Abstract: A tie-down apparatus includes a frame, a reel, a ratcheted wheel, a ratchet detent, a handle and a security device. The reel is rotatable relative to the frame. The ratcheted wheel is rotatable with the reel. The ratchet detent rattles on the ratcheted wheel to allow the ratcheted wheel to rotate when the ratcheted wheel is rotated in a first sense of direction. The ratchet detent is engaged with the ratcheted wheel to prevent the ratcheted wheel from rotation in an attempt to rotate the ratcheted wheel in a second sense of direction. The security device is movable between a reeling position where the security device keeps the handle connected to the reel and a locking position where the security device is supported on the frame and pressed against the ratchet detent so that the ratchet detent is firmly engaged with the ratcheted wheel, thereby keeping the reel in position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for positioning and orientating a load includes a support structure movable in a first direction a tendon system having at least six winches mounted on the structure and at least six tendons connected to the winches, and a lifting mechanism mounted on the structure. The lifting mechanism includes another tendon and is movable in a second direction perpendicular to the first. The apparatus includes a component suspending the load from above and is connected to a second end of each of the tendons and to a free end of the additional tendon. The apparatus further includes a control module for translating synchronously and independently an instruction regarding the load in an actuation over the winches, over the lifting mechanism and the support structure, such that at least 51% of the load is sustained by the lifting mechanism and the load is suspended from the further tendon.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a winch may include first and second end frames, a drum coupled between the first and second end frames and configured to rotate to wind or unwind a cable, a brake configured to resist rotation of the drum when engaged, a switch configured to cause the brake to engage the drum when the switch is activated, a slack arm frame having a first end engaged with the cable and a second end pivotally coupled between the first and second end frames, where the slack arm frame is configured to pivot between a first position when the cable is taut and a second position when the cable is slack, and a cam coupled to the slack arm frame and configured to rotate with the slack arm frame to activate the switch when the slack arm frame is in the second position.

Abstract: A lifting device is disclosed for elevating an object between a first elevation and a second elevation. The lifting device comprises a base frame, a load bearing frame coupled to the base frame, an elevation reducing frame coupled to the load bearing frame and an extension frame coupled to the elevation reducing frame. A mounting bracket is coupled to the base frame. The mounting bracket engages a rung of a ladder. A load winch is coupled to the load bearing frame and lifts the object and transferring the weight of the object to the ladder. The base frame, the load bearing frame and the elevation reducing frame define an object chamber for receiving the object in the object chamber and increasing the elevation of the object relative to the extension frame.

Abstract: A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel that includes a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing.

Abstract: It is aimed to enable an easier attachment of a lower spreader to a machine main body. The mast 30 is tiltably attached to the machine main body 13, and operable to lie over the machine main body 13. The lower spreader retainer 40 is fixedly attached to the machine main body 13, and adapted for retaining the lower spreader 50. The connector 60 connects the mast 30 and the lower spreader 50 with each other so that the mast 30 holds the lower spreader 50. The lower spreader 50 and the lower spreader retainer 40 are arranged at a position that allows the lower spreader retainer 40 to retain the lower spreader 50 in a state where the mast 30 holding the lower spreader 50 is lowered.

Abstract: A crane for lifting and transporting loads includes a base frame, capable of transferring loads onto a support surface. A sliding element is slidably constrained to the base frame. An arm capable of moving the loads is hinged to the sliding element. A connection element has a first end hinged to the sliding element, and a second end constrained to the base frame in a mobile manner. Each of a pair of rod elements is hinged to the base frame and to the connection element to form an articulated quadrilateral. A first linear actuator is hinged to the base frame and to the connection element and to cause sliding movement of the sliding element relative to the base frame. A second linear actuator is hinged to the sliding element and to the arm to cause mutual rotation movement between the arm and the sliding element.

Abstract: This invention modifies and redesigns a spring-loaded, retractable supply hose mechanisms used to pan out, retract, and store hoses used for gases (e.g., oxygen), treatments, or fluids, specifically this inventor's prior art, the Retractable Oxygen Supply Hose Mechanism, U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,490. This invention incorporates an “Adaptor Cap” or “Removable Cap” to prevent slippage of the Swivel connector, incorporates a “Removable Cap” into the upper disc or flange of the supply-hose reel and/or into the mechanism housing cover that acts as an “anti-rotational” device, and features bearing surfaces to prevent reel slippage. This internal ratchet system better prevents binding and kinking of the patient's supply, thereby facilitating the storage and the quick-controlled release of the desired amount of oxygen supply hose for patient's Medical Oxygen and other gases delivery, therapy, or treatments.

Abstract: A method for replacing a length of a wire/cable in a hoisting system. The wire/cable extends from a storage drum to a winch. The method includes removing at least one lock which prevents a deadline anchor arranged between the storage drum and the winch from rotating, reeling onto the storage drum a first length of the wire/cable with a simultaneous coordinated operation of the deadline anchor and the storage drum, the simultaneous coordinated operation being controlled so that the wire/cable is in a continuous tension between the deadline anchor and the storage drum, securing the wire/cable to an attachment point, cutting a section of the wire/cable between the attachment point and the winch and removing the cut section of the wire/cable, reattaching the wire/cable remaining to the winch, reeling out a second length of the wire/cable from the storage drum, and securing the wire/cable to the deadline anchor.

