Abstract: A gimbal assembly strain relief may be used to provide management of the power cord of a power tool. The power cord extends through the gimbal assembly to permit rotation of the tool about first and second axes while providing strain relief.

Abstract: A line magazine for a supply line on a semimounted trailer with a king pin and a wedge connector pivoted on the king pin is described. The underlying problem of the invention was to provide a line magazine which prevents the supply line from hanging down in a mechanically simple way, while on the other hand it provides a constant pretensioning of the supply line. The problem is solved according to the invention with a line magazine that comprises a housing and a drum disk mounted in the housing and able to rotate, while the drum disk is preloaded by a spring element and the supply line engages by its front segment of line with the wedge connector and is led out from the housing by its rear segment of line in fixed manner.

Abstract: A tape measure includes a post with at least first and second arms spaced from one another to form a longitudinal slot having an end aperture for coupling with a tape blade retraction spring. The post distal end anchors to a housing sidewall via a fastener, and a fastener engagement region of the post extends from the aperture to the fastener's terminus. A distinct reinforcing collar is disposed about the post's distal portion and acts to limit movement of the arms away from one another. The collar may overly the post for at least half of the fastener engagement region and/or may abut a shoulder on the post. The fastener may have a first pullout resistance level without the collar present and a second higher pullout resistance level, advantageously double or more, with the collar present. Also, methods of assembly are described.

Abstract: An apparatus for docking and/or mooring vehicles, particularly watercraft and for restraining loads in truck beds or trailers. The apparatus utilizes ropes or cables in housing unit that provides for the extension and retraction of the rope or cables preferably without the need of electrical or manual cranks. The housings are adaptable to be mounted on the vehicle or at an attachment or docking location and are biased to retract but may contain stops or cleats for manually tying off and thus stopping the extension or retraction of the rope or cable. The housings may be further adapted to be flush mounted in relation to surrounding surfaces or to contain lights.

Abstract: An image generating apparatus capable of stably taking up an ink sheet on a take-up bobbin with proper tensile force by performing proper torque control on the take-up bobbin is obtained. This image generating apparatus comprises a driving source transporting an ink sheet of an ink sheet cartridge and a take-up reel transmitting the driving force of the driving source to a take-up bobbin of the ink sheet cartridge and taking up the ink sheet on the take-up bobbin, while the take-up reel includes a reel member, integrally provided with a plurality of fragment portions concentrically with the rotation axis thereof, engaging with the take-up bobbin, a driving-side gear member fitted with the outer peripheral surfaces of the fragment portions of the reel member and a spring member press-fitted with the inner peripheral surfaces of the fragment portions of the reel member thereby bringing the fragment portions into pressure contact with the driving-side gear member.

Abstract: A measuring device having a housing and a slot therein with a retractable coiled flexible measuring tape. A plurality of rotatable reels are mounted on separate axes in the housing. A flexible measuring tape having measuring indicia thereon is coiled around the plurality of rotatable reels with a free end of the flexible measuring tape passing through the slot. A coil spring is operably coupled to at least one of the plurality of rotatable reels biasing the flexible measuring tape toward a retracted position.

Abstract: A recoiler has a retractable cable with an attachment pad on the distal end of the cable for attachment to an item of merchandise. The cable is stored on a spring biased spool located within a recoiler housing. The housing is freely rotatably mounted on a post extending upwardly from a base plate secured to the spool housing by a fastener and adapted to be secured to a support structure.

Abstract: A support assembly is provided for suspending lightweight tools or other objects, such as hairdryers and the like. The assembly provides support and in particular embodiments, electrical power to the object suspended. In addition, the assembly provides management of the power cord. Embodiments of the assembly include a quick release electrical connector deployed between and configured to selectively electrically connect and disconnect the tool from a power supply and/or a gimbal assembly configured to permit rotation of the tool about first and second axes, the cord extending through the gimbal assembly.

Abstract: A rotational cable shortening system for shortening the effective length of a cable by bending a section of the cable. The shortening system comprises a rotatable bridged channel through which the cable is threaded. Upon rotation of the bridged channel, the cable is deflected and effectively shortened.

