, including a support member having a wall portion and a spindle; and a housing rotatably mounted onto said spindle, said housing having a drive portion for receiving a cord that controls the rotation of said housing for extending and retracting a blind; wherein said housing is selectively moveable along the spindle between an open position and a closed position, such that when the housing is placed in the open position, the drive portion is exposed for receiving said cord, and when the housing is placed in the closed position, the wall portion covers at least a part of the drive portion to resist disengagement of the entire cord from the drive portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: Carmelo Joseph Licciardi Di Stefano
  • Publication number: 20100270429
    Abstract: An equipment element for transportation means, in particular an airplane, includes, but is not limited to a retractable line, the length of which can be set using a retraction mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Jovan ULBRICH-GASPAREVIC, Michael MOSLER
  • Publication number: 20100218710
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ship that is to be coupled electrically to a terminal, and also to a method and a method and a device for connecting an electrical power line (1) between a ship (3) and a terminal (5), comprising: unwinder means (7) for unwinding a traction cable (13) from the ship (3) towards a connection end (15) of said electrical power line (1); lashing means (9) for lashing said traction cable (13) to said connection end (15); and traction means (11) for pulling said electrical power line towards the ship (3) so as to connect said connection end (15) with an electrical interface (17a) of the ship (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventor: Damien Feger
  • Patent number: 7786693
    Abstract: The method and unit for braking a metal strip (1), running off a wind-out coiler (2.1) in the form of a coil (1.1) and running onto a wind-on coiler (2.2) again, are to guarantee that a surface of the metal strip remains undamaged and a full effective braking force is exerted on the metal strip (1) by means of an eddy current brake (3.1) with a rotating magnet system (3.2). The above is achieved, whereby the braking force is exerted on the metal strip (1) by means of an induced counter-torque against a support bearing (4) to one side in a non-contact manner, whereby the support bearing (4) may be embodied as a counter roller (4.1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventors: Eckard Schmitz, Volker Wandelt
  • Publication number: 20100216359
    Abstract: An ambidextrous rescue device having a slip ring rotateable mounted with respect to the rescue device to permit the slip ring to rotate independently of the rescue device as the rescue device is thrown to thereby enhance the distance the rescue device can be thrown by reducing the spin that needs to be imparted to the rescue device during a throwing motion as well as reducing the tendency of the rescue device to spin out of a victims grasp once the rescue device is retrieved by pulling on the rope attached to the rescue device. A further advantage is that the device can be thrown by either a left hand thrower or a right hand thrower. In another embodiment the rescue device includes an arm girth to automatically cinch a person's extremity to the rescue device as the rescue device is pulled toward the rescuer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: John K. Samelian
  • Publication number: 20100178020
    Abstract: An optical waveguide assembly is described that comprises a storage device having a housing (7) and a rotatable reel (2), configured for storing a flexible optical waveguide, wherein the reel (2) is coupled to a flexible optical waveguide unit (1) having an external diameter (D1) of at most 2 mm for winding and/or unwinding the waveguide unit (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Draka Comteq B.V.
    Inventors: Willem Griffioen, Gerard Plumettaz, Tobias Roland Ahl
  • Patent number: 7698037
    Abstract: A seatbelt device for a vehicle includes a belt reel for winding a belt for restraining a target object, a motor for driving the rotation of the reel, and a control unit. The control unit determines whether the target object to be restrained is a child seat or a vehicle occupant on the basis of a winding position of the belt while no electricity is being supplied to the motor and the winding position of the belt when electricity is being supplied to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shotaro Odate
  • Publication number: 20100065673
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for protecting a display facility, comprising a protective element for covering an image surface of the display facility. As the protective element is designed to be transparent and the retaining means are provided for the exchangeable arrangement of the protective element in front of the image surface, a protective device is provided, which allows the image surface to be examined and is easy to operate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventor: Martin Hoheisel
  • Publication number: 20100044489
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a device for pretensioning a seatbelt is provided. The device comprises a spindle for receiving a portion of the seatbelt. A retractor frame that has a weakened portion is supported by the spindle for rotational movement within the retractor frame. A pretensioner is operatively connected to the spindle for rotating the spindle to tighten the seatbelt. The pretensioner includes pretensioner balls. The pretensioner is configured to drive the pretensioner balls toward a ball collection area adjacent to the weakened portion. The weakened portion is deformed by the pretensioner balls to increase the size of the ball collection area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Jorge Lombarte, Jon Burrow
  • Publication number: 20100049436
    Abstract: This invention relates to a GPS navigation system comprised of a submerged vessel having a navigation processor associated via buoyant cable with a buoy having a GPS device; wherein the cable contains: a data link between the vessel and the GPS device; and a location device for the determination of the location of the cable to the vessel; and wherein the processor computes a GPS position relative to the vessel. The invention also relates to a navigation process comprising the steps of: attaching a cable between a buoy and a submerged vessel; providing a GPS data relative to the buoy and cable location data over the cable to the submerged vessel; and using the GPS position of the buoy and location data to compute the GPS position of the submerged vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony Scoca, Mike Hanczor
  • Publication number: 20100013236
    Abstract: A power generation system (20) including an airborne electricity generator (30), a tether assembly (40) configured to carry electricity from the generator to land, the tether assembly having a first end portion (42) coupled to the generator, and a winch assembly (50) configured to reel the tether assembly onto a drum (52),wherein the winch assembly is configured to apply a reel tension to the tether assembly reeled onto the drum that is lower than a tension in the first end portion of the tether assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: Baseload Energy,Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Carroll
  • Publication number: 20100013226
    Abstract: A wind turbine energy conversion device that can take advantage of the higher speed and more persistent winds at higher altitudes is hereinafter disclosed. The wind turbine energy conversion device includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) connected to one end of a tether (which may include multiple shorter tethers), the other end being connected to a terrestrial anchorage point. The UAV flies at altitudes where wind speeds can reach 40 mph or higher. The UAV comprises a flying wing with one or more trailing wind power turbines and flies airborne maneuvers designed to increase relative wind speed up to about four times the true wind speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Eric Blumer, John Thurston, Paul Wingett, Louie Timothy Gaines, Yogendra Yogi Sheoran
  • Publication number: 20090301372
    Abstract: A catamaran lifting apparatus is disclosed for lifting objects in a marine environment. The apparatus includes first and second vessels that are spaced apart during use. A first frame spans between the vessels. A second frame spans between the vessels. The frames are spaced apart and connected to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart. The first frame connects to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection. The second frame connects to the second vessel with a universal joint and to the first vessel with a hinged or pinned connection. The catamaran hull arrangement provides longitudinal flexibility in a quartering sea state due to the unique universal joint and hinge placement between the frames or trusses and the hulls or barges. Each of the frames extends upwardly in an inverted u-shape, providing a space under the frame and in between the barges that enables a marine vessel to be positioned in between the barges and under the frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventor: Jon Khachaturian
  • Publication number: 20090287211
    Abstract: A cauterizing system having a cauterizer tool for performing cauterization procedures, a cauterizer cord for carrying power to the cauterizer tool, a plug and a power cord for carrying power from the plug to the cauterizer cord, and a housing in which is mounted a mechanism for retracting and extending the cauterizer cord and the power cord.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Ryan Fila, John Scott Berglin