Abstract: A wire strand (10) comprises a plurality of wires (12, 16, 20). The wires comprise a central king wire (12), a first layer (14) of wires (16) arranged around the king wire, and a second layer (18) of wires (20) arranged around the first layer. The king wire is formed of steel having a carbon content of at least 0.3 wt %. Each wire of the first layer is formed of steel having a carbon content which is less than the carbon content of the king wire. Each wire of the second layer is formed of steel having a carbon content which is greater than, or the same as, the carbon content of the wires of the first layer.

Abstract: Power generating apparatus (10) comprises a housing (14) and a wind turbine (12) within the housing. The wind turbine comprises a plurality of rotatable turbine blades (66). The housing has a forward region (20) extending forwardly of the wind turbine, the forward region defining an inlet opening (22) for air, and a rearward region (24) extending rearwardly of the wind turbine, the rearward region defining an outlet opening for air.

Abstract: A wire strand (10) comprises a plurality of wires (12, 16, 20). The wires comprise a central king wire (12), a first layer (14) of wires (16) arranged around the king wire, and a second layer (18) of wires (20) arranged around the first layer. The king wire is formed of steel having a carbon content of at least 0.3 wt %. Each wire of the first layer is formed of steel having a carbon content which is less than the carbon content of the king wire. Each wire of the second layer is formed of steel having a carbon content which is greater than, or the same as, the carbon content of the wires of the first layer.

Abstract: A device for use on palletized loads of containers for maintaining tension in vertical strapping comprises a rectangle (20) having outer dimensions commensurate with the dimensions of a pallet or dolly on which. containers are to be stacked in layers, each side of the rectangle comprising upper and lower leaves (21L, 22L) diverging from hinge means at the inner edge of the side, the lower leaves (22L) of all four sides being disposed in a common plane, and spring means (23) urging the outer edges of the upper and lower leaves apart.

Abstract: A load-carrying dolly having four wheels (6, 7) adjacent the corners of its platform (1) is rendered immobile by conversion to a pallet-like condition by lowering bearers (9, 10, 11) into contact with the floor or ground (24) and then raising the platform (1) slightly to raise the wheels (6, 7) clear of the floor or ground by means of either of two pedals (25, 32), one below each end of the platform (1), with linkage (of either of two forms, not shown) to bars (23) connecting in “slave” pairs of toggle links (20, 21) by means of which the bearers are suspended through beams (33) connecting upward extensions (12, 13, 14) at the ends of the bearers (9, 10, 11), the toggle links in each pair becoming locked by mating abutments (28) coming together when the links have passed slightly beyond in-line position, the mechanical advantage of the depressed pedal (25 or 32) being amplified by that of the pairs of toggle links when passing through in-line positions.

Abstract: A preferred form of slip sheet (62) for use between layers (L) of containers, especially bottles (20), in a palletised load, comprises a rectangular board (63) having marginal portions (34) formed with corrugations (65, 66) extending perpendicular from their edges and merging into the general plane of the board (63), whereby, in use, a ‘throat’ (TD) is formed between the upward corrugations (66) on a lower slip sheet (62) and the downward corrugations (65) on an upper slip sheet (62) which prevents ‘walking’ of the outermost rows of bottles (20) in the intervening layer. Curved corners of the board (63) are provided with diverging corrugations (65X, 66X) to prevent ‘walking’ of bottles (20) from the corners of layers (L). A plurality of such slip sheets (62) can be stacked compactly and with great stability by virtue of the corrugations (65, 66) nesting in the corrugations of neighbouring slip sheets.

Abstract: A load-carrying dolly having four wheels (6, 7) adjacent the corners of its platform (1) is rendered immobile by conversion to a pallet-like condition by lowering bearers (9, 10, 11) into contact with the floor or ground (24) and then raising the platform (1) slightly to raise the wheels (6, 7) clear of the floor or ground by means of either of two pedals (25, 32), one below each end of the platform (1), with linkage (of either of two forms, not shown) to bars (23) connecting in “slave” pairs of toggle links (20, 21) by means of which the bearers are suspended through beams (33) connecting upward extensions (12, 13, 14) at the ends of the bearers (9, 10, 11), the toggle links in each pair becoming locked by mating abutments (28) coming together when the links have passed slightly beyond in-line position, the mechanical advantage of the depressed pedal (25 or 32) being amplified by that of the pairs of toggle links when passing through in-line positions.

