Abstract: A hoist for elevating a hunter's tree stand from the ground to a vertical position alongside of the trunk of a tree comprises a segmented, extendable and contractible pole having a tree clamping ring assembly pivotally mounted to the top section of the pole and a V-shaped jaw for engaging the tree trunk near the bottom of the pole. A first rope is tied at one end to the clamping ring assembly and extends down to a retractable reel located near the bottom of the pole. By pulling on this rope, the clamping ring assembly can be pivoted to an angle allowing the ring to pass about the tree trunk and when released, the clamping ring assembly pivots downward under the force of gravity which secures the pole to the tree at its upper end. The clamping ring assembly further includes a pulley, about which a second rope is deployed. One end of the second rope is adapted to be connected to the hunter's tree stand at its upper end and the other end can be pulled on to elevate the tree stand.

Abstract: A hoist for elevating a hunter's tree stand from the ground to a vertical position alongside of the trunk of a tree comprises a segmented, extendable and contractible pole having a tree clamping ring assembly pivotally mounted to the top section of the pole and a V-shaped jaw for engaging the tree trunk near the bottom of the pole. A first rope is tied at one end to the clamping ring assembly and extends down to a retractable reel located near the bottom of the pole. By pulling on this rope, the clamping ring assembly can be pivoted to an angle allowing the ring to pass about the tree trunk and when released, the clamping ring assembly pivots downward under the force of gravity which secures the pole to the tree at its upper end. The clamping ring assembly further includes a pulley, about which a second rope is deployed. One end of the second rope is adapted to be connected to the hunter's tree stand at its upper end and the other end can be pulled on to elevate the tree stand.

Abstract: A radially adjustable drive bracket (126) is affixed to, and rotatable with the drive gear (32), and a radially adjustable support bracket (128) is affixed to, and rotatable with the driven gear (42). A pair of parallel slide rails (30) are coupled at opposite ends to the drive bracket (126) and support bracket (128). A cutting head assembly (28) is slidably mounted on the slide rails (30), wherein a threaded lead screw (124) carrying a traveling nut (134) thereon causes longitudinal displacement of the cutting head assembly (28) along the slide rails (30). A cam arm (140) coupled through a one-way clutch to the lead screw (124) and adapted to be actuated by a tripper assembly (136) mounted so as to engage the cam arm (140) during orbiting movement of the drive and driven gear (32, 42).

Abstract: The invention is a journal turning lathe (10) for machining a tapered work piece (12). The lathe (10) includes a drive housing (18) which is an annular member housing an annular drive gear (32) journaled for rotation with respect to the annular member. A support housing (20) is disposed at the opposite end of the work piece (12). The support housing (20) comprises a second annular member and an annular driven gear (42) journaled for rotation with respect to the second annular member. A plurality of spacer rails (22) maintain the drive housing (18) in parallel, spaced-apart relation to the support housing (20). A motor (not shown) is attached to the drive housing (18) to turn the annular drive gear (32). A coupling shaft (52) extends from the drive gear (32) to the driven gear (42), and gear trains at opposed ends of the coupling shaft (52) are arranged such that rotation of the drive gear (32) is transmitted to the driven gear (42).

Abstract: An end prep tool with a pneumatically driven tool slide assembly comprises a mandrel mountable to the internal diameter of a tubular work piece. Mounted on the mandrel are a rotational head assembly and a rotatable housing that are longitudinally displaceable along the mandrel. The rotational head assembly carries either one or two tool feed assemblies thereon for orbital movement around the work piece. The tool slide assemblies are driven by a pneumatic motor to provide a true phonographic finish with no tripper marks.

Abstract: An end prep tool with a pneumatically driven tool slide assembly comprises a mandrel mountable to the internal diameter of a tubular work piece. Mounted on the mandrel are a rotational head assembly and a rotatable housing that are longitudinally displaceable along the mandrel. The rotational head assembly carries either one or two tool feed assemblies thereon for orbital movement around the work piece. The tool slide assemblies are driven by a pneumatic motor to provide a true phonographic finish with no tripper marks.

Abstract: A swivel head assembly for a clamshell lathe is provided. The swivel head module includes an adjustable tool head assembly. The adjustable tool head assembly has a tool for machining a work piece, and is capable of being incrementally advanced in a radial direction against the work piece. The swivel head assembly further includes a means for positioning the metal working tool along an x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis. A tripper assembly is operatively coupled to the tool head assembly to incrementally urge the tool head against the work piece upon each revolution of the clamshell ring. The tripper assembly incorporates a solenoid for selectively incrementally advancing the tool against the work piece.

