Abstract: A reel handler system includes a first arm and a second arm. A first member is coupled to the first arm and a second member is coupled to the second arm. A sleeve has the members movably positioned therein. A first bracket has a first link coupled to the first arm and a second link coupled to the sleeve. The links are pivotable relative to one another. A second bracket has a third link coupled to the second arm and a fourth link coupled to the sleeve. The third and fourth links are pivotable relative to one another. The brackets are movable to increase and decrease a distance between the arms from a first configuration in which the first and third links are spaced a first distance apart from the sleeve and a second configuration in which the first and third links are spaced a second distance apart from the sleeve.

Abstract: A reel handler system includes a first arm and a second arm. A first member is coupled to the first arm and a second member is coupled to the second arm. A sleeve has the members movably positioned therein. A first bracket has a first link coupled to the first arm and a second link coupled to the sleeve. The links are pivotable relative to one another. A second bracket has a third link coupled to the second arm and a fourth link coupled to the sleeve. The third and fourth links are pivotable relative to one another. The brackets are movable to increase and decrease a distance between the arms from a first configuration in which the first and third links are spaced a first distance apart from the sleeve and a second configuration in which the first and third links are spaced a second distance apart from the sleeve.

Abstract: A reel handler system includes a first arm and a second arm. A first member is coupled to the first arm and a second member is coupled to the second arm. A sleeve has the members movably positioned therein. A first bracket has a first link coupled to the first arm and a second link coupled to the sleeve. The links are pivotable relative to one another. A second bracket has a third link coupled to the second arm and a fourth link coupled to the sleeve. The third and fourth links are pivotable relative to one another. The brackets are movable to increase and decrease a distance between the arms from a first configuration in which the first and third links are spaced a first distance apart from the sleeve and a second configuration in which the first and third links are spaced a second distance apart from the sleeve.

Abstract: A reel handler system includes a first arm and a second arm. A first member is coupled to the first arm and a second member is coupled to the second arm. A sleeve has the members movably positioned therein. A first bracket has a first link coupled to the first arm and a second link coupled to the sleeve. The links are pivotable relative to one another. A second bracket has a third link coupled to the second arm and a fourth link coupled to the sleeve. The third and fourth links are pivotable relative to one another. The brackets are movable to increase and decrease a distance between the arms from a first configuration in which the first and third links are spaced a first distance apart from the sleeve and a second configuration in which the first and third links are spaced a second distance apart from the sleeve.

Abstract: A cable reel carrier device, including at least one pair of work arms that engage a spindle bar in the center of a reel of cable and the like, and the work arms lift the reel on to or off of a truck bed. Where two pairs of work arms are used, the first reel is passed forward from the first pair to the second pair. A safety device engages the spindle bar to prevent inadvertent release of the reels.

Abstract: A cable reel carrier device, including at least one pair of work arms that engage a spindle bar in the center of a reel of cable and the like, and the work arms lift the reel on to or off of a truck bed. Where two pairs of work arms are used, the first reel is passed forward from the first pair to the second pair. A safety device engages the spindle bar to prevent inadvertent release of the reels.

Abstract: A lifting device for attachment to a vehicle trailer hitch. A lifting boom extends over the centerline of the vehicle and is attached to a vertical arm that has a side arm extending to the hitch. A mechanical screw jack that functions as a linear actuator raises the lifting boom about a pivot point in the vertical direction and is driven by a rotating power means such as a cordless drill. The vertical arm also includes a swivel bearing that permits movement of the lifting boom over the sides of the vehicle.

Abstract: A cable reel handler device, including a slide base on a vehicle having channels aligned transverse to the length of the vehicle. A pair of movable carriages provide lateral movement in the channels via hydraulic cylinders. Lifting arms mounted respectively on the carriages extend out to engage a reel, and have an extensible torsion bar shaft to maintain a fixed alignment. Hydraulic lift cylinders move the lifting arms in unison to move a reel to and from the vehicle and in position for winding and unwinding cable on the reel. Hydraulic motors rotate the reel for winding and unwinding cable. A source of hydraulic fluid is operably connected to all the hydraulic devices.

Abstract: A cable reel handler device, including a slide base on a vehicle having channels aligned transverse to the length of the vehicle. A pair of movable carriages provide lateral movement in the channels via hydraulic cylinders. Lifting arms mounted respectively on the carriages extend out to engage a reel, and have an extensible torsion bar shaft to maintain a fixed alignment. Hydraulic lift cylinders move the lifting arms in unison to move a reel to and from the vehicle and in position for winding and unwinding cable on the reel. Hydraulic motors rotate the reel for winding and unwinding cable. A source of hydraulic fluid is operably connected to all the hydraulic devices.

Abstract: A tug device for moving small aircraft having front wheels. A portable drill is connected to a drive wheel and a frame is attached to the wheel. The device is compact and easily assembled for use and disassembled for storage. The device includes a pair of drive wheels and is steerable when a locking latch is released. The locking latch provides rigidity to the device under load.

Abstract: A tug device for moving small aircraft having front wheels. A portable drill is connected to a drive wheel and a frame is attached to the wheel. The device is compact and easily assembled for use and disassembled for storage. The device includes a pair of drive wheels and is steerable when a locking latch is released. The locking latch provides rigidity to the device under load.

