A shackle for a choker hitch includes a shackle body having a first end portion and a second end portion, a stabilizer portion positioned therebetween, a first leg and a second leg fixedly spaced apart by, and connected to, the stabilizer. The body includes a load-facing surface with a gripping surface extending from the first to the second end portion. A rod is removably positioned across the first end portion, and rigidly and removably connects the first leg to the second leg at the first end portion. A remotely releasable pin device includes a pin removably positioned across the second end portion and releasably connecting the first leg to the second leg at the second end portion. The load-facing surface may be curved or flat. The pin may be at 90 degrees for horizontal lifts, or less, e.g., 80 degrees, to the shackle body for vertical lifts.

A shackle for a choker hitch includes a shackle body having a first end portion and a second end portion, a stabilizer portion positioned therebetween, a first leg and a second leg fixedly spaced apart by, and connected to, the stabilizer. The body includes a load-facing surface with a gripping surface extending from the first to the second end portion. A rod is removably positioned across the first end portion, and rigidly and removably connects the first leg to the second leg at the first end portion. A remotely releasable pin device includes a pin removably positioned across the second end portion and releasably connecting the first leg to the second leg at the second end portion. The load-facing surface may be curved or flat. The pin may be at 90 degrees for horizontal lifts, or less, e.g., 80 degrees, to the shackle body for vertical lifts.

A multi-purpose emergency services strap for facilitating lifting, transporting or carrying an individual has a strap body with a plurality of independent loops formed in the strap body. The independent loops include at least two adjacent, proximal leg loops formed in the strap body on either side of the midline, end loops on each end of the multi-purpose emergency services strap, and a plurality of adjacent handles formed in the strap body positioned distal to each of the at least two adjacent, leg loops and proximal to the end loops. The multi-purpose emergency services strap also includes a back strap and attachment loops that can be variously configured for many rescue and transport applications for humans and animals.

A multi-purpose emergency services strap for facilitating lifting, transporting or carrying an individual has a strap body with a plurality of independent loops formed in the strap body. The independent loops include at least two adjacent, proximal leg loops formed in the strap body on either side of the midline, end loops on each end of the multi-purpose emergency services strap, and a plurality of adjacent handles formed in the strap body positioned distal to each of the at least two adjacent, leg loops and proximal to the end loops. The multi-purpose emergency services strap also includes a back strap and attachment loops that can be variously configured for many rescue and transport applications for humans and animals.

A utility device tailored for firefighting, rescue, and life safety applications. The utility device has a tether section, a handle, and a fastener. The handle is connected to a proximal end of the tether section and the fastener is connected to a distal end of the tether section. Ideally, the tether section is formed of webbing and the handle is defined by a loop formed in the proximal end of the tether section. The fastener preferably comprises a carabiner with a spring-loaded gate and a captive eye frame. The utility device is operative in both a connected loop state, in which the fastener is attached to the handle, and an elongated state, in which the fastener is not attached to the handle. The utility device is a compact, portable, and versatile tool capable of facilitating a wide range of standard firefighting practices.

A lightweight and flexible load bearing shackle that is configurable in operation. The shackle includes a bow made of a plurality of loops of synthetic fiber rope (e.g., polypropylene, nylon, polyester, polyethylene, Aramid, acrylic, mixtures of several fibers, co-polymer fibers, straight, braided, twisted). The loops of fiber rope may be contained within a sheathing configured as a single loop. The sheathing is secured together to form a receptacle (opening) in each leg of the bow that is reinforced with an eyelet. The eyelets may be split eyelets that include a first/second side mounted to a first/second side of the receptacle that are then secured together over the receptacle. A connection pin may be secured between the eyelets. The shackle may include a spacing mechanism (e.g., casing that connection pin traverses, connection pin that has wider center portion) between the legs to maintain the legs a certain distance apart.

A lightweight and flexible load bearing shackle that is configurable in operation. The shackle includes a bow made of a plurality of loops of synthetic fiber rope (e.g., polypropylene, nylon, polyester, polyethylene, Aramid, acrylic, mixtures of several fibers, co-polymer fibers, straight, braided, twisted). The loops of fiber rope may be contained within a sheathing configured as a single loop. The sheathing is secured together to form a receptacle (opening) in each leg of the bow that is reinforced with an eyelet. The eyelets may be split eyelets that include a first/second side mounted to a first/second side of the receptacle that are then secured together over the receptacle. A connection pin may be secured between the eyelets. The shackle may include a spacing mechanism (e.g., casing that connection pin traverses, connection pin that has wider center portion) between the legs to maintain the legs a certain distance apart.

A system for lifting a wind turbine rotor blade, including a wind turbine rotor blade, a lifting device having a sling, the sling supporting the wind turbine rotor blade at a longitudinal position where the wind turbine rotor blade has an aerodynamic profile, a leading edge and a profile chord arranged horizontally, and a leading edge protector having a front portion placed at the leading edge and a lower leg extending from the front portion and placed below the wind turbine rotor blade, wherein the front portion and the lower leg are formed as a sandwich construction having an inner top layer, an outer top layer and a core material, wherein a thickness of the core material increases from a free end of the lower leg towards the front portion in order to reduce a deformation of the wind turbine rotor blade at the leading edge.

A system for lifting a wind turbine rotor blade, including a wind turbine rotor blade, a lifting device having a sling, the sling supporting the wind turbine rotor blade at a longitudinal position where the wind turbine rotor blade has an aerodynamic profile, a leading edge and a profile chord arranged horizontally, and a leading edge protector having a front portion placed at the leading edge and a lower leg extending from the front portion and placed below the wind turbine rotor blade, wherein the front portion and the lower leg are formed as a sandwich construction having an inner top layer, an outer top layer and a core material, wherein a thickness of the core material increases from a free end of the lower leg towards the front portion in order to reduce a deformation of the wind turbine rotor blade at the leading edge.

The invention relates to an endless shaped article comprising at least one strip of material forming a plurality of convolutions of the strip of material, the strip having a longitudinal axis, wherein each convolution of said strip comprises a twist along the longitudinal axis of said strip, wherein said twist is an odd multiple of 180 degrees. The invention also relates to a method to manufacture said article, and its use as sling, loop, belt or chain link.