Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to arrangements in which unmanned aerial vehicle (UAVs) are adapted to retrieve or carry a payload without becoming caught or snagged, e.g., on a tree or building. Such arrangements may help to prevent accidents or loss of the UAV.

Abstract: A method of retaining a hammer tool in the front head of a powercell assembly of a hammer assembly includes biasing a hammer tool retaining pin such that a portion of the tool retaining pin extends into a tool receiving bore of the front head of the powercell assembly, holding a hammer tool in the tool receiving bore of the front head of the powercell assembly via the tool retaining pin, and releasing the hammer tool remotely from the hammer assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a delivered article loading apparatus, which is mounted to a lifting wire installed at the drone to be capable of lifting. The delivered article loading apparatus includes a lifting body installed at a lower end of the lifting wire; and a disposable hanging body coupled to be selectively connected to or separated from the lifting body and having a hooking unit at a lower portion thereof, wherein the lifting body and the disposable hanging body are automatically separated by a mechanical or electromagnetic interaction therebetween.

Abstract: A guard defines an inner seat comprising an open channel shaped to receive a shackle and extend partially around the shackle. The guard further includes an outer seat positioned opposite the open channel and shaped to support a strap passing through the shackle. A tether is fastened to the guard and defines a fastener for securing to a closure pin passing through the shackle. The fastener may be a hole formed in the tether and a barb formed on the tether offset from the hole, a barb on the tether that inserts through a hole in the closure pin, a cup on the tether that is positioned over an end of the closure pin, or a hooked or straight tether. The tether and fastener may be secured to a spacer through which the closure pin is inserted. A closure pin may insert through a pair of spacers.

Abstract: A connector comprises a base, a gate, and a locking mechanism. The base forms an opening. The gate is slidably operatively connected to the base and spans the opening. The locking member has an engaging position and a releasing position. The engaging position secures the gate to the base, and the releasing position allows the gate to be moved relative to the base.

Abstract: A lifting link (101) for anchors embedded in concrete panels is disclosed having a shackle (102) with a recessed cross bridge (151). A part circular latch (114) rotates within a chamber (105) of a hollow toroidal ring (104). The chamber has a circular longitudinal axis (119). The upper portion of the ring is formed into a U-shaped slot (113) through which a handle (115) of the latch (114) rotates. A transverse slot (109) accepts the head of anchor (6). The shackle bears against the exterior surface (103B) of the U-shaped slot (113). The radius of curvature of the exterior surface (103B) has a center which is not coincident with the center of the radius of curvature of the chamber axis (119). The part circular latch (114) extends through more than half a circle. Thus the center of lift (125) of the shackle (102) is worked away from the adjacent surface (10) of the concrete panel, thereby saving the surface (10) from damage during lifting.

Abstract: A rigid U-shaped structure sized to be closely received on the tip end of the transfer hook. One side of the U-shape of the structure is closed. A padeye is rigidly attached to the end curved portion of the U-shape of the structure. Means for holding the U-shaped structure in position on the tip end of the hook is provided. The holding means may be threaded bores through one or both sides of the U-shaped structure that allow bolts to be threaded through the holes such that they create sufficient friction against the tip end of the transfer hook to hold the U-shaped structure in position. The holes through the U-shaped structure may be unthreaded with threaded nuts rigidly attached to the U-shaped structure such that the nuts are aligned with the holes to allow bolts to exert pressure against the tip end of the transfer hook in the same manner to hold the U-shaped structure in position on the transfer hook.

Abstract: The device, which is intended to connect a shackle (1) to the links (2) of a chain using a bolt (8), comprises two parts (3) and (4), part 3 being a cylindrical body that guides the insertion/extraction of the bolt (8). A lever (7), which is joined to the bolt (8), extends from the side of the cylindrical body (5) and can be displaced in order to move the bolt (8). Part 4 comprises a nut (9) screwed to the end of the bolt (8) in order to secure such bolt (8). The invention also includes a handle (10) that can be attached to the nut (9) to allow the bolt (8) to be tightened by a robot. Parts 3 and 4 include brackets (11) and (12) between which through-rods (13) are screw-mounted at the ends thereof in order to secure said parts (3) and (4) to one another.

Abstract: The apparatus is intended for vertically linking a first chain and a second chain under water. The apparatus is characterized in that it comprises a lower base (1) with an open cross-shaped slot (5) into which the last link of the first chain (6) is inserted, extending above said lower base (1), while a guide/holder (2) for the second chain (7) is attached to the lower base (1) over said slot, said guide/holder containing an H-shaped shackle (11) that is coupled to the last link of said second chain (7) by means of a first bolt (12), the last link of the first chain (6) being inserted in the free space in the shackle (11) so that both chains (6-7) are coupled by means of a second bolt (13).

