Abstract: A fastening device includes a case unit, a spool, a driving unit, a knob and a connecting unit. The case unit includes an annular wall surrounding an inner space, and a base detachably and directly coupled to the annular wall. The spool is located within the inner space. The driving unit is located within the inner space and selectively prohibits the spool from rotating in a loosening direction. The knob is disposed on the annular wall. The connecting unit is connected to at least one of the knob, the spool and the driving unit without passing through the base and restricted by at least one of the annular wall, the spool and the driving unit such that the annular wall, the spool, the driving unit and the knob are combined integrally.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a handheld (i.e. single-handedly held) tool for automatically winding string, line, cordage, yarn, thread, and twine onto a spool. The tool includes a handheld and portable threaded mechanism upon which a spool is mounted. Spools of various lengths can be mounted onto the threaded mechanism using a height-adjustable cap. An internal motor is configured to rotate the threaded mechanism and mounted spool for automatically winding string, et. al. A handle of the tool houses rechargeable batteries that are coupled with the internal motor and a push button disposed on the handle activates the motor for rotating the threaded mechanism. The tool includes a USB charging port for receiving a USB cable for recharging the rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: A fastening device including a case unit, a spool, a driving unit, a knob and a connecting unit is provided. The case unit has a radial direction and an axial direction and includes an annular wall. The annular wall surrounds an inner space. The spool is within the inner space and includes an axial space including a large-diameter segment and a small-diameter segment, and the small-diameter segment is connected to the large-diameter segment along the axial direction. The driving unit is disposed above the spool along the axial direction, and the driving unit selectively prohibits the spool from rotating in a loosening direction. The knob is disposed above the driving unit along the axial direction, and the knob is coupled to the driving unit. The connecting unit is connected to the knob, and the connecting unit is disposed within the axial space and limited within the large-diameter segment.

Abstract: An animal tether system and method wherein the rate of extension and retraction of the tether and/or the length of the tether can be actively controlled at least in part as a function of the angular direction and/or speed and/or length of which the tether extends/retracts. The system can be used to maintain an animal in a non-circular boundary, such as a rectangular space, by controlling how far the tether can extend at certain angular positions. The system also allows a user to block off certain areas within a space from access by the animal.

Abstract: Fishing line dispensing apparatuses for loading fishing line onto a reel, can include a base operable to hold a spool of fishing line, a cap detachably associated with at least a portion of the base, and one or more securing elements coupled to the base. The securing elements can be operable to releasably secure the base to a shaft of a fishing rod. The base of a fishing line dispensing apparatus can additionally include a spool retention surface disposed at a bottom end of the base and a sidewall connected to and extending in a substantially orthogonal direction away from the spool retention surface.

Abstract: An apparatus to quickly position a start assist device for backstroke swimmers and remove said start assist device once the apparatus detects or is signaled that the swimmer has left to prevent injuries and obstructions caused by the start assist device. A mechanical embodiment of such an apparatus and a motorized embodiment of such an apparatus with a data input system to position the start assist device according to the individual swimmers needs and means to signal the start event are disclosed.

Abstract: An automatic tension sensing and control system for cargo restraints comprises a load binder, a tension sensor, an actuator coupled to the load binder, and a control module. The control module receives signals from the sensor and can command the actuator to tighten or slacken the load binder. The system can also include an annunciator and an information storage and retrieval system.

Abstract: A fishing line re-reeling apparatus supporting a fishing line supply spool for transferring a replacement line to a fishing rod reel, the re-reeling apparatus having a clamp shaped to fit over a fishing rod and having first and second members held together by springs in a closed mode that form a fishing rod cavity. A spool support assembly supports a rod that is, in one mode, for supporting the line supply spool. The clamp is positioned in an open mode upon pressure opposing the force of the springs, the clamp is secured to the fishing rod in the closed mode at a selected angular disposition.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein may help to provide medical support via a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). An illustrative UAV may include a housing, a payload, a line-deployment mechanism coupled to the housing and a line, and a payload-release mechanism that couples the line to the payload, wherein the payload-release mechanism is configured to release the payload from the line. The UAV may further include a control system configured to determine that the UAV is located at or near a delivery location and responsively: operate the line-deployment mechanism according to a variable deployment-rate profile to lower the payload to or near to the ground, determine that the payload is touching or is within a threshold distance from the ground, and responsively operate the payload-release mechanism to release the payload from the line.