Abstract: A hose reel that includes a spool that is formed by attaching a pair of spool flange plates to opposite sides of hub assembly. The hub assembly is an integral unitary structure that includes central hub, a plurality of spokes extending radially from the central hub, a plurality of hub sections provided at the radial ends of the plurality of spokes which define a cylindrical surface upon which a hose can be wound, an annular bracing element connected between the plurality of spokes, and a latch gear provided on the annular bracing element. The central hub includes a spring catch that is configured to engage a spring of a rewinding mechanism.

Abstract: An improved structure tape rule in which the blade spool has space at one side of one-piece construction for containing the coiled spring, enabling the blade spool to accommodate the winding of a ruler blade that is approximately two to three times longer than a blade spool in a same diameter sized spatial area and, furthermore, the rewinding of the ruler blade is impelled by spring torque to thereby enhance tape ruler utility and performance.

Abstract: A hose concealing device which hides a hose when it is not intended to be used and which allows access to the hose when it is desirable to use the hose.

Abstract: A power-return tape measure uses a retainer to help keep a retraction spring in the proper position. The tape measure may have a reel with an interior central cavity with a post extending therethrough. A spring is wound substantially within the central cavity and mounted to the post so as to provide a retraction bias. A cap is secured to the reel so as to substantially enclose the reel's central cavity and the spring. The retainer is disposed between the spring and the cap. The cap has a first hole of a first size and the retainer has a second hole of a second, smaller, size. The post extends through the second hole with a sliding fit and through the first hole in spaced relation to the cap. The post and the retainer substantially close off the first hole. A main case substantially encloses the reel.

Abstract: A support assembly and method is provided for suspending lightweight tools or other objects, such as hairdryers and the like. The assembly provides support and in particular embodiments, electrical power to the object suspended. In addition, the assembly provides management of the cord. Elevation of the object may be adjusted within a predetermined range of motion. The assembly exerts an upward force on the object that varies depending upon the elevation. This variable force is calibrated to provide the object with a uniformly weightless or virtually weightless “feel” nominally throughout the range of movement. The assembly is provided with low friction and low inertia, so that an object may be rapidly and easily moved between various elevations with little effort and little drag. The amount of force exerted on the object by the assembly may be adjusted.

Abstract: A wire winding device having wire storing idle wheels includes a main turning wheel capable of elastic rotation and flexibly connected to a main axis, and a plurality of turning wheels having different or same diameters formed on the main body of the main turning wheel for forming a plurality of storage grooves; at least one passive turning wheel having at least one storage groove formed on the wheel surface thereof, and the passive turning wheel is flexibly connected to a secondary axis; and a wire portion consisted of upper and lower wires winded in the storage grooves of the main turning wheel and the passive turning wheel. Through the coordination of the passive turning wheel and the main turning wheel of the device, wires having greater lengths may be stored and released.

Abstract: A pull-cord keeper provided for a window treatment assembly, where the keeper comprises a housing configured for secure mounting attachment on a wall near an upper portion of the window treatment assembly, the housing further defining a cavity therein; an opening in communication with the cavity; a spool adapted for rotational movement within the cavity to reel and collect through the opening a length of a slender, flexible material; and a sealed spring cartridge assembly for spring biasing the spool in a rotational direction for reeling the length of the slender, flexible material during a constant spring-loaded state.

Abstract: A belt spool for a belt retractor comprises a torsion rod and a spool body that has a recess in which is provided a shaped part by means of which an end of a safety belt can be fastened in the recess. The shaped part rests at the torsion rod in order to be supported when the shaped part is stressed by a tensile load of the safety belt. There is also proposed a belt retractor including such a belt spool.

Abstract: In a webbing retractor, a stopper plate is mounted to a belt insert-through hole of a spool. In this mounted state, a restricting wall of the stopper plate extends further outward in a radial direction of a spool main body than an outer peripheral portion of the spool main body. From between a pair of leg plates of a frame, the restricting wall opposes the leg plates along an axial direction of the spool. Thus, when force displacing the spool in the axial direction of the spool is applied, the leg plates interfere with the restricting wall, and indirectly interfere with the spool so as to restrict displacement of the spool.