Abstract: A shackle assembly may be used for delivering a steel structure in a construction field, the shackle assembly including a shackle body, first, second, and third shackle pins, first and second elastic means, a vertical movement mean, and a control means. Thanks to the plurality of shackle pins and the plurality of elastic means, the shackle assembly can reduce its weight and manufacturing cost. Also, in spite of the light weight and the low cost of the shackle assembly, stability and efficiency in its working can be sufficiently secured.

Abstract: A lifting link (101) for anchors embedded in concrete panels is disclosed having a shackle (102) with a recessed cross bridge (151). A part circular latch (114) rotates within a chamber (105) of a hollow toroidal ring (104). The chamber has a circular longitudinal axis (119). The upper portion of the ring is formed into a U-shaped slot (113) through which a handle (115) of the latch (114) rotates. A transverse slot (109) accepts the head of anchor (6). The shackle bears against the exterior surface (103B) of the U-shaped slot (113). The radius of curvature of the exterior surface (103B) has a centre which is not coincident with the centre of the radius of curvature of the chamber axis (119). Thus the centre of lift (125) of the shackle (102) is worked away from the adjacent surface (10) of the concrete panel, thereby saving the surface (10) from damage during lifting.

Abstract: A lifting link for anchors embedded in concrete panels is disclosed having a shackle with a recessed cross bridge. A part circular latch rotates within a chamber of a hollow toroidal ring. The chamber has a circular longitudinal axis. The upper portion of the ring is formed into a U-shaped slot through which a handle of the latch rotates. A transverse slot accepts the head of anchor. The shackle bears against the exterior surface of the U-shaped slot. The radius of curvature of the exterior surface has a center which is not coincident with the center of the radius of curvature of the chamber axis. Thus the center of lift of the shackle is worked away from the adjacent surface of the concrete panel, thereby saving the surface from damage during lifting.

Abstract: A light weight lifting tool (10) for lowering and retrieving subsea equipment to and from the sea bed is disclosed. The equipment includes an upper coupling part in the form of a connector spool piece (15) having at least one circumferential ring groove (16) for use in making engagement with the lifting tool (10). The lifting tool (10) includes a housing (1) designed to enclose and receive the connector spool piece (15). The lifting tool (10) further includes a number of latch segments (8) having at least one radially inwards directed projection (8?) designed for engagement with the at least one ring groove (16), and an activating device (6) arranged to bring the latch segments (8) in and out of engagement with the at least one ring groove (16) by operation of the activating device (6).

Abstract: A lifting tool (10) is provided for supporting an oilfield riser during relocation by a crane having a support line (14). The tool body (12) has an inverted U-shaped configuration with a central opening (18) and a downwardly facing throat (20). A powered drive (26) rotates the arcuate member between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: A hollow crane spreader beam incorporates at least one radio-controlled load-release assemblies. Each assembly includes a slidable bolt that is coupled to the plunger of an electric-motor-driven, radio-controlled door lock unit that is installed within the beam. When in a first position, taken in response to application of first polarity voltage to the door lock motor, the bolt traps a free end of a load-supporting chain or cable between a pair of eye blocks, each having an aperture through which the bolt slides. When in a second position, taken in response to application of a second polarity voltage, the bolt releases the free end. The spreader beam also incorporates a radio receiver/controller unit and a battery that is coupled to both the radio receiver/controller unit and the multiple door lock units.

Abstract: A lifting link for anchors embedded in concrete panels is disclosed having a shackle with a recessed cross bridge. A part circular latch rotates within a chamber of a hollow toroidal ring. The chamber has a circular longitudinal axis. The upper portion of the ring is formed into a U-shaped slot through which a handle of the latch rotates. A transverse slot accepts the head of anchor. The shackle bears against the exterior surface of the U-shaped slot. The radius of curvature of the exterior surface has a centre which is not coincident with the centre of the radius of curvature of the chamber axis. Thus the centre of lift of the shackle is worked away from the adjacent surface of the concrete panel, thereby saving the surface from damage during lifting.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved shackle having particular utility in underwater salvage operations. The present invention discloses a shackle that has a generally U shaped body that is comprised of a bow portion and first and second spaced apart arms. Each arm has an end portion with an opening for receiving a shackle pin. The shackle pin is sized and shaped to simultaneously fit through the shackle pin openings, and end portion of the pin having external pin threads. A nut provides an internally threaded opening for engaging external threads of a shackle pin. The nut is rotatably mounted to a second end portion of the shackle body. The external pin threads of the shackle pin and the internal threads of the nut are engaged when the pin is connected to the nut by rotating the nut. The pin does not rotate relative to the shackle body, due to an elongated groove in the pin that travels on a key portion of the shackle body that is in one of the openings.

