With Means For Preventing Or Retarding Rotation Of Drum In At Least One Direction Patents (Class 254/356)
  • Patent number: 11155450
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a vehicle, a winch for the vehicle, and a warning control device for the winch of the vehicle. The warning control device includes: a warning component; and a warning control board, including: a load detector, connected to the motor through a current sensor, and configured to detect load condition of the motor by collecting measured working current of the motor; a processor, connected to the load detector and the warning controller respectively, and configured to output a warning control signal to the warning controller according to the load condition of the motor; and a warning controller, connected to the warning component and the processor respectively, and configured to receive the warning control signal and to control the warning component to produce a warning based on the warning control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: T-MAX (HANGZHOU) TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xing Fan, Hangfei Yu
  • Patent number: 10634218
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus is disclosed. The transmission apparatus includes at least a first gearset and a last gearset. Each gearset includes a sun gear, a set of planetary gears, and a ring gear. The ring gears have splined outer surfaces. Each gearset has a rotational speed and a torque. A drum encloses and mates with the gearsets. The drum has splined inner surfaces that mate with the splined outer surfaces. The last splined outer surface transfers the last torque of the last gearset directly to the drum. The drum transfers at least a portion of the last torque to the first splined outer surface of the first gearset. This reduces the first rotational speed of the first gearset and increases the first torque of the first gearset, thereby reducing the last rotational speed of the last gearset and increasing the last torque of the last gearset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Daniel Madsen, Benjamin Taylor, Nathan Davis
  • Patent number: 10611606
    Abstract: A method for filling a gripper for bulk material, with the gripper being suspended on holding cables, raised and lowered by a crane via a controller, and acting on the bulk material with the gripper weight during the closing and filling process. By reducing the effect of the weight of the gripper on the bulk material, a fill degree of the gripper is influenced via the controller in that a tensile force acting on the holding cables is influenced in order to optimally fill the gripper. A tensile force TARGET value is determined for the holding cables via the controller and is output to a tensile force controller as an input variable. An electric motor for lifting and lowering the gripper is controlled by the tensile force controller, and an ascertained tensile force ACTUAL value of the holding cables is supplied to the tensile force controller as an input variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Konecranes Global Corporation
    Inventors: Jürgen Rothmann, Arno van de Loo
  • Patent number: 10351397
    Abstract: A chain hoist with a chain wheel and a load chain looped around the chain wheel has a shaft rotatably mounted in the housing for driving the chain wheel. A threaded disc with internal thread is connected to an external thread of the shaft and has a drive gear tooth system engaged by a force element actuated manually or motorized. A brake disc rotatable relative to shaft and threaded disc has a braking surface facing a drive surface of the shaft and a braking surface facing the threaded disc. The brake disc has locking teeth engaging a safety catch of the housing. A freewheel device is provided to increase an axial distance between threaded disc and drive surface. Centrifugal elements with outward friction surface are fixed to the threaded disc and expand outwardly against a spring force to contact a braking surface of the housing with their friction surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Heinrich de Fries GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus C. Uebel
  • Patent number: 10131524
    Abstract: A gear reduction assembly may include a main input shaft, a carrier coupled to the main input shaft, and at least one carrier shaft coupled to the carrier and spaced from the main input shaft. The gear reduction assembly may also include at least one spur gear pair including a first spur gear coupled to the carrier shaft, and a second spur gear, wherein the first and second spur gears are coupled to one another such that they rotate together. The gear reduction assembly also includes a first internal gear engaged with the first spur gear, a second internal gear engaged with the second spur gear, and a hub associated with the first internal gear. The first internal gear has a first number of teeth, the second internal gear has a second number of teeth, and the first and second numbers of teeth differ by from one to five teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Wilkins IP, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Wilkins, Larry C. Wilkins
  • Patent number: 9809072
