Abstract: Disclosed is a crane comprising: a lower body; an upper slewing body; a counterweight unit including a plurality of wheels to travel on the ground in a turning direction equal to a slewing direction of the upper slewing body while being suspended from the upper slewing body; a steering actuator for rotating each of the wheels around a steering-rotation center axis to change the steering angle; and a steering control device for controlling the steering actuator. The steering control device includes: a slewing-identification-signal receiving section which receives a slewing identification signal for identification of the slewing direction of the upper slewing body; and an actuator operating section operates the steering actuator to orient each of the wheels to the inside of a tangent line to an orbit of the wheel at the steering-rotation center axis, based on the identified slewing direction identified from the slewing identification signal.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to an overhead crane with one or more bridge rails, that incorporates a reinforcement truss into its one or more bridge rails so as to reduce the overall mass of the one or more bridge rails. This facilitates movement of a load carried by the bridge by an operator to a destination point, particularly in embodiments wherein the one or more bridge rails do not have any bridge drive motors thereon. Reducing the mass of the bridge can increase the amount of lifted load that can comfortably be maneuvered by an operator, particularly when the bridge is manually moved along the runway. Additionally, reducing the mass of the bridge reduces the momentum associated with the bridge, which can increase the amount of control that the operator has when it is desired to stop the bridge when the load has been maneuvered to its desired destination point.

Abstract: A device for taking up a fire-fighting hose, allowing the user to quickly and reliably take up the hose with a small force in an upright posture and capable of accurately taking up the hose both in a single layer and in double layers. Wheels (2) are rotatably supported at the lower part of a frame body (1), and a handle (5) is provided to the upper part of the frame body (1). The frame body (1) can be moved by rotating the wheels (2) by pushing or pulling the handle (5). A rotatable reel (3) on which hose (H) is wound is provided to the frame body (1), a power transmitting circulation member (4) is passed over the rotating shaft (33) of the reel (3) and the rotation support shaft (21) of the wheels (2) to enable the reel (3) to rotate in association with the rotation of the wheels (2).

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: A method and an apparatus for handling and/or servicing components of a wind turbine, such as installing and/or dismantling components into or from a wind turbine nacelle or such as servicing exterior components such as blades, hub, tower and nacelle of the wind turbine are disclosed. The gripping apparatus comprising at least one arm for gripping around the wind turbine tower, the at least one arm capable of forming a gap between gripping elements of the gripping apparatus. The at least one arm extends around the entire outer circumference, seen perpendicular to a horizontal plane, of the wind turbine tower.

Abstract: A device for handling a spool having a barrel about which a wire or cable is wound and two flanges at each end of the barrel includes a pair of wheeled carriers wherein each carrier includes an elongated frame having two opposite end portions and wherein the opposite end portions of the frame are adapted to be moved toward and away from one another. A roller is rotatably supported at each end portion of each frame and is arranged so that the rotational axis of the two rollers of each frame are substantially parallel to one another, and a screw jack is incorporated within each frame for moving the rollers of each frame toward one another so that by positioning each carrier of the device adjacent a corresponding flange of the spool and then moving the end portions of the carrier toward one another, the flange of spool is raised to an elevated condition above the floor.

Abstract: A mandrel cupping assembly for releasably engaging the unsupported ends of a plurality of mandrels disposed on a web winding turret assembly is disclosed. The mandrel cupping assembly comprises a cupping arm turret, a mandrel cup and cupping arm cooperatively associated with each mandrel, an outer ring guide disposed coaxially about the cupping arm turret, and an actuator cooperatively associated with each cupping arm. Each of the mandrel cups and cupping arms are disposed radially about the cupping arm turret. The mandrel cups releasably engage the unsupported end of the mandrel against the outer ring guide. The mandrel cups have a hold-open position and a hold-closed position and are carried in a radial orbital path about the cupping arm turret while disposed in either of the hold-open position or the hold-closed position. Each actuator disposes the corresponding cupping arm from the hold-open position to the hold-closed position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to control means (20) for controlling a lifter device (10), the control means having a grip (25) comprising a body (30) extending longitudinally in a first direction (D1) in elevation from a first end (31) to a second end (32), said control means (20) including at least one control member (40) for controlling said lifter device (10). The body (30) includes a groove (33) extending longitudinally in a second direction (D2) in elevation, said groove (33) having a back wall (34) and an open section (35) that is open to the outside (EXT) of the grip (25) so that a suspension member (15) can be reversibly inserted in said groove (33) through said open section (35), the suspension member (15) being held in said groove (33) by the hand of an operator.

