The present invention relates to a lifting column and a first and second mast for lifting a vehicle, a lifting system including one or more of these lifting columns and a method for lifting a vehicle. The lifting column according to the invention includes a frame provided with a first mast and a second mast; at least one carrier configured for engaging the vehicle, with the at least one carrier moveable relative to the first and second mast; and a lifting mechanism with a drive for moving the at least one carrier and lifting the vehicle. The first and second mast are positioned on the frame at a mast distance, with the mast distance enabling access to a wheel of the vehicle.

In a lifting and transporting device for lifting a load and transporting the load transversely to the lifting direction, for use in manufacturing a screwed flange connection, in order to bring a bolting tool into a bolting position, in which it is in engagement with a screw bolt connection to be tightened or to be released, or into a transport position in which it can be moved out of engagement with a screw bolt connection and can be transported to the next screw bolt connection, wherein the flange extends horizontally in the transport direction, comprising a frame which extends around a load space of specified size for picking up and lifting a load, a holding mechanism for holding the load, wherein the holding mechanism is movable relative to the frame in the lifting direction, and comprising a hoisting device which beside the load space is attached to the frame and is adapted for lifting and lowering the holding mechanism with a load attached thereto, wherein the frame is mounted on a first and a second support bearing whose supporting directions each extend perpendicularly to the transport direction and which have a distance to each other perpendicularly to the transport direction, wherein the first support bearing is designed for abutment against the flange upper side, and wherein at least the first support bearing includes sliding members or rollers which can be shifted or rolled off in the transport direction, the frame includes a first frame portion and a second frame portion, wherein the second frame portion is pivotally mounted on the first frame portion about an axis which extends in the transport direction, the first support bearing is attached to the first frame portion, the holding mechanism is mounted on the second frame portion so as to be shiftable in the lifting direction and is non-pivotably mounted with respect to the second frame portion about an axis extending in the transport direction, and the holding mechanism is configured to non-pivotably hold the load with respect to the holding mechanism about an axis extending in the transport direction.

In a lifting and transporting device for lifting a load and transporting the load transversely to the lifting direction, for use in manufacturing a screwed flange connection, in order to bring a bolting tool into a bolting position, in which it is in engagement with a screw bolt connection to be tightened or to be released, or into a transport position in which it can be moved out of engagement with a screw bolt connection and can be transported to the next screw bolt connection, wherein the flange extends horizontally in the transport direction, comprising a frame which extends around a load space of specified size for picking up and lifting a load, a holding mechanism for holding the load, wherein the holding mechanism is movable relative to the frame in the lifting direction, and comprising a hoisting device which beside the load space is attached to the frame and is adapted for lifting and lowering the holding mechanism with a load attached thereto, wherein the frame is mounted on a first and a second support bearing whose supporting directions each extend perpendicularly to the transport direction and which have a distance to each other perpendicularly to the transport direction, wherein the first support bearing is designed for abutment against the flange upper side, and wherein at least the first support bearing includes sliding members or rollers which can be shifted or rolled off in the transport direction, the frame includes a first frame portion and a second frame portion, wherein the second frame portion is pivotally mounted on the first frame portion about an axis which extends in the transport direction, the first support bearing is attached to the first frame portion, the holding mechanism is mounted on the second frame portion so as to be shiftable in the lifting direction and is non-pivotably mounted with respect to the second frame portion about an axis extending in the transport direction, and the holding mechanism is configured to non-pivotably hold the load with respect to the holding mechanism about an axis extending in the transport direction.

A pressing device is provided, including: a main body, including a chamber; a pushing assembly, including a retractable mechanism movably inserted within the chamber, a first pushing board connected with the retractable mechanism and a restricting member embedded within the chamber and blocking the retractable mechanism from moving out of the chamber; a hydraulic mechanism, including a tube body which is connected with the main body and communicated with the chamber, a driving rod movably inserted within the tube body and a piston driven by the driving rod, the piston being configured to drive fluid to flow in or out of the chamber. Another pressing device is further provided, differing from the pressing device described above in that: the main body further including a channel, a wall of the chamber including at least one recession which is communicated with the channel.

A pressing device is provided, including: a main body, including a chamber; a pushing assembly, including a retractable mechanism movably inserted within the chamber, a first pushing board connected with the retractable mechanism and a restricting member embedded within the chamber and blocking the retractable mechanism from moving out of the chamber; a hydraulic mechanism, including a tube body which is connected with the main body and communicated with the chamber, a driving rod movably inserted within the tube body and a piston driven by the driving rod, the piston being configured to drive fluid to flow in or out of the chamber. Another pressing device is further provided, differing from the pressing device described above in that: the main body further including a channel, a wall of the chamber including at least one recession which is communicated with the channel.

A lifting device for use in lifting towable irrigation towers mounted on an all terrain vehicle (ATV). The lifting device having a support frame fitted beneath the ATV, a parallelogram linkage attached to the support frame operable with a hydraulic cylinder between a collapsed and upright position with saddles on an upper rail for lifting an axle of the tower such that the tower wheels can be rotated, a winch for raising and lowering the support frame and a suspension limiter for stopping movement of the support frame in the up position such that the frame does not damage the underside of the ATV.

A lifting device for use in lifting towable irrigation towers mounted on an all terrain vehicle (ATV). The lifting device having a support frame fitted beneath the ATV, a parallelogram linkage attached to the support frame operable with a hydraulic cylinder between a collapsed and upright position with saddles on an upper rail for lifting an axle of the tower such that the tower wheels can be rotated, a winch for raising and lowering the support frame and a suspension limiter for stopping movement of the support frame in the up position such that the frame does not damage the underside of the ATV.

An inflatable structure includes a top end cap, a bottom end cap, a bladder attached to the top and bottom end caps and configured to hold pressurized air, a plurality of tethers disposed within the bladder, the inflatable structure moveable between a stowed profile and a final support profile, wherein the bladder is pressurized and expanded axially and the plurality of tethers are fully extended and restrict further movement of the top end cap and the bottom end cap away from one another and limit axial expansion of the bladder, a pulley assembly mounted within the bottom end cap, wherein in the stowed support profile, the plurality of tethers are wound onto the pulley assembly, the pulley assembly adapted to allow selective extension of the tethers allowing axial expansion of the bladder, wherein, the inflatable structure is adapted to provide multiple intermediary support profiles capable of supporting compressive loading.

An inflatable structure includes a top end cap, a bottom end cap, a bladder attached to the top and bottom end caps and configured to hold pressurized air, a plurality of tethers disposed within the bladder, the inflatable structure moveable between a stowed profile and a final support profile, wherein the bladder is pressurized and expanded axially and the plurality of tethers are fully extended and restrict further movement of the top end cap and the bottom end cap away from one another and limit axial expansion of the bladder, a pulley assembly mounted within the bottom end cap, wherein in the stowed support profile, the plurality of tethers are wound onto the pulley assembly, the pulley assembly adapted to allow selective extension of the tethers allowing axial expansion of the bladder, wherein, the inflatable structure is adapted to provide multiple intermediary support profiles capable of supporting compressive loading.

A support assembly comprises a bracket, a blocking member, and a spring. The blocking member is adapted to slidingly move within a through opening of a support member. The blocking member is adapted to be selectively moved from a supporting position to a non-supporting position. The spring is adapted to bias the blocking member towards the non-supporting position. In certain embodiments, the bracket is adapted to retain the blocking member at least partially within the through opening when the bracket is mounted to a hoist. In certain embodiments, the blocking member comprises a handle comprising a pin axially aligned within a compression spring and the bracket comprises a notch adapted to receive the handle.