Abstract: A collapsible pinata hoist to eliminate the need for finding a large tree or other pinata rope support structure when it is desired to have a pinata at a gathering such as a birthday party or other celebration. The collapsible pinata hoist includes a V-shaped base assembly, a vertical support pole assembly, a horizontal support pole and pulley assembly, two brace members each having an element locking pin receiving aperture at both ends thereof, a number of element locking pins and a flexible pinata pulling tether member. The flexible pinata tether member is threaded through pulley assemblies provided at each end of the horizontal support pole and has one end attached to a pinata and the other end free to be pulled on by a pinata handler to allow for lifting and lowering of the pinata while a person is trying to break the pinata open with a stick.

Abstract: A portable hoist system includes a base assembly which includes a pintle. Slidably mounted over the pintle is a hoist support assembly. The hoist support assembly includes a substantially vertical tube which is connected at its top portion to a support arm. The support arm is supported with respect to the substantially vertical tube by an angled brace member. On the top of the support arm is located a lifting strap control assembly. The lifting strap control assembly includes a windlass and a guide bar.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the vinyl lifting crane includes a portable, mobile aluminum jib crane with an attached nip roller drive system. The drive will feed a preferred flat rope between the rollers for traction to achieve two primary functions. One function will enable the hoist to climb itself up to a structure by a person securing one end of a preferably flat rope to a support beam for example, and allowing the rope to hang in a vertical manner. The crane will be attached to free end of flat rope and radio control may be used to command the nip rollers to feed the rope between said rollers, enabling the hoist to climb the rope. This will eliminate the need to carry the hoist when climbing up stairways, ladders etc. Once the crane has climbed the rope, it is releasable attached to the structure by inserting a male square tubing member into a female square member of the structure, for example. Also the crane can be inserted into a trolley for horizontal travel.

Abstract: A system of multiple concentric annular support pedestal rings for providing load and counterweight support for a ring supported crane. The pedestal rings are fabricated from uniform sections of steel, which are mated at preferably triangular shaped ends. A top rail is secured on the ring segments to complete the pedestal ring. At least two rings support the crane through rocker beam assembly structures for powered and idler rollers, providing additional strength and stability to the crane through the distribution of weight forces down through a larger support footprint. Additional stability is also provided by substantially increasing the weight of counterweight that can be utilized. Weight distribution from the boom and mast is enhanced with an inventive boom foot carrier, that distributes the weight of the boom and/or mast through multiple concentric rings. Weight distribution from the counterweight is similarly distributed through the inventive counterweight carrier.

Abstract: A hoisting device (1) comprises at least a hoisting mast (7), a foot (4) arranged on the underside and connected to the hoisting mast, and a lifting device (6) connected at least to the top of the hoisting mast (7). The hoisting device (1) is assembled from components or elements (8), the largest of which has dimensions which do not exceed those of a normal container, whereby the entire hoisting device (1) can be transported easily and inexpensively by land, sea or air.

Abstract: A telescopic turret crane (126) is detachably connectable to a pedestal (118) that is incorporated into a concrete building structure that is under construction. The telescopic turret crane is provided with a base (122) that is detachably connected to the pedestal (118). The same pedestal (118) is sometimes used for supporting an articulated concrete placement boom (126). This boom (126) includes the similar base that is detachably connectable to the same pedestal (118). The concrete placement boom (126) is attached to the pedestal (118) and is used to pour a new upper floor in the building. Following this use, the articulated concrete placement boom (126) is detached from the pedestal (118) and is moved away from the pedestal (118). Then, the telescopic turret crane is brought to the pedestal (118) and is connected to the pedestal (118). The telescopic turret crane is used during the performance of tasks on or above the newly poured floor, in the vicinity of the pedestal (118).

Abstract: An easily carried and assembled apparatus for use in moving materials between two elevated locations, such as windows of spaced building, that includes a sending assembly positionable across a window in a first building, and a receiving assembly positioned across the window in the second building. Each assembly included a pair of triangular bracing members with bases that are positioned against the interior of the wall on either side of the opening, and a crossbar that is attached at its ends to the apexes of the bracing members, and extends across the opening. A cable is stretched between the assemblies, and a material support is used to carry materials along the cable between the buildings. The apparatus may be combined with a vertical lifting assembly that is attachable within a wall opening in one of the buildings.