Abstract: A mandrel cupping assembly for releasably engaging the unsupported ends of a plurality of mandrels disposed on a web winding turret assembly is disclosed. The mandrel cupping assembly comprises a cupping arm turret, a mandrel cup and cupping arm cooperatively associated with each mandrel, an outer ring guide disposed coaxially about the cupping arm turret, and a first actuator. Each of the mandrel cups and cupping arms are disposed radially about the cupping arm turret. The mandrel cups releasably engage the unsupported end of the mandrel against the outer ring guide. The mandrel cups have a hold-open position and a hold-closed position and are carried in a radial orbital path about the cupping arm turret while disposed in either of the hold-open position or the hold-closed position. The first actuator disposes each of the mandrel cups and cupping arms from the hold-open position to the hold-closed position.

Abstract: A mandrel cupping assembly for releaseably engaging the unsupported ends of a plurality of mandrels supported on a web winding turret assembly is disclosed. Each of the mandrels is driven in a closed mandrel path about a web winding turret assembly axis. The mandrel cupping assembly has a cupping arm turret with a cupping arm turret central axis, a cupping arm cooperatively associated with each mandrel of the plurality of mandrels, and a first actuator for disposing the cupping arm from a hold-open position to a hold-closed position. Each of the cupping arms is disposed radially about the cupping arm turret and is carried in a radial orbital path about the cupping arm turret central axis while disposed in either of the hold-open position or the hold-closed position.

Abstract: A strap-tensioning device includes a base that receives a rotatable drum rigidly connected to toothed wheels, and configured to engage a holding pawl; tensioning lever rotatably mounted by hinging onto the drum, and provided with a pawl for driving the toothed wheels; an unlocking pawl configured to release the toothed wheels from the respective engagement thereof with the holding pawl and with the driving pawl, rotatably mounted, independently of the rotation of the tensioning lever, by hinging onto the drum. The unlocking lever is rigidly connected to two parallel cams having the same profile, and configured to simultaneously engage, respectively, the holding pawl and the driving pawl, so as to release the rotation of the drum.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rig assembly and for erecting a mast of a rig and such systems with roller apparatus to facilitate movement of a mast section from a mover. In a first embodiment, the method includes erecting a rig mast section on a substructure, the substructure including a first substructure box spaced-apart from a second substructure box, the first substructure box comprising a first upper box above a first lower box and the second substructure box comprising a second upper box above a second lower box.

Abstract: A printing device includes a first roller for rotatably retaining a roll body where a medium is rolled, a first motor for rotating the first roller, a second roller installed further to the downstream side of the roll body in the feeding direction of the medium to feed the medium in the feeding direction or in a reverse feeding direction which is opposite to the feeding direction corresponding to the rotating direction, a second motor for rotating the second roller, and a controller which causes the medium to become slack the first roller and the second roller by feeding the medium by a predetermined feeding amount in the reverse feeding direction by the second motor, and then rotates the roll body in a winding-up direction by the first motor so that the slackness decreases to calculate the diameter of the roll body based on the rotation amount of the first roller at that time and the predetermined feeding amount.

Abstract: A system is mounted onto a forklift truck for covering and/or uncovering a cargo with a tarpaulin. The system comprises a tube frame assembly having a telescoping frame slidably attached to it. The telescoping frame is configured to be capable of being extendable and/or retractable within the tube frame assembly. The telescoping frame comprises a plurality of rollers configured to be capable of rotating when engaged with the plurality of flexible members and the flexible cover. A powertrain device is installed onto the tube frame assembly for causing to retract and/or to extend the telescoping frame within the tube frame assembly. A winch assembly is configured to be coupled to the tube frame assembly and having a plurality of straps engaged with the tarpaulin to cover and/or uncover the cargo.

