Abstract: A winch includes a coupling A, a coupling B, a rectangular spring, a gear wheel, a gear rack, a friction ring, and a transmission shaft, etc. By increasing the distance between the adjacent internal teeth of the two-stage planet carrier, it ensures that the three-stage sun gear can be smoothly inserted into the two-stage planet carrier even if the elasticity of spring A is reduced, such that the engagement width between the three-stage sun gear and the two-stage planet carrier can reach the normal requirements. With the design of sliding gear ring and spring C, it can greatly reduce the phenomenon of mis-engagement when the external teeth of the three-stage sun gear enter the internal teeth spacing of the two-stage planet carrier, protect the teeth integrity of the three-stage sun gear and the two-stage planet carrier.

Abstract: A modified planetary gear box and arrangement of the gear box with a drive motor permits electrical, optical or other types of cabling or wiring to be passed through the planetary gear box along its axis of rotation. The planetary gear box drives or rotates a reel of coiled tubing. Electrical, hydraulic, optical and other types of line for lowering into a well bore through the coiled tubing is passed through a passageway through the center of the planetary gear box, into one end of a hub of the reel, and then into the coiled tubing, which is injected into the wellbore. The other end of the hub of the reel is able to be connected to a swivel joint that can be connected to a pump for pumping fluid into the coiled tubing.

Abstract: A towrope winch with a safety shutoff device includes a winch configured to wind a rope; and a safety shutoff device which deactivates the winch if, during winding of the rope, a foreign object enters a winch intake along with the rope to actuate the safety shutoff device.

Abstract: Apparatus for raising and lowering objects. In accordance with some embodiments, a winch motor is adapted to rotate a winch member in opposing first and second directions to wrap/unwrap a portion of a cable on/from the winch member to raise and lower a lifting platform assembly, respectively. A tension detection switch assembly includes an on/off switch connected to the winch motor and a biasing member which exerts a bias force upon the winch member to nominally deflect the winch member to a first position which sets the switch to deactivate the winch motor in an absence of tension in the cable from the lifting platform assembly. A presence of tension in the cable from the lifting platform assembly deflects the winch member to a second position which sets the switch to facilitate activation of the winch motor.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the delivery rate of a linear element. The device forms a delivery path for the linear element between an inlet to the device at a delivery rate that is substantially constant and an outlet from the device at a delivery rate that is variable and substantially periodic and varies the length of the path of the linear element in application of a predetermined periodic relationship. The device includes a plurality of pulleys movable in rectilinear translation periodically in sinusoidal manner.

Abstract: A system for controlling slack in a winch rope associated with a vehicle can include a winch, a plow, and a support member pivotably coupled to the plow and carrying a pulley that receives the rope for raising and lowering the plow. A limit switch can be operatively associated with the winch and configured to selectively enable and disable lowering of the plow by the winch. A first member can be carried by the support member and operatively associated with the switch. A biasing member can bias the support member to a first position when a load on the winch rope is below a predetermined threshold. The first member can be in at least substantial alignment with the switch when in the first position. The switch can change an activation state upon the first member being in the first position to automatically disable lowering of the plow by the winch.

Abstract: A safety device applied to appliances for lifting boards onto ceilings and walls comprises a telescopic mast, an upper part of which accommodates the board holder and traction and safety ropes operated by a manually controlled winch, a component for attaching and fastening the traction rope and safety rope so that they are at the same fastening level, and a mechanism for tensioning the safety rope. The attachment component is fixed in the lower receiving part of the terminal inner section of the telescopic assembly. The tensioning mechanism is external relative to the telescopic mast and situated facing the winch for winding the traction and safety ropes.

Abstract: A towrope winch with a safety shutoff device includes a winch configured to wind a rope; and a safety shutoff device which deactivates the winch if the rope moves outside a designated range of angles relative to an intake of the winch.

