Having Noncircular Or Varying Diameter, Cable Contacting Perimeter Patents (Class 254/374)
  • Patent number: 12357867
    Abstract: A chest expander comprises a shell, a rotating shaft, a winding storage wheel, an elastic member, and a pull strap, further comprises a resistance adjustment mechanism, and the resistance adjustment mechanism comprises a resistance wheel, an arc-shaped base strap, and a friction plate, wherein the resistance wheel is arranged on the rotating shaft, the arc-shaped base strap is arranged opposite to a peripheral surface of the resistance wheel, and the friction plate is arranged on an inner surface of the arc-shaped base strap and is in frictional contact with the peripheral surface of the resistance wheel; and one end of the arc-shaped base strap is fixedly connected to the shell, and the other end is movable and adjustable to adjust friction between the friction plate and the resistance wheel. the utility model employs purely mechanical adjustment, which achieves a simpler structure and can greatly reduce costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Inventor: Jian Xu
  • Patent number: 11518657
    Abstract: A tension setting system for a remote setting of a tension in a transfer cable ensuring a displacement of a transfer carriage along a jib of a crane, including a winch equipped with a motor cooperating with the cable so as to ensure a displacement of the carriage, a pilot unit connected to the motor to pilot a displacement of the carriage, and a setting mechanical device mounted on the carriage and adapted to be actuated by the action of a displacement of the carriage. The setting mechanical device is coupled to the cable and configurable between a working configuration in which the mechanical device stands still irrespective of the displacement of the carriage and results in a holding of the tension in the cable, and a detent configuration in which, by the action of a displacement of the carriage piloted by the pilot unit according to a first sequence of reciprocating displacement, the mechanical device results in a release of the tension in the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Group France
    Inventors: Jonathan Chalavon, Patrick Combaret, Adrien Dagniaux, Thibaud Lauretti
  • Publication number: 20140326936
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a winch having a user-adjustable or variable initial mechanical advantage. In one embodiment, the winch of the present disclosure has an outer drum diameter adjustable between a minimum outer drum diameter, which is associated with a maximum initial mechanical advantage provided by the winch, and a maximum outer drum diameter, which is associated with a minimum initial mechanical advantage provided by the winch. This provides a user with the flexibility to adjust or vary the mechanical advantage of the winch to the user's preference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Hyuk Joon Chung, Zhengzhong Zhu, Craig Joseph Zurko
  • Patent number: 8702067
    Abstract: The invention relates to an axial displacement device (3) to be used in conjunction with a rotary winch (2), said winch comprising a drum (7) being rotatable about an axis of rotation (a-a), said axial displacement device to be arranged stationary with respect to said winch and comprising one or more guiding elements (23), said one or more guiding elements being configured to displace a winding of said line in an axial direction parallel to said axis of rotation with at least the diameter of said line, so that a part of said winding being in contact with said drum runs in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Heerema Marine Contractors Nederland SE
    Inventor: Peter Marius Meijer
  • Patent number: 8613428
    Abstract: A lift assembly system and method can include: a funnel-shaped drum having a constant diameter portion and a gradually increasing diameter portion; a cable management system adapted to position a cable in a single layer in a tray; a beam clamp tube receiver adapted to allow a tube to slide relative to a beam and be secured to the beam; a cable keeper and a slack line detector adapted to maintain cables in position about a drum upon loss of cable tension; a horizontally oriented low profile cable adjuster adapted to adjust the length of a cable; an overspeed braking mechanism; a fleet pivot arm pivotable on the end of a tube so as to guide cables along a desired fleet angle; and/or a pull-type load sensor connected between a tube and a drum adapted to sense changes in a load force and adjust movement of a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, III
  • Publication number: 20130043449
    Abstract: A lift assembly system and method can include: a funnel-shaped drum having a constant diameter portion and a gradually increasing diameter portion; a cable management system adapted to position a cable in a single layer in a tray; a beam clamp tube receiver adapted to allow a tube to slide relative to a beam and be secured to the beam; a cable keeper and a slack line detector adapted to maintain cables in position about a drum upon loss of cable tension; a horizontally oriented low profile cable adjuster adapted to adjust the length of a cable; an overspeed braking mechanism; a fleet pivot arm pivotable on the end of a tube so as to guide cables along a desired fleet angle; and/or a pull-type load sensor connected between a tube and a drum adapted to sense changes in a load force and adjust movement of a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: ELECTRONIC THEATRE CONTROLS, INC.
