Abstract: A crane having a base unit, a mast, a boom, a support, and an elevator mechanism is disclosed. The base unit couples to a hitch of a vehicle, such as a pickup truck. The mast extends from the base unit, and the boom extends from the mast. The support is coupled to a distal end of the boom and is configured to engage a load, such as a canopy for the pickup truck. The elevator mechanism is configured to elevate the boom to life the load relative to the vehicle. The boom and the elevator assembly are rotatable about the mast.

Abstract: A banner is displayed about a tower structure, such as a water tower, by a system that enables ready substitution or replacement of the banner, without the use of high-lift equipment. The fabric banner is segmented, of wind permeable stretchable fabric, and mounted on rings that are carried on cables, suspended from a capstan atop the tower. Cable guidance pulleys, mounted on trolleys that run on a peripheral track about the top of the tower, enable the banner to be reoriented about the tower. The capstan and trolleys may be remotely controlled.

Abstract: A device for raising and lowering a sign suspended from a ceiling, comprising a reversible motor adapted to be mounted to the ceiling at a first location; a sign carrier for holding a sign to be suspended from the ceiling; and a line running from the motor, to the sign carrier, and back to the ceiling at a second location spaced from the first location. The line is mounted to the ceiling at the second location. The motor is controlled to turn in opposite directions to raise and lower the sign carrier in relation to the ceiling, to allow a sign held by the sign carrier to be positioned relative to the ceiling.

Abstract: A remote-controlled motor-driven drum is provided to wind and unwind a cord which holds a self-balancing sign carrier. The sign carrier, which has telescoping rails, is adjustable in width. Its center rail includes two sheaves to receive the cord and lead it from the drum back to an end secured to the ceiling. Thus, rotation of the drum serves to raise and lower the sign carrier and a sign carried by it. The sheaves on the carrier not only allow it to be raised and lowered, but also serve to make the unit self-balancingThe user attaches a sign to the carrier when it is in its lowered position and then raises the sign and carrier to the ceiling. The motor, which is reversible, is remotely controlled either by wires leading between the motor and a switch or by radio control (with a control similar to that used on a garage door).

Abstract: A load balancing mechanism (10) disclosed includes an arm (12) including first and second arm portions (14,26). A support post (22) is rotatable about its vertical axis A and supports arm (12) by first arm portion (14) for pivotal movement in a vertical plane and also for rotational movement about axis A. First arm portion (14) includes parallel spaced members (16,16') defining a parallel linkage arrangement. A piston and cylinder balancing arrangement (38) connects post (22) and first arm portion (14) allowing upward and downward pivotal movement of arm (12) and is responsive to such upward and downward pivotal movement to provide balancing of a load thereon. The second arm portion (26) can be longitudinally moved relative to a second mount (32) to increase or decrease the length of arm (12) without having to change the force applied via balancing arrangement (38) to maintain balancing of the load.

Abstract: A remote-controlled motor-driven drum is provided to wind and unwind a cord which holds a self-balancing sign carrier. The sign carrier, which has telescoping rails, is adjustable in width. Its center rail includes two sheaves to receive the cord and lead it from the drum back to an end secured to the ceiling. Thus, rotation of the drum serves to raise and lower the sign carrier and a sign carried by it. The sheaves on the carrier not only allow it to be raised and lowered, but also serve to make the unit self-balancing The user attaches a sign to the carrier when it is in its lowered position and then raises the sign and carrier to the ceiling. The motor, which is reversible, is remotely controlled either by wires leading between the motor and a switch or by radio control (with a control similar to that used on a garage door).