Abstract: A mounting tool for use in safely lifting a heavy object such as a wind tower segment. Mounting tools may be provided in a kit that includes a tool that is especially adapted for attachment to the top of the object, and a tool that is especially adapted for attachment to the bottom of the object. Both the top and bottom mounting tools include a mounting bracket for removably mounting the tool to a mounting ring on a heavy object. To accommodate different bolt patterns in mating holes in the objects, the mounting bracket has a slotted mounting hole and two generally annular mounting holes extending therethrough. These mounting holes are arrayed along a common axis. A hoist ring assembly is mounted to the mounting bracket and includes a bail adapted for swiveling and pivoting movement to define a generally hemispheric envelope.

Abstract: In an omni-positional hoist ring assembly, a U-bar is pivotally mounted to a body, and a mounting member is threadably mountable to a load. The body is mounted to swivel about the mounting member, and includes a detent engaging bore. The mounting member includes a threaded stud or threaded female connector, and a head engagable by a torque-applying tool. A latching assembly is adapted to axially releasably retain the body to the mounting member, and includes a detent and a C-washer. The C-washer is pivotally mounted to the body and has a threaded detent retaining bore. The detent has a male detent thread engaged with the threaded detent retaining bore for holding the detent in engagement with the C-washer. The detent includes a plunger which is spring biased to reversibly urge a body engaging member into engagement with the detent engaging bore.

Abstract: A mounting tool for use in safely lifting a heavy object such as a wind tower segment. Mounting tools may be provided in a kit that includes a tool that is especially adapted for attachment to the top of the object, and a tool that is especially adapted for attachment to the bottom of the object. Both the top and bottom mounting tools include a mounting bracket for removably mounting the tool to a mounting ring on a heavy object. To accommodate different bolt patterns in mating holes in the objects, the mounting bracket has a slotted mounting hole and two generally annular mounting holes extending therethrough. These mounting holes are arrayed along a common axis. A hoist ring assembly is mounted to the mounting bracket and includes a bail adapted for swiveling and pivoting movement to define a generally hemispheric envelope.

Abstract: A mounting tool for use in safely lifting a heavy object such as a wind tower segment. Mounting tools may be provided in a kit that includes a tool that is especially adapted for attachment to the top of the object, and a tool that is especially adapted for attachment to the bottom of the object. Both the top and bottom mounting tools include a mounting bracket for removably mounting the tool to a mounting ring on a heavy object. To accommodate different bolt patterns in mating holes in the objects, the mounting bracket has a slotted mounting hole and two generally annular mounting holes extending therethrough. These mounting holes are arrayed along a common axis. A hoist ring assembly is mounted to the mounting bracket and includes a bail adapted for swiveling and pivoting movement to define a generally hemispheric envelope.

Abstract: A mounting tool for use in safely lifting a heavy object such as a wind tower segment. Mounting tools may be provided in a kit that includes a tool that is especially adapted for attachment to the top of the object, and a tool that is especially adapted for attachment to the bottom of the object. Both the top and bottom mounting tools include a mounting bracket for removably mounting the tool to a mounting ring on a heavy object. To accommodate different bolt patterns in mating holes in the objects, the mounting bracket has a slotted mounting hole and two generally annular mounting holes extending therethrough. These mounting holes are arrayed along a common axis. A hoist ring assembly is mounted to the mounting bracket and includes a bail adapted for swiveling and pivoting movement to define a generally hemispheric envelope.

Abstract: A hoist ring assembly with expansion anchor includes an anchor subassembly and a rotatable and pivotable lifting loop. The anchor subassembly includes a bushing element, an engagement element and a retainer element. The bushing element has an anchor shaft extending along a major axis. The engagement element has a threaded bore extending long a bore axis which is approximately parallel to the major axis when the assembly is in assembled state. The threaded bore is adapted to threadably receive a threaded portion of the retainer element. The bore axis may be forced out of alignment with the major axis by way of a tightening rotation of the threaded portion with respect to the threaded bore, thus expanding the effective diameter of the combined anchor shaft and engagement element. The assembly is thereby releasably anchorable to a pre-drilled hole in a load to be lifted.

