In Europe these tools are known as Tirfor hand winches. In the US they are branded Griphoists. They are also sometimes sold as scaffold hoists. This diversity indicates their astounding versatility for moving heavy things by hand. They do the work of motorized winches--haul logs, or move stuck tractors, raise towers, and so on--but with the deftness of a human hand. Because there is no ratchet car or coil, a Griphoist permits very small adjustments, unlike either come-alongs or winches. The patented double-grip mechanism of the Griphoist/Tirfor is considered so reliable that some versions of the unit are rated by the UL to be suitable for hoisting humans--for instance in hoisting window-washers'' scaffolding.

But now, in an emissions-regulated environment where heat and noise are significant design problem as well as an operational concern, insulation blankets are moving from safety-only towards potentially adding value in terms of engine performance, fuel economy, possibly emissions and even heater noise reduction.Some of this has developed out of the aerospace and industrial gas turbine markets where insulation blankets also have a long history and are seen more as an engineered product than an add-on piece and are credited with improvements in fuel economy and performance.

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