An ergonomic apparatus for handling a hinged lid that reduces force required to open the hinged lid and bending by a user, maintains the lid in an open position to prevent accidental closure of the lid, and assists with closing the lid. The apparatus has a horizontal member with an attachment means for removably coupling the apparatus to the hinged lid, a vertical member extending from a proximal end of the horizontal member, and a handle in operable communication with the vertical member. The vertical member and handle are configured relative to the horizontal member such that when the vertical member is positioned on a flat surface, the handle is raised above the flat surface by about 10 to 25 and the hinged lid is maintained in an open position having an angle greater than 90 relative to an opening the hinged lid was covering.

A vertical moving method of a vertical moving unit on which a conveyance target object is mounted includes steps of causing a non-electric biasing unit to generate a biasing force to raise the vertical moving unit, causing an electric motor unit to generate a thrust in a direction to raise the vertical moving unit or a thrust in a direction to lower the vertical moving unit, and causing an electromagnetic brake unit to generate a braking force to resist a movement of the vertical moving unit. Independently of presence/absence of the object and a weight of the object, the thrust and/or the braking force is controlled such that the vertical moving unit stops when an external force of overload more than a predetermined value acts on the vertical moving unit during a vertical movement.

A vertical moving method of a vertical moving unit on which a conveyance target object is mounted includes steps of causing a non-electric biasing unit to generate a biasing force to raise the vertical moving unit, causing an electric motor unit to generate a thrust in a direction to raise the vertical moving unit or a thrust in a direction to lower the vertical moving unit, and causing an electromagnetic brake unit to generate a braking force to resist a movement of the vertical moving unit. Independently of presence/absence of the object and a weight of the object, the thrust and/or the braking force is controlled such that the vertical moving unit stops when an external force of overload more than a predetermined value acts on the vertical moving unit during a vertical movement.

A lid and strainer basket assembly for use in a recirculating system of a swimming pool installation including a swimming pool and a deck, the recirculating system having a skimmer device extending downwardly from an opening proximate to the deck and coupled to a pump for recirculating the water in the swimming pool, the lid and strainer basket assembly including a removable lid closing the opening, a strainer basket in the skimmer device for collecting debris from the water, and an assembly of straps coupling the removable lid to the strainer basket, the straps being both sufficiently flexible and slacked between the lid and the strainer basket to enable the lid to be removed from the opening and tipped to one side to enable visual inspection of the strainer basket in the skimmer device without interference from the straps and without disturbing the strainer basket.

A lid and strainer basket assembly for use in a recirculating system of a swimming pool installation including a swimming pool and a deck, the recirculating system having a skimmer device extending downwardly from an opening proximate to the deck and coupled to a pump for recirculating the water in the swimming pool, the lid and strainer basket assembly including a removable lid closing the opening, a strainer basket in the skimmer device for collecting debris from the water, and an assembly of straps coupling the removable lid to the strainer basket, the straps being both sufficiently flexible and slacked between the lid and the strainer basket to enable the lid to be removed from the opening and tipped to one side to enable visual inspection of the strainer basket in the skimmer device without interference from the straps and without disturbing the strainer basket.

A lid and strainer basket assembly for use in a recirculating system of a swimming pool installation including a swimming pool and a deck, the recirculating system having a skimmer device extending downwardly from an opening proximate to the deck and coupled to a pump for recirculating the water in the swimming pool, the lid and strainer basket assembly including a removable lid closing the opening, a strainer basket in the skimmer device for collecting debris from the water, and an assembly of straps coupling the removable lid to the strainer basket, the straps being both sufficiently flexible and slacked between the lid and the strainer basket to enable the lid to be removed from the opening and tipped to one side to enable visual inspection of the strainer basket in the skimmer device without interference from the straps and without disturbing the strainer basket.

A payload retrieval apparatus including a structure having an outwardly facing portion, a payload support member adapted for having a payload positioned thereon, one or more magnets or a metal positioned on or within the outwardly facing portion of the structure adapted to magnetically engage one or more magnets or a metal positioned on a payload retriever attached to a tether suspended from a UAV, wherein when the payload is positioned on the payload support member, the payload support member is movable to position a handle of the payload adjacent the one or more magnets or the metal on or within the outwardly facing portion of the structure.

A transportable lifting device (10) comprising: an upright (12); an arm (13) connectable to the upper end of said upright (12); a diagonal (14) for connecting said arm (13) and said upright (12); characterized in that said arm (13) is fixed to said upright (12) by means of a first joint (30, 35); said diagonal (14) is fixed to said upright (12) by means of a second joint (32, 41); said diagonal (14) is fixed to said arm (13) by means of a third joint (36, 40); said first joint (30, 35), said second joint (32, 41) and said third joint (36, 40) are of the type with double tenon and mortise; said first joint (30, 35) comprises: two hooks (35) placed at the end of the arm (13); two vertical slots (30) placed on the upright (12). (FIG. 1)

An information related to the position of an actuator coupled to a cable which is coupled to a motor is received. A filter is used to provide an input to a motor controller coupled to the motor, to adjust torque on the motor such that a strength curve is implemented relative to the position of the actuator.

The lifting apparatus is a mechanical structure. The lifting apparatus is configured for use in manually lifting a load. The lifting apparatus attaches to the load such that a plurality of individuals are able to simultaneously lift the load. The lifting apparatus comprises a master beam, a grasping structure, and a rigging chain. The grasping structure and the rigging chain attach to the master beam. The plurality of individuals manipulate the lifting apparatus using the master beam. The grasping structure attaches the load to the master beam. The grasping structure adjusts to accommodate the form factor of the load. The rigging chain is a secondary attachment structure that attaches the load to the master beam such that the loading distribution of the load is balanced relative to the master beam such that the lifting apparatus is more easily manipulated by the plurality of individuals.