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).
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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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Publication number: 20100301292Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: ELECTRONIC THEATRE CONTROLS, INC.Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, III
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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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Patent number: 7775506Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 30, 2007Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, III
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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: 20090127527Abstract: A lift assembly system and method can include: a funnel-shaped drum having a constant diameter portion and a gradually increasing diameter portion; a cable management system adapted to position a cable in a single layer in a tray; a beam clamp tube receiver adapted to allow a tube to slide relative to a beam and be secured to the beam; a cable keeper and a slack line detector adapted to maintain cables in position about a drum upon loss of cable tension; a horizontally oriented low profile cable adjuster adapted to adjust the length of a cable; an overspeed braking mechanism; a fleet pivot arm pivotable on the end of a tube so as to guide cables along a desired fleet angle; and/or a pull-type load sensor connected between a tube and a drum adapted to sense changes in a load force and adjust movement of a load.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2008Publication date: May 21, 2009Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, III
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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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Publication number: 20070278046Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2007Publication date: December 6, 2007Inventor: Donald Hoffend
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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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Publication number: 20070246695Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2006Publication date: October 25, 2007Inventor: Donald Hoffend
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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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Publication number: 20070001158Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2006Publication date: January 4, 2007Applicant: HOFFEND & SONS, INC.Inventor: Donald Hoffend
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Publication number: 20060169662Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2006Publication date: August 3, 2006Inventor: Donald Hoffend
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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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Publication number: 20050247919Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2005Publication date: November 10, 2005Inventor: Donald Hoffend
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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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Publication number: 20040183060Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend