Abstract: A safety apparatus has a sheave with a surface extending circumferentially therearound, a first housing interconnected to the sheave, a second housing interconnected to the sheave and pivotally connected to the first housing, and a line extending over the surface of the sheave and through, an inferior of each of the first housing and the second housing. Each of the first and second housings has a hole formed at an end opposite the sheave. The line has a first portion extending through the hole of the first housing and a second portion extending through the hole of the second housing. Bushings are respectively received within the holes of the housings.

Abstract: A restraint device is disclosed that limits the movement of the cable or rope relative to the traction, thus reducing or eliminating the popping noise associated with the cable or rope snapping back against the traction sheave. In one embodiment, the restraint device comprises a molded component that is fitted to encompass the region of the sheave where separation of the wire rope from the sheave is most likely to occur. The restraint device may be mounted so that it is removable and replaceable with minimal dismantling of the hoist containing the sheave. The restraint device may be reversible so that one restraint device may by used for at least two cycles before being replaced. Indication of the need for replacement may be provided by including a second color material at the depth where wear reaches the allowable limit, thereby providing a visual signal to initiate replacement as seen during service.

Abstract: A cable puller assembly includes a housing assembly, a motor assembly and an anti-fouling device. The motor assembly is secured to the housing assembly and has an output shaft extending outwardly therefrom. The output shaft is rotated about an axis of rotation by the motor assembly. The anti-fouling device has a capstan and a body. The output shaft is operatively associated with the capstan in order to rotate the capstan about the axis of rotation. The body is positioned around an end portion of the capstan proximate to the housing assembly. The body defines a sloped surface that biases incoming rope that wraps around the sloped surface down onto the capstan.

Abstract: A wireline hay pulley has a support with front and back plates extending therefrom. A sheave disposed between the plates can rotate on an axle. The front plate is affixed to the support, while the back plate is removably connected to the support. The front plate has a round opening in which an eccentric bushing on the axle can rotate. When the back plate is disconnected from the support, the back plate can turn the axle fixed in a slotted opening. An eccentric bushing on the axle rotates in an opening of the front plate, thereby shifting the sheave away from the support. With the back plate moved away and the sheave shifted downward, an operator can readily rig up a wireline in the sheave's slot.

Abstract: A tensioning assembly comprising a housing having a first sidewall and a second sidewall, and a ratchet mechanism disposed between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The ratchet mechanism includes a tension release assembly biased in a first direction for lateral engagement with the ratchet mechanism, and lateral disengagement of the ratchet mechanism when pressure is applied to the tension release assembly in a second direction opposite to the first direction, is described herein. The assembly may include a force generating mechanism configured to provide a mechanical advantage when tensioning the device, and a guide roller for promoting line contact with a rotatable gripping wheel assembly.

Abstract: A ratcheting pulley device is shown and described. In one embodiment, the device includes a sheave rotatably mounted in a housing. The housing defines an opening for ingress and egress of a rope or cord into the housing and around the sheave. The device includes a releasable ratchet mechanism, which, when engaged, permits rotation of the sheave in one direction but not the other, and which, when released, permits free rotation of the sheave. A loading-disk is mounted on the exterior of the housing and is in rotational communication with the sheave. The loading-disk allows rope or cord to be operably and quickly loaded into the device.

Abstract: A system and method for tensioning a cable. A thimble is placed over an eccentric member having a splined bore. A portion of an endless cable is placed over the thimble. The eccentric member and thimble are placed between a pair of parallel, spaced apart arms of a mounting structure. A splined shaft is inserted through holes in the arms and into the splined bore of the eccentric member to secure the eccentric member to the mounting structure. A threaded nut is placed on a threaded end of the splined shaft. The cable is tensioned by rotating a head portion of the splined shaft 180 degrees, or by a different predetermined value, which places the cable under a predetermined tension. A retaining screw is inserted through one of the mounting structure arms and into a threaded hole in the eccentric member. The system enables a precise degree of tension to be quickly and easily applied to a cable with no risk of accidentally over-tensioning the cable.

