A shipping container containing an unirradiated nuclear fuel assembly is lifted off the ground by operating a crane to raise a lifting tool comprising a winch. The lifting tool is connected with the shipping container by a rigging line connecting with the shipping container at a lifting point located on the shipping container between the top and bottom of the shipping container, and by winch cabling connecting with the shipping container at the top of the shipping container. The shipping container is reoriented by operating the winch to adjust the length of the winch cabling so as to rotate the shipping container about the lifting point. Shortening the winch cabling rotates the shipping container about the lifting point from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation, while lengthening the winch cabling rotates the shipping container about the lifting point from the vertical orientation to the horizontal orientation.

An apparatus including a base, a guide arm pivotable relative to the base, the guide arm movable between a raised position and a lowered position. A tension linkage has a distal end extending away from the base, the tension linkage supported by the guide arm when the arm is in the raised position. A tension linkage guide is disposed on the guide arm, the tension linkage guide movable along the tension linkage as the guide arm moves between raised and lowered positions. A hook is connected to the distal end of the tension linkage. When the hook is engaged with an object, the tension linkage forms a first tension angle and a second tension angle when the guide arm is in the raised position and the lowered position respectively, the second tension angle being less than the first tension angle.

An apparatus including a base, a guide arm pivotable relative to the base, the guide arm movable between a raised position and a lowered position. A tension linkage has a distal end extending away from the base, the tension linkage supported by the guide arm when the arm is in the raised position. A tension linkage guide is disposed on the guide arm, the tension linkage guide movable along the tension linkage as the guide arm moves between raised and lowered positions. A hook is connected to the distal end of the tension linkage. When the hook is engaged with an object, the tension linkage forms a first tension angle and a second tension angle when the guide arm is in the raised position and the lowered position respectively, the second tension angle being less than the first tension angle.

Jack units attach skates to an object to be moved. Each jack unit has a tongue that slidably engages a coupling slot affixed to the object, and can be operated to raise or lower the tongue; when raised, the object is supported on the skates and can be rolled to a new location. A crane can attach to lift eyes on the jack units to allow the system to be lifted with the skates attached to the object, avoiding the risk to operators of positioning the skates under the object while it is suspended. Rotation-limiting structures can be selectively employed to block rotation of the trailing skates to facilitate steering when rolling the object supported by the system. The coupling slots can be provided in coupling elements which can attach directly to the object or which can be employed to form a freestanding frame to which the object is secured.

Jack units attach skates to an object to be moved. Each jack unit has a tongue that slidably engages a coupling slot affixed to the object, and can be operated to raise or lower the tongue; when raised, the object is supported on the skates and can be rolled to a new location. A crane can attach to lift eyes on the jack units to allow the system to be lifted with the skates attached to the object, avoiding the risk to operators of positioning the skates under the object while it is suspended. Rotation-limiting structures can be selectively employed to block rotation of the trailing skates to facilitate steering when rolling the object supported by the system. The coupling slots can be provided in coupling elements which can attach directly to the object or which can be employed to form a freestanding frame to which the object is secured.

A hoist tool for handling a shrink element of a gear system. The hoist tool includes a suspension section, support legs for leaning on a foundation structure of the gear system and for supporting the suspension section to be above the shrink element, a lift sling for surrounding the shrink element, and a force generating system between the suspension section and the lift sling and suitable for generating a lifting force on the lift sling so as to suspend the shrink element. During maintenance of the gear system, the weight of the shrink element can be compensated for with the hoist tool and therefore crane capacity is needed for compensating for only the rest of the weight of the gear system without the weight of the shrink element.

A utility device tailored for firefighting, rescue, and life safety applications. The utility device has a tether section, a handle, and a fastener. The handle is connected to a proximal end of the tether section and the fastener is connected to a distal end of the tether section. Ideally, the tether section is formed of webbing and the handle is defined by a loop formed in the proximal end of the tether section. The fastener preferably comprises a carabiner with a spring-loaded gate and a captive eye frame. The utility device is operative in both a connected loop state, in which the fastener is attached to the handle, and an elongated state, in which the fastener is not attached to the handle. The utility device is a compact, portable, and versatile tool capable of facilitating a wide range of standard firefighting practices.

A utility device tailored for firefighting, rescue, and life safety applications. The utility device has a tether section, a handle, and a fastener. The handle is connected to a proximal end of the tether section and the fastener is connected to a distal end of the tether section. Ideally, the tether section is formed of webbing and the handle is defined by a loop formed in the proximal end of the tether section. The fastener preferably comprises a carabiner with a spring-loaded gate and a captive eye frame. The utility device is operative in both a connected loop state, in which the fastener is attached to the handle, and an elongated state, in which the fastener is not attached to the handle. The utility device is a compact, portable, and versatile tool capable of facilitating a wide range of standard firefighting practices.

Aspects herein are directed to a clamp having a linkage coupled to a first end of a first and second clamp member. Based on applying a first directional force to the linkage, the linkage generates a force that moves the second ends of the first and second clamp member towards one another, thereby biasing the clamp to the closed position. The clamp secures a strap when the clamp is in the closed position and releases the strap when the clamp is in an open position.

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 mechanism (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.