Abstract: A child seat installation checking device includes an attachment portion and an anchor portion. The attachment portion engages with a portion of a child seat. The anchor portion is movable relative to and separate from the attachment portion. The anchor portion engages with a portion of a vehicle seat. A shaft extends from the attachment portion to and through a portion of the anchor portion. A tension applicator mechanism is formed in the anchor portion. The shaft extends through and is movably retained within the tension applicator mechanism. A handle is disposed on an end of the shaft opposite the attachment portion. A displacement indicator displays a quantity of movement of the shaft relative to the anchor portion. Axial tension applied to the shaft as the handle is pulled away from the anchor portion causes the displacement indicator to display a displacement of the shaft.

Abstract: A rotating-machine test fixture includes a base, a flexible member and a wedge member. The base includes a longitudinal axis and receives a rotating machine so that an axis of rotation of the rotating machine is aligned in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base. The flexible member includes a first end attached to the base at a first location and a second end slidably attached to the base at a second location to hold the received rotating machine against the base. The wedge member is coupled to the base and moves in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base. The wedge member may be selectably positioned between the received rotating machine and the base to align the axis of rotation of the rotating machine to be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base.

Abstract: A winding device includes a base, a driving member and two operation gears. The winding device further includes two shafts extending through each of the arms, each of the operation gears, and each of the ears. The base is provided with two arms. The driving member is provided with two ears. Each of the operation gears has a plurality of toothed portions and a plurality of push grooves. Each of the toothed portions has a release face. Each of the arms is provided with a first slideway in which a first push member is slidably mounted. Each of the ears is provided with a second slideway in which a second push member is slidably mounted. Thus, the driving member is driven reciprocally to wind the safety belt gradually, such that the tension of the safety belt is adjusted.

Abstract: A strainer for straining a length of material, the strainer including a tensioning device configured to tension a length of material between the strainer and an object, characterized in that the strainer includes a conductive component configured to contact the length of the material when held by the tensioning device, and wherein the conductive component includes an attachment portion for an external conductive link to the strainer. This invention also relates to a security system and its method of preparation using the strainer as described herein.

Abstract: A retractable ratcheting tie down apparatus is provided, including a frame and a hub rotatably mounted within the frame. A ratchet wheel is mounted to the hub and interfaces with a pawl to selectably prevent motion of the hub relative to the frame. A single tie down strap extends between two attachment members and winds around the hub. An operable means for rotating the hub and ratchet wheel is included to wind the single tie down strap around the hub. Tension between the two attachment members is transmitted directly through the single tie down strap and transitions between segments of the single tie down strap at the windings of the single tie down strap about the hub. In further examples, the operable means for rotating the hub and ratchet wheel is removable. The tie down apparatus can also move freely along the single tie down strap.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a length of at least one safety harness strap with an adjuster comprises positioning the adjuster at a desired location along the at least one strap, winding the at least one strap about the shaft, and locking the shaft with the locking mechanism to prevent rotation in an unwinding direction. The at least one strap is selected from the group consisting of at least one shoulder strap, at least one chest strap, at least one waist strap, at least one seat strap, and at least one leg strap. The adjuster includes a base, a shaft rotatably operatively connected to the shaft and defining a slot configured and arranged to receive the at least one strap, and a locking mechanism interconnecting the base and the shaft. The locking mechanism allows rotation of the shaft in one direction and prevents rotation of the shaft in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.

Abstract: A lace winding device includes a base, a spool rotatably mounted in the base, a lace having two distal ends each extending through the base and each secured on the spool, a limit barrel mounted on the base, a drive member rotatably mounted in the limit barrel and connected with the spool to rotate the spool, and a ratchet block movably mounted on the limit barrel and engaging the drive member. Thus, the drive member is rotated in one direction only by limit of the ratchet block so that the spool is driven by the drive member to rotate in the positive direction only and cannot be rotated in the opposite direction so as to wind the lace easily and quickly.

Abstract: A method of drawing lines into a housing includes: rotating a dial in a first rotational direction of the dial such that a first spool located in an interior of the housing is mechanically rotated in a first rotational direction thereby winding a first line thereabout; and rotating the same dial in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction such that a second spool located in the interior of the housing is mechanically rotated in a first rotational direction thereby winding a second line thereabout. The rotating of the same dial in the second, opposite rotational direction does not result in unwinding of the first line from the first spool, and the rotating of the same dial in the first rotational direction does not result in unwinding of the second line from the second spool.

Abstract: A method of drawing lines into a housing includes: rotating a dial in a first rotational direction of the dial such that a first spool located in an interior of the housing is mechanically rotated in a first rotational direction thereby winding a first line thereabout; and rotating the same dial in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction such that a second spool located in the interior of the housing is mechanically rotated in a first rotational direction thereby winding a second line thereabout. The rotating of the same dial in the second, opposite rotational direction does not result in unwinding of the first line from the first spool, and the rotating of the same dial in the first rotational direction does not result in unwinding of the second line from the second spool.

Abstract: A system adapted to install a child safety seat in a vehicle, comprising a child safety seat, a restraint system; and a tension device; wherein the restraint system includes at least one restraint belt, the restraint belt includes a restraint belt loose end, the tension device is connected to the restraint belt loose end, and, the tension device is adapted to generate tension on the restraint system through the restraint belt loose end to firmly secure the child safety seat with respect to the vehicle.

Abstract: A belt shortening device intended for use with a vehicle seat belt securing a baby seat is constructed and arranged so that it can be easily mounted to the existing seat belt without detaching the belt from its existing connection. The belt shortening device includes a tubular housing, a spindle rotatably received within the housing, and a ratchet mechanism operable for controlling rotation of the spindle. The housing has an open end and a closed end and includes a pair of longitudinal slits extending inwardly from the open end. The slits are symmetrically arranged in opposed relation so as to define a transverse slot in the housing for receiving the belt therein. A ratchet pawl is mounted in the side wall of the housing adjacent the open end thereof. The spindle has a body portion and two spaced arms extending perpendicularly outwardly from the body portion. The spaced arms define a longitudinal slot for transversely receiving the belt therein.

Abstract: A reeling device is provided which allows an electrical lead to be wound up without the need for slip-rings. The lead is partially wound around a spool and is electrically connected to contacts in a spindle, about which the spool rotates. A portion of the lead is sprung and is loaded as the spool rotates to pay out the lead. A ratchet and pawl mechanism is provided to lock the lead in its extended configuration. The ratchet and pawl mechanism can be relased so that the lead is retracted using the energy stored in the sprung portion of the lead. A pair of the reeling devices may be combined back-to-back to provide convenient storage for earpiece and plug leads for a headset. The reeling device may also be integrated into a portable electronic apparatus for storing earpiece or microphone leads.