Abstract: A lift assembly including an article to be lifted between a lowered position and a raised position, a flexible drive element coupled to the article and defining a longitudinal axis, a power mechanism coupled to the flexible drive element, a drum powered by the power mechanism and dimensioned to facilitate winding of the flexible drive element onto the drum, and a cable keeper providing a force on the flexible drive element to bias the flexible drive element toward the drum.

Abstract: A hoist system having a drum primarily self-contained within a batten, for raising and lowering lighting, sound equipment, curtains and the like, often in a performance environment. The compact system is highly scalable to a variety of spaces and applications, including school and public theaters and concert halls, as well as some homes, private business, etc. The hoist system may be adapted with safety mechanisms including an overspeed detector, which may comprise a centrifugal detection mechanism coupled to an elongate member of the system; dampening means; a compact mechanism for trimming or adjusting an operative length of elongate member; stabilizing pipe shaft bearings; elongate member diverter pulley mechanisms load balancing termination points. Additional features include various alternative combination hoist implementations and orientations, and alternative incorporated attachment mechanisms for use with the hoist system.

Abstract: A lift assembly including an article to be lifted between a lowered position and a raised position, a flexible drive element coupled to the article and defining a longitudinal axis, a power mechanism coupled to the flexible drive element, a drum powered by the power mechanism and dimensioned to facilitate winding of the flexible drive element onto the drum, and a cable keeper providing a force on the flexible drive element to bias the flexible drive element toward the drum.

Abstract: A lift assembly includes an article to be lifted between a lowered position and a raised position, a drive element coupled to the article, a power mechanism coupled to the drive element, and a power transfer mechanism coupled between the power mechanism and the drive element. The power transfer mechanism includes control electronics having a first upward limit switch adapted to deactivate the power mechanism when the article is lifted to a first upward height, and a second upward limit switch adapted to deactivate the power mechanism when the article is lifted to a second upward height higher than the first upward height.

Abstract: A lift system comprises a drum that rotates about an axis, an elongate member that winds around the drum when the drum rotates in a first direction and that unwinds from the drum when the drum rotates in a second direction, a drive mechanism operable to rotate the drum, and a braking mechanism adapted to inhibit rotation of the drum. The braking mechanism includes a brake disk rotatable with the drum, a movable brake pad, and a ramp that guides movement of the movable brake pad. A method of operating the lift system comprises rotating the drum in a first direction to wind the elongate member onto the drum, rotating the drum in a second direction to unwind the elongate member from the drum, and moving the brake shoe along the ramp to thereby cause the movable brake pad to be compressed against the brake disk.

Abstract: A lift assembly comprises a base, a drive mechanism, a flexible drive element extending from the drive mechanism along a fleet axis, and a sheave directing the drive element from the fleet axis to an output axis. The sheave is coupled to the base at a first sheave mount aligned with the fleet axis. The assembly can further include a second sheave mount aligned with the fleet axis and configured to be coupled to the sheave to allow the sheave to be de-coupled from the first sheave mount and coupled to the second sheave mount, resulting in substantially no change in a fleet angle of the fleet axis. Preferably, the sheave is positioned on a first side of the fleet axis when coupled to the first sheave mount, and the sheave is positioned on a second side of the fleet axis (e.g., opposite the first side) when coupled to the second sheave mount.

Abstract: A lift system comprises a drum that rotates about an axis, an elongate member that winds around the drum when the drum rotates in a first direction and that unwinds from the drum when the drum rotates in a second direction, a drive mechanism operable to rotate the drum, and a braking mechanism adapted to inhibit rotation of the drum. The braking mechanism includes a brake disk rotatable with the drum, a movable brake pad, and a ramp that guides movement of the movable brake pad. A method of operating the lift system comprises rotating the drum in a first direction to wind the elongate member onto the drum, rotating the drum in a second direction to unwind the elongate member from the drum, and moving the brake shoe along the ramp to thereby cause the movable brake pad to be compressed against the brake disk.

Abstract: A lift assembly includes an article to be lifted between a lowered position and a raised position, a drive element coupled to the article, a power mechanism coupled to the drive element, and a power transfer mechanism coupled between the power mechanism and the drive element. The power transfer mechanism includes control electronics having a first upward limit switch adapted to deactivate the power mechanism when the article is lifted to a first upward height, and a second upward limit switch adapted to deactivate the power mechanism when the article is lifted to a second upward height higher than the first upward height.

Abstract: A lift system comprises a drum that rotates about an axis, an elongate member that winds around the drum when the drum rotates in a first direction and that unwinds from the drum when the drum rotates in a second direction, a drive mechanism operable to rotate the drum, and a braking mechanism adapted to inhibit rotation of the drum. The braking mechanism includes a brake disk rotatable with the drum, a movable brake pad, and a ramp that guides movement of the movable brake pad. A method of operating the lift system comprises rotating the drum in a first direction to wind the elongate member onto the drum, rotating the drum in a second direction to unwind the elongate member from the drum, and moving the brake shoe along the ramp to thereby cause the movable brake pad to be compressed against the brake disk.

Abstract: A lift assembly includes an article to be lifted between a lowered position and a raised position, a drive element coupled to the article, a power mechanism coupled to the drive element, and a power transfer mechanism coupled between the power mechanism and the drive element. The power transfer mechanism includes control electronics having a first upward limit switch adapted to deactivate the power mechanism when the article is lifted to a first upward height, and a second upward limit switch adapted to deactivate the power mechanism when the article is lifted to a second upward height higher than the first upward height.

