Abstract: A pickup device has a trunion plate that is placed across an opening formed by a tubular insert in a horizontal concrete slab or panel. A housing extends through a hole in the trunnion plate into the insert and defines an internal cavity disposed inwardly of the insert. A bore communicates an end of the housing outside the panel with the housing cavity. An axially movable actuator rod or plunger is disposed in the bore and includes a head disposed in the cavity and formed of contiguous cylindrical and conical portions. A plurality of lugs are movably mounted in housing cutouts that extend radially outward of the cavity and such lugs have sides facing the plunger head which are, respectively, parallel to the cylindrical and the conical portions of the plunger head for cooperation therewith so that the lugs are moved radially outward of the housing by the cooperating conical portion of the head and the angularly inclined lug sides.

Abstract: Apparatus such as a pickup unit for releasable connection to a member such as an anchor insert embedded in an object such as a concrete body, of the type including a housing forming part of the apparatus and which is inserted into the object adjacent to the member, lugs movably mounted in the housing for releasable engagement with the member, and an actuator movably mounted in the housing for moving the lugs between member-engaging and disengaging dispositions, is provided with sockets in the housing, a lug mounted in each socket for reciprocal rotational movement between such dispositions, the actuator having first reaction surfaces engaging the lugs to prevent them from being rotated under load, and a seat for each lug forming a part of the socket structure and providing a second reaction surface for transferring to the housing load forces exerted on the lug by the member.

Abstract: A concrete slab or panel poured in its horizontal position is fitted with anchor inserts embedded in the concrete that receive releasable pickup units or devices for connection of the panel to a hoist. Each insert has a tubular member of a relatively short length to which a hollow plastic mold is attached that extends into the panel. The mold for the most part remains in the panel and forms a cavity into which part of the pickup device extends. The pickup device has a trunion plate that is placed across the insert opening in the panel. A housing extends through a hole in the trunnion plate into the insert and defines an internal cavity disposed inwardly of the insert. A bore communicates an end of the housing outside the panel with the housing cavity. An axially movable actuator rod or plunger is disposed in the bore and includes a head disposed in the cavity and formed of contiguous cylindrical and conical portions.

Abstract: A highly efficient, pollution free thermodynamic engine employing a primary cold working fluid which is conducted in an open loop from a low temperature storage tank, through a succession of engine stages each comprising a constant volume heat exchanger and an expansion engine, and finally exhausted; and a secondary hot fluid which is circulated in a closed loop through successive engine stages and a secondary loop heat exchanger. A plurality of optional preliminary heat exchangers in the primary fluid loop initially heat the primary working fluid before entering the first engine stage to a temperature above the freezing temperature of the secondary fluid to eliminate freezing thereof. A secondary fluid heat exchanger enables transfer of heat between ambient tertiary fluid and the secondary fluid. Each engine stage employs a constant volume heat exchanger which provides an improved thermodynamic cycle with resulting high efficiency.