Abstract: An opposed-rope driven telescoping mast assembly includes a stationary support and a longitudinal mast comprising a longitudinal section joined to move relative to the stationary support. A drive assembly drives the longitudinal mast and includes a frame and a rotatable drum assembly mounted to the frame. A first rope is joined to the drum assembly and to the longitudinal mast to pull the longitudinal section in a first direction, while a second rope is joined to the drum assembly and to the longitudinal mast to pull the longitudinal section in a second direction. A sensor is operably coupled to the drive assembly to sense overload tension in the first rope or the second rope.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for tensioning lines of a winch having a reel and three lines wound about the reel. The apparatus is used to position an object on a support. The first and second lines are wound about the reel in a first direction and the third line is wound about the reel in a second direction opposite the first direction. The first line extends around the first guide, the second line extends around the second guide, and the third line extends between the first and second guides. All three lines are connected to each other and to the object at their distal ends. An inner frame and an outer frame each contact the first and second lines. At least one of the inner frame and outer frame moves with respect to the other of the inner and outer frame to maintain tension in the first and second lines.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for tensioning lines of a winch having a reel and three lines wound about the reel. The apparatus is used to position an object on a support. The first and second lines are wound about the reel in a first direction and the third line is wound about the reel in a second direction opposite the first direction. The first line extends around the first guide, the second line extends around the second guide, and the third line extends between the first and second guides. All three lines are connected to each other and to the object at their distal ends. An inner frame and an outer frame each contact the first and second lines. The inner frame and the outer frame are movable with respect to each other to maintain tension in the first and second lines.

Abstract: A hoist system for handling a 400 Hz cable used for aircraft electrical servicing, that utilizes electrical circuitry where wire rope position sensing is accomplished using a grounding circuitry. The system employs an AC drive that relies on circuit completion through “sinking logic.” Electrically connected are wire rope guide rollers, a control pendant, a bridge horizontal control relay, which is in electrical communication with a horizontal bridge lock-out bar. The wire rope is used as an electrical conductor for control voltage only. A lower limit contact bar extends above a plane between the wire rope guide rollers and the take-up spool, as serves to prevent the wire rope from rewinding in a reverse manner on the take-up spool. A horizontal bridge lock-out bar extends above a plane between the wire rope guide rollers and the take-up spool and is used to allow or inhibit horizontal bridge movement.

Abstract: A hoist is powered by a separate power unit. The hoist unit includes: a motor, a mounting connector, a spool, webbing, auto cut-off and a first portion of a mating electrical connector. The control unit includes a hollow pole, a hook, a second portion of the mating electrical connector, a control switch, electrical circuitry and a battery pack.

Abstract: An improved hoist for raising and lowering a weighted object secured to a hoist cable, wherein the improvement comprises a safety switch in series with an up-down switch of the hoist. The safety switch has an actuating member with spaced-apart first and second portions on either side of the hoist cable and proximate the take-up shaft of the winch, and, when the hoist cable becomes unweighted or becomes wound upon the take-up shaft in an improper direction, the hoist cable moves the actuating member and prevents the up-down switch from applying power to the winch motor, thereby disabling the winch motor.

Abstract: A lifting device utilizing a utility winch having an electric motor and cable drum. The cable on the cable drum extends around a pulley located on a load cell beam. Excessive loads will deflect the load cell beam causing a contact on a micro switch to be engaged to shut off power to the motor. The cable is attached to a trolley which reciprocates along a mast between upper and lower limits. The trolley includes a brake which has a drum which engages the mast to stop in travel of the trolley in the event of a cable breakage. Cable tension is also sensed and cable slack will actuate a switch to interrupt power to the electric motor. Various load handling attachments are detachably securable to the trolley.

Abstract: A hoist apparatus (10) including a rope sensing device (14) for detecting rope fouling events. The rope sensing device (14) includes a lever arm (74) having a first end portion (74g), a second end portion (74h), and a pivot point (74j) located between the first (74g) and second (74h) end portions along the lever arm (74). The lever arm (74) is pivotably mounted to a frame (18) of the hoist apparatus for movement between a sensing position and a fouled position. A follower (78) is connected to the first end portion (74g) and positioned adjacent and spaced from a drum (30) of the hoist apparatus such that rope (38) winds on to the drum spaced from and relative to the follower (78) when the rope sensing device is in the sensing position. A switch actuator (82) is connected to the second end portion (74h) adjacent a switch (86) such that the switch is actuated to a motor stop position when a rope fouling event occurs.

