Abstract: Lift assemblies and methods of operating same. A method includes providing a lift assembly including a first support member and a boom pivotably coupled with a second support member. The lift assembly also includes a bearing disposed between the first and second support members. The bearing includes an inner ring and an outer ring and a gear is engaged with one of the inner ring and the outer ring. A lift line is coupled with the boom. The method also includes attaching the first support member to the vehicle, pivoting the boom relative to the second support member about a first axis, and rotating the second support member relative to the first support member about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. Further, the method includes attaching a load to the lift line and operating the lift assembly to move the load onto a roof of the vehicle.

Abstract: Lift assemblies and methods of operating same. A lift assembly for a vehicle includes at least one support member having a longitudinal axis lying on a plane and which is configured for attachment to the vehicle. A mast having a proximal end, a distal end, and a mast axis is pivotably coupled with the at least one support member at the mast proximal end. At least one gear arrangement is coupled between the at least one support member and the mast proximal end. The mast is pivotable relative to the at least one support member about an axis parallel with the plane through an angular displacement greater than 90 degrees. A boom is pivotably coupled with the mast proximate the mast distal end, and a first lift line is coupled with the boom.

Abstract: An apparatus for donning and doffing a stocking includes a frame including a base portion, a first rail having a first longitudinal axis, and a second rail having a second longitudinal axis. A first post is coupled with the first rail and is slidable in a direction parallel with the first longitudinal axis, and a second post is coupled with the second rail and is slidable in a direction parallel with the second longitudinal axis. A first clasp member is coupled with the first post and has a first prong adapted to engage a first portion of the stocking. A second clasp member is coupled with the second post and has a second prong adapted to engage a second portion of the stocking. A third clasp member is coupled with the base portion and has a third prong adapted to engage a third portion of the stocking.

Abstract: A method includes providing an apparatus including a frame including a first sub-frame and a second sub-frame that is slidable relative to the first sub-frame along a first direction. A first peg is coupled with the first sub-frame, and a second peg is coupled with the second sub-frame. A compression stocking is provided and includes a stocking body having a proximal end and a distal end, the body defining an opening. The compression stocking also includes a plurality of sleeves disposed on an exterior of the body, and each of the plurality of sleeves are oriented in a longitudinal direction relative to the body. The first peg and the second peg are coupled with respective sleeves of the plurality of sleeves, and the second sub-frame is slid relative to the first sub-frame in the first direction to expand the opening defined in the body.

Abstract: Lift assemblies and methods of operating same. A lift assembly for a vehicle includes a base configured to be attached to a roof of the vehicle and a first support member coupled with the base. Also, the lift assembly includes a boom coupled with a second support member, and the boom is pivotable with respect to the second support member about a first axis. Further, the lift assembly includes a bearing disposed between the first and second support members. The bearing includes an inner ring and an outer ring. The second support member is rotatable relative to the first support member about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. A gear is engaged with one of the inner ring and the outer ring, and a lift line is coupled with the boom.

Abstract: A stocking includes a stocking body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the stocking body defines an opening at the proximal end. The stocking body defines a longitudinal axis. The stocking body also defines an anterior portion and a posterior portion. A first layer of sleeves is disposed on an exterior of the stocking body and includes a first sleeve coupled with the anterior portion and a second sleeve coupled with the posterior portion. A second layer of sleeves is disposed on an exterior of the stocking body and includes a third sleeve coupled with the anterior portion and a fourth sleeve coupled with the posterior portion. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth sleeves have at least one opening defined therein and are oriented longitudinally relative to the stocking body.

Abstract: An apparatus for donning and doffing a stocking includes a frame including a base portion, a first rail having a first longitudinal axis, and a second rail having a second longitudinal axis. A first post is coupled with the first rail and is slidable in a direction parallel with the first longitudinal axis, and a second post is coupled with the second rail and is slidable in a direction parallel with the second longitudinal axis. A first clasp member is coupled with the first post and has a first prong adapted to engage a first portion of the stocking. A second clasp member is coupled with the second post and has a second prong adapted to engage a second portion of the stocking. A third clasp member is coupled with the base portion and has a third prong adapted to engage a third portion of the stocking.

