A winch device including a spool having a hub rotatable about a hub axis, a first flange at a first end of the hub, a second flange at a second end of the hub, and a plurality of posts including proximal ends and distal ends, wherein each of the posts are offset from the hub axis. The plurality of posts are movable along hub axis such that the spool is selectively configurable back and forth between an open configuration and a closed configuration. When the spool is in the open configuration there is a gap between distal ends of the posts and the second flange. When the spool is in the closed configuration the gap is substantially closed. The spool further includes a biasing member for biasing the spool towards the closed configuration, a first reset motor for effecting movement of the plurality of posts from the closed configuration to the open configuration, and a second motor for effecting axial rotation of the spool about hub axis causing the plurality of posts to rotate radially about hub axis when the spool is in the closed configuration.

A winch device including a spool having a hub rotatable about a hub axis, a first flange at a first end of the hub, a second flange at a second end of the hub, and a plurality of posts including proximal ends and distal ends, wherein each of the posts are offset from the hub axis. The plurality of posts are movable along hub axis such that the spool is selectively configurable back and forth between an open configuration and a closed configuration. When the spool is in the open configuration there is a gap between distal ends of the posts and the second flange. When the spool is in the closed configuration the gap is substantially closed. The spool further includes a biasing member for biasing the spool towards the closed configuration, a first reset motor for effecting movement of the plurality of posts from the closed configuration to the open configuration, and a second motor for effecting axial rotation of the spool about hub axis causing the plurality of posts to rotate radially about hub axis when the spool is in the closed configuration.

A method for creating a termination by attaching some kind of fitting to the end of a tensile member such as a cable. The end fitting is provided with one or more internal cavities. Each cavity has a proximal portion that is adjacent to the area where the tensile member exits the fitting and a distal portion on its opposite end. A length of the tensile member's filaments is placed within this expanding cavity and infused with liquid potting compound. The method exploits the characteristic of a liquid potting compound as it transitions to a solid. Once the potting compound in at least a portion of the cavity has transitioned sufficiently to hold the filaments at a desired level, tension is placed on the tensile member and a small linear displacement may be imposed on the tensile member. This linear displacement tends to pull the filaments residing in the potting compound into better alignment and improve load sharing. The invention can be applied to single fittings having multiple cavities and to multiple fittings having only one cavity per fitting.

A winch assembly includes a base having first and second sides, a first shaft supported by the base and supporting a gear and a reel, and a second shaft supported by the base and supporting a ratchet gear. The ratchet gear meshes with the gear and a pawl, and a handle is attached to the second shaft for rotation thereof. The winch includes a cover having a top movable between first and second positions and first and second sides rotatably supporting the top. The first side may include a first arm extending toward and engaging a second arm extending from the second side. The top may include hooks for engaging a shaft extending between the sides of the cover. The sides of the cover may each include at least one retainer clip and the top includes corresponding lugs for engaging the at least one retainer clips.

A hoist drum is disclosed for use with a power shovel. The hoist drum may have a body that is hollow and generally cylindrical, and an anchor connected to an outer annular surface of the body. The hoist drum may also have at least one stiffener located inside the body and extending in an axial direction of the body across the anchor.

A winch line retainer for attaching the winch line to a winch drum may be formed as a strap defining a first retention loop at a first lateral end of the strap, a second retention loop at a second lateral end of the strap, and a mid-section that connects the first retention loop and the first lateral end and the second retention loop at the second lateral end. A method for attaching a synthetic rope winch line to a winch drum using the winch line retainer is further disclosed.

A winch line retainer for attaching the winch line to a winch drum may be formed as a strap defining a first retention loop at a first lateral end of the strap, a second retention loop at a second lateral end of the strap, and a mid-section that connects the first retention loop and the first lateral end and the second retention loop at the second lateral end. A method for attaching a synthetic rope winch line to a winch drum using the winch line retainer is further disclosed.

One aspect of the disclosed subject matter is seen in a wire access line drum assembly that includes a tubular drum and an insert positionable therein to accommodate wire access lines of varying diameter. The tubular drum has a first and a second end and an inner and outer surface. The insert is positionable adjacent the first end of the tubular drum and has a curved channel formed therein extending between the inner and outer surfaces of the tubular drum. The insert has a ramp substantially coinciding with the outer surface of the drum at a first end portion and extending above the outer surface of the drum at a second end portion adjacent the curved channel. The height of the ramp at the second end portion is selected to be substantially similar to the diameter of the wire access line to be stored on the drum assembly.

One aspect of the disclosed subject matter is seen in a wire access line drum assembly that includes a tubular drum and an insert positionable therein to accommodate wire access lines of varying diameter. The tubular drum has a first and a second end and an inner and outer surface. The insert is positionable adjacent the first end of the tubular drum and has a curved channel formed therein extending between the inner and outer surfaces of the tubular drum. The insert has a ramp substantially coinciding with the outer surface of the drum at a first end portion and extending above the outer surface of the drum at a second end portion adjacent the curved channel. The height of the ramp at the second end portion is selected to be substantially similar to the diameter of the wire access line to be stored on the drum assembly.

The present invention is directed to the affixion of an exoskeleton device that can include multiple rotational degrees of freedom in its attachment mechanism to approximate linear motion orthogonal to the person's line of action. The present invention can include one or more additional, non-parallel degrees of freedom. The present invention provides a sliding mechanism for adjusting the exoskeleton mating point along the user's body.