Abstract: An actuator and control algorithm which provide an operator with the ability to intuitively and responsively maneuver heavy work-pieces with ease and precision. The structure of the apparatus may provide a hoist with a compliant sensing system to measure the weight of the payload. The compliant sensing system may result in smaller dead-bands than are realizable with traditional force sensing methods. At the command of the user, the control algorithm may switch between two distinct operational modes: float mode and manual mode. In float mode, the hoist actively counterbalances the weight of the load, allowing it to feel substantially weightless in the operator's hands. The operator can apply forces directly to the payload to accelerate it in the desired vertical direction. Because of the small dead-band realized with compliant sensing, the payload may be highly responsive to the operators force inputs. As a result, the payload may be intuitively maneuvered at very high speeds, as well as very low speeds.

Abstract: An actuator and control algorithm which provide an operator with the ability to intuitively and responsively maneuver heavy work-pieces with ease and precision. The structure of the apparatus may provide a hoist with a compliant sensing system to measure the weight of the payload. The compliant sensing system may result in smaller dead-bands than are realizable with traditional force sensing methods. At the command of the user, the control algorithm may switch between two distinct operational modes: float mode and manual mode. In float mode, the hoist actively counterbalances the weight of the load, allowing it to feel substantially weightless in the operator's hands. The operator can apply forces directly to the payload to accelerate it in the desired vertical direction. Because of the small dead-band realized with compliant sensing, the payload may be highly responsive to the operators force inputs. As a result, the payload may be intuitively maneuvered at very high speeds, as well as very low speeds.

Abstract: In order to increase winch safety, power and utility method for using a winch and a method for mounting a winch based on ensuring that the force exerted by the winch cable on the drum rotation axis and the drum rotation axis remains perpendicular throughout winch operation are disclosed. An improved winch mount which allows the user of the winch to ensure that the force exerted by the winch cable on the drum rotation axis and the drum rotation axis remains perpendicular throughout winch operation is disclosed.

Abstract: To prevent a random coil of and an overwind of a belt with simple structure, a belt hoist includes a random coil preventing member pressed against the belt wound around a winding member to prevent a random coil of the belt, the random coil preventing member being movable in response to changes in circle diameter of the belt; and control means for controlling drive of drive means in association with the random coil preventing member when the circle diameter becomes a specified diameter. Further, a belt guide having a belt guide portion is supported between two side plates in such a freely sliding manner as to allow the winding of the belt onto the winding member.

Abstract: To prevent a random coil of and an overwind of a belt with simple structure, a belt hoist includes a random coil preventing member pressed against the belt wound around a winding member to prevent a random coil of the belt, the random coil preventing member being movable in response to changes in diameter of the belt; and control means for controlling drive of drive means in association with the random coil preventing member when the diameter becomes a specified diameter. Further, a belt guide having a belt guide portion is supported between two side plates in such a freely sliding manner as to allow the winding of the belt onto the winding member.

Abstract: A primary device placed at the upstream end of a duct and a relay device placed at an access point pull a cable through respective duct segments. The pulling speed of the primary device is controlled by an operator. The pulling speed of the relay device is variable in response to movement of the cable by the primary device to maintain equilibrium between the pulling speeds of the devices. The pulling tension exerted upon the cable by each device is monitored and discontinued upon reaching a predetermined maximum value. At the inlet to the second segment, lubricant is supplied to the cable at a quantitative rate which is proportional to the pulling speed.

Abstract: A constant tension hoisting system is provided for raising and lowering an object between a platform and a surface undergoing vertical motion relative to the platform, such as raising and lowering a lifeboat from a seagoing vessel to the sea in rough weather. The system operates in a normal hoisting mode to raise or lower the object, and in a constant tension mode when the object is supported on the surface. The system is changed from the normal hoisting mode to the constant tension mode at the moment when the object being lowered is first supported by the surface, and a slack condition exists in the cable. The changeover from the normal hoisting mode to the constant tension mode, is performed by a solenoid-operated mode selector responsive to a proximity switch operated by a lever arm engaging the cable. The hoisting system is operated by a single, manually-actuated control lever, which mechanically activates the proximity-type control switches.

Abstract: An arrangement for measuring the stretch of a wire line used in well drilling operations by first measuring the amount of stretch in the deadline by measuring rotation of the dead sheave which supports the deadline, and multiplying the length of the wire line by the ratio of the amount of elastic stretch in the deadline to the length of the deadline. Equipment depth in the well is determined by measuring the movement of the wire line and applying a correction for the wire line stretch. If desired, a correction can also be applied for any errors in the split block separation. The ratio of the amount of stretch in the deadline to the length of the deadline may be employed to provide measurement of the hookload on the traveling block.

