Abstract: The fire hose pack roller includes a first embodiment where the device is held in place by a bracket positioned under a vehicle's tire and the weight of the vehicle secures the device for use or in a second embodiment where the device is removably mounted to the vehicle. The hose pack roller device includes a pair of collapsible arms that are unfolded and the fire hose is would around pegs mounted on the arms. The device further includes a set of rollers that squeezes air and water from the hose as it is wound. Once wound the hose is easily folded into a Gansner type pack for storage of the hose. The arms of the device may be folded closed such that the device forms a compact unit for storage. No external power supply is required.

Abstract: A cord winding structure for window blind includes a cord winding assembly composed of a first and a second plate member, a guide rod, a first and a second shaft, a first and a second guiding wheel, and a spiral spring. The first plate member has a guide rod support bracket unit upward projected from one side thereof for supporting the guide rod thereon. The second plate member has a plurality of pulley sets provided thereon. The first and second guiding wheels are rotatably connected to between the first and the second plate member via the first and the second shaft, respectively. The spiral spring is fitted to one side of the second guiding wheel with an end extended to fasten to the first guiding wheel. A first cord is wound around the guide rod, the pulley sets and a first cord receiving groove of the first guiding wheel.

Abstract: A mechanism for storing a length of cord that includes a first and second pair of pulleys mounted at opposite ends of a frame. An intermediate section of a cord is stored in the frame and has one end of the stored section fixed to the frame, with the other end extending from the frame. The stored cord section is at least partially wound over the pair of pulleys, and one pair of pulleys is slidably mounted for motion toward the other pair of pulleys. A damper is coupled to one of the second pair of pulleys, which engages the pulley to rotate about an axis to damp the rotary motion of one of the second pair of pulleys in such a manner that the intermediate storage section is in tension during retraction and withdrawal. The mechanism further includes a solenoid that is activated locally or remotely by a switch.

Abstract: A novel retractable cord reel is disclosed. The retractable cord reel may have a rotating rotatable guide configured to adapt to an expandable wire coil that changes direction within the cord reel. The retractable cord reel may have splices between wire segments that are formed by electrical connectors that are sealed from the environment with an adhesive.

Abstract: A device for evenly winding a hose on a reel is provided, comprising, (1) a static shaft; (2) a pulley, adapted to move along the shaft, in an oscillatory motion in ±x directions, and further adapted to receive the hose, be made to rotate by the hose, and convert a motion of the hose, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the x-axis, to a rotation of the pulley, and as a result of the rotation, to the oscillatory motion in the ±x directions; and (3) a pulley housing, configured for containing the hose within and further configured for moving along the shaft with the pulley, thus ensuring that the hose travels with the pulley, in the oscillatory motion along the shaft. Additionally, the system may include a mechanism, configured for engaging the hose with the shaft, without impeding the even winding motion.

Abstract: Movement of a slot door of a freeze dryer is driven by a rack and pinion actuator. The actuator is easily sanitized and includes internal elements that are accessible to sanitizing sprays. The pinions are driven by pinion shafts that pass through a seal separating an aseptic area from a non-aseptic area where the drive train is positioned. Only rotary motion is transferred across the aseptic barrier, reducing the need for a bellows or sliding covers, which are difficult to sanitize.

Abstract: An irrigation hose guide is provided, including a ground engaging portion; and a revolvable device rotatably mounted on the ground engaging portion about a vertical rotation axis, wherein the revolvable device is configured to accommodate irrigation nodes on an irrigation hose line.

Abstract: The invention provides a fuel tanker truck accessory and a method of delivering fuel to a storage tank. The accessory is intended for permanently mounting on the truck and has a spool containing a roll of warning strap. The method includes attaching a plurality of the accessories containing rolls of warning strap to the fuel tanker truck; stationing the fuel tanker truck near the storage tank; extending one or more of the warning straps from the spools so as to define a fuel delivery operations area between the tanker truck and the storage tank and restrict passage therethrough; connecting a fuel delivery hose from the tanker truck to the storage tank so that the hose extends through the fuel delivery operations area; and delivering fuel through the hose to the storage tank.

