Abstract: The invention relates to a device for lifting and transporting heavy objects, such as a piano with the use of a hoist mechanism mounted on the frame which straddles the piano. The frame is mounted on casters to allow easy rolling of the frame along a horizontal surface, while the piano is being secured within the frame in a suspended position through the use of the lifting bar engaging the piano about its rear horizontal frame post. Pendulous movement of the piano is prevented by the use of a pair of horizontal cross bars secured to vertical posts of the frame in the lower and upper portions thereof.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for increasing the tractive force between the wire hoist ropes and the drive sheave of a traction elevator system which includes an elevator car and a counterweight. The drive sheave is disposed between first and second idler or secondary sheaves, and the car and counterweight are roped via successive first and second 180 degree wraps about the drive sheave, with the first 180 degree wrap including the drive sheave and one of the idler sheaves, and the second 180 degree wrap including the drive sheave and the remaining idler sheave. The drive sheave is thus roped with a wrap of approximately 360 degrees, which remains constant regardless of the spacing between the elevator car and counterweight.

Abstract: The hoist system of the instant invention is intended for use with an overhead support and includes an elongate bar disposed below the overhead support and extending in a generally horizontal direction. A lifting device is attached adjacent opposed ends of the bar for connecting the bar to the object to be lifted. At least one intermediate pulley is attached to an upper side of the bar intermediate the ends thereof. A fastening mechanism cooperating with the overhead support for affixing the system to the support is provided which includes a downwardly extending pulley. A winch mechanism is mounted on the bar and includes at least cable having one end thereof affixed to the bar and trained, serially, over the fastening mechanism pulley and under the intermediate pulley while the other end of the cable is secured to the winch mechanism. The winch mechanism is operable to lift the bar and the object connected thereto.

Abstract: A well pumping unit including a derrick having first and second sheave sets attached near the top thereof, a drive mechanism, a counterweight, a polish rod assembly and cable members. The cable members form a closed loop extending from the polish rod assembly to the first sheave set, to the counterweight, to the second sheave set, to the drive mechanism, to the second sheave set, to the first sheave set and back to the polish rod assembly. The counterweight is suspended by the sheave sets and cable members between the sheave sets. When the drive mechanism operates in a first direction, the polish rod assembly is raised and the counterweight lowered. When the drive mechanism operates in a second direction, the counterweight is raised and the polish rod assembly lowered. The counterweight may be located within the derrick while the polish rod assembly and drive mechanism may be located outside of the derrick. The weight of the counterweight may be adjusted as desired.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hoist for lifting a fire hydrant from its underlying upright feeding pipe. The hoist comprises an inverted L-shaped post with a manually-operated cable winch. The post is supported on a semi-circular base collar which fits the top coupling flange of the feeding pipe. This collar has top and bottom inwardly extending flanges for embracing the above-noted coupling flange. A toggle lever clamp locks the collar in position. The collar has a lateral extension on which the post is mounted to clear the fire hydrant. The post can be rotated to swing the fire hydrant laterally of the feeding pipe to facilitate access to the interior of the same. A latching mechanism latches the post in any of a plurality of rotated positions.

Abstract: A stable movable metal frame mat transport rack useful for storing and transporting an entire three section wrestling mat. The rack contains a winch cable hoist mechanism for lifting and lowering the mat sections to and from storage positions on the rack.

Abstract: A pair of wheel assemblies (26, 28) are vertically spaced apart and are supported for rotation about parallel axis (30, 38) by a common support frame (10). Each wheel assembly (26, 28) comprises a pair of wheels at its ends (38, 40). The wheels (34, 40) have radially outwardly opening channel portions (80) in which traveling bearing pads (64, 66) are received. The bearing pads are secured to endless support cables (46), and also to the end portions (152) of carrier beams (150, 194) which extend between the two wheels (34 or 40) of each assembly (26, 28). The carrier beam (150, 194) is an upper portion of a carrier (48, 48', 176) onto which is placed a motor vehicle or some article which is to be stored. A first drive cable section (54) is connected to the support cable (46) and extends therefrom to a winch drum (50). A second drive cable section (58) extends from the support cable (46) in the opposite direction to the same winch drum (50).

Abstract: A hoist for lifting a hard top (10) from an automobile and storing it at the garage ceiling comprising a winch (25) for winding a cable (38) that passes through pulleys (39,41) fixed to the ceiling. The cable is fixed to a web strap (50) having end hooks (51) for attachment to the side edges of the top. A cable (52) having hooks (54) maintain the top properly balanced for lifting it rear edge first from the automobile.