    Abstract: An improved jack assembly for use with a trailer tongue of a towed vehicle. The jack assembly including telescoping height adjustment of the assembly, a pivot assembly for pivoting between a vertical and horizontal stowed position, and a clip for maintaining a handle assembly in a stowed position when not in use. The jack assembly also includes the use of bushings for the telescoping tubes to enhance the sliding movement between the tubes and aid in maintaining the axial alignment of the tubes thereby extending the life of the jack assembly. The pivot assembly further includes an attachment bracket that may be rotated to accommodate at least two different sizes of trailer tongues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Russ Beck, Eric Anderson, Joseph J. Peschmann, Kawa-She Quoen Okerlund, Todd Walstrom, Todd Trowbridge
  • Patent number: 9181071
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hoist equipped with a power-off type electromagnetic brake, wherein, at positions corresponding to an upper portion and a lower portion of a brake disk of an electromagnetic brake cover surrounding the electromagnetic brake, there are respectively provided insertion openings for first and second operation levers to be vertically inserted between an armature and a pressure-receiving plate. The first operation lever has an insertion portion to be fitted from above into the insertion opening to be inserted between the armature and the pressure-receiving plate, a retaining portion horizontally bent from the insertion portion, and a connection portion downwardly bent from the retaining portion to be connected with the second operation lever, and the second operation lever has an insertion portion fitted from below into the lower insertion opening to be inserted between the armature and the pressure-receiving plate, and an operation portion horizontally bent from the insertion portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: KITO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Hagihara, Akira Saito
  • Patent number: 9048698
    Abstract: A hoist with a regenerative resistor contains the following in a casing: a load-raising/lowering motor driven by an inverter control device and provided with a forced-cooling means; and a mechanism part containing a reduction mechanism part and a load sheave that uses power from the reduction mechanism part to take up and let out a chain. The load-raising/lowering motor, mechanism part, inverter control device, and regenerative resistor are distributed inside the casing to achieve a balance of weight about the center of gravity of the load applied when raising or lowering. Also, the inverter control device and the regenerative resistor are affixed to the casing, in close contact therewith, in parts of the casing separated from each other with the mechanism part therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Kito Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsu Hiroshima
  • Publication number: 20150028275
    Abstract: An electromechanical apparatus for evacuating buildings in the event of a fire includes a reel that has, rolled up on it, a mooring cable that longitudinally passes through the inside of a rigid tube, ending in an evacuation harness, where an individual will be secured. The weight of the individual makes it possible to rock the tube and a lever that has a braking disc and which acts on a brake disc that allows, by means of a mechanical transmission system, the braking and/or retention of the reel and consequently the descent of the individual. There is a radio-control unit and a standalone electric and electronic safety system that is activated when the speed of descent of the individual is too great. The apparatus allows evacuation and can be reused, once used. The apparatus carries away, brakes, retains and evacuates the individual making use of the electromechanical apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Joaquín Tamayo Insua
  • Patent number: 8936232
    Abstract: A hoist includes a platform, a drum, and a motor. The drum is supported by and configured to rotate with respect to the platform, and the motor is coupled to the drum and configured to rotate the drum. The hoist further includes a shaft having a splined section and an interlock system configured to constrain rotation of the shaft. The shaft is coupled to at least one of the drum and the motor, and communicates torque between the drum and the motor. The interlock system includes a keyed ring and an arm. The keyed ring is configured to slide onto and engage the splined section of the shaft. The arm extends from the keyed ring and is configured to provide leverage to limit rotation of the keyed ring, thereby interlocking rotation of the shaft when the keyed ring is engaged with the splined section of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Kowalski, Frank R. Szpek, Mark Medenwaldt, David Bienfang
  • Publication number: 20140239243
    Abstract: A winch assembly is described and shown herein. The winch assembly may include a first housing member having a first retaining member formed therein and a second housing member having a second retaining member formed therein, the second housing member secured to the first housing member forming a winch housing. The winch assembly may further include a drive system generally positioned within the winch housing, and a winch drum operatively coupled with the drive system and rotationally secured with the first and second retaining members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Eric Anderson, Kawa-She-Quoen Wm. Okerlund
  • Patent number: 8807311