Abstract: A parapet-mounted hoist made from an elongated cradle. The cradle is essentially a rectangular box-shaped mounting frame having two pairs of mounting frame legs secured to the parapet with cradle bolts. A steel square tubed safety brace mount is seated between an inside surface of the cradle's top frame, and the parapet wall. The safety brace mount has a back segment extending slightly beyond a rear plane of the mounting frame, and a forward segment extending slightly beyond a front plane of the mounting frame. The safety brace mount has a threaded safety brace pin penetrating its wall. An elongated steel safety brace having a proximal end positioned within the back segment of the safety brace mount. A boom mount having a vertically oriented cradle stub is disposed on the outside surface of the cradle. The cradle stub has a lower end affixed to the outside surface, and an upper end supporting two parallel, horizontal mounting plates.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lifting and positioning system for use by a single person in installing onto or removing from an elevated position a microcell module, all without the aid of major powered machinery. In addition to the use of a portable hoist, a bracket for permanently mounting the microcell module to a desired surface at the installation site, and a lifting bracket that detachably mounts to the module, the lifting and positioning system of the present invention uses structural features of the microcell module itself to simplify installation and removal. In this latter manner, only a relatively small number of parts need to be carried to the installation site, and can be done so safely and without undue bodily strain.

Abstract: A lifting assembly for lifting an electrical switching apparatus for placement in an electrical cabinet includes a support frame moveable along first and second rail members mounted on the electrical cabinet. The lifting assembly also includes a winch having a spool, and a cable having a first end attached to the winch and a second end for lifting the electrical switching apparatus. The cable passes over a pivotable, rotatable cable support member mounted upon the support frame to provide even distribution of the cable on the spool. A plurality of wheels rotatable about either a horizontal axis or vertical axes are attached to the support frame for movement of the support frame along the rail members.

Abstract: A compact mobile crane for lifting or lowering a load to or from a roof or other location of a building, and for raising, lowering, and supporting a load along the sides of a building. Elements of the mobile crane can be folded to allow the mobile crane to be moved into, and transported by, a standard size building elevator. Wheel assemblies on the carriage of the mobile crane can be configured for four wheel steering, locked in predetermined directions, or free pivoting. The wheel assemblies further include a wheel retraction apparatus for retracting the wheels of the mobile crane to support the crane on fixed length supports. The carriage frame members include rows of holes spaced at equal distances from each other, providing a system for easily fastening numerous elements to the mobile crane.

Abstract: A support generally comprisinga mast component,a boom component extending forwardly from the mast component,and a stabilizing component for maintaining the support in a working disposition. The support may be used in conjunction with a lifting pole for forming a hoist system. The support and hoist system may be used to support or raise and lower an object such as a chute for debris.

Abstract: A movable pedestal or kingpost type luffing crane that includes an upperworks, having a crane boom, rotatably mounted on a crane support. The crane support extends below the upperworks. The movable crane is constructed to be selectively maintained in or removed from a receiving socket. Movement prevention means prevents the radial and vertical movement of the crane support in the receiving socket. Anti-rotation means prevents the rotation of the crane support in the receiving socket. A centering means is also provided which facilitates the centering of the crane support means within the receiving socket. Providing a plurality of receiving sockets located at predetermined locations provides a system wherein the movable crane may be moved from socket to socket and from location to location.

Abstract: A portable hoist system suitable for mounting to a pair of rails includes a vertical support, an inclined boom connected to the vertical support and a hoist secured to the boom. Clamping members are provided at the lower ends of the vertical support and the boom for detachably mounting to the rails. The hoist system is preferably foldable for transport or storage purposes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for mounting an appliance at an opening in a wall, particularly for use with openings in the exterior walls of storage tanks and the like. The apparatus allows men and materials to be safely raised and lowered within the opening, can be moved away from the opening without completely removing the apparatus from the tank, and can be used to mount a variety or different appliances for use through the opening. The apparatus comprises grasping clamps for securing the apparatus to the opening of the wall, an appliance mounting member for connecting an appliance to the grasping clamps, and an appliance for maneuvering through the opening and performing a predetermined task within the tank.

Abstract: A light-duty electric crane structure includes a base, a supporting mast, a movable boom and an electric winch. The base is mountable onto a truck body, and the supporting mast is placed into a holding pipe of the base and can be rotatably adjusted relative thereto. A center portion of the supporting mast is provided with a manual lever for controlling rotation and lateral movement of the movable boom. The top of the supporting mast is provided with a supporting base for securing of the boom, and the center portion of the boom is provided with a platform for the mounting of the electric winch. The angle of inclination of the boom can be adjusted by a pin latch. A free end of the boom has pivotally mounted thereon a pulley through which is fed a hoisting rope of the winch. A load hook is attached to the end of the rope.