Abstract: A tug device for moving small aircraft having front wheels. A portable drill is connected to a drive wheel and a frame is attached to the wheel. The device is steerable, having a wheel mounted on a vertical set of pins such that the wheel is pivotable about the axis of the pins to permit turning the wheel on that axis and steering the tug while operating the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A tug device for moving small aircraft having front wheels. A portable drill is connected to a drive wheel and a frame is attached to the wheel. The device is steerable, having a wheel mounted on a vertical set of pins such that the wheel is pivotable about the axis of the pins to permit turning the wheel on that axis and steering the tug while operating the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A tug device for moving small aircraft having front wheels. A portable drill is connected to a drive wheel and a frame is removeably attached to the wheel. The frame has a generally u-shaped configuration with a fixed position trunion on one end for engagement with an aircraft. A rotating member is mounted on the frame with an engaging trunion for aircraft engagement. A control member moves the engaging trunion into engagement with the aircraft. Dolly wheels are used for freely moving the tug. A connector connects the frame and power column to position the trunions to engage an aircraft in at least one position. Preferred is to have the connector connect the frame and power column in a first position to engage the front axle of an aircraft and a second position to engage the front wheel strut of an aircraft.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for driving a vehicle, comprising a pair of drive wheels each having a drive shaft, a source of hydraulic oil under pressure on the vehicle and controlled by a control unit for delivering hydraulic oil in two directions, wherein the drive shafts of the pair of wheels are each driven by a high torque, low speed hydraulic motor or pump. The principal components of the motors include a crank shaft mounted in the housing for connection to the drive shafts of the wheels. At least two cylinder and piston assemblies are attached to the crank shaft for rotation of the crank shaft upon movement of the pistons between a minimum and maximum point of travel in the cylinders to thereby impart motion to the wheel drive shaft. A valve assembly provides hydraulic fluid to the cylinders to sequentially move the pistons in the desired direction of piston travel. The two motors are mounted on the vehicle to form a transaxle unit, and controls permit simultaneous or independent operation of the two motors.

Abstract: A winch device, comprising a drum for storing cable and the like, wherein the device disengageably couples the drum to a winch drum shaft driven by a high torque, low speed hydraulic motor or pump. The motor includes a housing suitable for mounting on a frame of a vehicle or other device. The principal components of the motor or pump include a crank shaft mounted in the housing for connection to a winch drum shaft. At least two cylinder and piston assemblies are attached to the crank shaft for rotation of the crank shaft upon movement of the pistons between a minimum and maximum point of travel in the cylinders to thereby impart motion to the crank shaft and, thus, the drum crank shaft. A valve assembly is driven by the crank shaft for providing hydraulic fluid to the cylinders under pressure to sequentially move each the piston between its minimum and maximum points of travel by providing hydraulic fluid under pressure on each face of the piston to move the piston in the desired direction of piston travel.

Abstract: A lifting device for attachment to a vehicle trailer hitch or the like. The device includes a hitch bar for attachment to the trailer hitch. A lateral extension arm is mounted on the hitch bar and a riser arm is rotatably mounted to the lateral extension arm. A boom arm is mounted on the riser arm, the boom arm having load attachment elements for attaching a load thereto. Also provided is a rotating element attached to the lateral extension arm and the boom arm for rotating the riser arm about the lateral extension arm to raise and lower the riser arm relative to the hitch bar. Raising and lowering of the riser arm moves the boom arm to transcribe a predetermined arc lying in a vertical plane. It is preferred to have the hitch bar centered on a platform centerline wherein the vertical plane intersects the centerline. The predetermined arc may be from about 130 degrees to about 150 degrees, and preferably 140 degrees, with respect to the bed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A reel handler including at least one reel arm for engaging a reel is mounted on a frame. A moving device moves the reel arm to raise and lower the engaged reel, and a hydraulic motor for rotating the reel is contained within the end of the reel arm. The hydraulic motor includes a crank shaft operable to rotate the reel when the crank shaft is rotated. Preferably, two spaced reel arms are pivotally mounted on a transverse, telescoping support cylinder that allows the reel arms to be spaced at varying distances to accommodate reels of various sizes. At least two cylinder and piston assemblies are attached to the crank shaft for rotation of the crank shaft upon movement of each piston between a minimum and maximum point of travel in the cylinders. The two cylinders are offset with respect to each other such that each piston reaches its said minimum and maximum points of travel while the other is offset from its own said minimum point of travel.

Abstract: A system for replacing cable from underground installation, comprising of first and second vehicle cooperatively in first, second and third modes of operation and located at first and adjacent cable access location respectively. The first vehicle including a capstan for pulling old cable from the first cable access location and storing pulling rope. The second vehicle is adapted to position a quantity of new cable in position to be pulled into the adjacent cable access location. Line rope is stored on the second vehicle. The first mode includes pulling old cable from the first cable access location with one end of the line rope attached to the end of the old cable at the adjacent cable access location until the one end is at the first location. The second mode including use of the line rope to retrieve the line rope with one end of the pulling rope attached thereto until the end of the pulling rope reaches the adjacent location, the pulling rope being released from the capstan in a freewheel condition.

Abstract: A method of using an extensible mechanism, in which a first hydraulic cylinder and piston has a fixed reference for movement in an extension direction and also in a retraction direction. A second hydraulic cylinder and piston is moveable in both of these directions. Hydraulic fluid actuates the first and second hydraulic units in series, whereby actuation in the extension direction sequentially moves the first and second hydraulic piston and actuation in the retraction direction reverses the sequential order of movement of the two hydraulic pistons.