Abstract: A support assembly and method is provided for suspending lightweight tools or other objects, such as hairdryers and the like. The assembly provides support and in particular embodiments, electrical power to the object suspended. In addition, the assembly provides management of the cord. Elevation of the object may be adjusted within a predetermined range of motion. The assembly exerts an upward force on the object that varies depending upon the elevation. This variable force is calibrated to provide the object with a uniformly weightless or virtually weightless “feel” nominally throughout the range of movement. The assembly is provided with low friction and low inertia, so that an object may be rapidly and easily moved between various elevations with little effort and little drag. The amount of force exerted on the object by the assembly may be adjusted.

Abstract: A spool for a vehicle safety restraint has a cylindrical central spool member made of two separate pieces. The cylindrical portion has a hollow section along its axis for accommodating seat belt webbing and a torsion bar, with a seat belt webbing entrance slot and a seat belt webbing exit slot. A filler plate is shaped to fit snugly into the entrance slot and to hold the parts of the spool assembly including the torsion bar and the spool against movement thereby holding the spool together.

Abstract: In a webbing retractor, a stopper plate is mounted to a belt insert-through hole of a spool. In this mounted state, a restricting wall of the stopper plate extends further outward in a radial direction of a spool main body than an outer peripheral portion of the spool main body. From between a pair of leg plates of a frame, the restricting wall opposes the leg plates along an axial direction of the spool. Thus, when force displacing the spool in the axial direction of the spool is applied, the leg plates interfere with the restricting wall, and indirectly interfere with the spool so as to restrict displacement of the spool.

Abstract: In a winding mechanism for a sun screen comprising a winding tube which is rotatable about a central axis for winding and unwinding the sun screen and driving means for said winding tube, the central axis is curved and the winding tube is flexible. A possible use of such a winding mechanism is in an open roof construction of a vehicle.

Abstract: A belt spool for a belt retractor comprises a torsion rod and a spool body that has a recess in which is provided a shaped part by means of which an end of a safety belt can be fastened in the recess. The shaped part rests at the torsion rod in order to be supported when the shaped part is stressed by a tensile load of the safety belt. There is also proposed a belt retractor including such a belt spool.

Abstract: A spool for a vehicle safety restraint has a cylindrical central spool member made of two separate pieces. The cylindrical portion has a hollow section along its axis for accommodating seat belt webbing and a torsion bar, with a seat belt webbing entrance slot and a seat belt webbing exit slot. A filler plate is shaped to fit snugly into the entrance slot and to hold the parts of the spool assembly including the torsion bar and the spool against movement thereby holding the spool together.

Abstract: A pull-cord keeper is provided for a window treatment assembly with a pull-cord for operation. The pull-cord keeper includes a wall-mountable housing adapted for permanently mounting to the wall at a desired height above the floor, the housing further including a cavity defined therein and an opening in communication with the cavity, and at least one fastener for securely mounting the housing to the wall. The pull-cord keeper further includes a spool adapted for rotational movement within the cavity to reel and collect through the opening a length of the pull-cord, and a spring for biasing the spool in a rotational direction for automatically and continuously collecting any loose length of the pull-cord.

Abstract: A recoil module is provided for use in toy airplanes or other suitable devices. The recoil module includes an outer shell including an outer surface and an interior cavity within the shell. A recoil spool is retained within the cavity of the shell and is supported on an elastic band that spans the interior cavity of the shell. The elastic band is held fixed at its opposed ends by the shell. A pull cord is affixed to a portion of the spool and has an end extending through the shell to the outer surface. The pull cord has a free end that can be grasped to extend the pull cord from the shell and store potential energy in the elastic band. When released, the pull cord retracts back to the interior cavity of the shell. The module shell and the recoil spool can each be constructed for easy snap together assembly. The recoil module can be installed on a toy requiring or benefitting from its use. A recoil device is also disclosed that can be integrated into a toy or other object such as a toy glider airplane.

