Abstract: A vehicle-mounted reel utility. A brake wheel is macro-positioned to a non-contact position adjacent to the reel by sliding along a reel-supporting lifting arm. An actuator pivots the brake bracket bringing the wheel into a contact position with the reel. A cable dispenser for figure 8'ing the cable is mounted to the free end of a positioning arm that rotates from a position parallel to a lifting arm to a position perpendicular to the lifting arm. The dispenser is pivotally mounted to the positioning arm, allowing the user to swivel the dispenser about a horizontal arc while maintaining the dispenser in a central lateral position relative to a reel or a vehicle during the swivel movement. A hydraulic circuit controls the dispenser and the actuator that controls the brake wheel from a contact to non-contact position, to coordinate the stopping of cable dispensing.

Abstract: A physical medicine table for treating a patient's spine that is capable of providing precise, repeatable, and effective traction force treatment to a patient in multiple dimensions to adjust an unhealthy spinal structure towards a normal, healthy structure. Generally, the spinal structure treatment can be applied to a patient using the described traction device to secure the patient to the adjustable support portions and selectively impart a combination of longitudinal Y-axis traction forces, lateral X-axis traction forces and/or sagittal Z-axis traction forces to the patient using a control system in accordance with a prescribed treatment regimen.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted reel utility. A brake wheel is macro-positioned to a non-contact position adjacent to the reel by sliding along a reel-supporting lifting arm. An actuator pivots the brake bracket bringing the wheel into a contact position with the reel. A cable dispenser for figure 8'ing the cable is mounted to the free end of a positioning arm that rotates from a position parallel to a lifting arm to a position perpendicular to the lifting arm. The dispenser is pivotally mounted to the positioning arm, allowing the user to swivel the dispenser about a horizontal arc while maintaining the dispenser in a central lateral position relative to a reel or a vehicle during the swivel movement. A hydraulic circuit controls the dispenser and the actuator that controls the brake wheel from a contact to non-contact position, to coordinate the stopping of cable dispensing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for engaging a cable from a reel having a reel axle, such as for dispensing the cable from the reel with a motor assembly to figure eight a fiber optic cable sensitive to twisting. An adjustable frame is mounted to a first lifting arm. The adjustable frame is stored in a self-stowed configuration wherein the adjustable frame is vertically stacked parallel to the first lifting arm. The adjustable frame is deployed to align a distal frame end of the adjustable frame near the horizontal center of the reel in a plurality of lifting arm pivot positions.

Abstract: A controller for electronically controlling hydraulically operated lifting arms. The controller allows a wide range of quicker movement and slower movement of the lifting arms under proportional control by the operator. An electronic servomechanism is mechanically coupled to a hydraulic valve handle to control the operation of the lifting arms. The servomechanism turns a shaft in response to a proportional controller. The valve handle controls the hydraulic valve stem, allowing the hydraulically operated lifting arms to raise, lower, grip, release, and perform auxiliary hydraulic operations.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted reel lifting apparatus for rotating the reel to dispense or wind the reelable material. A driven wheel engages the rim of the reel at a plurality of reel lifting arm pivot positions, such as sliding alongside the lifting arm in an axis parallel with the lifting arm. The driven wheel is capable of engaging with the reel at any position of the lifting arm. A linear drive mechanism allows the driven wheel to travel up and down the lifting arm to accommodate various reel sizes. The lifting arm may incorporate an automatic locking slot having a spring-driven locking mechanism. The lifting arms may also be mounted with a mounting bracket having a pattern of slots to enable the lifting arms to be selectively mounted in a narrow configuration or a wide configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for engaging a cable from a reel having a reel axle, such as for dispensing the cable from the reel with a motor assembly to figure eight a fiber optic cable sensitive to twisting. An adjustable frame is mounted to a first lifting arm. The adjustable frame is stored in a self-stowed configuration wherein the adjustable frame is vertically stacked parallel to the first lifting arm. The adjustable frame is deployed to align a distal frame end of the adjustable frame near the horizontal center of the reel in a plurality of lifting arm pivot positions.

Abstract: A physical medicine table for treating a patient's spine that is capable of providing precise, repeatable, and effective traction force treatment to a patient in multiple dimensions to adjust an unhealthy spinal structure towards a normal, healthy structure. Generally, the spinal structure treatment can be applied to a patient using the described traction device to secure the patient to the adjustable support portions and selectively impart a combination of longitudinal Y-axis traction forces, lateral X-axis traction forces and/or sagittal Z-axis traction forces to the patient using a control system in accordance with a prescribed treatment regimen.

