Abstract: A movable cable loop descent system comprises a cable for forming into a loop, a receiver for attachment to a structure having a receiver pulley for engaging the cable loop, a brake assembly, having a drive pulley for being rotated by the cable loop, the brake assembly for slowing a rate of travel of the cable loop and a carriage supporting a load for attachment to the cable loop at a point and for movement between the structure and the ground. A rotor and substantially parallel conductive frame is mounted on an axle through the drive pulley. Magnets on a surface of the rotor and/or the frame induce eddy currents, as they are relatively rotated, which create a rotational braking force controlling descent of the carriage and load. The brake assembly may be removably positioned by a drive-on anchor. The cable is removable and the system may form a kit.

Abstract: A belly dump trailer has a hopper having a bottom gate and a mobile support frame. The belly dump trailer is supported by wheels which may be in a dual axle configuration. The bottom gate is rotated between an open and closed position to discharge a load of materials within the hopper. The bottom gate is driven by a rotary drive connected to the bottom gate by an over center cam lock formed of pivotally connected link arms. The opening and closing of the bottom gate is driven by a pair of pneumatic linear actuators. The bottom gate may be positioned in between the two axles of the dual axle configuration.

Abstract: A movable cable loop descent system comprises a cable for forming into a loop, a receiver for attachment to a structure having a receiver pulley for engaging the cable loop, a brake assembly, having a drive pulley for being rotated by the cable loop, the brake assembly for slowing a rate of travel of the cable loop and a carriage supporting a load for attachment to the cable loop at a point and for movement between the structure and the ground. A rotor and substantially parallel conductive frame is mounted on an axle through the drive pulley. Magnets on a surface of the rotor and/or the frame induce eddy currents, as they are relatively rotated, which create a rotational braking force controlling descent of the carriage and load. The brake assembly may be removably positioned by a drive-on anchor. The cable is removable and the system may form a kit.

Abstract: A movable cable loop descent system comprises a cable for forming into a loop, a receiver for attachment to a structure having a receiver pulley for engaging the cable loop, a brake assembly, having a drive pulley for being rotated by the cable loop, the brake assembly for slowing a rate of travel of the cable loop and a carriage supporting a load for attachment to the cable loop at a point and for movement between the structure and the ground. A rotor and substantially parallel conductive frame is mounted on an axle through the drive pulley. Magnets on a surface of the rotor and/or the frame induce eddy currents, as they are relatively rotated, which create a rotational braking force controlling descent of the carriage and load. The brake assembly may be removably positioned by a drive-on anchor. The cable is removable and the system may form a kit.

Abstract: A belly dump trailer has a hopper having a bottom gate and a mobile support frame. The belly dump trailer is supported by wheels which may be in a dual axle configuration. The bottom gate is rotated between an open and closed position to discharge a load of materials within the hopper. The bottom gate is driven by a rotary drive connected to the bottom gate by an over center cam lock formed of pivotally connected link arms. The opening and closing of the bottom gate is driven by a pair of pneumatic linear actuators. The bottom gate may be positioned in between the two axles of the dual axle configuration.

Abstract: A descent control device for controlling rotational motion of an object includes: at least one drive assembly for rotationally engaging the rotating object; a first substantially planar ferromagnetic moving element in rotationally locked engagement with at least one drive assembly and comprising at least one recess formed in a surface thereof having at least one magnet fixedly disposed therein; a second substantially planar ferromagnetic moving element in rotationally locked engagement with at least one drive assembly, and comprising at least one recess formed in a surface thereof having at least one magnet fixedly disposed therein; and at least one conducting plate disposed proximate the first and second moving elements. A magnetic field may be induced by rotational movement of the first or second moving element relative to at least one conducting plate in a direction to oppose acceleration of at least one drive assembly as it rotationally engages the object.

Abstract: A portable, low-energy light tower to provide high, bright light having ground-engaging elements, a telescoping mast secured to the base and the mast having a pivot, the telescoping mast being rotatable about the pivot between a transport position and an operating position, and LED lighting elements at the top end of the telescoping mast. An electrically operated linear actuator mounted on the telescoping mast extends and retracts the telescoping mast through a system of cables and pulleys.

Abstract: An elevated platform for rapid evacuation has a cage having a floor and a railing, one or more suspension points secured to an upper portion of the cage above the floor and an eyelet secured to the cage for receiving a descender, the eyelet being positioned in relation to the cage such that a line drawn downward from the eyelet does not intersect the cage.

Abstract: A single cable descent control device comprises a pair of rotors with corresponding frames of conductive material mounted on a common central axle on either side of a drive pulley. The pulley is adapted to sit above a single descent cable. An enclosure is suspended from the device. Disposed along at least one surface of each of the rotors or of the corresponding frames or both, is a series of magnets such that rotation of the rotors relative to the frames induces eddy currents that oppose the magnetic field and create a rotational braking force providing precise and controllable descent of the enclosure with little or no mechanical wear or risk of overheating. In this configuration, constraints on the size of the enclosure are dispensed with, as are corresponding limitations on the positioning and angle of descent of the cable. Further, significant labor and material savings in manufacturing the enclosure may be obtained from the resulting simplicity of design.