Abstract: A constant tension hoisting system is provided for raising and lowering an object between a platform and a surface undergoing vertical motion relative to the platform, such as raising and lowering a lifeboat from a seagoing vessel to the sea in rough weather. The system operates in a normal hoisting mode to raise or lower the object, and in a constant tension mode when the object is supported on the surface. The system is changed from the normal hoisting mode to the constant tension mode at the moment when the object being lowered is first supported by the surface, and a slack condition exists in the cable. The changeover from the normal hoisting mode to the constant tension mode, is performed by a solenoid-operated mode selector responsive to a proximity switch operated by a lever arm engaging the cable. The hoisting system is operated by a single, manually-actuated control lever, which mechanically activates the proximity-type control switches.

Abstract: A telescopically extendable hanging mechanism for suspending a lighting device has a driving mechanism provided with wires for controlling extension of the hanging mechanism. A wire take-up means for winding up or unwinding the wires is adapted for telescopically extending out or contracting the hanging mechanism. The wire take-up means is given a rotative force and consists of three discs of which the outermost disc has a recess at its outer edge. A ratchet wheel is provided in the wire take-up means and a sensor lever is provided swingably above the wire take-up means and is always pressed in the direction of the take-up means. The sensor lever is provided with pawls so arranged that they are engaged with the ratchet wheel when the sensor lever is swung toward the take-up means. A pulley is rotatably mounted at an end of the sensor lever and is adapted to receive the wires used for telescopically extending out or contracting the hanging mechanism.

Abstract: An emergency stop mechanism for a lifting device capable of moving a load along a predetermined path against and with the force of gravity using a primary cable. The emergency stop mechanism includes a secondary cable or line functionally in parallel with the primary cable. The secondary cable is attached to the load and is wound around an idling drum, with means provided to keep the secondary cable taut around the idling drum. In the event of a failure of the primary lifting system, a braking assembly, sensing and actuated by a decrease in tension in the primary cable, arrests the rotation of the idling drum and thus stops or slows the descent of the payload.

Abstract: Anchor winch equipment, for a motor boat, a yacht or a small-sized fishing boat, which ensures easy and simple paying out and hauling in of an anchor and whose power is supplied from a battery or a generator provided in said boat or yacht, is characterized in that when a drive motor built in a drum rotates in the winding direction, a changeover ratchet wheel having a drive pawl at one end transmits rotation to a drum and a feed cam shaft by means of a roller clutch fitted by a screw provided at the outer periphery of main shaft linked with motor shaft, causing the anchor rope to be wound in the same time when said drum begins to rotates, and a feed cam shaft simultaneously rotate to cause said anchor rope to be gradually wound along the surface of said drum, and that in the case of reverse of direction, said changeover ratchet wheel is immediately disengaged by means of said pawl and only said roller clutch moves together with said main shaft, both said drum and said feed cam shaft being disengages from said

Abstract: In this cable hoisting apparatus at least two pulleys disposed in a common plane have in the one a semi-circular-sectioned groove and in the other a V-shaped groove section, the first pulley receiving the load and the other pulley being responsive to the tightening mechanism controlled by the load. Thus, the pulley having a semi-circular sectioned groove will not damage the cable and the cable is retained therein by adherence, thus reducing as much the load exerted on the cable section engaging the second pulley, whereby a lesser retaining effort is exerted on this second pulley; when a pressure mechanism is provided for tensioning the cable in proportion to the load, said mechanism is associated with the pulley having the V-shaped groove.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety device for winch-type apparatus for moving loads.Two longitudinal elements containing a winch between them are connected by a first transverse element on which two telescopic sleeves are pivotably mounted. A calibrated spring is received in each pivotable sleeve. A second transverse element also connects the two longitudinal elements. The second transverse element supports the sleeves and a yoke of a guide pulley for a cable to be wound and unwound from the winch. The tension in the cable causes the springs to pivot the yoke thereby preventing excessive tension on the cable when a load drawn by the winch encounters resistance and preventing excessive unwinding of the cable when the load is interrupted in its descent.The safety device can be used in all winch-type apparatus, and in particular in hoisting apparatus with telescopic ladders for building sites.