Lifting devices include a tube with a first slot and a second slot. The devices also include an insert with a first insert projection connected to a second insert projection by a central portion. The first insert projection extends through the first slot and the second insert projection extends through the second slot. A first plate and a second plate are each connected to the central portion of the insert. Additionally provided are methods of lifting a tanker truck or other structures using the disclosed lifting devices.

Lifting devices include a tube with a first slot and a second slot. The devices also include an insert with a first insert projection connected to a second insert projection by a central portion. The first insert projection extends through the first slot and the second insert projection extends through the second slot. A first plate and a second plate are each connected to the central portion of the insert. Additionally provided are methods of lifting a tanker truck or other structures using the disclosed lifting devices.

A payload coupling apparatus is provided that includes a housing having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a side wall positioned between the upper and lower portions, an attachment point on the housing adapted for attachment to a first end of a tether, a slot in the housing that extends downwardly towards a center of the housing thereby forming a hook or lip on the lower portion of the housing beneath the slot, a plurality of holes in the upper portion of the housing; and a plurality of holes in the lower portion of the housing. A method of retracting a payload coupling apparatus during UAV flight is also provided.

A payload coupling apparatus is provided that includes a housing having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a side wall positioned between the upper and lower portions, an attachment point on the housing adapted for attachment to a first end of a tether, a slot in the housing that extends downwardly towards a center of the housing thereby forming a hook or lip on the lower portion of the housing beneath the slot, a plurality of holes in the upper portion of the housing; and a plurality of holes in the lower portion of the housing. A method of retracting a payload coupling apparatus during UAV flight is also provided.

A side lift spreader (20) for lifting an upper intermodal transport container (10) and a lower intermodal transport container (10) stacked on each other comprises a container locking arrangement (30) arranged at a first longitudinal end of the spreader, the container locking arrangement (30) comprising an upper male lock insert configured to be connected to a bottom corner casting of the upper container (10) and a lower male lock insert configured to be connected to a top corner casting of the lower container (10), wherein said container locking arrangement (30) comprises an indicator configured to provide an indication if an attempt is made to connect the lower male lock insert to the bottom corner casting of the upper container (10).

A method and system for storing items using a hitch adapter secured to a trolley that moves along a vertically oriented track is disclosed. In one embodiment, a winch raises and lowers the trolley and hitch adapter by retracting and deploying a cable that is secured to the trolley. A bicycle carrier may be secured to the hitch adapter for storing bicycles, and for raising bicycles when not in use.

A method and system for storing items using a hitch adapter secured to a trolley that moves along a vertically oriented track is disclosed. In one embodiment, a winch raises and lowers the trolley and hitch adapter by retracting and deploying a cable that is secured to the trolley. A bicycle carrier may be secured to the hitch adapter for storing bicycles, and for raising bicycles when not in use.

An engine hoist attachment assembly for hoisting a vehicle component includes a tube, a bar, and a pair of rods. The tube has a first end that is configured to slidably insert a terminus of a boom of an engine hoist to removably couple the tube to the boom. The bar has a back face that is coupled to and extends bidirectionally and perpendicularly from a second end of the tube so that the bar is substantially parallel to a surface upon which the engine hoist is positioned. The pair of rods is coupled to and extends in parallel from a front face of the bar. The rods are configured to position under a vehicle component, positioning a user to utilize the engine hoist to selectively lift and lower the vehicle component.

An engine hoist attachment assembly for hoisting a vehicle component includes a tube, a bar, and a pair of rods. The tube has a first end that is configured to slidably insert a terminus of a boom of an engine hoist to removably couple the tube to the boom. The bar has a back face that is coupled to and extends bidirectionally and perpendicularly from a second end of the tube so that the bar is substantially parallel to a surface upon which the engine hoist is positioned. The pair of rods is coupled to and extends in parallel from a front face of the bar. The rods are configured to position under a vehicle component, positioning a user to utilize the engine hoist to selectively lift and lower the vehicle component.

An end effector includes an elongated body that is non-circular in cross section. A guide rail is mounted on a top surface of the elongated body. A hook carriage includes a linear motion guide that moves linearly along the guide rail to position a hook member. A locking mechanism locks the hook carriage at a preselected position along a length of the guide rail.