A flue mounted hoist includes an anchor section for anchoring within a flue hole, and an extendable arm. A winch is provided at the end of the extendable arm for attachment to a boiler. The flue mounted hoist allows safe lifting and installation of a wall-mounted boiler by a single person.

A sling bar assembly allows variable positioning of a sling on the sling bar assembly. Some sling bar assemblies include opposing sling bar members that are movable with respect to one another in a lateral direction. Some opposing sling bar members are repositionable between a locked position, in which movement of the sling members with respect to one another is restricted, and an unlocked position. Some sling bar assemblies include multiple sling hooks positioned on a sling bar member. Some sling bar assemblies include a biasing member that permits movement of a sling hook with respect to the sling bar assembly in the lateral direction.

A device for securing at least one sling for transporting a load under a helicopter, the securing device comprising at least a first strap and at least a second strap, a connection mechanism configured, in the closed state, to connect the straps, to form a comprehensive security strap capable of supporting a sling and, in the open state, to release the straps for releasing the sling, and an actuator configured to open the connection mechanism following a mechanical effort being introduced, the connection mechanism comprising cascading reduction means configured to reduce the resistance force during the opening of the connection mechanism generated by the load connected to the sling.

A device for securing at least one sling for transporting a load under a helicopter, the securing device comprising at least a first strap and at least a second strap, a connection mechanism configured, in the closed state, to connect the straps, to form a comprehensive security strap capable of supporting a sling and, in the open state, to release the straps for releasing the sling, and an actuator configured to open the connection mechanism following a mechanical effort being introduced, the connection mechanism comprising cascading reduction means configured to reduce the resistance force during the opening of the connection mechanism generated by the load connected to the sling.

A method of lifting a rotor of a wind turbine, the rotor having a center of gravity and including a hub and first, second, and third blades projecting outwardly from the hub at locations circumferentially distributed thereabout, includes positioning first and second slings around the first and second blades, respectively, to define first and second lifting zones delineating a lifting envelope, wherein the lifting envelope encompasses the center of gravity. The method also includes lifting the rotor above a surface via the first and second slings wherein the rotor is in one of a substantially horizontal or substantially vertical orientation, with the aid of at least one of the first and second slings while continuing to fully support the rotor by the first and second slings.

A method of lifting a rotor of a wind turbine, the rotor having a center of gravity and including a hub and first, second, and third blades projecting outwardly from the hub at locations circumferentially distributed thereabout, includes positioning first and second slings around the first and second blades, respectively, to define first and second lifting zones delineating a lifting envelope, wherein the lifting envelope encompasses the center of gravity. The method also includes lifting the rotor above a surface via the first and second slings wherein the rotor is in one of a substantially horizontal or substantially vertical orientation, with the aid of at least one of the first and second slings while continuing to fully support the rotor by the first and second slings.

A spreader bar apparatus provides a bar member having a bar length and first and second bar end portions. A plurality of stops (e.g., transverse bar openings) are spaced between the bar and end portions. A first bar lifting portion or link assembly is movable relative to the bar and into different positions. A second bar lifting portion or link assembly is movable relative to the bar and into different positions. Each bar lifting portion or link assembly has a trunnion sleeve fitted with multiple links. One or more lifting lines are each attachable to the lifting portions such as to an upper link or lower link. Each lifting member includes an upper link, a lower link, and a trunnion sleeve, wherein the trunnion sleeve has a bore that is sized and shaped to receive the bar, wherein the upper and lower links are rotatably mounted to the trunnion sleeve.

A spreader bar apparatus provides a bar member having a bar length and first and second bar end portions. A plurality of stops (e.g., transverse bar openings) are spaced between the bar and end portions. A first bar lifting portion or link assembly is movable relative to the bar and into different positions. A second bar lifting portion or link assembly is movable relative to the bar and into different positions. Each bar lifting portion or link assembly has a trunnion sleeve fitted with multiple links. One or more lifting lines are each attachable to the lifting portions such as to an upper link or lower link. Each lifting member includes an upper link, a lower link, and a trunnion sleeve, wherein the trunnion sleeve has a bore that is sized and shaped to receive the bar, wherein the upper and lower links are rotatably mounted to the trunnion sleeve.

The present invention is a lifting assembly to be used with a lift mechanism installed in a vehicle. The lifting assembly includes a supporting structure in the shape of a cross, with a connecting arrangement attached thereto. The connecting arrangement include apertures to which two or more cables may be engaged. The cables may further be engaged at their other ends with a shackle which is adapted to be fixedly attached to the lift mechanism. The lift mechanism, when operated, causes the supporting structure to be suspended in the shape of a sling arrangement, which can be utilized to support various types of items, including a wheelchair. The wheelchair supported in the supporting structure can be hoisted by operating the lift mechanism for storage and other purposes, as desired.

The present invention is a lifting assembly to be used with a lift mechanism installed in a vehicle. The lifting assembly includes a supporting structure in the shape of a cross, with a connecting arrangement attached thereto. The connecting arrangement include apertures to which two or more cables may be engaged. The cables may further be engaged at their other ends with a shackle which is adapted to be fixedly attached to the lift mechanism. The lift mechanism, when operated, causes the supporting structure to be suspended in the shape of a sling arrangement, which can be utilized to support various types of items, including a wheelchair. The wheelchair supported in the supporting structure can be hoisted by operating the lift mechanism for storage and other purposes, as desired.