Abstract: A system is disclosed including but not limited to a jack up processor in data communication with each of one of a plurality of gearbox motors over a first unidirectional data link for sending speed reference data to the plurality of gear box motors on the jack up rig leg to raise and lower a jack up rig leg; and a second unidirectional data link for load data from a sensor on each one of the gear box motors at the controller from the plurality of gearbox motors on the jack up rig leg. A method is disclosed for using the system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a ratcheting, self-aligning load-lifting device featuring a ram, responsive to a pressurized medium, having at least one rack of teeth and a keyway slot, and a ratchet mechanism encircling the ram. The ratchet mechanism has at least one pawl for engagement with the rack of teeth during elevation of the ram, a set screw extending into the keyway to maintain proper alignment of the mechanism, a spring plunger radially positioned for engagement with the keyway slot after the ratchet mechanism has been rotated and the pawl has been released from the elevated rack of teeth, and a biasing means positioned within and attached to rotate the ratchet mechanism thereby urging the re-engagement of the pawl with the lowered rack of teeth.

Abstract: Pipe machining apparatuses are provided. In some aspects, a pipe machining apparatus may include a hinge to allow two sections of the pipe machining apparatus to move relative to one another. In another aspect, a support member may be provided to support a pipe machining apparatus on a surface. In a further aspect, a support member may be provided that allows lifting of a pipe machining apparatus in either a horizontal position or a vertical position.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a manual force reduction device for reducing a force required to initiate movement of a load by a separate mechanism. The device can have an energy storage mechanism that has a compressed position and a released position, and the energy storage mechanism can be operable to store a predetermined amount of energy when it is in the compressed position. A latch can be included and be used to hold the energy storage mechanism in the compressed position. At a desired time, a latch release can release the energy storage mechanism from the compressed position such that the predetermined amount of energy is released and transferred to the load.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an anchorage extractor. The extractor is used to remove post, anchorage or stake from the ground without using a force generated by a motor. The anchorage extractor comprises a base disposed on the ground to provide a stable support. A lever is connected to a driving wheel that is connected to a rack. The anchorage is attached to the rack and when the lever is actuated, the drive wheel drives the rack upward, removing the anchorage from the ground. An advantage of the present invention is that the direction of the extraction force is parallel to the anchorage axis by adjusting the angle of the extractor. The extractor may be folded on itself or dismantled to be transported.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a vehicle jack an include an elevation assembly and a guide bracket. The elevation assembly includes a threaded member and an elongated support member, with the elongated support member configured to threadedly engage and rotate relative to the threaded member. The guide assembly includes a guide bracket configured to engage the threaded member such that the threaded member moves with the guide assembly as the guide assembly moves along a path defined by a longitudinal axis of the elongated support member. This movement raises or lowers a vehicle positioned on the jack. Various embodiments address the assembly of a vehicle jack by engaging a threaded member with an elongated support member and a guide bracket. Rotation of the elongated support member about its longitudinal axis causes the threaded member to move the guide bracket along a path defined by the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A press-fit extendable support rod includes an outer pipe and an inner pipe sheatheable along the outer pipe. An end of a rope is fixed to the inner pipe, and another end of the rope is extendable outward. A press-fit buckle device is sheathed to a joint of the inner and outer pipes. A rotary arm is pivotally coupled to the press-fit buckle device, and an end of the rotary arm has a first operating portion, a second operating portion and a third operating portion. The rotary arm can be pivotally coupled to the press-fit buckle device by one of the operating portions, and another end of the rope is wound onto each operating portion. When the rotary arm is turned, the rope is pulled, turned around, and pressed at each operating portion, and the length of the inner pipe extended out of the outer pipe is adjusted and fixed.