Abstract: The present invention presents a method and apparatus for assisting in and facilitating the coupling of a trailer tongue to a vehicle hitch. An overhead structure extends over the trailer tongue and includes a pulley depending downwardly therefrom. Through the provisions of a winch and an attached cable assembly which is threaded through the pulley and attached to the trailer tongue, the trailer tongue is elevated upwardly and stationed at an elevated position such that the vehicle hitch may be moved thereunder. Once the trailer hitch assumes an appropriate position, then the winch is actuated and the trailer tongue is lowered onto the vehicle hitch and the vehicle hitch is appropriately coupled to the trailer tongue.

Abstract: Multi-sections vertically acting doors of the prior art comprise a plurality of horizontally longitudinally extending sections that are pivotably connected and including rollable engagement with longitudinally separated trackways. Such prior art doors are herein shown to be installed into vertical trackway lengths by a novel hoisting method that permits the installer to remain standing at ground level as all door sections are being sequentially pivotably connected and rollably engaged into the trackways; this novel hoisting method differs from the prior art ladder-method in that the installer is spared having to tediously and repetitively position, climb, descend, and re-position a ladder.

Abstract: A device for self-tailing a conventional winch drum utilizing the motion of the hauled in line under load to provide, through a multiple sheave assembly, the tension on the free end of the line necessary to render the winch drum operational and properly haul in the line.

Abstract: A light weight, portable, self-contained pipe joining device and system for installing succeeding, very heavy, concrete pipe sections into the end of a preceding pipe section positioned in a trench. The pipe joining device includes a power operated winch which is mounted on an adjustable height stand which may be mounted on a sled. The adjustable height stand allows the positioning of the winch inside the initial pipe section at the intersection of the horizontal and vertical centerline of the pipe section. The winch cable is anchored to the winch stand, passed through a snatch-block and secured to the winch drum. Secured to the snatch-block is a two part sling with a hook at the free end of each part. The winching cable assembly is led through the interior of the succeeding pipe section being installed, and the hooks are placed over the pipe wall at the far end. The pipe joining device is anchored in the initial pipe section by means of a static two part sling.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for towing surfers out into a body of water. The device includes an anchor in the body of water and a buoyant member connected thereto carrying a pulley adjacent the surface of the water. An endless flexible line is reeved about the pulley and has two runs extending from the buoyant member to a location adjacent the shore. The flexible line is wrapped about a windlass or capstan which is driven in a manner to move one of the runs in a direction away from the shore and toward the anchor. A plurality of drop lines are connected to the endless line which may be grasped by the surfer who is thereupon towed from the shore into the body of water.

Abstract: A control system for stabilizing a body suspended by a flexible line from a structure such as a ship, which is subject to uncontrolled oscillating movements, such as may be caused by wave motion, incorporates a winch (3) to which the line is attached, a pulley (4) over which the line (2) passes and from which the body is suspended, and a loop in the line between the winch and pulley, an accelerometer (28) being located adjacent the pulley, and the length of the loop being altered in controlled response to a stabilizing signal formed by combining signals derived from the accelerometer, and from the measured amplitude of oscillations of the loop length, and modified by a compensating signal to compensate for the effect of friction in the system.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining reeving of a pulley system including head pulleys on a jib or boom of a crane and reeving pulleys opposite the head pulleys. There is provided a sensor which may be electrically, mechanically, optically or pneumatically operable at some of the pulleys of the pulley system for sensing the presence or absence of the rope at its associated pulley. Each sensor provides a signal which is fed into a decoder module which may be connected to a display unit for displaying the information or a control device for enabling or inhibiting operation of the associated lifting equipment.

Abstract: A chain block having an attaching member connected to the load-free end link of a load chain entrained around a load sprocket wheel rotatably supported by and between a pair of lateral plates. The attaching member is pivotally mounted at one end portion thereof between the pair of lateral plates by a pin which extends through the attaching member and the pair of lateral plates. The other end portion of the attaching member at which the latter is connected to the load-free end link of the load chain is formed on both sides thereof with boss-like projections adapted to abut against the peripheries of the pair of lateral plates to thereby increase the strength with which the load-free end link of the load chain is attached to the pair of lateral plates, thereby improving the safety of the chain block.