Abstract: A stacker-retriever lift carriage is disposed to be raised, lowered and positioned, in selected positions with respect to a pair of spaced support masts, by a flexible wire cable connected between a lift drive and the lift carriage. The lift carriage carries a telescoping shuttle which includes a shuttle base, middle table and top table disposed one atop the other and for movement with respect to each either in a bi-directional manner. A pair of sheaves are rotatably mounted on the middle table at an acute angle to the surface of the middle table. A pair of cable connect the sheaves to the shuttle base and top table so that drive of the middle table, by table drive means, in a particular direction effects a movement of the top table in a corresponding direction but at twice the relative distance of the middle table. The middle table is fabricated from a pair of identically sized and formed table plates; has a pair of flaps bent therefrom to an acute angle with respect to a top surface of the table plate.

Abstract: In order to bring a pulley block close to the load to be hauled, same is provided with a carriage, removable or not, and possibly completed by a drawbar, the carriage including means for rolling on the ground and means for its fixation to the pulley block.

Abstract: A guide such as a roller and bracket means to feed electrical wires through conduit when wiring a building or other installation for electrical service, comprising a first bracket having hook means to mount to a junction box or to a second bracket, the first bracket also including an axle supported by said hook means, a roller mounted for rotation on the axle, whereby the roller is positioned for alignment with the open end of an electrical conduit connected to the junction box when the first bracket is hung thereon or on said bracket. Electrical conductors can then be fed smoothly and freely over the roller, into and through the conduit without scraping or catching on a portion of the junction box or other structure. The second bracket is used when necessary to face the roller sideways, or at a right angle to its position when the first bracket alone is hooked to a portion of the box.

Abstract: A rocker arm assembly for support of the haul rope of an aerial tramway or the like is disclosed. The assembly includes rocker arms, rope supporting sheaves rotatably mounted to the rocker arms and cantilevered from an inwardly facing side of the rocker arms. The rocker arms are additionally formed with rope catching groove or recess positioned outwardly of the sheaves and having a configuration which will enable not only the rope, but a hanger arm and grip to pass over the rope catcher in the event that the haul rope derails from the sheaves. The rocker arm assembly also preferably includes a platform which acts as a mount for the rocker arms and can be used for maintainence and repair of the rocker arms and rope supporting sheaves. Additionally, the rocker arm assembly includes haul rope derailment responsive apparatus formed to shutdown the tramway operation upon derailment of the rope from the sheaves.

Abstract: An automatic cable stop for a tow truck winch having a bifurcated cable guide which rides on the cable and maintains contact even when the cable is positioned at an angle which does not correspond with that of the guide. A direct acting limit switch engages an extension of the cable eliminating complication and cost, as well as improving reliability.

Abstract: A pulley or sheave that is lagged with rubber or rubber-like material, has two disc-like members which are disposed broadside to each other and secured together to form an annular groove for receiving and guiding a strand of material. At their centers, the members have bearing means to accommodate a spindle. In the annular groove for the strand of material the members have oppositely disposed wall portions characterized by re-entrant side walls. A wear strip of relatively soft, resilient material such as rubber having an elongated rib occupies the annular groove, the rib being accommodated in and frictionally seized by the reentrant side walls. The wear strip has abutted ends, and presents an annular exterior space for engagement with the strand of material that is being handled.

Abstract: A support block for stringing one or two cables simultaneously which is hung from an existing cable suspended laterally overhead, in which the cable-to-be-strung can be rapidly inserted, and on which the cable-to-be-strung rests prior to its being lashed to a utility pole. The temporary support block is raised to the existing cable by means of a layup stick or similar hand-held installation pole by a worker standing on the ground. More than one support block can be hung and cable suspended therefrom before the cable is pulled between one or more utility poles. The method of using several support blocks reduces the frequency with which workers must put tension on a cable in order to string it and enables the workers to keep greater lengths of cable suspended above potentially-damaging ground traffic and obstacles.

Abstract: A sheave for guiding and supporting stranded wire rope. The sheave includes a plurality of circumferential grooves, with treaded elastomeric inserts being disposed in the grooves. The walls which define the treads are disposed at a predetermined angle relative to the circumferential axis of the insert, selected such that they will be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a strand, as each strand of the wire rope contacts and extends across a tread. The treads are thus fully compliant with the incremental changes in strand length due to the differential in rope tension on the two sides of the sheave.

Abstract: A truck mounted hydraulic cable reel apparatus for heavy power cable includes bed frame members supporting a circular turntable. A motor rotates the turntable 45.degree. to either side of a longitudinal center line. Two vertical stanchions are mounted on the turntable. One stanchion supports a tail stock assembly, and a second supports a reel drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a reel drive shaft connected at one end to a hydraulic motor and having a reel drive face plate on the other end. The face plate has lugs which engage lugs on an end of the cable reel spool shaft. The hydraulic motor reversely rotates the cable spool to wind in or pay out power cable. Vertical guide rollers are disposed at either end of the horizontal cable roller. Telescoping outrigger booms are adjustably positioned on either side of the bed frame. Multiple guide rollers on the ends of the booms open and lock closed to capture the power cable and to act as outriggers when laying or retrieving cable.

Abstract: A snap roller utilized as a snatch lock employs a pulley and a rod fabricated from a wire-like spring material to which the pulley is journalled. The rod has a portion of its length, located substantially in the central regions thereof to which the pulley is journalled. A pair of portions of the length of the wire-like rod extends radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the pulley in a direction substantially parallel to one another. The ends of the wire-like rod are formed into oppositely directed hooks such that each of the distal ends approach, and if desired contact the opposed length of the pair of portions of the wire-like rod. In use, a rope or line may be passed between the hook-like ends so so as to engage a groove in the pulley due to the fact that each hook-like end resides in planes that are skew to one another allowing the distal ends of the hooks to be forced outwardly from the opposed one of the pair of portions of the wire-like rod.

Abstract: The pulley-block balance comprises at least one loose pulley, a hollow coaxial support fitted with ball-bearings for supporting the pulley or pulleys, and a load-lifting hook. Coupling means between the hook and the support comprise a movable member which is capable of undergoing displacement at least at the point of application of the force arising from the load and is subjected to a restoring action in the direction opposite to the force. The movable member controls load-indicating means as a result of its displacement.

Abstract: A directional tree falling aid comprises a logging choker and a choker-elevating pole assembly designed to set the choker about the tree trunk at an elevated location. Pulling on the elevated choker while falling the tree makes possible falling the tree in the desired direction.

Abstract: A device and a method for repositioning loads carried on slip sheets in restricted space locations. The device comprises a pair of elongated gripping members, a plurality of vice devices operatively engaged with the gripping members to move the gripping members between open and locked positions, and system for pulling the gripping members transversely to their elongated axis. According to the method, a slip sheet is positioned and clamped between the gripping members and is then pulled. Preferably, a pulley for changing the direction of an applied pulling force will be employed.