Abstract: A self-contained portable self-supporting scaffolding kit for mounting adjacent an elevated structure and allowing a user to reach the elevated structure to work thereon. The kit includes a movable base assembly that supports a tower assembly along which a platform assembly moves, in a use configuration. In a portable configuration, the kit is partially disassembled, folded and secured on the base assembly for transportation thereof, with all required equipment pieces.

Abstract: A self-contained portable self-supporting scaffolding kit for mounting adjacent an elevated structure and allowing a user to reach the elevated structure to work thereon. The kit includes a movable base assembly that supports a tower assembly along which a platform assembly moves, in a use configuration. In a portable configuration, the kit is partially disassembled, folded and secured on the base assembly for transportation thereof, with all required equipment pieces.

Abstract: A wind-powered generator includes a vertical rotor provided with generally vertically orientated blades having a swept-forward wing shape, a top lighting member and rotor lighting member disposed along the rotor, the blades being made from light-transmitting material.

Abstract: A self-acting variable pitch vertical axis wind turbine is provided with asymmetrically mounted blade paddles rotatably mounted for limited movement such that at one limit of the rotation, a paddle is operational to rotate the impeller and at the other limit of the rotation the paddle feathers.

Abstract: A size-adjustable platform for scaffolding comprises a plurality of overlapping sections extending from a central core, the sections including separate panels reciprocable with respect to the central core whereby the extent of the platform from the central core may be varied in size upon actuation of a ram or equivalent to cater for variable dimensions.

Abstract: A manual log splitting device for splitting a log has a first assembly including a base plate for resting of the log and a first upright extending upwardly from the base plate. A second assembly having an upright sleeve, impact plate, and wedge assembly, is axially and slidably mounted on the first upright with the upright sleeve. A user splits the log by causing the second assembly to move towards the base plate such that the wedge assembly passes through and splits the log. A receptacle abuttingly engages the upright sleeve and the base plate when the second assembly is in a resting position where the wedge assembly is slightly spaced apart from the base plate. Thus, movement of the second assembly towards the base plate beyond the resting position, and contact therebetween, is prevented.

Abstract: A blade for use with a vertical-axis wind turbine rotates about a vertical axis thereof along a circular blade path of travel. The blade includes a structural frame connecting to a blade support member of the wind turbine and supports loads acting on the blade. A semi-rigid skin at least partially covers the structural frame and connects thereto with a connector. The skin forms a longitudinally cross-section of the blade that has a water droplet shape-like contour defining a symmetry axis thereof, and extends between a wide convex leading edge of the blade and a narrow trailing edge thereof. The present invention also refers to the wind turbine and to a wind turbine assembly.

Abstract: A manual log splitting device for splitting a log has a first assembly including a base plate for resting of the log during splitting thereof and a first upright supported by and extending upwardly from the base plate. A second assembly having an upright sleeve, impact plate, and wedge assembly, is axially and slidably mounted on first upright by axial and sliding engagement of first upright with upright sleeve. A user splits log by applying a downwardly directed force on second assembly thereby causing second assembly to move towards base plate such that wedge assembly passes through log, thereby splitting log. Abutting engagement means, extending away from base plate, abuttingly engages upright sleeve and base plate when second assembly is in a resting position where wedge assembly is slightly spaced apart from base plate. Thus, movement of second assembly towards base plate beyond resting position, as well as contact therebetween, is prevented.

Abstract: A self-erecting tower crane for use on a construction site is supported at a top end of a tower that includes tower sections assembled in an end-to-end relationship relative to one another along a tower axis. The tower crane includes a boom assembly for selectively raising tower sections above ground. A boom support structure has an upper portion that rotatably supports the boom assembly relative to the tower axis, and a lower portion that is configured and sized for mounting on and releasably securing to the tower top end. A self-raising sleeve mounts on the tower for axial movement therealong, and selectively and releasably supports the boom support structure on the tower. The sleeve and the boom support structure include a side opening that is configured and sized for allowing a tower section to be assembled to the tower top end for the self-erection of the tower crane.

Abstract: A tower sleeve for sliding engagement with a tower that defines a tower longitudinal axis includes a main body that defines a body longitudinal axis and a channel longitudinally extending therethrough for slidably and selectively receiving at least part of a longitudinal section of the tower therein with the body axis generally parallel to the tower axis. A closing body connectable to said main body is movable between a first limit position and a second limit position relative to the main body. The closing body at least partially closes off the channel when in the first limit position so as to secure the sleeve in sliding engagement with the tower inside the channel, and opens up the channel when in the second limit position so as to allow the sleeve to engage and disengage from the tower in a direction generally transverse relative to the body axis.

Abstract: A tower for selectively supporting an elevator thereon includes an elongated structure that slidably supports the elevator therealong. The elongated structure defines a structure axis and includes at least two generally opposed first and second longitudinal structure sidewalls. Generally elongated first and second elevator retaining guides releasably secure to the first and second structure sidewalls, respectively, for guiding and retaining the elevator along the elongated structure. The first and second retaining guides extend generally radially outwardly from the elongated structure.

