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Showing papers on "Pulley published in 2008"


Patent
05 Nov 2008
TL;DR: In this paper, a surgical instrument incorporating driving force mechanisms capable of transmitting a driving force through an articulated section of the surgical instrument is described, where a series of racks connect with a transfer gear to pass forces around the articulated section.
Abstract: There is provided a surgical instrument incorporating driving force mechanisms capable of transmitting a driving force through an articulated section of the surgical instrument. In one embodiment, a series of racks connect with a transfer gear to pass forces around the articulated section. In an alternative embodiment a series of cable sections and wheels or pulleys are provided to transmit a driving force through the articulated section of the surgical instrument.

454 citations


Patent
29 Sep 2008
TL;DR: In this article, a link is positioned to pivot at the distal end of a surgical instrument shaft and a pulley portion of the link is routed around the pulley in a first circumferential direction.
Abstract: A link is positioned to pivot at the distal end of a surgical instrument shaft. The link includes a pulley portion. A first control cable that pivots the link in one direction extends out of the surgical instrument shaft and crosses the width of the instrument in a first crossing direction. The first control cable is then routed around the pulley portion of the link in a first circumferential direction. Similarly, a second control cable that pivots the link in the opposite direction extends out of the surgical instrument shaft and crosses the width of the instrument in a second crossing direction. The second control cable is then routed around the pulley portion of the link in a second circumferential direction that is opposite the first circumferential direction.

81 citations


Patent
16 Jul 2008
TL;DR: A wrist mechanism for minimally invasive medical procedures employs only four drive cables for control of the pitch, yaw, and grip of an effector as mentioned in this paper, and the stiffness of each of the four cables can be controlled for improved clinical performance.
Abstract: A wrist mechanism for an instrument used in minimally invasive medical procedures employs only four drive cables for control of the pitch, yaw, and grip of an effector. To reduce part count, no pulleys are used. Instead, solid surfaces of clevises in the wrist mechanism cradle the drive cables and are curved in multiple directions to maintain a fixed moment arm for cable torques and eliminate the need for large cable wrap angles. Further, the stiffness of each of the four drive cables can be controlled for improved clinical performance. In particular, the stiffness of the two drive cables that cause grips to close can be greater than the stiffness of the remaining two drive cables that cause the grips to open. The arrangement can minimize cable slack, improving fidelity of motion.

63 citations


Patent
14 Oct 2008
TL;DR: In this article, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) assembly is employed for transmitting a torque from an external power source to a power source. And the CVT assembly includes a variable-diameter input pulley and a variable diameter output pulley, each having a respective range of adjustment.
Abstract: A continuously-variable transmission (CVT) assembly is employed for transmitting a torque from an external power-source The CVT includes a variable-diameter input pulley and a variable-diameter output pulley, each having a respective range of adjustment The CVT also includes a continuous torque-transmitting element extending between the variable-diameter input pulley and the variable-diameter output pulley, and thereby operatively connecting the input pulley to the output pulley The CVT additionally includes a first elastic element having a first zero stiffness over the range of adjustment of the variable-diameter input pulley and configured to apply a first constant spring clamping force via the input pulley to the continuous torque-transmitting element Furthermore, the CVT includes a second elastic element having a second zero stiffness over the range of adjustment of the variable-diameter input pulley and configured to apply a second constant spring clamping force via the output pulley to the continuous torque-transmitting element

61 citations


Patent
15 Apr 2008
TL;DR: A belt alternator starter (BAS) system for a hybrid vehicle may include a first pulley, a first belt, a motor generator unit (MGU), a second pulley and at least one drive pulley of an accessory unit.
Abstract: A belt alternator starter (BAS) system for a hybrid vehicle may include a first pulley, a first belt, a motor generator unit (MGU), a second pulley, a second belt, and a first clutch. The first belt encircles the first pulley and a crankshaft pulley of an internal combustion engine. The MGU includes the second pulley and functions as an electric motor when the engine is started and as a generator for charging a battery when the engine is running. The second belt encircles the second pulley and at least one drive pulley of an accessory unit. The first clutch couples/decouples the crankshaft pulley to/from the second pulley depending on operation of the engine.

60 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a detailed continuous one-dimensional transient-dynamic model of a metal V-belt CVT was presented to accurately capture the various transient dynamic interactions occurring in the CVT system.