Abstract: A rope hoist includes: a rope drum around which a wire rope can be wound; a drum motor for rotating the rope drum; a reduction gear mechanism reducing the rotation of the drum motor and transmitting the rotation to the rope drum; and a control unit controlling driving of the drum motor. The reduction gear mechanism is arranged inside a wall portion provided by being projected from a motor cover of a main body part which is an end frame member supporting the rope drum, a lead wire extended from the drum motor and a cable extended from the control unit are connected via a relay, and the relay is arranged on the outside of the wall portion surrounding the reduction gear mechanism, and housed inside a recess provided on the motor cover.

Abstract: The present invention provides a powered winch retrieval system for harvested big game that can be configured either as a small trailer attachable to a vehicle via a hitch, or as a cantilevered unit couplable to a standard vehicle receiver hitch. The winch incorporates a frame that supports an internal combustion engine having a centrifugal clutch or constant velocity transmission (CVT) mounted thereon, a jack shaft chain driven by the centrifugal clutch or CVT for speed reduction and torque amplification, an output shaft on which is mounted a cable take-up spool, a norm ally-on disc brake assembly mounted on the final output shaft, a combination brake release and throttle lever, and an optional oscillating level-wind assembly. The level-wind assembly, which incorporates a linear ball-bearing bushing, ensures that the cable used to retrieve harvested game winds evenly on the take-up spool.

Abstract: A mobile crane is configured so that a boom is raised by a derrick cylinder in response to a raise signal output from a derrick lever and the derrick cylinder is stopped in response to the derrick angle of the boom reaching the maximum angle ? corresponding to the hoisted-down length of a rope.

Abstract: A mobile lift crane includes a carbody; a rotating bed; a boom; a moveable counterweight unit; at least one linear actuation device; and at least one arm pivotally connected at a first end to the rotating bed and at a second end to the linear actuation device. The arm and linear actuation device are connected between the rotating bed and the counterweight unit such that extension and retraction of the linear actuation device changes the position of the counterweight unit compared to the rotating bed. In one method of operation, the counterweight unit is never supported by the ground during crane pick, move and set operations other than indirectly by the ground engaging members on the carbody.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking the remaining length of a material wound on a reel is disclosed. In the system, two sensors deployed relative to the reel (and each other) produce a detection signals when a detection element mounted on the reel is near the respective sensor in an order indicative of forward or reverse reel rotation. The system further includes a processor operably receiving the detection signals to count a total number of forward rotations of the reel, which count is saved in memory. A battery powers the processor, memory, and sensors. The system further includes a transceiver that removably and operably couples between the memory and a calculator that calculates the remaining length of the material wound on the reel based on the total number of forward rotations of the reel. The system may also record the time and location associated with the rotations.

Abstract: A system and method for a load-facing winch are described for hauling or lifting loads at least 30° from center of the primary support object. The load-facing winch includes a winch-mount that includes a housing, a center-pivot, a mounting-plate, and a plurality of springs. The mounting-plate is attached to the winch and tilts and/or turns about the center-pivot, which allows the winch to face the load. By directing the winch to face the load, angular resistance against a moving fairlead may be reduced.

Abstract: A dispenser for storing and dispensing multiple rolls of sheet material is described. The rolls are held in place within the interior space of the housing by a pair of spindle holders. The housing front cover has an opening and a slidable door disposed therein to provide access to the rolls. A restricting member is movably coupled to the housing interior and biased to move in a direct towards an outmost winding of a roll. As the roll is dispensed, the restricting member moves out of the pathway of the door, eventually allowing a user to slide the door across the opening so that a second roll may be accessed.

Abstract: A retainer is described for exerting a braking effect on wire provided as a spool in a container. The retainer has a plate-like elastic element with a contact surface adapted for resting on the wire, an outer circumference adapted for being guided in the container, and an inner circumference adapted for allowing the wire to pass through. The plate-like elastic element has an elasticity such that one of the inner and outer circumferences sags down, under the proper weight of the retainer, by a distance of at least 10 mm when the retainer is supported at the other of the inner and outer circumference.

Abstract: A multi-cable subsea lifting system including two or more load-cable lifting apparatus (2a, 2b); a load cable (4a, 4b) extending from each load-cable lifting apparatus (2a, 2b) to a subsea attachment point; a torque measuring device (22) associated with each load cable (4a, 4b); one or more subsea anti-cabling devices (20), each anti-cabling device (20) including a motor (24) connected to a respective load cable (4a, 4b); and a controller (30) in communication with each motor (24) and torque measuring device (22); wherein the controller (30) is configured to actuate each motor (24) to impart a rotational force to its respective load cable (4a, 4b) in response to measurements obtained from the torque measuring device (22) with the aim to limit cabling, remove cabling or control heading either automatically or from external control.

Abstract: A boat lift drive for connection to a winch having a winch shaft. The boat lift drive includes a power unit, a drive train engaged to and being driven by the power unit, and a drive shaft engaged to and being driven by the drive train. The drive shaft in turn is engaged to and drives the winch shaft. The drive train includes a seat with a frustoconical section and the drive shaft includes a head with a frustoconical section. The frustoconical sections are press fit into each other. This frustoconical engagement provides a great amount of torque for lifting boats.

Abstract: A fairlead assembly includes a frame structure having an opening therein. A pair of rollers are disposed on opposite sides of the opening. The frame structure includes a pair of opposed curved surfaces disposed between the end portions of the pair of rollers and defining a bordering surface of the opening. The frame can be cast as a unitary structure with the pair of rollers each rotatably supported by a support pin having opposite ends received in a first set of corresponding semi-cylindrical recesses in a surface of the cast frame. A clamp structure having a second set of corresponding semi-cylindrical recesses secure the support pins to the cast frame.