Abstract: A swivel head assembly for a clamshell lathe is provided. The swivel head module includes an adjustable tool head assembly. The adjustable tool head assembly has a tool for machining a work piece, and is capable of being incrementally advanced in a radial direction against the work piece. The swivel head assembly further includes a means for positioning the metal working tool along an x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis. A tripper assembly is operatively coupled to the tool head assembly to incrementally urge the tool head against the work piece upon each revolution of the clamshell ring. The tripper assembly incorporates a solenoid for selectively incrementally advancing the tool against the work piece.

Abstract: A girth weld pre-heating system and method is disclosed for pre-heating shell sections of assembled large steel vessels in the vicinity of a girth joint weld seam location between the sections prior to the joining of the sections together by a continuous girth weld. The pre-heating system avoids the need for direct attachment to the steel surfaces of the vessel shell sections in affixing heater elements and insulation to both the outer and inner surfaces of the shell sections along both sides of the weld seam.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adjustable locator for a machining lathe for machining a pipe or similar work piece. The locator includes a locator pad having a main body and a shoulder which is inserted into a socket in the stationary member of the machining lathe. The locator pad also includes an extension plate which can be both axially displaced or adjusted relative to the main body and shoulder to thereby position the clamshell lathe relative to the workpiece.

Abstract: A tool slide assembly mounted on a clamshell lathe where the clamshell lathe is used to machine an out-of-round work piece. The tool slide assembly generally comprises a base mounted on the rotatable ring of the clamshell lathe and a tool bit holder. The tool bit holder comprises a follower member and a tool block adapted to hold a tool bit, where the follower member is urged against an outer surface of the out-of-round work piece by a plurality of springs. The tool block is incrementally translated such that the tool bit gets fed into the out-of-round work piece.

Abstract: A tool slide assembly mounted on a clamshell lathe where the clamshell lathe is used to machine an out-of-round work piece. The tool slide assembly generally comprises a base mounted on the rotatable ring of the clamshell lathe and a tool bit holder. The tool bit holder comprises a follower member and a tool block adapted to hold a tool bit, where the follower member is urged against an outer surface of the out-of-round work piece by a plurality of springs. The tool block is incrementally translated such that the tool bit gets fed into the out-of-round work piece.

Abstract: The intermediate support brace is used to prevent bending or deflecting of a cylindrical work piece being machined by a journal turning lathe. A U-shaped frame is mounted to the journal turning lathe, and secured to the journal turning lathe by a first and second clamping means which secure the intermediate support brace to the guide rails of the journal turning lathe. A generally circular opening in the frame surrounds the cylindrical work piece, and the work piece is centered by a series of jacks. The clamshell lathe assembly is translated from a first end bracket to the intermediate support bracket. The clamshell lathe is then stopped; the intermediate support bracket is released and mounted downstream from the clamshell lathe assembly. The clamshell lathe assembly is then restarted and translated to a second end bracket.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable machining lathe for machining a pipe or similar workpiece. The lathe includes two semicircular members having a stationary section and a rotatable section. The two semicircular members are cooperatively connected by a hinge system on one end, and steel splice plates on the other. The hinge has a top bracket and bottom bracket on the stationary section of each member, and a male hinge and female hinge on the rotatable section of each member. The male and female hinges are cooperatively connected so that when the hinge is closed the two semicircular members form a complete annulus.

Abstract: A machine tool for re-surfacing gasket seats surrounding elliptical openings in oval manways includes a housing of an oval configuration that is adapted to be mounted in the opening of the manway to be machined. A motor and a tool slide assembly are secured to the motor mount in such a fashion that the tool slide assembly is confined to travel in an oval orbit along a second major surface of the housing. A cam actuated feed screw is appropriately disposed to engage a tripper bar disposed in the path of travel to effect radial displacement of a tool holder and tool bit. A cam locking and unlocking control lever cooperates with the cam and is disposed such that an operator located outside of the vessel on which the manway is disposed can readily control the machining operation.

Abstract: A machine tool for re-surfacing gasket seats surrounding elliptical openings in oval manways includes a housing of an oval configuration that is adapted to be mounted in the opening of the manway to be machined. A motor and a tool slide assembly are secured to the motor mount in such a fashion that the tool slide assembly is confined to travel in an oval orbit along a second major surface of the housing. A cam actuated feed screw is appropriately disposed to engage a tripper bar disposed in the path of travel to effect radial displacement of a tool holder and tool bit. A cam locking and unlocking control lever cooperates with the cam and is disposed such that an operator located outside of the vessel on which the manway is disposed can readily control the machining operation.