Patent ID: 7469617
Filing Date: 2008-12-30
Classification: F16C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A tension compensation assembly for a mechanical control cable, comprising: an elongated housing having a first and second opposing, recessed housing end, the first recessed housing end extending away from an interior face that forms a first stop, the second recessed housing end extending away from an interior face that forms a second stop; a capsule slidably disposed within the housing, the capsule having first and second opposing capsule ends, the first capsule end being configured to come into contact with the first stop and the second capsule end being configured to come into contact with the second stop; a spring disposed within the capsule, the spring having first and second opposing spring ends; a first control cable section having a first outer sheath and a first reciprocable inner cable, an end of the first outer sheath being retained within the first recessed housing end, an end of the first inner cable extending through the first spring end and being coupled to the second spring end; and a second control cable section having a second outer sheath and a second reciprocable inner cable, an end of the second outer sheath being retained within the second recessed housing end, an end of the second inner cable being coupled to the first spring end, wherein a free end of the first control cable section is configured to be coupled to a control mechanism for exerting tension on the first and second inner cables when actuated and a free end of the second control cable section is configured to be coupled to a latched device such that actuation of the control mechanism is effective to release the latched device, and wherein the capsule freely reciprocates with the first and second inner cables when the tension is below a predetermined threshold, and wherein one of the capsule ends comes into contact with its stop such that the spring deforms as the tension of the inner cables exceeds the threshold.