Abstract: A winch apparatus includes a frame; a support coupler mounted to the frame at a support end; an axle mounted to the frame; a sensor connected to the axle, detecting strain in the axle, and outputting a corresponding signal; a spool rotatably disposed around the axle and including a ratchet wheel and a receiving surface; an elongate flexible member received on the receiving surface and secured to the spool; a handle to actuate the spool and increase tension on the elongate flexible member and including a grip end and a mounting end rotatably mounted to the frame; and a pawl mounted to the handle and positioned to actuate the ratchet wheel.

Abstract: A winch apparatus includes a frame; a support coupler mounted to the frame at a support end; an axle mounted to the frame; a sensor connected to the axle, detecting strain in the axle, and outputting a corresponding signal; a spool rotatably disposed around the axle and including a ratchet wheel and a receiving surface; an elongate flexible member received on the receiving surface and secured to the spool; a handle to actuate the spool and increase tension on the elongate flexible member and including a grip end and a mounting end rotatably mounted to the frame; and a pawl mounted to the handle and positioned to actuate the ratchet wheel.

Abstract: Digital data apparatus is programmable by means of digital data encoded on one or more datastrips contained on an application insert. In order to substantially increase the amount of digital data in each datastrip, fixed-length digital data is compressed according to a predetermined compression/decompression code to produce variable length data which are then encoded on the datastrip. The disclosed apparatus minimizes the time required (1) to read the encoded data into the digital data apparatus and (2) to decode the encoded data so that the decoded data can be ready to be used. As disclosed, a reader reads the encoded data into digital memory during one pass of the reader over the length of the datastrip and while the reader returns to its starting position, the encoded data is decoded according to the predetermined code.