Abstract: Jack stands having support arms that automatically rise to meet lifted loads are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, a jack stand includes a base having a collar, a support arm, a locking mechanism, and a lifting mechanism. The support arm is movable within the collar and has a plurality of teeth defining grooves and ridges. The locking mechanism has a handle and a stopper and is rotatably coupled to the base at an axis of rotation for movement between a first position where the stopper engages at least one of the grooves to restrict the support arm from moving downwardly, and a second position where the support arm is movable upwardly and downwardly. The lifting mechanism is coupled to the base and is in communication with the support arm to automatically raise the support arm relative to the collar when the locking mechanism is moved to the second position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a complementary locking system for locking legs to the deck of a jack-up offshore drilling platform. The inventive system comprises the following elements at each leg, namely: at least one assembly comprising plates forming two counter-racks which are intended to be engaged with a leg rack and, on one side of the plates, at least one internal element for connecting the internal edges of the plates, at least one external element for connecting the external edges of the plates and at least one intermediate member for connecting said at least one internal element to said at least one external element. The invention also relates to methods of installing said complementary locking system on the legs of a jack-up offshore drilling platform.

Abstract: A locking device installed in a cargo support to lock a retractable tube, including a holder frame fastened to the outer tube of the retractable tube, a rack moved in a longitudinal sliding way defined between two parallel lugs of the holder frame, a driving lever pivoted to the holder frame for moving the rack, and a locking block pivoted to the holder frame and retained by a spring to lock the driving lever, wherein a L-shaped locating plate is mounted in the holder frame for the positioning of the outer tube of the retractable tube, having a round hole on a transverse section thereof through which the inner tube is inserted into the outer tube, two stop flanges bilaterally extended from a longitudinal section thereof and respectively engaged with respective end notches on the holder frame, and a lug extended from one stop flange and fastened to a lug at the holder frame; the holder frame and the locking block are respectively made of iron.

Abstract: An arrangement of a jackup platform's elevating system, leg guides, hull-to-legs load transfer device, and method of operation of the load transfer device for an offshore jackup platform's hull to be supported by legs which have one or more vertical toothed gear racks attached. An apparatus consisting of rectangular blocks with protruding lugs that are shaped for efficient engagement with a portion of the upper faces of the gear rack teeth, that extend vertically on the leg chords of the jackup platform. The rectangular blocks are movable in a direction perpendicular to one side of the gear rack. Powered guide assemblies control movement of the rectangular blocks such that their protruding lugs can move into the spaces in between the gear rack teeth.

Abstract: The present invention has at least one rack chock which is supported pivotally and tiltably at one end by a pin and cross head assembly located at a position between at least one leg rack and the hull of the platform. The other end of the rack chock is connected to the jack foundation with an actuator assembly. The pin and cross head assembly is disposed slidably within a guide for permitting the teeth of the rack chock to engage the leg rack teeth without visual monitoring and manual control. The actuator assembly connected to the other end of the rack chock controls the swinging movement of the rack chock and its engagement and disengagement with the leg rack. A pair of jacks urges upper and lower wedges with tiltable surfaces converging onto the rack chord's upper and lower surfaces, thus obtaining a optimal surface to arrest the relative movement between the rack chock and the leg rack.

Abstract: A locking mechanism is disclosed for use on the legs of a jack-up offshore platform. Each chord of the legs includes a rack for cooperation with pinions used in raising and lowering the legs. The locking mechanism of the invention includes a rigid frame attached to the hull of the platform and housing a plurality of vertically aligned toothed chock segments adapted to engage the teeth of the rack on a leg. The chock segments have upper and lower inclined surfaces which cooperate with upper and lower movable wedges for supporting the chock segments. The design makes the chock segments sufficiently adjustable for independent alignment and engagement of the teeth of each chock segment with the corresponding teeth of the rack. Dimensional variances in the rack teeth spacing, resulting from manufacturing tolerances, thereby are accommodated and force concentrations between the rack teeth and chock teeth are minimized.

Abstract: An arrangement of a jackup platform's elevating system, leg guides, hull-to-legs load transfer device, and method of operation of the load transfer device for an offshore jackup platform's hull to be supported by legs which have one or more vertical toothed gear racks attached.An apparatus consisting of rectangular blocks with protruding lugs that are shaped for efficient engagement with a portion of the upper faces of the gear rack teeth, that extend vertically on the leg chords of the jackup platform. The rectangular blocks are movable in a direction perpendicular to one side of the gear rack. Powered guide assemblies control movement of the rectangular blocks such that their protruding lugs can move into the spaces in between the gear rack teeth.