Abstract: A chain guide for guiding a chain within a chain hoist. The chain guide includes a substantially elongated body having an inner side and an outer side, along with first and second extremities. The substantially elongated body is made of a substantially flexible material for curving the substantially elongated body into a substantially arched configuration about a given wheel of the chain hoist. The chain guide also includes first and second chain receiving portions provided adjacent to the first and second extremities respectively of the substantially elongated body, on the inner side thereof. Each chain receiving portion comprises a pair of shoulders protruding from the inner side of the body and defining an open channel shaped and sized for slidably receiving a portion of the chain. The chain guide also includes a deformable connecting portion for interconnecting the first and second chain receiving portions of the chain guide. Also described is a chain hoist provided with the chain guide.

Abstract: A range of mixed support and compression sheave assemblies is formed from standard 2S2C modules each comprising: two compression sheaves (11) and two support sheaves (12) respectively mounted rotating freely on the ends of two pairs of holding arms (15,16; 18,19) articulated on one another by a first upper joint pin (17) and a second lower joint pin (20), a first damping element (24) inserted between two bearing edges (22,23) securedly fixed to the two holding arms (15,16) of the compression sheaves (11), a second damping element (27) inserted between two bearing edges (25,26) of the two holding arms (18,19) of the support sheaves (12), and a frame (28) connecting the first and second joint pins (17,20), said frame being arranged to be connected to the end of a beam (14) with a swivel-pin (21). Application: aerial ropeway transport installations.

Abstract: A snatch block for facilitating the movement of loads in loading or unloading operations includes a sheave, two side sections and a top section. The top section is releasably coupled to at least one of the side sections and pivotable with respect to at least one of the side sections. Either or both of the side sections may be rotatable with respect to the sheave. An outer groove of the sheave may be made accessible to receive a fixed-end cable when the side sections are splayed with respect to on another on the sheave. The snatch block may be loadable or unloadable from either side and may be loaded or unloaded when lying flat on the ground.

Abstract: A bracket and tension rod device is mounted to a top-drive dolly to carry the weight of a sheave wheel assembly. The device is deployed by connecting the sheave wheel assembly to a rigid dolly arm with an adjustable tension rod to relieve a gooseneck from adverse tensile, compressive and bending forces from the movement of a wireline through the sheave assembly.

Abstract: The invention concerns a cable block, especially a lower block for cable controls, with at least one cable roller enclosed by a shrouding cover with entry and exit openings for a carrying cable, wherein a cover element is inserted in the entry and exit opening, having an opening for the carrying cable. The opening in the cover element is smaller than the entry and exit opening in the shrouding cover. In order to create a cable block, especially for a cable actuator, with improved protection against accidents, it is proposed that the entry and exit opening be slot-like and the cover element can be shifted in the entry and exit opening.

Abstract: Lanthanum oxide-based gate dielectrics are provided for integrated circuit field effect transistors. The gate dielectrics may include lanthanum oxide, preferably amorphous lanthanum oxide and/or an alloy of lanthanum oxide and silicon oxide, such as lanthanum silicate (La2SiO5). Lanthanum oxide-based gate dielectrics may be fabricated by evaporating lanthanum on a silicon surface of an integrated circuit substrate. The lanthanum may be evaporated in the presence of oxygen. Lanthanum and silicon may be co-evaporated. An anneal then may be performed. Lanthanum oxide-based dielectrics also may be used for integrated circuit capacitors.

Abstract: A rope pulley construction comprising a frame, at least one rope pulley equipped with a rope groove, rope pulley bearing, guard to prevent a lifting rope from coming off the rope pulley, and suspension point for hanging the rope pulley. The frame of the rope pulley construction comprises two plate parts joined together which simultaneously provide suspension for the rope pulley, at least one suspension point for hanging the rope pulley construction and guard to prevent a lifting rope from coming off the rope pulley.