51 citations


Patent
09 Jul 2008
TL;DR: In this article, an electric motor-generator and an engine are linked using a first belt that is looped around a crank pulley that is mounted to a crank shaft and a one-way clutch pulley attached to a rotating shaft.
Abstract: An electric motor-generator and an engine are linked using a first belt that is looped around a crank pulley that is mounted to a crank shaft and a one-way clutch pulley that is mounted to a rotating shaft. An electronic control unit drives the electric motor-generator as an electric motor and drives the compressor by the electric motor-generator if engine speed is less than or equal to a predetermined value.

45 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results showed that two main factors could explain the enhanced exposure of ring and middle fingers, and could help clinicians to understand finger pulley pathologies and adapt the surgical interventions to reconstruct the fingers pulleys.

41 citations


Patent
25 Aug 2008
TL;DR: In this paper, the tensile strength of a flexible material was determined by a medical manipulator with a tensile tensor detection piece 400 interposed halfway of the wires with a strain gauge.
Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical manipulator which can determine simply and properly the tensile strength of a flexible material. SOLUTION: The medical manipulator 10 includes: an actuator block 30 equipped with motors 40a-40c; a connection part 15 equipped with pulleys 50a-50c which can be connected to the actuator block 30 to be detachably communicated with the motors 40a-40c; a tip operator 12 mounted to the tip of a coupling shaft 48 stretching from the connection part 15 to operate together with the pulleys 50a-50c via wires 54a-54c; and a tensile strength detection piece 400 interposed halfway of the wires 54a-54c, provided with a strain gauge 404a, wherein the tensile strength detection piece 400 is a board which is long along the stretching direction of the coupling shaft 48 and has hooks 406 at both the ends in the longitudinal direction to load the wires 54a-54c. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

37 citations


Patent
30 Jan 2008
TL;DR: In this paper, a case of a driving unit is provided with a tensioner housing, and the tensioner mechanism for applying the predetermined tension to a cable is accommodated in the housing.
Abstract: An automatic opening/closing apparatus for vehicle, which is provided with a tensioner mechanism for applying a predetermined tension to a cable member, is downsized. A case of a driving unit is provided with a tensioner housing, and the tensioner mechanism for applying the predetermined tension to a cable is accommodated in the tensioner housing. The tensioner mechanism includes a pulley holder movably mounted on a guide shaft, and a spring for biasing the pulley holder, wherein a movable pulley is rotatably supported by the pulley holder. The cable drawn in the tensioner housing is wound about the movable pulley so that a direction in which the cable is drawn out from the case is substantially parallel to a direction in which the cable is drawn out from a driving drum, whereby the predetermined tension is applied to the cable by a spring force of the spring.

33 citations


Patent
12 Mar 2008
TL;DR: In this paper, a mounting structure for a window regulator system is provided, which includes a main body defining cavity for rotatably receiving a portion of a pulley; and an engagement feature depending away from the main body, the engagement feature engaging the portion of the pulley and preventing movement of the vehicle's pulley away from its main body.
Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed towards improved mounting structures and methods for formation of window regulator systems for vehicles. In one exemplary embodiment, a mounting structure for a window regulator system is provided. The mounting structure includes a main body defining cavity for rotatably receiving a portion of a pulley; and an engagement feature depending away from the main body, the engagement feature engaging the portion of the pulley and preventing movement of the pulley away from the main body, the engagement feature being substantially free of fasteners for preventing movement of the portion of the pulley away from the main body.

Patent
19 Mar 2008
TL;DR: In this paper, a joint track type travel mechanism with a vehicle body, a circuit, and a swing arm is presented, which has strong climbing obstacle capability, can independently, flexibly and quickly climb the stairs and terrace depending on the mechanical and structural characteristics of the travel mechanism.
Abstract: The invention discloses a joint track type travel mechanism, which relates to the technical field of vehicles and robots. To solve low climbing obstacle capability and other problems, the following technical proposal is presented: a joint track type travel mechanism includes a vehicle body (8) and a circuit, and is characterized in that the joint track type travel mechanism also includes four track legs (2), a swing arm, two synchronous belts (10), two sets of drive worm and worm wheel (16), four sets of swing arm worm and worm wheel (17), two drive transmission shafts (5), four swing arm transmission shafts (7), two drive motors (15), four swing arm motors(9), four swing arm driving gears (6), two front synchronous pulleys (2), two rear synchronous pulleys (11) and two rotational shafts (13). The invention has the advantages that a travel mechanism with distinctive style and structure is provided, which has strong climbing obstacle capability, can independently, flexibly and quickly climb the stairs and terrace depending on the mechanical and structural characteristics of the travel mechanism, without manual interference.

