Abstract: An expandable and contractible spindle for dispensing rolled paper product, such as toilet paper, is described. The spindle comprises two elongated housings slideably coupled together, and a spring disposed there between. The first housing has a hallow interior portion and a side opening that provides access to the interior. The second housing has at least three sections with different diameters. The first section has a diameter that fits into the hollow interior of the first housing, but is too large to exit the side opening. The second section has a diameter smaller than the side opening. The third section has a diameter larger than the side opening. In this manner, first housing slides with respect to second housing along the length of the second section of second housing. The spring is disposed in the hallow interior, causing the spindle to expand.

Abstract: One embodiment of a support system for a lift motor unit comprises a first frame comprising left and right first stanchions and a first beam extending laterally between and connected to the stanchions. The support system also includes a similar second frame. A first connector is connected to the first beam and a second connector is connected to the second beam. A rail is connected to the connectors. Another embodiment of the lift motor support system includes similar third and fourth frames and third and fourth connectors. A first rail is connected to the third and fourth connectors, and the rail between the first and second connectors is a second rail. A traverse rail is engaged with and longitudinally translatable along the first and second primary rails.

Abstract: The pulley device comprises first and second pulleys each provided with a set of sheaves. The two pulleys are designed to be respectively fixed to a fixed point and to a person to be rescued. A rope is fixed to one of the two pulleys and arranged in such a way that the first pulley moves towards the second pulley when a pull is exerted on the rope. An enclosure connects the first pulley to the second pulley and surrounds the path of the rope between the two pulleys. One end of the rope extends outwards from the enclosure to enable a pull to be exerted on the end of the rope.

Abstract: The hoist comprises a crosspiece, an insertion portion, and two folding members. The insertion portion may be inserted into a receiver. The folding members are each positioned near opposite ends of the crosspiece and are pivotally coupled to the crosspiece such that each folding member may be pivoted upward and towards each other. The folding members may be lengthened and shortened. When in a folded position, the folding members are retracted and turned inward so that each folding member aligns parallel to the crosspiece. When in the extended working position, a chain is coupled to a top portion of a vertical extension member to the coupling member such that the folding members are in an upright, lifting position. A winch cable extending from the crosspiece and through a pulley positioned near the coupling member is adapted for lifting an object.

Abstract: A mobile winching system is provided, whereby a motorized winch, battery, and controller are mounted on a metal plate that is attached to and may be enclosed within a bag, wherein the metal plate has attachment points for coupling an anchor component to fix the winch system in position during a winching operation. The mobile winch in a bag system provides a way to transport and operate a winch in areas that are otherwise inaccessible by traditional vehicle mounted winches without the necessity of separately transporting the components of the system and with reduced setup of the components for use.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a winch having a user-adjustable or variable initial mechanical advantage. In one embodiment, the winch of the present disclosure has an outer drum diameter adjustable between a minimum outer drum diameter, which is associated with a maximum initial mechanical advantage provided by the winch, and a maximum outer drum diameter, which is associated with a minimum initial mechanical advantage provided by the winch. This provides a user with the flexibility to adjust or vary the mechanical advantage of the winch to the user's preference.

Abstract: A dispenser for a roll of web material, such as a center feed roll includes: a body having a first end wall provided with a dispensing opening for dispensing a leading end of the web material at the center of the roll, a second end wall opposite to the first end wall, and a sidewall connecting to the first and second end wall. The dispenser also includes a stabilizing device that is insertable into the roll to prevent the roll from collapsing towards its center. The stabilizing device includes a plurality of protrusions protruding from at least one of the first or second end wall towards the other of the first or second end wall, and the protrusions are disposed closer to the sidewall than to a center axis of the body.

Abstract: The present invention provides machinery used to create products (for instance disposable products). The machinery is operated at high speed, with the machine occupying a small footprint. Materials can be fed into the manufacturing process vertically (from above or below), using assembly stations to feed completed components into the system at appropriate stations. Additionally, restocking of raw components can be accomplished by robotic means of transferring the raw material from staging areas into infeeding or splicing stations, without the need for human operators.

Abstract: A fairlead for guiding an anchor chain, intended to equip a ground anchor system for a floating platform, includes a bending structure for guiding a direction change of the associated anchor chain, and a locking structure that includes a grip jaw consisting of two jaws associated with operating elements for rotatably moving the jaws in opposite directions. The operating elements include: (a) an inert mass, referred to as “counterweight”, which is movably coupled to the jaws and which is height-adjustable between a low position and a high position corresponding to an active position and an inactive position of the jaws, respectively, so as to operate and tend to maintain the jaws in the active position, and (b) an actuator driven by control elements, for operating the jaws from the active position to the inactive position and for operating the counterweight from the low position to the high position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a crane, particularly a bridge crane or gantry crane, including at least one crane girder extending horizontally and designed as a truss with a plurality of braces, on which girder a crane trolley with a lifting gear is movable. At least some of the braces have a flat shape. The flat-shaped braces each have a flat main surface that extends in each case transversely to a longitudinal direction of the crane girder.

