Abstract: There is provided an engagement chain whose driving force per occupied space is increased, whose durability is improved by reducing stress in a direction of bending a connecting pin and whose engagement noise during driving is reduced. The engagement chain includes a large number of outer and inner link plates, each having hook-like portions, which are connected in a chain longitudinal direction by connecting pins, the large number of outer and inner link plates are connected flexibly without gap in the chain width direction while the back surfaces of the link plates opposite to the hook-like portions engage with driving sprockets.

Abstract: A hoist mechanism for raising an animal carcass off the ground includes a pair of strap assemblies. Each strap assembly includes a first ratchet portion attachable to a support member and a loop assembly for grasping a portion of the animal carcass. A handle is provided on each ratchet strap to raise a portion of the carcass off the ground. By alternately raising different portions of the carcass a given distance above ground level, the carcass can ultimately be raised to a position where it can be positioned on a support surface, for example to a rack that is provided on a vehicle.

Abstract: One disclosed lifting apparatus includes a base, a receiving portion, and a first pair of laterally offset arms. The base has proximal and distal ends, and the laterally offset arms are rotatably coupled to the base for movement between lowered and raised positions. The arms are also rotatably coupled to the receiving portion, and the receiving portion is relatively near the base distal end when the arms are at the lowered position. The arms of the first pair of arms do not share a common axis of rotation with one another. Further, a height of the first pair of arms when at the lowered position is less than the sum of: (a) a thickness of one arm of the first pair of arms; (b) a thickness of the other arm of the first pair of arms; and (c) a height of the base at the distal end.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, the present teachings relate to a paper pushing device. The paper pushing device can include a shaft configured to be received and anchored in an opening of a substrate, for example, a retaining board. The paper pushing device can include a base that extends from the shaft, and a paddle connected to the base at a shoulder. The base can extend in a first direction perpendicular to the shaft and away from the central axis of the shaft, and the paddle can extend in a second direction opposite the first direction and past the central axis of the shaft. Methods are also provided whereby the paper pushing device can be used in various die-cutting and workpiece manipulating operations.

Abstract: A building and grain bin lifting system utilizing a combination of lifting assemblies for lifting building and grain bin components. The lifting assembly includes a mobile supporting structure, a jack disposed within the mobile supporting structure configured to linearly travel, a mounting bracket attached to the jack, connectably interfacing with a building component, an exclusive power source for providing operating power to the jack, an onboard controller enabling selective raise/lower activation of the jack, and a remote control unit in communication with the controller allowing an operator to operate one or more controls associated with the lifting assembly.

Abstract: One disclosed lifting apparatus includes a base, a receiving portion, and a first pair of laterally offset arms. The base has proximal and distal ends, and the laterally offset arms are rotatably coupled to the base for movement between lowered and raised positions. The arms are also rotatably coupled to the receiving portion, and the receiving portion is relatively near the base distal end when the arms are at the lowered position. The arms of the first pair of arms do not share a common axis of rotation with one another. Further, a height of the first pair of arms when at the lowered position is less than the sum of: (a) a thickness of one arm of the first pair of arms; (b) a thickness of the other arm of the first pair of arms; and (c) a height of the base at the distal end.

Abstract: A manhole cover extractor that pulls and lifts weighty horizontal items such as manhole covers and handhold enclosure covers that are lifted perpendicular from one side and pulled from the original position, removed and on same plane able to lift and move cover back to the original setting or simply move cover as to not create a tripping hazard; the tool consists of a T-bar which gives the necessary fulcrum for effortless removal and management of cumbersome manhole covers, the T-bar is comprised with handles to control the load. A polypropylene strap which is doubled back with reinforced cross stitching and J-hook which engages the object(s) listed and the aforementioned polypropylene strap is docked to the T-bar handle. Pneumatic all-terrain tires that are attached to an axle that is secured to the T-bar handle through the A-frame of the dolly.

