Patent ID: 7640825
Filing Date: 2010-01-05
Classification: F16C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A tension compensation assembly for a mechanical control cable assembly, 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 first end piece slidably disposed within the housing and configured to come into contact with the first stop; a second end piece slidably disposed within the housing and configured to come into contact with the second stop; a compressible spring located intermediate the first and second end pieces and being retained thereby, the first end piece, second end piece and spring forming a tension compensation device slidably disposed within the housing; a first control cable section comprising: a first longitudinal, hollow sheath, an end of the first sheath being retained within within the first recessed housing end, and a first cable reciprocally disposed within the first sheath, extending through the first end of the housing, through the first end piece, and entirely through the spring, the end of the first cable being coupled to the second end piece; a second control cable section comprising: a second longitudinal, hollow sheath, an end of the second sheath being retained within the second recessed housing end, and a second cable reciprocally disposed within the second sheath, extending through the second end of the housing, through the second end piece, and entirely through the spring, the end of the second cable being coupled to the first end piece; a free end of the first control cable section being coupled to a control mechanism for exerting tension on the inner cables of the control cable assembly when actuated and a free end of the second control cable section being coupled to a latched device such that actuation of the control mechanism tenses the control cable assembly and releases the latched device; and the tension compensation device freely reciprocating with the first and second cables when the tension of the inner cables is below a predetermined threshold, one of the end pieces coming into contact with its stop and the spring compressing to effectively increase the overall length of the control cable when the tension of the cables exceeds the threshold.