Device Or Member For Contacting And Guiding Moving Cable Patents (Class 254/389)
  • Publication number: 20090072208
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for guiding the bolt rope of a sail. The inventive device (6) comprises two curved jaws (9, 10) which are fixed to one another around a pivot point (11). The first jaw (9) is equipped with an inward-facing extension (12) comprising a flat portion (13) and a recess (14). The second jaw comprises a U-shaped locking buckle which is mounted such that the ends thereof can pivot around a position of equilibrium. According to the invention, when the device is in the closed position, the middle portion of the buckle is engaged in the recess so that the jaws are held together and, when the device is in the open position, the middle portion of the buckle rests on the flat portion of the extension so that the jaws are kept at a distance from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: WICHARD
    Inventor: Sebastien Tardif
  • Publication number: 20090065751
    Abstract: A system is described for handling a wire, a chain, a cable, etc. (12) onboard a vessel, comprising a number of winches (10) to pull in and let out said wire, chain, etc. (12), and also a number of tow pins (14) and shark jaws (16), mounted in an area at the stern of the vessel, and which is arranged to guide and/or to hold said wire, chain, etc. (12) that runs from or to said winches (10). The system further comprises at least one centring device (18) arranged between said tow pins (14) and shark jaws (16) and winches (10), preferably adjoining said tow pins (14) and shark jaws (16), where the centring device (18) comprises at least two guiding plates (20) that can be raised and lowered and which are arranged to guide and possibly to hold said wire, chain, etc. (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Arild Overa, Per Huse
  • Publication number: 20090014699
    Abstract: A guide adapted to retain a flexible member can include a body defining an arcuate intermediate portion extending between a first end and a second end. The arcuate intermediate portion can define a generally unshaped cross-section. The intermediate portion can define a throat adapted to slidably capture the flexible member. A mounting aperture can be defined through the first end. At least one finger can be formed on the body. The finger can extend toward the throat and is adapted to retain the flexible member within the throat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Curtis Wenger, James R. Kraft
  • Patent number: 7419137
    Abstract: A feed control assembly for feeding a cable on to a rotatable reel has a primary guide for controlling the location of the cable as it feeds on to the reel, and a drive assembly arranged to reciprocate the primary guide means as the cable feeds through the primary guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: IB Supplies PTY Ltd.
    Inventor: Ian Charles Boon
  • Patent number: 7401766
    Abstract: The invention provides a “change of direction” device for use by a law enforcement technician. The device can be readily and easily attached to a building element and will allow the technician to pass a rope, wire or cable therethrough so that the rope, wire or cable can be pulled by the technician after one end has been attached to a hazardous item of concern. The change of direction device (CODD) would be positioned within the building at strategic locations where it is clear that the item of concern will have to change directions as it is being pulled from the location at which it was found. The invention provides several embodiments of the CODD for attachment to a wall, to a door hinge, or under the bottom edge of a door. Each CODD is simple in construction and is of such a nature that it can be positioned at the desired location without any preparation having to be done. In the case of the door and hinge CODD's they can be removed at a later point in time for re-use if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Her Majesty TheQueen in Right of Canada as Represented by The Solictor General of Canada
    Inventors: Mike Schorloff, Gary Marino, Derek R. Ivany
  • Publication number: 20080128669
    Abstract: A rope control device comprising a main part and a bar part. The main part defines a central opening, first and second side portions, first and second end portions, at least one projection portion extending from each end portion, and a friction surface formed at junctures of each end portion and the at least one projection portion adjacent thereto. The bar part is pivotably attached to the first side portion. The bar part may be in a closed position in which the bar part engages the second side portion of the main part. The rope control device may be in an open configuration in which the bar part does not engage the second side portion. When the bar part is in the closed position, the main part and the bar part define first and second opening portions of the central opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: Rick Lipke
  • Publication number: 20080116161
    Abstract: A crane includes a boom and boom pivoting mast connected to a swivel body so as to be pivotable, a boom pivoting winch for pivoting the boom, and a main hoisting winch and auxiliary hoisting winch for hoisting up and hoisting down a hanging load. The main and auxiliary hoisting winches are mounted on the boom, while the boom pivoting winch is mounted on the boom pivoting mast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Hitoshi KUROTSU, Kazumi HIGASHITANI
  • Patent number: 7007927
    Abstract: An apparatus for the controlled lowering to the ground of a cut portion of a tree includes a rope and an anchor having an arrangement of guiding protuberances., each guiding protuberance including a bearing surface frictionally engaging and redirecting the rope without the rope fully encompassing any portion of the anchor including any of the guiding protuberances. Three guiding protuberances define a triangular arrangement. Of the three, a first guiding protuberance is disposed in proximity to an intermediate guiding protuberance defining a segment of a rope path therebetween, and a second guiding protuberance is disposed in proximity to the intermediate guiding protuberance defining another segment of the rope path therebetween without the segments crossing. A mounting member is attachable to the tree and a guiding member is pivotally connected to the mounting member along a pivot axis and includes an arrangement of guiding protuberances generally extending to each side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventor: D. Carl Halas