Abstract: A wire winding box with an increasing area includes a box body, a housing, a communication cable, a wire winding disk, and a spiral spring. The box body has a wire groove and a shaft. The wire winding disk has a first disk body. Two surfaces of the first disk body are installed with a receiving groove and a wire winding ring. The wire winding disk is placed in the wire groove of the box body. The wire winding disk is pivotally installed to the shaft by an axial hole. The communication cable is further wound around the wire winding ring of the wire winding disk so that the communication cable are installed in the receiving groove and out of the wire winding ring at two surface of the first disk body.

Abstract: A belt reel for a belt retractor of a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a cylindrical spool adapted for accommodation of a belt webbing and at least a first collar arranged at a first axial end of the spool. The spool consists of at least one sheet-metal sleeve, and the collar is formed by a sheet-metal disk.

Abstract: Two parts of a seat belt retractor spool sub-assembly are fixed together in an arrangement with plastically deformable formations on a first ratchet wheel and one end of a spool and corresponding deforming formations on a second ratchet wheel and said one end of the spool. A spool for a seat belt retractor is assembled with a ratchet wheel by: mounting a retractor frame on an assembly jig which has a spring loaded stop; mounting a spool in the frame by aligning the spool axis with the spring loaded stop; and pushing a ratchet wheel onto the end of the spool opposite to that contacting the stop until the ratchet wheel abuts the frame.

Abstract: The fiber slack storage device of the present invention for storing a slack length of a fiber optic strand comprises a spool comprising a pair of diametrically-opposed cylindrical barrels, and a cylindrical housing for at least partially enclosing the spool. The spool is disposed in the housing and is rotatable with respect thereto and the minimum radius of curvature of each of the cylindrical barrels is equal to or greater than the minimum bend radius of the fiber optic strand.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor having a structure preventing a gear or pinion having external teeth from being improperly assembled to a spool gear. The pinion includes concave portions on its inner periphery and the spool gear includes corresponding convex portions on its outer periphery. The concave and convex portions are configured to be fit together may be inclined in the circumferential direction and thus have no symmetrical plane. If during assembly the pinion is positioned adjacent the spool gear with the wrong side out, the pinion and the spool gear would not fit together and the mistake would be noticed and, therefore, prevented.

Abstract: In a winding mechanism for a sun screen comprising a winding tube which is rotatable about a central axis for winding and unwinding the sun screen and driving means for said winding tube, the central axis is curved and the winding tube is flexible. A possible use of such a winding mechanism is in an open roof construction of a vehicle.

Abstract: A spool for a seat belt retractor has a cylindrical member with a cylindrical central portion and two end plates at opposite axial ends of the cylindrical portion. There is a channel formed in the cylindrical central portion with an outer and an inner wall and defining a path for guiding seat belt webbing. The path circumscribes the spool axis substantially over the length of the central portion of the spool in a generally smooth curve. The path has a spool entry and a spool exit portion and an acute angle subtended at the spool axis by the entry portion of the path and the exit portion of the path is approximately 90°. The spool may be hollow with a torsion bar forming the inner wall of the channel.

Abstract: A gasoline dispensing unit and method according to which one end of a cord is attached to a dispensing hose to support the hose relative to a dispenser unit during non-use. The other end of the cord is attached to a drum having a tapered outer surface and a continuous spiral groove. When the hose is not in use, the cord is wound on the drum from the largest-diameter drum portion to the smallest-diameter portion. The cord thus unwinds from the drum from its smallest-diameter portion to the largest-diameter portion when the hose is pulled from the housing to provide a mechanical advantage and reduce the required pulling force.

Abstract: A belt reel for a belt retractor of a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a cylindrical spool adapted for accommodation of a belt webbing and at least a first collar arranged at a first axial end of the spool. The spool consists of at least one sheet-metal sleeve, and the collar is formed by a sheet-metal disk.

