Patents by Inventor Donald A. Hoffend, Jr.
Donald A. Hoffend, Jr. has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20140332739Abstract: A modular lift assembly includes a frame, at least one head block connected to the frame, a drum rotatably connected to the frame about an axis of rotation and having at least one winding section, and a drive mechanism operatively connected to the drum for rotating the drum. In various examples, the lift assembly includes at least one loft block internal or external relative to the frame. The loft block is configured to guide a cable from the at least one head block to a load. The lift assembly can further include a load brake positioned along the axis of drum rotation to reduce risks associated with a drive or motor failure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2014Publication date: November 13, 2014Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, JR.
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Patent number: 8789814Abstract: A modular lift assembly includes a frame, at least one head block connected to the frame, a drum rotatably connected to the frame about an axis of rotation and having at least one winding section, and a drive mechanism operatively connected to the drum for rotating the drum. In various examples, the lift assembly includes at least one loft block internal or external relative to the frame. The loft block is configured to guide a cable from the at least one head block to a load. The lift assembly can further include a load brake positioned along the axis of drum rotation to reduce risks associated with a drive or motor failure.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Daktronics Hoist, Inc.Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, Jr.
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Publication number: 20130001488Abstract: A modular lift assembly includes a frame, at least one head block connected to the frame, a drum rotatably connected to the frame about an axis of rotation and having at least one winding section, and a drive mechanism operatively connected to the drum for rotating the drum. In various examples, the lift assembly includes at least one loft block internal or external relative to the frame. The loft block is configured to guide a cable from the at least one head block to a load. The lift assembly can further include a load brake positioned along the axis of drum rotation to reduce risks associated with a drive or motor failure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: Daktronics Hoist, Inc.Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, JR.
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Patent number: 8286946Abstract: A modular lift assembly includes a frame, at least one head block connected to the frame, a drum rotatably connected to the frame about an axis of rotation and having at least one winding section, and a drive mechanism operatively connected to the drum for rotating the drum. In various examples, the lift assembly includes at least one loft block internal or external relative to the frame. The loft block is configured to guide a cable from the at least one head block to a load. The lift assembly can further include a load brake positioned along the axis of drum rotation to reduce risks associated with a drive or motor failure.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2011Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Daktronics Hoist, Inc.Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, Jr.
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Publication number: 20120037863Abstract: A modular lift assembly includes a frame, at least one head block connected to the frame, a drum rotatably connected to the frame about an axis of rotation and having at least one winding section, and a drive mechanism operatively connected to the drum for rotating the drum. In various examples, the lift assembly includes at least one loft block internal or external relative to the frame. The loft block is configured to guide a cable from the at least one head block to a load. The lift assembly can further include a load brake positioned along the axis of drum rotation to reduce risks associated with a drive or motor failure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2011Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: Daktronics Hoist, Inc.Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, JR.
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Patent number: 8047507Abstract: A modular lift assembly includes a frame, at least one head block connected to the frame, a drum rotatably connected to the frame about an axis of rotation and having at least one winding section, and a drive mechanism operatively connected to the drum for rotating the drum. In various examples, the lift assembly includes at least one loft block internal or external relative to the frame. The loft block is configured to guide a cable from the at least one head block to a load. The lift assembly can further include a load brake positioned along the axis of drum rotation to reduce risks associated with a drive or motor failure.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2010Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Daktronics Hoist, Inc.Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, Jr.
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Publication number: 20110001101Abstract: A modular lift assembly includes a frame, at least one head block connected to the frame, a drum rotatably connected to the frame about an axis of rotation and having at least one winding section, and a drive mechanism operatively connected to the drum for rotating the drum. In various examples, the lift assembly includes at least one loft block internal or external relative to the frame. The loft block is configured to guide a cable from the at least one head block to a load. The lift assembly can further include a load brake positioned along the axis of drum rotation to reduce risks associated with a drive or motor failure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2010Publication date: January 6, 2011Applicant: Daktronics Hoist, Inc.Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, JR.
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Patent number: 7854423Abstract: A lift assembly having a drum rotatably mounted to a frame and linearly translatable with respect to one or more portions of the frame. A plurality of head blocks can be connected to the frame along a helical mounting path, wherein linear translation of the drum during takeoff or take-up can maintain a predetermined fleet angle between a take off point from the drum and the head block.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2008Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Daktronics Hoist, Inc.Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, Jr.
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Patent number: 7810792Abstract: A modular lift assembly configured for attachment between two substantially parallel support beams includes a chassis, at least one lift component attached to the chassis, a telescoping or other adjustable stiffener, and at least one attachment assembly. The chassis has a plurality of grooves formed in one surface thereof. The telescoping or other adjustable stiffener is disposed in at least one of the grooves and engages facing surfaces of adjacent parallel support beams. The attachment assembly is disposed in another of the grooves formed in the chassis for engaging at least one of the adjacent support beams.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2008Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Daktronics Hoist, Inc.Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, Jr.