Abstract: A physical medicine table for treating a patient's spine that is capable of providing precise, repeatable, and effective traction force treatment to a patient in multiple dimensions to adjust an unhealthy spinal structure towards a normal, healthy structure. Generally, the spinal structure treatment can be applied to a patient using the described traction device to secure the patient to the adjustable support portions and selectively impart a combination of longitudinal Y-axis traction forces, lateral X-axis traction forces and/or sagittal Z-axis traction forces to the patient using a control system in accordance with a prescribed treatment regimen.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted reel lifting apparatus for rotating the reel to dispense or wind the reelable material. A driven wheel engages the rim of the reel at a plurality of reel lifting arm pivot positions, such as sliding alongside the lifting arm in an axis parallel with the lifting arm. The driven wheel is capable of engaging with the reel at any position of the lifting arm. A linear drive mechanism allows the driven wheel to travel up and down the lifting arm to accommodate various reel sizes. The lifting arm may incorporate an automatic locking slot having a spring-driven locking mechanism. The lifting arms may also be mounted with a mounting bracket having a pattern of slots to enable the lifting arms to be selectively mounted in a narrow configuration or a wide configuration.

Abstract: A physical medicine table for treating a patient's spine that is capable of providing precise, repeatable, and effective traction force treatment to a patient in multiple dimensions to adjust an unhealthy spinal structure towards a normal, healthy structure. Generally, the spinal structure treatment can be applied to a patient using the described traction device to secure the patient to the adjustable support portions and selectively impart a combination of longitudinal Y-axis traction forces, lateral X-axis traction forces and/or sagittal Z-axis traction forces to the patient using a control system in accordance with a prescribed treatment regimen.

Abstract: A traction force is applied at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the patient's spine and progressively increased over a period of time. A fulcrum member is applied against the posterior portion of the cervical region of a person's spine while the traction force pulls the cervical region and bends it rearwardly about the fulcrum member to stretch the soft tissues of the spine. In preferred embodiments the fulcrum member applies a progressively increasing fulcrum force, and the traction force likewise progressively increases during the treatment period. An electronic control system may be used to automatically control application of the fulcrum and traction forces.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a bed assembly for flat bed trucks has a square bale retriever at the rear of the flat bed that includes a pair of lift arms adapted to grasp a bale by its opposite ends and lift it up off the ground and onto a transverse feeder located at the front of the bed. Once deposited on the feeder, a pusher engages one end of the bale and pushes the bale along the feeder to progressively advance successive flakes of the bale into a discharging position off the remote end of the feeder. The bale can thus be progressively distributed one flake at a time, the frequency of flake discharge being controlled by the operator in the cab of the truck. Alternative embodiments for pushers for engaging and advancing the bale toward the discharge point are disclosed. The feeder may be utilized separate from the bed assembly and includes a ramp that causes the bale to move up an incline during feeding operations.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a bed assembly for flat bed trucks has a square bale retriever at the rear of the flat bed that includes a pair of lift arms adapted to grasp a bale by its opposite ends and lift it up off the ground and onto a transverse feeder located at the front of the bed. Once deposited on the feeder, a pusher engages one end of the bale and pushes the bale along the feeder to progressively advance successive flakes of the bale into a discharging position off the remote end of the feeder. The bale can thus be progressively distributed one flake at a time, the frequency of flake discharge being controlled by the operator in the cab of the truck. Alternative embodiments for pushers for engaging and advancing the bale toward the discharge point are disclosed. The feeder may be utilized separate from the bed assembly and includes a ramp that causes the bale to move up an incline during feeding operations.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a bed assembly for flat bed trucks has a square bale retriever at the rear of the flat bed that includes a pair of lift arms adapted to grasp a bale by its opposite ends and lift it up off the ground and onto a transverse feeder located at the front of the bed. Once deposited on the feeder, a pusher engages one end of the bale and pushes the bale along the feeder to progressively advance successive flakes of the bale into a discharging position off the remote end of the feeder. The bale can thus be progressively distributed one flake at a time, the frequency of flake discharge being controlled by the operator in the cab of the truck. Alternative embodiments for pushers for engaging and advancing the bale toward the discharge point are disclosed. The feeder may be utilized separate from the bed assembly and includes a ramp that causes the bale to move up an incline during feeding operations.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a bed assembly for flat bed trucks has a square bale retriever at the rear of the flat bed that includes a pair of lift arms adapted to grasp a bale by its opposite ends and lift it up off the ground and onto a transverse feeder located at the front of the bed. Once deposited on the feeder, a pusher engages one end of the bale and pushes the bale along the feeder to progressively advance successive flakes of the bale into a discharging position off the remote end of the feeder. The bale can thus be progressively distributed one flake at a time, the frequency of flake discharge being controlled by the operator in the cab of the truck. Alternative embodiments for pushers for engaging and advancing the bale toward the discharge point are disclosed. The feeder may be utilized separate from the bed assembly and includes a ramp that causes the bale to move up an incline during feeding operations.

Abstract: A round bale loading device is provided that can be stowed in flush mounted relationship with the working surface of a flat bed vehicle. The apparatus includes a pair of cooperating bale gripper arms that are received in grooves in the flat bed surface for stowage, an extensible piston and cylinder assembly coupled to and depending from the underside of the flat bed, and linkage coupling the piston and cylinder with the gripping arms for shifting of the arms from their stowed position to an operation position wherein the arms extend outwardly in bale gripping alignment from the vehicle. The invention provides a conventional flat bed vehicle with the ability to pick up and transport round bales without detracting from the vehicle's ability to transport general purpose loads.