Patent
09 Jan 2008
TL;DR: In this article, a vehicle hydraulic power feeding type damping suspension, which is installed between the axle and the frame and absorbs the vibration energy between them to drive power consumption part of the vehicle and save the energy.
Abstract: A vehicle hydraulic power feeding type damping suspension, which is installed between the axle and the frame and absorbs the vibration energy between them to drive power consumption part of the vehicle and save the energy. An electromagnetism valve and its manual control variable resistance are installed on the power feeding pipeline to adjust the damping force manually. Hydraulic accumulator is of accumulating spring piston barrel type with decompression and leakage flow passage to prevent each hydraulic part from being damaged by instant ultra-big bumping force. Two sets of power input pulleys (18), (20) are installed in the power consumption parts. (18) is connected with a hydraulic motor pulley (19) and (20) are connected with an engine pulley (17), in which (19) and (20) are equipped with an electromagnetic clutch assembly. Connection lines of the magnetic coils of (19) and (20) are controlled by the vehicle carrying computer or the hydraulic pressure in the accumulator to control the power transfer. It will switch into the engine driving automatically when pressure of the damping fluid can not drive the power consumption part.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the parametric instability of an axially moving belt subjected to multifrequency excitation was investigated and an analytical perturbation analysis was achieved to identify instabilities.
Abstract: This paper experimentally investigates the parametric instability of an industrial axially moving belt subjected to multifrequency excitation. Based on the equations of motion, an analytical perturbation analysis is achieved to identify instabilities. The second part deals with an experimental setup that subjects a moving belt to multifrequency parametric excitation. A data acquisition technique using optical encoders and based on the angular sampling method is used with success for the first time on a nonsynchronous belt transmission. Transmission error between pulleys, pulley/belt slip, and tension fluctuation are deduced from pulley rotation angle measurements. Experimental results validate the theoretical analysis. Of particular note is that the instability regions are shifted to lower frequencies than the classical ones due to the multifrequency excitation. This experiment also demonstrates nonuniform belt characteristics (longitudinal stiffness and friction coefficient) along the belt length that are unexpected sources of excitation. These variations are shown to be sources of parametric instability.

Patent
03 Jun 2008
TL;DR: In this article, a slide door apparatus for a vehicle includes a driving device (21) mounted to a sliding door (20) and a guide pulley unit (25) mounted on the slide door.
Abstract: A slide door apparatus for a vehicle includes a driving device (21) mounted to a slide door (20) and a guide pulley unit (25) mounted to the slide door. The guide pulley unit includes a plurality of guide pulleys (43, 44) each having first and second guide grooves (48a, 47a, 44b, 44a). The guide pulley unit further includes first and second housing members (41, 42) for housing the plurality of guide pulleys, and a separating member (45) provided between the first and second housing members for separating the first and second guide grooves of each of the plurality of guide pulleys. The slide door apparatus further includes a cable (22, 23) connected to the driving device and to a vehicle body. A first portion (22) of the cable is disposed into the first groove of each of the plurality of guide pulleys. A second portion (23) of the cable is disposed into the second groove of each of the plurality of guide pulleys.

Patent
09 Jul 2008
TL;DR: A bending fatigue test platform of wire rope for an elevator in the field of mechanical technology comprises a traction wheel, a frequency-variable motor, a data collecting and control device, a host computer platform, a hydraulic pump, an hydraulic cylinder, a tension sensor, and a tension pulley as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A bending fatigue test platform of wire rope for an elevator in the field of mechanical technology comprises a traction wheel, a frequency-variable motor, a data collecting and control device, a host computer platform, a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic cylinder, a tension sensor, a tension pulley, a wire rope, a rope head device, a connection terminal and a guide support, wherein the traction wheel and the tension wheel are positioned on both ends of the test platform; the guide support is positioned between the traction wheel and the tension pulley; the wire rope is wound in the grooves of the traction wheel, the guide wheel of the guide support and the tension pulley; the shaft of the tension wheel is connected with the tension sensor; the tension sensor is connected with the hydraulic cylinder; the hydraulic cylinder is connected with a hydraulic pump; the frequency-variable motor, the hydraulic pump and the tension sensor are connected with the data collecting and control device; and the data collecting and control device is connected with the host computer platform, which is in charge of monitoring, recording and control The invention can adjust the wrap angle, the bending state, the tension and the travel of the bending fatigue test of wire rope more flexibly

Patent
25 Jul 2008
TL;DR: In this paper, adjustable exercise machines, apparatuses, and systems are described, which can be configured for pushing and pulling exercises and may provide converging and diverging motion.
Abstract: Disclosed are adjustable exercise machines, apparatuses, and systems. The disclosed machines, apparatuses, and systems typically include an adjustable, reversible mechanism that utilizes pivoting arms and a floating pulley. The disclosed machines, apparatuses, and systems typically are configured for performing pushing and pulling exercises and may provide for converging and diverging motion.

