The invention relates to a hook (10), which may for example be used with a crane to lift heavy loads. In one embodiment, the hook may have a load-bearing portion (12) and an arm portion (14) where the arm portion can pivot relative to the load-bearing portion between open and closed configurations and may have a locking mechanism (20, 21, 29, 30, 32) that can lock the arm portion with respect to the load-bearing portion in the open configuration of the hook, in which configuration the arm portion and the load-bearing portion together define a discontinuous boundary. The hook may also be provided with a suspension portion (74), and the suspension portion, the load-bearing portion and the arm portion may be pivotally coupled with respect to each other.

A hook for lifting a component includes a hook body and a latch. The hook body includes a coupling portion having an elongate aperture defined therein for receiving at least a portion of a chain, and an engaging portion extending from the coupling portion, the engaging portion defining a hook opening sized for receiving a first portion of the component therein. The latch is pivotably coupled to the coupling portion and pivotable between a first position and a second position relative to the hook body. The latch occludes the hook opening in the second position. The latch defines a chain aperture that is aligned with the elongate aperture such that the portion of the chain extends through each of the elongate aperture and the chain aperture and causes the latch to pivot between the first and second positions in response to a load being applied to the hook.

A hook for lifting a component includes a hook body and a latch. The hook body includes a coupling portion having an elongate aperture defined therein for receiving at least a portion of a chain, and an engaging portion extending from the coupling portion, the engaging portion defining a hook opening sized for receiving a first portion of the component therein. The latch is pivotably coupled to the coupling portion and pivotable between a first position and a second position relative to the hook body. The latch occludes the hook opening in the second position. The latch defines a chain aperture that is aligned with the elongate aperture such that the portion of the chain extends through each of the elongate aperture and the chain aperture and causes the latch to pivot between the first and second positions in response to a load being applied to the hook.

An unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) transport cart comprising: a wheeled frame including vertical posts, a front end, and a rear end; a UUV cradle adjustably clamped to the vertical posts such that the UUV cradle is vertically adjustable with respect to the frame; a U-shaped handle pivotally attached to the front end of the frame such that the U-shaped handle pivots up and down around a first axis, wherein the U-shaped handle includes a handle spring that acts between the U-shaped handle and the frame so as to bias the U-shaped handle toward an upward orientation; side handles pivotally attached to the UUV cradle such that the side handles pivot up and down around side axes that are perpendicular to the first axis; and a hand brake affixed to the U-shaped handle and configured to provide active brake control of the wheeled frame.

An unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) transport cart comprising: a wheeled frame including vertical posts, a front end, and a rear end; a UUV cradle adjustably clamped to the vertical posts such that the UUV cradle is vertically adjustable with respect to the frame; a U-shaped handle pivotally attached to the front end of the frame such that the U-shaped handle pivots up and down around a first axis, wherein the U-shaped handle includes a handle spring that acts between the U-shaped handle and the frame so as to bias the U-shaped handle toward an upward orientation; side handles pivotally attached to the UUV cradle such that the side handles pivot up and down around side axes that are perpendicular to the first axis; and a hand brake affixed to the U-shaped handle and configured to provide active brake control of the wheeled frame.

A method according to certain embodiments generally involves operating a system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a base station. The base station includes a nest including an upper opening having an upper opening diameter and a lower opening having a lower opening diameter less than the upper opening diameter. The lower opening is accessible from within the base station. The method generally includes landing the UAV within the nest such that a portion of the UAV is accessible via the lower opening, releasably attaching a load to the UAV, and operating the UAV to deliver the load to a destination.

An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a control system, and at least one rotor. The chassis includes a first battery compartment configured to receive sliding insertion of a first battery, and a second battery compartment configured to receive sliding insertion of a second battery. The control system is operable to receive power from the first battery and the second battery when the first battery is received in the first battery compartment and the second battery is received in the second battery compartment. The at least one rotor is operable to generate lift under control of the control system when both the first battery and the second battery are installed to the chassis. The control system is configured to remain at least partially active under power supplied by the first battery when the second battery is removed from the second battery compartment.

A hoist or hoisting device is configure to place a pallet on a roof without the need of a person on the roof. The hoist includes a deflector that moves between a first position and a second position and releases a strap from an open hook as the deflector moves from the first position. A release arm on the deflector contacts a portion of the strap to push the strap off the open hook after the pallet has contacted the roof. The hoist may then be raised and the strap be unthreaded and pulled upward through the pallet to leave the pallet installed on the roof.

A hook with a latch and trigger mechanism assembly. The assembly includes a hook having a body and an open saddle. A latch is pivotable between a closed position and an open position. A finger handle extends from the body. A finger trigger entirely within a space between the finger handle and the body is movable between a closed rest position and a retracted position permitting movement of the latch to the open position.

A hook with a latch and trigger mechanism assembly. The assembly includes a hook having a body and an open saddle. A latch is pivotable between a closed position and an open position. A finger handle extends from the body. A finger trigger entirely within a space between the finger handle and the body is movable between a closed rest position and a retracted position permitting movement of the latch to the open position.