Abstract: A latching system includes a hub with one or more openings defined in the hub. Each opening includes a latching feature to which a fastener is releasably coupled. The latching feature may be configured to couple to only a single fastener provided from one side of the hub. Alternately, the latching feature may be configured to couple to two fasteners, one from each side of the hub, at the same time. The fastener includes prongs that are configured to be sufficiently separated from one another, when a removal tool is inserted between them, to facilitate the release of the fastener from the latching feature and the removal of the fastener from the opening. A flange may be held in place between the hub and a portion of the coupled fastener.

Abstract: A system is provided for breaking rotational movement comprising: a rotatable member; a friction surface disposed on the rotatable member; a friction plate opposed to the friction surface, such that when the rotatable member rotates the friction plate is in contact with the friction surface; a rod, having at least a threaded portion, and the at least a portion of the rod being received within the rotatable member such that the rotatable member rotates about the rod and moves along the threaded portion towards the friction plate; and a compressive member, whereby a force is applied to the friction plate which increases with rotation of the rotatable member.

Abstract: A security device a plurality of cables which are securable about an item of merchandise with a locking member and a cable-tightening mechanism each connected to the cables in a spaced apart manner. The locking member includes a key portion for unlocking the tightening mechanism when the cable is removed from the item. The tightening mechanism includes a spool and a ratchet mechanism. Alternate embodiments for locking and unlocking the ratchet mechanism are disclosed. The tightening mechanism carries sense loops which if compromised actuate an onboard audible alarm. The cables are part of one or more of the sense loops. The device is configured to sound a security gate alarm upon passing through the gate and upon simply reaching a certain distance from the gate. The tightening mechanism includes a housing having a flip-up handle for tightening the ratchet mechanism to tighten the cable.

Abstract: The method of preventing over tension to an umbilical wrapped on the spool of an offshore reel when the umbilical is being normally deployed or retrieved or when the umbilical is unexpectedly pulled from the spool on the reel, comprising providing a main disk, mounting the main disk on the spool of the reel with a slip connection which will be automatically controlled, connecting motor power for the reel to the main disk, connecting brakes to the main disk, such that when the diameter of deployment varies the slip connection torque will be automatically adjusted and prevent the umbilical from being subjected to tension higher than the desired amount.

Abstract: A kite reel has a spool rotatable on a shaft to reel in or out kite line attached to a flying kite. A brake disk coaxial with the spool on the same shaft is moved translationally to and from the spool to block or unblock the spool rotation on a central brake disk cam defined by the shaft. A peripheral brake disk cam is engaged by a thumb wheel driven cam to rotate the brake disk on the first cam into or out of spool contact.

Abstract: 1. Roll paper feed device (1) for a printing machine (2), comprising a cradle (3) provided with side cheeks (4), means (5, 7) at the bottom of the cradle for supporting a freely rotating paper roll (6) whenever the free end of the paper web (10) is subjected to a traction (9), braking means (13) for the rotating roll (6), which are joined to the cradle and have at least one elastic bearing member (14) against a side of the roll, which member comprises at least one elastically deformable arm (19) joined to the cradle and a protruding zone (16) situated at the free end of the arm and engaged through an opening (17) in the cheek and protruding relative to the inner face of the latter; the protruding zone is in the form of a protruding stub having a flat bearing surface (18) peripherally surrounded by an inclined surface (24, 25) suitable for sliding over the sides of the roll when this is introduced in the cradle.

