Abstract: The main frame of a hand truck is formed with support members on its rear lower side portions which extend angularly upwardly from the bottom thereof. Each of the support members has rollers on the upper and lower ends thereof which provide a track for an endless belt. A pair of movable handles slidably mounted on the sides of the frames are respectively connected to belt grippers on the endless belts. To move a loaded hand truck up a step, the frame is tilted back such that the endless belts contact the corner of a step. By pulling up on the movable handles the operator lifts the truck up the step with a mechanical advantage of two.

Abstract: A spring braking structure for a winch comprises a tubular winch drum having a cylindrical member rotatably mounted therein. A helical spring on an end portion of the cylindrical member has its ends respectively coupled to rotate with the winch drum and the cylindrical member. A support including a brake cylinder is provided for supporting the winch drum with the helical spring inserted in the brake cylinder whose inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the helical spring. The resulting bearing friction of the spring on the inner wall of the brake cylinder locks the winch drum against rotating on the support in one direction only. A rod passes through transverse openings provided on the ends of the rubular winch drum and cylinder member. A turning action in either angular direction on the rod causes the spring to wind up to unlock the winch drum thereby enabling the winch drum to rotate to either take up or pay out a cable wound thereon.