Abstract: A lawn mower lift is provided for lifting one end of a lawn mower to enable a person to gain access to the underside of the lawn mower to perform maintenance or repair tasks on the lawn mower. The lawn mower lift includes first and second upstanding post members having a support rail extending between the upper ends of the post members. A horizontally disposed wheel is vertically slidably mounted on each of the post members for supporting a pair of wheels of the lawn mower thereon. A winch is mounted on the support rail and has a pair of winch cables secured to the wheel supports. The winch, when operated in a first direction, raises one end of the lawn mower. The winch, when operated in a second direction, lowers the lawn mower.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lift system comprising a drum that rotates about an axis, a drive mechanism operable to rotate the drum about the axis, an elongate member (e.g., a cable) having a wound portion wound around the drum and a vertical portion extending downward to the article being lifted, and a low profile adjuster for adjusting a vertical length of the elongate member. The low profile adjuster comprises a first guide adapted to support the article to be lifted and including a first pathway, and a second guide movable relative to the first guide. The elongate member transitions from the vertical portion, through the first pathway to a non-vertical (e.g., horizontal) portion, and to the second guide. Adjustment of a distance between the first guide and the second guide results in adjustment of a vertical position of the first guide relative to the elongate member.

Abstract: Wind energy systems, such as an Airborne Wind Turbine (“AWT”), may be used to facilitate conversion of kinetic energy to electrical energy. An AWT may include an aerial vehicle that flies in a path to convert kinetic wind energy to electrical energy. The aerial vehicle may be tethered to a ground station via a tether that terminates at a tether termination mount. In one aspect, the ground station may have a motor that may be used, for example, as a winch motor to turn the drum to assist in deployment and/or refraction of the tether and AWT. It may be desirable to be able to switch from an engaged and disengaged condition of the motor. For example, it may be desirable to disengage the motor to help reduce wear on the drivetrain and/or to help reduce loads on the drivetrain.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide an improved paper towel and toilet paper portable dispenser that will protect and cover a paper towel or toilet paper roll, so as not to become dirty when being transported. It will further allow the desired amounts of paper towels and toilet paper to be easily removed from the dispenser when needed. Not only is the dispenser light weight, flexible and simple and easy to use, it is economical in cost to manufacture.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing, rotating and feeding a high pressure hose, including: a first rotatable drum with a helical groove; a second rotatable drum; and at least one actuator for rotating the first and second drums. For rotation of the first and second drums in first and second opposite directions, respectively, a hose and a cable are coilable into the helical groove such that the hose is in compressive engagement with the cable and the first drum. For rotation of the first and second drums in the second and first directions, respectively, the hose is uncoilable from the first drum and displaceable beyond the apparatus and the cable is coilable about the second drum.

Abstract: A dual crane apparatus and a method of use are disclosed herein. The disclosed dual crane apparatus generally comprises a support frame and two rotating crane members mounted to the support frame, wherein the crane members can each independently move up and down in a vertical direction, extend and retract in a horizontal direction, and rotate clockwise and counterclockwise. The disclosed dual crane apparatus can be utilized for servicing mobile irrigation systems.

Abstract: An arrangement for damping oscillation of a loading member in a crane includes a trolley, a hoisting mechanism, hoisting ropes, and a loading member. The arrangement includes a vertical guide projection arranged in an upper part of the loading member, and a guide part arranged in the trolley and receiving the guide projection. Damping members connected to the guide part are arranged in a separate support frame which is guidable into its place in a dock arranged underneath the trolley and which is lowerable off the dock onto the loading member. The guide part is a floating guide tube structure. The damping members include a plurality of side damping modules connected between a side wall of the guide tube structure and the support frame for substantially damping horizontal movement of the guide tube structure. A support joint is arranged in an upper part of the support frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques relating to an operating device exhibiting superior dust resistance and water resistance, and more particularly to an operating device exhibiting few design restrictions and a small assembly operation load, and to a moving apparatus including the operating device. In an operating device having, in a casing, a detection unit for detecting input relating to an instruction to operate a driving device that drives movement of an object, a plurality of the detection units are arranged over a partial or entire range of a circumference of the casing in accordance with movement directions of the object.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly system for a mobile crane auxiliary lifting unit comprising auxiliary lifting unit assembly fastenings which are coupled to the auxiliary lifting unit and serve to fasten the auxiliary lifting unit to the crane, and comprising an assembly unit which can move the auxiliary lifting unit assembly fastenings into an assembly position. It also relates to an assembly installation for a mobile crane auxiliary lifting unit, comprising such an assembly system and comprising a sub-structure. A footing support for a mobile crane auxiliary lifting unit and a method for assembling a mobile crane auxiliary lifting unit are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of assembling a crane having a telescopic boom which has a coupling section, a telescopic cylinder supported therein and at least one telescopic section, wherein at least one telescopic section is transported to the site of deployment separately from the coupling section and the at least one separately moved telescopic section is drawn, in particular drawn slowly, into an outer section, in particular into the coupling section, in the assembly position by the telescopic cylinder by means of an auxiliary assembly head.