A strap hoist assembly comprises a strap hoist including a frame and a reel for reeling strap, and a drive assembly removably coupled to the strap hoist. The drive assembly includes a power unit and an onboard battery pack. The drive assembly is configured to provide an output torque to rotate the reel in a rotational direction to apply an output force to the strap. The strap hoist is configured to be powered by the drive assembly or manually operated when disconnected from the drive assembly.

A strap hoist assembly comprises a strap hoist including a frame and a reel for reeling strap, and a drive assembly removably coupled to the strap hoist. The drive assembly includes a power unit and an onboard battery pack. The drive assembly is configured to provide an output torque to rotate the reel in a rotational direction to apply an output force to the strap. The strap hoist is configured to be powered by the drive assembly or manually operated when disconnected from the drive assembly.

A system for providing safety to a hoist having a hook and a chain. The system includes a safety cable threaded through an opening of the hook or an object to be lifted. The system includes a connector connected to the safety cable and the chain such that when the hook and the chain of the hoist are disconnected, the object remains connected to the chain via the connector and safety cable. The connector includes a base portion having a chain opening configured to receive the chain, and a first cable opening configured to receive the safety cable. The connector includes a top portion configured to be coupled to the base portion and cover a portion of the chain opening such that the base portion and the top portion, when coupled together, remain at a substantially fixed position along the length of the chain.

A method of transporting a vehicle engine wire harness from a component preparation location to a component pick location is provided. The method includes placing the vehicle engine wire harness on a hook of a component hanger. The component hanger with vehicle engine wire harness is directed along a supply track assembly through a heated enclosure to the component pick location at a vehicle assembly line.

Panel manipulation assemblies and panel manipulation vehicles include a wrist assembly having at least two degrees of freedom, and a hand assembly coupled with the wrist assembly, the hand assembly having at least one degree of freedom independent of the wrist assembly. The hand assembly includes panel securement structure configured to securely hold a material panel.

Panel manipulation assemblies and panel manipulation vehicles include a wrist assembly having at least two degrees of freedom, and a hand assembly coupled with the wrist assembly, the hand assembly having at least one degree of freedom independent of the wrist assembly. The hand assembly includes panel securement structure configured to securely hold a material panel.

An automatic lubricating arrangement for a chain hoist in which a lubricating body is inserted in a downwardly angled hole in a fixed structure enclosing a rotary drive member engaging the chain. The lower end of lubricating body rubs a surface on the rotary drive member to deposit lubricant thereon as the drive member is rotated, which lubricant body is pushed laterally along and onto adjacent chain links.

A system for providing safety to a hoist having a hook and a chain. The system includes a safety cable threaded through an opening of the hook or an object to be lifted. The system includes a connector connected to the safety cable and the chain such that when the hook and the chain of the hoist are disconnected, the object remains connected to the chain via the connector and safety cable. The connector includes a base portion having a chain opening configured to receive the chain, and a first cable opening configured to receive the safety cable. The connector includes a top portion configured to be coupled to the base portion and cover a portion of the chain opening such that the base portion and the top portion, when coupled together, remain at a substantially fixed position along the length of the chain.

An automatic lubricating arrangement for a chain hoist in which a lubricating body is inserted in a downwardly angled hole in a fixed structure enclosing a rotary drive member engaging the chain. The lower end of lubricating body rubs a surface on the rotary drive member to deposit lubricant thereon as the drive member is rotated, which lubricant body is pushed laterally along and onto adjacent chain links.

A rigging assembly has no loose parts that an up-rigger may drop. The rigging assembly includes a length of steel cable terminating in a loop at each end. One loop extends through an oblong master link, while the other loop extends through a swivel hook. The ground-rigger can attach the hook of a hoist's chain to the master link on the ground. The ground-rigger can then tie the up-rigger's rope onto the master link. The up-rigger then pulls the rigging assembly and the hoist's chain up to the beam, leaving the master link and chain under the beam. Then the up-rigger grabs the hook end of the rigging basket assembly, bends it over the beam, and attaches the swivel hook end to the master link, thus creating a loop around the beam to support the hoist's chain and load, which is known in the industry as creating a basket.