Abstract: Lacing engine systems, apparatus, and methods of operation are discussed. In an example, a lacing engine apparatus can include a housing, a drivetrain, and a lace take-up mechanism for retracting a length of lace cable upon activation. The drivetrain can include various reduction gears to reduce rotational speed out of the motor and power the lace take-up mechanism. The lace take-up mechanism can include structures such as a double-yoke, a radial pulley including an outer rotating disc and an inner stationary disc, a variable take-up spool, or a zip-strip mechanism.

Abstract: A device for raising and lowering a spare wheel of a vehicle includes a body to be mounted to the vehicle in a fixed position. The body includes a first indented surface defining an aperture, A lifter mechanism for raising and lowering the spare wheel includes a rotatable element capable of rotating relative to the body. The rotatable element is at least partly housed in the aperture and has a second indented surface. The first and second indented surfaces are configured to mutually interfere, in order to hinder the rotation of the rotatable element relative to the body.

Abstract: A universal device adapted to fit or be inserted within the cavity of a one directional ratchet gear to tighten tie-down straps utilized to secure cargo transported on car haulers, flatbed trailers or the like. The device includes but not limited to an elongated cylinder shape adaptor insert or hub with the ability to lock in place and having a standard, customized or dog ratchet mechanism fixed at one end thereof. A cylindrical bar socket and ratchet gear pulley extends from one side of the ratchet mechanism. The cylindrical bar socket is designed to encompass a standard, customized or dog ratchet drive shaft or opposite the elongated cylinder shape insert may encompass the aforementioned. The device herein permits the marrying of old or existing one-way ratchet gear assembly and shaft to new two-way directional or freewheel and drive without dismantling the old ratchet gear assembly; allowing old and new to rotate as one single unit.

Abstract: A fastening device includes a case, a spool and a knob. The case includes a housing and a base. The housing includes a receiving space and two side holes communicated with the receiving space. The base is detachably connected to the housing. The base includes a continuous wall, and the continuous wall surrounds a lower edge of the housing after the base is connected to the housing. The spool is received in the receiving space and configured for a lace passing through the side holes to be wound therearound. The knob is disposed on the case. Rotating the knob relative to the case in a fastening direction causes the spool to rotate in the fastening direction for fastening the lace.

Abstract: A release wrench for a tie down ratchet strap, having an elongated body with a first wrench end positioned at a first end of the elongated body, and a second wrench end positioned at a second end of the elongated body. Each of the first and second wrench ends are notched such that either end can be inserted into the rotating ratchet of a tie down ratchet strap such that rotation of the release wrench causes the rotating ratchet to move. The first wrench end extends in a direction perpendicular to the elongated body of the release wrench, and the second wrench end extends in a direction parallel to the elongated body of the release wrench. As a result, the wrench can be positioned at four different (i.e.: 90 degrees apart) positions when the release wrench is first turned to cause the rotating tie down ratchet to move. This provides a simple and effective way to “un-stick” a dirty ratchet by prying it loose.

Abstract: A coupling element (32) which is movable between a coupling position in which the coupling element couples the belt reel (12) to the damping means (22) and an idle position in which the coupling element (32) is disconnected from the belt reel (12) is provided on a belt retractor (10) comprising a belt reel (12) which is mounted in a housing (14) and onto which webbing of a seat belt can be wound and comprising a damping means (22) adapted to dampen the winding rotation of the belt reel (12) in a defined end portion.

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 cable winding device comprises a case, a reel disc, a cable, and a cable locking structure. The case comprises a first case element and a second case element. The reel disc is disposed between the first case element and the second case element, wherein the reel disc has a leaf spring. The cable is wound on the reel disc. The cable locking structure has a fixing part and at least partially penetrates the first case element and the reel disc. When a pulling operation of the cable causes the leaf spring to be sustained against the fixing part, a desired length of the cable is pulled out from the case and locked. When the cable locking structure is pressed and the fixing part is detached from the leaf spring, the cable pulled outside the case is rewound on the reel disc.

Abstract: A device and method for testing the functionality of various electronic device components. The device is portable and is capable of being upgraded with changes in technology. The device is enclosed within a housing, which comprises a power supply and a display. The disclosed device incorporates a tester for personal computer and laptop components, including but not limited to, power supply, microprocessor, motherboard, system memory, video subsystem, mass storage devices, and cables.

Abstract: A one-way load self-control spiral type brake, including a reel, two bearing frames on the reel, a brake shaft set between the two bearing frames, and two ends of the brake shaft connecting a transmission shaft. A front end of said brake shaft equipped with a fixing apparatus. Behind the fixing apparatus, a first inner friction piece, a first external friction piece, a second inner friction piece, a second external friction piece, an internal screw thread pressure plate, a tension spring, a connection piece and a brake shaft coupling are provided in sequential order around the brake shaft, and are fixed together by a socket and spigot joint. The inner friction piece and the brake shaft mesh. An external tooth is set on an outer circle of the external friction piece. A front end of the brake shaft coupling is fixed outside of an internal screw thread pressure plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system to quickly and easily employ a thermal/wind barrier over the surface of a mechanical dock leveler. Dock levelers used in structures with loading docks allow air transfer and thermal conductivity into the loading dock area from the outside environment through joints and openings in and around the dock leveler, when the leveler is not in use, causing economic loss of climate controlled air. The present invention provides a system to employ a thermal/wind barrier over the surface of a dock leveler when it is not being used, so as to prevent this loss. The barrier is deployed and retracted by use of a detent clutch operated spooling mechanism. The spooling mechanism is enclosed in a housing which is mounted to the inside, bottom surface of a loading dock door. An alternative embodiment uses an electric motor to deploy and retract the barrier.

