Abstract: A non-motorized fall-protection apparatus, comprises a drum, and a rotationally-activated braking device that comprises at least one pawl and at least one ratchet with at least one tooth that is engagable by an engaging end of the at least one pawl, wherein the rotationally-activated braking device comprises a limited-use, constant-contact friction brake comprising at least one layer of friction material with a friction-braking surface and at least one rotatable member with a contact surface that is in contact with the friction-braking surface of the layer of friction material.

Abstract: A cable reel that has at least one support frame having an outwardly extending braking gear member, the outwardly extending gear member being located off-center on the frame; a first flange having a central opening and a first hub portion surrounding the central opening, the central opening having an internal braking gear member engaging the outwardly extending gear member of the frame, thereby rotatably coupling the at least one support frame and the first flange; and a second flange opposing the first flange, the second flange having a second hub portion, the first and second hub portions being configured to mate with one another to support cable, wherein the engagement of the gear members providing a friction for cable payoff.

Abstract: A braking mechanism for a reel stand has been developed. The braking mechanism is affixed to a reel support member. The reel support member is configured to rotatably support at least a part of a reel. The braking mechanism includes a brake lever connected to the reel support member at a pivot point, and a braking member connected to the brake lever. The pivot point is offset from an axis of rotation of a reel supported by the reel support member. The braking member is configured to be positionable against the reel supported by the reel support member with an adjustable braking force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cable drum for automatically winding up a cable having an inner drum part (2), an outer drum part (1) and a back panel (3).

Abstract: A leash apparatus includes a housing containing a spool assembly, a spring biased lever arm, and a first tensioning line. The first tensioning line is attached to a first end of the lever arm and wrapped at least once around the spool assembly, and has an opposite end attached to other than the rotatable portion of the spool assembly, such as a fixed location on the leash housing on a mounting of the spool assembly. A surface of the spool assembly slidingly rotates relative to the tensioning line portion that wraps at least once around the spool assembly. A second tensioning line is wound about the spool assembly and extends outside of the housing. The second tensioning line is guided around a wheel attached to a second end of the lever arm located on an opposite side of the lever arm.

Abstract: A manual banner roll-up mechanism has a first tube, a second tube, a foldable material, a securing base, a washer, a linking member, a rope, a securing cylinder, a first plug and two mounting supports. The first tube is rolled up with a foldable material. Another end of the foldable material is connected to a second tube. One end of the first tube is jacketed by a securing base, and the washer, the triggering member and the rope are locked onto the securing cylinder by a bolt. Another end of the first tube is jacketed by the first plug that has a base, a positioning member, a spring, and a cover. A first positioning member of the securing base and a second positioning member of the first plug enable the first tube to be hung between the two mounting supports.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for safely lowering a user from a structure. The apparatus includes a frame; a spool including a cable rotatably mounted on the frame; a securing device attached to the cable and adapted to securely attached to the structure; a user support adapted to support the user and securely attached to the frame; and a pair of centrifugal hydraulic brake systems adapted to slow a rotation of the spool to cause the user support, spool and frame to descend at a safe rate for the user. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a frame; a spool including a cable rotatably mounted on the frame; a securing device attached to the frame and adapted to securely attached to the structure; a user support adapted to support the user and attached to the cable; and a pair of centrifugal hydraulic brake systems adapted to slow a rotation of the spool to cause the user support to descend at a safe rate for the user.

Abstract: A reel assembly is provided with a hub and opposing flanges that may be disassembled into at least two primary components that may be at least partially nested with one another for compact storage and transport. A stepped or tapered axle is axially received by the hub from only one direction to promote ease of assembly. A mounting plate secures to one end of the axle for mounting the reel assembly to any generally planar surface. A braking system is provided that simply permits free rotational movement of the reel one direction and a drag brake in the opposite direction. A swivel cap of unitized design incorporates retention in the axial and linear directions simultaneously.