    Abstract: A winch clutch includes a driving block and a driven block respective connected to a motor and a transmission shaft of a deceleration clutch mechanism of a winch, the driving block and the driven block each having two spaced protruding flanges, a brake spring mounted between the driving block and the driven block and having retaining end portions disposed at two opposite ends thereof and respectively engaged into gaps between the protruding flanges of the driving block and gaps between the protruding flanges of the driven block, a brake bush accommodating the driving block, the driven block and the brake spring, and a one-way bearing fixedly mounted in the winch around the brake bush to limit rotation of the brake bush in a first direction. Thus, the winch brake has the characteristics of high reliability and high durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Life Style Metal Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Ta-Yu Lin
  • Patent number: 8579259
    Abstract: Apparatus for a two speed winch assembly are described herein. The winch assembly may be secured to a towing trailer and is arranged to assist in loading and unloading cargo from the trailer. The winch assembly may include mechanisms, systems, and features to make the winch assembly easy to assemble and use, increase the service life of the winch assembly, and improve the consistency of the performance of the winch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kawa-She-Quoen Okerlund, Eric Anderson, Todd Walstrom, Joseph J. Peschmann
  • Patent number: 8459615
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus for a winch assembly. The winch assembly may be secured to a towing trailer and arranged to assist in loading and unloading cargo from the trailer. The winch assembly may include mechanisms, systems, and features to make the winch assembly easy to assemble and use, increase the service life of the winch assembly, and improve the consistency of the performance of the winch assembly. Embodiments of a winch assembly disclosed include novel drive systems, novel ratchet and pawl systems, novel systems for guiding a winch strap, novel systems for securing the winch assembly to a towing trailer, and a novel frame member for a winch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Anderson, Joseph J. Peschmann, Kawa-She-Quoen Okerlund, Todd Walstrom
  • Patent number: 8448922
    Abstract: A safety brake device for a theatre hoist to prevent the uncontrolled release of a load that is suspended above or below people includes an overrunning clutch and a torque disc. The torque disc only rotates with the overrunning clutch when the load is lowered, but must overcome friction forces applied to the surface of the torque disc to do so. The friction forces are constantly applied to the torque disc by maintaining friction material in contact with the torque disc. The friction material is a non-asbestos, non-metallic composite saturated with a lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: The Rowland Company
    Inventor: Robert Z. Gartrell, III
  • Patent number: 8052124
    Abstract: An elevator brake (20) rotor for use in an elevator machine (10) includes a non-metallic elevator brake hub (36) and a metal flange (34), both of which have an opening with a splined portion for guiding axial movement of the rotor along a rotable shaft (14). This arrangement reduces metal-to-metal contact between the rotor and shaft and reduces noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Andres Monzon, Jose Miguel Aguado, Juan Manual Oronoz, Juan Martin, Antonio Sanchez, Jose Sevilleja
  • Publication number: 20110180770
    Abstract: A winch includes a rotatable drum. A cable is wound onto the drum in one rotative direction and off the drum in a second rotative direction. A sealed axial flux permanent magnet drive motor includes a drive shaft selectively rotated by the motor in either direction of rotation. A gear train interconnects the drive shaft and the drum for rotatably driving the drum at a reduced rotative speed relative to the motor shaft. The motor can apply regenerative braking. A spring-applied electric release brake is connected to the drive shaft to apply a braking force to prevent rotation of the drum. A connecting shaft connects the gear train to the rotatable drum. The connecting shaft includes axially spaced splines that reduce the disparity in the gear train and drum centerlines to thereby reduce gyration therebetween. The drum can be made partially from carbon fiber to reduce the weight thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: WARN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Randy C. Karambelas, Oliver Heravi, David Scuito, Robert Logston, Fred L. Ewer
  • Patent number: 7967278
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus for a winch assembly. The winch assembly may be secured to a towing trailer and arranged to assist in loading and unloading cargo from the trailer. The winch assembly may include mechanisms, systems, and features to make the winch assembly easy to assemble and use, increase the service life of the winch assembly, and improve the consistency of the performance of the winch assembly. Embodiments of a winch assembly disclosed include novel drive systems, novel ratchet and pawl systems, novel systems for guiding a winch strap, novel systems for securing the winch assembly to a towing trailer, and a novel frame member for a winch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Cequent Trailer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Anderson, Joseph J. Peschmann, Kawa-She-Quoen Okerlund, Todd Walstrom
  • Publication number: 20110101292
    Abstract: A zero fleet winch that has a hollow drum and a motor and gear assembly mounted inside the drum. A roller assembly moves with the rotation to keep constant the angle where the cable goes on and off the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: PRODUCTION RESOURCE GROUP L.L.C