Abstract: A hoist ring assembly includes an anchor subassembly with bushing, retainer and threaded fastener elements, and a loop subassembly with a lifting loop and pair of pin elements. The assembly is adapted such that the lifting loop is rotatable through a 360-degree angle about a major axis, and pivotable through at least 180-degree angle about a minor axis. The assembly can be rapidly assembled or disassembled, and incorporates one or more components which may be substantially fabricated by way of forging operation, particularly the retainer member.

Abstract: A lift stub with an elongated shaft member that has a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end. A lift eye element is spaced laterally by a lateral distance from the longitudinal axis, a first distance from the proximal end, and a second distance from the distal end. The lift eye element pivotally mounts a clevis member to the elongated shaft member for rotation about a clevis axis that extends generally normal to the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft member. The clevis has a throat that is adapted to receiving a lifting hook therein. A foot portion extends from the distal end towards the proximal end for a third distance, which is approximately less than the second distance. A spur element projects generally laterally of the elongated shaft member adjacent the distal end and generally laterally opposed to the lift eye element.

Abstract: A lift stub with an elongated shaft member that has a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end. A lift eye element is spaced laterally by a lateral distance from the longitudinal axis, a first distance from the proximal end, and a second distance from the distal end. The lift eye element pivotally mounts a clevis member to the elongated shaft member for rotation about a clevis axis that extends generally normal to the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft member. The clevis has a throat that is adapted to receiving a lifting hook therein. A foot portion extends from the distal end towards the proximal end for a third distance, which is approximately less than the second distance. A spur element projects generally laterally of the elongated shaft member adjacent the distal end and generally laterally opposed to the lift eye element.

Abstract: A hoist ring assembly with expansion anchor includes an anchor subassembly and a rotatable and pivotable lifting loop. The anchor subassembly includes a bushing element, an engagement element and a retainer element. The bushing element has an anchor shaft extending along a major axis. The engagement element has a threaded bore extending long a bore axis which is approximately parallel to the major axis when the assembly is in assembled state. The threaded bore is adapted to threadably receive a threaded portion of the retainer element. The bore axis may be forced out of alignment with the major axis by way of a tightening rotation of the threaded portion with respect to the threaded bore, thus expanding the effective diameter of the combined anchor shaft and engagement element. The assembly is thereby releasably anchorable to a pre-drilled hole in a load to be lifted.

Abstract: A hoist ring assembly includes an anchor subassembly with bushing, retainer and threaded fastener elements, and a loop subassembly with a lifting loop and pair of pin elements. The assembly is adapted such that the lifting loop is rotatable through a 360-degree angle about a major axis, and pivotable through at least 180-degree angle about a minor axis. The assembly can be rapidly assembled or disassembled, and incorporates one or more components which may be substantially fabricated by way of forging operation, particularly the retainer member.

Abstract: An eyebolt assembly is provided in which a skirt member is reinforced by radially projecting diametrically extending ribs. A fixed lifting eye projects from one side of the skirt, and a mounting stud projects from the opposite side. The mounting stud is double threaded with one thread being adapted to mate with a threaded bore in the body of the eyebolt assembly, and the other thread being matched to a threaded bore in a load. The same eyebolt body can be employed with a plurality of different mounting studs, which simplifies inventorying eyebolt assemblies to meet all of the different threaded bores that may occur in different loads. Only the mounting studs need to be threaded to match the loads. The skirts are provided with striking faces so that they can be tightened and loosened by striking them with a hammer.

Abstract: A mounting tool for use in safely lifting a heavy object such as a wind tower segment. Mounting tools may be provided in a kit that includes a tool that is especially adapted for attachment to the top of the object, and a tool that is especially adapted for attachment to the bottom of the object. Both the top and bottom mounting tools include a mounting bracket for removably mounting the tool to a mounting ring on a heavy object. To accommodate different bolt patterns in mating holes in the objects, the mounting bracket has a slotted mounting hole and two generally annular mounting holes extending therethrough. These mounting holes are arrayed along a common axis. A hoist ring assembly is mounted to the mounting bracket and includes a bail adapted for swiveling and pivoting movement to define a generally hemispheric envelope. The bail is mounted for swiveling about a swiveling axis. The swiveling axis extends approximately between the two generally annular mounting holes and the slotted mounting hole.

