Abstract: A soft shackle is provided that incorporates a locking mechanism that prevents or limits travel of a loop from passing back over a shackle knot caused by slippage when not under tension of a load. The locking mechanism controls the loop's ability to expand in size, such as through a positive locking force or establishes a safety factor with respect to the size of the loop needed to slip over the knot, or both.

Abstract: A land vehicle assembly is provided with a platform for an operator workspace. A control panel is supported upon the platform in electrical communication with the land vehicle. A caution switch is supported upon the platform in electrical communication with the control panel to provide a signal to the control panel indicative of a caution event. A cable is connected to the caution switch to extend across the control panel. The cable is spaced apart from the control panel so that a predetermined force upon the flexible member actuates the caution switch without significantly obstructing the control panel. A manual force upon the flexible member expands the operator workspace. The control panel is programmed to control a mobile operation of the land vehicle, and discontinue the mobile operation of the land vehicle in response to receipt of the caution event signal.

Abstract: A fuse assembly for rope systems. A catch is a rope segment having a certain failure strength. An accompanying trigger component has a predetermined failure point which can be less than the failure strength of the catch, acting as a sacrificial element to reveal the potential risk of rope recoil. In one embodiment, the catch includes connecting ends, and the trigger is remote from the catch. In other embodiments the trigger includes the connecting ends and the catch is separate from but works cooperatively with the trigger. Additional hold components can accompany the system, as well as first and second chafe protection layers.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method using a mobile device to inspect a rope. Visual data is captured, wherein the visual data includes one or more sections of the rope along a length thereof. The images are analyzed using a knowledge base implemented within logic of a control system of the mobile device. From the knowledge base, an expected life for the rope is calculated, and a report is generated on the mobile device to display the expected life of the rope as calculated from the knowledge base. The method further includes the step of processing the visual data to ready the visual data for analysis. This involves breaking down the visual data into tiles, wherein the visual data is broken into multiple image segments along the length of the rope.

Abstract: An access deck assembly is provided for an aerial lift vehicle mobile platform. A base member defines an upper surface to support an operator, and has first and second guides to cooperate with the platform. A locking mechanism is supported by the base member and retains the access deck to the platform. A method of connecting an access deck assembly to a mobile platform is provided. The access deck assembly is positioned relative to the platform to be above and spaced apart from the platform floor surface, with the base member of the access deck assembly substantially within a perimeter frame of the platform. An access deck assembly has a guide member connected to a base member and configured to connect the base member to the mobile platform and support the base member directly above and spaced apart from the platform floor surface.

Abstract: An access deck assembly is provided for an aerial lift vehicle mobile platform. A base member defines an upper surface to support an operator, and has first and second guides to cooperate with the platform. A locking mechanism is supported by the base member and retains the access deck to the platform. A method of connecting an access deck assembly to a mobile platform is provided. The access deck assembly is positioned relative to the platform to be above and spaced apart from the platform floor surface, with the base member of the access deck assembly substantially within a perimeter frame of the platform. An access deck assembly has a guide member connected to a base member and configured to connect the base member to the mobile platform and support the base member directly above and spaced apart from the platform floor surface.

Abstract: A land vehicle assembly is provided with a platform for an operator workspace. A control panel is supported upon the platform in electrical communication with the land vehicle. A caution switch is supported upon the platform in electrical communication with the control panel to provide a signal to the control panel indicative of a caution event. A cable is connected to the caution switch to extend across the control panel. The cable is spaced apart from the control panel so that a predetermined force upon the flexible member actuates the caution switch without significantly obstructing the control panel. A manual force upon the flexible member expands the operator workspace. The control panel is programmed to control a mobile operation of the land vehicle, and discontinue the mobile operation of the land vehicle in response to receipt of the caution event signal.

Abstract: A land vehicle assembly is provided with a platform for an operator workspace. A control panel is supported upon the platform in electrical communication with the land vehicle. A caution switch is supported upon the platform in electrical communication with the control panel to provide a signal to the control panel indicative of a caution event. A cable is connected to the caution switch to extend across the control panel. The cable is spaced apart from the control panel so that a predetermined force upon the flexible member actuates the caution switch without significantly obstructing the control panel. A manual force upon the flexible member expands the operator workspace. The control panel is programmed to control a mobile operation of the land vehicle, and discontinue the mobile operation of the land vehicle in response to receipt of the caution event signal.

Abstract: An access deck assembly is provided for an aerial lift vehicle mobile platform. A base member defines an upper surface to support an operator, and has first and second guides to cooperate with the platform. A locking mechanism is supported by the base member and retains the access deck to the platform. A method of connecting an access deck assembly to a mobile platform is provided. The access deck assembly is positioned relative to the platform to be above and spaced apart from the platform floor surface, with the base member of the access deck assembly substantially within a perimeter frame of the platform. An access deck assembly has a guide member connected to a base member and configured to connect the base member to the mobile platform and support the base member directly above and spaced apart from the platform floor surface.

Abstract: A land vehicle assembly is provided with a platform for an operator workspace. A control panel is supported upon the platform in electrical communication with the land vehicle. A caution switch is supported upon the platform in electrical communication with the control panel to provide a signal to the control panel indicative of a caution event. A cable is connected to the caution switch to extend across the control panel. The cable is spaced apart from the control panel so that a predetermined force upon the flexible member actuates the caution switch without significantly obstructing the control panel. A manual force upon the flexible member expands the operator workspace. The control panel is programmed to control a mobile operation of the land vehicle, and discontinue the mobile operation of the land vehicle in response to receipt of the caution event signal.

Abstract: A land vehicle assembly is provided with a platform for an operator workspace. A control panel is supported upon the platform in electrical communication with the land vehicle. A caution switch is supported upon the platform in electrical communication with the control panel to provide a signal to the control panel indicative of a caution event. A cable is connected to the caution switch to extend across the control panel. The cable is spaced apart from the control panel so that a predetermined force upon the flexible member actuates the caution switch without significantly obstructing the control panel. A manual force upon the flexible member expands the operator workspace. The control panel is programmed to control a mobile operation of the land vehicle, and discontinue the mobile operation of the land vehicle in response to receipt of the caution event signal.

Abstract: A land vehicle assembly is provided with a platform for an operator workspace. A control panel is supported upon the platform in electrical communication with the land vehicle. A caution switch is supported upon the platform in electrical communication with the control panel to provide a signal to the control panel indicative of a caution event. A cable is connected to the caution switch to extend across the control panel. The cable is spaced apart from the control panel so that a predetermined force upon the flexible member actuates the caution switch without significantly obstructing the control panel. A manual force upon the flexible member expands the operator workspace. The control panel is programmed to control a mobile operation of the land vehicle, and discontinue the mobile operation of the land vehicle in response to receipt of the caution event signal.