Abstract: A rail clamp comprises a frame and a pair of levers. Each of the levers has a brake pad at a first end thereof, a cam follower at second end thereof, and is mounted to the frame by a pivot disposed between said first and second ends. A cam is disposed between the levers and a spring biases the cam in a first direction. A clamp release actuator is operable to displace the cam in a second direction. The second direction is opposite to the first direction. A pair of variably sloped cam surfaces are disposed on opposite sides of the cam. Each of the variably sloped cam surfaces is in contact with the cam follower of a corresponding one of the levers, and each of the variably sloped cam surfaces has a slope which varies to counteract variations in a spring force of the spring as the cam is displaced, thereby maintaining a constant clamping force.

Abstract: A crane wheel brake having a pair of brake shoes at opposite sides of a crane wheel. Each of the brake shoes has a brake pad, a brake pad guide roller, and a spring for biasing the brake pad guide roller to project beyond the brake pad towards the wheel. The brake pad guide roller is located in a central portion of the brake shoe. The wheel brake includes a pair of brake levers and a braking force generator. Each of the brake levers has a first end pivotally connected to a respective one of the brake shoes and a second end pivotally connected to a respective side of the braking force generator. Each brake lever is pivotally mounted by a fulcrum intermediate its first and second ends. The wheel presses against the brake pad guide roller on either one of the brake shoes and causes the wheel brake to pivot about the fulcrums to maintain a clearance between the brake pads and the wheel.

Abstract: A crane wheel brake having a pair of brake shoes at opposite sides of a crane wheel. Each of the brake shoes has a brake pad, a brake pad guide roller and a spring for biasing the brake pad guide roller to project beyond the brake pad towards the wheel. The brake pad guide roller is located in a central portion of the brake shoe. The wheel brake includes a pair of brake levers and a braking force generator. Each of the brake levers has a first end pivotally connected to a respective one of the brake shoes and a second end pivotally connected to a respective side of the braking force generator. Each brake lever is pivotally mounted by a fulcrum intermediate its first and second ends. The wheel presses against the brake pad guide roller on either one of the brake shoes and causes the wheel brake to pivot about the fulcrums to maintain a clearance between the brake pads and the wheel.

Abstract: A spring-actuated, hydraulically releasable brake has a brake disc extending between first and second brake pads, a spring assembly urging the first pad towards the brake disc, a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly for causing a brake releasing displacement of the first pad from the brake disc against the action of the spring assembly and a brake wear adjustment mechanism including an adjustable connection between the first brake pad and the piston and cylinder assembly, a force transmitting motion amplifier responsive to the releasing displacement, a rotatably adjustable connection provided between the piston and the first brake pad and operatively controlled by the force transmitting motion amplifier and a lost motion connection and a one-way clutch between the motion amplifier and the adjustable connection.

Abstract: A cable winding mechanism and method employ a cable reel having a hub portion having an axis of rotation and first, second and third sets of spokes extending radially outwardly from the hub portion, with the second spoke set located between the first and third spoke sets and defining therewith first and second winding gaps, respectively, for accommodating respective monospiral windings of a cable. A drive rotates the cable reel about the axis of rotation of the hub portion and a cable deflector guides cable into the first and second winding gaps during the winding of the cable on the reel. The second set of spokes is interrupted by a cross-over gap at which the cable can extend between the first and second winding gaps and the cable deflector is displaced, in timed relation to the rotation of the reel, so as to guide the cable alternately into the first and second winding gaps and through the cross-over gap.

Abstract: A cable reel has first and second sets of spokes extending radially from a hub, the spokes of the first set being spaced axially of the hub from the spokes of the second set so as to snugly accommodate a monospirally-wound cable between the first and second sets. The spokes of the first set are angularly off-set from the spokes of the second set, as viewed axially of the hub, so as to accommodate a splice in the cable between the first and second sets.