Patent
24 Jul 2008
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed a method and a device for measuring force, torque and output on an ergometer or bicycle, where, when the bicycle is used as intended, a torque is transmitted via a shaft (1) onto a flexible drive and further onto the flywheel of the bicycle by two pedal cranks having pedals.
Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for measuring force, torque and output on an ergometer or bicycle, wherein, when the ergometer or bicycle is used as intended, a torque is transmitted via a shaft (1) onto a flexible drive and further onto the flywheel of an ergometer or the rear wheel of the bicycle by two pedal cranks having pedals, the flexible drive having a pulley (4) or a sprocket wheel which is non-rotatably connected to the shaft (1) in at least one direction of rotation. According to the invention, elastic torsions of the shaft (1) that result independently from the torque transmission are detected at both sides of the pulley (4) or of the sprocket wheel as a measure of the forces applied to the shaft (1) to determine the torque and the output both of the left and the right leg of the user of the ergometer or the bicycle. Corresponding electrical sensor signals (8, 9) are generated and are supplied to a memory and/or evaluation unit (7) for further processing.

Patent
18 Sep 2008
TL;DR: In this article, a belt-type continuously variable transmission with an integral slider gear is presented, where the gear ratio detecting means has a contactor following the movement in the axial direction of the slider gear by abutting on one side surface of the gear, a rotary piece 59 rotating by interlocking with this contactor, and a rotational quantity detecting sensor 60 detecting a rotation quantity of the rotating piece 59.
Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve durability and detecting accuracy, by protecting a gear ratio detecting means from heat. SOLUTION: This belt type continuously variable transmission has a driving side pulley 14 arranged on a driving shaft (a crankshaft 11), an integral slider gear 31 relatively freely rotatable to a movable half body 26 and sliding in the axial direction of the driving shaft, an actuator (an electric motor 44) rotatingly driving this gear, and an axially moving mechanism 40 moving the slider gear 31 in the axial direction together with the movable half body 26 in response to its rotation, and the gear ratio detecting means for detecting a position in the axial direction of the slider gear 31. The gear ratio detecting means has a contactor 58 following the movement in the axial direction of the slider gear 31 by abutting on one side surface of the slider gear 31, a rotary piece 59 rotating by interlocking with this contactor, and a rotational quantity detecting sensor 60 detecting a rotational quantity of the rotary piece 59. The contactor 58 and the rotary piece 59 are arranged inside a belt case 3, and the rotational quantity detecting sensor 60 is arranged outside the belt case 3. COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Patent
08 Jan 2008
TL;DR: In this paper, an adjustable mounting device for the pulley is proposed to adjust and fine-tune the position of the pulleys for proper biomechanical alignment with the user's body.
Abstract: The invention generally relates to exercise equipment that includes a pulley and cable mechanism. More specifically, the invention relates to an adjustable mounting device for the pulley so that the pulley may be mounted at different locations on the exercise equipment. This provides the user of such exercise equipment with the ability to adjust and readily fine-tune the position of the pulleys for proper biomechanical alignment with the user's body. Such a mounted pulley may be used on Pilates apparatus, weight and strength training equipment or other exercise equipment.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the steady mechanics of multi-layered metal belts used in metal-pushing continuously variable transmissions (CVT) are examined where the thin individual bands are modeled as axially moving strings.

Patent
09 Jul 2008
TL;DR: In this paper, a drive system for a rotary device, such as an automotive alternator, compensates for and dampens the effect of sudden bidirectional rotational velocity variations of the pulley caused by sudden acceleration and deceleration of an internal combustion engine.
Abstract: A drive system for a rotary device, such as an automotive alternator compensates for and dampens the effect of sudden bidirectional rotational velocity variations of the pulley caused by sudden acceleration and deceleration of an internal combustion engine without using a one-way clutch. The drive system in one aspect comprises an axially movable cam member rotatably supported on a hub that is connected to the alternator shaft and that is journaled within the pulley. The cam member is coupled to the pulley by splines so that it rotates with the pulley while affording axial movement. Springs urge the cam member into engagement with a cam follower on the hub. Upon sudden acceleration or deceleration of the pulley, the cam member rotates angularly relative to the cam follower and moves axially to compress the springs, which exert a restoring force on the cam member and cam follower to eliminate their relative angular rotation. In other aspects, projections on the pulley and the hub operate on springs or fluid filled chambers to dampen sudden velocity changes.