Abstract: The auto powered jack apparatus provides for selective telescopic extension of the jack shaft. The telescopic jack is especially useful for lifting an auto. The jack is in removable communication with either the air compressor or the electrical inverter, both powered by a cigar lighter plug removably fitted into a cigar lighter. The apparatus also provides for wrenching any given object with the powered handgun shaped wrench. The jack is omni directionally operated so that objects may be separated as chosen and other functions performed with the jack. The inverter converts 12 volt auto power to 120 volt electrical power so that the wrench and jack are able to operate with sufficient power to lift a car and to remove and replace highly torqued auto items such as wheel lug nuts, as compared to 12 volt wrench and jack operations that are typically woefully inadequate when faced with laborious tasks.

Abstract: An apparatus may comprise a lever operable to rotate a crank arm. The apparatus may further comprise a slotted member affixed to an end of the lever. The slotted member may be operable to clip around a first handle of the crank arm. The apparatus may further comprise an alignment member affixed to the lever. The alignment member may comprise a hole that receives a second handle of the crank arm. The apparatus may further comprise a third handle affixed to the lever such that a force applied to the third handle causes the lever to rotate. The rotation of the lever may cause the crank arm to rotate in a particular plane. The third handle may be offset from the particular plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lifting device for raising and lowering loads and to a method for testing and monitoring the lifting device (11), comprising a lifting unit (14) and a support (16) guided by the lifting unit (14), on which support a load-accommodating means (17) can be arranged, a drive unit (25), which moves the load-accommodating means (17) up and down, at least one energy store (29), which supplies at least the drive controller (25) with energy, a charging unit (36) for the at least one energy store (39), at least one actuator (23, 31) and/or at least one sensor (30), by means of which at least one stroke motion of the load-accommodating means (17) can be monitored, and at least one indicating device (49), which indicates at least individual operating states of the lifting device, wherein a drive controller (25) has a control circuit board (33), to which connections (41, 43, 46, 48) of the at least one energy store (29), of the charging unit (36), of the drive unit (15), which comprises at least

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a first engaging surface can be configured to engage a first region of an antler set, and a second engaging surface can be configured to engage a second region of the antler set. A support structure can support the first and second engaging surfaces. The support structure can be configured to adjust a distance between the second engaging surface and the first engaging surface to inhibit shrinking of a distance between the first and second regions of the antler set.

Abstract: A mobile jack is provided for a vehicle the where the mobile jack includes a movable base with a plurality of rollers adapted for moving the jack upon a generally horizontal support surface and positioning the jack under a load. The mobile jack may lift loads using a scissor assembly lying in a vertical plane where the scissor assembly connected between the movable base and an upper platform. Additionally, the mobile jack may include at least one hydraulic cylinder for actuating the scissor assembly. The mobile jack may include a safety lock for locking the upper platform in a lifted position where the lock is movable between at least one locked and unlocked position. When the upper platform is in the lifted position, the lock automatically moves to the locked position so that it cooperates with the scissor assembly to prevent the scissor assembly from lowering independent of the cylinders.

Abstract: A portable lifting apparatus includes a base having a portability system rendering the apparatus movable along a surface; a lift arm connected to the base; a deck to support an object, and being moveably engaged with the lift arm via a lifting system that is adapted to lift the deck along a portion of the lift arm; and a hitch connector, connected to the deck, and adapted to hitch the apparatus to a vehicle hitch receiver. When the apparatus is not hitched, the lifting system can lift the object from a first position to a second position; and when the apparatus is hitched, the lifting system can lift the apparatus above the surface.

Abstract: An adjustable carriage assembly is provided that includes a shaft assembly, a carriage section and a vertical movement section. The carriage section has a centerline and first and second lift pad assemblies operably connected to the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly is configured to translate rotational movement to synchronous movement of the lift pad assemblies. The vertical movement section is connected to the carriage section and is configured to attach to a lift system for raising and lowering the carriage section.

Abstract: A pull lead indicating a pulling direction of the pull lead for a desired operation of a device, the pull lead comprising: a directional indicator selected from the group consisting of a variation in color, a variation in texture, and combinations thereof, so that a pulling direction is indicated for a desired operation of such device.

Abstract: One disclosed lifting apparatus includes a base, a receiving portion, first and second arms, and a support. The base has a proximal end, a distal end, and first and second opposed sides. The first side has a plurality of receiving areas spaced apart between the proximal and distal ends. The arms are rotatably coupled to the base for movement between lowered and raised positions, and are coupled to the receiving portion. The receiving portion is relatively near the base distal end when the first and second arms are at the lowered position, and the receiving portion is relatively distant to the base distal end when the first and second arms are at the raised position. The support rotatably extends from the first arm and automatically engages at least one of the receiving areas when the first and second arms move from the lowered position to the raised position.