Abstract: A descent control device for controlling rotational motion of an object includes: at least one drive assembly for rotationally engaging the rotating object; a first substantially planar ferromagnetic moving element in rotationally locked engagement with at least one drive assembly and comprising at least one recess formed in a surface thereof having at least one magnet fixedly disposed therein; a second substantially planar ferromagnetic moving element in rotationally locked engagement with at least one drive assembly, and comprising at least one recess formed in a surface thereof having at least one magnet fixedly disposed therein; and at least one conducting plate disposed proximate the first and second moving elements. A magnetic field may be induced by rotational movement of the first or second moving element relative to at least one conducting plate in a direction to oppose acceleration of at least one drive assembly as it rotationally engages the object.

Abstract: A supported davit arm extension assembly for a descent apparatus comprising an escape shuttle suspended from a cable defining a descent path from an initial point at a receiver of a platform to a terminal point proximate to a ground surface. The extension assembly comprises a davit arm extending above the platform and secured to the receiver, and a fall arrest trolley operatively coupled to the shuttle at a first end and terminating at a second end extending substantially away from the terminal point. The second end of the fall arrest trolley has a securement point for connection to and support of a load, such as a worker, by an overhead fall arrest. While the shuttle is docked with the receiver, the fall arrest trolley extends over the platform, supported by the davit arm, and facilitates substantially unfettered movement of the worker around the platform. As the worker enters the shuttle, it is disengaged from the receiver and follows the descent path of the cable toward the ground surface.

Abstract: A movable cable loop descent system comprises a cable for forming into a loop, a receiver for attachment to a structure having a receiver pulley for engaging the cable loop, a brake assembly, having a drive pulley for being rotated by the cable loop, the brake assembly for slowing a rate of travel of the cable loop and a carriage supporting a load for attachment to the cable loop at a point and for movement between the structure and the ground. A rotor and substantially parallel conductive frame is mounted on an axle through the drive pulley. Magnets on a surface of the rotor and/or the frame induce eddy currents, as they are relatively rotated, which create a rotational braking force controlling descent of the carriage and load. The brake assembly may be removably positioned by a drive-on anchor. The cable is removable and the system may form a kit.

Abstract: A magnetic descent control device is disclosed. The device comprises an input shaft affixed to a rotating driven sheave acting as a drive assembly, which grips a cable guiding the descent path of a body carrying cage. The input shaft has a shoulder upon which rests a rotor. The rotor is encased within a front and back enclosure of conductive material. Disposed along at least one surface of the rotor and/or at least one of the conductors, is a series of magnets such that rotation of the rotor relative to the conductors creates relative motion between the magnets' magnetic field and the conductor inducing eddy currents in the conductor that oppose the magnetic field creating a rotational braking force. As a result, very precise and/or controllable descent may be obtained over a broad range of descent angles and/or distances with little or no mechanical wear or risk of overheating. Preferably, the sheave gripping the cable may have a circumferential groove to better improve traction and grip of the cable.

Abstract: A single cable descent control device comprises a pair of rotors with corresponding frames of conductive material mounted on a common central axle on either side of a drive pulley. The pulley is adapted to sit above a single descent cable. An enclosure is suspended from the device. Disposed along at least one surface of each of the rotors or of the corresponding frames or both, is a series of magnets such that rotation of the rotors relative to the frames induces eddy currents that oppose the magnetic field and create a rotational braking force providing precise and controllable descent of the enclosure with little or no mechanical wear or risk of overheating. In this configuration, constraints on the size of the enclosure are dispensed with, as are corresponding limitations on the positioning and angle of descent of the cable. Further, significant labor and material savings in manufacturing the enclosure may be obtained from the resulting simplicity of design.

Abstract: A magnetic descent control device is disclosed. The device comprises an input shaft affixed to a rotating driven sheave acting as a drive assembly, which grips a cable guiding the descent path of a body carrying cage. The input shaft has a shoulder upon which rests a rotor. The rotor is encased within a front and back enclosure of conductive material. Disposed along at least one surface of the rotor and/or at least one of the conductors, is a series of magnets such that rotation of the rotor relative to the conductors creates relative motion between the magnets' magnetic field and the conductor inducing eddy currents in the conductor that oppose the magnetic field creating a rotational braking force. As a result, very precise and/or controllable descent may be obtained over a broad range of descent angles and/or distances with little or no mechanical wear or risk of overheating. Preferably, the sheave gripping the cable may have a circumferential groove to better improve traction and grip of the cable.