Abstract: A slow retraction mechanism, a locking-type slow retraction device and a winding device. The slow retraction mechanism fits with a winder including a main shaft and a main body rotatably sleeved thereon. The main body can rotate around the main shaft to wind or unwind flexible materials. The slow retraction mechanism includes a blocking part, a decelerating part rotatably arranged on the main body, and an elastic part arranged on the main body and connected with the decelerating part. When the main body rotates around the main shaft in a first direction to wind the flexible material, the decelerating part rotates relative to the main body along a second direction opposite to the first direction to approach the blocking part to rub against the blocking part to reduce a rotation speed. The elastic part applies an elastic force to hinder the decelerating part from rotating along the second direction.

Abstract: A winch drum tension isolation system includes a winch drum having an outwardly extending flange. The flange includes a plurality of holes spaced along the flange. The winch drum tension isolation system also includes a locking mechanism positioned proximate the winch drum. The locking mechanism includes a locking member engageable with the flange, the locking member movable between a first position, in which the locking member is received in a first one of the plurality of holes to prevent rotation of the winch drum, and a second position, in which the locking member is spaced apart from the flange to permit rotation of the winch drum. The winch drum tension isolation system also includes a safety release mechanism having a release member that is selectively engageable with a second one of the plurality of holes to permit removal of the locking member.

Abstract: A brake assembly comprises a brake plate including a plurality of radially-extending brake tabs, and an extension member extending at least partially through the brake plate. The extension member is movable relative to the brake plate such that the extension member is configured to successively engage the brake tabs. The brake assembly enables one or more forces to be managed or controlled throughout a braking event, such as a fall arrest event.

Abstract: A system and method for improving a golf swing. The system includes a club lie angle calculator, a golf club grabber, and a propeller channel for creating and supporting a swing plane for a user equal to the lie angle of a given golf club.

Abstract: A hub assembly includes a first and second pawl units respectively connected to the tubular portion of the hub. A toothed collar is mounted to the first and second pawl units, and has ratchet teeth defined therein. The first pawl unit has three first pawls which are located at equal angle to each other. The second pawl unit has three second pawls which are located at equal angle to each other. An angle is defined between the first and second pawls next to each other, and the angle is smaller than the angle of each ratchet teeth of the toothed collar. The first and second pawls are engaged with the ratchet teeth not simultaneously so as to effectively drive the bicycle and the strength of the pawls is maintained.

Abstract: A window body positioning mechanism of a non pull cord window blind includes two first transmission wheels, two transmission cords respectively connected with one ends thereof to the first transmission wheels, two second transmission wheels meshed together and respectively meshed with the first transmission wheels, a coil spring connecting the two second transmission wheels and selectively wound round one second transmission wheel, and two resistance units each including a one-way pawl and a resistance wheel wound by one respective transmission cord and meshed with the one-way pawl. Thus, when extending out or receiving the blind body, the friction resistance between the resistance wheels and the transmission cords and the engagement relationship between the resistance wheels and the respective one-way pawls help achieve excellent blind body positioning effects.

Abstract: A fast-adjust trailer jack has three telescoping tubular segments, an upper, an intermediate and a lower. A lead screw is used to operatively couple the upper to the intermediate and a tension spring is coupled between the intermediate and the lower to normally urge the retraction of the lower into the intermediate. A spring-biased pin and hole based detent mechanism is employed to allow setting of the degree of extension of the lower tubular segment with respect to the intermediate tubular segment.