    Inventor: James Kempf
  • Patent number: 7806386
    Abstract: A braking device for a winch comprises a braking bush, a brake driving shaft having one end connected to an output shaft of the motor and another end of the brake driving shaft having a first axial protrusion. A brake driven shaft defines an end rotatably disposed in the braking bush and having a second axial protrusion opposed to the first axial protrusion. A brake shoe is disposed between the first axial protrusion and the second axial protrusion. An elastic member is connected to the second axial protrusion and the brake shoe and normally urges the brake shoe toward the first axial protrusion. A winch having the braking device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: T-Max (Hang Zhou) Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Huizhong Yang, Zhaobo Qing
  • Patent number: 7780146
    Abstract: A retrieval assembly is configured and arranged for use with a retractable lifeline assembly including a cable assembly. The retrieval assembly is releasably engagable with the cable assembly to pay out or retract the cable during rescue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: D B Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Casebolt, Vincent G. Meillet
  • Publication number: 20100207086
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cable lifting apparatus for lifting people or loads, including a traction sheave provided with a peripheral groove housing a suspension cable against which rollers apply a pressure in order for the traction sheave to perform the pulling function thereof. The apparatus is designed such that the radial load on the cable is a function of the load to be lifted and of the torque applied by a pinion mounted at the output of the reduction power unit and meshed with a gear wheel integrally connected to, and rotatably concentric with, the traction sheave. The described apparatus allows using a variable number of cables, either by means of the use of a modified sheave provided peripherally with as many grooves as there are cables and having an independent group of pressure rollers for each cable or through the formation of grooves between portions separated by notches made in radial planes between successive portions and having a single group of pressure rollers for all of the cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Juan Julian Asensio Bazterra, Enrique Del Pozo Polidoro
  • Publication number: 20100127229
    Abstract: A drawworks (10) comprising a permanent magnet motor (60) mounted inside a drum(40), said permanent magnet motor arranged to drive said drum via a gear system(50), characterised in that said gear system is located at least partially within said drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Hege Kverneland, Åge Kyllingstad, Magne Mathias Moe, Robert Lewis Bloom
  • Publication number: 20100127228
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a plane braking device for electric winches and electric winch which disposes a section of hollow gear shaft, a section of core shaft, a fixing ring, a wedge shape support, a stopping piece, a braking plate, an elastic element, a wedge shape piece B, a wedge shape piece A, a braking clutch base and so on in a gear box of an electric winch. When a motor works, the section of core shaft of the motor drives the braking clutch base and the wedge shape pieces A, B to rotate, until a gap is formed between the adjacent braking plate and stopping piece between the braking clutch base and the wedge shape piece B, so that the braking effect disappears. When the motor stops suddenly, a heavy load lifted by a tight wire drum provides a reverse pulling force so that the wedge shape piece B produces a reverse thrust force to push the friction planes of the braking plate and the stopping piece, so the plane braking effect is achieved quickly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Yuzhi Xie, Kuo-Hsiang Tsao
  • Publication number: 20100102288
    Abstract: A braking device for a winch comprises a braking bush, a brake driving shaft having one end connected to an output shaft of the motor and another end of the brake driving shaft having a first axial protrusion. A brake driven shaft defines an end rotatably disposed in the braking bush and having a second axial protrusion opposed to the first axial protrusion. A brake shoe is disposed between the first axial protrusion and the second axial protrusion. An elastic member is connected to the second axial protrusion and the brake shoe and normally urges the brake shoe toward the first axial protrusion. A winch having the braking device is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Huizhong Yang, Zhaobo Qing
  • Patent number: 7703751
    Abstract: A winch assembly includes a housing member, a drum rotatably coupled to the housing member, a drive shaft extending through the drum and into the housing member, a gear train located within the housing member, and an actuation mechanism. The gear train includes a sun gear driven by the drive shaft, a ring gear, and a planetary gear assembly driven by the sun gear and including a planetary gear rotatably coupled to a carrier plate and engaged with the ring gear. The actuation mechanism includes a locking member displaceable between first and second positions and a biasing member having a radially extending arm engaged with the locking member to provide displacement between the first and second positions. The locking member rotationally fixes the ring gear relative to the housing member in the first position and allows relative rotation between the ring gear and the housing member in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Warn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Elliott, Darren K. Johnson, Bryon M. Borntrager
