Abstract: A vertical lifting device and method are provided. The vertical lifting device includes a fixed frame fixed to a foundation. A first cavity allowing passage of a lifting rope is provided in the middle of the fixed frame. A sliding frame moving horizontally on the fixed frame is arranged above the fixed frame. A second cavity allowing passage of the lifting rope is provided in the middle of the sliding frame. At least two stepping vehicles alternately lowering or lifting weights are arranged on the sliding frame and move on the sliding frame. The stepping vehicles are spaced in preset distances. The lifting rope penetrates through the stepping vehicles in sequence. Each stepping vehicle is provided with a clamping part clamping the lifting rope and a driving mechanism driving the stepping vehicle to move on the sliding frame.

Abstract: A method and safety device for use in accessing confined spaces that incorporates atmospheric safety monitoring and alarm annunciation into a physical access device/mechanism for the purpose of preventing the human confined space entrant from entering a confined space containing a hazardous atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a driving device for a belt axle of a winch, which addresses the problems existing in conventional winches, for example the driving devices being out of work attributing to wearing of the unidirectional teeth on the fixed base and rotary body of the winch. The rotary cylinder of the driving device of the invention is provided with insertion holes into which a crow bar can be inserted. The fixed base is fixedly connected with the belt axle of the winch. The rotary cylinder is covered on the fixed base and fixed thereto in the axial direction. A unidirectional mechanism is located between the rotary cylinder and the belt axle to be engaged by unidirectional teeth. As the shift element and shift plates can be conveniently removed, the worn shift plates or shift element can be conveniently replaced after being used for a long period.

Abstract: The invention relates to a floating lifting device, using two movable lifting structures (13, 14) which can be alternatively engaged with broaden support members (5, 6, 7) of a cable (4). The cable (4) is stored substantially without tension in the vessel (1), for instance on a drum or in a hawse-hole (10) in a looped configuration. Large loads (9) can be lowered and raised from the seabed at large water depths such as at 3000 m. Preferably, the cable is formed by neutral buoyancy material, such as synthetic cable.

Abstract: A cable pulling machine of the invention includes a frame, a mechanical linkage including first and second links having first and second cable gripping shoes disposed thereon respectively in opposed positions, a latching cylinder actuable to cause the mechanical linkage to pivot on multiple axes to bring the shoes into engagement with a cable disposed therebetween, a main cylinder having one end mounted on the frame and actuable to move the linkage in a manner effective to pull the cable in a pulling stroke once the latching cylinder has brought the shoes into engagement with the cable, and a mechanism for extending and retracting the main and latching cylinders. The machine may also include a mechanism for holding the cable in tension between pulling strokes, such as a pivoting wedge mechanism as described hereafter.

Abstract: A rotor drive motor includes permanently magnetized blades with the opposite poles spaced apart along a radial direction. Two or more stators have a U-shaped core and coil winding, the legs extending radially inwardly and against a housing shroud. Each of the stators are energized in alternately reversed polarities to cause the blades to be rotated continuously. The housing may include a conduit sealed thereto isolating the stators and power circuit components from hazardous materials.

Abstract: A strap tensioning device comprises a frame (1) with a rotatable reel (3) and a turnable command member (2). A ratchet wheel (43) is co-rotatively connected with the reel, the wheel cooperating with two spring-loaded latch elements (14, 29). When the command member (2) is turned out from the frame (1), the reel (3) is carried with it. At an opposed return movement, the reel (3) is blocked. A rotatable support roller (4) is arranged between the two side pieces (5, 5') of the frame (1). The reel (3) comprises a shaft (16) whose opposed ends are arranged in elongated holes (9). In this way, the reel (3) may be distanced from the support roller (4), whereby the device may be used for both strap tensioning and strap feeding.

Abstract: A pulling or lifting apparatus for a flat, flexible strap connected to a load operates with two pairs of reciprocating jaws. The pairs of jaws have flat gripping surfaces corresponding to the flat faces of the flexible flat-profiled strap. Two guide members are disposed along each of the two broad faces of the strap and follow its longitudinal direction in order to prevent the strap from moving to form a fold or loop between the two pairs of jaws when these approach one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the available hook raising and lowering distance is attached to a crane or other lifting structure having a boom and at least one lifting tackle utilizing at least one lifting line connected to a prime mover. The apparatus utilizes a support means attached to the crane boom substantially at the connection point of an existing upper tackle. A fixed, lower gripper platform is suspended from the support means and has at least one linear winch grip mounted thereon. A movable, upper gripper platform is connected to at least one lifting line associated with the lifting tackle. The upper gripper platform has at least one linear winch grip mounted thereon. The upper gripper platform is also adapted to reciprocate between the lower gripper platform and the upper tackle in response to the prime mover drawing in or paying out the lifting line. At least one extended load line for attachment to a load passes through the linear winch grips on the lower and upper gripper platforms.