  • Patent number: 6871841
    Abstract: A tire lift winch unit includes a depending cable connected through a plastic bushing to an adapter supporting a spare tire and wheel assembly for movement between an elevated stored position an a lower ground engaging position. A secondary support system includes a tubular support bracket enclosing a tubular shell and latch mechanism with a latch body supporting retractable latch blades biased by corresponding springs confined with opposing slots within the latch body and blades. The shell depends from the latch body and has a bottom flange supporting a conical washer engaging the adapter, and a tubular latch release pin extends within the shell. A conical compression spring biases the latch system downwardly within the support bracket to hold the blades retracted for clearing the bracket when the tire and wheel assembly are removed from the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Deuer Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Fernando M. Brestelli, Paul J. Rado, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6830235
    Abstract: A hydraulic capstan to pull electric or communication wire through conduit or open trenches over long distances from a stationary position. The capstan is powered by a hydraulic motor. An operator can activate the motor from inside the cab of a vehicle to turn the capstan. The rope attached to the wire is wrapped around the capstan. When the rope is pulled tight on the turning capstan, the rope comes on one side and off the other side, pulling the wire load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventor: Clark P. Stafford
  • Patent number: 6817595
    Abstract: A swing arm type chain support with a hook arrangement integral with a swing arm which allows a mooring chain to ratchet over the hook while tensioning, then automatically engage the hook when tension is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vernon R. Jenkins, Roy H. Cottrell
  • Publication number: 20040178397
    Abstract: An apparatus for the controlled lowering to the ground of a cut portion of a tree includes a rope and an anchor having an arrangement of guiding protuberances., each guiding protuberance including a bearing surface frictionally engaging and redirecting the rope without the rope fully encompassing any portion of the anchor including any of the guiding protuberances. Three guiding protuberances define a triangular arrangement. Of the three, a first guiding protuberance is disposed in proximity to an intermediate guiding protuberance defining a segment of a rope path therebetween, and a second guiding protuberance is disposed in proximity tot he intermediate guiding protuberance defining another segment of the rope path therebetween without the segments crossing. A mounting member is attachable to the tree and a guiding member is pivotally connected to the mounting member along a pivot axis and includes an arrangement of guiding protuberances generally extending to each side thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: D. Carl Halas
  • Patent number: 6719243
    Abstract: An industrial edger for mounting to a sharp or abrasive edge to protect rope from physical damage caused by contact between the rope and the edge as the rope passes over the edge. The industrial edger comprises an elongated tube having an exterior surface over which the rope passes, a slot cut along the length of the elongated tube to allow placement of the industrial edger over the edge, and end plates attached to both ends of the elongated tube to prevent the rope from sliding off of the elongated tube. Dividing plates may be attached to the exterior surface of the elongated tube to provide multiple channels for the use of multiple ropes protected by one industrial edger. A roller may be placed on the top of each end plate to reduce friction from an object, e.g., a backboard, sliding over the industrial edger. A retaining rod may be removably mounted parallel to the elongated tube, attached at the end plates, to prevent a loose rope from coming off of the industrial edger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Scott Haverty
  • Patent number: 6631885
    Abstract: An apparatus for the controlled lowering to the ground of a cut portion of a tree includes a rope and an anchor having an arrangement of guiding protuberances, each guiding protuberance including a bearing surface frictionally engaging and redirecting the rope without the rope fully encompassing any portion of the anchor including any of the guiding protuberances. Three guiding protuberances define a triangular arrangement. Of the three, a first guiding protuberance is disposed in proximity to an intermediate guiding protuberance defining a segment of a rope path therebetween, and a second guiding protuberance is disposed in proximity to the intermediate guiding protuberance defining another segment of the rope path therebetween without the segments crossing. A mounting member is attachable to the tree and a guiding member is pivotally connected to the mounting member along a pivot axis and includes an arrangement of guiding protuberances generally extending to each side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventor: D. Carl Halas
  • Publication number: 20030173556
    Abstract: A positioning system is disclosed. The positioning system includes a movable stage. The positioning system also includes a cable carrier movable relative to the stage. The cable carrier is configured for carrying a cable so as to prevent cable drag forces from acting on the stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Douglas C. Watson
  • Patent number: 6619624
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hoisting mechanism comprising a rotatable reel and hoisting cables to be wound onto the reel, the hoisting cables running substantially parallel to one another, and a guide plate having feed-through apertures for the hoisting cables, with at most one hoisting cable running through each feed-through aperture. For each hoisting cable a guide member is provided between the rotatable reel and the guide plate, which guide member is embodied as a spiral spring whose coils abut to one another and whose inside diameter is dimensioned such that the hoisting cable fed through the spiral spring is able to move in the feed direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Mammoet Holding G.V.