Abstract: A mechanically releasable shackle pin arrangement that is readily operated by an ROV and is not affected by the hydrostatic pressures encountered at depth. A shackle body having two ends has a shackle pin received through bores at one end of the shackle body. A shackle nut threaded on the shackle pin secures the shackle pin in an installed position through the bores in the shackle body. An anti-rotation link plate is attached to the shackle body. The anti-rotation link plate extends to one end of the side plate. The shackle pin extends through bores at one end of the shackle body and the anti-rotation link plate and is secured in its installed position by a shackle nut threaded on the shackle pin. Means for preventing rotation of the shackle nut and loss of the shackle nut is provided on the anti-rotation link plate such that the shackle pin can be removed by a remotely operated tool on an ROV at depth to release a load without the need for hydraulics on the shackle assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved shackle having particular utility in underwater salvage operations. The present invention discloses a shackle that has a generally U shaped body that is comprised of a bow portion and first and second spaced apart arms. Each arm has an end portion with an opening for receiving a shackle pin. The shackle pin is sized and shaped to simultaneously fit through the shackle pin openings, and end portion of the pin having external pin threads. A nut provides an internally threaded opening for engaging external threads of a shackle pin. The nut is rotatably mounted to a second end portion of the shackle body. The external pin threads of the shackle pin and the internal threads of the nut are engaged when the pin is connected to the nut by rotating the nut. The pin does not rotate relative to the shackle body, due to an elongated groove in the pin that travels on a key portion of the shackle body that is in one of the openings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus suspend a load on an arcuate shaped lift arm, which is attached to a body of a lifting apparatus in such a manner that the lift arm is movable with respect to the body of the apparatus along an arc, for selectively engaging and disengaging the load. The lift arm is locked against movement while the lift arm is supporting the load, and a remote release apparatus is provided for moving the lift arm along the arc. A second locking apparatus selectively locks the lift arm in place along the arc at an open position of the apparatus. The lifting apparatus may also include one or more remote release apparatuses, in combination with other elements such as a spreader bar, slings, and control elements.

Abstract: A high-load capability non-explosive cable release mechanism for retaining the adjacent ends of two cables and releasing them upon receiving a signal from a remote source. The cable release mechanism has a casing for housing two non-explosive actuators (NEAs), which also has a center bore for housing a jaw and ramp assembly. Each NEA is connected to the jaw and ramp assembly for independently operating the jaw and ramp assembly to retain or release the proximal ends of the two cables. Upon receiving the signal by any one or both of the NEAs, the jaw and ramp assembly will release the adjacent ends of the two cables from the casing.

Abstract: A winch assembly includes a winch coupled to a bracket, a carrier having first and second members, and a latch coupled to one of the bracket and the first member. A flexible member extends through apertures extending through the first and second members. The first member includes a first end disposable through an aperture of the second member and a second end which may not pass through the aperture of the second member. The latch engages the other of the bracket and the first member upon a tire being moved toward a stored position. The first member is disengagable from the bracket to allow the tire to be moved to an accessible position.

Abstract: A crane gear for the transport of web rolls with a winding core, provided with a passage hole, exhibits a support frame, which is attached to a cable and which is provided with receiving units. The support frame comprises an upper yoke carrier with legs, which point in the downward direction and whose ends are provided with hooks and from which a support rod, which is slid through the passage hole, can be suspended.

Abstract: Apparatus for suspending a load, in particular a person, from a cable comprises a harness plate adapted to be secured to a harness for supporting the person. The harness plate includes a locking mechanism comprising two locking members spaced apart to define a through-aperture, resilient members arranged to resiliently bias the locking members towards each other to substantially close the through-aperture, and user-operable finger grips arranged to move the locking members against the resilient bias. The apparatus also includes a cable spade having a first part adapted to be attached to the cable and a second part shaped for insertion into the through-aperture and retention therein by the locking members. Insertion of the spade into the through-aperture initially moves the locking members apart against the resilient bias to open the through-aperture and then permits the resilient members to return the locking members so as to securely retain the cable spade in the through-aperture.