Patents by Inventor Donald Hoffend

Donald Hoffend 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).

  • Patent number: 11319198
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Hoffend, Donald A. Hoffend, III
  • Publication number: 20170137266
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Donald Hoffend, Donald Aloysius Hoffend, III
  • Publication number: 20070278046
    Abstract: A lift assembly system and method can include a substantially rectangular tube, a motor operably connected to first and second traction drives and a rotatable drum and structurally connected to one end of the tube, a head block fixed to the opposite end of the tube, and a plurality of loft blocks positionable at an infinite number of locations within the tube. An elongate member attached on one end to the drum can be routed through a generally horizontal path from the drum to the first and second traction drives, the head block, and the loft blocks, and then through a generally vertical path from the loft block to an attached article. The elongate member can be wound about the drum to raise the article, and unwound from the drum to lower the article. The system can further include a load-side braking mechanism. The tube can include a compressible material adapted to absorb at least a portion of a horizontal load placed on the lift system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventor: Donald Hoffend
  • Publication number: 20070246695
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventor: Donald Hoffend
  • Publication number: 20070001158
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: HOFFEND & SONS, INC.
    Inventor: Donald Hoffend
  • Publication number: 20060169662
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventor: Donald Hoffend
  • Publication number: 20050247919
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventor: Donald Hoffend
  • Publication number: 20040099852
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Donald A. Hoffend, Donald Hoffend