  • Publication number: 20100038610
    Abstract: A drawworks having a drum spool, a drum shaft concentrically supported by the drum spool, a rotary union, brake assemblies and a brake cooling system which circulates a cooling fluid through the brake assemblies to thereby reduce the operating temperature of the brake assemblies. The brake cooling system includes a cooling fluid passage that extends through the drum spool, the rotary union and the brake assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventor: Charles Glen Franks
  • Patent number: 7648125
    Abstract: The present invention is a winch clutch assembly, where the deceleration mechanism of the winch contains an additional second internal gear ring, and its outer annular wall is provided with multiple equally distanced fitting indents. The clutch assembly, external to the deceleration mechanism, has clutch levers shifted in longitudinal motion, where the clutch levers are used either to immobilize in the fitting indents of the second internal gear ring of the deceleration mechanism or to release from their immobilized state, enabling the power to transmit or pause to the steel rope sheave of the winch, to accomplish the clutch function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Shih Jyi Huang
  • Patent number: 7374153
    Abstract: A dual braking device for a power winch includes a first braking device and a second braking device, which is composed of a transmitting sleeve, a braking lining, an electromagnetic induction coil, a magnetic conduction member, and an elastic member. When the power winch is electrically connected for retracting or releasing steel ropes, the induction coil will produce magnetic force to attract the magnetic conductive member to move and compress the elastic member, and the braking lining cannot perform braking. When the power winch is electrically disconnected, the electromagnetic induction coil cannot produce magnetic force, and the magnetic conduction member will be actuated by the elastic member to contact with and force the braking lining to stop the rotating shaft and the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventor: Shih Jyi Huang
  • Patent number: 7367548
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for elevated storage of articles including application of a spring clutch winch to provide the required lifting and holding forces. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus includes a spring clutch winch, one or more elongate elements payed out from and, alternatively, wound onto the winch, at least one rotational support supporting each elongate element and a hanger secured to an elongate element end. The article to be stored can be raised by winding each elongate element onto the spring clutch winch and can be lowered by unwinding the line from the spring clutch winch. Use of a spring clutch winch for this storage application provides a highly effective yet simple and cost effective manner of raising and lowering the article and securely holding the article in an elevated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Pinpoint Products, LLC
    Inventors: Lewis B. Rosenfeldt, Robert McCarthy, Dustin Vallely, Harry A. Pyster
  • Patent number: 6659429
    Abstract: A self-locking reduction device used in a winch has a support to which an input shaft is rotatably mounted. The input shaft has an eccentric shaft portion. Three pins are formed at regular intervals on a circumference around the center of the eccentric shaft portion on an external gear that is mounted to the eccentric shaft portion. Three bores are formed at regular intervals on the support facing the external gear on a circumference around the center of the input shaft. The pins are engaged with the bores so that the external gear may be eccentrically moved. The number of internal teeth of the internal gear is slightly more than that of the external teeth of the external gear, thereby providing a reliable self-locking reduction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Katsuji Shoji
  • Patent number: 6604731
    Abstract: A utility winch having a single planet gear assembly that commonly engages adjacent ring gears, one ring gear fixed and the other rotatable. The planet gears of the planet assembly have inner and outer portions that rotate together and have different diameters and different numbers of teeth, one ring gear engaged with an inner portion and a second ring gear engaged with an outer portion of the planet gears. Said ring gears matched to the respective planet gear portions and having different numbers of teeth and different diameters as required to achieve involute engagement of the ring gears and planet gears whereby the rotatable gear is caused to rotate at a substantially reduced rate of rotation. Said rotatable ring gear is fixed to the winch reel for reduced rotation of the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Warn Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Ray Hodge
  • Patent number: 6241215
