Abstract: Described herein is an assembly and methods of use thereof for controlling or governing the relative speed of motion between the assembly parts via eddy current formation. The assembly and methods also may minimize the number of parts required and may minimize the number of moving parts thereby increasing the mechanical durability of the assembly compared to art designs that may have more moving parts and greater part complexity.

Abstract: Described herein is a coupling device, associated parts and a method of use thereof. In one aspect, a coupling device is described comprising a sleeve with an inner surface that encloses at least part of at least one elongated element to be coupled; and at least one deformation means fitted with interference between, and causing local deformation about, at least part of the inner surface of the sleeve and/or an adjacent outer surface of the at least one elongated element. A deformation means insertion tool, a coupling sleeve, a deformation means, and a method of coupling at least one element are also described. The described coupling device, associated parts and a method of use offer the ability to couple together different elements in a strong and/or ductile manner, coupling being tuneable as needed to suit the preferred application. The coupling described may overcome art issues associated with bulky size of coupling, in particular, radial protrusion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to posts, carriages, methods of manufacturing the components and their assembly into a barrier. The invention also includes a Z post attachment includes an attachment tab 8.016 and end engagement flange 8.024, 8.026 adapted to engage the end of the post. The arrangement can include a delineator 8.030 which is skew in relation to the tab 8.016, so as to provide reflector faces 8.032 which face oncoming traffic.

Abstract: Described herein is a device comprising members in a kinematic relationship. The kinematic relationship is at least partially governed by at least one magnetically induced force that introduces a force threshold that, in effect, provides a threshold to part movement and confers a degree of hysteresis, preventing movement until a sufficiently large energizing force is applied. The effect may be further altered by use of an additional magnetically induced force interaction with at least one further member to urge or slow movement once started and/or to prevent movement once a new position is reached.

Abstract: Described herein is an assembly and methods of use thereof for controlling or governing the relative speed of motion between the assembly parts via eddy current formation. The assembly and methods also may minimize the number of parts required and may minimize the number of moving parts thereby increasing the mechanical durability of the assembly compared to art designs that may have more moving parts and greater part complexity.

Abstract: Described herein is a longitudinal beam barrier system that comprises a longitudinal beam and a post linked together via a fastener incorporating at least one deformable washer. The link is made in a releasable and tunable manner dependent on an applied force via the at least one deformable washer. Release may be made dependent on both the magnitude and direction of the force so that release may be a result of different release forces in different force angles. The deformable washer may be designed to transfer a longitudinal beam load force from a fastener to a post wall, the washer extending around the fastener and having a first face that bears on the fastener or a part thereof (or forms part of the fastener) and an opposing face that at least partly bears on a part of the post wall or walls.

Abstract: Described herein are latching devices where relative speed of movement between members is in part controlled or reduced via eddy current formation and in part controlled or relative motion stopped via a latch arrangement. Various embodiments are described, one being use of a conductive member; at least one magnetic field and a latch member that, prior to latching, moves independently to the at least one conductive member. A kinematic relationship exists between the conductive member and at least one magnetic field that enables the conductive member to move at a different speed relative to the magnetic field on application of an energizing force, thereby inducing an eddy current drag force by relative movement of the conductive member in the magnetic field. The eddy current drag force resulting causes movement of the conductive member causing the conductive member to engage the latch member thereby halting movement between the at least one conductive member and the at least one latch member.

Abstract: Variable behaviour control mechanism with a variety of motion characteristics, the mechanism comprising means to measure a plurality of motion characteristics and to activate systems when a threshold of the motion characteristics is reached. The mechanism described is, for example, a vehicle seat belt and the mechanism minimises or prevents unwanted activation of line extension or retraction of the seat belt. A first mechanism is described where activation occurs between at least one primary system and at least one secondary system when a combination of the sensed motion characteristics achieves a threshold. A second mechanism is described where activation occurs between at least one primary system and at least one secondary system when at least one sensed motion characteristic achieves a threshold, the threshold being modified based on at least one further motion characteristic. A method of use of the above mechanisms is also described.

