Abstract: There is disclosed a clutch/brake mechanism of the "disc" type wherein the coacting friction producing members are severally configured of frusto-conical and planar form whereby sealing contact is maintained at the peripheral surfaces thereof when in a brake-released condition to thereby prevent entrance of external contaminants into the brake-clutch mechanism.

Abstract: A chain grab hook (10) which engages the cross-over link (30) in a generally flat lay or generally horizontal position is disclosed. The free-end portion (14) of the grab hook (10) includes a support surface (40) which supports the flat face of the cross-over link (30) over a substantial length of the link and over a substantial surface area. The tip (48) of the free-end portion (14) of the hook (10) projects inwardly to provide an obstruction which tends to prevent accidental chain slide-out. The support surface (40) may be slightly angled relative to the horizontal to cause the side links (32, 36) to rotate toward the neutral fiber center (26) of the hook (10) to reduce the moment arm applied by the loaded chain on the hook.

Abstract: A device for precisely positioning a hoist suspended load which operates by temporarily releasing the hoist brake for a predetermined limited time period without actuating the hoist motor so that the load is lowered through a small incremental distance by the influence of its own weight. A control signal may be generated by a delay timer, a repeat cycle timer, a digital timing device or a device for detecting the degree of movement of the load carried by the hoist.

Abstract: An improved means is disclosed for detachably retaining the link of a chain to be temporarily engaged by a chain-grappling "claw" type hook. The retaining means comprises a resilient member at least partially over-reaching the "pocket" portion of the hook into which the link of the engaged chain is temporarily captured; and is so constructed and arranged as to release the engaged chain link only when intended by the user, and with improved facility and ease of operation by the user.

Abstract: A clevis type connection device has one leg thereof formed with a "blind" bore opening and another leg thereof formed with a through-bore opening, which is arranged in axial alignment with the "blind" bore opening; the bore openings thereof being sized to rotatably support opposite ends of a load engaging pin. The load pin is either removably retained or permanently installed within the bore openings.

Abstract: A rolling bearing type traction wheel and hub assembly which is especially adapted to ride upon either flat (i.e. horizontal) or laterally sloping surfaces such as trolley trackways and/or the opposite side flanges of supporting I-beams or the like; the axis of wheel rotation being in any case canted relative to the support surface. The wheel assembly comprises a generally cylindrical shaped inner bearing race/hub member which is fixed to an external support and is encircled by a rotatable outer race/wheel member, with rolling bearings enclosed therebetween. The wheel and hub parts are formed of sheet material and are so shaped as to novelly facilitate initial assembly thereof. When the device is operating under load the parts automatically float into self-aligning operational relationship and are retained in proper operative relationship without need of any auxiliary retention device.

Abstract: A rolling trolley device adapted to ride upon opposite side flanges of a support beam; said trolley device comprising a generally V-shaped load supporting yoke bar of one-piece formation carrying at the opposite legs thereof a pair of generally tubular-shaped trolley wheel support housings; wheel support members extending from said housings at opposite sides of the legs of said bar; and support beam engaging wheels mounted upon said support members; said housings being keyed to said yoke bar legs in positionally adjustable relation thereon to adapt said device to operate efficiently on a large variety of support beam sizes and flange width and slope configurations. The trolley wheels are carried by said housings so as to rotate about axes which slope away from and into acute angle intersections with the planes of the trolley wheel contact/support surfaces; thereby directionally balancing out the thrust load and reaction load forces to provide an improved wheel tracking operation.

Abstract: A bi-directional wrench (2) capable of ratchet type action is disclosed for turning a member (6) with equally spaced peripheral recesses in either direction without reversing the position of the wrench. The wrench includes one or more teeth (14) and a pair of supports (19,20) on either side of and spaced from the teeth of the wrench for engaging the member. The supports (19,20) and the tooth or teeth (14) of the wrench are configured to permit radial disengagement of the teeth (14) from the recesses of the member (6). In a preferred form, complete removal of the wrench from the member is prevented by the shape of the wrench to enable a true ratchet type action.

Abstract: A telescopic load binder (1) with a tubular barrel (2) and a pair of oppositely threaded members (7,8) threaded into the opposite ends of the barrel and method of assembling same. When assembled, the load binder is designed to prevent subsequent inadvertent disassembly and includes means (13,14) placed on the threads of the members to prevent their removal from the barrel without breaching the barrel itself. A threaded cylindrical insert (12) is inserted into the barrel at one end and enables and facilitates load binder assembly.