    Inventor: Nicolaas Lamphen
  • Patent number: 6578823
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preventing overlap of coils on a cable of a rotatable winch drum have a rotatable roller which is mounted at a certain location with respect to the axis of rotation of the winch drum. The rotatable roller has an outer surface which is engageable with a side surface of the incoming coil of the cable as the incoming coil is being formed. The rotatable roller exerts a sufficient force through the roller and the body of the cable at the incoming coil to maintain the roller engaged portion of the incoming coil at the location of the rotatable roller and to shift all previously formed engaging adjacent coils of the cable sufficiently longitudinally on the surface of the winch drum in a direction along the axis of rotation of the winch drum so as to make room for the formation of the incoming coil directly on the surface of the winch drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventor: Kent H. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20030030046
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hoisting mechanism comprising a rotatable reel and hoisting cables to be wound onto the reel, the hoisting cables running substantially parallel to one another, and a guide plate having feed-through apertures for the hoisting cables, with at most one hoisting cable running through each feed-through aperture. For each hoisting cable a guide member is provided between the rotatable reel and the guide plate, which guide member is embodied as a spiral spring whose coils abut to one another and whose inside diameter is dimensioned such that the hoisting cable fed through the spiral spring is able to move in the feed direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: Nicolaas Lamphen
  • Patent number: 6471191
    Abstract: A cable guide arrangement for a cable winch has a housing to be mounted relative to a cable winch such that a first end of housing faces the cable winch and a second end of the housing faces away from the cable winch. A cable guide channel penetrates the housing and has a closed circumferential wall. The cable guide channel has a longitudinal center axis extending perpendicularly to the first and second ends of the housing. The cable guide channel has open end portions at the first and second ends of the housing, respectively. The open end portion of the guide channel at the second end of the housing widens in a direction away from the cable winch to form an inlet funnel having an edge portion defining a funnel opening. The inlet funnel reduces wear on the cable especially when being pulled at a slant to the center axis through the cable guide arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Rotzler GmbH & Co. Spezialfabrik für Seilwinden und Hebezeuge
    Inventors: Jürgen Rotzler, Ralf Brutschin, Dietmar Kessler
  • Patent number: 6431101
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an improved chain hawse (4) having a radius of curvature (p) such that the interlink angle (x) is not more than 15°, preferably not more than 11°. According to one embodiment, the chain hawse (4) comprises an internal support element (11), on which the chain links (7, 8) are supported by two ridges (16, 17) that are relatively narrow and that are placed close together. Hereby the chain links (7, 8) are supported along their short sides near their points of interconnection and long side bending is prevented. According to another preferred embodiment, a support element (30) comprises a wedgeshaped structure with two slanting surfaces (31, 32) along which the planes of adjacent chain links (33, 34) are supported such that bending fatigue problems are mitigated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Single Buoy Moorings Inc.