    Abstract: A winch including a casing for accommodating an electric motor, a gearbox and a roller for winding and unwinding a traction member. In order to provide a cost-effective flat winch which can be transported by a single person and used universally, in particular for the domestic sector, the casing has a box-like configuration to exhibit a shape and size of a suitcase or attaché case, with the casing having opposite flat outer sides, with one outer side having attached thereon a suspension member, and the other outer side being formed with an opening for passage of the traction member. The electric motor, the gearbox and the roller are arranged in the casing and extend in a common plane, with the casing including a handle to allow transport of the winch by a person. The electric motor may be designed as a universal motor, and connected via a belt drive to the gearbox which is designed as a self-locking worm drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventors: Udo Gersemsky, Uwe Lichtenvort, Giuliano Persico, Heinz Flaig, Jürgen Heun, Ralf Eising
  • Patent number: 6209690
    Abstract: A load brake having a load shaft, a flange-like pressure plate fixedly mounted onto the load shaft, and a cogwheel arranged on the load shaft. A tension device produces an axial motion and force in the cogwheel as the wheel rotates with respect to the load shaft, and a ratchet wheel is mounted between the pressure plate and the cogwheel. A pawl prevents the rotation of the ratchet wheel at least in the release direction of the load shaft, and friction surfaces are provided between the pressure plate and the ratchet wheel, and the ratchet wheel and the cogwheel. Rotation that tends towards the release direction of the load shaft and that is faster than the speed of rotation of the cogwheel brings the pressure plate and the cogwheel closer together in the axial direction and presses them against the ratchet wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: KCI Konecranes International PLC
    Inventors: Ismo Kuivamäki, Mika Kuusela
  • Patent number: 6034271
    Abstract: Amphiphilic amphoteric compounds of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, and n are as defined in the disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Huels Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Klaus Kwetkat
  • Patent number: 5573091
    Abstract: Electrically powered or manually driven clutch and brake mechanism for an electric wince cooperate with a transmission mechanism. The clutch mechanism is provided with a thrust bearing on a clutch shaft and a large clutch gear is then inserted thereon. A lining plate is attached to a clutch plate of the large gear and a pinion gear is attached tightly to the lining plate. Another thrust bearing is placed behind the pinion gear and a compression spring is inserted on the clutch shaft. The large and the pinion gears can be pushed tightly together or loosened as a function of resiliency of the spring. A clutch hand wheel can be provided for manual operation. In addition, the brake mechanism is designed such that a rotating shaft of a motor is provided with a disc brake which has a unidirectional bearing. The disc brake can be squeezed tightly by disc pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: Michael Hung
  • Patent number: 5398911
    Abstract: A winch assembly (10) includes a first transmission assembly rotatably connecting a motor (11) to a winch drum (20) comprising clutches (12, 16) adapted to rotatably engage an output shaft (13) of the motor (11) to a winch drum shaft (19) of the winch drum (20) to wind in cable (22) onto the winch drum (20) and to payout cable (22) from the winch drum (20) by disengagement of motor drive shaft (13) from winch drum shaft (19).The winch assembly (10) further includes a second transmission assembly comprising an overrun clutch (23) rotatably connecting winch drum shaft (19) to motor drive shaft (13) if and when the payout speed of cable (22) from drum (20) exceeds a predetermined value.The winch assembly (10) is particularly suited to control conveyor belt tension in relatively large conveyor belts by simple on/off control of the clutches (12, 16) in response to sensed conveyor belt tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Pace Engineering Pty. Limited
    Inventor: Donald J. Holster
  • Patent number: 5228661
    Abstract: A spare tire lift-and-carry apparatus for use on a vehicle includes a rotatable input shaft supported by a housing. A transmission mechanism is provided for transferring torque from the rotatable input shaft to a cable storage member driven in rotation about a longitudinal axis to retract and deploy a cable having a rim retainer connected at one end. The rim retainer is adapted to engage a spare tire or wheel assembly. A clutch mechanism can be provided for allowing transfer of rotation in both rotational directions from the input shaft to the cable storage mechanism, while preventing transfer of rotation through the clutch mechanism in either rotational direction originating from the cable storage mechanism, rather than the input shaft. A torque override mechanism can also be provided between the input shaft and the transmission mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Bigham, Cami Shadley
  • Patent number: 5002259
    Abstract: A power winch is described which includes drive means with an output shaft, lock means to prevent reverse rotation of the shaft and a drum clutch assembly. The drum can be selectively engaged with or disengaged from the drum shaft. The lock means prevents the drum from rotating in reverse when it is engaged with the drum shaft. The power winch can be made compact and portable and can be powered by a small internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Helper Winch, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Manning, William L. Watson
  • Patent number: 4938454
