Dual directional cable actuated emergency stop device

A dual directional cable actuated emergency stop device, comprising:

• a housing structure;
• a first shaft assembly slideably disposed within said housing structure, said first shaft assembly being movable relative to said housing structure along a first path in a direction substantially parallel to an axial centerline of said shaft in response to a force exerted by at least one first cable attached to an end of said first shaft assembly;
• a second shaft assembly slideably disposed within said housing structure, said second shaft assembly being movable relative to said housing structure along a second path in a direction substantially parallel to an axial centerline of said second shaft assembly, and opposite movement of said first shaft assembly, in response to a force exerted by at least one second cable attached to an end of said second shaft assembly;
• a switch operator that is movable along a third path between a first position and a second position in response to movement of said first and/or second shaft assembly in either a first direction or a second direction substantially parallel to said first path;
• mechanism for locking said switch operator in said second position after said switch operator moves into said second position;
• and
• at least one electrical switch attached to said housing structure, said at least one electrical switch being actuated when said switch operator is in said second position and deactuated when said switch operator is in said first position.

A cable actuated safety device, comprising:

• a housing structure including a cover having formed thereon a first indicator window and a second indicator window, said first indicator window for providing a user view of a first cam and said second window providing a user view of a second cam, and wherein tension of at least one cable attached to first and/or second shaft assemblies is monitored by location of said first or second cam in said first or second window;
• a first shaft assembly slideably disposed within said housing structure, said first shaft assembly being movable relative to said housing structure along a first path in a direction substantially parallel to an axial centerline of said first shaft assembly in response to a force exerted by a first cable attached to an end of said first shaft assembly;
• a first cam structure having an opening formed therethrough, said opening being shaped to receive said first shaft assembly therein in slideable relation with said first cam structure;
• a second shaft assembly slideably disposed within said housing structure, said second shaft assembly being movable relative to said housing structure along a first path in a direction substantially parallel to an axial centerline of said second shaft assembly in response to a force exerted by a second cable attached to an end of said second shaft assembly;
• a second cam structure having an opening formed therethrough, said opening being shaped to receive said second shaft assembly therein in slideable relation with said second cam structure;
• a switch operator that is movable along a second path between a first position and a second position in response to movement of said first or second cam structure in either a first direction or a second direction;
• mechanism for locking said switch operator in said second position after said switch operator moves into said second position;
• at least one electrical switch attached to said housing structure, said at least one electrical switch being actuated when said switch operator is in said second position and deactuated when said switch operator is in said first position;
• first mechanism for moving said first cam structure in said first direction in order to move said switch operator into said second position in response to said force increasing beyond a first threshold magnitude;
• and
• second mechanism for moving said second cam structure in said second direction in order to move said switch operator into said second position in response to said force decreasing beyond a second threshold magnitude;
• wherein said first mechanism comprises a first enlarged portion of a first shaft that is shaped to urge said first cam structure in said first direction in response to movement of said first shaft assembly in said first direction, said second mechanism comprises a second enlarged portion of a second shaft that is shaped to urge said second cam structure in said second direction in response
• to movement of said second shaft assembly in said second direction.