Abstract: A motorized seat belt retractor, comprising: a take-up spool configured to rotate in a winding direction and an unwinding direction; a motor for providing a driving force in a first direction and a second direction to the take-up spool, wherein the take-up spool rotates in the winding direction when the driving force is provided in the first direction; a mechanism coupled to a shaft of the motor, the mechanism being configured to rotate freely in the first direction and rotate in the second direction when either i) a predetermined force is applied to the take-up spool in the unwinding direction during or after application of the driving force in the first direction or ii) the motor applies the driving force in the second direction in order to overcome a predetermined resistance of the mechanism; and a locking retractor configured to prevent the take-up spool from rotating in the unwinding direction when the predetermined force is applied to the take-up spool in the unwinding direction during or after applicat

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 seatbelt retractor for retracting a seatbelt includes a spool for retracting the seatbelt, a locking mechanism having a locking member rotating together with the spool in a normal state and prevented from rotating in a direction of withdrawal of the seatbelt so as to cause a relative rotation with respect to the spool in case of emergency, and an energy absorbing pin provided to the spool and the locking member for limiting a load applied on the seatbelt at a time of the relative rotation between the spool and the locking member. The energy absorbing pin includes a lubricating coating layer formed thereon.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor including an emergency locking retractor mechanism for locking the rotation in the belt withdrawing direction of a spool, onto which a seat belt is wound, according to actuation of at least one of the deceleration sensing system and a webbing sensor; an automatic locking retractor for locking the rotation in the belt withdrawing direction of the spool when the seat belt is withdrawn by a predetermined length; and a lock switching mechanism for switching and setting between a mode exhibiting the emergency locking retractor mechanism and a mode exhibiting the automatic locking retractor mechanism. The lock switching mechanism includes an automatic locking retractor mechanism actuating lock member, and an automatic locking retractor mechanism actuating lock gear which locks the rotation in the belt withdrawing direction of the spool when the automatic locking retractor mechanism actuating lock member is engaged.

Abstract: In a webbing winder, when a webbing belt is wound around a spool, a V gear is rotated in a winding direction together with a W pawl, a friction spring, and a contact member, thereby generating a frictional force between the contact member and a sensor holder. As a consequence, the friction spring and the contact member are located at a restriction position, so that the friction spring engages with an engaging surface of the W pawl. Therefore, even if the spool and the V gear are rapidly and slightly rotated in a withdrawal direction in reaction when the webbing belt is completely wound by the spool, the W pawl cannot mesh with a ratchet gear formed at the sensor holder due to the restriction of oscillation of the W pawl, thus preventing any end lock.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor including a spool for winding up a seat belt; and a locking mechanism having a locking member that rotates together with the spool in the normal state, but is prevented from rotating in a belt withdrawing direction in the event of an emergency, generating a rotational difference relative to the spool. The spool further including an energy absorbing pin that is disposed on the spool and the locking member to limit the load applied to the seat belt when the rotational difference is generated between the spool and the locking member. The energy absorbing pin has a shaft portion that is fitted in a hole of the spool and a head portion that is in contact with the locking member. The head portion comprises a curved contact surface to be in contact with the locking member.

Abstract: A cable reel having a one-way locking mechanism for locking a cable winding hub in one direction so that the user can adjust the extending status of the cables freely, and a button for unlocking the one-way locking mechanism for enabling the cable winding hub to receive the cables by means of the spiral spring force of a spiral spring.

Abstract: A rope tensioning device includes a support base, a handle, a connecting post, two fixing plates, two ratchet wheels, two locking blocks, two shafts, a snap ring, two elastic members, two insertion pins, a bolt, a nut, and a fixing pin. Thus, the rope tensioning device can be assembled rapidly and conveniently, thereby greatly reducing costs of assembly. In addition, the rope tensioning device can wind and unwind the rope easily, conveniently and rapidly.

Abstract: A cable winding housing for a cable used to interconnect a computer and an external peripheral device. The housing includes a spring-operated, winding cylindrical shaft around which the cable is wound, a teeth wheel assembly superposed around the shaft, and a spring-loaded locking element configured for locking between two of the teeth on the teeth wheel, wherein the locking element is releasable from outside of the housing. When the locking element is locked into the teeth wheel, the shaft is prevented from rotating such that the cable can not be unwound from or wound into the housing. When the locking element is released from the teeth wheel, the shaft can rotate and the cable can alternatively be either wound into or unwound from the housing. The housing prevents a cable used to interconnect two devices from becoming entangled with other cables and ensures that each cable is taut and does not sag downward, thereby providing a neat connection.

Abstract: A footwear lacing system includes a lace attached to a tightening mechanism. The lace is threaded through a series of opposing guide members positioned along the top of the foot and ankle portions of the footwear. The lace and guide preferably have low friction surfaces to facilitate sliding of the lace through the guide members so that the lace evenly distributes tension across the footwear member. The tightening mechanism allows incremental adjustment of the tension of the lace. A release mechanism allows a user to quickly loosen the lace.

Abstract: An umbrella wire-winding device includes a casing fixed to a shank of an umbrella. A crank arm is manually operable and has an axle rotatable received in an opening defined in the casing. The axle defines a central bore for drivingly receiving a reel shaft therein. The reel shaft extends through holes defined in the shank for winding a wire extending through the shank to move a runner. The reel shaft has a threaded end and a nut engages with the threaded end of the reel shaft. The nut is axially movably received in a bore defined in the casing whereby the rotation of the reel shaft causes an axial movement of the nut in the bore. The bore has a bottom that limits the axial movement of the nut and thus the rotation of the reel shaft for avoiding over-tensioning the wire. A toothed section is formed on the axle and at least one spring plate is fixed in the casing and engaging with the toothed section thereby serving as a ratchet between the casing and the reel shaft.