Abstract: A self-tailing arrangement for a winch comprises a rope guide channel defined by upper and lower guide rings which are rotatable with a drum and adapted to grip rope therein. A feeder arm guides rope between the drum and the rope guide channel and is fixed with respect to a support. A spring-mounted retainer guide guides rope between the rope guide channel and an unloaded end of the rope. The drum is rotatable with respect to the retainer guide. The retainer guide has a retainer lip extending partially circumferentially around the self-tailing assembly to at least partially enclose a portion of the rope guide channel. The retainer guide further defines at least one side of an opening adjacent the retainer lip, the opening being sized to conduct rope through the opening during reverse winding of the winch, the rope thereby being retained in the rope guide channel by the retainer lip.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a tape splicing system for coupling a leading end of a staged tape to a trailing end of a running tape to form a continuous tape. The splicing system can comprise a connector having an opening for allowing the running tape to pass through, a leading end element having an opening for engaging the connector, and a trailing end element. The leading end element can be secured to the leading end of the staged tape and the trailing end element can be secured to the trailing end of the running tape. The connector can couple the leading end element to the trailing end element to splice the staged tape to the running tape.

Abstract: A mandrel cupping assembly for releaseably enraging the ends of a plurality of mandrels supported on a web winding turret assembly is disclosed. The turret assembly provides a plurality of mandrels extending parallel to a turret assembly central axis and driven in a closed mandrel path about the turret assembly central axis. The mandrel cupping assembly provides a cupping arm cooperatively associated with each mandrel, a cupping arm support having a hold-open cam track and a hold-closed cam track disposed radially about a surface thereof, and a first actuator for disposing the cupping arm from the hold-open cam track to the hold-closed cam track. The cupping arm has a mandrel cup for releaseably engaging the end of a mandrel. Each cupping arm is carried in a radial path about the turret assembly central axis while disposed in either of the hold-open cam track or the hold-closed cam track.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus, especially a cable traction mechanism, comprising a base frame that has at least two base plates, further comprising at least two longitudinal beams that interconnect the base plates and are spaced apart from each other, and at least one attachable cross-member for cable reeving parts that is fastened to the base plates and extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal beams. Multiple mounting points, to which the attachable cross-member for cable reeving parts can be alternatively and detachably fastened, may be arranged on each of the base plates to promote modularity of the lifting apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods that enable a cable to be easily terminated at an elevated level are provided. The cable can be a strength member having a number of fiber optic storage loops disposed about its length. These loops can be strategically positioned upon a sidewall of a multi-dwelling building such that fiber optic service can be efficiently connected as desired. The systems can include a housing apparatus having a locking cavity where the cable is terminated. The housing includes entry and exit apertures that permit a pulling device such as tape to pass there through. A locking mechanism can be positioned within the housing which engages a dead-end device connected to the cable thereby facilitating termination of the dead-end device at the elevated level after frictional release of a retaining knot. Various mounting bracket assemblies are provided which facilitate mounting on most any surface.

Abstract: A web rewinding apparatus comprising a turret winder and a mandrel cupping assembly is disclosed. The turret winder has a rotatably driven turret supporting a plurality of rotatably driven mandrels capable of engaging cores upon which a web material is convolutely wound thereabout. The mandrel cupping assembly has a plurality of cupping arms each cooperatively associated with one of the plurality of mandrels and having a mandrel cup for releaseably engaging the unsupported ends of the cooperatively associated mandrel. The mandrel cupping assembly has a cupping arm support having a hold-open cam track and a hold-closed cam track. Each cupping arm is carried in a radial path while disposed in either of the hold-open cam track or said hold-closed cam track. A first actuator disposes the cupping arm from the hold-open cam track to the hold-closed cam track.