Abstract: A composite dielectric layer and method of forming the composite dielectric layer for the passivation of exposed copper in a copper damascene structure are described. The composite layer consists of a passivation dielectric layer and an etch stop dielectric layer and is formed over the exposed copper prior to the deposit of an inter-metal or final passivating dielectric layer. Via holes are etched in the inter-metal or final passivating layer and the composite dielectric layer provides an etch stop function as well as passivation for the exposed copper conductor. A thin layer of passivation dielectric, such as silicon nitride, is formed directly over the exposed copper to passivate the copper. A thin layer of etch stop dielectric, such as silicon oxynitride, is then formed over the layer of passivation dielectric. The passivation dielectric is chosen for passivation properties and adhesion between the passivation dielectric and copper. The etch stop layer is chosen for etch stop properties.

Abstract: A stuffing box sheave assembly includes a brace having a tubular collar positioned at one end and a pair of spaced apart forked arms outwardly projecting from the opposing end. A nylon wheel is rotatably mounted between the forked arms. The wheel has an annular grooved recessed around the circumference thereof. The groove is configured to receive a wireline. An arcuate shroud is positioned over a portion of the circumference of the wheel. A pair of spaced apart retention pads are mounted to the shroud. Each of the pads are configured to be received within the groove of the wheel so as to prevent accidental jumping of the wireline out of the groove. A pair of tubular posts project from opposing sides of the shroud and are selectively received within the channel of a tubular member upwardly projecting from each forked arm.

Abstract: A ratchet for use with a cord includes a pair of opposed tear drop shaped members defining a one piece housing for rotatably supporting a one piece ratchet spool, for supporting a pivotally mounted thumb release and for supporting an angularly displacable hook. Opposed circular cavities are disposed within the members to rotatably support corresponding bosses extending from opposed sides of the spool. A plurality of opposed interleaved non-radial ribs extend from opposed surfaces of the spool to frictionally grip a cord partially extending about the spool. A pair of wheels forming the spool are interlocked with and secured to one another through a key and keyway.

Abstract: An end cap assembly which has recessed areas in the base and cover which accept protruding spindles on the upper and lower surfaces of the pulley to align the pulley, provides easy access to the pulley without removal of the track by attaching the base portion of the assembly but not the cover portion to the track, and is Constructed of higher strength and more durable materials than previous end cap assemblies available, resisting cracking even in extreme environments.

Abstract: A ratchet-type tensioning mechanism for a rope or cord has a rotatable sheave with faces having radially extending serrations. A releasable ratchet mechanism permits rotation of the sheave in one direction but not the other. A plurality of serrations circumscribes the sheave, which is closely fitted within a curved surface within a housing within which the sheave is rotatably mounted. The curved surface forces the rope into the sheave and maintains it in non-slippiong contact therewith. An opening in the side of the housing can be provided to permit hand rotation of the sheave. The device optionally may include a ratcheting lever arm which engages the wheel and affords leveraged tensioning the rope.

Abstract: A wire prefeeder has a tower standing on a base. A horizontal upper shaft is mounted fixedly to the upper end of the tower and a plurality of pulleys are on the shaft. A carriage is adapted to in the tower and another horizontal lower shaft which has a plurality of pulleys and is mounted to the carriage in parallelism with the upper shaft. A wire infeed device is driven with an electric motor. Wire feeds to a dancer pulley after which it is looped around the upper and lower pulleys in succession and departs tangentially from a pulley on its way to a wire processing machine which draws the wire. The carriage rises when there is an instantaneous increase in wire tension and an electric signal is produced whose magnitude corresponds to the amount of carriage movement. The motor responds to the signal by changing the motor and wire infeed speed to pay out wire at a rate which keeps the tension in the drawn wire constant. A new type of clamp is provided for coupling a wire reel to a shaft.

Abstract: A snatch block has its sheave established by connecting the smaller ends of a pair of frusto-conical shell portions to a central member rotatably mounted on an axle protruding from one side of the hanger. The larger ends of the portions merge with end walls which are normal to the axis of the sheave and extend outwardly a distance greater than line diameters. The end walls have lips which are disposed relative to fixed water shields in a manner preventing a line, running against an end wall, from contacting the proximate water shield.

