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 rescue hoist includes a cable drum that translates along and rotates around a cable drum axis. The rescue hoist includes various components that are supported on the hoist frame and that extend at least partially through the cable drum. A first bellows is mounted to the frame and attached to a first end of the cable drum, and a second bellows is mounted to the frame and attached to the second end of the cable drum. The first bellows and the second bellows expand and collapse as the cable drum translates, such that the first bellows and the second bellows isolate the rescue hoist components from an operating environment as cable drum translates and rotates.

Abstract: A hoist system having a drum primarily self-contained within a batten, for raising and lowering lighting, sound equipment, curtains and the like in a performance environment. The hoist system may be adapted with safety mechanisms including an overload sensor and/or a slack line detector. The system may be provided in the form of a point hoist. 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.

Abstract: A hoist system having a drum primarily self-contained within a batten, for raising and lowering lighting, sound equipment, curtains and the like in a performance environment. The hoist system may be adapted with safety mechanisms including an overload sensor and/or a slack line detector. The system may be provided in the form of a point hoist. 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.

Abstract: A gantry system supports a human user in a harness attached to a carriage on a track. The carriage may comprise a body defining a U-shaped or C-shaped opening sized to receive a cylindrical track, and a pair of wheels attached to the body that roll along a top portion of the track with sufficiently minimal drag to permit the user to move the carriage without assistance. Single track embodiments may have a straight or curved trajectory and may have intersecting track portions with junctions that move between the intersecting track portions. In other embodiments, the carriage traverses a perpendicular track spanning a pair of parallel tracks. The perpendicular track may traverse the parallel tracks with or without motorized assistance. A counterweight system may provide partial weight support for the user. In one embodiment, the tracks are supported by a collapsible free-standing structure.

Abstract: A cable winch device, particularly a cable winch device for a crane, has at least one cable winch with at least one cable, with the cable wound and/or unwound at least partially on the cable winch. The cable winch can be shifted and/or moved at least partially substantially along the longitudinal axis of the cable winch. A crane, particularly a deep sea crane, has at least one such cable winch device.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A level winding drum winch has a frame within which a rotatable drum is mounted. The frame is supported upon a pair of tracks upon which the frame may be slid from side to side. A motor connected to the drum rotates the drum for winding or paying out a cable wrapped around the drum. A feed screw attached within the frame is actuated by the motor to slide the frame from side to side as the cable is wound upon the drum. Thus, the cable is continuously directed at a substantially perpendicular angle, without bending or kinking, towards or away from the drum thereby forming a level winding and avoiding damage to the cable. The winch is particularly useful in handling relatively fragile composite cables useful for simultaneously towing and electronically communicating data with the objects towed by a boat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cable winch device, particularly to a cable winch device for a crane, having at least one cable winch, with at least one cable, wherein the cable is wound and/or can be wound and/or unwound at least partially on the cable winch, and with at least one shifting means by means of which the cable winch can be shifted and/or moved at least partially substantially along the longitudinal axis of the cable winch. The invention further relates to a crane, particularly to a deep sea crane, having at least one cable winch device.

Abstract: A pneumatic load balancing device having an inflatable reservoir establishing via an amplifier a pressure within a lift chamber that is sufficient to balance the weight of an object being lifted. The reservoir is inflated and deflated by inflation and deflation valves that may be operated from an operator control center proximal an end effector of the device. The valves may be actuated via pushbuttons or in a mutually exclusively fashion via a neutrally biased reciprocating actuator. The device allows loads of different weights to be lifted in a semi-automatic fashion with operator involvement to select the load balancing pressure. The device may have an air release system that closes a blocking valve in the event of release of the object and optionally in the event of a loss of air supply. The pressure within the lift chamber is thereby preserved and can be vented at different rates.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a winch and an autonomous mobile apparatus including the winch. The winch can include: a driving motor; a driving axle configured to rotate by having a driving force transferred from the driving motor; a wire drum installed on the driving axle in such a way that the wire drum is rotated by the driving axle and can move along the driving axle, a first screw part formed on an external circumferential surface of lengthwise end thereof; and a guide part arranged to be parallel to the driving axle and having a second screw part formed on a lateral side that faces the driving axle, the second screw part being extended in a lengthwise direction of the driving axle and engaged with the first screw part. The wire drum can move along the guide part in such a way that the length of a wire being wound or unwound for one rotation of the wire drum is constant.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A theater rigging assembly having a beam, which is attached to structural support members of a theater or other performing arts venue. The assembly further includes a winch assembly and head block that can be positioned at any point along the beam and selectively fixed in position. The winch portion includes cables for raising and lowering battens or other loads. The head block includes head sheaves, which redirect the cables to loft sheaves that are selectively attached to the beam. The head sheaves are diagonally displaced to separate the cables. The winch portion includes a motor, a gear box, a drum and a brake. The brake includes a ratchet and two brake disks. It uses at least one friction surface that contacts at least one of the brake disks to cause a pawl to engage or disengage from the ratchet.