Abstract: A system for storing, rotating and feeding a high pressure hose. A first portion of the hose is disposable about the drum and a guide arm engages a second portion of the hose. An actuator assembly rotates a cage and the guide arm so that the guide arm rotates relative to the cage such that the hose is rotated. Relative rotation in one direction causes the first portion of the hose to uncoil from the drum and displace along the guide arm and causes a third portion of the high pressure hose in an output port to displace out of the output port away from the guide arm. Relative rotation in an opposite direction causes the second portion of the high pressure hose to coil about the drum and causes the third portion of the high pressure hose to displace into the housing.

Abstract: A device for skimming the surface of the water in a swimming pool or the like, in a single, generally sweeping motion and thereby collecting most all of the debris floating on or near the surface of the pool into one spot where it may be lifted and removed from the pool. The system incorporates a long rectangular section of netting that is wound onto a cylindrical reel and contained on a vertically oriented cylindrical axel. The cylindrical axel and reel are mounted by brackets or weights to the side of the pool. The cylindrically wound netting may be drawn out from the fixed cylinder mounted on the side of the pool through a slot in a pivoting debris deflector positioned on the same cylindrical axel. One end of the long rectangular section of netting may be fixed to a second smaller cylinder or pipe which serves to keep the net from being drawn completely into the enclosure comprising the cylindrical reel.

Abstract: A very lightweight long-range extending member formed from assembled tapes. The strength of an extended structure can be greatly increased by forming a composite structure from individual single tapes. This invention describes various composite structures and the means for forming them.

Abstract: An electric vehicle powered by a trailing cable, the vehicle including a cable guide for guiding cable onto a reel as the cable is paid out and taken up. The cable guide comprises a pair of adjacent, double flanged concave rollers in alignment with each other so that their respective flanges are spaced apart by only a small distance substantially less than the cable diameter so that an essentially closed circular path is defined by the concave surfaces of the adjacent rollers so that the cable can not escape the rollers, each of the rollers including a polyurethane core that is hard and slick that creates a natural bearing surface, and an outer portion made of softer polyurethane than the core that aids in gripping and guiding the cable onto the cable reel.

Abstract: A freeze dryer comprises a chamber having a rectangular slot through which vials are inserted into the chamber. An assembly for loading and/or unloading the chamber comprises a transfer bar extending across the slot. The bar is pivotally attached at each end to first and second flat springs, each spring being wound on a respective rotatably mounted spool located proximate the slot. Drive means are provided for synchronously rotating the spools to effect movement of the bar into or out from the chamber and for selectively rotating the spools to raise or lower the bar.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a tape-winding apparatus utilizing an adhesive tape-supplying device. The tape winding apparatus provides a smooth and a good appearance winding of the adhesive tape, which has a high extensibility and high adherence, around an object such as an electrical wire without stretch of the adhesive tape and difficulty of winding off the adhesive tape. The adhesive tape-supplying device includes an axle for rotatably supporting an adhesive tape reel; a rotating disk having the axle at the center thereof; a one-way bearing projecting near from an outer circumference of the rotating disk; and rotating means for rotating the one-way bearing and the rotating disk. The adhesive tape-supplying device includes a guide member disposed near the outer circumference of the rotating disk for accepting the adhesive tape from the one-way bearing.

