Abstract: Disclosed is a complex sampling apparatus. The complex sampling apparatus includes a main sampling unit having a predetermined weight to be sunk to sea floor and inserted into the sea floor in order to collect a sample including a sediment; one or a plurality of sub-sampling unit disposed at a side of the main sampling unit to detect that the sub-sampling unit arrives on the sea floor and to scrape a predetermined amount of the sample from a surface of the sea floor; and an image acquiring unit installed to the main sampling unit to acquire an image of the sea floor.

Abstract: A grapple carriage for logging having at least two articulated arms, each arm comprising a vertical movement actuator to control vertical movement of the arm, and a horizontal movement actuator to control horizontal movement of the arm.

Abstract: An apparatus orients to a vertical position a precast wall panel formed in a horizontal position. The panel has holes formed in opposite sides thereof. The apparatus includes an overhead crane having a pair of suspended hooks and a lifting beam assembly suspended from the crane hooks. The lifting beam assembly includes a pair of oppositely facing pin carriages each having a pin adapted to be received in one of the panel holes. The lifting beam assembly further includes a motorized drive mechanism for displacing the pin carriages toward and away from each other along the length of the lifting beam. Displacing the pin carriages toward each other along the length of the lifting beam allows the pins to align with and engage the panel holes. Raising the crane hooks orients the wall panel in a vertical position.

Abstract: A cable attachment assembly, a hoist and a transportation system using the cable attachment assembly. The cable attachment assembly including: a plate pivotable about a first axis; first and second pivot assemblies pivotable about respective second and third axes, the first, second and third axes parallel to each other; a first cable retainer in the first pivot assembly, the first cable retainer adapted to rotateably retain an end of a first cable in the first cable pivot assembly, the first cable rotatable about a fourth axis; a second cable retainer in the second pivot assembly, the second cable retainer adapted to rotateably retain an end of a second cable in the second pivot assembly, the second cable rotatable about a fifth axis; wherein the fourth and fifth axes parallel to each other and the fourth and fifth axes are perpendicular to the first, second and third axis.

Abstract: A grappling carriage that is relatively lightweight and adapted to forcefully close first and second grapple legs with a log or a bundle of logs contained therein. The grappling carriage has a self-contained power supply that is remotely controlled by the operator. The grappling carriage is sufficiently lightweight to operate in a variety of cabling topographies given the relatively lighter weight of the unit.

Abstract: A remote-controlled grapple carriage picks up and transports logs along a skyline cable. The grapple carriage is designed to enable logs positioned laterally with respect to the skyline cable without any assistance from a logger at the logs. The grapple carriage includes a motor carriage rotatably coupled to a skyline coupler slidably coupled to the skyline cable. In addition, the grapple carriage includes a boom pivotally coupled at a proximal end to the motor carriage and coupled at a distal end to a grapple. The grapple is rotatably and pivotally coupled to the boom in a manner that enables the grapple to pick up and transport logs to a landing. The various pivotal and/or rotatable couplings of the elements of the grapple carriage enable the grapple to reach logs positioned laterally of the skyline cable in a safe and efficient manner.

Abstract: A time saving automatic hydraulic control for that sequence in operations in which a grab excursioning out of sight of the operator, is sequentially lowered open to engage work material, closed to pick up a load, and then hoisted with its load and emptied. A logic circuit is activated to stop the lowering within an adjustable timed period after initial work engagement to provide desired penetration of the work material by the grab followed by a minimal time for grab closing to provide an adjustable constancy of loads and a positive sequential control for the lowering and hoisting modes.

Abstract: A scissors-type, free-fall grab is disclosed for picking up ground samples from a sea bed. The grab includes two grab halves which may pivot relative to one another. A transverse bar engages the upper ends of the grab halves to hold the grab in its opened position. This transverse bar is attached by a cable arrangement to a buoyancy member. Upward movement of the buoyancy member causes the transverse bar to become disengaged from the upper ends of the grab halves and forces the grab halves to move to their closed position. The grab carried weights which fall off of the grab as the grab moves from its opened to its closed position.

Abstract: Method of storing and transporting individual paper sheets abutting against each other to form a staple of sheets, in which a precompressed staple of sheets resting between upright support members on a support surface of a first magazine is gripped at opposite ends by clamping jaws of a gripper, which compresses the staple further to a self-supporting body, whereafter the body is lifted from between the support members of the first magazine and transported between support members of a second magazine, spaced from the first, at which the body is then relaxed by removing the clamping jaws; and an arrangement for carrying out the method.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a novel self-aligning swivel apparatus which is adapted for attaching a grapple to a manipulating means such as a log loader boom or yarding carriage. The swivel comprises upper and lower portions interconnected by pivot means to provide rotatable freedom therebetween. The upper portion is interconnected to the grapple manipulating means and the grapple is operatively connected to the lower portion in radial spaced relation from the axis of the pivot means. The pivot axis of the swivel is inclined toward the self-aligned position of the grapple with respect to the manipulating means. This position is defined as that which attains when the pivotal axis intersects a substantially vertical axis passing through the center of gravity of the grapple.