Abstract: Force limitation in retractors is needed to avoid injury to an occupant from the seat belt itself particularly at high crash impact loads. The invention provides a seat belt retractor comprising a spool including force limiting means for allowing further payout of the seat belt webbing after the spool has locked, under the influence of an occupant's forward momentum in the crash condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for the rolling up of a belt band (30) comprising a reel (1) which has at its jacket surface (2) an axial cut-out (4) extending parallel to the reel axis, comprising a belt band (30) secured to the reel (1) and comprising a reinforcement element (20) which is arranged at the reel (1) and which bridges the axial cut-out (4).

Abstract: A measuring tape dispenser with an impact buffer housing and tentative tape halting device, in which the housing is at least or partially covered with an impact buffer layer formed of an elastic material so as to protect the housing from being deformed or even destroyed. Furthermore, a slip resistant effect and tentative tape halting device is also provided.

Abstract: In a spool, a torsion bar is inserted into an inner hole formed in the spool. The spool has a first slit and a second slit which extend in parallel with each other along the chord direction in the cross section perpendicular to the axis of the inner hole. The end of the webbing is passed through these slits. The end of the webbing is folded back and sewn together to form a loop and a webbing stopper is inserted into the loop made by folding and sewing. The end of the webbing with the webbing stopper engages the second slit.

Abstract: An automatically loading cord reel device which includes a cord reel housing, a rotatably contained spool with indexing slots, and a coiled spring which is coupled to said spool. A spring loaded indexing lever interacts with the indexing slots on the spool. The spool is pre-wound a fixed number of turns and the pre-wound device includes an exposed portion of a cord attachment device which is attached to the spool and extends out from a cord reeling aperture in the reel housing. The embodied cord attachment device includes a tongue-shaped strip of flexible material with an circular aperture and connected distally extending slot formed therethrough the exposed end portion of the tongue. A locking pin aperture also extends through the exposed portion of the tongue for receiving a locking pin. The pre-wound spool is thereby held in place by the locking pin to prevent unwinding.

Abstract: According to the invention, a belt retractor comprises a frame and a belt reel provided with a longitudinal axis and a peripheral surface. The belt reel is rotatably mounted in the frame and is provided with an interior cavity which is coaxial with the longitudinal axis. The belt reel is further provided with a slot having a minimum width and extending in parallelism to the longitudinal axis. The slot is open towards the peripheral surface of the belt reel and towards the interior cavity. The belt reel further comprises a rod extending coaxially through the interior cavity with a radial play. The belt retractor further comprises a belt webbing connected to the belt reel with one end section having an end. The end section extends through the slot, around the rod and finally through the slot out of the interior cavity. The end of the end section is provided with a thickened part having a width which, as measured in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, is larger than the minimum width of the slot.

Abstract: A spring drive retractor having a case with an inner space for a spring and a reel, with one end of the spring connected to the case and the other end of the spring connected to the reel, with an extension member having one end connected to the reel and the other end passing outward through the case, with the reel comprising a body and a post molded as a single piece with the post projecting laterally from the body in line with a transverse opening in the body and with the post and body joined by a rupturable membrane, the post having an extension member receiving opening whereby an extension member may be connected to the reel by driving the post into the body opening.

Abstract: A wire winder comprises a first pulley, a second pulley, a spiral spring, a shaft on which the first pulley and the second pulley are mounted, a first housing for housing the first pulley, and a second housing for housing the second pulley. The first pulley is composed of a first disk and a hollow first cylindrical body fastened at one end thereof with one side of the first disk. The first cylindrical body is provided in the wall thereof with a plurality of ribs having an axial hole. The spiral spring is received in the first cylindrical body. The second pulley is composed of a second disk and a hollow second cylindrical body fastened at one end thereof with one side of the second disk. The second cylindrical body is provided in the wall thereof with a plurality of through holes corresponding in location to the axial holes of the ribs of the first cylindrical body for receiving the fastening screws which are engageable with the axial holes of the ribs.