Abstract: A push/pull tag line includes an elongated rigid member having a first end and a second end located opposite the first end. A flexible member is coupled to the elongated rigid member and extends from the first end of the elongated rigid member. A load connector is coupled to the second end of the elongated rigid member. The tag line may be coupled to a load using the load connector. A pushing force may then be applied to the rigid member that is directed towards the load, and the rigid member will transmit the pushing force to the load to allow precise positioned of the load.

Abstract: An in-line jack includes a body, an extendable shaft, drive mechanics, and a motor. The body has first and second distal ends. The extendable shaft is movably disposed within the body and has a distal end extending out of the second distal end of the body. The drive mechanics are disposed within the body and are adapted to move the extendable shaft with respect to the body. The motor is mounted at the first distal end of the body and is adapted to selectively drive the drive mechanics. A coupling mechanism can be provided to selectively alternately couple: (i) a planetary gear system associated with the motor to a drive shaft of a jack screw assembly and (ii) a manual crankshaft to the drive shaft to operate the jack manually. The body and the motor each has a generally cylindrical outer surface with an outer diameter equal to or less than about three inches. The body, the jack screw assembly, the coupling mechanism, the planetary gear system, and the motor are substantially axially aligned with each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lifting device, especially a mobile lifting device, for lifting loads, vehicles or the like, said lifting device comprising a lifting column (14), a support (21) which is guided by the lifting column (14) and on which a load carrying means (22) can be arranged, and a drive unit (18) which can be controlled via a control unit (17) and which moves the support (21) up and down in relation to the lifting column (14). The support (21) has a sleeve-type or bullet-type shape and surrounds at least part of the lifting column (14).

Abstract: A hoist for elevating a hunter's tree stand from the ground to a vertical position alongside of the trunk of a tree comprises a segmented, extendable and contractible pole having a tree clamping ring assembly pivotally mounted to the top section of the pole and a V-shaped jaw for engaging the tree trunk near the bottom of the pole. A first rope is tied at one end to the clamping ring assembly and extends down to a retractable reel located near the bottom of the pole. By pulling on this rope, the clamping ring assembly can be pivoted to an angle allowing the ring to pass about the tree trunk and when released, the clamping ring assembly pivots downward under the force of gravity which secures the pole to the tree at its upper end. The clamping ring assembly further includes a pulley, about which a second rope is deployed. One end of the second rope is adapted to be connected to the hunter's tree stand at its upper end and the other end can be pulled on to elevate the tree stand.

Abstract: A safety apparatus (10) includes a frame unit (12) placed on a surface (102). A cable (62) is mounted around a pulley (60) rotatably mounted to the frame unit (12) about a rotation axis (58). A slide (90) is slideably mounted to the frame unit (12) along a slide axis (92) at a non-parallel angle to the rotation axis (58) and movable between upper and lower positions. The cable (62) is attached between the slide (90) and a worker (100) on the surface (102). A biasing member (110) is mounted between the slide (90) and the frame unit (12) and biases the slide (90) from the lower position to the upper position. An engaging member (120) is mounted to the slide (90) to move therewith. The engaging member (120) is above the surface (102) when the slide (90) is in the upper position.

Abstract: A portable lifting apparatus includes a base having a portability system rendering the apparatus movable along a surface; a lift arm connected to the base; a deck to support an object, and being moveably engaged with the lift arm via a lifting system that is adapted to lift the deck along a portion of the lift arm; and a hitch connector, connected to the deck, and adapted to hitch the apparatus to a vehicle hitch receiver. When the apparatus is not hitched, the lifting system can lift the object from a first position to a second position; and when the apparatus is hitched, the lifting system can lift the apparatus above the surface.

