Abstract: A portable hoist or puller has two facing half shell members housing a chain sprocket rotatably affixed to a drive shaft supported for rotation by a pair of rollers. The first roller is slidably fixed for rotation with the drive shaft while the second is threaded to the shaft. The periphery of the threaded roller is serrated for engagement by a spring detent to inhibit its free rotation. Each roller has a hub portion extending outwardly of the housing to selectively receive a drive tool. A friction disc is disposed between each of the rollers and adjacent housing portion. To apply force to a load connected to the chain trained over the sprocket, the drive tool is coupled to the first roller and rotated causing the sprocket to feed the chain with the rollers pulled against the sprocket. If the drive tool released, the pull of the load tends to reversely rotate the shaft whereby the threaded arrangement causes the rollers to lock-up against the housing.

Abstract: An improved connector for coupling a chain to a wire rope or cable such that the resulting connection can be passed over a sheave, pulley, wheel or windlass without applying a bending stress to the wire rope. The connector comprises a hemispherical housing having an opening therethrough that is axially symmetric about the radius that is perpendicular to the planar portion of the hemispherical housing. The opening is adapted to accept and retain a wire rope having a terminal fitting by holding the terminal fitting within the hemispherical housing. A semi-circular member of common radius to the hemispherical housing and adapted to accept and retain a chain is attached to the planar portion of the hemispherical housing. A pair of retaining pins pass through the co-axial openings in the hemispherical housing and the end of the semi-circular member terminating on flat surfaces on opposite sides of the terminal fitting of the wire rope.

Abstract: In a chain sheave/chain-rope system wherein an end of a chain is connected to an end of a rope via a splice member, guide members are provided on the splice member for cooperation with guide members within a hawsehole that precedes the chain sheave. As a result of this cooperation, the splice member and the chain attached thereto are brought into the correct position for engagement prior to their entry onto the chain sheave.

Abstract: A mooring device is secured to a sea-going vessel to handle anchor line of the type having an upper length of wire rope in series with a lower length of chain cable. The mooring device comprises a traction winch for handling the wire rope and a windlass for handling the chain cable. The windlass includes a chain wheel so positioned beneath the winch when the mooring device is located in its operative position that the anchor line can be hauled by the winch substantially vertically between flanges of the chain wheel. In operation the wire rope can be hauled up or paid out without actively engaging the chain wheel, the flanges merely serving as a guide to ensure that the anchor line is properly located for chain handling functions.

Abstract: An idling device is able to bring a lever hoist into an idling condition including a change gear provided on driving member threadedly engaged on a driving shaft for driving a sheave for winding-up a chain or rope for a load, an operating lever rockably driven by a hand, winding-up and winding-off driving pawls engageable with teeth of the change gear and changeable for hoisting or lowering the load, and a braking assembly for preventing the change gear from being driven by the gravitational force of the load and adapted to be clamped and released by rotative movement of the driving member relative to the driving shaft.

Abstract: The improved load limiting apparatus includes a chainwheel that is mounted on the hoist drive shaft and adapted to receive the drive chain. The chainwheel includes a hub connected to the drive shaft, an annular clamping member located in juxtaposition to the hub and adjustably attached thereto, and an annular chainwheel rim located in encircling relationship to the hub and clamping member and having a bifurcated flange in frictional engagement with the hub and clamping member, whereby the rim can move relative to the hub and clamping member after a pre-determined torque load is imposed on the rim by the drive chain.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake assembly for incorporation into chain hoists and the like includes a planar disk slidably secured to the output shaft of a pneutmatic motor by complementary splines. The disk is biased toward a planar surface and when in contact with such surface, inhibits rotation of the motor output shaft. Compressed air is supplied to both the pneumatic motor and the brake assembly through a network of passageways and check valves. Compressed air supplied to one face of the brake disk, translates the disk, disengaging it from the planar surface and permitting output shaft rotation.

Abstract: Flexible production tubing is wound about a reel for easy and convenient transport to and from a well site. A submersible pump is attached directly to the end of the flexible tubing and is lowered through the well casing to a producing formation. Insertion and withdrawal of the flexible tubing is accomplished with a hydraulically powered drive sprocket assembly mounted above the well head equipment. The flexible tubing is reinforced by striker plate assemblies which are engaged by the teeth of the drive sprocket, thereby providing positive traction for insertion and withdrawal without damaging the flexible core. The flexible production tubing includes a high strength injection core, a tubular production conduit embedded within the core, and a series of striker plate assemblies partially embedded within the core.

Abstract: Low-height reversible ratchet tie-down winch for flat decked vehicles. The tie-down winches are adjustably mounted in retainer channels extending along each side of the deck of the vehicle. Each winch is rotatably mounted between the top and bottom walls of its base and tension of the tie-down chain is maintained by a pawl and ratchet. The winch block has a chain pocket to lock a horizontal link of the chain to the chain pocket and a recessed portion engaging a next adjacent vertical link of the chain. The ratchet has a cooperating pocket engageable with a next adjacent vertical link of the chain and completing the chain pocket in the winch block. The chain may be trained through one end or the other of the base for the winch.

Abstract: A suspension hook assembly for a hoist in which the shank of the hook is received between an assembled pair of half-cylindrical members held together by a ring. A pin member received between spaced frame members of the hoist extends through aligned holes in the assembled half-cylindrical members, and the ring is positioned axially between the pin and outwardly directed projections formed on the half-cylindrical members. The hook then pivots about a first axis through its shank, and the hook assembly pivots about a second, perpendicular, axis through the pin.

Abstract: A spare wheel protecting system, associated with a plurality of spare wheel holding devices each holding a spare wheel under the chassis of a motor vehicle, for preventing any such spare wheel from being stolen, comprises a socket and an interlocking axle which are provided in each such spare wheel holding device and engageable with each other to connect the operating handle and the driving shaft for the winch mechanism of each spare wheel holding device to permit rotation of the operating handle for rotating the driving shaft. Each socket has at least two engaging elements and each interlocking axle has a corresponding number of engaging elements each of which is complementary to a corresponding one of the engaging elements on a corresponding socket.

Abstract: My invention is a device for pulling and securing rope. It includes a power driven disk with annular groove having a V-shaped cross section. Bearing surfaces are transversally spaced around the periphery of the inner faces of the grooves. Gripping, without slippage occurs when a taut rope wedges into the groove and against the bearing surfaces.