    Inventors: Peter A. Lunde, Jack Pollack
  • Patent number: 6382355
    Abstract: A climbing appliance (1) for roping persons up and down using the double rope technique is proposed, which comprises a housing (12) and a clamping jaw (13) mounted pivotally in the housing, wherein a main rope (2) conveyed over an upper reversing point (3) is fastened by its one end (2a) to the housing (12) and is passed by its other end (2b) through a recess (17, 18) between housing (12) and clamping jaw (13) and is movable inside the recess (17, 18) into a clamping position and a release position. The climbing appliance further including a fastening point (21) for a connection rope (8) between the climbing appliance (1) and the person roping up or down provided off center in the outside edge region of the housing (12), that the pivot of the clamping jaw (13) is disposed substantially centrosymmetrically, and that a release rope (10) is fastened to the opposite outside edge region of the housing (12) to the fastening point (21) for the connection rope (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Hubert Kowalewski
  • Patent number: 6364062
    Abstract: An elevator guide system for flat rope tracking prevents the flat rope from hitting the shoulders on a rotating sheave to prevent premature degradation emitting objectionable sounds. The rope guide system includes one or more guide bodies having channels generally aligned with sheave grooves to which each block is adjacently positioned using a frame-mount. The guide bodies align the flat belt on entry into and exit from a sheave. The guide bodies may have a planar back surface, or a circular back surface, with the channel sidewalls disposed thereon and extending outwardly at right angles therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Ericson, John T. Pitts, John P. Wesson
  • Patent number: 6276666
    Abstract: An apparatus for moving a load has a boom with a lower end and an upper end and a base having a front end and a rear end. The front end of the base is pivotably connected to the lower end of the boom along a pivot axis, wherein a lower surface of the base rests on a support surface while a load is being moved. A first restricting mechanism restricts relative movement between the boom and the base about the pivot axis in a first direction and a second restricting mechanism restricts the relative movement between the boom and the base about the pivot axis in a second direction. A pulley mechanism is disposed proximal to the upper end of the boom. A rope having a load end is provided, wherein the load is attachable to the load end of the rope. The rope is threaded through the pulley mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: William David Roberts
  • Patent number: 6234277
    Abstract: A sway reduction device having a cable receiving section, the cable receiving section being formed of a shock-absorbing material and comprising a flexure portion and an aperture for receiving a cable therethrough. The sway reduction device also includes a mounting section with subsections and at least one mounting member for mounting the sway reduction device to a surface. The subsections are moveable generally toward and away from each other whereby the flexure portion is flexed when the subsections are moved away from each other for installing the sway reduction device around a cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Draka Elevator Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Didier Kaczmarek
  • Patent number: 6193016
    Abstract: A rope climbing elevator (10) includes prime movers (40,42) and drive sheaves (32,34) secured to the car (10) and engaging stationary ropes (12-26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Hollowell, Samuel C. Wan, Guillaume Georges Bonatre
  • Patent number: 6095502
    Abstract: A rope grip having a receiving member with a pair of substantially parallel side walls spaced apart a distance sufficient to receive a rope therebetween. The side walls are joined along one side edge thereof so as to define a first engagement. An engagement member slidably received within the side walls and having a second engagement surface and being in a facial spaced relationship with regard to the first engagement surface. A movement restricting member, is positioned to define and restrict the movement of the engagement member within the pair of side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Cleveland Dodge, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6073917
    Abstract: A guide structure for guiding rope into turns of a helically wound arrangement of the rope upon a generally cylindrical capstan rotating to receive helical turns of the rope thereon, includes a helically ramped guide surface upon which the rope travels in winding into said turns and a support base formed on said guide structure and spaced from said guide surface. The guide structure has a coupling structure arranged for adjustably fixed coupling to a support structure on which the capstan is rotatably mounted. Multiple coupling structures are arranged to enable adjustably fixing spacial orientation of the ramped surface in relation to the capstan, in order to directionally adjust feed of the rope from the ramped guide surface onto the capstan to induce orderly arrangement of the rope turns on the capstan. In one embodiment, an annular arrangement of coupling sockets are provided on a rear support surface of the guide structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Greenlee Textron, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Plummer
  • Patent number: 5971363