Abstract: A portable mechanical lifting and lowering device for mounting in or on a host vehicle with various lifting and lowering configurations that enable the user to lift, lower, move and operate items, equipment and farm style implements using hydraulic, electrical, or other mechanical means of power, including but not limited to a lifting mechanism that mimic's the lifting ability of a farm tractor style three point hitch configuration by attaching to the trailer hitch receiver port of a host vehicle and being operated with an implement attached; and a mechanism that can lift or lower items into the earth, or other surface, in a straight or twisting fashion; and a trailer hitch attachment for a trailer hitch ball that can be easily lifted and lowered; and a crane style mechanism that can lift, lower or move items, all incorporated in this one device.

Abstract: This invention will assist or allow an operator to easily lift a concrete frame panel into position without much risk of personal injury and with greater efficiency of time. A lifting bar is secured to a vertical frame member through openings in the vertical frame members and a crane or forklift is used to lift the panel prior to setting it to form the wall.

Abstract: A floor jack is providing having an integrated tool kit. The floor jack includes a jack body and a tool kit assembly disposed on the jack body for housing tools. The tool kit includes a storage housing pivotally coupled to an exterior side of a sidewall of the jack body. The storage housing defining a plurality of storage locations configured to secure tools, such as a socket wrench and a plurality of sockets such that they are exposed and readily assessable for use.

Abstract: A wheel chair lifting structure to safely accommodate a plurality of wheel chairs sizes and their occupants that includes securing, lifting and lowering devices.

Abstract: A device for adjusting a gun sight disposed in a dovetail groove on a gun slide is presented. The device includes a pushing member having a protrusion and an opening formed for receiving the gun sight therethrough, where the pushing member is movable in a first direction. The device further includes a pressure plate moveable in the first direction and a tail assembly opposing the pressure plate and movable in a second direction, where the tail assembly and the pressure plate are for securing the gun slide therebetween. When the gun slide is secured between the tail assembly and the pressure plate, moving the pushing member moves the gun sight.

Abstract: A two-part tool for lifting from a ground surface a reservoir located substantially adjacent a wall, the reservoir defining a reservoir bottom end supported on the ground surface and a reservoir top end substantially opposed to the reservoir bottom end. The two part-tool includes: a wedge component defining a wedge component first end and a substantially opposed wedge component second end, the wedge component defining opposed first and second contact surfaces each extending between the wedge component first and second ends, the first and second contact surfaces diverging from each other in a direction leading from the wedge component first end toward the wedge component second end; a jack component, the jack component including a base, a lifting member operatively coupled to the base so as to be movable relatively thereto, and an actuator operatively coupled to the lifting member and to the base for selectively moving the lifting member relatively to the base.

Abstract: The present invention which relates to the field of offshore wind turbine installation technology, discloses a wind turbine holding and lifting system for a movable operating platform above water. The wind turbine holding and lifting system comprises a first standing column, a second standing column, a beam lifting device, no less than one beam and enclasping means for holding the wind turbine tower; the first standing column and the second standing column are juxtaposed, and the opposed faces of the first and second standing columns are provided with guiding grooves for sliding the beams; the enclasping means is arranged on the beam, and the two ends of the beam are interfitted within the guiding grooves of the first and second standing columns; the beam lifting device is fixed to the first or second standing column, and the lifting end of the beam lifting device is connected to the beam.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a manual force reduction device for reducing a force required to initiate movement of a load by a separate mechanism. The device can have an energy storage mechanism that has a compressed position and a released position, and the energy storage mechanism can be operable to store a predetermined amount of energy when it is in the compressed position. A latch can be included and be used to hold the energy storage mechanism in the compressed position. At a desired time, a latch release can release the energy storage mechanism from the compressed position such that the predetermined amount of energy is released and transferred to the load.

Abstract: A pull lead indicating a pulling direction of the pull lead for a desired operation of a device, the pull lead comprising: a directional indicator selected from the group consisting of a variation in color, a variation in texture, and combinations thereof, so that a pulling direction is indicated for a desired operation of such device.

Abstract: A protection apparatus for a superconductive magnet unit has a support frame for location relative to a portion of the superconductive magnet unit. The support frame is arranged to carry a buffer for protecting the superconductive magnet unit from a shock load.