    Abstract: A pair of axially aligned input and output shafts are jornalled from a frame supporting a brake drum about the output shaft and the output shaft mounts two pairs of diametrically opposite brake shoes therefrom spring biased into friction braking relation with the inner surfaces of the drum. One pair of brake shoes are of the self-energizing type to brake the output shaft against rotation in one direction relative to the drum and the other pair of shoes are of the self-energizing type for frictionally braking the shaft against rotation in the other direction relative to the drum. Connecting structure is provided establishing a limited loss motion connection between the shafts and includes control structure to release one pair of the brake shoes responsive to torque input to the input shaft above a predetermined minimum in the first direction and to release the other pair of brake shoes responsive to an equal amount of torque input to the input shaft in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Maurice Jones
    Inventor: Lewis M. Jones
  • Patent number: 4884783
    Abstract: A compact, lightweight, electrically powered hoist with a drum used for hoisting or lowering a payload. A vertically oriented reversible motor is controlled by a control pendant with a momentary switch to drive a helical gear reduction and a worm gear reduction. A worm shaft and a drum shaft wind wire rope on a drum. A one-way clutch and a brake on a driven shaft free-wheel during hoisting operations. A clutch and brake hold the payload in a hoisted position. Lowering of the hoisted payload is accomplished by reversal of the motor, and driving a shaft and clutch against the torque of the engaged brake. A wire rope with a swaged fitting is anchored to the drum by engagement in a keyhole. The hoist may be mounted horizontally, vertically or on a ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Thorn, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Bruce McIntosh, Royal G. Thern
  • Patent number: 4854547
    Abstract: A compact retrieval winch and a control therefor are mounted on a recovery vehicle for pulling an immobilized heavy vehicle, such as a military tank, back onto suitable terrain. The winch comprises a support structure, a rotatable hollow cable drum with a cable wrapped thereon, a reversible variable displacement hydraulic motor for driving the drum through a multi-stage power transmission mechanism located within the drum, and a drum brake. The winch control comprises a sensing mechanism for sensing the number of layers of winch cable wrapped on the drum while the drum is operating in the pulling mode and the cable is connected to the tank. The winch control further comprises a hydraulic control circuit, including a constant line pull valve assembly responsive to movement of the sensing mechanism, for controlling the displacement of the hydraulic motor so as to maintain constant maximum cable pulling force regardless of the number of layers of cable on the cable drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Harnischfeger Corporation
    Inventor: Larry J. Oliphant
  • Patent number: 4611787
    Abstract: This scaffold hoist uses a transmission mechanism whose output shafts are fastened to the hoist housing, and whose case rotates, carrying a sheave which impels the mechanism along the cable. The transmission mechanism is advantageously a quadrant drive for extremely high torque-to-weight ratio.The sheave has a peripheral groove, tapered and deep enough to seat a cable having any of three different diameters, at different depths in the groove.The cable wraps around three-fourths of the sheave. Around five-eighths of the sheave, a chain presses the cable into the groove. The chain rollers enter the groove deeply enough to engage even the smallest-diameter cables of interest, while clearing the sheave periphery. The chain side bars ride along the sides of the sheave, holding the chain and cable in position.A resettable overspeed brake uses a rotary cam that jams a cable of any of the three sizes, at correspondingly various cam angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Assignee: Power Climber, Incorporated
    Inventors: Marvin M. May, Robert C. Billings, Harry A. Kendall, Jeffrey T. Bayorgeon
  • Patent number: 4555091
    Abstract: This scaffold hoist uses a transmission mechanism whose output shafts are fastened to the hoist housing, and whose case rotates, carrying a sheave which impels the mechanism along the cable. The transmission mechanism is advantageously a quadrant drive for extremely high torque-to-weight ratio.The sheave has a peripheral groove, tapered and deep enough to seat a cable having any of three different diameters, at different depths in the groove.The cable wraps around three-quarters of the sheave. Around five-eighths of the sheave, a chain presses the cable into the groove. The chain rollers enter the groove deeply enough to engage even the smallest-diameter cables of interest, while clearing the sheave periphery. The chain side bars ride along the sides of the sheave, holding the chain and cable in position.A resettable overspeed brake uses a rotary cam that jams a cable of any of the three sizes, at correspondingly various cam angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Assignee: Power Climber, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin M. May, Robert C. Billings, Harry A. Kendall, Jeffrey T. Bayorgeon
  • Patent number: 4444375