Abstract: A method includes providing an apparatus including a frame including a first sub-frame and a second sub-frame that is slidable relative to the first sub-frame along a first direction. A first peg is coupled with the first sub-frame, and a second peg is coupled with the second sub-frame. A compression stocking is provided and includes a stocking body having a proximal end and a distal end, the body defining an opening. The compression stocking also includes a plurality of sleeves disposed on an exterior of the body, and each of the plurality of sleeves are oriented in a longitudinal direction relative to the body. The first peg and the second peg are coupled with respective sleeves of the plurality of sleeves, and the second sub-frame is slid relative to the first sub-frame in the first direction to expand the opening defined in the body.

Abstract: Lift assemblies and methods of operating same. A lift assembly for a vehicle includes at least one support member having a longitudinal axis lying on a plane and which is configured for attachment to the vehicle. A mast having a proximal end, a distal end, and a mast axis is pivotably coupled with the at least one support member at the mast proximal end. At least one gear arrangement is coupled between the at least one support member and the mast proximal end. The mast is pivotable relative to the at least one support member about an axis parallel with the plane through an angular displacement greater than 90 degrees. A boom is pivotably coupled with the mast proximate the mast distal end, and a first lift line is coupled with the boom.

Abstract: Lift assemblies and methods of operating same. A lift assembly for a vehicle includes at least one support member having a longitudinal axis lying on a plane and which is configured for attachment to the vehicle. A mast having a proximal end, a distal end, and a mast axis is pivotably coupled with the at least one support member at the mast proximal end. At least one gear arrangement is coupled between the at least one support member and the mast proximal end. The mast is pivotable relative to the at least one support member about an axis parallel with the plane through an angular displacement greater than 90 degrees. A boom is pivotably coupled with the mast proximate the mast distal end, and a first lift line is coupled with the boom.

Abstract: Lift assemblies and methods of operating same. A lift assembly for a vehicle includes at least one support member having a longitudinal axis lying on a plane and which is configured for attachment to the vehicle. A mast having a proximal end, a distal end, and a mast axis is pivotably coupled with the at least one support member at the mast proximal end. At least one gear arrangement is coupled between the at least one support member and the mast proximal end. The mast is pivotable relative to the at least one support member about an axis parallel with the plane through an angular displacement greater than 90 degrees. A boom is pivotably coupled with the mast proximate the mast distal end, and a first lift line is coupled with the boom.

Abstract: A hoist mechanism for loading an object onto a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle may include an affixed roof rack having at least two transverse bars. The hoist mechanism includes: a horizontal bar and a vertical lift mechanism. The horizontal bar is affixable to a transverse bar, is hollow, and has an open end. The vertical lift mechanism is removably mate-able with the horizontal bar and includes: a vertical mast; a boom joined to the upper end; an insert bar fits into the open end, located away from the boom, and is releasably affixed in the horizontal bar; and a lift wire with a grapnel at a distal end, the lift wire running between the end of the boom and down the vertical mast. Wherein after the horizontal bar and insert bar are is affixed to the vehicle, the object is attached to the grapnel and hoisted onto the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for donning/removing a compression stocking includes: providing a compression stocking, the compression stocking includes: a tubular compression stocking covers at least an ankle and has lateral sides, and a pair of tubular tunnels, each tunnel has a length, a diameter, and a longitudinal axis, the length is greater than the diameter, one tunnel of the pair affixed to each lateral side, the longitudinal axis of each tunnel is generally horizontal and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the other tunnel; providing a device for donning/removing a compression stocking comprises: a pair of vertical braces, and a pair of horizontally projecting prongs disposed between the pair of braces; inserting the prongs into the tunnels; inserting the foot into the stocking; and donning or removing the stocking by moving the braces as required.

Abstract: An ocean-powered hydrogen generator system includes: a transportable ocean-going vessel, the vessel is movable to a location with ocean kinetic energy; a generator for converting ocean kinetic energy into electrical energy, the generator is movable on the vessel between a transport position and a generating position; a dissociator for using the electrical energy to dissociate ocean water into hydrogen and oxygen, the dissociator is located on the vessel and operatively connected to the generator; and a container for storing the generated hydrogen and oxygen on the vessel, the container is in fluid communication with the dissociator.

Abstract: An ocean-powered hydrogen generator system includes: a transportable ocean-going vessel, the vessel is movable to a location with ocean kinetic energy; a generator for converting ocean kinetic energy into electrical energy, the generator is movable on the vessel between a transport position and a generating position; a dissociator for using the electrical energy to dissociate ocean water into hydrogen and oxygen, the dissociator is located on the vessel and operatively connected to the generator; and a container for storing the generated hydrogen and oxygen on the vessel, the container is in fluid communication with the dissociator.