An overhead crane has first and second runway rails that extend parallel to a generally horizontal runway axis and a bridge that extends along a bridge axis that is generally horizontal and perpendicular to the runway axis and that is movable on the runway rails along the runway axis. The bridge includes a first bridge reinforcement member pre-loaded under tension to provide an upward deflection of the bridge rail. The first bridge reinforcement member may have at least two upwardly extending struts and a common upper end where the at least two struts meet, the at least two struts having lower ends mechanically connected to the bridge rail at positions longitudinally spaced apart with respect to the bridge axis. The lower ends of the at least two struts are longitudinally translatable along the bridge rail to adjust the tension on the first bridge reinforcement member to thereby adjust the extent of upward deflection of the bridge rail. The bridge further includes a pair of second bridge reinforcement members extending between the upper end of the first bridge reinforcement member and mechanically connected to the bridge rail proximate the first and second outer ends, the second bridge reinforcement members loaded in compression. The runway rails may be constructed in a similar manner as the bridge rail.

An overhead crane has first and second runway rails that extend parallel to a generally horizontal runway axis and a bridge that extends along a bridge axis that is generally horizontal and perpendicular to the runway axis and that is movable on the runway rails along the runway axis. The bridge includes a first bridge reinforcement member pre-loaded under tension to provide an upward deflection of the bridge rail. The first bridge reinforcement member may have at least two upwardly extending struts and a common upper end where the at least two struts meet, the at least two struts having lower ends mechanically connected to the bridge rail at positions longitudinally spaced apart with respect to the bridge axis. The lower ends of the at least two struts are longitudinally translatable along the bridge rail to adjust the tension on the first bridge reinforcement member to thereby adjust the extent of upward deflection of the bridge rail. The bridge further includes a pair of second bridge reinforcement members extending between the upper end of the first bridge reinforcement member and mechanically connected to the bridge rail proximate the first and second outer ends, the second bridge reinforcement members loaded in compression. The runway rails may be constructed in a similar manner as the bridge rail.

A hoist and crane assembly is presented. The hoist and crane assembly contains an extendable and retractable hoist and crane subassembly that longitudinally moves in and out from the hoist and crane assembly. Further, the hoist and crane subassembly also contains a lateral rail system for moving shipping containers side to side within an associated trailer, for example. Yet further, means for moving shipping containers from the rear to the front of an associated trailer are also contained within the hoist and crane assembly.

A hoist and crane assembly is presented. The hoist and crane assembly contains an extendable and retractable hoist and crane subassembly that longitudinally moves in and out from the hoist and crane assembly. Further, the hoist and crane subassembly also contains a lateral rail system for moving shipping containers side to side within an associated trailer, for example. Yet further, means for moving shipping containers from the rear to the front of an associated trailer are also contained within the hoist and crane assembly.

A hoist and crane assembly is presented. The hoist and crane assembly contains an extendable and retractable hoist and crane subassembly that longitudinally moves in and out from the hoist and crane assembly. Further, the hoist and crane subassembly also contains a lateral rail system for moving shipping containers side to side within an associated trailer, for example. Yet further, means for moving shipping containers from the rear to the front of an associated trailer are also contained within the hoist and crane assembly.

A hoist and crane assembly is presented. The hoist and crane assembly contains an extendable and retractable hoist and crane subassembly that longitudinally moves in and out from the hoist and crane assembly. Further, the hoist and crane subassembly also contains a lateral rail system for moving shipping containers side to side within an associated trailer, for example. Yet further, means for moving shipping containers from the rear to the front of an associated trailer are also contained within the hoist and crane assembly.

A system and method for construction of a framed structure which permits on-site storage and relocation of construction materials using trolleys and cranes supported by the framed structure. The system provides a runway surface for removable attachment of trolleys, crane bridges, and platforms by offsetting the first longitudinal beam and a second longitudinal beam from a cross beam and where the first longitudinal beam, second longitudinal beam, and cross beam of the system provide components for the framed structure.

An overhead lift unit includes a carriage, a first wheel assembly, a second wheel assembly, and an actuator. The first wheel assembly includes a first wheel coupled to the carriage through a first support arm. The second wheel assembly includes a second wheel coupled to the carriage through a second support arm. The actuator is coupled to the second wheel assembly and is configured to shift the second wheel assembly in a lateral direction relative to the first wheel assembly between an expanded position and a retracted position. Lift systems including the overhead lift unit and methods of transporting the overhead lift unit to and from an overhead rail are also described.

Motorized carriage (1) that is able to move in translation along a longitudinal axis (X) along a horizontal rail, said carriage (1) comprising at least one wheel (4), in particular of the friction wheel type, that is driven in rotation by an electric motor (5) and is mounted so as to pivot about a transverse axis (Y) on a holder (3) which carries said motor (5), said carriage (1) comprising a chassis (2) incorporating guide means (23, 24) mounted so as to slide on the chassis (2) along a vertical axis (Z) orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (X) and transverse axis (Y) and cooperating with elastic stressing means (25, 26) that are designed to move the guide means (23, 24) in the direction of the rail, where the holder (3) is in sliding contact with said guide means (23, 24) along the longitudinal axis (X) and vertical axis (Z), this sliding contact being designed to convert a movement of the holder (3) along the longitudinal axis (X) into a concurrent movement of the holder (3) along the vertical axis (Z) in the direction of the rail. Said carriage (1) can be used in video surveillance systems.

Motorized carriage (1) that is able to move in translation along a longitudinal axis (X) along a horizontal rail, said carriage (1) comprising at least one wheel (4), in particular of the friction wheel type, that is driven in rotation by an electric motor (5) and is mounted so as to pivot about a transverse axis (Y) on a holder (3) which carries said motor (5), said carriage (1) comprising a chassis (2) incorporating guide means (23, 24) mounted so as to slide on the chassis (2) along a vertical axis (Z) orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (X) and transverse axis (Y) and cooperating with elastic stressing means (25, 26) that are designed to move the guide means (23, 24) in the direction of the rail, where the holder (3) is in sliding contact with said guide means (23, 24) along the longitudinal axis (X) and vertical axis (Z), this sliding contact being designed to convert a movement of the holder (3) along the longitudinal axis (X) into a concurrent movement of the holder (3) along the vertical axis (Z) in the direction of the rail. Said carriage (1) can be used in video surveillance systems.