Abstract: In a load system which involves a powered chain hoist wherein raising or lowering of a load is effected by a rotating drive sprocket over which the chain is trained, the amplitude of motion due to resonant response of the load system as a consequence of coincidence between the natural frequency of the load system and the frequency of oscillatory excitation produced by the chain/sprocket drive is significantly reduced by providing an energy dissipation device in series with the load. This device involves a spring mechanism which permits a limited motion at the resonant condition, in combination with a controlled damping factor. The spring compliance of the device normally will lie in the range of about 1/2-3 times the spring compliance of the active length of the chain at the resonant condition and the relation between the spring rate of the device and the effective damping factor is perferably such that the spring rate divided by the damping factor will be at least about 0.006 seconds.

Abstract: A hoist brake unit having a shading coil mechanically locked into the core of the brake unit's electromagnet. The mechanical lock is achieved by passing the coil through a cavity in the core having intervening core material between the cavity and an external surface of the core.

Abstract: A coupling shackle for field/factory assembly of lengths of chain, rope, cables, or the like/or attachments thereto; said coupling shackle comprising a generally U-shaped unit comprising an overlay/underlay assembly of two or more relatively nested complemental-configured U-shaped members which are traversed and interconnected at their leg ends as by means of a bolt or pin or the like. Said members may be first stamped or otherwise cut out of sheet/plate stock and then bent into U-shaped configurations; the bowed intermediate portions thereof being subsequently U-shape sectionally formed. The open end leg portions at opposite sides of the unit are apertured and side-by-side mounted upon the structurally cooperating interconnecting bolt or pin.

Abstract: A ratchet type telescopic load binder (1) having axially and oppositely moveable first and second threaded screw members (7,8) of different diameters is disclosed. The larger diameter member (7) includes an axial cylindrical void (11) into which the smaller screw member (8) is permitted to move. Greater reach is achieved by providing the smaller member (8) with a screw thread (10) pitch and a thread (10) length which are greater than those of the larger member (7). The cylindrical void (11) of the larger member (7) extends past its operative thread (9) length to accommodate increased penetration of the smaller member (8).

Abstract: Correspondence (or the like) filing folders and filing cabinet drawer dividers, hereinafter generally referred to as "separators", are made of relatively thin and inexpensive sheet material and are novelly constructed and configured to prevent them from "slumping" when installed in a compartmented filing system; the folders/dividers being of improved functioning and increased life characteristics. An improved (optionally employed) file content "follower" contributes to an overall improved filing system.

Abstract: An oblique lay sprocket wheel utilizes a pocket construction wherein load bearing portions of successive pockets are overlapped. Also, a bent link chain construction is shown which allows the use of a four pocket wheel.

Abstract: A side lever type handle for hand operated tensioning devices, such as hoist or puller mechanisms, which is adapted to 360.degree. rotation operation; said handle being reverse-curve contoured so as to minimize torsional moments acting to rotate the hoist/puller mechanism about the axis of the load system incidental to pushing/pulling upon the handle. Optionally, the handle may be sectionally designed to complement its aforesaid contour so as to adapt it to yield plastically in torsion and bending in response to attempts to overload the associated mechanism.

Abstract: A hook of the so-called "grab hook" type for engaging a chain of the welded wire link type, which features improved chain link engagement means. The chain receiving throat of the hook is inclined relative to the load lift line of the hook, and the chain link which is centered in the hook is supported upon a flat saddle portion of the hook which extends beyond opposite sides thereof. The hook receives and carries the chain when under load so as to subject the engaged links of the chain to no severe stress increases.

Abstract: A master link of forged metal construction features a multiple hole sling chain attachment arrangement serving to minimize bending moment deformation/failure stresses in the master link under various branch chain connection configurations; and reduces the number of special attachment links required to attach the branch chain(s) to the master link.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved coupling device or "link" for interconnecting separate lengths of chain and/or attachments thereto and/or for repairing broken chains and method of producing same; said coupling link comprising two half-link units each of which comprises a laminar assembly of two or more relatively nested and interfittingly configured strap-like members. These members are stamped out in generally U-shaped plan form from sheet or plate stock; the legs thereof then being twisted while the intermediate bow-shaped portions of the members remain flat-wise in the planes of the original stampings. Such half-link units may then be assembled and fabricated from only a minimized number (one or two) of differently configured strap-like members disposed in laminate relationship.