Abstract: A stand used for supporting spools of wire and the like includes a cam which is operable to increase the length of a leg to thereby raise the spool of wire off of the ground. The stand is adjustable to allow its use with different sizes of spools of wire. The stand allows a single person to raise a spool of wire weighing thousands of pounds off of the ground and support the same to allow the spool to rotate freely upon an axle.

Abstract: A membrane puller for pulling a sheet of membrane material over an underlying surface has a frame with a lever arm pivotally attached to the frame for pivotal movement between a first position and a second position. A foot actuatable clamp assembly is carried by the frame for relative movement with the frame in response to pivotal movement of the lever arm. A cable has one end adapted for operable attachment to the lever assembly and another end adapted for operable attachment to the clamp assembly. The clamp assembly moves conjointly with the body via the cable and in response to pivotal movement of the lever arm toward its second position to pull the membrane material toward the front of the membrane puller.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for controlling the deployment of a towline connecting a mooring craft to an ejected object comprising the steps of monitoring velocity to determine when a point for optimum braking has been achieved and then engaging a brake system to retard deployment of the towline, a DC motor augments and controls the brake system. The DC motor further controls the retrieval of the object. A cutter mechanism uses a first blade to grip the towing cable to maintain tension thereon as a second blade cuts the cable. A spring biased boom in combination with spring biased fins on the ejected object rapidly deploys the object from its storage housing. A locking mechanism secures the deployment mechanism in a stable locked position upon the object reaching its fully extended position.

Abstract: A rigging, operable to raise and lower the platform, passes through a restraint device comprising a tension holder. The tension holder comprises a first body having a substantially planar face surface and a rear portion having a divot disposed therein. A second body, substantially similar to the first body; and having a substantially planar face surface; is disposed in a substantially facing arrangement with the first body to permit a line to pass between the substantially planar face surfaces. A lever is disposed in the divot of the first body and is operable to draw together the substantially planar face of the first body and the substantially planar face of the second body whereby friction can be selectively applied to the line when the line is disposed between the substantially planar first surface and said substantially planar second surface.

Abstract: A toggle device for attachment to a form-engaging assembly securable about the upper end of a concrete form. The toggle device can toggle between two different configurations. One configuration is suitable for attachment directly to a brace, and the other configuration is suitable for attachment to a nail plate on a brace. In one embodiment, the toggle device comprises a base plate to which an elongate first member is rigidly affixed. An elongate second member is connected to the first member by a sliding pivot connection. The sliding pivot connection is such that the second member can be moved from one position in which it is parallel to and overlapping with the first member, to another position in which it is generally perpendicular to the first member, to yet another position in which it is oblique to the first member.

Abstract: A tensioning assembly 10 for a cable bolt having a flexible shaft 12 comprises a clamping device 14, 16 configured to mount to the bolt shaft 12 with an axis (CA) of the clamping device aligned with the shaft axis (SA); and an outer member located over, and engaged with, the clamping device 14, 16. The outer member 18 is arranged, under a predetermined movement of the outer member, to impart drive to the clamping device 14, 16 to bias the clamping device 14, 16 to move in the direction of the clamping device axis. A cable bolt and method of tensioning a cable bolt is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fence wire tensioning tool includes an arm 2 with fixed jaws 7 attached to both sides and a positioning foot 4 which pivots about a bolt 8. At the opposite end of the arm is fixed a movable jaw assembly 1, which extends to form a handle 3. This assembly rotates about a pivot pin 5, which is secured by a hexagonal socket set screw 10. The handle 3 may include a rubber or plastic hand grip 12 which affords a better purchase on the tool by the operator.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a combination fence tool that includes a plurality of working implements. The tool includes a first attachment having an upper end with a curved edge and a lower end. A second attachment is pivotally attached to the first attachment. This second attachment includes a protruding portion which extends upwardly from a top area and a lower area which is secured to the upper end of the first attachment. This will provide for the protruding portion to be planar with the first attachment. A gap is located between the protruding portion and the curved edge to provide for the gap to receive wiring by providing for the gap to decrease in size at a forward end of the protruding portion and to increase in size at a rearward end as the second attachment is pivoted forward. This gap and forward movement of the second attachment provide for a wire splicer or wire stretcher.

Abstract: A rope jack for a shuttle system comprises: a rope holder (8) that holds a rope (1) which travels over guide wheels (6) to move a floating shuttle; a catch holder (9) which is attached to be attachable and detachable on a guide rail post (5); and, a jack unit (10) which presses against the rope holder (8) to move the rope holder away from the catch holder (9). The guide wheel (6) is released from the pressure of the rope (1) and can be easily replaced with a new one.

Abstract: A gripping device for releasably gripping a rope-like member comprises a pair of rope-engaging members defining a pair of opposite, mutually spaced rope engaging surfaces defining a rope passageway therebetween. The rope engaging surfaces are mounted in a frame so as to be moveable in relation to each other such that a force applied to the rope engaging surfaces and acting in one direction of the rope passageway will tend to move the rope engaging members closer to each other towards a locking position, while a force applied to the rope engaging surfaces and acting in the opposite direction of the rope passageway will tend to increase the spacing of the rope engaging surfaces and to move the rope engaging members towards a releasing position. At least one of the rope engaging members is connected to an operating handle by means of a lost motion connection. When the operating handle is moved from an inactive position to an active position the rope engaging members are moved to their releasing position.

Abstract: A tool for applying banding clamps is provided with means for applying a substantially even amount of force across the transverse direction of a strap to hold the strap in a desired position wherein the force applying means comprises a plurality of superposed levers having means for holding the superposed levers in assembled relationship but permitting relative movement between the levers.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a cable-type tire chain having elongate flexible side members and cross-members carrying traction sleeves, the cross-members are connected to the side members by hooks which are crimped to the side members in a press. To assemble the cross members and side members, they are supported in an assembly jig, with the hooks attached to the opposite ends of the cross-members and embracing the side members. The hooks on one side of the chain are crimped simultaneously to the relevant side member in a single pressing operation while supported in the jig, which applies tension to the side member.

Abstract: A V-belt for coupling at least two pulleys together, the pulleys having a substantially V-shaped groove, the belt being manually installable without moving or adjusting the distance between the pulleys. The particular usage of the present invention is for temporary (emergency) or permanent installation of a "fan" belt found on (but not limited to) conventional vehicles of the V-belt type. The device allows anyone, upon the destruction of a fan belt, to readily and quickly install a temporary pulley belt manually, without tools. For a permanent installation, a small implement may be used with the present device for increased tensioning of the belt in its proper position. The improved belt includes first and second free ends (male and female respectively that are firmly connected together by longitudinally interlocking a plurality of laterally disposed, inclined teeth located near the male end with lateral rows of inclined grooves located in an interlock passage in the female end.