    Inventor: ELECTRONIC THEATRE CONTROLS, INC.
  • Patent number: 8132789
    Abstract: A drive disk with rim segments which are located at a distance from each other and are embodied in the form of segments of the groove track which are made from the same or different material and high-powered magnets are introduced in between the grooves in the drive disk rim and the cable along the peripheral line of the drive disk rim. Foamed steel or fiber composite ceramics or similar, respectively with increased friction values, are used as materials for the rim segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventor: Peter Graebner
  • Patent number: 7766307
    Abstract: A cable handling device for use in the deployment and/or retrieval of a cable comprises a drum which provides mounting for a number of grooved rings, the rings receiving a cable thereabout. The drum forms an inner bearing race with each ring forming an outer bearing race such that the rings are independently and rotatably coupled to the drum. A second drum having one or more grooved ring is provided and the cable can be wound around the first and second drums. In use, one or both of the drums is rotated and the device is adapted to control the tension in the cable and/or to mitigate distortion in the cable caused by slippage between the cable and the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: MacTaggart, Scott (Holdings) Limited
    Inventor: Joseph Charles Urciuoli
  • Patent number: 6691960
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stand having a support arm (2) and a balance weight (AG), which, via at least one cable pull (24d,f), ensures the weight compensation of the load (G), at least a second cable pull (24f) and/or at least a safety cable (324) and possibly at least one braking device (39; 42; 45; 57) being provided as a safety measure against breakage of the working cable (24d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventor: Andrzej Metelski
  • Patent number: 6641117
    Abstract: Apparatus for slip-free determination of a cable motion in longitudinal cable direction for a hoist, in particular a pneumatically operated cable balancing hoist, which includes a housing, and a cable drum having an outer surface area formed with a groove for receiving a cable. The cable drum is rotatably supported in the housing and moveable in a longitudinal direction in such a way that a run-off point of the cable is at a same location at any time. A sensor is provided to detect markings of the cable drum, as the markings move relative to the sensor during rotation of the cable drum, for delivering an output signal. The groove defines a helical ridge in parallel relationship to the groove, wherein the markings are provided along the ridge, and wherein the sensor is secured to the housing in confronting relationship to the ridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Demag Cranes & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Heun, Markus Löbel, Klaus-Jürgen Winter
  • Publication number: 20030085392
    Abstract: A hand operated cable dragging machine includes a frame having a hook and a check pawl on one end, a tongue and a guide tube on the other end a cover with a crest on bottom and a capstan, a ratchet and a Y-shaped handle coaxially and rotatably secured in the middle portion of the frame. A check pawl in the frame to prevent the ratchet from turning backward. A pawl member in the Y-shaped handle to operated the ratchet and the capstan. An adjustable device above the pawl member for controlling the engagement condition of the pawl member with the ratchet. It is characterized that this hand operated cable dragging machine can be able to serve any sized cable and the length of the cable is not limitative so as capable of dragging the heavy object at along distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: Ching-Fong Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20030025109
    Abstract: In an elevator sheave for a flat belt, hard, thin surface plating can be applied to enhance durability while maintaining traction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Pedro S. Baranda, John T. Pitts, Richard L. Hollowell, John P. Wesson, Douglas E. Logan, Zlatko Strbuncelj, James Hubbard
  • Patent number: 6513792
    Abstract: In a rope deflection, such as preferably a traction sheave drive for an elevator, the diameter at the rope contacting surface and the lay length of a synthetic fiber rope passing over it are related to each other in such a way that within the angle of wrap of the rope, each of the strands of the covering layer of strands lies on the traction sheave at least three times. This relationship achieves a permanently reliable rope drive with a synthetic fiber rope for use on pulleys or traction sheaves, with which irreversible displacements of strands in the covering layer of strands of the synthetic rope can be reliably avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Claudio De Angelis
  • Patent number: 6471190
