Abstract: A storage apparatus for a pet collar and a pet leash wearable by a pet may be described as an annular sheath that includes an inner base component, and first and second walls that, together with the inner base component, define a channel in which a collar for a pet, and an attached leash, can be stored. Particular embodiments provide an improved apparatus that is snag-free, provides for convenient and facile storage (of collar and leash) and facile re-storage of an extended/removed leash. Side walls may be elastically biased towards each other to help secure a stored collar (and leash) within a channel of the sheath. Particular embodiments may include, inter alia, collar unbuckling facilitators and/or a band located at a sheath separation site.

Abstract: A method and a safety brake for a lifting device, wherein a solenoid or another electromechanical actuator is used to actuate a pawl, where the position of the pawl is monitored via at least two switches or sensors, where the lowering motion of the load or the lifting device is monitored and the safety brake is triggered in the event of a fault via a safety-oriented controller and at least one sensor, where the solenoid or the pawl is arranged such that, via spring force and/or gravity, the pawl is brought into engagement when the actuator, for example, the solenoid, is deenergized such that it is possible to exactly define and monitor the limit speed and, by using the two sensors, it is also possible to monitor the function and the motion of the pawl and to detect undesired operating states.

Abstract: To provide a seat belt retractor and a seat belt device capable of shortening time taken to restrict rotation of a spool. A seat belt retractor according to the present invention includes a spool 2, a base frame 3, a spring unit 4, a vehicle sensor 5, a locking mechanism 6, and a pretensioner 7. The locking mechanism 6 includes a lock gear 61 and a retainer 62. The lock gear 61 includes an outer circumferential wall 61a that is disposed at an end portion of the spool 2 and engageable with the vehicle sensor 5. The retainer 62 includes an inner circumferential wall 62a disposed on the inner side of the outer circumferential wall 61a and a side wall 62e that defines a space accommodating the lock gear 61. The lock gear 61 becomes engaged with the inner circumferential wall 62a or the side wall 62e of the retainer 62 when the lock gear 61 becomes eccentric relative to the retainer 62.

Abstract: A medical instrument storage apparatus includes a storage portion configured to store a tube which constitutes part of the medical instrument therein, and a drag generating mechanism configured to generate a force acting against a force in a direction of removal of the tube stored in the storage portion from the storage portion if generated.

Abstract: A device having a self-winding element is described. The self-winding element is built on a flexible membrane; it has an extended form and a retracted form. Stiffness in the extended form may be provided using membrane curvature, or a retractable support member may be used, or both. Transitions between the extended form and the retracted form are preferably accomplished using sequential activation of tensile members that are configured in segments of the membrane. Activation of the tensile elements is preferably implemented using a processor or controller that activates tri-state drivers in a predetermined sequence in order to pass a current through each element when heating is desired. A preferred material used for the tensile elements is thin film NITINOL.

Abstract: The present invention is a speed control for a cable retractor. The cable retractor with which the speed control is used comprises a pulley that engages a cable that may be extended and retracted. A friction element configured to adjustably contact the cable adjacent to the pulley is attached to a movable linkage. The movement of the linkage is constrained to move along a predetermined path such that movement of the linkage along the path alters the distance between the friction element and the pulley. In one or more embodiments a cantilevered spring is attached to the linkage. An adjustable control, for example a thumbscrew, is configured to move the spring in relation to the linkage in a manner that alters the position of the friction element with respect to the cable and/or the pressure exerted by the friction element on the cable.

Abstract: A belt retractor for a vehicle safety belt has a frame, a belt spool for the safety belt which is rotatably arranged in the frame, a locking disc which is arranged on the belt spool and is connected therewith through an energy absorption element, and a blocking mechanism which allows to block the locking disc against a rotation in the unwinding direction of the safety belt in the frame. A detent is provided which is movably arranged in the belt spool and can prevent a rotation of the locking disc relative to the belt spool as a function of its position.

Abstract: A clutch 100 of the present webbing retractor has a gear wheel 116 and spring claws 182, and has peripheral direction load receiving portions 120 at the gear wheel 116, and load from the spring claws 182 is applied along a peripheral direction via the peripheral direction load receiving portions 120. Therefore, compactness and weight reduction of the clutch 100 can be aimed for. Further, the clutch 100 has a ring 176, and the ring 176 integrally has a cover portion 178 holding respective clutch structural members at predetermined assembly positions, and the spring claws 182, and is held integrally with a rotor 124 by elastic forces of the spring claws 182. In this way, the respective clutch structural members can be temporarily held (sub-assembled) integrally.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor including a compact brake system configured so that when a drive member of the brake system is inoperative, an operation control member is held in an inoperative position. In this state, rotation stop portions of the operation control member are held in positions opposed to the flat surfaces of an energy-absorbing-member support member, and the energy-absorbing-member support member is braked by the operation control member, whereby the rotation is stopped. When the drive member is activated, the operation control member is moved downward, so that the rotation allowable portion of the operation control member is located on the cylinder of the energy-absorbing-member support member. Then the brake applied to the energy-absorbing-member support member can be released to allow the rotation of the energy-absorbing-member support member.

Abstract: A wire winding device having coaxial and multiple wheels include characteristics of: a main wheel formed with at least three A, B and C turning wheels having a same center orifice flexibly connected to an axis, A, B and C storage grooves formed on the wheel surfaces of the A, B and C turning wheels at least two wires S winded and stored in the A, B and C storage grooves, and upper, middle and lower wires stored in different storage grooves, so a to store at least two wires in the device. At least two wires are efficiently stored in the device when winding the wires, and at least two wires are extended with appropriate predetermined lengths instead of releasing wires at excessive lengths when releasing the wires.

Abstract: A caddy for dispensing fiber optic patch cord cables. The device has a housing inside of which a disk is rotatably mounted. A length of patch cord cable is wound around the circumference of the disk and an S-shaped channel is present on one side of the disk. The channel is sized to hold captive a section of the patch cord fiber optic cable, thereby preventing any loss of signal or damage to the patch cord fiber optic cable from undue bending stresses on the cable. The housing has an opening through which the two ends of the patch cord fiber optic cable protrude.

Abstract: A device for damping the belt tension which occurs in a seat belt (16) in the event of a momentary stress of great force. In order for momentary stresses of great force on the seat belt (16) to be able to be absorbed without injury being caused, the device has at least two reels (6, 14), rollers or the like which deflect the seat belt (16) from its straight-line extent and at least one (14) of which can yield elastically in the transverse direction of the extent when a preset maximum force is exceeded.

Abstract: A restraining assembly for use in conjunction with a linear transducer. The restraining assembly comprises a plurality of spaced apart magnets positioned on a stationary frame, where the magnets provide a reverse torque and restrict excessive rotational speed on a spool when a copper disc or equivalent magnetic flux medium is rotated at a close proximity to the face of the magnets. When a cable is suddenly released and allowed to freely return on the rotating spool, the restraining assembly restrains the high rotational speed at which the cable can accelerate when returning or retracting to the spool, such that the restraining assembly prevents the cable from self-destruction and/or damage to the linear transducer.