Abstract: A lift system configured to lift an article (e.g., a batten). The lift system includes a first cable configured to be coupled to the article, a second cable configured to be coupled to the article, a drive mechanism coupled to the first cable and the second cable and operable to raise and lower the article, a first loft block including a first loft sheave to redirect the first cable from a first substantially horizontal axis to a first substantially vertical axis, and a guide member to direct the second cable along a second substantially horizontal axis. The lift system further includes a second loft block including a second loft sheave to redirect the second cable from the second substantially horizontal axis block to a second substantially vertical axis.

Abstract: A lift assembly comprises a base, a drive mechanism, first and second flexible drive elements driven by the drive mechanism, first and second sheaves directing the first and second drive elements in different directions, and first and second load cells sensing load on the first and second sheaves. The sheaves can be mounted to first and second sheave mounts, and the load cells can sense load on the first and second sheave mounts. The sheave mounts can be provided on first and second sheave plates, and bearings can be positioned under the first and second sheave plates. The lift assembly can further comprise first and second sheave brackets for coupling the first and second sheaves to the first and second sheave mounts. The first sheave plate can further include an opening, and at least a portion of the second sheave bracket can be positioned in the opening.

Abstract: A lift assembly comprises a base, a drive mechanism, a flexible drive element extending from the drive mechanism along a fleet axis, and a sheave directing the drive element from the fleet axis to an output axis. The sheave is coupled to the base at a first sheave mount aligned with the fleet axis. The assembly can further include a second sheave mount aligned with the fleet axis and configured to be coupled to the sheave to allow the sheave to be de-coupled from the first sheave mount and coupled to the second sheave mount, resulting in substantially no change in a fleet angle of the fleet axis. Preferably, the sheave is positioned on a first side of the fleet axis when coupled to the first sheave mount, and the sheave is positioned on a second side of the fleet axis (e.g., opposite the first side) when coupled to the second sheave mount.

Abstract: A lift system comprises a drum that rotates about an axis, an elongate member that winds around the drum when the drum rotates in a first direction and that unwinds from the drum when the drum rotates in a second direction, a drive mechanism operable to rotate the drum, and a braking mechanism adapted to inhibit rotation of the drum. The braking mechanism includes a brake disk rotatable with the drum, a movable brake pad, and a ramp that guides movement of the movable brake pad. A method of operating the lift system comprises rotating the drum in a first direction to wind the elongate member onto the drum, rotating the drum in a second direction to unwind the elongate member from the drum, and moving the brake shoe along the ramp to thereby cause the movable brake pad to be compressed against the brake disk.

Abstract: A lift assembly comprises a base, a drive mechanism, first and second flexible drive elements driven by the drive mechanism, first and second sheaves directing the first and second drive elements in different directions, and first and second load cells sensing load on the first and second sheaves. The sheaves can be mounted to first and second sheave mounts, and the load cells can sense load on the first and second sheave mounts. The sheave mounts can be provided on first and second sheave plates, and bearings can be positioned under the first and second sheave plates. The lift assembly can further comprise first and second sheave brackets for coupling the first and second sheaves to the first and second sheave mounts. The first sheave plate can further include an opening, and at least a portion of the second sheave bracket can be positioned in the opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lift system comprising a drum that rotates about an axis, a drive mechanism operable to rotate the drum about the axis, an elongate member (e.g., a cable) having a wound portion wound around the drum and a vertical portion extending downward to the article being lifted, and a low profile adjuster for adjusting a vertical length of the elongate member. The low profile adjuster comprises a first guide adapted to support the article to be lifted and including a first pathway, and a second guide movable relative to the first guide. The elongate member transitions from the vertical portion, through the first pathway to a non-vertical (e.g., horizontal) portion, and to the second guide. Adjustment of a distance between the first guide and the second guide results in adjustment of a vertical position of the first guide relative to the elongate member.

Abstract: A lift assembly that includes a base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The base defines an outlet positioned closer to the first side than to the second side. The lift assembly further includes a take-up mechanism mounted to the base, and a cable having a stored portion on the take-up mechanism and a free portion extending from the take-up mechanism through the outlet.

Abstract: A lift system configured to lift an article, the lift system includes a drum that rotates about an axis, a first cable that winds around the drum when the drum rotates about the axis in a first direction to raise the article and the first cable unwinds from the drum when the drum rotates about the axis in a second direction to lower the article. The lift system further includes a motor operable to rotate the drum about the axis in the first direction, an electrical cable configured to supply power from a power source to the article, and a second cable that is coupled to the electrical cable and the second cable pulls at least a portion of the electrical cable from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position.

Abstract: A lift system configured to lift an article (e.g., a batten). The lift system includes a first cable configured to be coupled to the article, a second cable configured to be coupled to the article, a drive mechanism coupled to the first cable and the second cable and operable to raise and lower the article, a first loft block including a first loft sheave to redirect the first cable from a first substantially horizontal axis to a first substantially vertical axis, and a guide member to direct the second cable along a second substantially horizontal axis. The lift system further includes a second loft block including a second loft sheave to redirect the second cable from the second substantially horizontal axis block to a second substantially vertical axis.

Abstract: A lift assembly including a base, a drive mechanism, and a drum assembly adapted to be driven by the drive mechanism. The drum assembly includes first and second drum segments positioned adjacent each other, each drum segment including a small diameter portion, a large diameter portion, and a tapered portion between the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion. The lift assembly further includes first and second flexible drive elements at least partially wrapped around the small diameter portions of the first and second drum segments, respectively.