Abstract: A practice dummy comprising a remotely controlled, self-propelled base unit supporting a detachable upper body enables athletes to practice football skills against a dummy that can simulate the speed and mobility of a human player.

Abstract: A material dumping system is suspendable by a single hoist line. A first hoist line pulley is attached to a forward attachment element on a dumping container so that the line can be wrapped under the first pulley to support the container. The hoist line extends from under the first pulley to a second pulley attachable to the hoist's support structure where it is wrapped over the second pulley to extend therefrom to a rearward attachment element on the dumping container. A selectively actuated hoist line brake permits rotation of both pulleys during normal raising and lowering of the dumping container with the container in a horizontal attitude. However, when it is desired to dump the contents of the container, the hoist line brake is actuated to prevent rotation of the second pulley while permitting rotation of the first pulley. The hoist line is then extended to tilt the container forward for dumping purposes.

Abstract: A single line grab system including a grab suspended by a single line from a carrier. A head assembly is connected to the grab from above the grab and is vertically movable with respect thereto. A first end of the line is anchored and second end of the line is selectively extensible and retractable. A retarder system selectively engages a portion of the line. In one embodiment of the grab system the retarder is mounted on the head assembly and the first end of the line is anchored to the carrier. In an alternate embodiment of the grab system the retarder is mounted on the carrier and the first end of the line is anchored to the head assembly. A method for operating a grab system essentially involves two variables: first, the line may be selectively withdrawn or fed and, second, the retarder may be selectively disabled or applied to a portion of the line. Using these two variables, the grab or bucket may be selectively opened or closed and selectively raised or lowered.