Abstract: A hand-operated chain block having a hand chain wheel portion light in weight and simplified in construction and which permits safe and smooth hand chain operation. A hand chain wheel cover having a leftwardly laid-down U-shaped configuration which covers the upper, lower, and front portions of the hand chain wheel is mounted on a plurality of stays disposed on side plates of a chain block body, and hand chain guide plates are mounted on the upper right and left ones of the stays so as to cover substantially entire periphery of the hand chain wheel. Each of the hand chain guide plates is formed of one metal plate in a folded pattern. A pivotal support portion formed in a crooked pattern on the top end portion of each hand chain guide plate is inserted through one of the upper stays.

Abstract: A pulley assembly is provided for an operating cord. The pulley has a body with a rotational axis and an annular outer surface concentric with the rotational axis. A cord retention member has a surface to be situated around the annular outer pulley surface in operative relationship with the pulley and extending more than 180.degree. around the annular outer pulley surface. Structure is provided on the pulley and cord retention member to cooperate with the cord so that the cord prevents separation of the pulley and cord retention member from their operative relationship.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a tank-like vessel comprising(a) a supporting arm attached to a fixing plate, which can perpendicularly extend downward,(b) a folding arm of which base portion is rotatably attached to the lower end of the supporting arm, a position of the folding arm being changeable between a housed position and a position in use wherein the folding arm is approximately horizontally stretched out,(c) a rope winded up and winded down by a hoist, and(d) a cleaning nozzle capable of injecting jet water in a two-dimensional direction or three-dimensional direction.

Abstract: A cable pulley arrangement including a pulley on which a cable is wound. The pulley is held by a lock device. When the lock device is released, the cable is unwound by a weight is hung on the ends thereof. The cable is so arranged that, when the cable is wound on the pulley, both ends of the cable are at one side of the pulley, while when the cable is unwound the ends hang down at both sides of the pulley.

Abstract: The invention provides a snatch block of the type having a sheave rotatably mounted between a pair of cheek plates with a suspension eye for anchoring the snatch block secured to the cheek plates, characterized in that opposed sides of the cheek plates between the suspension means and sheave access are angled outwardly to provide a V-shaped entry to the sheave for a cable, chain or the like. Another feature of the invention provides for inwardly directed lip formations to be defined at the upper ends of the cheek plates to prevent the cable on the sheave from riding upwardly into the suspension eye.

Abstract: A trolley assembly for use upon a line which is anchored in the water for retrieving a fishing net. The trolley assembly includes a weighted body member having a pair of trolley arms extending therefrom. The trolley arms are disposed at an angle to one another and are integrally associated with the body member to define a generally V-shaped assembly. The body member includes a loop disposed on a line bisecting the angle between the trolley arms for affixing a net securing line opposite the trolley arms. The trolley assembly also includes a pair of trolley wheels adapted to ride on the anchored line. One of the trolley wheels is mounted for wheel-rolling movement on each of the trolley arms. The trolley wheels are disposed in spaced relation to the body member. With these features of construction, one end of the fishing net can be secured to the trolley assembly with the net securing line and the other end of the fishing net can be controlled by a fishing line secured thereto.

Abstract: A boat steering assembly (10) including a pedestal steering actuator (11) in a column (12) mounted on a boat sole (16). A pair of steering cables (18,20) lead from the actuator through a substantially vertical orientation and then through a universal self-adjusting pulley (26) and then in substantially horizontal orientation to a rudder assembly (24). A depending bracket assembly (22) is mounted under the boat sole (16). The universal self-adjusting idler pulley (26) is mounted under the pedestal column (12) below the boat sole (16) by the depending bracket assembly (22). The steering cables (18,20) extend down from the steering actuator (11) and about the pulley assembly (26) with the bracket assembly (22) disposed on the outside of the turn of the cables (18,20) through the pulley (26) to suspend the pulley (26) in tension from the bracket assembly (22). The pulley assembly (26) is adjustable to accommodate various positions of the rudder assembly ( 24) relative to the pedestal column (12).

