Off-board gyrocopter take-off systems and associated methods are disclosed. A representative method includes restraining a gyrocopter from vertical and lateral movement, pre-rotating a fixed-pitch lift rotor of the gyrocopter via a power source located off the gyrocopter, and releasing the gyrocopter for vertical movement to allow the gyrocopter to lift under a force provided by the lift rotor. Optionally, the method can further include interrupting or reducing power from the power source to the gyrocopter as a way to release the gyrocopter for vertical movement.

An anti-roll structure suitable for blocking rolling objects. The anti-roll structure comprises a first support element and a second support element, which consist in, respectively, a lying surface adapted to be placed on a bearing plane and, parallel to the said bearing plane, and a support surface, opposite to the lying surface and inclined with respect to the said lying surface. A junction element is positioned so that it lies on a plane perpendicular to the lying surface and supporting surface. The first and second support element can be placed at a predefined angle with respect to each other by means of the junction element.

A tire chock with improved ease of use and prevention of theft. A threaded rod expands a scissor frame to force foot plates against a tire. The scissor frame foot plates are pulled apart or pushed together so that the frame fits between the tires. A hand-adjustable, freely rotatable nut is on the lower end of the rod is tightened. A wrench is used to tighten a second nut on the upper end of the rod, and a lock member is secured over the second nut.

An apparatus can include a wheel chock. The wheel chock can include a body portion. The body portion can include: a bottom face; a first side face and a second side face extending upward relative to the bottom face; at least one chocking face positioned above at least one of the first side face or the second side face, wherein the at least one chocking face includes an angled surface; and a spine forming a top surface parallel to the bottom face, the spine adjoined to the at least one chocking face, and the spine defining apertures. The wheel chock can also include an elongated handle attachable to the body portion via the apertures, the elongated handle configured to maintain an upright, self-standing position.

An apparatus can include a wheel chock. The wheel chock can include a body portion. The body portion can include: a bottom face; a first side face and a second side face extending upward relative to the bottom face; at least one chocking face positioned above at least one of the first side face or the second side face, wherein the at least one chocking face includes an angled surface; and a spine forming a top surface parallel to the bottom face, the spine adjoined to the at least one chocking face, and the spine defining apertures. The wheel chock can also include an elongated handle attachable to the body portion via the apertures, the elongated handle configured to maintain an upright, self-standing position.

An apparatus can include a wheel chock. The wheel chock can include a body portion. The body portion can include: a bottom face; a first side face and a second side face extending upward relative to the bottom face; at least one chocking face positioned above at least one of the first side face or the second side face, wherein the at least one chocking face includes an angled surface; and a spine forming a top surface parallel to the bottom face, the spine adjoined to the at least one chocking face, and the spine defining apertures. The wheel chock can also include a handle having a rigid portion, the handle being attachable to the body portion via the apertures. In some examples, the wheel chock further includes a high visibility material integrally formed with at least one of the body portion or the handle.

A wheel chock having a wedge-shaped body and a recessed gripping member is provided. The wedge-shaped body includes a bottom surface for engaging the ground, a front inclined wheel engaging surface, a back surface opposite the front inclined surface, and opposite upright side surfaces. At least one of the opposite upright side surfaces has a recess, and the gripping member is disposed in the recess. The gripping member does not substantially protrude beyond the upright side surface having the recess for enabling an improvement in compact packaging and shipping costs associated with the wheel chock.

A hydraulic control system for a machine, the machine having a service brake and a parking brake, includes a hydraulic fluid tank, a pump configured to withdraw hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid tank, and a first accumulator and a second accumulator fluidly connected to the pump. The first and second accumulators configured to supply the hydraulic fluid to the service brake and the parking brake. Further, a resolver valve fluidly coupled between the first and second accumulators and configured to selectively supply the hydraulic fluid from one of the first and second accumulators to the parking brake.

A device for connecting an aircraft to a tether secured to the ground includes an attachment mechanism secured to the tether. The attachment mechanism includes a projection having at least one opening. A hoop secured to the aircraft extends through each opening in the attachment mechanism. Each hoop forms a sliding connection with the associated opening such that the attachment member slides along the hoop in response to lateral movement of the aircraft relative to the ground.

A device for connecting an aircraft to a tether secured to the ground includes an attachment mechanism secured to the tether. The attachment mechanism includes a projection having at least one opening. A hoop secured to the aircraft extends through each opening in the attachment mechanism. Each hoop forms a sliding connection with the associated opening such that the attachment member slides along the hoop in response to lateral movement of the aircraft relative to the ground.