Patent
17 Mar 2008
TL;DR: In this paper, a braking device for a rope pulley of a leash that can be wound and unwound mechanically for leading animals is presented, in which the rope can be unwound against the force of a spring from the pulley, and can then be wound onto the rope due to the forces of the spring.
Abstract: A braking device for a rope pulley of a leash that can be wound and unwound mechanically for leading animals, in which the rope can be unwound against the force of a spring from the rope pulley and can be wound onto the rope pulley due to the force of the spring. The braking device includes a brake button, which can be brought from a rest position, in which the rope pulley can rotate freely, into an active position, in which the brake button blocks unwinding of the rope from the rope pulley. According to the invention, it is provided that the brake button has a top part, which projects from the leash housing and which allows actuation by the user, and a bottom part, which interacts with the rope pulley and which is connected so that it can pivot on the top part in such a way that the bottom part can pivot in the winding direction of the rope in such a way that, in the active position of the brake button, unwinding of the rope from the rope pulley is prevented and winding onto the rope pulley is possible, and that, in the active position, the free end of the bottom part contacts the rope pulley with friction, in order to pivot the bottom part through a rotational movement of the rope pulley in the winding direction.

Patent
03 Jul 2008
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed a belt type continuously variable transmission that fixes a position of a movable sheave of the belt type continuous variable transmission, and can readily and surely fix a gear ratio to a desirable value.
Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a belt type continuously variable transmission that fixes a position of a movable sheave of the belt type continuously variable transmission, and can readily and surely fix a gear ratio to a desirable value. SOLUTION: The belt type continuously variable transmission includes two pulleys 1 forming a belt-winding groove 1a by the movable sheave 3 and a fixed sheave 4 which are movably and non-movably, respectively, installed on a rotary shaft 2 in a direction of a rotation axis AL of the rotary shaft, and a transmission belt 5 winding around each of the pulleys 1 and transmitting a power between each of the pulleys 1. The belt type continuously variable transmission move the movable sheave 3 back and forth in the direction of the rotation axis AL to vary a flute width of the belt-winding groove 1a, thereby a winding radius of the pulley 1 varies and the gear ratio is continuously changed. In the transmission, there is provided a gear ratio fixing device 6 for mechanically fixing the movable sheave 3 on the rotary shaft 2 at a predetermined position which is set beforehand in the direction of the rotation axis AL. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Patent
14 May 2008
TL;DR: In this paper, a friction pair matching with a ratchet wheel is arranged between the ratche wheel and the machine frame of the prior speed limiter, which finally supplies a tensile force of a cable wire, i.e., a drawing force.
Abstract: A novel elevator speed limiter is applicable to protecting an elevator against upward overspeed or downward overspeed or upward and downward two-way overspeed, thereby ensuring the running safety of the elevator. The utility model comprising speed limiter components in the prior art is characterized in that: a friction pair matching with a ratchet wheel is arranged between the ratchet wheel and the machine frame of the prior speed limiter. Through adding the friction pair, the utility model finally supplies a tensile force of a cable wire, i.e. a drawing force; furthermore, relative slide does not exist between a rope pulley and the cable wire, thereby protecting a rope groove against wear and damage and accordingly bringing about a stable drawing force between the cable wire and the rope pulley; in addition, the utility model has simple structure, low cost as well as safe and reliable operation.

Patent
04 Mar 2008
TL;DR: In this paper, an operating system for rotatably controlling retraction and deployment of an architectural covering is presented. But the operating system is not suitable for the installation of a cover.
Abstract: Operating system ( 1 ) for rotatably controlling retraction and deployment of an architectural covering. The operating system includes a drive pulley wheel ( 3 ) having a circumferential rim ( 5 ), a length of looped drive cord ( 9 ) operatively engaged with the pulley wheel ( 3 ) about its circumferential rim ( 5 ) and having depending portions on opposite sides of the pulley wheel ( 3 ), a cover ( 7 ) co-extensive with a portion of the circumference of the pulley wheel ( 3 ) and at least one stopper ( 19 ) attached to a portion of the length of the drive cord ( 9 ) and adapted to engage the cover ( 7 ) to stop rotation upon a predetermined amount of rotation of the pulley wheel ( 3 ). The pulley wheel is provided with a cavity ( 17 ) on its toothed circumference for receiving the at least one stopper ( 19 ) to prevent it from engaging the cover ( 7 ).

