Abstract: A fall-protection apparatus with a drum and a rotationally-activated braking device including at least one velocity-actuated pawl that is mounted on a pawl-support plate that is rotatable relative to the drum through a predetermined range between a first position and a second position. The pawl-support plate is rotatable relative to the drum from the first position to the second position upon the pawl-support plate experiencing a rotational acceleration that is above a predetermined threshold value of rotational acceleration. When the pawl-support plate is in the second position, the velocity-actuated pawl can be actuated by a rotational velocity that is lower than a rotational velocity required to actuate the pawl when the pawl-support plate is in the first position.

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 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 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 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: A self-locking belt retractor for seat belts having a belt-strap-sensitive control mechanism with a control disc coupled to the belt shaft to control a locking element, by means of a pin moveably in an oblong hole in the control disc. The control disc carries an inertia element that, when triggered, radially swivels to lock the retractor belt shaft engages into a stationary toothed section. A control clip has two spaced apart legs on a friction mount between a blocking position of the inertia element and a release position. A follower forms stop surfaces engageable with the clip legs to carry the control clip during the rotation of the control disc belt winding direction a belt extension direction. The control clip releases the inertia element in the release position. One spring leg extends with an end into the movement path of the pin in the oblong hole.

Abstract: A self-locking belt retractor for seat belts having a belt shaft rotatably mounted in a housing frame and having a belt-webbing-sensitive actuation mechanism A control plate that can be deflected with a relative rotation between the belt shaft and the control plate The control plate bears a two-arm eccentrically mounted inertial mass A control clip is rotatably frictionally mounted on a bearing surface for the belt shaft. An actuator of the control plate engages two legs of control clip and forms contact surfaces for the legs for shifting the control plate in belt retracting direction as well as in belt extending direction. One of the legs projects during rotation of the control plate in the belt retracting direction into the pivoting path of a pivot arm of the inertial mass and releases the inertial mass with a rotation of the control plate in the belt extending direction.

Abstract: A wire clamping device that has a simple configuration and is operated in a simple manner so as to improve convenience of use and product productivity and durability including: a housing provided with a ratchet-type gear on the inner circumference thereof and having a cylindrical inner surface; a reel axially coupled to the inside of the housing; an elevating cam having a slide protrusion-formed in the lower portion thereof, an outer circumferential cam groove formed on the outer circumference thereof, and an inner circumferential cam groove formed on the inner circumference thereof; a cam driving unit in which a cam protruding part is formed; a cam base having a guide cam and a ratchet coupling; and a rotating cover coupled to the upper part of the cam driving unit so as to be rotated in an integral manner.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a centrifugally-operated apparatus that comprises at least a shaft with an axis of rotation and a pawl that is coaxially mounted on the shaft with at least a portion of the pawl being movable radially inwardly and outwardly from the shaft. The axis of rotation of the shaft passes through the pawl, at a location that is radially offset from the center of mass of the pawl. Rotation of the shaft and pawl above a predetermined speed can cause at least the movable portion of the pawl to be moved radially outward from the shaft, in which position an engaging end of the movable portion of the pawl may engage with a component such as a ratchet.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a centrifugally-operated apparatus that comprises at least a shaft with an axis of rotation and a pawl that is coaxially mounted on the shaft with at least a portion of the pawl being movable radially inwardly and outwardly from the shaft. The axis of rotation of the shaft passes through the pawl, at a location that is radially offset from the center of mass of the pawl. Rotation of the shaft and pawl above a predetermined speed can cause at least the movable portion of the pawl to be moved radially outward from the shaft, in which position an engaging end of the movable portion of the pawl may engage with a component such as a ratchet.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor has a belt reel mounted rotatably on a frame for retracting and letting out the seat belt. A belt webbing and/or vehicle sensitive sensor activates a control element which in. turn actuates a blocking device that blocks rotation of the belt reel. A load limiter allows a load-limiting rotation of the belt reel relative to at least one part of the load limiter when the blocking device is actuated. The blocking device can be guided by the load-limiting rotation of the belt reel into a permanent blocking position or readiness for the blocking position.

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: 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.