Abstract: A wedge socket assembly having a wedge socket, a pin for connecting objects to the wedge socket, a wedge, and a bolt for holding the wedge in the wedge socket. The wedge socket has an elongated, hollow basket of substantially rectangular cross-section. The hollow basket has a large opening at a first end, a small opening at a second end, and an interior cross-section tapering from said large opening to said small opening. Connected to the basket are a pair of jaws extending from opposite sides of the first end, and the jaws each have an opening therethrough aligned with one another, with the pin inserted through the openings and retained by a cotter pin. The wedge has a first wedge portion with a large end and a small end, and is of substantially the same shape as the interior of the basket.

Abstract: A swivel hardware assembly which includes a bail having a base with an opening therethrough. A shank, terminating in a head, passes through the opening to form a pivotal connection between the bail and the shank. The first thrust washer is juxtaposed between the head and the base. A second thrust washer is juxtaposed between the head and the base. Each thrust washer has at least one surface covered with a self lubricating material, the self lubricating surfaces mating with each other to form a bearing surface.

Abstract: The present invention is a hoist ring provided with a central screw having a screw head at one end and a threaded shank at an opposite end. A washer is provided between the screw head and a lower bushing, with the lower bushing being secured on the screw with a self-lock retaining ring which inserts into a lower recess provided in the lower bushing. The self-lock retaining ring is provided with teeth for gripping the threaded shank. An upward oriented sleeve provided on the lower bushing extends upward to the washer. A body rotatably mounts around the sleeve by means of an axial bore provided in the body. A bail pivotally mounts to the body on an axis transverse to an axis of the lower bushing by means of shoulder pins which insert into horizontal bores of the body and which are secured therein by roll pins. The roll pins insert through vertical bores in the body and through aligned holes in the shoulder pins and are held in place by the washer and lower bushing.

Abstract: Fittings for use with one or more loading bearing lines or chains comprising an indicia marking on a working portion of the fitting that is representative of an angular load position relative to an in line load position of the lines or chains for that particular fitting.

Abstract: A swage includes a before swage dimension portion and a portion that is of dimension or diameter equal to a specified after-swage dimension.

Abstract: Fittings for use with one or more loading bearing lines or chains comprising indicia markings on a working portion of the fitting, the markings comprise an inline load position and angular load positions of the lines or chains when used with the fitting.

Abstract: A flapper type gate latch for a crane hook includes a hand operated interlocking prevent member which in one mode can be immovably retained closing the mouth of the hook, and in another mode can be immovably retained permitting the free movement of the gate latch from its biased normally closed position to a position wherein the mouth of the hook is open.

Abstract: Wedge sockets are among the simplest devices for anchoring a wire rope for any purposes. They are intended for "on the job" attachment and for quick rope replacement. Principal advantages are simplicity, ease and speed of applying and detaching. Wedge sockets are commercially available and an information article on wedge sockets appears in attachment "A", "Wire Rope Rigging Manual", pages 45 and 46. The most commonly used wedge socket is believed represented by that information appearing on pages 34 and 39 of The Crosby Group catalog, a copy attached hereto as Exhibit "B". Also of interest is the Bulletin TGS-2 of Sauerman Brothers Inc., which is attached hereto as Exhibit "C". The following U.S. Pat. Nos. are noted:3,905,711; 3,351,986; and 4,602,891.

Abstract: An industrial or heavy duty type swivel used to make connection between load receiving and hoisting devices with relative rotation therebetween, is assembled with minimal machined parts and includes an upper connector having a receiving cavity for a lower connector which has pre-assembled thereon, prior to interconnection within the cavity, a thrust washer or thrust bearing assembly which interconnects by a splined or bayonet type connection.

Abstract: This concerns a snatch block for free stringing rope to a sheave supported between two side plates, one of which is movable. One of the side plates, called a swing plate, is rotatable with respect to the sheave. A removable bolt holds the two side plates together. Means are provided to prevent the bolt from falling completely out of the non-movable side plate when the other side plate is moved. Further, special means are provided for the bolt to help support the spool and further novel means are provided to aid in preventing the trunnion and hook from falling off the spool when the side plate is swung free.

Abstract: A trunnion assembly to interconnect the shank of a hook to a block, like a pulley block, includes trunnion pins that are assembled through the inner bore of a trunnion body and moved outward to extend from the bore into depending side plates of the block assembly and thus rotatably support the trunnion body and lock the pins in place.

Abstract: An improved connector for coupling a chain to a wire rope or cable such that the resulting connection can be passed over a sheave, pulley, wheel or windlass without applying a bending stress to the wire rope. The connector comprises a hemispherical housing having an opening therethrough that is axially symmetric about the radius that is perpendicular to the planar portion of the hemispherical housing. The opening is adapted to accept and retain a wire rope having a terminal fitting by holding the terminal fitting within the hemispherical housing. A semi-circular member of common radius to the hemispherical housing and adapted to accept and retain a chain is attached to the planar portion of the hemispherical housing. A pair of retaining pins pass through the co-axial openings in the hemispherical housing and the end of the semi-circular member terminating on flat surfaces on opposite sides of the terminal fitting of the wire rope.

Abstract: A load binder having a shortened handle with means to receive and interlock with a separate extension member, which is also adaptable to release the load binder.

Abstract: A fitting for flexible fabric type web slings.

Abstract: A spring loaded hook having an apparatus which forms a part of the assembly and which can be used by field or manufacturing personnel to disassemble and/or assemble the hook parts for maintenance or repair by a controlled compression and release of the spring.

Abstract: A mechanically connected socket for `on-the-job` connection with structural strand includes a sleeve and an internal wedge shaped member through which the center core of the strand is received and retained while one or more outer layers extend longitudinally about the wedge and a bulbous head which, when assembled, encapsulates the strand.

Abstract: A self-locking, quick release, latched, antifouling hook comprising a J-shaped body encircling a bowl with a latch pivotally attached to the body and held in contact with the hook tip, under spring tension, thus closing the throat of the hook. A spring tensioned, lever arm is pivotally attached to the latch and, in the locked position, is rigidly held engaged to the J-shaped body. Such a hook can be readily opened by intentionally compressing the lever arm into the latch and then, continuing with the same motion, the latch is opened by further compression of both the lever arm and the latch, into the bowl of the hook.