Abstract: A well head attachment is provided having an elongated casing or housing structure in which the tool string, including the entire cable or wire line supply, is pressurized, the housing structure being arranged to place the interior thereof in communication with the well bore in a manner whereby well pressure is equalized throughout the assembly during all operations, utilizing a unique pressure-tight adjustably articulated riser assembly with off-set pivotal radial connections for connection between the wellhead attachment and the pressurized cable-supply reel, thus the need for lengthy sinker weights, lubricators and stuffing boxes is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A theater rigging assembly having a beam, which is attached to structural support members of a theater or other performing arts venue. The assembly further includes a winch assembly and head block that can be positioned at any point along the beam and selectively fixed in position. The winch portion includes cables for raising and lowering battens or other loads. The head block includes head sheaves, which redirect the cables to loft sheaves that are selectively attached to the beam. The head sheaves are diagonally displaced to separate the cables. The winch portion includes a motor, a gear box, a drum and a brake. The brake includes a ratchet and two brake disks. It uses at least one friction surface that contacts at least one of the brake disks to cause a pawl to engage or disengage from the ratchet.

Abstract: A hoist assembly for raising and lowering a load attached to a cable having a drum with a groove spirally disposed about its outer surface mounted within a frame. The groove having a predetermined pitch and configured to receive the cable wound about the drum. The drum has a cable take-off point where the cable ceases contacting the drum and is tangent to the drum. A head block is mounted to the frame and configured to receive the cable as it wound and unwound on the drum while maintaining tangential alignment with said take-off point.

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.

Abstract: A self-climbing stage lighting system having a self-climbing apparatus and a light bar is disclosed. The self-climbing apparatus is hung from cables that extend approximately vertically from a fixed endpoint. The self-climbing apparatus includes an elongated support member and a linear actuator that drives travels sheaves along a portion support member. Responsive to the travel sheaves being driven in a first direction, the self-climbing apparatus climbs cables. Responsive to the travel sheaves being driven in the direction opposite the first direction, the self-climbing apparatus descends the cables.

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.

Abstract: The invention concerns a compressed air balancer (1) for raising, holding and lowering a load, comprising a cable drum (4) which is rotatable and displaceable along its axis of rotation for rolling up and unrolling a cable holding the load, a housing which preferably includes a cylindrical casing (2) and two end closure covers (3), a piston (7) which is subjected to the effect of gas pressure and which is displaceable axially in the housing; and a ball thread transmission which includes a ball rolling spindle (5) and a ball nut (6) and which converts an axial movement of the piston (7) into a rotary movement and axial movement of the cable drum (4). The compressed air balancer (1) is distinguished in that an external running surface of the piston (7) is formed by an internal surface (12) of a tube (8) which is fitted in the form of an internal sleeve into the cylindrical casing (2). Preferably a carbon fiber tube is used as the tube (8).

Abstract: A safety device of an air balancing hoist according to the present invention is provided to instantaneously brake a reel drum in the manner that a braking pawl mounted to be rotatable on an end cap is pushed to the outside direction of the circumference of a circle by centrifugal force to be locked into a ratchet wheel fixed on the end cap when the reel drum is suddenly fast rotated during a hoisting process.

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.

Abstract: A human power amplifier includes an end-effector that is grasped by a human operator and applied to a load. The end-effector is suspended, via a line, from a take-up pulley, winch, or drum that is driven by an actuator to lift or lower the load. The end-effector includes a force sensor that measures the vertical force imposed on the end-effector by the operator and delivers a signal to a controller. The controller and actuator are structured in such a way that a predetermined percentage of the force necessary to lift or lower the load is applied by the actuator, with the remaining force being supplied by the operator. The load thus feels lighter to the operator, but the operator does not lose the sense of lifting against both the gravitation and inertial forces originating in the load.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A balancing hoist, includes a housing having a chamber accessible from outside. Received in the housing is a piston which is movable by gas pressure in a longitudinal direction and rotates a threaded spindle which projects into the chamber of the housing and carries a nut that securely fixed to the housing. Mounted in fixed rotative engagement to the spindle and movable longitudinally along the spindle is a cable drum on which a load-carrying cable is wound. At least one pawl is provided and configured for rotation in opposition to an elastic restraining force from a radially inward idle position to a radially outward brake position as a result of centrifugal forces, when a rotation speed of the cable drum exceeds a predetermined level, thereby impacting upon a fixed stopper which projects radially inwardly from the housing and slowing down the rotation of the cable drum until it is at rest.