Abstract: A preferred form of slip sheet (62) for use between layers (L) of containers, especially bottles (20), in a palletised load, comprises a rectangular board (63) having marginal portions (34) formed with corrugations (65, 66) extending perpendicular from their edges and merging into the general plane of the board (63), whereby, in use, a ‘throat’ (TD) is formed between the upward corrugations (66) on a lower slip sheet (62) and the downward corrugations (65) on an upper slip sheet (62) which prevents ‘walking’ of the outermost rows of bottles (20) in the intervening layer. Curved corners of the board (63) are provided with diverging corrugations (65X, 66X) to prevent ‘walking’ of bottles (20) from the corners of layers (L). A plurality of such slip sheets (62) can be stacked compactly and with great stability by virtue of the corrugations (65, 66) nesting in the corrugations of neighbouring slip sheets.

Abstract: A device for alleviating slackening of vertical strapping (24) in palletised loads of containers comprises a pair of rectangular frames (32, 33), spring means (34) between the frames urging them apart, and tethering means (47, 48) limiting separation of the frames, which device is preferably placed on top of a slip sheet (22Y) placed on the top layer (L) of containers, especially of bottles (20). The outer edges of the upper frame (32) preferably has shallow grooves (51) from its outer edges to accommodate the vertical strapping (24) and protect it from abrasion. The lower frame (33) preferably has a flared outer skirt (49) to assist in locating the device on a top slip sheet (22Y), and locating a plurality of such devices one on another for return transport.

Abstract: A cap for use on a palletized load has a main mauling providing housings at a pair or two pairs of opposite sides for a cassette in which a strap passes through a slotted crossbar between a drum and a hook having two prongs for engaging the underside of the platform of a pallet (e.g. at each side of a middle spacer), the strap then being tensioned by a linkage between the slotted crossbar and a lever within a slot for swinging between an inoperative position and an operative position (e.g. up to 90° thereto) to rotate the crossbar to wind the strap thereon.

Abstract: A device for use on palletised loads of containers for maintaining tension in vertical strapping comprises a rectangle (20) having outer dimensions commensurate with the dimensions of a pallet or dolly on which. containers are to be stacked in layers, each side of the rectangle comprising upper and lower leaves (21L, 22L) diverging from hinge means at the inner edge of the side, the lower leaves (22L) of all four sides being disposed in a common plane, and spring means (23) urging the outer edges of the upper and lower leaves apart.

Abstract: A cap for use on a palletized load has a main moulding providing housings at a pair or two pairs of opposite sides for a cassette in which a strap passes through a slotted crossbar between a drum and a hook having two prongs for engaging the underside of the platform of a pallet (e.g. at each side of a middle spacer), the strap then being tensioned by a linkage between the slotted crossbar and a lever within a slot for swinging between an inoperative position and an operative position (e.g. up to 90° thereto) to rotate the crossbar to wind the strap thereon.

Abstract: A mechanism for suspending equipment from an overhead structural member includes a suspension strand, e.g. of wire or wire rope, provided at one end with a screwthreaded portion, together with a locking device having in bores each preferably associated with a wedging mechanism which prevents withdrawal of the free end of the strand in the opposite direction to insertion. The screwthreaded portion may be screwed into the overhead structural member, or into the equipment, the free end of the strand passed through one bore of the locking device, through an eye on the equipment or round the equipment, or through an eye on the overhead structural member or round the overhead structural member, then back through the other bore of the locking device to be secured therein by the wedging mechanism.