Abstract: Arrangement and method for monitoring a structure at a fixed location, e.g., a house, parked boat or parked airplane, includes a monitoring or sensor system arranged to obtain information about the structure, an exterior of the structure and/or an interior of the structure different than the location of the structure, and a communication system coupled to the sensor system and being provided with a location of the structure. The communication system transmits the information about the structure obtained by the sensor system and the location of the structure to a remote facility. The remote facility can therefore monitor the structure, and take steps to ensure the integrity of the reservoir and the fluid therein. To enable wireless and powerless monitoring, a power source independent of a power grid extending outside of the trailer may be provided to supply power to the sensor system and the communications unit.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to prevent the rotation of a shaft in one direction using a device comprising a collar disposed around the shaft, a locking arm with an unlocked position and a locked position, and an actuator capable of moving the locking-arm between the unlocked and locked position. When the locking arm is in the unlocked position, the collar and shaft are allowed to rotate in a first direction. However, when the locking arm is in the locked position, the collar and shaft are prevented from rotating in a second direction. This device can also be used to prevent the reverse rotation of a rotating compressor.

Abstract: A drive device includes a first one-way coupling including a cam plate, pocket plate and struts, a second one-way coupling including a second cam plate driveably connected to the pocket plate, second pocket plate extending in a partial circular arc and secured to the cam plate, and second struts for opening and closing a drive connection between said second plates, and electromagnets for causing the second struts to close said drive connection.

Abstract: A braking system for a stroller includes: a brake pedal positioned near a first rear wheel of the stroller; a braking cam operationally coupled to the brake pedal and rotatable around a pivot point from a first position to a second position; and a brake lever having a first end configured to contact the braking cam when the braking cam is in the second position, and a second end having a plurality of teeth configured to engage at least one gear driven by the first rear wheel of the stroller when the braking cam is in the second position. A depression of the brake pedal causes the braking cam to rotate around the pivot point from the first position to the second position, thereby causing the teeth of the brake lever to engage the at least one gear to prevent rotation of the first rear wheel.

Abstract: A braking apparatus for a blind, used to reduce the speed of a shielding member of the blind when it is lifted and lowered, in which weights are stably supported and operated without an increase in the size of the braking apparatus. The braking apparatus has a casing, a rotor rotatably supported with in the casing, and weights adapted to rotate together with the rotor in such a way that they can be in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the casing. A cylindrical shaft portion and weight support portions radially projecting from the peripheral surface of the shaft portion at equal intervals in the circumferential direction are formed on the rotor. One end of each weight is swingably supported by the weight support portion extending over the axial-direction entire length of the weight.

Abstract: A speed responsive engagement device comprises: a wheel arranged for rotation about a first axis and having a plurality of outwardly projecting spaced apart teeth with each pair of adjacent teeth being separated by a circumferential surface with a constant radius; a pawl arranged for pivotal movement about a second axis between a first unengaged position and a second engaged position in which the pawl engages one of said teeth and contacts a circumferential surface; and a resilient means arranged to urge said pawl towards the first position when the pawl is not in contact with a circumferential surface. When the wheel rotates in a first direction each tooth contacts the pawl, generating an oscillating movement of the pawl from the first position towards the second position with an amplitude dependent on the speed of the rotation.

Abstract: A backward motion stop for a car to be pulled up in a guiding device is provided and consists of a catch lever engaging in a catch rail such that it operates noiselessly. For this purpose, an induction strut is laid parallel to the catch rail and the catch lever is equipped with a magnet interacting with the induction strut so that a linear eddy current brake is formed, which exercises a slight braking force counteracting the upward motion of the car upon the catch lever, which, because of the torque linked therewith, is moved out of the catch rail, so that it essentially floats over the catch rail.

Abstract: A brake device (1) is for use with a cable-operated door (3), such as garage doors (3) and the like. The device (1) is intended to reduce the risk of the door (3) falling, or at the very least slow down its descent, in the event of a failure in the counterbalancing mechanism of the door (3), which is generally represented by a loss of tension in a given tensioned cable (5) operating the door (3). The brake device (1) includes a support bracket (9), and a guiding assembly (15) and a braking assembly (17) mounted onto the support bracket (9).