Abstract: A control system for a pneumatic hoist limits the velocity or acceleration of a load attached to the hoist. The control system includes a controller and a valve. The controller provides a variable gain between an actuator, which controls the speed of the hoist, and the valve, which controls fluid flow into the hoist, thereby controlling the velocity or acceleration of the load. As the velocity or the acceleration of the load reaches a predetermined maximum value, the control system proportionally reduces the gain between the actuator and the valve, thereby closing the valve and reducing the velocity or acceleration of the hoist.

Abstract: A wireless lifting assist device includes a pulley driven by an actuator which is attached to a ceiling. An end-effector is suspended, via a line, from the pulley and interfaces the object to be maneuvered. The wireless lifting assist device further provides an instrumented glove worn by an operator. The glove measures the contact force the operator is exerting on either the object to be moved or the lifting assist device and generates a set of contact signals representing the contact force. The contact signals are transmitted to a controller. The controller generates a set of command signals to control the actuator as a function of the operator contact force such that a predetermined percentage of the force necessary to lift or lower the load is applied by the actuator, with the remaining force being supplied by the operator. The object thus feels lighter to the operator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety device for an air balancing hoist for braking and finally stopping a reel drum in such a manner that upon fast rotation of the reel drum during a lifting-up operation, a braking pawl attached to the reel drum is locked into a ratchet wheel secured on an end cap due to centrifugal force. The air balancing hoist includes a housing 102 with a chamber 101, which compressed air is introduced into and discharged from, formed therein and with end caps 104, 111 mounted on both ends of the housing, a piston 105 reciprocating along an inner periphery of the housing 102, a ball screw 106 installed in the housing 102 so that it penetrates the piston 105 and is secured to the end caps 104, 111 so as not to rotate, and a reel drum 110 with one end thereof rotatably supported by the piston 105 through a bearing 107 and with the other end thereof secured on a ball nut 108 rotatably engaged with the ball screw 106 so that the reel drum is rotated when moving along the ball screw 106.

Abstract: A motorized fly system winch, drum and carriage combination for raising and lowering, for example, theatre scenery by means of cables and which incorporates functions for emergency braking, for moving the drum in synchronization with relation to the carriage containing cable-guiding means and for driving of a limit switch if desired. The winding and unwinding the cables on or off the drum does not change the cable runs relative to the theatre. The fly system winch can be installed at the sides of the stage, up at the stage gridiron, or above the gridiron. With this combination, counterweights are unnecesary. The fly system winch is compact and can be economically manufactured.

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.

Abstract: A balancing hoist, includes a housing having a chamber accessible from outside. Received in the housing is a piston which is movable by gas pressure in a longitudinal direction and rotates a threaded spindle which projects into the chamber of the housing and carries a nut that securely fixed to the housing. Mounted in fixed rotative engagement to the spindle and movable longitudinally along the spindle is a cable drum on which a load-carrying cable is wound. At least one pawl is provided and configured for rotation in opposition to an elastic restraining force from a radially inward idle position to a radially outward brake position as a result of centrifugal forces, when a rotation speed of the cable drum exceeds a predetermined level, thereby impacting upon a fixed stopper which projects radially inwardly from the housing and slowing down the rotation of the cable drum until it is at rest.

Abstract: A winch, includes a housing which receives therein a rotatable rope drum moveable in a longitudinal direction between two end positions through operation of a gas-actuated piston. A spindle, mounted in fixed rotative engagement to the rope drum and extending in coaxial relationship thereto, carries a nut which is securely fixed to the housing for guiding the spindle in the longitudinal direction. Arranged coaxially between the piston and the rope drum is a pivot bearing which includes two bearing rings arranged side-by-side in a direction of a rotation axis of the pivot bearing, whereby, during operation, an end face of the rope drum rests upon one of the bearing rings, and the piston rests on the other one of the bearing rings.

Abstract: A pneumatic human power amplifier module is usable in conjunction with a wide variety of pneumatic actuators and lifting devices to provide a human power amplifier for lifting a load. The module includes an end-effector, an electronic controller and a pneumatic circuit. The end-effector contains a human interface subsection which is grasped by a human operator and a load interface subsection which engages the load to be lifted. A force sensor in the end-effector detects the force imposed by the operator on the end-effector and transmits a signal representing the magnitude of the force to the controller. The controller in turn sends a command to the pneumatic circuit, which controls the flow of air into the associated pneumatic actuator. The actuator drives the lifting device.