Abstract: A dispenser for an elongate material is provided having a support and a spool rotatably mounted in the support. The spool includes a core and two ends extending radially outward from the core. At least one ring on the support encircles a respective end of the spool. In one embodiment, the radial outside of each ring is provided with a formation tapering towards the middle of the spool.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to a frictional clutch for a hand-held device for transferring a film from a backing tape onto a substrate. The frictional clutch in this embodiment includes a supply reel and a take-up reel rotatably mounted coaxially to each other, one of the reels including a free space bordered by a circular ring surface of the other reel, a spring element being disposed in the free space, with the spring element pressing elastically against the circular ring surface. In one embodiment of the frictional clutch, the free space is located radially outside the convex circular ring surface and the spring element is biased radially towards inside against the circular ring surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the speed of logs (3) on discharge or output from a rewinding machine. The apparatus include; structure for slowing down the logs (3) rolling along a log discharge or output plane (5). This structure includes a roller (6) located above the log output put plane (5) and having axis (a) parallel to the axis of the logs (3). The same roller is driven into rotation about its axis with a preset angular speed so as to intercept each of the logs (3) and slow down the motion thereof along the plane (5). The surface of the roller (6) is pliable and elastic.

Abstract: A hose dispenser has a rotatable reel 10, holding a coiled hose 12 suitable for conveying breathable gas, mounted on a tubular steel frame 14. The reel has a pivoting arm 16, which has a portion defining an aperture, or “eye” 18 fitted thereon. The hose is threaded through the eye 16 so that the free end of the hose protrudes through the eye. The free end of the hose is fitted with a resilient frusto-conical protective hood 20. The hood provides two functions. First, it enables the free end of the hose to engage the eye of the arm 16, and secondly, it protects a valve 22, located on the free end of the hose, from damage. Another valve 24 is provided in the centre of the reel, which is connected to the other end of the hose. In use, the free end of the hose is carried by an operative, or is attached to breathing apparatus worn by the operative, and the other end is connected to a source containing gas for breathing.

Abstract: A deceleration device of a tape rule is equipped with a speed reduction gear wheel in the tape rule housing. The speed reduction gear wheel is in mesh with a transmission gear wheel of a reel for coiling a measuring tape such that the rotational speed of the reel when retrieving the extended tape is retarded thereby preventing the danger of scratching the user's finger or damaging the tape itself by abrasion or impingement. Engagement of the speed reduction gear wheel and the transmission gear wheel can be released by operating a flat pusher plate provided on the housing.

Abstract: A brake structure of a band reel in a packing machine in which reliable braking effects can be obtained and responsiveness can be enhanced. A brake arm (15) has a coil spring portion (16) provided on one of its ends and a band passing ring portion (18) provided on the other end is mounted on one of ends of the reel shaft (13). One of ends on the coil spring (16) side in the brake arm (13) is fastened to a fixed member such as a device frame. The diameter of the coil spring portion (16) is reduced to cause the inner peripheral surface of the coil spring portion (16) to closely engage the outer peripheral surface of the reel shaft (13), thereby stopping rotation of the reel shaft by frictional force, when the force for feeding the band is released.

Abstract: A line dispenser for a retractable fence which includes a housing for holding a spool of line, the housing having a hole for communicating the line outside the housing; a crank for rotating the spool to bring the line into the housing through the hole; and a tube located within the hole. The line extends through the tube so that the tube applies a tension on the line as the line is reeled in and pulled out of the housing. This device provides a fence which is substantially tangle-free as the line is reeled into and pulled out of the housing.

Abstract: A reel has a housing, an axle, a handle, a wheel and a friction element. The friction element is mounted in the housing and presses against the wheel. The friction element is made of an elastic material. The friction element includes an inverse U-shaped base and a protruding contact pad extending up from the base portion to press against the outer edge of the wheel. Consequently, the wheel can be stopped in any desired position by the friction element, and the degree to which the canopy can be expanded is controlled. The use of the suspended sunshade becomes more versatile.

Abstract: A reel has a housing, an axle, a handle, a wheel and a friction element. The friction element is mounted in the housing and presses against the wheel. The friction element is made of an elastic material. The friction element includes an inverse U-shaped base and a protruding contact pad extending up from the base portion to press against the outer edge of the wheel. Consequently, the wheel can be stopped in any desired position by the friction element, and the degree to which the canopy can be expanded is controlled. The use of the suspended sunshade becomes more versatile.