Abstract: An apparatus for supporting and redirecting a rigging rope comprising a ring having an outer annular surface and a central passage extending between first and second side edges defining an inner surface, wherein the outer surface includes at least two circumferential grooves therearound and wherein the inner surface has a curved cross-sectional profile extending between the first and second side edges.

Abstract: A lift system is provided. The lift system includes a lift mechanism with a jamming cleat and a guide bracket that urges a tensile member toward the jamming cleat.

Abstract: A block with a rotating sheave mounted between a pair of side plates. Between the side plates may be a post about which a mounting loop may be mounted. The post is configured to permit the loop to be attached or detached from the block.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide pulley apparatuses that can be easily incorporated into block-and-tackle configurations. In some embodiments, a rope can be easily dropped into place and removed, rather than having to be threaded in. For example, the pulley housing can include a rope channeling structure near the end opposite the aperture, and the rope channeling structure can facilitate introducing the rope into engagement with the wheel and/or removing the rope from engagement with the wheel. In some embodiments, the rope channeling structure can prevent the rope from inadvertently becoming removed from the pulley. Some pulley apparatuses can comprise a minimal number of parts, which can significantly simplify the manufacturing process and provide for a more consistent final product.

Abstract: A safety guard apparatus for an elevator machine having a brake and a sheave for engaging one or more hoist ropes rotatably driven by the elevator machine, the safety guard apparatus consisting of a sheave guard including a front sheave wall, a back sheave wall and a pair of oppositely disposed side sheave walls defining a generally rectangular structure adapted for substantially enclosing the sheave of the elevator machine, and a cover guard releasably secured to the sheave guard and including a front cover wall, a back cover wall and a top cover wall through which the one or more hoist ropes and the sheave can be viewed. The safety guard apparatus further including a hoist rope guard releaseably secured to at least one of the pair of oppositely disposed side sheave walls of the sheave guard, wherein the hoist rope guard including a lower portion pivotally coupled to a upper portion for substantially enclosing the one or more hoist ropes extending from the sheave.

Abstract: A block with a rotating sheave mounted between a pair of side plates. Captured between the side plates may be a post about which a mounting loop may be mounted. The post is removable from the between the side plates to permit the loop to be attached or detached from the block.

Abstract: A closure system and various exemplary embodiments for devices including the closure system are disclosed. The closure system may include a base, a sideplate configured to rotate with respect to the base, and a retaining mechanism carried by the sideplate and configured to pivot with respect to the sideplate substantially transverse to an axis of rotation of the sideplate. The retaining mechanism may be configured to engage with a engagement protrusion of the base to prevent rotation of the sideplate. A chest roller, a snatch block, an ascender including the closure system and a method of use of the closure system, are additionally disclosed.

Abstract: A pulley comprises a pulley frame having two sides. A pulley wheel is located between the two sides. The pulley wheel is rotatably supported by the pulley frame. At least one of the sides is mounted for movement away from the pulley wheel to provide a gap between the moveable side and the wheel for releasing a line from the pulley. A latch is provided for releasably retaining the at least one side in the closed position to confine a line between the two sides. The latch is adapted to release the movable side when a predetermined force is applied to the latch. A retainer responsive to the release of the latch holds the moveable side in the open position when released.

Abstract: A snatch block for facilitating the movement of loads in loading or unloading operations includes a sheave, two side sections and a top section. The top section is releasably coupled to at least one of the side sections and pivotable with respect to at least one of the side sections. Either or both of the side sections may be rotatable with respect to the sheave. An outer groove of the sheave may be made accessible to receive a fixed-end cable when the side sections are splayed with respect to on another on the sheave. The snatch block may be loadable or unloadable from either side and may be loaded or unloaded when lying flat on the ground.

Abstract: A high speed safety block assembly includes a first and second cheek plates with a sheave and axle installed between the cheek plates. The cheek plates each have a recessed area on their inner surfaces and have interlocking ears which increase the safety of the block assembly by preventing the block assembly from coming apart in the event of a screw failure. The sheave of the high speed safety block assembly includes a needle bearing which rolls on the bearing surface of the axle, permitting much higher loads and speeds when the high speed safety block assembly is used.

Abstract: The invention concerns a cable block, especially a lower block for cable controls, with at least one cable roller enclosed by a shrouding cover with entry and exit openings for a carrying cable, wherein a cover element is inserted in the entry and exit opening, having an opening for the carrying cable. The opening in the cover element is smaller than the entry and exit opening in the shrouding cover. In order to create a cable block, especially for a cable actuator, with improved protection against accidents, it is proposed that the entry and exit opening be slot-like and the cover element can be shifted in the entry and exit opening.

Abstract: A high speed safety block assembly includes a first and second cheek plates with a sheave and axle installed between the cheek plates. The cheek plates each have a recessed area on their inner surfaces and have interlocking ears which increase the safety of the block assembly by preventing the block assembly from coming apart in the event of a screw failure. The sheave of the high speed safety block assembly includes a needle bearing which rolls on the bearing surface of the axle, permitting much higher loads and speeds when the high speed safety block assembly is used.

