A lifting elevator includes a first elevator segment having a first plurality of slips, a second elevator segment having a second plurality of slips, and a hinge. The first elevator segment and the second elevator segment each have a swept angle of about 180, and each of the first plurality of slips and the second plurality of slips includes a die configured to grip an external surface of a pipe.

A socket assembly includes a socket. The socket defines a first interior space. The socket includes a first frame and a second frame disposed opposite to the first frame. The first frame is coupled with the second frame using at least one fastening member. The socket assembly includes a locking member disposed within the first interior space of the socket. The locking member includes a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions define a second interior space for holding a rope.

A socket assembly includes a socket. The socket defines a first interior space. The socket includes a first frame and a second frame disposed opposite to the first frame. The first frame is coupled with the second frame using at least one fastening member. The socket assembly includes a locking member disposed within the first interior space of the socket. The locking member includes a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions define a second interior space for holding a rope.

Expandable heavy equipment 1, comprising a first frame element 5, a connector 11, at least one elongated pull element 14, and further frame elements 7. The pull element 14 is connected to the first frame element 5 with a first coupler 31 and to one 9 of the further frame elements 7 with a second coupler 35. The pull element 14 is in a folded state in a transport condition and in an extended state in a working condition. The pull element 14 comprises load bearing fibers/fibres 141 extending from the first coupler 31 to the second coupler 35. The pull element 14 comprises at least one flexible part 43 and at least two stiff parts 45. The flexible part 43 has a lower bending stiffness than the two stiff parts 45 and enables the pull element 14 to be arranged in the folded state.

The present disclosure describes devices and assemblies for hoisting cables. A hoisting grip may comprise a main body formed of a polymeric material, the main body having a length, a width, a thickness, and a longitudinal axis and comprising a plurality of apertures where at least one aperture may be adapted to receive a hoisting member and at least two apertures may be adapted to receive a cable.

A lightweight and flexible load bearing shackle that is configurable in operation. The shackle includes a bow made of a plurality of loops of synthetic fiber rope (e.g., polypropylene, nylon, polyester, polyethylene, Aramid, acrylic, mixtures of several fibers, co-polymer fibers, straight, braided, twisted). The loops of fiber rope may be contained within a sheathing configured as a single loop. The sheathing is secured together to form a receptacle (opening) in each leg of the bow that is reinforced with an eyelet. The eyelets may be split eyelets that include a first/second side mounted to a first/second side of the receptacle that are then secured together over the receptacle. A connection pin may be secured between the eyelets. The shackle may include a spacing means (e.g., casing that connection pin traverses, connection pin that has wider center portion) between the legs to maintain the legs a certain distance apart.

A pipe alignment tool may be used to hoist and align two pipe ends and may comprise: a chain and an alignment bar. The alignment bar may comprise: an elongate bar with a pipe contacting member and a chain support slidably coupled to the elongate bar for guiding and retaining the chain. The method for aligning two pipe ends may comprise the steps of: providing the pipe alignment tool; lassoing the chain around a first pipe; guiding and securing the chain to the chain support of the pipe alignment tool; hoisting the chain and first pipe by lifting the alignment bar; and aligning the two pipe ends by repositioning the elongate bar and engaging an upper portion of the second pipe with the pipe contacting member.

A woven webbing for use in a tiedown or sling for lifting, restraint or other material handling functions. The woven webbing includes a central portion and tubular edges. The central portion has a top surface and an oppositely facing bottom surface. The top surface and bottom surface may be woven in a first pattern for strength and abrasion resistance while remaining flexible. The tubular edges extend from either side of the central portion. The tubular edges may be woven in a second pattern to improve the cut resistance of the tubular edges. The tubular edges have interior cavities which may include twisted floating yarn extending therethrough to enhance the cut resistance of the tubular edges. The tubular edges may include a high modulus yarn material which changes the orientation of the yarn material away from the axial direction of tension when a load is applied to the webbing.

A woven webbing for use in a tiedown or sling for lifting, restraint or other material handling functions. The woven webbing includes a central portion and tubular edges. The central portion has a top surface and an oppositely facing bottom surface. The top surface and bottom surface may be woven in a first pattern for strength and abrasion resistance while remaining flexible. The tubular edges extend from either side of the central portion. The tubular edges may be woven in a second pattern to improve the cut resistance of the tubular edges. The tubular edges have interior cavities which may include twisted floating yarn extending therethrough to enhance the cut resistance of the tubular edges. The tubular edges may include a high modulus yarn material which changes the orientation of the yarn material away from the axial direction of tension when a load is applied to the webbing.

Aspects of the disclosure provide anti-tilt assemblies for reducing the strain of an air ballast when used to change the direction of a high altitude balloon. For instance, in one example, a balloon includes a balloon envelope having an air ballast and a plurality of support tendons and a payload assembly. The balloon also includes an anti-tilt assembly arranged between the balloon envelope and the payload assembly. The anti-tilt assembly includes a support structure having a plurality of line connections arranged at a top end of the support structure and a connection member at a bottom end of the support structure. The connection member is attached to the payload assembly. The anti-tilt assembly also includes a plurality of support lines connected at to one of the support tendons and to the connection member. In addition, each support line is arranged to pass through a corresponding one of the line connections.