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Publication number: 20090146120Abstract: A modular lift assembly configured for attachment between two substantially parallel support beams includes a chassis, at least one lift component attached to the chassis, a telescoping or other adjustable stiffener, and at least one attachment assembly. The chassis has a plurality of grooves formed in one surface thereof. The telescoping or other adjustable stiffener is disposed in at least one of the grooves and engages facing surfaces of adjacent parallel support beams. The attachment assembly is disposed in another of the grooves formed in the chassis for engaging at least one of the adjacent support beams.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2008Publication date: June 11, 2009Applicant: Daktronics Hoist, Inc.Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, JR.
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Publication number: 20090045381Abstract: A lift assembly having a drum rotatably mounted to a frame and linearly translatable with respect to one or more portions of the frame. A plurality of head blocks can be connected to the frame along a helical mounting path, wherein linear translation of the drum during takeoff or take-up can maintain a predetermined fleet angle between a take off point from the drum and the head block.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2008Publication date: February 19, 2009Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, JR.
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Patent number: 7484715Abstract: A modular lift assembly configured for attachment between two substantially parallel support beams includes a chassis, at least one lift component attached to the chassis, a telescoping stiffener, and at least one attachment assembly. The chassis has a plurality of grooves formed in one surface thereof. The telescoping stiffener is disposed in at least one of the grooves and engages facing surfaces of adjacent parallel support beams. The attachment assembly is disposed in another of the grooves formed in the chassis for engaging at least one of the adjacent support beams.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2006Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Daktronics Hoist, Inc.Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, Jr.
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Patent number: 7293762Abstract: A lift assembly having a drum rotatably mounted to a frame and linearly translatable with respect to the frame. A plurality of head blocks are connected to the frame along a helical mounting path, wherein linear translation of the drum during takeoff or take-up maintains a predetermined fleet angle between a take off point from the drum and the head block. A loft block is disposed within the frame for defining a vertical cable path from within a footprint of the frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2006Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Daktronics Hoist, Inc.Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, Jr.
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Patent number: 7258325Abstract: A lift assembly having a drum rotatably mounted to a frame and linearly translatable with respect to the frame. A plurality of head blocks are connected to the frame along a helical mounting path, wherein linear translation of the drum during takeoff or take-up maintains a predetermined fleet angle between a take off point from the drum and the head block.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2006Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Daktronics Hoist, Inc.Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, Jr.
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Patent number: 6997442Abstract: A lift assembly having a drum rotatably mounted to a frame and linearly translatable with respect to the frame. A plurality of head blocks are connected to the frame along a helical mounting path, wherein linear translation of the drum during takeoff or take-up maintains a predetermined fleet angle between a take off point from the drum and the head block.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2004Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, Jr.
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Patent number: 6988716Abstract: A lift assembly having a drum rotatably mounted to a frame and linearly translatable with respect to the frame. A plurality of head blocks are connected to the frame along a helical mounting path, wherein linear translation of the drum during takeoff or take-up maintains a predetermined fleet angle between a take off point from the drum and the head block.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2002Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, Jr.
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Patent number: 6889958Abstract: A lift assembly having a drum rotatably mounted to a frame and linearly translatable with respect to the frame. A plurality of head blocks are connected to the frame along a helical mounting path, wherein linear translation of the drum during takeoff or take-up maintains a predetermined fleet angle between a take off point from the drum and the head block.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2003Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, Jr.
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Patent number: 6691986Abstract: A lift assembly having a drum rotatably mounted to a frame and linearly translatable with respect to the frame. A plurality of head blocks are connected to the frame along a helical mounting path, wherein linear translation of the drum during takeoff or take-up maintains a predetermined fleet angle between a take off point from the drum and the head block.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, Jr.
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Patent number: 6634622Abstract: A lift assembly having a drum rotatably mounted to a frame and linearly translatable with respect to the frame. A plurality of head blocks are connected to the frame along a helical mounting path, wherein linear translation of the drum during takeoff or take-up maintains a predetermined fleet angle between a take off point from the drum and the head block.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2000Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, Jr.
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Patent number: 5161104Abstract: A method and system is provided for moving passengers in and out of an amusement ride of the type having a passenger cabin capable of movement in multiple degrees of freedom within an enclosure. The cabin includes ingress doors on one side of the cabin and egress doors on the other side to admit and discharge passengers from seats within the cabin. Another set of ingress and egress doors are provided on opposite sides of the enclosure in respective alignment with the ingress and egress doors of the cabin when the cabin is at rest in a loading position. A plurality of ingress and egress platforms, located outside the operating envelope of the cabin when the cabin is in motion, are adapted to be moved to a deployed position when the cabin is in the loading position to connect the ingress and egress doors of the enclosure with the ingress and egress doors of the cabin. In this way, movement of passengers in and out of the cabin, which is spaced from the enclosure, is provided in a rapid and orderly fashion.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: The Walt Disney CompanyInventors: Richard J. Fox, Maurice G. Leasure, Gregory S. Kadorian, Douglas R. LeBlanc, David L. Harbaugh, James E. Poole, Donald A. Hoffend, Jr.