Abstract: A lifter of furniture and other loads has a wheel-mounted base comprising a plurality of radially extending beams and a transversely mounted, planar support structure. One of the beams lies within the plane defined by the support structure. The support structure has a bracket extending transversely away from the floor surface and adapted to accept a telescoping support in a sliding fit. The telescoping support lies in the plane of the support structure and is adapted to engage a bottom surface of a furniture load and urge it vertically upward relative to the floor surface. The telescoping support and/or the bracket have at least one transverse bore therewithin to accept a cotter pin therethrough as a locking mechanism. The telescoping support is urged upward by a jack mechanism which may be removable for use with other lifters once the telescoping support is locked into position relative to the bracket.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for lowering a display object in synchronization with a particular timing or event. The display object is lowered by a lifting apparatus. In particular, the display object is a guitar and the lifting apparatus is a crane.

Abstract: An apparatus may comprise a lever operable to rotate a crank arm. The apparatus may further comprise a slotted member affixed to an end of the lever. The slotted member may be operable to clip around a first handle of the crank arm. The apparatus may further comprise an alignment member affixed to the lever. The alignment member may comprise a hole that receives a second handle of the crank arm. The apparatus may further comprise a third handle affixed to the lever such that a force applied to the third handle causes the lever to rotate. The rotation of the lever may cause the crank arm to rotate in a particular plane. The third handle may be offset from the particular plane.

Abstract: A bed 14 has a base frame 32, an elevateable frame 34 and a telescopable column 36 having a base segment 36a connected to the base frame 32 and a terminal segment 36e connected to the elevateable frame 34. Each column circumscribes a lift chain assembly 100 which includes a magazine 102 and a lift chain 160 with a terminal link 240. The magazine 102 is connected to either the base frame 32 or the elevateable frame 34 and the terminal link 240 is connected to the other of the base frame 32 and the elevateable frame 34. The magazine 102 comprises left and right magazine covers 104, 106 each having an outer face and an inner face 112, 114 with grooves 120. The lift chain 160 has left and right rollers 238 that project into the grooves. The lift chain assembly 100 also includes a gear train 320 extending from a gear train drive shaft 334 to a gear train output shaft 338 and a motor 278 having an output shaft 314 connected to the gear train drive shaft 334.

Abstract: A building and grain bin lifting system utilizing a combination of lifting assemblies for lifting building and grain bin components. The lifting assembly includes a mobile supporting structure, a jack disposed within the mobile supporting structure configured to linearly travel, a mounting bracket attached to the jack, connectably interfacing with a building component, an exclusive power source for providing operating power to the jack, an onboard controller enabling selective raise/lower activation of the jack, and a remote control unit in communication with the controller allowing an operator to operate one or more controls associated with the lifting assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying or removing rail clips to secure a rail onto a rail tie including a frame, an operator workstation disposed on the frame, at least one workhead assembly constructed and arranged to move relative to the frame, at least one fastener assembly disposed on the workhead assembly, and at least one paddle assembly disposed on the workhead assembly for working in conjunction with the fastener assembly to push a clip in position for holding the rail to the tie.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for weighing a section of a structure (1). The system comprises at least one hydraulic weight sensor device (3), adapted to be placed in at least one slot (2) under the section, a pressure sensor (7) for measuring the pressure in the at least one weight sensor device (3), and a hydraulic system comprising at least one pump unit (5) and at least one valve unit (6) for pumping hydraulic fluid to and from the at least one hydraulic weight sensor device (3) through a hydraulic line (4). The system further comprises a distance sensor (10) for measuring the height of the slot (2), a control circuit device (20) for calculating the weight of the section based on measured data received from the pressure sensor (7), and for balancing the section on the basis of the measured data received from the pressure sensor (7) and the distance sensor (10) by controlling the pump unit (5) and the valve unit (6).

Abstract: There is provided an engagement chain whose driving force per occupied space is increased, whose durability is improved by reducing stress in a direction of bending a connecting pin and whose engagement noise during driving is reduced. The engagement chain includes a large number of outer and inner link plates, each having hook-like portions, which are connected in a chain longitudinal direction by connecting pins, the large number of outer and inner link plates are connected flexibly without gap in the chain width direction while the back surfaces of the link plates opposite to the hook-like portions engage with driving sprockets.

