Pass-through ratcheting mechanism
AssigneeMeta Platforms Technologies, LLC
InventorsJason Howard, Thomas Christopher Frey, Karthik Kadirvel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The disclosed adjustable strap apparatus may include a left strap having a first rack member and a right strap having a second rack member. An electrical unit may have an opening through which a shaft passes. A pinion member may be affixed to a proximal end of the shaft and may be adapted to (a) engage the first rack member and the second rack member and (b) translate the first rack member and the second rack member in opposite directions via rotation of the shaft. A ratcheting member may be coupled to a distal end of the shaft and may include one or more pawls adapted to prevent rotation of the shaft when engaged. Various other methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed.
Claims20
A pre-assembled housing apparatus comprising:
- a ratcheting member coupled to a distal end of a shaft, the ratcheting member comprising one or more pawls;
- a monolithic rear housing comprising an integral internal gear adapted to engage the one or more pawls, the one or more pawls resisting rotation of the shaft when engaged with the integral internal gear;
- and
- a knob coupled to the ratcheting member and comprising an internal recess, wherein the ratcheting member and the integral internal gear of the monolithic rear housing are positioned within the internal recess of the knob,
- wherein the knob is positioned at a rear of the monolithic rear housing,
- wherein the ratcheting member, the monolithic rear housing, and the knob are in a pre-assembled configuration prior to a coupling of the pre-assembled housing apparatus with a strap housing.
An adjustable strap apparatus comprising:
- a left strap comprising a first rack member;
- a right strap comprising a second rack member;
- a strap housing covering the first rack member and the second rack member;
- a pre-assembled housing apparatus coupled to the strap housing, the pre-assembled housing apparatus comprising:
- a monolithic rear housing comprising an integral internal gear;
- a ratcheting member comprising one or more pawls adapted to resist rotation when engaged with the integral internal gear;
- and
- a knob coupled to the ratcheting member, the knob comprising an internal recess, wherein the ratcheting member and the integral internal gear are positioned within the internal recess of the knob,
- wherein the knob is positioned at a rear of the monolithic rear housing,
- wherein the ratcheting member, the monolithic rear housing, and the knob are in a pre-assembled configuration prior to coupling of the pre-assembled housing apparatus with the strap housing;
- a shaft coupled to the ratcheting member;
- and
- a pinion member affixed to the shaft and engaging the first rack member and the second rack member, the pinion member being adapted to translate the first rack member and the second rack member in opposite directions upon rotation of the shaft.
A method of fabricating an adjustable strap apparatus, the method comprising:
- pre-assembling a housing apparatus, comprising:
- coupling a knob to a ratcheting member comprising one or more pawls, the knob including an internal recess;
- coupling a distal end of a shaft to the ratcheting member;
- and
- rotatably coupling the knob and ratcheting member with a monolithic rear housing including an integral internal gear such that the ratcheting member and the integral internal gear are positioned within the internal recess of the knob and the one or more pawls of the ratcheting member are engaged with the integral internal gear, wherein the one or more pawls resist rotation of the shaft when engaged with the integral internal gear, wherein the knob is positioned
- at a rear of the monolithic rear housing;
- and
- coupling the pre-assembled housing apparatus with a strap housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.