Unknown tool: Rigging device?

This device is about 24”x8”x4”. The box on the side appears to function as a shock absorber. The flat black liner inside the blue steel is rubber. The four spools are steel I think. Please tell me how this device was meant to be used.

Gotta go shrink da pichurs

 

that side box looks more like a release...

 

Next time I’m near it I’ll pull that thing a little harder and see if anything else happens. I only pulled maybe 30 lbs. worth and only felt spring action that then recouped the 2” of rod I had exposed by pulling. I put the question on the machinists forum I use and no there’s correct ID yet.

 

is that 2nd roller movable.....i see what looks like a shiny slot......& I'm thinking some type of belt would have been under tension......
just sayin...

 

Damn. I’ve seen this type of contraption before.

 

I looked at the pic again, and that’s just the head of a dust worm (emaciated dust bunny.) Didn’t get around to my usual step of dusting before photos.

 

I think it has to do with Block & Tackle & strain relief but can't for the life of me remember what.

 

The one thing the machinists have agreed upon is that it couldn’t be used for vertical lifting since all such hardware has to be marked with certain safety-related info and manufacturer name. And all of it has to be visible for inspection. So I guess there’s some horizontal tension application for it.

 

The parallel thread on the machinist forum is here in case anyone is curious-they haven’t concluded anything yet.

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/v...e-shock-absorber-how-used-344421/#post3098157

 

I thought something like that too though to hang offset like that seems quite odd.
This would add undue and dangerous strain.

 

...maybe off/for some type of exercising machine ...

 

Is it possible there are heavy duty springs inside each one of those cylinders to dampen strain and jerky movements as the cable moves in and out when pulling something???
They may be geared and operated by a toothed bar.

 

With wire rope that big I want nothing to do with a gizmo like that!

 

I find the wear marks , where the blue paint is scuffed to be quite telling.....that the wire rope seems to have been pulled a lot indicating it's function was critical to the working...or placement of the rollers.....while the rubber seems to have no deformation whatsoever........
just sayin...

 

maybe a hot air balloon anchor ?

 

Im thinking the thick rubber inside lining may be electrical insulation. If so the rollers may be made of nonconducting plastic, at least on the outer surface. If so then I’d say the device is made to support electrical cables on something like a crane that moves somewhat. Next time I get near it I’ll check those rollers carefully.

 

& look to see if pulling the cable affects any of the rollers.....

 

Ummmmmm.....
Having flown hot air balloons I’ve never used such a contraption BUT....
As I said at the start, I’m pretty dang sure I’ve seen such a thing before.

 

ya it was just a stab , i have been to a lot of air shows but never looked at the rigging .

 

Tomorrow I’ll show you how I tied them down and just for general info for all...a tied down hot air balloon is the most dangerous ride you can take in one.