Abstract: Means for suspending equipment (21) from an overhead structural member (16) comprises a suspension strand (10), e.g. a length of wire rope, with a nipple (11) at one end, a toggle plate (12) with an aperture (13) through which the strand can pass but not the nipple, together with a locking device (18) having twin bores (17A, 17B) associated with wedging means (19A, 19B), the toggle plate (12) and nipple (11) being pushed through a hole (15 or 34) in the overhead structural member (16) or the equipment (21), for the toggle plate to overlie or underlie the hole, while the free end (14) of the strand (10) is passed through one bore (17A) of the locking device (18), through an eye (20) on the equipment (21) or round the equipment or through an eye (35) on the overhead structural member (16) or round the overhead structural member, and finally through the other bore (17B) of the locking device (18).

Abstract: Load strapping means for use with 4-way pallet comprises a cap (11) for placing on a load (17) on a 4-way pallet (16), at least two strapping strands (15) retractable through openings (26) into housings (14) at opposite sides (at least) of the cap, spring means within the housings for retracting the strapping strands, hooks (18) on the free ends of the strapping strands for engagement with the underside (21) of the platform (22) of a 4-way pallet, tensioning means within the housings for tightening the strapping strands between the cap and the pallet after interposing a load between the cap and the pallet, and stop means (34) for limiting retraction of the hooks into the housings when not engaged with a pallet. Such a cap (11) can be used without need to modify existing 4-way pallets, particularly—but not exclusively—those made of wood.

Abstract: A method of connecting an electric fence wire (30) to a post (27) comprises providing a wire connector (10) of the type having a body (11) within which twin bores (15A, 15B) are each associated with wedging means (12A, 12B), together with a non-electrically-conducting filament (19), the filament being looped round the post and having a free end (21) inserted into one of the bores, pushed through and pulled for setting of the proximity of the connector (10) to the post (27), then an end (29) of the electrical fence wire (30) is inserted into the other bore, pushed through and pulled to tension the fence wire and also the filament looped round the post. The filament (19) may extend fixedly from the body (11) of the connector (10) or it may be provided with a small loop (41) through which the free end (21) of the filament is passed after looping round the post (27) and before insertion into the connector.

Abstract: Load strapping means for use with 4-way pallet comprises a cap (11) for placing on a load (17) on a 4-way pallet (16), at least two strapping strands (15) retractable through openings (26) into housings (14) at opposite sides (at least) of the cap, spring means within the housings for retracting the strapping strands, hooks (18)on the free ends of the strapping strands for engagement with the underside (21) of the platform (22) of a 4-way pallet, tensioning means within the housings for tightening the strapping strands between the cap and the pallet after interposing a load between the cap and the pallet, and stop means (34) for limiting retraction of the hooks into the housings when not engaged with a pallet Such a cap (11) can be used without need to modify existing 4-way pallets, particularly—hut not exclusively—those made of wood.

Abstract: A fire-rated wire etc. connector (10) is of the type having within a metal body (11) twin bores (12) at least one of which is associated with wedge means (14) preventing withdrawal of a wire (20) or suspension strand in the opposite direction to insertion, and the wedge means (14) is made of ceramic material.

Abstract: Means for suspending equipment (32) from an overhead structural member (21) comprises a suspension strand (11), e.g. of wire or wire rope, provided at one end with a screwthreaded portion (12), together with a locking device (13) having twin bores (14A, 14B) each preferably associated with wedging means (15A, 15B) preventing withdrawal of the free end (16) of the strand (11) in the opposite direction to insertion.

Abstract: A wire clamping device including a body, at least one bore through the body for an end of a wire and at least one channel in the body converging at an acute angle and into communication with the bore towards an inlet end of the bore. An abutment is at an end of the channel remote from the inlet end of the bore, and a wedge is movable along the channel between the abutment and a region of communication with the bore. A face of the wedge facing the abutment is provided with an undercut groove, and a hole is provided through the abutment for passage therethrough of a rod-like tool provided with diametrically opposed projections at one end for pulling engagement with the undercut groove by partial rotation of the tool from an insertion position.