Abstract: A winch mounting system includes a stationary mounting member and a winch supporting member slideably mounted thereon. Bearings permit the winch supporting member to move in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the winch drum but restrain motion in all other directions. A fairlead or cable guide assembly, secured to the stationary mounting member, guides the cable to the drum. The tension on the cable forces the winch and drum to continually move to a position that maintains the shortest length of cable between the fairlead and the drum. As a result, the cable winds neatly and evenly on the drum without binding or bunching.

Abstract: A hoist is operated by a pair of hydraulic cylinders having output rods engaging a spool drum to selectively axially displace the drum on a ball screw to cause wind up of a load cable. The hoist is mounted on a mast and boom supported by a wheeled cart, with a battery powering a pump motor to raise the load. A selectively disabled check valve allows the weight of the load to lower itself by forcing fluid past the disabled check valve, returning the fluid to a reservoir.

Abstract: An air balancing hoist is described having an axially movable drum reel supported on a ball nut and screw with a piston defining a pressure chamber containing regulated air pressure acting on one end of the drum reel to counter the unwinding force of a load supported on a cable wound on the drum reel. A centrifugal brake retards drum rotation when there is a sudden release of the load tending to cause too rapid wind up of the cable by the regulated air pressure applied on the piston.

Abstract: A winch includes a spindle plate having a plurality of pins fixed thereon, the pins forming the core of the winch and the line of the trap is wound on the pins. An ejector plate is axially slidable for ejecting the wound line from the pins into the water. The space between the pins forms a basket in which the buoy is put in the winding-in step, this securing the line to the pins for the winding. The ejection step is produced by a slidable ejection shaft carrying the ejection plate, and driven by a motor. An advancing shaft is carried by and within the ejection shaft, and at the final movement of the ejection shaft, the advancing shaft ejects the buoy clear of the line coil. The advancing shaft is moved relative to the ejection shaft, by a cam carried by the ejection shaft and engaging a fixed trip unit.

Abstract: An improved fairlead reduces the problems associated with deploying and rieving a towing cable and its interconnected elongate instrumentation array. A pair of parallel rollers orthogonally disposed to a storage winch reel are spaced apart to present a smooth, protuberance-free surface to accommodate the elongate instrumentation array. A shell coaxially disposed about each of the cylinders is rotated to cover the smooth protuberance-free surfaces and present a pair of abrasion-resistant surfaces when the towing cable is reeled in or payed out. Since it is likely that the abrasion-resistant surface might be scored by the towing cable, rotating the abrasion-resistant surfaces out of the way to expose the protuberance-free accommodating surfaces when the array goes through the fairlead helps reduce the possibility of damage of the elongate instrumentation array during deployment and recovery.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a cable recovery device for use on bo a surface ship. The invention compensates for excessive tensions arising in cables carrying submerged loads which are caused by the swell of the ocean acting on the ship, and controls the tension at which the cable is wound. The invention includes a cable winding drum which is rotationally driven by a variable-speed motor, a loop-shaped cable passageway which circumscribes the drum which forms a loop of cable of varying length, and a means for sensing the length of said cable loop and for automatically controlling the speed of the variable speed motor in response thereto. The loop of cable of varying length compensates for excessive cable tensions resulting from the swell of the ship, and allows the cable to be wound around the drum at a desired uniform tension.

Abstract: A battens system for raising and lowering sceneries or similar loads on a stage is disclosed. The system comprises a series of support members adapted to be secured to the joists of a ceiling, an elongated winch drum made up of several sections interconnected by universal joints and supported in horizontal position by said support members, each winch drum section being provided over part of its length with a helical groove on which a cable for supporting the load is wound. Each support member carries bearing wheels engaging the helical grooves for rotatably supporting the winch drum and for causing its axial displacement at each turn by a distance equal to the pitch of the cable wound or unwound from the winch drum, such that the load will not be laterally shifted when being raised or lowered. The shaft of a reversible hydraulic motor is secured to an end of the winch drum, whereby the hydraulic motor moves with the winch drum in its axial movement.

Abstract: An improved airborne hoist for use in lifting a load, particularly by means f a helicopter, comprising a pair of rotatable drums, each drum being rotatable in an opposite direction, a drive unit intergeared through a series of shafts for providing rotation to the drums, a cable holding device, in the configuration of a supplemental drum surrounding each of the first said drums, and each cable holding device provided for rotating simultaneously in unison with the rotation of its respective drum, while at the same time being axially shiftable for providing a winding or unwinding of its held cable from a constant location. The pair of drums each hold, respectively, its own cable, thereby providing a pair of cables that furnishes an inherent safety factor in that a single mechanical failure of a drum does not result in a loss of its held load.