Abstract: A system and method for aligning the upper works assembly to the lower works assembly of a crane to facilitate redecking of the assemblies. The system and method involves suspending, preferably by pendants, the lower works from the upper works in such a manner that the influence of gravity will automatically level and align the lower works with the upper works. Alignment and redecking are accomplished without transferring the weight of the upper works assembly to lower works assembly.

Abstract: A scaffold mounted hoist (20) is provided which mounts with an adapter (30) on a pin (91) extended upward from the scaffold. An electric motor driven transmission (42) causes a standard (40) to rotate relative to the adapter. A cable from an electric winch (50) on the standard is reeved through a pulley (48) on a boom (44) extending from the standard. The transmission and winch motors respond to receivers (56) in the hoist. Thus a load (28) attached to the cable can be lifted, lowered and swung circumferentially through commands from a hand held transmitter (24). An electric eye system (64) stops the load adjacent the boom. Timers (252, 253) stop the load when it nears, respectively, the ground and the scaffold floor (34).

Abstract: A hoist apparatus for lifting objects up the side of a building or the like and swinging the objects onto the roof or other surface. The hoist can be erected and operated by one person and can be folded into a compact, easily moved, package. A pair of spaced triangular leg assemblies are typically clamped to the edged of the roof parapet in a spaced relationship. Each triangular assembly when installed for this use is made up of a first leg formed by one beam that is a vertical portion of the clamp and a flexible extension, such as a chain, extending from the lower end of the beam, a second leg secured at one end to the free end of the extension and a third leg pivotally connected between the second ends of the first and second legs, forming a triangle with an acute angle between the second and third legs. A cross beam extends between the second and third leg connections and is adapted to carry a hoist, typically a block and tackle arrangement.

Abstract: A portable crane includes a bracket mounted on a shaft extending upwardly from bearings on the vehicle; a boom extending outwardly from the bracket, a spool rotatable in the bracket carrying a cable, which extends outwardly around a pulley, a hook on the outer end of the cable for supporting a load, and a pair of slack adjusters, one of which receives the shaft for rotating the latter and consequently the boom between use and transport positions, the other slack adjuster engaging the spool for rotating the latter to wind the cable thereon.

Abstract: A boom support assembly for an earth working machine, which includes a winch, a pair of tension members and a pendant pin link interposed between tension members. The first tension member is a boom support pendant secured to a boom point of a boom and the first end of the pendant pin link. The second tension member is a boom raising rope which is received over a plurality of gantry sheaves mounted on the top portion of a gantry structure and attached to the winch at one end and attached to the second end of the pendant pin link. The gantry sheaves are mounted on an alignment apparatus that has a sheave shaft mounted in an eccentric bore of a pair of cartridges rotatable in the top portion of the gantry structure. This alignment apparatus insures the proper positioning of a through bore of the pendant pin link between support openings in the top portion of the gantry.

Abstract: A portable wheeled hoisting frame includes two winches. The hoist disassembles, and the parts fit into a backpack. When assembled the frame has an open rectangular base with corner wheels, two upright members, and a top bar between the upper ends of the two upright members extending across above the open base. The primary winch is mounted on the top bar. There are top bar extensions. The hoist can vertically lift objects under the frame, as when straddling a scuttle hole, with the primary winch. A secondary winch attached to the hoisting frame can exert a sideways or downward force for cantilever lifting. The force of the secondary winch will then balance the weight of the object held by the primary winch. The extension bars allow hoisting in numerous ways. An object may also be supported on the frame base for rolling on supporting surfaces. There are two fixed wheels and two swivel castors on the frame.

Abstract: A gin or lifting mechanism is provided for relatively heavy electrical equipment, such as transformers and the like. The gin is removably mounted on a pole above a cluster rack which is to receive the electrical equipment. The gin transfers the load of the equipment to the pole along a vertical central axis of the pole at an intermediate position between its upper and lower ends. The gin has an adjustable length support arm which is particularly suitable for movement of relatively heavy loads, especially in areas inaccessible to load lifting vehicles.

