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Title: Self-erecting material handling sling
Claims: I claim: 1. A material handling sling comprising an elongated, flexible securing member having a leading end and a terminal end, fluid inflatable means disposed intermediate the leading and terminal ends of the securing member, said inflatable means being adapted to increase the rigidity of the portions of the securing member with which it is in contact when said means are inflated with a fluid and thereby form a bowed or angular bail that projects outwardly from the load. 2. A material handling sling according to claim 1 wherein the leading and terminal ends of the securing member are provided with end fittings. 3. A material handling sling according to claim 2 wherein the end fitting on the terminal end is matingly engageable with the end fitting on the leading end. 4. A material handling sling according to claim 3 wherein the end fittings are matingly engageable with fittings carried by a load or by a load support. 5. A material handling sling according to claim 2 wherein the leading and terminal end portions of the securing member extending outwardly from the inflatable means include a plurality of separate enlongated, flexible securing elements that converge with the securing member and are connected thereto in the vicinity of the outermost end portions of the inflatable means or at a point on either securing member outwardly therefrom. 6. A material handling sling according to claim 1 wherein the leading and terminal end portions of the securing member extending outwardly from the inflatable means include a plurality of separate elongated, flexible securing elements that converge with the securing member and are connected thereto in the vicinity of the outermost end portions of the inflatable means or at a point on either securing member outwardly therefrom. 7. A system for transferring a cargo load by means of a crane having a movable suspended cargo hook and which comprises securing a sling according to claim 1 to the load to be transferred so that so that the bail, when inflated, will stand in erect position above the load and bringing the crane hook and sling bail into operating engagement with the inflated bail. 8. A system according to claim 7 wherein a plurality of slings are installed on the load to be transferred with the sling bails being spaced apart laterally in generally parallel planes, and wherein the bails are individually engaged by one of a plurality of cargo hooks carried on a strong back suspended from the crane. 9. A material handling sling comprising an elongated, flexible securing member having a leading end and a terminal end, fluid inflatable means disposed intermediate the leading and terminal ends of the securing member, a securing element extending from a point inward the end of the inflatable means that is nearer to the leading end of the securing member to a point inward the end of the inflatable means that is nearer to the terminal end of the securing member, said securing element having an effective working length when connecting said two points that is shorter than the length of the securing member between said two points. 10. A material handling sling comprising a main elongated, flexible securing member having a leading end and a terminal end and a secondary elongated, flexible securing member, fluid inflatable means integral with the main securing member and positioned intermediate the leading and terminal ends thereof, the secondary securing member being connected to the main securing member at two points intermediate the ends of the inflatable means, one point being inward the end of the inflatable means nearest the leading end of the main securing member and the other point being inward the end of the inflatable means nearest the terminal end of the main securing member, and the secondary securing member, when connected to the main securing member, being adapted to provide a working length spanning the distance between the two points of connection of the secondary securing member to the main securing member that is shorter than the length of the main securing member between said two points. 11. A material handling sling according to claim 10 wherein the main securing member is a strap. 12. A material handling sling according to claim 11 and including a securing element extending from a point inward the end of the inflatable means that is nearer to the leading end of the securing member to a point inward the end of the inflatable means that is nearer to the terminal end of the securing member, said securing element having an effective working length when connecting said two points that is shorter than the length of the securing member between said two points. 13. A material handling sling according to claim 11 wherein the secondary securing member is a strap. 14. A material handling sling according to claim 10 wherein the secondary securing member is a strap. 15. A material handling sling according to claim 10 wherein the working length of the secondary securing member can be varied. 16. A material handling sling according to claim 10 wherein the working length of the secondary securing member is fixed. Other info: Inventors: Smith, Arthur W. (Trenton, NJ, US) Application Number: 467652 Filing Date: 1974-05-07 Publication_date: 1976-01-27 Assignee: TransTechnology Corporation (Sherman Oaks, CA) Primary Class(es): 294/74 294/81.55, 294/81.56, 294/150 Other Classes: US Patent Ref:
Other Refs: Primary Examiner: Marbert, James B. Assistant Examiner: Cherry, Johnny D. Attorney: Synnestvedt & Lechner |
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