Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A truck-mounted articulated mechanism for loading and unloading cable reels onto and from a flatbed mobile truck, comprises a pair of lift arms, one on each side of the truck, pivotally movable, by hydraulic rams, about a transverse shaft mounted in the free ends of a pair of transfer arms which are pivotable about pivot pins fixed in the truck frame. This mechanism lifts and lowers the cable reel between ground and the rearward end of the bed of the vehicle. Locking mechanisms, actuable by hydraulic pistons, lock the axle of the cable reel in a recess in each of the lift arms during the lifting and lowering operations. The pivotal transfer arms, one on each side of the truck, actuable by hydraulic rams, transfer the cable reel, while its axle is still locked in the recesses of the lift arms, between the rearward end and the forward end of the flatbed truck. A locking mechanism, actuable by hydraulic pistons, lock the axle of the cable reel in its storage position at the forward end of the truck.

Abstract: A portable hand-held hydraulically-operated cable cutter for severing electric and communication cables has a pair of cutter jaws, one fixed and one movable. The movable jaw is driven positively in both the closing and opening directions by a piston-cylinder assembly under the control of the lineman. The piston is fixed; the cylinder is movable. The movable cutter jaw is connected pivotally to the movable cylinder. The lineman holds the tool in one hand, using a fixed grip handle, and with the other hand controls operation of the movable cutter jaw by rotating a cylindrical control handle in one direction or the other. As a safety lock, the tool has an offset trigger which must be pressed to unlock the control handle before it can be rotated. When the control handle is released, it is automatically returned to its neutral position by a torsion spring, thereby instantly stopping any motion of the cutter jaws in either the opening or closing directions.

Abstract: A man-carrying aerial bucket universally positionable in three planes is mounted on a tripod arrangement comprising three hydraulic cylinders. The upper ends of the cylinder pistons converge toward, and are connected to, a universal vertex connector pin assembly. A lateral arm has one end pivotally connected to the vertex pin assembly and its other end pivotally connected to the lower end of a vertical boom. The basket is pivotally connected to the upper end of the boom and is latched in upright position against swinging on the boom. Solenoid valves, under the manual control of the operator from either the aerial bucket or truck vehicle, control the extension and retraction of the cylinder pistons and hence the position of the vertex pin assembly and the bucket supported thereon. A pair of hydraulic leveling cylinders, controlled automatically by mercury switches, maintain the lateral arm in horizontal position and the latched boom in vertical position irrespective of the angular disposition of the tripod.