A winch assembly (50) including: a winch shaft (12) rotatably mounted within a bracket (18) and adapted for rotation about a first axis (68); a substantially right-angled drive transferring mechanism having a drive input coupled to a manual tool engagement device and drive output coupled to the winch shaft (12), the tool engagement device adapted for rotation about a second axis (72) extending substantially radially from the first axis (68), wherein manual rotation of the tool engagement device causes rotation of the winch shaft (12); and an anti-twist bar (64) attached to the bracket (18) to reduce twist during rotation of the winch shaft (12).

In a manual/automatic non-electric-connection borehole clinometer for a landslide, a clinometer probe completes borehole inclination measurement; a hoisting mechanism is connected to the clinometer probe by a pull rope; and a first tooth disc of an automatic clutch and a first tooth disc of a manual clutch are fixed to a left shaft end and a right shaft end of the hoisting mechanism respectively, a second tooth disc of the automatic clutch is fixed to a driving shaft of an electric driving mechanism and selectively meshes with or moves away from the first tooth disc of the automatic clutch, and a second tooth disc of the manual clutch is fixed to a driving shaft of a manual driving mechanism and selectively meshes with or moves away from the first tooth disc of the manual clutch.

In a manual/automatic non-electric-connection borehole clinometer for a landslide, a clinometer probe completes borehole inclination measurement; a hoisting mechanism is connected to the clinometer probe by a pull rope; and a first tooth disc of an automatic clutch and a first tooth disc of a manual clutch are fixed to a left shaft end and a right shaft end of the hoisting mechanism respectively, a second tooth disc of the automatic clutch is fixed to a driving shaft of an electric driving mechanism and selectively meshes with or moves away from the first tooth disc of the automatic clutch, and a second tooth disc of the manual clutch is fixed to a driving shaft of a manual driving mechanism and selectively meshes with or moves away from the first tooth disc of the manual clutch.

An overhead storage device or system may include a mechanism for hoisting the object to be stored (e.g., a bicycle) at an elevated height (e.g., above grade or floor level). In general, the present teachings may include a cable pulley engaged with a constant torque spring unit structurally configured to apply an approximately constant torque to the cable spool that promotes rotation of a spool thereof for winding of a lift cable about the spool to lift a load. Also disclosed are techniques for improving such a constant toque lifting unit such as an inertial brake structurally configured to slow down or stop an undesired, accelerated winding of a lift cable, a self-coiling device structurally configured to advantageously wind the lift cable a predetermined amount (e.g., for removal of same as a hinderance), and an attachment mechanism structurally configured to securely couple to a load.

A winch with handheld battery powered tensioning and payout unit provides uniform loading of all winches and allows for safe easy loading and payout. A method and apparatus is provided for retrofitting manual winches, in particular manual marine winches, to be operable with a handheld battery powered tensioning and payout unit.

A winch with handheld battery powered tensioning and payout unit provides uniform loading of all winches and allows for safe easy loading and payout. A method and apparatus is provided for retrofitting manual winches, in particular manual marine winches, to be operable with a handheld battery powered tensioning and payout unit.

A barbecue cooking apparatus is an apparatus used to cook food items by utilizing different barbecue smoking methods. The apparatus includes a barrel, a lid, a frame, a shelved cooking system, a venting system, a winch mechanism, a lip, and a firebox gasket. The barrel provides a thermal enclosure for cooking the food items. The lid serves to close the barrel and to support the shelved cooking system. The lip and the firebox gasket seal the lid on the barrel when closed. The shelved cooking system holds both the food items within the barrel during the cooking process and the fuel source utilized to generate the heat energy to cook the food items. The frame holds the winch mechanism offset from the barrel. The winch mechanism facilitates the retrieval of the shelved cooking system from the barrel as well as the reintroduction of the shelved cooking system into the barrel.

A barbecue cooking apparatus is an apparatus used to cook food items by utilizing different barbecue smoking methods. The apparatus includes a barrel, a lid, a frame, a shelved cooking system, a venting system, a winch mechanism, a lip, and a firebox gasket. The barrel provides a thermal enclosure for cooking the food items. The lid serves to close the barrel and to support the shelved cooking system. The lip and the firebox gasket seal the lid on the barrel when closed. The shelved cooking system holds both the food items within the barrel during the cooking process and the fuel source utilized to generate the heat energy to cook the food items. The frame holds the winch mechanism offset from the barrel. The winch mechanism facilitates the retrieval of the shelved cooking system from the barrel as well as the reintroduction of the shelved cooking system into the barrel.

A barbecue cooking apparatus is an apparatus used to cook food items by utilizing different barbecue smoking methods. The apparatus includes a barrel, a lid, a frame, a shelved cooking system, a venting system, a winch mechanism, a lip, and a firebox gasket. The barrel provides a thermal enclosure for cooking the food items. The lid serves to close the barrel and to support the shelved cooking system. The lip and the firebox gasket seal the lid on the barrel when closed. The shelved cooking system holds both the food items within the barrel during the cooking process and the fuel source utilized to generate the heat energy to cook the food items. The frame holds the winch mechanism offset from the barrel. The winch mechanism facilitates the retrieval of the shelved cooking system from the barrel as well as the reintroduction of the shelved cooking system into the barrel.

A barbecue cooking apparatus is an apparatus used to cook food items by utilizing different barbecue smoking methods. The apparatus includes a barrel, a lid, a frame, a shelved cooking system, a venting system, a winch mechanism, a lip, and a firebox gasket. The barrel provides a thermal enclosure for cooking the food items. The lid serves to close the barrel and to support the shelved cooking system. The lip and the firebox gasket seal the lid on the barrel when closed. The shelved cooking system holds both the food items within the barrel during the cooking process and the fuel source utilized to generate the heat energy to cook the food items. The frame holds the winch mechanism offset from the barrel. The winch mechanism facilitates the retrieval of the shelved cooking system from the barrel as well as the reintroduction of the shelved cooking system into the barrel.