Various lifting systems are described that use one or more of the following features. A method for setting an adjustable height upper pulley on a tall structure; load transfer from a suspended load to a tall structure; fan-based stabilizer; stabilizer or horizontal load position control mechanism using a closed loop of cable and taction winch for a crane application; crane-based lifting system that uses a closed loop of lifting cable looped around a traction winch; and a stabilizer or horizontal load position control mechanism that does not need a closed loop of cable. Other embodiments are also described and claims. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Various lifting systems are described that use one or more of the following features. A method for setting an adjustable height upper pulley on a tall structure; load transfer from a suspended load to a tall structure; fan-based stabilizer; stabilizer or horizontal load position control mechanism using a closed loop of cable and taction winch for a crane application; crane-based lifting system that uses a closed loop of lifting cable looped around a traction winch; and a stabilizer or horizontal load position control mechanism that does not need a closed loop of cable. Other embodiments are also described and claims. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

An apparatus that is used to attach a ladder to the bedrail of a pickup truck. The device has a support bracket, a clamp mechanism, and a slide rail. The support bracket clamps onto the bedrail of a truck. The clamp mechanism prevents an attached ladder from sliding out of the truck bed. The slide rail enables a user to reposition an attached ladder as desired. Thus secured, the ladder is prevented from displacement in any direction until the clamp is disengaged.

A ladder rack assembly with a first rack member, a second rack member, and a threaded bolt. The first rack member has a first bracket and a first crossbar coupled to the first bracket, and the second rack member has a second bracket and a second crossbar coupled to the second bracket. The first crossbar and the second crossbar are slidably coupled to each other. The threaded bolt extends through the first crossbar and the second crossbar and is threadedly coupled to a nut. When the threaded bolt is rotated in a clockwise direction, the nut moves along the threaded bolt in a first direction, and when the threaded bolt is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the nut moves along the threaded bolt in a second direction. The first bracket, the second bracket, and the threaded bolt are configured to retain an object during transport.

A ladder rack assembly with a first rack member, a second rack member, and a threaded bolt. The first rack member has a first bracket and a first crossbar coupled to the first bracket, and the second rack member has a second bracket and a second crossbar coupled to the second bracket. The first crossbar and the second crossbar are slidably coupled to each other. The threaded bolt extends through the first crossbar and the second crossbar and is threadedly coupled to a nut. When the threaded bolt is rotated in a clockwise direction, the nut moves along the threaded bolt in a first direction, and when the threaded bolt is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the nut moves along the threaded bolt in a second direction. The first bracket, the second bracket, and the threaded bolt are configured to retain an object during transport.

A ladder assembly for mounting a concealed ladder to a boat includes a frame having a pair of spaced-apart guides. The frame is adapted to be mounted within a boat. A slide is movably mounted to the guides for sliding from one end of said frame to an opposite end, and a ladder is pivotally mounted to said slide, such that the ladder can extend from a hatch in the boat and be lowered for use of the ladder in entering and exiting the water from the boat. In one embodiment, a pivot plate is pivotally mounted to the slide and the ladder is pivotally mounted to the slide. A control arm is pivotally mounted to the pivot plate or slide and provides leverage for the easy deployment and storing of the ladder.

A transporting device has a first handle assembly and a second handle assembly configured to cooperate together for supporting and transporting objects. The first handle assembly has a first support section and a first handle removably secured to the first support section for undergoing pivotal movement relative to the first support section. The first support section is configured to be removably secured to a first object to be transported by the transporting device. The second handle assembly has a second support section and a second handle removably secured to the second support section for undergoing pivotal movement relative to the second support section. The second support section is configured to be removably secured to a second object to be transported by the transporting device.

A transporting device has a first handle assembly and a second handle assembly configured to cooperate together for supporting and transporting objects. The first handle assembly has a first support section and a first handle removably secured to the first support section for undergoing pivotal movement relative to the first support section. The first support section is configured to be removably secured to a first object to be transported by the transporting device. The second handle assembly has a second support section and a second handle removably secured to the second support section for undergoing pivotal movement relative to the second support section. The second support section is configured to be removably secured to a second object to be transported by the transporting device.