Abstract: A cable winch having a pair of cable-gripping assemblies movably mounted on a support member adapted to be secured to a fixed point. An operating handle is pivoted to the support member, and linkages interconnect the handle with each of the assemblies to effect movement of the assemblies on the support member. A cable is winched by the assemblies alternately gripping, pulling, releasing and re-gripping the cable as the handle is operated. A kicker bar is pivotally supported adjacent to one of the gripping assemblies and coacts therewith to ensure that the movable gripping surface of the assembly positively releases its grip on the cable to ensure passage of the cable therethrough, while the remaining gripping assembly maintains its grip on the cable.

Abstract: A tractor splitter stand having a frame which articulates in order to provide for vertical adjustment of holes in an upright support with respect to tractor engagement holes is shown and described. Vertical adjustment is provided by a screw which controls the frame articulation, and by adjustment of side support members with respect to vertical extensions of the articulating frame.

Abstract: A continuous operation linear hydraulic winch comprising a fixed frame, a first gripping assembly, a first pair of hydraulic jacks mounted between the frame and the first gripping assembly, a second gripping assembly and a second pair of hydraulic jacks mounted between the frame and the second gripping assembly, wherein the frame comprises a single bearing plate perpendicular to the jacks, the first gripping assembly is disposed on one side of the bearing plate and the second gripping assembly on the other side of the bearing plate, the first and second pairs of hydraulic jacks having one of their cylinders and piston rods connected to the bearing plate and the other of their cylinders and piston rods connected to a respective one of the first and second gripping assemblies.

Abstract: A bow press for facilitating the re-stringing of a split limb bow includes a pair of spaced apart handles which engage the exterior of the limbs via the slots formed therein. A rotatable lever to which the handles are interconnected, when rotated from a first position to a second position, causes inward compression of the limbs toward each other. An adjustment rod, which is variable in length, reduces or extends the length between the two handles to accommodate bows of various sizes.

Abstract: A racket-stringing machine equipped with tensioning apparatus featuring a one-way clutch which eliminates the need to pull tension more than once per reach of string on the racket. The tensioning apparatus consists of a pair of grippers which grip and hold the strings. The apparatus further has a cylindrical member with a lever to which are attached weights. The clutch and the cylindrical member are attached by way of a coiled spring. The coiled spring is wrapped around a hub on the clutch and attached, at its end, to the cylindrical member. This construction allows the clutch and cylindrical member to rotate together in one direction while at the same time allowing only the clutch to rotate in the opposite direction.

Abstract: The tractive apparatus has two clamping grippers each comprising a pair of jaws actuated by clamping links connected to an operating lever through connecting links pivotably mounted on this lever on each side of a pivot pin of the lever situated in the extension of a guide bar on which one of the two jaws of each gripper slides, the two grippers moving in opposite directions while being clamped in one of the two directions of movement. The guide jaw of each gripper is formed by a hollow body which serves as housing and bearing point for one of the ends of a pre-clamping spring whose other end exerts its action on a clamping link actuating the other jaw of the same gripper.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping and longitudinally moving an elongate tension or traction means such as a wire rope relative to a casing of a lifting apparatus is provided with two pairs clamping jaws operated by clamping levers. Pairs of clamping jaws are alternately closed against the rope to move the rope in the direction of traction. In order to avoid subjecting the rope to compressive loads in the longitudinal direction during clamping, the clamping jaws are interconnected so that they are immovable in relation to one another in the longitudinal direction of the wire rope. Clamping keys for generating the clamping pressure are irrotationally connected to the clamping levers and pivotally mounted in circular apertures of one of the clamping jaws. These clamping keys slidably press onto the other clamping jaw directly or indirectly such that they cannot apply a compressive force in the longitudinal direction of the wire rope to the clamping jaw.

Abstract: An apparatus for hauling in and letting out a flexible element such as a cable comprises a generally stationary housing defining a cable path and having a predetermined number N equal to at least three of grippers spaced in a row and shiftable along the path. These grippers can be clamped on the element in the path by respective actuators which can displace the grippers parallel to the path in a pulling direction and in an opposite letting-out direction. A controller responsive to gripper position and connected to the actuators operates them sequentially. Thus all but one of the grippers is first clamped on the element and the one gripper is unclamped from the element. Then the clamping grippers are displaced by the respective actuators with the element in one direction at a rate V.sub.w through a distance S/(N-1) while simultaneously the nonclamping gripper is displaced oppositely through a distance S along the element at a rate V.sub.r equal substantially to 2.multidot.V.sub.