Abstract: An eyebolt assembly is provided in which a skirt member is reinforced by radially projecting diametrically extending ribs. A fixed lifting eye projects from one side of the skirt, and a mounting stud projects from the opposite side. The mounting stud is double threaded with one thread being adapted to mate with a threaded bore in the body of the eyebolt assembly, and the other thread being matched to a threaded bore in a load. The same eyebolt body can be employed with a plurality of different mounting studs, which simplifies inventorying eyebolt assemblies to meet all of the different threaded bores that may occur in different loads. Only the mounting studs need to be threaded to match the loads. The skirts are provided with striking faces so that they can be tightened and loosened by striking them with a hammer.

Abstract: An eyebolt inventory control method in which a plurality of eyebolt bodies are provided. The eyebolt bodies all have about the same nominal dimensions and they include a skirt member that is reinforced by radially projecting diametrically extending ribs. The skirts are provided with striking faces so that they can be tightened and loosened by striking them with a hammer. A fixed lifting eye projects from one side of the skirt, and a mounting stud projects from the opposite side. The mounting stud is double threaded with one thread being adapted to mate with a threaded bore in the body of the eyebolt assembly, and the other thread being matched to a threaded bore in a load. The same eyebolt body can be employed with a plurality of different mounting studs, which simplifies inventorying eyebolt assemblies to meet all of the different threaded bores that may occur in different loads. Only the mounting studs need to bear threads that match the threads in the loads.

Abstract: A generally X-shaped lift coupling for use with a conventional dovetail socket. One leg of the X-shaped lift coupling slides axially in a keyway in the other leg between a position where the lower end of the sliding leg is engaged with an angularly extending wall of the dovetail socket, and a position where the sliding leg is fully disengaged from the dovetail socket. A retainer holds the slidable leg in assembled relationship with the fixed leg. At least the fixed leg includes a lifting eye for engagement by a lifting member. The application of a lifting force to the lifting eye causes the lower ends of the legs to wedgedly engage the dovetail socket to lock the lift coupling to the dovetail socket. When the slidable leg is also provided with a lifting eye, the two eyes are generally in registry when the slidable leg is fully engaged with the dovetail socket. Insertion of a lifting member through both eyes locks the two legs together in an assembled configuration.

Abstract: A tensile strength testing machine comprises a frame assembly that defines a test zone. The frame assembly includes a frame member that has first and second opposed ends. The ends have inner sides that generally face one another across the test zone, and outer sides that are generally opposed to one another and the test zone. An arbor element is mounted for generally axial movement relative to the first end. The arbor element is slidably mounted in the first end. The arbor element projects inwardly into the test zone and outwardly from the outer side of the first end. The arbor element is adapted to being attached to a test specimen, which mounted in the test zone. A portion of the arbor element that projects outwardly from the outer side of the first end is generally surrounded by an array of jack bolts. The jack bolts are threadably mounted in a collar member that is substantially axially fixed relative to the arbor element.

Abstract: A tensile strength testing machine comprises a frame assembly that defines a test zone. The frame assembly includes a frame member that has first and second opposed ends. The ends have inner sides that generally face one another across the test zone, and outer sides that are generally opposed to one another and the test zone. An arbor element is mounted for generally axial movement relative to the first end. The arbor element is slidably mounted in the first end. The arbor element projects inwardly into the test zone and outwardly from the outer side of the first end. The arbor element is adapted to being attached to a test specimen, which mounted in the test zone. A portion of the arbor element that projects outwardly from the outer side of the first end is generally surrounded by an array of jack bolts. The jack bolts are threadably mounted in a collar member that is substantially axially fixed relative to the arbor element.

Abstract: An omni-positional hoist ring wherein a shackle member is pivotally attached to a rotationally mounted lift body, the lift body is rotationally mounted on a flanged bushing, and the flanged bushing is mounted on a screw. Torque is applied to the screw by applying force to one or more axially projecting lugs. The lugs may be positioned on a collar that surrounds and is keyed to a mounting stud, or to a bar nut that is located on the distal end of mounting stud. A boss may be provided surrounding the axial bore of the collar. The purpose of the boss is to space the lifting fixture away from the axially projecting lugs on the radially outer periphery of the collar. When the axially extending lugs are on the outer periphery of a collar, torque is conveniently applied by striking the upstanding lugs with, for example, a hammer. Lugs on a bar nut a conveniently positioned to receive torque from a bar that is projected laterally between the lugs.