Abstract: A system and methods for airborne launch and recovery of aircraft. In one embodiment the system comprises a flexible tether configured to be towed behind an airborne mother ship. A drag device is secured to a distal end of the flexible tether to generate drag and maintain tension in the flexible tether. A reel associated with the mother ship anchors a proximal portion of the flexible tether and selectively lets out and takes up the flexible tether to adjust a length of the flexible tether. A capture mechanism associated with the aircraft engages the flexible tether to enable the aircraft to translate along the flexible tether. In embodiments of the present methods, a flexible tether is deployed from an airborne mother ship. An aircraft translates forward and rearward along the flexible tether. Prior to launch, the weight of the aircraft is transferred from the flexible tether to the wings. During recovery, the weight of the aircraft is transferred from the wings to the flexible tether.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward apparatus and methods for rolling and distribution of fencing material, and is particularly suited for flexible fencing such as metal and plastic fencing, whether linked, boxed, webbed, barbed, electrified, or otherwise configured. The apparatus of the invention can be mounted on a skid loader, tractor, or other lifting vehicle, whether onto the bucket attachment or onto the forklift attachment of such a lifting vehicle. The apparatus has a wrapping shaft that is pivotally or hingedly mounted to supporting framework. The shaft is connected to a motor for powered rotation of the shaft. The apparatus also has one or more tensioning rollers that flatten the fencing and position it during uptake or distribution of fencing by the wrapping roller. The supporting framework has guides that orient and position the fencing as it passes through the apparatus. The invention also provides methods of recovering, as well as distributing, fencing using the apparatus.

Abstract: A hitch alignment device for aligning a ball and socket of a ball and socket type hitch is disclosed. The alignment device includes a base with a winch and pivotable cable guide mounted on it. The cable guide includes a plate with an arm extending outwardly from it at an angle and an adjustable leg extending outwardly from the arm. A pulley is mounted on the leg and a cable is connected to the winch at one end, is threaded around the pulley and then through holes in the socket and ball of the hitch and is then secured. The cable is wound onto the winch to draw the ball and socket together. The cable guide can be extended and pivoted so that the pulley and therefore the cable is brought into sufficient alignment with the socket on the trailer that undue strain is not placed on the alignment device as the cable is wound onto the winch.

Abstract: A concentric tape applicator has a support shaft that defines an axis and includes a structure for supporting a tape pad for rotation with the support shaft about the axis. Guide rollers are mounted on the support shaft for rotation concentrically about the axis for guiding tape from the tape pad for application to an elongated member advancing along the axis relative to the support shaft. A drive is directly coupled to the guide elements. A differential clutch is provided that has an input shaft directly coupled to the drive and an output shaft coupled to the support shaft for applying braking forces to the pad. A feedback circuit is provided for sensing the speed of rotation of the pad and applying a feedback signal to the clutch for regulating the excitation of the clutch to maintain a substantial uniform tension on the tape dispensed from the pad so potentially independently of the amount of tape remaining on the pad.

Abstract: A device for storing a cable, especially an electric cable in a cable drum of a vacuum cleaner. The device including a pendulous body with reels mounted on an axle and a supply space. The supply space has the reels arranged on the entry side to guide the cable to the pendulous body. The pendulous body having at least a first and at least a second reel between which the cable can be guided as the pendulous object swings around the axle.

Abstract: A hose reel device includes a casing and a rotatable member having a mandrel is rotatably connected to a side of the casing. A first passage is defined through a wall of the casing so that the hose is wrapped around the mandrel via the first passage. A roller and a cam are respectively received in an opening defined in an outer surface of the casing and communicating with the first passage. The cam is connected to a lever on the side of the casing so that a gap between the roller and the cap can be adjusted by pivoting the lever. The water in the hose can be squeezed out by adjusting the gap.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing a vacuum hose and a pressure hose of a carpet cleaning system to a support. In one embodiment, the support is secured to a railing structure of a building or dwelling. The vacuum hose and pressure hose are extended from a base unit to the support which is secured to the railing structure. Both the vacuum hose and the pressure hose are secured or clamped within the support such that both hoses are supported and held intermediately between the base unit and an application wand. This method of supporting vacuum and pressure hoses of a carpet cleaning system is particularly useful when cleaning floors and carpets on levels above ground.

