Other

David A Shell

Dennis B Shell

A lift apparatus configured to move a passenger platform of the lift apparatus between a first position and an elevated second position. A stairway of the example lift apparatus may be used as a stairway when the passenger platform is arranged in the first position. As the passenger platform is raised to the elevated second position, hinged steps of the stairway are transformed into a horizontal surface.

Lift apparatus

A compact, cleat-like, device for connecting the ends of a rope together where the rope is in tension. The device is generally planar, with two approximately flat surfaces, two approximately parallel sides and trifurcated ends. A central aperture is provided through the flat surfaces. The channels between the three end fingers are tapered, with the apices extending toward the aperture. In use, rope ends are inserted through the aperture, wrapped around two opposite channels and inserted back through the aperture. The device safely and securely maintains the connection between the rope ends. The rope can be easily removed, even with the rope in tension, by pulling one end of the rope back through the eye and unwrapping it from the channels.

Device for releaseably connecting rope ends in tension

A generally elongate fitting has, at a distal end, a hook for hooking an external object, and, at a proximal end, an eye and a cleat for attaching a rope. An eye hook with an eye at its proximal end, a hook at its distal end, and a connecting shank between the hook and the eye is formed integrally with a modified cleat that has both (i) a pair of projecting arms and (ii) a projecting arm. The pair of projecting arms extends proximally from the region of the eye so as to form a 'V' channel between them. The projecting arm extends distally from the region of the eye at an incline to the shank so as to form another 'V' channel. Both channels are suitable to compressively engage a rope that is forcibly wedged within such channel. A rope slipped through the eye is pulled taught against the eye, and not against either channel, until, a desired tension in the rope having been achieved, the rope is easily, while still held taut, angled into that channel of the cleat which is formed between the two projecting arms. The rope is then pulled tight into the remaining channel, and rethreaded through the eye in an opposite direction. The connection so achieved is both strong and secure despite being easy and extremely quick. A normal connection is typically stronger than the tensile strength of the rope that is connected.

Combination eye hook and modified cleat, particularly for cargo tie-down

A generally elongate fitting has a distal-end region for affixing an external object, a mid-region eye, and a proximal-end region for attaching a rope. In one embodiment, the distal-end and middle regions are configured as an eye hook having an eye at its proximal end, a hook at its distal end, and a connecting shank between the hook and the eye. In another embodiment, the distal-end region is configured as a base member bolt-mounted to the external object, a rotating member rotatably mounted to the base member, and an arm pivotally mounted to the rotating member, forming thereby a swivel joint. In this embodiment the mid-region's eye is integrally within the arm. In both embodiments the distal- and mid-regions are formed integrally with a proximal-end region defining one or more 'V' channels. In one embodiment 'V' channels are formed as a modified cleat having both (i) a pair of projecting arms and (ii) one or more additional projecting arms. Both channels are suitable to compressively engage a rope that is forcibly wedged within such channel. A rope slipped through the eye is pulled taught against the eye, and not against either channel, until, a desired tension in the rope having been achieved, the rope is easily, while still held taut, angled into that channel of the cleat which is formed between the two projecting arms. The rope is then pulled tight into the remaining channel, and rethreaded through the eye in an opposite direction.

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San Marcos, CA, United States of America

David A Shell