    Abstract: A tree winch mounting system includes a tree mount that straps to the stem of a tree and a removably attached winch. The winch is a self-tailing winch. The tree mount includes several incoming fair leads to appropriately guide approaching rope to the base of the winch drum, as well as an outgoing or return fair lead which guides rope as it returns to the winch for lowering. The outgoing fair lead is appropriately located to allow significant movement of the winch operator while attending to other tasks. The mounting system also includes a trailer hitch winch mount so that the winch can be used on a vehicle. In addition, other devices such as rope brakes, pad eyes, etc. can be removably attached to the tree mount and/or the trailer hitch mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Gregory P. Good
  • Patent number: 5931265
    Abstract: A rope climbing elevator (10) includes prime movers (40,42) and drive sheaves (32,34) secured to the car (10) and engaging stationary ropes (12-26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Hollowell, Samuel C. Wan
  • Patent number: 5863029
    Abstract: A rope guide for a winch, especially for hoisting gear, with a winding drum which has rope grooves running in opposite directions, including guide means which are provided for the alignment of at least a pair of rope lines and connected with one another via coupling means so as to run in opposite directions. The guide means include guide elements and are drivable by the rope lines, which can be wound on or wound off the winding drum. To facilitate a gentle winding on and winding off of the rope in a compact constructional form which is robust, resistant to impact and maintenance-free, each guide element comprises a rope guide channel which is formed in a channel support and which has, in a first plane disposed at a right angle to the axis of rotation of the winding drum and in a second plane disposed parallel to the axis of rotation of the winding drum, an input contact portion, for a rope and an oppositely located output contact portion for the rope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alfred Fanger, Udo Gersemsky
  • Patent number: 5845893
    Abstract: An underwater self-aligning fairlead latch device is provided for guiding and securing an anchor chain between an offshore structure and an anchor. The fairlead device includes a latch housing pivotally mounted to a fairlead housing. The latch housing includes one or more latches for securing the anchor chain in place. The fairlead housing includes a bending shoe which guides the anchor chain from its orientation within the bending shoe up the platform column to the deck. The fairlead housing is pivotally mounted to the offshore structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Bardex Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank W. Groves
  • Patent number: 5730425
    Abstract: A mooring system comprises a length of hawser 3, a chafe chain 7, and a wire 5 to be wound onto a rotatable drum 1. Adjacent the drum 1 is positioned a stopper 2 adapted to receive and retain the chain 4, the chain 4 being disconnectable from the wire 5 in this circumstance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: GEC Alsthom Limited
    Inventor: Derek J. Brooks
  • Patent number: 5730398
    Abstract: A traveler rung for a cable bed for laying cables and/or pipes and a cable bed incorporating the traveler rung are disclosed. The cable bed includes two elongated panels each having a lower shelf extending inward. The traveler rung is received on the lower shelf of the cable bed. The traveler rung includes a housing body having an elongated groove. A plurality of roller drums are received within the groove and rotate freely. The groove includes a longitudinal opening at its upper portion so that the roller drums are partially exposed. The cable or pipes contact the exposed portions of the roller drums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Mirai Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shohachi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 5713098
    Abstract: A system for cleaning light transmitting elements such as windscreens, window-panes or optical instruments, comprising a wiper arm supported by a carriage performing reciprocating movements, and a intermediate gear means for transforming rotary movements into oscillating movements, with the intermediate gear means cooperating with a driving means and actuating the carriage and, on the driven side, being in communication with a shaft performing oscillating movements. The shaft is the driving part of a transmission gear means for oscillating movements. The part of the transmission gear means performing movements on the driven side actuates the carriage through a tensile and/or thrust member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: ITT Automotive Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Gunter Mayer, Wolfgang Scholl
  • Patent number: 5600687
    Abstract: A tool for radially positioning a hoisted load suspended from the refueling bridge by a cable and facilitating lowering of the hoisted load into the downcomer annulus of a boiling water reactor. During repair of the shroud, hardware must be lowered into the annulus for installation. The hardware installation in turn requires the lowering of tooling into the annulus and its subsequent removal via cables. The feedwater sparger and core spray piping are located above and partially obstruct the vertical access to the annulus. To protect the feedwater sparger and core spray piping against damage during the lowering of various hardware and tooling into the annulus, a cover is installed over the feedwater sparger and core spray piping at the azimuthal location of the hoist. This cover further limits the vertical access to the annulus. A steam dam slide with a cable manipulator is seated on the shroud flange at the azimuthal location of the repair procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Christopher M. Welsh
  • Patent number: 5482227
