A UAV tether management system comprising: a tether-wound spool rotatably mounted on a base station, a free-pivoting angle arm, and an angle arm encoder, wherein the tether is configured to transfer power from the base station to the UAV while the UAV is in flight, and the angle arm comprises a tether guide mounted to a proximal end of the angle arm such that the tether passes through the tether guide as the tether pays out of, or is taken up by, the spool, wherein the angle arm further comprises a counter weight mounted to a distal end of the angle arm such that a center of mass of the angle arm is aligned with the spool's axis of rotation, and wherein the angle arm encoder is configured to measure an offset angle of the angle arm.

A wire puller may be provided. The wire puller may comprise a middle portion, a restraint frame, and a front portion. The middle portion may comprise a gear box, a front bracket, a back bracket, and a capstan. The gear box may comprise a drive shaft and the capstan may comprise a hook pin. The restraint frame may be attached to the back bracket. The front portion may be attached to the front bracket. The front portion may comprise a pivot frame, a tube, an arm, a first side plate, a second side plate, a roller, and a flip out support. The pivot frame may comprise a locking mechanism.

A suspension work platform hoist system for raising and lowering a work platform is provided. The system incorporates at least one hoist attached to the work platform and in electrical communication with a hoist control system having a monitoring and diagnostic system to monitor and record at least one of a plurality of operating characteristics of the hoist. The hoist control system may further include a safety lock out system that requires authentication of an operator prior to the hoist control system causing movement of the hoist system.

A winch for securing a load to a vehicle a is disclosed. The winch includes a mounting bracket with opposed flanges. The winch further includes a drum extending along an axis between a first end and a second end. The drum is mounted relative to the opposed flanges so that the drum is rotatable about its axis. The winch includes a gear received on the drum and a worm configured to mesh with the gear so that a rotation of the worm causes a rotation of the gear. The winch further includes a clutch assembly between the drum and the gear. The clutch assembly is biasable between a first configuration in which the gear is fixed relative to the drum about the axis of the drum and a second configuration in which the gear is rotatable relative to the drum about the axis of the drum.

Self-tailing winch with a release function, where said winch comprises: a stator body adapted to be fastened on a surface; a drum body arranged concentrically and rotatable around said stator body; a self-tailing device arranged concentrically to said drum body, where said self-tailing device comprises: two self-tailing jaws defining an opening suitable to receive a rope, sheet or halyard; a self-tailing cover which is rotatable relative to the drum body and the self-tailing jaws; a releasable coupling arranged between the self-tailing cover and the self-tailing jaws, said coupling being able to couple the self-tailing jaws to the drum body and by manipulating the self-tailing cover completely releasing the self-tailing jaws from their engagement with the drum body, allowing the self-tailing jaws to rotate relative to the drum.

A road barrier transfer machine includes an improved capstan control system that reduces unwanted migration of road barrier spans without requiring inaccurate visual observations and reliance on outdated scripts. The barrier transfer machine includes a moveable chassis, an entry snout, an exit snout, a conveyor system, a capstan system, and the capstan control system. The capstan control system automatically operates the capstan system or provides instructions to an operator of the machine to maintain the tension and compression of a road barrier span within desired ranges to reduce unwanted migration of the span.

The invention concerns a hoisting cable formed of a steel core coated at its periphery with a textile sheath, wherein said textile sheath is a sheath directly braided on the steel core and made of an abrasion-resistant synthetic material.

The invention concerns a hoisting cable formed of a steel core coated at its periphery with a textile sheath, wherein said textile sheath is a sheath directly braided on the steel core and made of an abrasion-resistant synthetic material.

A tower for a pipe laying system comprises a frame with a leg to support the frame, and a winch support integrally formed with the leg. The winch support is able to receive and support a winch and/or winch components. The winch support can be formed in a lower portion of the tower leg.

A pulley includes a securing head and a first flange. A first shaft extends from the first flange. A sheave is mounted rotatable around the first shaft in one direction of rotation only. A cam is mounted able to move away from or towards the sheave. A spring is fitted to exert a force moving the cam towards the sheave. A handle is mounted on the first flange to move the cam between the first and second positions.