    Abstract: An adapter that converts any normal chainsaw into a winching type towing machine for use by hunters who fell large game such as elk or deer, and must haul their fallen prey over rugged and remote terrain. The adapter replaces a chainsaw chain and guide bar, and bolts into the same position. The adapter comprises a drive chain and housing with a cable guide bar in the front and a tow bar in the rear. The housing contains a drive sprocket connected to a cable drum via a transmission that engages or disengages the drive train. An automatic braking system prevents the cable drum from paying out cable when under a load which may occur when the chainsaw motor is idling and a centrifugal clutch has disengaged the drive power. The adapter folds up into a compact unit capable of being transported anywhere. Additionally, the invention is not limited to use by hunters, but may be used whenever a motorized winching operation is called for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Inventor: Earl E. Horn
  • Patent number: 4441691
    Abstract: A hoisting winch for cranes or the like having a power transmission system assembled in a final reduction drive of the winch and arranged such that arresting of the whole planetary gear set meshing with a ring gear connected to a spooling drum and releasing of the arrest can be effected by arresting a carrier and by releasing the arrest and that a rotary drive power from an input shaft is transmitted to the spooling drum when the carrier is held against rotation, brake means adapted to be spring applied and hydraulically released with its control circuit to arrest or release the carrier, and an adjustable pressure reducing valve provided in the control circuit for adjusting and controlling a braking force of the brake means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nagahara, Tosio Uchimura
  • Patent number: 4408746
    Abstract: A hydraulically actuated winch assembly having a dual planetary gear system for driving a common ring gear from a power input shaft. Power from the shaft is divided through the two planetary gear systems for driving the common ring gear which is attached to the load member, such as a winch drum. A brake assembly can be assembled as a unit and then inserted into the winch assembly and is axially fixed in position by a retainer plate that is held on the housing of the winch assembly by means of a snap ring. The brake assembly is axially inserted into the housing and against the snap ring and bolt means then are secured between the retainer plate and brake assembly so as to fix the assembly in position within the housing. The brake assembly; includes an axially extending piston rod forming a part of a hydraulic actuator which actuates the brake assembly and the power input shaft for the planetary gear system is piloted in the end of the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1983
    Assignee: Harnischfeger Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Marsch, Herbert L. Eckert
  • Patent number: 4398698
    Abstract: One or more freefall systems for a crane or the like is disclosed, which system includes a protective circuit that includes three separate switches that must be closed before the winch can be placed in its freefall mode. A mode switch in the cab must first be closed, a brake pedal must be depressed to close a second switch, and a third switch must be held closed by the operator during freefall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1983
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C. Crawford, Thomas J. Feltman, Roger A. Steuck
  • Patent number: 4390161
    Abstract: A winch drive and brake mechanism is disclosed featuring a load compensating brake. The brake includes a fixed member and first and second rotary brake members. The first and second brake members are coaxially mounted on a drive shaft in alignment with a cable drum. The first brake member is fixed on the drive shaft. The second brake member is supported on the drive shaft between the first brake member and the fixed member for free rotation and movement axially of the drive shaft toward and away from braking engagement with the fixed member. The first brake member is engageable with the second brake member for axially moving it toward the fixed member into brake engaged position and releasing the second brake member for movement axially away from the fixed member toward a brake released position respectively in response to rotation of the first brake member relative to the second brake member in opposite angular directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1983
    Assignee: Superwinch, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4251060
    Abstract: A hand hoist comprises a brake support member (1) for supporting brake plates (24, 25) and firmly mounted on a driving shaft (20) detachably connected through gears to a load pulley (32). A brake biasing member (2) is threadedly engaged on the brake support member by means of a ball screw (43-45), and a retainer ring (3) is fixed to an outer surface of the brake biasing member. A friction transmission ring (5) having a frusto-conical friction outer surface (4) is non-rotatably fitted on the retainer ring, and a manually rotated member (6) for rotating the brake biasing member relative to the brake support member includes a frusto-conical inner surface (7) mating with the frictional outer surface of the transmission ring. Belleville springs (9) urge these frusto-conical surfaces against each other, and they are made of different metals, such as steel, bronze or brass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1981
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Kito, Beebe Brothers, Inc.
    Inventors: Noritoshi Suzuki, Masakatsu Tsubokawa, Roy N. Bathum, Jr., Ron S. Selset