    Abstract: A device for a curved conductor pipe for a pull wire wherein the conductor pipe is provided along the inside thereof with a lining which has a material yield point that is higher than the compressive force that operates between the lining and the pull wire. The lining is equipped with a guide seat for the pull wire in order to distribute the compressive force from the pull wire over the lining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Karmoy Winch A/S
    Inventor: Per H. Hystad
  • Patent number: 5467845
    Abstract: A rope braking device is formed from a steel rod defining a substantially rectangular frame about which a rope may be entwined for the purpose of braking the passage of the rope through the rope braking device for the controlled lowering of an object secured to one end of the rope. The rod may be a single one-piece rod bent into the rectangular frame configuration with the opposite ends of the rod being bent into two upstanding hooks for supporting the rope braking device on a fixed support. When the rope braking device is used for lowering kegs from a truck, a keg hooking device is used which includes a pair of hook members, each having a hook engageable in a rim aperture of a keg and a loop secured to an oval ring adjacent the center of the keg wherein the loop and hook of each hook member are disposed orthagonally to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Engineered Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: William M. Scruggs
  • Patent number: 5211378
    Abstract: A tensioning device is provided for applying a tensioning force on a cable or rope used to secure a load by fixing its free end to an anchoring device. The device includes a pair of outwardly-protruding horn-like projections interconnected by a generally serpentine body, with one of the horns having friction-enhancing capabilities to prevent slippage of the cable or rope thereon, while the other horn functions similar to a pulley or block to provide a mechanical advantage in combination with the anchoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Inventor: Donald T. MacKinnon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5103937
    Abstract: A system for limiting oscillation of a stationary or moving elevator cable attached to suspended elevator equipment in an elevator shaft. The system includes a cable oscillation limiting member located at a predetermined vertical position in the elevator shaft. The limiting member is movable between an extended position vertically in line with the suspended elevator equipment and horizontally proximate the cable in its free-hanging state and a retracted position vertically out of line with the equipment and horizontally distal the cable. The extended position tends to limit oscillations of the cable and the retracted position permits the elevator equipment to pass the member without interference from the member or members and without substantial contact between the elevator equipment and the member under normal operating conditions. The system includes sensors to determine the need for moving the limiting member between its extended and retracted positions, depending upon the position of the elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Inventor: Leslie E. Robertson
  • Patent number: 4941275
    Abstract: A snow groomer vehicle hydraulic hose guide having a hard plastic removable insert installed within a metallic back-up ring, for use upon snow grooming vehicles and associated equipment. The insert has a very smooth surface and is shaped to provide substantial hose contact area. The guide ring substantially extends the useful life of the rubberoid hydraulic hoses widely used on such equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Logan Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael G. Beeley, James D. Gittins, William B. Sinykin
  • Patent number: 4884785
    Abstract: A tire lift/carrier unit is mounted on a vehicle body and has a depending cable connected by a latch device to a fitting which supports the hub of a spare tire and wheel assembly. When the tire assembly is elevated by the unit to a stored position, the latch device is received within a holder also secured to the vehicle body. In event the cable fails to hold the spare tire assembly in the stored position, latch bolts spring outwardly from the latch device and engage the holder to prevent dropping of the tire assembly. The holder may be formed of adjustable or telescopic sections which may be tubular for enclosing the latch device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Deuer Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Denman, Garthwood R. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4861192
    Abstract: An apparatus for elevating objects and consisting of a frame for bearing on a subjacent support surface for the apparatus, a platform having an upwardly facing surface for bearing against an object to be elevated and laterally spaced sides and mounted to the frame for movement relative to the frame in a vertical direction between a lowered position and a raised position, a flexible cord, a winch mounted on the frame for selectively retrieving and paying out the cord, an elongate hollow conduit with spaced opposite ends mounted to the platform so that the conduit length is aligned laterally with respect to the platform, and wherein the cord extending from the spaced opposite ends of the conduit is connected to the winch and frame so that as the line is retrieved by the winch a lifting force is exerted on the conduit to elevate the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Inventor: Glenn A. Porter
  • Patent number: 4802379
    Abstract: An elongate selector member 16 having a Y-shaped passage 16a extending through it is rotatably mounted in a hollow cylindrical housing 12 and driven or switched between fixed limit positions by an actuator 17 to establish a continuous insertion/withdrawal path for a flexible cable between an inlet guide tube 11 and either one of two outlet guide tubes 19a, 19b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshikazu Edajima