Abstract: A driving apparatus includes a roller screw that includes a main shaft, a plurality of roller shafts projecting radially outwardly and upwardly at an angle from the radial direction of the main shaft and arranged along a helical line there around, and a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted on the roller shafts. The rollers are tapered to the same angle inwardly toward the main shaft. A rail member, adjacent to and axially oriented with the main shaft, includes a plurality of spaced projections adapted for radial engagement with the tapered rollers. The angle of the tapering is pre-determined to provide a sliding free engagement between the rollers and the projections with the interface there between being oriented to intersect the rotation axis of their respective roller shaft on the rotation axis of the main shaft. The rotation of the main shaft axially moves the roller screw relative to the rail member.

Abstract: A raising system for scaffolding, elevator cabins and the like which comprises a vertical stationary beam member from one side of which equally vertically spaced similar rack teeth are protruding, each tooth having a substantially horizontal straight top face, a framework guided for up and down movement along said beam member, a power driven shaft rotatably supported by said framework and carrying spaced radial supports, a series of parallel idle shafts extending between the supports, equally spaced from one another and radially equally spaced from the driven shaft, and a plurality of cylindrical roller assemblies rotatably mounted on the idle shafts and adapted to come in successive rolling engagement with the top faces of said teeth during upward or downward movement of said framework. Each roller assembly includes several rollers disposed side by side.

Abstract: A driving apparatus comprising a roller screw member that includes a main shaft, a plurality of roller shafts projecting radially outwardly and upwardly at an angle from the radial direction of the main shaft and arranged at equally spaced intervals along a helical line around the main shaft, and a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted on the roller shafts. The rollers tapered to the angle are mounted on the roller shafts and oriented with the tapering inwardly to the main shaft thereby providing each roller with a bottom region of its tapered surface being perpendicularly oriented with the axis of the main shaft. The driving apparatus also includes a rail member adjacent and axially oriented with the main shaft of the roller screw member.

Abstract: In a scaffolding at least one tower anchor to secure the tower to a wall, a sleeve surrounding the tower and guided for up and down movement along the same, a support frame releasably secured to the sleeve in vertical position and normal to the wall, a shiftable frame moveably supported by and parallel to the support frame, replace ("the wall supported by the sleeve not ",) by and releasably secured to the shiftable frame at one end a work platform parallel to for horizontal shifting movement transversely of the tower towards and away from the wall and an actuator carried by the support frame and acting on the work platform through the intermediary of the shiftable frame to effect said shifting movement.

Abstract: A work platform is supported by a sleeve which is movable along a tower having a plurality of vertically equally spaced rungs. The raising system of the invention comprises two hydraulic rams pivotably attached to the sleeve and equipped with corresponding hooks at the extremity of their piston rods. The rams are activated simultaneously in up and down movement but in alternate directions, bearing in a hooking engagement in turn on the rungs of the tower to pull the sleeve upwards along the tower. When a rung is in the path of a hook in the upward movement, the latter pivots backwards to clear the rung and is pivoted back by means of springs.

Abstract: The scaffolding comprises a post having a plurality of vertically aligned and equally spaced studs protruding on one of its surfaces. A frame supporting a work platform can move along the post, a sleeve being attached to the frame for guiding it along the post. The sleeve, the frame and the work platform partially surround the post. A lifting apparatus, installed on the sleeve, comprises a rotatable endless screw which is parallel to the post and which has a peripheral and helical flange which bears on the studs. An engine, an electric power drill or a manual handle will rotate the endless screw via one or two speed reducers. The rotation movement of the endless screw will result in the axial displacement thereof along the post, carrying the frame and work platform along with it. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a work platform which is supported at both of its ends by a lifting apparatus movable along a post.

Abstract: The scaffolding includes a tower provided with equally spaced rungs and adapted to be secured to an adjacent building structure, an outer sleeve surrounding the tower and guided therealong and a work platform supported by the outer sleeve. The raising system includes an inner sleeve surrounding and guided on the tower inwardly of the outer sleeve, a pair of latching levers pivoted to the outer sleeve and latching onto the tower, a pair of hydraulic rams pivoted to the outer sleeve and to the inner sleeve and reciprocating the latter for up and down movement relative to the outer sleeve, and a pair of hooks pivoted on the inner sleeve to engage and disengage opposite rungs of the tower. To raise the outer sleeve and work platform, the rams are retracted while the inner sleeve is hooked to the tower. When the ram retracting stroke is completed, the latching levers latch the outer sleeve to the tower and the rams extend to raise the inner sleeve which is then hooked to a higher pair of opposite tower rungs.

Abstract: The self-raising work platform assembly is of the cantilever type in that it comprises a single tower, a sleeve surrounding and guided along said tower for up-and-down movement, power-operated raising means for said sleeve and a pair of horizontally-extending cantilever work platforms attached to said sleeve on opposite sides thereof. A second pair of oppositely-extending work platforms are disposed above the first pair and guy wires interconnect the work platforms.

Abstract: The self-raising work platform assembly includes a pair of spaced towers adapted to be erected alongside a building structure, sleeve members surrounding and guided along the respective towers, joists extending between and releasably hooked to the sleeves, a flooring supported by the joists and chain blocks carried by the sleeves. The chains can be hooked to the tower to raise the sleeves, the joists and the flooring, to the level at which work on the building is to be effected.