Abstract: A high speed safety block assembly includes a first and second cheek plates with a sheave and axle installed between the cheek plates. The cheek plates each have a recessed area on their inner surfaces and have interlocking ears which increase the safety of the block assembly by preventing the block assembly from coming apart in the event of a screw failure. The sheave of the high speed safety block assembly includes a needle bearing which rolls on the bearing surface of the axle, permitting much higher loads and speeds when the high speed safety block assembly is used.

Abstract: A crane boom top is disclosed in which a sheave assembly having a number of sheave sets is supported on the crane boom top by boom sheave supports. Each sheave set is mounted on an individual shaft and connectors connect the individual shafts to the boom sheave supports.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding elongated items, such as cables, wires, hoses, and the like, onto or from spools. The apparatus includes two frame members that are pivotally and hand-releasably connected together to form an enclosed frame through which the elongated items are guided. A first pivotal and hand releasable connection is made between a first leg of the first frame member and a first leg of the second frame member. A second pivotal and hand-releasable connection is made between second legs of the frame members to provide a releasable opening of the enclosed frame. The releasable opening provides access to the enclosed frame for installation of the elongated item without requiring access to one of the ends of the elongated item to thread it through the enclosed frame. One of the frame members also includes provision for attachment to a mount, by which the enclosed frame is held in any of a plurality of selectable positions with respect to the mount.

Abstract: A sheave that has the advantage of being able to be quickly coupled to a le, and quickly decoupled from the cable. A further advantage is that the shaft of the pulley on which the cable rides is journaled at each end in side members that interlock when the sheave is in its closed position to support the shaft both from above the pulley, and from below. Other advantages include that the interlock is an arcuate T-shaped extension in the rotatable side member and a corresponding arcuate T-slot groove with which it engages in the stationary side member. The rotatable side member is affixed to the shaft of the pulley and is operable to rotate about the shaft from its closed and interlocked position to its open and disengaged position whereat the pulley is exposed such that the cable, cord or the like may be coupled or decoupled to the pulley.

Abstract: A helicopter transportable traveling block having means for ready assembly and disassembly into component portions of preselected maximum weight, the traveling block being formed into two sub-assemblies, each having an inner and outer plate with a shaft therebetween and a plurality of sheaves rotatably supported on the shaft between the inner and outer plates. The lower portions of both the inner and outer plates of each sub-assembly has perpendicularly extending clevis support and bracket members with aligned openings therebetween, the clevis support members also having lower openings. Bolts are positioned in the aligned openings of the clevis support and bracket members for each sub-assembly to retain the lower end of the sub-assembly together. A U-shaped clevis is secured to the clevis support members of each of the sub-assemblies to thereby retain the sub-assemblies together at the lower end.

Abstract: A connector (10) interposed in a support element (L) by attachment to first and second displaced ends (L.sub.1, L.sub.2) thereof to selectively permit an object to pass transversely through the longitudinal axis of the support element while employed to brace a structure including a first linkage (12, 113) connected to the first end (L.sub.1) of the support element, a second linkage (11, 114) connected to the second end (L.sub.2) of the support element, and means for coupling the first and second linkages (14; 111, 112) being attached to said first linkage and the second linkage and having a receiver (16; 111, 112) selectively opening to either side of the support element to permit an object to pass transversely through the longitudinal axis of the support element.

Abstract: A grip device for mounting along a horizontal line, such as a rope or cable, to prevent a load from falling when one end of the line is no longer supported in its horizontal position. The device consists of a shell in which is mounted by means of a pin, a clamping wedge arranged such that when the handle of the wedge is moved in either direction, the wedge becomes clamped against the rope or cable to prevent movement of the rope through the device, and therefore prevent falling of a person attached to the device by means of an approved belt, harness or lanyard.

Abstract: A load carrying device, movable along a rope, has a casing formed of two cheeks, a shaft supported on the casing, and a pulley supported on the shaft. Two diverters are disposed on opposite cheeks of the casing so a rope enters the device on one diverter, passes about a portion of the circumference of the pulley, and exits the device on the other diverter. The casing has a closed position where the cheeks are axially adjacent and an open position where the cheeks are spaced apart along the shaft so that a rope may be inserted in the device. The cheeks have stops which limit their translational movement from the closed position and limit their rotational movement when rope tension tends to move the diverters away from each other. Centrifugal force of pulley rotation causes a pawl to lock the pulley against rotation.

Abstract: A pulley or sheave that is lagged with rubber or rubber-like material, has two disc-like members which are disposed broadside to each other and secured together to form an annular groove for receiving and guiding a strand of material. At their centers, the members have bearing means to accommodate a spindle. In the annular groove for the strand of material the members have oppositely disposed wall portions characterized by re-entrant side walls. A wear strip of relatively soft, resilient material such as rubber having an elongated rib occupies the annular groove, the rib being accommodated in and frictionally seized by the reentrant side walls. The wear strip has abutted ends, and presents an annular exterior space for engagement with the strand of material that is being handled.