Abstract: A hand crank device and associated method for winding winches such as those used on flat bed tractor trailers. The hand crank device includes an elongated pin element that is sized to engage the drive shaft of a winch. The pin element is long enough to enter through one hole on the drive shaft, extend across the drive shaft and exit the drive shaft through a second hole on the opposite side. The pin element is affixed to the short arm section of an L-shaped bracket. A handle is affixed to the long arm section of the L-shaped bracket, thereby enabling a torque to be applied to the L-shaped bracket and the pin element affixed to the L-shaped bracket. The torque acting on the pin element is transferred to the drive shaft of the winch, thereby causing the drive shaft to turn and the winch to rewind.

Abstract: A pick and place mechanism is provided for selecting a part from a pick-up location, transporting the same to a place location, and placing it in a precise position at the place location. A part is engaged by a pair of gripping fingers which depend from a casing mounted for movement between the pick and place locations. The fingers are connected to a cam mounted for reciprocation in the casing to alternately extend and retract the fingers. The fingers cooperate with an actuating mechanism carried by the casing to engage and disengage the part in response to movement of the cam. The cam is normally biased upwardly and is actuated by a follower which is guided in a slot in the casing, and an air cylinder drives the follower and hence the casing between the pick and place locations.