Abstract: A hose winder includes a frame, and a hose guiding device which is prefabricated and disposed in a chamber of the frame. The hose guiding device includes a first roller mounted on a first shaft, and a second roller mounted on a second shaft. The first shaft is slidably disposed in a first inclined track. The second shaft is slidably disposed in a second inclined track. The distance between two corresponding points of the two inclined tracks is variable, thereby enabling hoses of various specifications to be reeled out and reeled in between the first roller and the second roller.

Abstract: A portable or travelling transporting device for winding material usable as a hose truck has a frame (3), to which are fitted a travelling mechanism (4) with ground wheels (6) for moving on a ground surface, as well as a hose winding drum. The ground wheels (6) rotating on moving the hose truck can be brought into driving connection with the winding drum by means of a force transfer means (25) constructed as a flat gear. A slip clutch (46) located in the force transfer path ensures that during the advance of the hose truck a laid out hose can be wound onto the winding drum with a limited winding force appropriate for troublefree, compact winding on.

Abstract: A wire fence roller apparatus includes a framework, a rotatable elongated drum, a pair of guide plates, and a wire guiding arrangement. The drum is mounted to a pivotal end portion of the framework for undergoing pivotal movement therewith. The drum is thus swingable with the pivotal end portion of the framework toward and away from a stationary end portion of the framework so as to dispose the drum in an operative position wherein the drum extends between and is rotatably mounted to the opposite end portions of the framework to permit winding or unwinding of wire fence about or from the drum with rotation of the drum and in an inoperative position wherein the drum is released from and angularly displaced away from the stationary end portion of the framework to permit loading and unloading of the wire fence onto and from the drum.

Abstract: The invention is a retractable hose guide for guiding a hose through and around gardens, flowerbeds and other yard emplacements. The retractable hose guide is permanently placed in the ground. It overcomes the problems of being a permanent obstacle in the yard, of being susceptible to damage, of having to be removed after each use, or of presenting a safety hazard. A hose may be moved freely around the yard, being guided by the retractable hose guide, thus avoiding damage either to the hose or to the landscaping. The retractable hose guide is placed in the stored position by pressing on the cover by hand or foot, compressing the spring and allowing the spool to be hidden in the body. The retractable hose guide is secured in place by engaging bayonet tabs into bayonet sockets by a simple twist of the cover by hand or foot.

Abstract: A coiled tubing rig is operable to simultaneously translate and rotate coiled tubing in a borehole.

Abstract: A tube receiver has a winding disk and a body. The winding disk is extended with a shaft which is capable of being engaged to the body. Therefore, the winding disk pivotally rotates along the body. The shaft has an annular buckling groove at an end passing through the body. A slidable buckle installed at the body is configured with respect to the buckling groove of the shaft. The buckle has a flange. The flange is engaged to the buckling groove of the shaft for confining the axial position of the shaft. As the flange of the buckle separates from the buckling groove of the shaft, the winding disk will separate from the body.

Abstract: A recovery device particularly useful in confined space and remote rescues. The recovery device includes a base plate, a winch coupled to the base plate, and an anchoring plate coupled to the base plate to detachably couple the base plate to an object that will support the recovery. A cord is attached to the winch to raise or lower the load to or from the recovery device or object. A guide roller assembly is coupled to the base plate to guide the cord and reduce the amount of friction on the cord that occurs when raising a load with the winch.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable pulling apparatus suitable for mounting in an exit pit during installation of a pipeline. A portable pulling apparatus of the invention includes an elongated stake having a lower end portion configured for insertion into the ground and an upper end portion. A winch including a pulling cable is mounted on the upper end portion of the stake by a suitable fixture. The winch can then operate to exert a horizontal pulling force on a cable and is secured against movement when the lower end portion of the stake is inserted into the ground. Such a pulling apparatus can be used in a method of installing an underground pipe according to the invention.