Abstract: A webbing retractor is provided with a lock mechanism. The webbing retractor further comprises a bobbin, a webbing-holding member and a webbing. The bobbin has a drum portion and a pair of flanges arranged on opposite ends of the drum. The flanges define grooves formed in a mutually-opposing relationship and angularly extending over a predetermined length in a webbing-releasing direction as a first direction of rotation. The webbing-holding member extends between the grooves. The webbing is secured at one end thereof in the bobbin, wound back about the webbing-holding member at a first portion thereof apart from the one end thereof toward an opposite end thereof, and then wound in layers around the drum portion in the first direction of rotation at a second portion thereof closer to the opposite end than the first portion.

Abstract: An energy absorbing seat belt retractor comprising: a frame (22); a spool (24) rotatably mounted relatively to the spool including a lock wheel (71) having a plurality of lock teeth associated therewith and adapted to receive a seat belt thereabout; a lock pawl (77) for engaging the spool upon sensing a one of a vehicle deceleration and seat belt extraction above certain determinable levels; and movable nut (90)located in the spool and for prohibiting relative movement between the lock wheel and spool below a threshold input force level generated in part by occupant load on the seat belt and for generating a controlled energy dissipating reaction force on the seat belt after the input force exceeds the threshold level to permit a controlled rotation of the spool and the controlled pay out of the seat belt from the spool.

Abstract: In a seat belt winding device with a clamping mechanism for directly holding a webbing in an emergency of a vehicle, since the plastic deformation is repeated in stages in both of a clamp supporting device and plastically deforming members, a larger amount of kinetic energy can be absorbed on the side of the seat belt winding device. Further, when the webbing holding by the clamping mechanism is removed, not only the diameter of a plastically deforming member of a bobbin can be reduced greatly since the plastically deforming members project in the radial direction of the bobbin, but also the deforming direction of the plastically deforming members due to the tightening of the webbing can be specified because end surfaces of the plastically deforming members are respectively formed in an inclined surface Which is inclined in a specific direction. This allows the substantial winding diameter of the bobbin to be reduced uniformly and positively.

Abstract: A line retraction and extension mechanism utilizing a housing having a chamber which possesses a predetermined dimension. The housing includes an entrance which leads to the chamber within. An elastomeric line is capable of passing into the chamber through the chamber entrance. A first end portion of the elastomeric line extends outwardly from the chamber while a second end portion of the elastomeric line is fixed relative to the chamber dimension. Internal structural elements in the chamber extend or store the elastomeric line to a predetermined degree to allow a large separation between the first end portion of the line and the housing when tension is applied between the housing and the first end portion of the line.

Abstract: A linear position transducer (10) including a housing (12), a threaded stud (56) fixedly secured within the housing, a rotatable drum (26) thread-mounted on the threaded stud, a string (18) secured to the drum and extending from the housing, a torsion spring (80) attached to the drum providing retraction torque to the drum, a cantilever beam (28) having one end fixed to the housing and the other end biased against the drum, and a strain gauge (48) for measuring deflection-induced strain in the cantilever beam. The drum moves axially along the threaded stud as it rotates in response to linear movement of the string. As the drum moves axially, it deflects the cantilever beam, which deflection is detected by the strain gauge. The strain is proportional to the linear movement of the free end of the string.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (30) comprising: a frame (32) having a base and two parallel side walls (34,36) extending therefrom, each side wall includes an first opening (40 41) therein, a spool (50, 54), rotatably positioned relative to the side walls, first and second disks (92a,b) positioned relative to the spool, a plurality of bars or pins, the first and second disks positioned on opposite sides of the spool, the pins received within cooperating bores in the spool and joining the disks together, a shaft rotationally linked to the disks for providing an axis of rotation of the spool and disks, a locking mechanism for engaging the disks to prevent protraction of safety belt webbing.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a cord rewinder which includes two sets of multiple pulleys, each set being seated at an opposite end of an elongate housing. One set is fixed in place while the other set is biased toward its corresponding end of the housing. When a pull is applied to a cord helically wound around the pulleys and extending along the length of the housing between the pulleys, the biased pulley set moves toward the fixed pulley set releasing the cord. When the pull is removed, the biased pulley set moves back to its end position retracting the cord.