Abstract: A hoist and method are provided for lifting objects inside a vessel having a wall defining a port and having a platform on the exterior of the wall. The hoist includes a frame with a support portion extending outwardly from the port adjacent the platform and a cantilevered portion for extending through, and inwardly from, the port. A suitable clamping system is provided for clamping the frame support portion to the platform. A hoist cable is provided along the frame from the support portion to the cantilevered portion and extends over a sheave at the end of the cantilevered portion so that it hangs down inside the vessel. A winch is operatively engaged with the hoist cable and is mounted to the frame support portion for feeding out and retracting the cable whereby the end of the cable may be raised and lowered inside the vessel.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for assisting in the repair of valves used in water line meters. The apparatus comprises a travel lift mounted on a collapsible frame specifically configured for erection on water line meters. Grapples are included for grappling a valve chamber cover, a pivoted weight and a valve so that elements of the valve can be removed from the meter for repair.

Abstract: A portable construction hoist adapted to mount flush against the inside surface of a wall. A telescoping mast carries a removeably mounted winch with a remote control pendant. A freely rotatable boom is removeably mounted to the top of the mast. As the boom is rotated, an object which has been raised along the outside of the wall to which the hoist is secured can be brought around and lowered inside the perimeter of the building. The telescoping mast and removable boom and winch facilitate transportation and storage.

Abstract: A remotely-operable positioning and carrier arrangement for mounting and itioning remote handling apparatus is described for use in large-area cells containing process equipment particularly in radioactively-charged large-area cells of facilities for reprocessing irradiated nuclear fuels. In such large-area cells, the process components are disposed in racks. Maintenance and servicing work is carried out on the process components and the racks using the remote handling apparatus. The positioning and carrier arrangement which is used for this purpose has a vertically movable support. For a more precise positioning, the positioning and carrier arrangement is transportable and can be suspended on the particular rack at which work is to be done. The positioning and carrier arrangement has a table-like main frame which, in turn, has legs which are disposed horizontally when the frame is suspended on the rack. The ends of the legs are supported against the rack.

Abstract: A lightweight, self-powered, transportable crane assembly is disclosed which includes a frame that can be selectively coupled to and uncoupled from the bed of a transport vehicle or carrier, such as a pick-up truck or trailer. The frame assembly also includes stabilizing legs which can be extended laterally from the frame assembly to stabilize the crane during use and further to allow the crane assembly to be self supporting apart from the truck or trailer. The crane assembly also can be coupled to a ballast structure such as a water tank or the like, to permit its use apart from the transport vehicle.

Abstract: A material hoisting gin has a support beam which pivots atop a mounting bracket which may be releasably attached to an upright pole. A bar for supportably engaging a load is suspended from the beam in a manner which enables the bar to be raised so that it is closely proximate to the base of the beam. This arrangement enables the gin to be mounted with the beam very close to the top of the load (which is to be raised or lowered with respect to the pole). The gin can thus be used in situations where there is minimal operating clearance above the load. In particular, the gin can frequently be used to raise or lower distribution transformers on utility poles without encroaching upon the limits of approach to the overhead power lines.

Abstract: An erection hinge for use in erecting columns for open air structures utilizes a mounting plate which removably attaches to the foundation of such structures and which supports an offset hinge. The offset hinge carries a cradle which supports a column to be erected. A gin pole and rigging attached to the cradle or column translates simple linear force into a pivotal motion of the column and cradle on the hinge to position the column on its foundations.

Abstract: A ring supported, self-propelled truck crane and method of operation is disclosed wherein a boom is mounted on the chassis for pivotal movement only about a horizontal axis. The chassis is driven into an incomplete segmented ring set up at a working site with rollers on end portions of the chassis projecting downwardly and overlying the ring when the ring opening is closed by adding an additional segment thereto. The ring is then elevated to lift the wheels of the chassis completely off the ground and drive means interconnect the ring and the chassis to rotate the chassis about the vertical axis of the ring. Flanged rollers journaled on the chassis engage the ring to center the chassis on the ring and to rotatably interconnect and support the ring on the chassis for transportation therewith to the next site when the ring and chassis are lowered for support entirely upon the wheels of the truck crane.

Abstract: A method of transferring a crane from a tower to an adjacent elevated site, such as a building under construction. The crane is raised from the tower by an elevating frame secured at one end to the tower. A transition section is inserted between the crane and the top of the tower. A bogie with an open end on the site straddles the elevating frame and receives cross beams on each end. The crane and transition section are raised, and the bogie is centered with respect to the tower. The cross beams are positioned under the ends of the transition section to which they are then bolted. The elevating frame is lowered to transfer the full weight of the crane to the transition section, and to the bogie, which can then be moved horizontally on the site away from the tower.