A method of controlling operation of a linear actuator, including maintaining the linear actuator in equilibrium when supporting a first load, determining application of a second load on the linear actuator, and selectively actuating the linear actuator in response to application of the second load on the linear actuator.

A portable vehicle lift and methods of using the same are provided. The portable vehicle lift comprises a carriage, a head saddle, and a lift driver. The head saddle is movably connected to the carriage so that it is shiftable between a lowered position and a raised position. The lift driver supported on the carriage and configured to lift the head saddle.

An integrated vehicle jacking assembly includes a plurality of jacks that is each coupled to a bottom side of a vehicle. Each of the jacks is actuatable into an extended position for lifting a respective driver's side or passenger's side of the vehicle upwardly thereby facilitating tires on the respective driver's side or passenger's side of the vehicle to be removed and replaced. A control unit is positioned within the vehicle and the control unit is operationally coupled to each of the jacks. The control unit actuates one or both of the jacks between the extended position and the retracted position. A plurality of wheel chocks is provided for inhibiting the vehicle from rolling when the vehicle is lifted.

A drum loading and unloading system and method for loading and unloading a drum. The system includes a portable base unit having pedestals for holding a drum at a predetermined position for loading and unloading material from the drum; a pair of pneumatic cylinders attached to the portable base supporting a cross-beam; a pumping piston attached to the cross-beam for pumping material into and out of the drum; and a lifting device attached to the cross-beam for lifting the drum onto the pedestals of the portable base.

A lifting device including a first platform, a second platform, a gas spring and a locking device is provided. The first platform includes a base and a first column connected to each other. The second platform includes a working table and a second column connected to each other. The second column and the first column are movably connected. The second column has a plurality of engaging holes. The gas spring includes a first end and a second end opposite to each other. The first end connected to the first column, and the second end connected to the second column. The locking device partially disposed at the first column, and a portion of the locking device being adapted to penetrate the engaging holes to fix a relative position between the second column and the first column.

A monopodic surface preparation apparatus includes a linear actuator and a base coupled to the linear actuator. The linear actuator is pivotally moveable relative to the base when the linear actuator is in an extended position. A lock restricts pivotal movement of the linear actuator when the linear actuator is in a retracted position. A rotary surface preparation tool is coupled to the linear actuator. The rotary surface preparation tool is linearly moveable using the linear actuator and is pivotally moveable relative to the linear actuator. A control handle is coupled to the linear actuator to pivot the linear actuator relative to the base when the linear actuator is in the extended position. An actuator-controller is coupled to the control handle and configured to selectively actuate the linear actuator. A tool-controller is coupled to the control handle and configured to selectively energize the rotary surface preparation tool.

A hand held jacking/levelling-tool is provided comprising a jacking shaft and a frame moving relative to each other during jacking action, a caulking gun jacking mechanism providing the jacking action, two outer legs fastened to one of the frame and the jacking shaft and one middle leg fastened to the other of the frame and the jacking shaft being positioned between a left and right outer leg. Furthermore the jacking/levelling tool comprises a foot fastened at a right angle to each leg and pointing in the same direction. The jacking action causes the jacking shaft to move downward through the frame.

An inflatable air wedge has a tool channel that is inserted between a vehicle door and a vehicle body for allowing an operator to effectively unlock the vehicle door without damaging the vehicle (door and/or body and/or weather stripping). The inflatable air wedge includes a selectively inflatable bladder capable of being intercalated between the existing vehicle door and the existing vehicle body, a pneumatic mechanism in operable communication with the bladder for selectively introducing and releasing air from the bladder, and a conduit engaged with the bladder. Advantageously, such a conduit is suitably sized and shaped for guiding an existing unlocking tool therethrough while the bladder is at an inflated state and seated between the vehicle door and the vehicle body. Notably, the conduit is spaced from the pneumatic mechanism and manually distended when the unlocking tool is positioned therein.

An inflatable air wedge has a tool channel that is inserted between a vehicle door and a vehicle body for allowing an operator to effectively unlock the vehicle door without damaging the vehicle (door and/or body and/or weather stripping). The inflatable air wedge includes a selectively inflatable bladder capable of being intercalated between the existing vehicle door and the existing vehicle body, a pneumatic mechanism in operable communication with the bladder for selectively introducing and releasing air from the bladder, and a conduit engaged with the bladder. Advantageously, such a conduit is suitably sized and shaped for guiding an existing unlocking tool therethrough while the bladder is at an inflated state and seated between the vehicle door and the vehicle body. Notably, the conduit is spaced from the pneumatic mechanism and manually distended when the unlocking tool is positioned therein.

Pumping machine (650, 750) comprising: at least two tubular elements (651, 751) containing pressurized gas and extending vertically in parallel and interconnected between them by means of a connecting element (652, 752); andan electromechanical lifting system (600, 700) comprising a first cylinder (601, 701), interconnected to the tubular elements (651, 751) and comprising a substance compressible by a piston (601b, 701b); and a screw (602, 702) with a vertical axis Y coinciding with the axis of the pumping machine (650, 750). The screw (602, 702) is inserted inside a second thrust cylinder (658, 758), connected in sliding manner inside the first cylinder (601, 701), and has a first end (602b, 702b) fixed to the connecting element (652, 752) and a second end (602a, 702a) configured for sliding inside the thrust cylinder (658, 758) and overlying a chamber (605, 705) comprising lubrication and cooling oil overlying the piston (601b, 701b).