Abstract: A pulley block assembly having a pulley block unit for an aerial line, comprising a pulley frame, a pulley rotatably supported by the pulley frame, and an inverting guide roller rotatably supported by the pulley frame opposite to the pulley in the pulley frame. The inverting guide roller has a peripheral helical groove in which the aerial line can be frictionally fitted.

Abstract: A cable block device which is capable of clamping upon a strand of any conventional diameter and which is capable of retaining a cable or cables of any conventional diameter. The cable block device includes a bracket which hooks over a strand to support the bracket. A shaft which extends through the bracket has a lever attached thereto. A cam is also attached to the shaft. The lever, the shaft, and the cam rotate together. A portion of the cam is engageable with the strand which supports the bracket to establish clamping action of the cam upon the strand. A roller is also attached to the bracket and is rotatable with respect to the bracket to support a portion of a continuous cable or cables.An arm is attached to the cam for pivotal movement of the arm with rotative movement of the cam. The arm extends from the cam and has a retainer portion. The retainer portion of the arm is movable to a position spaced from the roller, to permit positioning a portion of a cable upon the roller.

Abstract: A rope grip which comprises a shell (12) and a plate (16) defining a first gripping surface and a cylinder (20) defining a second gripping surface is disclosed. The two surfaces are in a facing spaced relationship and define a passage (30) for receiving a rope. The cylinder travels in an angular field of motion with respect to the plate which causes a rope of appropriate size to become jammed between the plate and the cylinder depending upon the position of the cylinder. An operating arm (18) is mechanically coupled to the cylinder in order to control its position and accordingly, the distance between the surfaces of the plate and the cylinder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multiple pulley sheave assembly for supporting a cable comprising a plurality of pulleys, including a center pulley, mounted in an arcuate path on a support frame; a pair of retainer pulleys for keeping the bend of the cable constant around the center pulley; a cable monitor coupled to the center pulley for measuring the tension, footage, and cable speed; counter-balancing weights positioned above the support frame and rigidly connected thereto; and a suspension arrangement, connected at the center of the assembly, for providing rotation of the assembly about two perpendicular axes of rotation, whereby the cable stays within a plane defined by the arcuate path.

Abstract: A safety enhancement device for a well-logging cable sheave wheel rotatably mounted in a frame member has a guard plate which assists in the prevention of foreign objects passing into the pinch-point between the well-logging cable and the sheave wheel.

Abstract: A guide is disclosed herein through which a fishing line is trained which includes a U-shaped frame or yoke movably supporting a spool roller on ball bearing assemblies between sideplates which is provided with a reduced central portion for movably conducting and guiding the fishing line thereover. The spool roller includes end flanges which are inset into end caps while the ball bearing assemblies are carried on opposite ends of the spool roller. A mounting shaft extends through the spool roller and the end caps detachably mount the spool roller and bearing assemblies to the yoke sideplates via a threaded engagement with the shaft. Detachable mounting members retain the yoke onto the fishing pole via a plurality of thread windings wrapped therearound.

Abstract: A countered-balanced sheave having a bracket with an eye bolt for suspending the sheave, a pulley rotatably mounted on the bracket with weights mounted on the bracket on each side of the eye bolt, the sheave consisting of a pair of circular members secured together, each of the members having a slot at its periphery forming a cavity for receiving a ring insert.

Abstract: The guard retains the cable on a pulley of a cable control system that indes another pulley mounted on a pivotable radius arm for swingable movement relative to it. Usually, the swingable pulley is linked to a third pulley mounted on a hinged structural member which itself swings with the radius arm to and from `closed` or `open` positions. When the arc is wide, i.e. around 180.degree., conventionally mounted guards engage and bind the swinging cable. The present guard is an elongate member pivotally mounted on the radius arm. In the `closed` position, a retaining flange formed on the guard moves for cable retaining purposes into close proximity with the fixed pulley and the proximity or clearance can be adjustably fixed and locked by an eccentric stop. During the `opening` swing, the cable engages the guard which then pivots sufficiently to prevent the undesired binding. The pivotal range of the guard is restricted by a pin and slot arrangement.