A hoisting system of this disclosure includes a drawworks, a crown block or a compensator, a traveling block and at least one sheave assembly connected to the crown block or compensator in Low Load/High Speed mode and connected to the traveling block in High Load/Low Speed mode. A method to lift a load using a hoisting system of this disclosure uses a drawworks, a crown block or a compensator, a traveling block and at least one sheave assembly connected to the crown block or compensator in Low Load/High Speed mode and connected to the traveling block in High Load/Low Speed mode.

A hoisting system of this disclosure includes a drawworks, a crown block or a compensator, a traveling block and at least one sheave assembly connected to the crown block or compensator in Low Load/High Speed mode and connected to the traveling block in High Load/Low Speed mode. A method to lift a load using a hoisting system of this disclosure uses a drawworks, a crown block or a compensator, a traveling block and at least one sheave assembly connected to the crown block or compensator in Low Load/High Speed mode and connected to the traveling block in High Load/Low Speed mode.

A pulley block for tackles has a pulley surrounded by a covering hood having inlet and outlet openings for a load cable, with a covering element inserted into at least one of the openings and retained by a retaining strip reaching behind an edge of the opening. The covering element has an opening for the load cable that is less than the inlet and outlet opening in the covering hood. The covering element is divided into first and second covering parts such that to mount the covering element on the covering hood with the load cable in a reeved state, the first and second covering parts can be inserted into the inlet and outlet opening via the retaining strips of the first and second covering parts, then reach behind the edge of the inlet and outlet opening, and then be joined to form the covering element in a mounted state.

A pulley block for tackles has a pulley surrounded by a covering hood having inlet and outlet openings for a load cable, with a covering element inserted into at least one of the openings and retained by a retaining strip reaching behind an edge of the opening. The covering element has an opening for the load cable that is less than the inlet and outlet opening in the covering hood. The covering element is divided into first and second covering parts such that to mount the covering element on the covering hood with the load cable in a reeved state, the first and second covering parts can be inserted into the inlet and outlet opening via the retaining strips of the first and second covering parts, then reach behind the edge of the inlet and outlet opening, and then be joined to form the covering element in a mounted state.

A portable winch and method of use is shown. One advantage of winches shown includes an ability to lower a boom or boom sections into limited access exit pit for winching operations such as pipe bursting. Sectional boom designs shown provide the ability to easily raise and lower a boom large distances without the need for a single long boom. Selected winch designs shown include flexible inserts between the boom and the winch frame that help resist damage from unforeseen shifting of the device during operation. Designs and methods shown also include multiple pulleys on a boom end unit. Fasteners are shown that reduce build up of debris.

The invention relates to a device (10) for safe access to a confined space, comprising: a rectilinear support strut (12), two arms (14, 16) each fixed rigidly to an end (12a) of the strut, at right angles thereto and in opposite directions.

A first arm (14) comprises at least one anchoring element (18), the second arm (16) being provided with at least two pulleys (20, 22) whose axis of rotation is at right angles to the plane defined by the strut and the arms. The anchoring element (18) and the two pulleys (20, 22) are arranged so as to allow the passage of a cordage of the anchoring element to the pulleys without interfering with the strut and the first and second arms. The strut (12) has at least one fixing member intended to cooperate with an opening (84) of the confined space in order to ensure the fixing thereof.

The invention relates to a device (10) for safe access to a confined space, comprising: a rectilinear support strut (12), two arms (14, 16) each fixed rigidly to an end (12a) of the strut, at right angles thereto and in opposite directions.

A first arm (14) comprises at least one anchoring element (18), the second arm (16) being provided with at least two pulleys (20, 22) whose axis of rotation is at right angles to the plane defined by the strut and the arms. The anchoring element (18) and the two pulleys (20, 22) are arranged so as to allow the passage of a cordage of the anchoring element to the pulleys without interfering with the strut and the first and second arms. The strut (12) has at least one fixing member intended to cooperate with an opening (84) of the confined space in order to ensure the fixing thereof.

A method for replacing a length of a wire/cable in a hoisting system. The wire/cable extends from a storage drum to a winch. The method includes removing at least one lock which prevents a deadline anchor arranged between the storage drum and the winch from rotating, reeling onto the storage drum a first length of the wire/cable with a simultaneous coordinated operation of the deadline anchor and the storage drum, the simultaneous coordinated operation being controlled so that the wire/cable is in a continuous tension between the deadline anchor and the storage drum, securing the wire/cable to an attachment point, cutting a section of the wire/cable between the attachment point and the winch and removing the cut section of the wire/cable, reattaching the wire/cable remaining to the winch, reeling out a second length of the wire/cable from the storage drum, and securing the wire/cable to the deadline anchor.

A method for replacing a length of a wire/cable in a hoisting system. The wire/cable extends from a storage drum to a winch. The method includes removing at least one lock which prevents a deadline anchor arranged between the storage drum and the winch from rotating, reeling onto the storage drum a first length of the wire/cable with a simultaneous coordinated operation of the deadline anchor and the storage drum, the simultaneous coordinated operation being controlled so that the wire/cable is in a continuous tension between the deadline anchor and the storage drum, securing the wire/cable to an attachment point, cutting a section of the wire/cable between the attachment point and the winch and removing the cut section of the wire/cable, reattaching the wire/cable remaining to the winch, reeling out a second length of the wire/cable from the storage drum, and securing the wire/cable to the deadline anchor.

A pulley device includes a strap loop, a cord-securing component and cord respectively attached to the strap loop, a pulley component, the cord attached to the pulley component. The pulley component includes a housing, and may include a wheel that rotates within the housing. The wheel may have a circumferential groove or flat circumferential side to accommodate a cord or belt. The cord may form a loop, enabling the cord loop to be secured on the cord-securing component so that the pulley device may be worn on a person's wrist.