Patent
03 Nov 2008
TL;DR: A compound archery bow includes a handle having projecting limbs, and first and second pulleys mounted on the limbs for rotation around respective axes as mentioned in this paper, and at least a first of the pulleys includes a flat base with a bowstring let-out groove on the base and a bow string anchor adjacent to the bowstring anchor.
Abstract: A compound archery bow includes a handle having projecting limbs, and first and second pulleys mounted on the limbs for rotation around respective axes. At least a first of the pulleys includes a flat base with a bowstring let-out groove on the base and a bowstring anchor adjacent to the bowstring let-out groove. A draw module is disposed on the base, a cable groove extends along the draw module, and first and second cable anchors are disposed on the base adjacent to respective ends of the cable groove. The cable groove on the draw module is continuous in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the first pulley. A bow cable arrangement includes a bowstring cable extending from the bowstring anchor on the first pulley around the bowstring let-out groove and then toward the second pulley. A first cable extends from the first anchor on the first pulley through a portion of the cable groove on the module and then toward the second pulley. A second cable extends from the second anchor toward the second pulley. Draw of the bowstring cable away from the bow handle lets out bowstring cable from the bowstring cable groove on the first pulley and rotates the first pulley around its axis, lets out the first cable from the groove on the module and takes up the second cable into the groove on the module including a portion of such groove previously occupied by the first cable.

Patent
23 Jun 2008
TL;DR: In this paper, a counterbalance mechanism counterbalances an eccentric mass on a rotating shaft supported by a frame, and a second arm is coupled to the shaft to rotatably support a second at a first distance from the first pulley.
Abstract: A counterbalance mechanism counterbalances an eccentric mass on a rotating shaft supported by a frame. A first pulley is coupled to and concentric with the shaft. An arm is coupled to the shaft to rotatably support a second at a first distance from the first pulley. A third pulley is fixedly coupled to the frame at a second distance from the first pulley. A fourth pulley is rotatably coupled to and concentric with the third pulley. A spring is fixed at a first end to the frame and has a second end that is coupled to the fourth pulley such that the spring provides a restoring force as the fourth pulley is rotated. A first cable has a first end that is coupled to the fourth pulley and a second end that is coupled to the frame through the third pulley after passing over the first and second pulleys.

Patent
30 Jun 2008
TL;DR: In this article, a cable has a protrusion fixed to the cable midway between two ends of the cable, and the cable passes through the cable attachment such that the protrusion is held in the attachment and is movable between two stops in cable attachment.
Abstract: A spring counterbalance mechanism balances a load with a spring. A cable has a protrusion fixed to the cable midway between two ends of the cable. The two free ends of the cable are fixedly coupled to one of the load or the spring, and a cable attachment is coupled to the remaining member. The cable passes through the cable attachment such that the protrusion is captive in the cable attachment and is movable between two stops in the cable attachment. The cable forms two segments each of which couples the spring to the load. The two segments of the cable pass over a pulley. A sensor coupled to the pulley senses rotation of the pulley allowing cable breakage to be detected by the anomalous rotation of the pulley.

Patent
28 Oct 2008
TL;DR: In this article, a pulley tackle and a spring motor are mounted on the upper notch of an umbrella to prevent the umbrella from collapsing. But the mechanism is not suitable for the use of the umbrella stick in manual retracting.
Abstract: The present invention pertains to a protective mechanism for automatic umbrella mainly including a drive unit, a pulley tackle, a spring motor, a clutch, and a clutch spring; wherein, a strand has one end fixed to the pulley tackle and the other end secured to an upper notch of the umbrella, and the spring motor and the clutch are separately mounted on the pulley tackle. Further, between the clutch and the pulley tackle are unidirectional rotor members cooperating with each other. Thus, the drive unit and the clutch spring substantially control the separation and contact of the clutch and the pulley tackle for either releasing the strand and tightening the spring motor while stretching the umbrella or winding the strand in a single direction and loosening the spring motor when collapsing. Therefore, the present invention prevents from striking users by taking off the umbrella stick halfway when manually retracting it.