European Components Co. Limited

Rock Extraction Limited

Ian Dawson

Harry Hanna

Falko Pfeuffer

Stephen Jackman

A retractor engagement mechanism for locking a shaft against rotation relative to a frame, the mechanism comprising a pawl 7 mounted eccentrically on the shaft so as to rotate therewith and being moveable into engagement with ratchet teeth 9 on the frame. Lock gear 4 is selectively rotatable with the shaft and a cam-follower connection between lock gear 4 and pawl 7, to cam pawl 7 into engagement when lock gear 4 is prevented from rotating with the shaft, for example by a sensor mechanism. A pivotally mounted counterbalancing mass 10 which preferably pivots substantially co-axially with the shaft is provided to apply to pawl 7 a torque which opposes movement into engagement, thereby to delay that engagement.

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Belfast, United Kingdom

Ian Dawson