A tong assembly for use with a work vehicle for grasping irregular shaped objects such as large rocks and smaller sized boulders. The tong assembly includes specially designed load engagement pads having a rectangular configuration of steel bars and attachable to the tong arms proximate their lower ends. A pair of the bars that extend parallel to one another, but normal to the tong arms have a serrated arcuate load engaging surface for enhancing the ability of the tong assembly to grasp and retain irregular shaped objects.

Aspects herein are directed to a clamp having a linkage coupled to a first end of a first and second clamp member. Based on applying a first directional force to the linkage, the linkage generates a force that moves the second ends of the first and second clamp member towards one another, thereby biasing the clamp to the closed position. The clamp secures a strap when the clamp is in the closed position and releases the strap when the clamp is in an open position.

A support assembly including a coupler, a first arm having a proximate end movably coupled to the coupler, a distal end opposite the proximate end, and a second arm having a proximate end movably coupled to the coupler, a distal end opposite the proximate end. The support assembly is movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position. When moving from the disengaged position to the engaged position, the distal end of the first arm and the distal end of the second arm move toward each other.

Lifting apparatus for lifting, conveying and/or positioning blocks or slabs, such as blocks or slabs made of concrete, masonry, stone, brick, or similar materials, and methods of lifting, conveying and/or positioning such materials. The lifting apparatus may include two spaced block supporters that are positioned or positionable to respectively mechanically engage a block or slab to support the same mechanically. Upon biasing the two spaced block supporters, the block is engaged and its weight supported, and the block may be lifted, conveyed and/or positioned at a desired location. Unbiasing the block supporters releases the block. A plurality of lifting apparatuses may be used together, including in modular form.

The present invention relates to a device for storing tires, particularly large tires, said tire storage device comprising a plurality of storage niches (10) and at least one elevator disposed in a front portion (31) of the device and engaging the plurality of storage niches (10), each storage niche (10) consisting of an inclined upper platform (II), a lower inclined platform (12), and a connecting platform (13) associating the upper platform (11) with the lower platform (12), the upper platform (11) comprising an inlet end of the tire (111) engaging the elevator and a second end (112) opposite the inlet end of the tire (111) engaging the connecting platform (13), the lower platform (12) comprising a first end (121) engaging the connecting platform and an outlet end of the tire (122) opposite the first end (121).

A tong assembly for use with a work vehicle for grasping irregular shaped objects such as large rocks and smaller sized boulders. The tong assembly includes specially designed load engagement pads having a rectangular configuration of steel bars and attachable to the tong arms proximate their lower ends. A pair of the bars that extend parallel to one another, but normal to the tong arms have a serrated arcuate load engaging surface for enhancing the ability of the tong assembly to grasp and retain irregular shaped objects.

A gripping device for shells that includes a pair of jaws intended to clamp a shell, each jaw being able to pivot towards a closed position obtained by applying the top end of each jaw to the shell. A locking means links the top ends of the jaws and includes two connecting rods and a central segment linking these connecting rods. The connecting rods are articulated relative to the jaws by a first articulation and by a second articulation to the central segment. A spring links each first articulation to a central point of the segment. A movable stop situated above the locking means is capable of pushing the locking means downwards until it is below an unstable equilibrium position of the locking means.

Aspects herein are directed to a clamp having a linkage coupled to a first end of a first and second clamp member. Based on applying a first directional force to the linkage, the linkage generates a force that moves the second ends of the first and second clamp member towards one another, thereby biasing the clamp to the closed position. The clamp secures a strap when the clamp is in the closed position and releases the strap when the clamp is in an open position.

A lifting mechanism assembly comprising a lifting section, a compression section, and an attaching section.

An automatic locking mechanism can include one or more annular elements having teeth facing each other or facing away from each other. The automatic locking mechanism can include a rod disposed between the annular elements. The rod can have one or more pins configured to interface with the teeth of the annular elements. The pins and the teeth are also configured to rotate the rod when the annular elements move relative to the rod. The rotation of the rod can toggle a hook end of the rod in a hook receptacle, which can change states of the locking mechanism.