  • Patent number: 4796865
    Abstract: A fishtape feeding tool adapted to be held in position relative to a conduit is disclosed. It is comprised of an elongated hollow body having a generally straight section at a first open end and a curved section at a second open end. The body has a slot extending longitudinally between the open ends to enable the tool to be removed from the fishtape. A receptacle groove at the second end is provided and a hollow cylindrical plug having a first end adapted to be received by the receptacle groove and a second end for inserting in the conduit is also provided. The plug has a slot longitudinally thereof adapted to be aligned with the body slot when the tool is removed. A removable cover for attachment to the body to cover the slot from the first open end to a point near the second end and a resilient clamp means for holding the cover means to the body are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Inventor: Steve Marchetti
  • Patent number: 4768798
    Abstract: In a bicycle frame adapted for internal control cabling, at least one control cable entrance port is located through the wall of the frame at a position ahead of the steering axis, such a port providing a bend-free cable path into and through the interior of the frame. This path passes laterally between the inner wall of the frame and the outer wall of the steering tube of a front wheel fork. A range of applicable port locations permits multiple internal cables to be installed together without interference. The frame configuration and associated cable guidance elements thereby facilitated provide direct cable paths to actuated devices such as a rear brake, front derailleur and rear derailleur. Because such paths are relatively short, incur minimal cable bending, and do not require outer cable within the frame, control actuation is characterized by particularly low levels of friction and elasticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Inventors: Curtis H. Reed, William D. Grove
  • Patent number: 4742993
    Abstract: An arcuate fairlead for mooring lines has an arcuate row of grooved line-engaging shoes of plastic material which shoes can be removed and replacement shoes can be installed without disassembling the mooring line from the fairlead. The fairlead is of generally triangular shape supported by trunnion and bearing means at its upper tip and adjacent to its apex enabling the fairlead to swing about an upright axis for self-alignment with a stretch of mooring cable beyond the lower tip of the fairlead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Smith Berger Marine, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Montgomery, Geoffrey B. H. Breese, Peter G. S. Dove
  • Patent number: 4706940
    Abstract: Rope hoist apparatus comprising a single driven drive pulley (15) in which the rope (11) is pressed by a spring-loaded lever (32) by two pressure rollers (29 and 30) into the rope groove (19). The pressure rollers (29 and 30) are so arranged that the rope tip (41) of the rope (11) can easily be pushed beneath the pressure rollers (29 and 30). The rope (11) is conducted after being lifted out of the rope groove (19) via a lateral ramp (60) onto a running face (21) of the drive pulley (15) which is disposed adjacent the rope groove (19) and over which the slack run (13) is conducted in a manner preventing damage parallel to the load run (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: Greifzug Hebezeugbau GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Harig
  • Patent number: 4703835
    Abstract: A hoisting apparatus comprising a hydraulic cylinder (1) a piston (3) whereof is connected to a load-handling attachment via a pliable member (6) which passes through a sealing device (9) that is located outside the cylinder (1) and consists of two consecutively arranged chambers (10, 11) separated by seals (12, 13, 14). The chamber (10) next to the cylinder space is filled with a sealing fluid whose viscosity is higher than the viscosity of the hydraulic fluid and the other chamber (11) is connected to a separator (18) adapted to separate the hydraulic fluid from the sealing fluid and to feed them to the space (4) of the hydraulic cylinder and the chamber (10) of the sealing device (9), respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Assignee: Upravlenie Po Montazhu, Demontazhu I Remontu Gornoshakhtnogo Oborudovania "Spetsshakhtomontazh"
    Inventors: Sergei B. Negrutsky, Vladimir G. Churkin, Mikhail I. Chunikhin
  • Patent number: 4678019
    Abstract: A structural arrangement which is particularly useful in connection with solar greenhouses is provided. Therein is provided a structural member in the form of a hollow bar of elongated form provided with longitudinally extending and parallel track channels having relatively narrow longitudinally extended slot mouths. A shade with a bulbous periphery is engaged in each of the track channels and a guide member is provided which changes the direction of movement of the shade as it exits from the ends of the corresponding track channels. The guide includes tubular extensions which extend into the track channels. The guide furthermore includes arcuate guide channels which are funnel shaped and operate in extension of the tubular extensions. A member operates in conjunction with the tubular extensions to a wall of the afore-mentioned bars for the mounting of the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Four Season Solar Products Corporation
    Inventor: Chris Esposito
  • Patent number: H702
    Abstract: Swaying of a compensating rope (45) in a traction elevator is restrained by a guide means (60, 65 and 85) disposed within the elevator's hoistway (10) to prevent the rope from striking the walls of the hoistway or the elevator car (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Gary Shively, Gordon E. Means, Robert Staniec