Abstract: A rescue method and apparatus for rescuing or evacuating occupants from high rise buildings or other high structures includes a frame adjacent an escape portion of the high structure; a dynamic resistance device such as an air fan mounted to the frame; and a removable and replaceable cable cartridge, having a pre-wound cable, which is removably and non-rotatably coupled to a rotatable portion of the dynamic resistance device. The cable is connectable to a person to be evacuated. When the person to be evacuated goes out from the escape portion of the high structure, his descending motion causes the cable to unwind with the same linear speed as the descending speed of the person, thus causing the rotatable portion of the dynamic resistance device to rotate and to create resistance to the descending speed of the person, until the descending speed of the person reaches a substantially equilibrium value.

Abstract: A rescue method and apparatus for rescuing occupants from high rise buildings includes a frame adjacent an escape portion of the building; a dynamic resistance device mounted to the frame; and a removable and replaceable cable cartridge, having a pre-roller cable, which is removably and non-rotatably coupled to a rotatable portion of the dynamic resistance device. The cable is connectable to a person to be rescued. When the person to be rescued goes out from the escape portion of the building, his falling motion causes the cable to move with the same speed as the falling speed, thus causing the rotatable portion of the dynamic resistance device to rotate and to create resistance to the falling speed, until the falling speed of the person reaches a substantially constant value. After a first person is rescued, a new cable cartridge is mounted and the cable thereof is connected to a next person to be rescued.

Abstract: A water ski tow rope retrieval and payout system is disclosed. The system includes a reel having a quantity of tow rope wound therearound. The reel is powered by an electric motor through a drive shaft which is also coupled to an electrically controlled brake or clutch. The brake or clutch acts to keep the drive shaft, and thus the reel, from rotating freely when the electric motor is not being used to pay out or retrieve tow rope. An embodiment of the water ski tow rope retrieval and payout system having radio remote control is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a plurality of lines to a light weight flying device such as a kite or model airplane stores, winds up, and releases the lines on individual, separable spools. The spools are held in a recess in a housing. Each line leads from its spool through spaced apart individual line guides to the device so that the device may be controlled by manipulation of the housing. A winding handle is mounted on an arm connected to an axle on which the spools are rotatably mounted in the recess. In a first, or winding, position of the arm, rotation of the handle rotates the axle and the spools for winding up the lines. An anti reverse ratchet mechanism prevents unwinding of the lines. In a second, or release, position of the arm, the spools are freed from rotation with the axle, an adjustable drag is operative to prevent free spooling or backlash, and the anti reverse is releasable by a manual control for controllably releasing the lines.

Abstract: A winder comprises a base, a wire wheel, and a braking mechanism. The base has a face plate which is provided with a main shaft and at least one arcuate hole. The wire wheel is rotatably mounted on the main shaft. The braking mechanism comprises a one-way bearing, a shaft sleeve, a brake disk, two friction pads, a clamp seat, and an adjustment knob. The one-way bearing is disposed in the axial hole of the wire wheel. The shaft sleeve is fitted over the main shaft such that a first end thereof is in contact with the inner edge of the bearing, and that a second end thereof is fastened with the brake disk. The friction pads are fastened with the shaft sleeve and located at two sides of the brake disk. The clamp seat is slidably disposed on the shaft sleeve and is fastened with the adjustment knob. The magnitude of frictional force between the brake disk and the friction pads is adjusted by turning the adjustment knob, thereby resulting in a braking effect on the wire wheel in motion.

Abstract: A wire reel assembly comprises a reel, a reel support and a reel securing assembly. The reel includes a central body and removable sides. The central body is removably mounted to an arm of the reel support thereby allowing one of the removable sides to be disconnected from the central body without requiring disassembly of the reel support. The reel securing assembly is also used as an adjustable brake assembly since it includes a friction element contacting the body of the reel to generate a friction force.

Abstract: A measuring tape dispenser with an impact buffer housing and tentative tape halting device, in which the housing is at least or partially covered with an impact buffer layer formed of an elastic material so as to protect the housing from being deformed or even destroyed. Furthermore, a slip resistant effect and tentative tape halting device is also provided.