Abstract: Described herein is a device comprising members in a kinematic relationship. The kinematic relationship is at least partially governed by at least one magnetically induced force that introduces a force threshold that, in effect, provides a threshold to part movement and confers a degree of hysteresis, preventing movement until a sufficiently large energizing force is applied. The effect may be further altered by use of an additional magnetically induced force interaction with at least one further member to urge or slow movement once started and/or to prevent movement once a new position is reached.

Abstract: Described herein are energy absorbing apparatuses and methods of their use that utilize varying energy absorbing relationships between the apparatus members to absorb an energy input. The energy absorbing process occurs via a material forming process.

Abstract: Described herein are eddy current brakes and associated methods of their use, particularly configurations that have a kinematic relationship with at least two rotational degrees of freedom used to tune operation of the brake or apparatus in which the brake is located.

Abstract: Described herein is a transmission mechanism and an associated method of use for braking relative movement between members, movement and braking of the members being directed through one or more transmission elements.

Abstract: Described herein are braking mechanisms and related methods of use using eddy current interactions to resist relative movement between members, the magnetic flux about an eddy current region being modified beyond an inherent drag effect resulting from a simple magnetic pole arrangement.

Abstract: An eddy-current braking mechanism including a rotor, rotatable about a rotor axis; at least one electrically conductive member coupled to the rotor for rotation therewith; at least one magnet configured to apply a magnetic field extending at least partially orthogonal to the plane of rotation of the conductive member, and characterized in that upon rotation of the rotor, the conductive member is configured to move at least partially radially from the rotor axis into the applied magnetic field.

Abstract: Energy transfer apparatus such as a viscous damper or hydraulic cylinder apparatus are described along with their use, the apparatus generating velocity dependent damping force between two spatially separate points. The apparatus may comprise a system with a piston coupled to a rod shaft, the piston and rod shaft moving in a fitted, or sealed cylinder with end caps and fluid sealing elements at either end of the cylinder, the system containing fluid in at least one cavity located between the piston and cylinder and an accumulator fluidly connected to the at least one cavity. The rod shaft and piston move relative to the cylinder in the event of an imposed dynamic force and the accumulator counteracts over or under pressure in the at least one cavity.

Abstract: This disclosure describes embodiments of novel line dispensing devices and methods for dispensing and retracting a line of a line dispensing device.

Abstract: Described herein are latching devices where relative speed of movement between members is in part controlled or reduced via eddy current formation and in part controlled or relative motion stopped via a latch arrangement. Various embodiments are described, one being use of a conductive member; at least one magnetic field and a latch member that, prior to latching, moves independently to the at least one conductive member. A kinematic relationship exists between the conductive member and at least one magnetic field that enables the conductive member to move at a different speed relative to the magnetic field on application of an energizing force, thereby inducing an eddy current drag force by relative movement of the conductive member in the magnetic field. The eddy current drag force resulting causes movement of the conductive member causing the conductive member to engage the latch member thereby halting movement between the at least one conductive member and the at least one latch member.

Abstract: This disclosure describes embodiments of novel line dispensing devices and methods for dispensing and retracting a line of a line dispensing device.

Abstract: Described herein is a device comprising members in a kinematic relationship. The kinematic relationship is at least partially governed by at least one magnetic flux interaction that, in effect, may provide a tunable resistance to movement, changing the rate of relative movement between the members. In one embodiment, the device comprises a first member in a kinematic relationship with at least one further member to form a system. The system moves within a limited range of motion and the system interacts when an external energizing force is imposed on the system causing the members to respond due to their kinematic and dynamic characteristics and thereby creating relative motion between the members. The trigger member is coupled to the at least the first member and moves in response to a pre-determined system movement. When the trigger member moves, the trigger member imposes a braking action on the system or a member or members thereof.

Abstract: Described herein is a system, method of use and Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL) apparatus using a system that governs a dynamic response between members causing a halt in relative motion between the members. Magnetic interactions, eddy current drag forces and centrifugal and/or inertial forces may provide various mechanisms of governing movement.