Abstract: A card puller is usable for retrieving a card from a card pocket. The card puller has an elongated handle and a gripping surface. The gripping surface is disposed near one end of the elongated handle. The gripping surface against the card has a sufficient coefficient of friction to pull the card from the card pocket as the elongated handle is withdrawn from the card pocket.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a vehicle jack include a base, an upright support mounted adjacent to and extending upwardly from the base, a toothed rack, a toothed bar pin, and a release handle. The toothed rack has a first end and a second end and defines a plurality of ratchet troughs therebetween, and the toothed rack is mounted adjacent the upright support. The ratchet assembly is adapted to move along a path defined by the upright support, and the toothed bar pin, which is mounted adjacent the ratchet assembly, is adapted to selectively engage a portion of the toothed rack adjacent one of the plurality of ratchet troughs as the ratchet assembly moves along the path. The release handle is mounted adjacent the second end of the toothed rack, and the release handle is adapted to selectively disengage the toothed bar pin from one of the plurality of ratchet troughs.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a first engaging surface can be configured to engage a first region of an antler set, and a second engaging surface can be configured to engage a second region of the antler set. A support structure can support the first and second engaging surfaces. The support structure can be configured to adjust a distance between the second engaging surface and the first engaging surface to inhibit shrinking of a distance between the first and second regions of the antler set.

Abstract: A snubbing jack includes a first telescopic member and a second telescopic member. A stationary plate and a movable plate are affixed to the telescopic members. The movable plate moves away from the stationary plate upon expansion of the telescopic member and moves toward the stationary plate upon contraction of the telescopic members. An intermediate plate is removably secured between the stationary plate and the movable plate.

Abstract: A vertical lift mechanism (100, 100a, 100b) including: a lift support assembly (102) comprising an upper frame member (104), a lower frame member (106), the upper frame member is movable between a lowered position and a lifted position. The lift support assembly additionally includes a support mechanism (150) that holds and maintains the alignment between the upper frame member and a lower frame member as well as a powering unit to cause movement of the upper frame.

Abstract: A lifting system (1) for lifting loads, for example for lifting and recovering an aircraft (2) following an accident is provided, and has a lift (6) which can be positioned underneath a load, in particular underneath a wing (5) of an aircraft. The lift (6) has at least three lifting cylinders (8) or similar lifting elements and a docking head (9) for coupling to a load receiving point. A measurement system is provided in order to detect the position of the docking head (9) and to measure the load vector that occurs at the docking head (9). A control device is connected to the measurement system, for mutually independent, load controlled or movement controlled confirmation of the individual lifting cylinder drives.

Abstract: A winch has a color area or other indicium that indicates whether an elongate member extending from winch spool is or is not tensioned. The winch includes a biasing member between a winch drive system and the spool that allows only limited rotation of the spool relative to the drive system. Movement of the drive system relative to the winch spool causes the indicium to signal that the elongate member is under tension.

Abstract: A lift measurement system is provided for determining a position of a load during a lift operation. The system includes a display that includes a scale and encloses a movable indicator that moves relative to the scale. A linkage is in communication with the load and the scale, such that movement of the load is translated to movement of the indicator relative to the scale to provide an indication of the position of the load. A plurality of displays and linkages may be installed at various load support zones such that the relative position of the corresponding indicators provides feedback related to the orientation of the load.

Abstract: A system for raising and lowering a wide range of objects on an elongated tubular structure includes a carriage subsystem with a tubular body having an interior central channel an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the elongated tubular structure. Rollers facilitate linear translation of the tubular body along the elongated tubular structure. At least one hook is pivotally mounted on the tubular body and configured to controllably engage a means for locking the carriage in a raised position. The carriage subsystem also includes a flange for attaching an object to the carriage subsystem. A winch and cable control motion of the carriage system between a lowered position adjacent to the base and a raised position adjacent to the top of the tubular structure. A collar attached to the top of the tubular structure includes a tubular body with an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the tubular body of the carriage subsystem.

Abstract: A device for lifting office partitions sufficiently to allow floor tiles upon which the partitions normally rest to be replaced, without disassembling the partitions, employs L-shaped brackets having horizontally extending tabs which may be wedged beneath the partitions. A manually reciprocated handle pumps fluid into a cylinder to force a piston outwardly so that the piston rod rotates a lever to lift the brackets and raise the partitions.