The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 16, 1998
Filed:
Jan. 31, 1997
Harry Hanna, Craigavon, GB;
Ian Dawson, Belfast, GB;
European Components Co. Limited, Belfast, GB;
Abstract
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.