Abstract: A fan rotor is mounted on a shaft carried on bearings attached to a base plate and there is provided an assembly for preventing reverse rotation of the fan which could damage the motor. A stop plate is mounted on the base adjacent the shaft with an edge adjacent the shaft. A pair of wing members are carried on the shaft on two collar pieces so that each wing member is pivotal between ends of the collar pieces about an axis parallel to the tangent to the shaft at the wing member. The wing members are V-shaped and pivot so that one leg moves under gravity either in the vertical or horizontal orientations of the shaft from a retracted position, in which it is free from the stop plate to an extended position in which it engages the abutment surface of the stop member to prevent reverse rotation. The wing members are shaped and weighted such that rotation of the shaft beyond a predetermined angular velocity causes centrifugal force to move the wing members to the retracted position.

Abstract: An incremental braking apparatus and method includes a first rotating member having a plurality of rigid stops spaced circumferentially around an outer cylindrical surface of the first rotating member, and a plurality of flexible stops arranged in a plurality of rows on a stationary member. The flexible stops are selectively movable toward the first rotating member from a disengaged position into an engaged position in which the flexible stops engage the rigid stops to provide a braking action on the first rotating member. An actuator with a beveled edge for engaging the outer ends of the flexible stops is operable to move a selected number of rows of the flexible stops into their engaged positions to provide an incremental braking effect. The rows of flexible stops are staggered such that the flexible stops in adjacent rows are not in circumferential alignment.

Abstract: A force-limiting rotary lock (20) for a shaft (21) mounted on a housing (22) for rotational and axial movement relative thereto, broadly includes a lug member (28) provided on the shaft, and a pawl (51) mounted on the housing. The pawl is movable relative to the housing between first and second positions. The pawl is operatively arranged to engage the lug when the pawl is in its first position (shown in FIG. 3) to prevent further rotation of the shaft in one angular direction, and to be disengaged from the lug when the pawl is in its second position (shown in FIG. 2) to permit rotation of the shaft in either angular direction. A cam (25) is mounted on the shaft, and a follower (49) is mounted on the housing for selectively moving the pawl between the first and second positions when the shaft is axially displaced from its predetermined position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a one-way clutch for an automatic transmission, comprising an inner race, an outer race disposed in coaxial with the inner race and rotated relative to the inner race, recessed portions formed in an outer periphery of the inner race or an inner periphery of the outer race along a circumferential direction, pawls engaged by the recessed portions, and biasing members for biasing the pawls toward the recessed portions, and wherein the outer race is integrally provided on a case of the automatic transmission.

Abstract: A safety lock device including a clover mechanism mounted on a rotating shaft to be used with an unbalanced free-fall dog that precludes rotation of the rotating shaft upon rapid acceleration or excessive speed of the rotation of the shaft. The free-fall dog is pivotally mounted on a fulcrum upon which the free-fall dog may teeter in an unbalanced seesaw motion. At opposite ends of the fulcrum are a locking finger and an arm. The free-fall dog is unbalanced such that the arm contacts the clover mechanism as it rotates while the locking finger does not contact the clover mechanism at slow rotating speed. At a slow rotative speed, the arm is only slightly deflected. With great acceleration, the arm is deflected farther from the clover mechanism thereby causing the locking finger on the opposite side of the fulcrum to be pivoted into the clover mechanism.

Abstract: A load brake having a load shaft, a flange-like pressure plate fixedly mounted onto the load shaft, and a cogwheel arranged on the load shaft. A tension device produces an axial motion and force in the cogwheel as the wheel rotates with respect to the load shaft, and a ratchet wheel is mounted between the pressure plate and the cogwheel. A pawl prevents the rotation of the ratchet wheel at least in the release direction of the load shaft, and friction surfaces are provided between the pressure plate and the ratchet wheel, and the ratchet wheel and the cogwheel. Rotation that tends towards the release direction of the load shaft and that is faster than the speed of rotation of the cogwheel brings the pressure plate and the cogwheel closer together in the axial direction and presses them against the ratchet wheel.