Patent ID: 7258219
Filing Date: 2007-08-21
Classification: B60N,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A traction cable brake for an ergonomic device adapted for maintaining a position against a load, the load presenting to the brake as traction on the traction cable; said traction cable brake comprising: a rotating member, said rotating member having a mount for seating a traction cable wire, said wire, when under a load, biasing said rotating member in a first rotational direction; a housing, said rotating member being mounted in said housing; an axle, said axle being adapted for seating a manual drive handle; said axle being operatively engaged with said rotating member, such that a rotational force on said axle turns said rotating member in a said first rotational direction or in a second rotational direction; a spring, said spring having a first extension and second extension and said spring having an unloaded diameter and a loaded diameter; a spring seat, said spring seat being operatively engaged with said rotating member, said spring seat being dimensioned to receive said spring, said spring seat having an outer surface; a braking surface on one of said housing or said spring seat, said braking surface being dimensioned to closely cooperate with said spring; a braking face, said braking face being in operative engagement with said rotating member such that when said rotating member moves in said first rotational direction, said braking face pushes said first extension of said spring in said first rotational direction, thereby moving said spring to said loaded diameter, said loaded diameter being brakingly engaged with said braking surface; and a releasing face, said releasing face being operatively engaged with a pulley and said releasing face being in operative engagement with said second extension of said spring such that when said axle is engaged to move said rotating member in said second rotational direction, said engagement of said releasing face moves said spring to said unloaded diameter, thereby releasing said spring from said braking engagement with said braking surface.