Abstract: The invention relates to a jack-up rig unit for offshore use which has a floatable hull supportable by one or more legs above a water line, a jack-up unit for elevating the hull and a rack chock assembly for rigidly locking the legs to the hull without introducing substantial bending moments in the legs. The rack chock assembly is laterally movable into and out of engagement with respect to the legs and, in case of a lock-up between the leg and the rack chock assembly, the invention provides for the use of a wedge member incorporated into a rack chock assembly, with a wedge member adapted for a limited sliding movement in relation to a longitudinal axis of the leg, so as to break locked engagement between the teeth of the rack chock assembly and the leg.

Abstract: A fixation system which can be automatically engaged or disengaged from a remote control room as well as from a local at each fixation unit. The fixation system that uses a toothed chord chock which is vertically movable to match the elevation of the leg chord rack teeth and horizontally movable to engage the teeth of leg chord. The toothed chord chock has upper and lower inclined surfaces. A fixation system which includes an upper and lower wedge which rides on upper and lower fixed inclined surfaces. The upper and lower wedges can be moved to engage the upper and lower inclined surfaces of the tooth chock.

Abstract: A method for aligning a lenticular material for the printing of an image onto a printing surface of a lenticular material for the purpose of forming a 3-D image is disclosed comprising the steps of:a) directing a radiation beam to the lenticular material such that at least one of the lenticules focuses the radiation beam at the printing surface of the lenticular material;b) positioning a radiation sensitive array at a reference position that will yield a maximum sensed radiation when the position of the focused radiation beam on the printing surface of the lenticular material is in correct printing alignment; andc) adjusting the position of the lenticular material to maximize the radiation sensed by the radiation sensitive array.

Abstract: Boat cradle and storage construction including a plurality of substantially identical support units each availing of a central column comprising a support element and brace parts connected to the column and a base member of chevron shape with an adjustable ram in the column extending upwardly, and a pad at its end to engage the bottom of a boat or the like, the arrangement of the column and brace parts being such as to reduce space required for storage of the units when not in use and yet the base member shape provides stability, the arrangement of the brace parts being important from the standpoint of the overall assembly.

Abstract: Elevating device for an artificial island or work platform comprising a pontoon 1 or work floor and a number of columns 2 displaceable in vertical direction with respect to the pontoon respectively or work floor by means of the elevating device. At each column 2 the elevating device consists of a number of driving devices having pinions 7-10 meshing with gear racks 3, 4 fixed along the columns 2. In particular concerning its bearing the shafts of the pinions 7-10 are fixed to the pontoon 1 or work floor and consist of a motor, a driving gear and a brake. Each driving device is fixed to respectively form part of a reaction arm 11-14 pivotal around the axis of the output shaft of the driving device. At their one ends 15-19 the reaction arms 11-14 are coupled to the pontoon 1 or work floor through hydraulic cylinders 23-26.

Abstract: A mobile platform with relatively vertically movable legs, of the off-shore drilling platform type, has a plurality of pairs of opposed racks on each leg, with a row of pinions supported in a pinion carrier for each rack. A link for each pinion carrier is pivoted at one end of the pinion carrier and at the other end to the platform and is disposed in the medial plane of the teeth of the double rack. On the opposite side of the leg from one of these double racks is provided structure for detachably interconnecting the lower end of the leg to the platform for vertical swinging movement of the leg when the leg is in raised position, about an axis parallel to that plane, so that the legs can be swung together at their upper ends when in raised position, into a pyramidal configuration.

Abstract: A pulling tower structure especially adapted for use in automotive frame-straightening equipment is improved by structure providing easy and simple vertical adjustment of a sheave over which a chain or the like is trained for attachment to a vehicle to be repaired so as to assure a straightline pulley. The tower includes an upright support of channel section having within its side walls a pair of members having semicircular notches for selectively receiving a sheave-supporting shaft. Handle structure is provided for enabling manual vertical adjustment of the sheave among selected pairs of transversely alined notches.