Abstract: A fixture for elevated utility lines, deployable from a hoverable vehicle having a load attachment point, each fixture having a body with a slot formed therein for receiving the line; a trap having one or a pair of movable arms for holding the line within the slot; a cocking mechanism for holding the trap in an open condition; and a trigger mechanism activated by contact with the line for releasing the cocking mechanism, and a trap releaser including a supportive hook receiver for releasing the trap during removal of the body from the line. A system for deploying fixtures also includes a base, an attachment for releasably suspending the base from the load attachment point and having a stabilizer bar supportively connected relative to the attachment point and resiliently oriented relative to the vehicle, a yoke releasably supported relative to the load attachment point, the base being suspended from the yoke.

Abstract: A system for controllable delivery of a suitable particulate material in dry form from a vehicle for treating waterborne spilled oil. A dispensing module of the system includes base means for defining a base, air compressor means, tank means for holding the particulate material, a feed conduit connected for pressurization by the air compressor means and having an outlet, a downwardly directed nozzle fluid connected to the outlet and supported from the base, means for feeding the particulate material from the tank means into the feed conduit whereby a stream of the material, mixed with air, is directed at high velocity from the outlet, and means for carrying the base by an airborne vehicle with the nozzle elevated above the surface level, the stream impacting and penetrating the oil. The module can be suspended below a helicopter by means of a stabilizer unit. Alternatively, the module can be suspended in registration with landing gear members of the helicopter.

Abstract: For controllably suspending a load from a helicopter such that the load can be quickly jettisoned in an emergency, a rigid stabilizer bar is suspended from a quick-release cargo hook attachment point of the helicopter, and a yoke structure is releasably carried by the hook in fixed relation to the bar, opposite ends of the yoke having flexible lines connected to spaced apart locations on the load. Opposite ends of the stabilizer bar are connected by bungee cords to landing skid anchors for stabilizing the yoke. The attitude of the load is controlled by yawing and rolling maneuvers of the helicopter. If necessary, the yoke, together with the lines and the load, can be jettisoned from the vehicle by releasing the hook. The load can be configured as a cleaning module for directing a cleaning medium onto an elevated workpiece such as an insulator of a transmission line tower.

Abstract: For controllably suspending a load from a helicopter such that the load can be quickly jettisoned in an emergency, a rigid stabilizer bar is suspended from a quick-release cargo hook attachment point of the helicopter, and a yoke structure is releasably carried by the hook in fixed relation to the bar, opposite ends of the yoke having flexible lines connected to spaced apart locations on the load. Opposite ends of the stabilizer bar are connected by bungee cords to landing skid anchors for stabilizing the yoke. The attitude of the load is controlled by yawing and rolling maneuvers of the helicopter. If necessary, the yoke, together with the lines and the load, can be jettisoned from the vehicle by releasing the hook. The load can be configured as a cleaning module for directing a cleaning medium onto an elevated workpiece such as an insulator of a transmission line tower.

Abstract: A rigid stabilizer bar is suspended from a quick-release cargo hook attachment point of the helicopter, and a yoke structure is releasably carried by the hook in fixed relation to the bar for suspending a load, opposite ends of the yoke having flexible lines connected to spaced apart locations on the load. Opposite ends of the stabilizer bar are connected by bungee cords to landing skid anchors for stabilizing the yoke. The load is oriented by yawing and rolling maneuvers of the helicopter. In an emergency, the yoke, together with the lines and the load, can be jettisoned from the vehicle by releasing the hook. The load can be a dispensing module for directing a fluidic medium such as crushed walnut shells in a high-pressure air blast from a nozzle that is located on a boom projecting from the module, onto an elevated workpiece such as an insulator of a tranmission line tower for cleaning the insulator. The cleaning module produces a stream of particulate.

Abstract: A fixture for elevated utility lines, deployable from a hoverable vehicle having a load attachment point, each fixture having a body with a slot formed therein for receiving the line; a trap having one or a pair of movable arms for holding the line within the slot; a cocking mechanism for holding the trap in an open condition; and a trigger mechanism activated by contact with the line for releasing the cocking mechanism, and a trap releaser including a supportive hook receiver for releasing the trap during removal of the body from the line. A system for deploying fixtures also includes a base, an attachment for releasably suspending the base from the load attachment point and having a stabilizer bar supportively connected relative to the attachment point and resiliently oriented relative to the vehicle, a yoke releasably supported relative to the load attachment point, the base being suspended from the yoke.