    Abstract: A capstan winch includes a reel assembly comprising a reel, which rotates, and two generally annular floating flanges which are supported so that the planes in which they rotate converge toward one another, which has the effect of creating an apparent axial movement of the flanges with respect to the reel as they rotate together. The cylindrical surface of the reel is provided with alternating lands and grooves and floating flanges have formed on them alternating inclined faces which correspond with the lands and the grooves. The inclined faces are angled so that the faces which correspond to each land on the reel are generally parallel to one another. The inclined faces which correspond to each groove converge. Consequently, substantial lateral forces are exerted on a cable being wound onto the reel only when the cable overlies the grooves and frictional forces on the cable are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Gunnar Andreas Lindeman
  • Patent number: 6401871
    Abstract: A tension member for an elevator system has an aspect ratio of greater than one, where aspect ratio is defined as the ratio of tension member width w to thickness t (w/t). The increase in aspect ratio results in a reduction in the maximum rope pressure and an increased flexibility as compared to conventional elevator ropes. As a result, smaller sheaves may be used with this type of tension member. In a particular embodiment, the tension member includes a plurality of individual load carrying ropes encased within a common layer of coating. The coating layer separates the individual ropes and defines an engagement surface for engaging a traction sheave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Pedro S. Baranda, Ary O. Mello, Hugh J. O'Donnell, Karl M. Prewo
  • Patent number: 6394421
    Abstract: A windlass assembly includes a single-turn gypsy for engaging the line and/or chain of an anchor rode of a water craft. This has to be driven from a drive shaft, but also has to have the capacity to rotate relative to the shaft under the influence of the anchor as it is paid out. A lever is movable between positions where it engages drive to and disengages drive from the gypsy. It is biased (e.g. by a spring) towards the engaged position, but in its other position can be pressed onto the gypsy to control the friction to which the latter is subject while rotating relative to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Lewmar Limited
    Inventor: Nicholas Charles Henly
  • Patent number: 6386324
    Abstract: A tension member for an elevator system has an aspect ratio of greater than one, where aspect ratio is defined as the ratio of tension member width w to thickness t (w/t). The increase in aspect ratio results in a reduction in the maximum rope pressure and an increased flexibility as compared to conventional elevator ropes. As a result, smaller sheaves may be used with this type of tension member. In a particular embodiment, the tension member includes a plurality of individual load carrying ropes encased within a common layer of coating. The coating layer separates the individual ropes and defines an engagement surface for engaging a traction sheave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Pedro S. Baranda, Ary O. Mello, Hugh J. O'Donnell, Karl M. Prewo
  • Patent number: 6371448
    Abstract: A traction sheave for driving synthetic fiber ropes, preferably of an elevator installation, ensures a consistently good selected tractive capacity that is largely independent of external influences which reduce friction. At least part of the rope running surface on the traction sheave is provided with a selected roughness grade of N7 to N12. The selected roughness grade on the running surface is formed either by mechanical machining or by use of a suitable coating, preferably a plasma coating of corundum. For example, only the bed of the rope groove, the area of the flanks of the rope groove, or a wide area of the surface of the rope groove can be of the selected roughness grade. By correspondingly suitable arrangement of these differently formed rope grooves on the traction sheave, a desired tractive behavior can be systematically effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Claudio De Angelis
  • Patent number: 6302309
    Abstract: A feeding device is provided for forwarding a pliable thermoplastic rod into a heated pressure chamber for extrusion through an outlet nozzle to effect thermoplastic welding. The device includes a block with a machined channel through the block including an arcuate inlet portion for receiving the pliable rod and a tubular outlet portion dimensioned to closely surround the rod to prevent buckling of the rod for ejecting the pliable rod under longitudinal force into the chamber. A rotatable drive disk has an outer serrated cylindrical surface engaging one side of the rod in the arcuate inlet portion so that the rod is pinched by a counteracting surface portion in the channel in opposition to the contacting portion of the disk whereby angular movement of the disk around the disk axis acts to forward the rod along its length along the channel. The disk sits in a slot cut in the block with the channel at the bottom of the slot with the same width as the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventor: Clarence H. Drader
  • Publication number: 20010008279
    Abstract: An axial support of a winding drum, i.e. a support in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the winding drum, in a hoisting apparatus comprising a frame, a grooved winding drum supported substantially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis against the frame by bearings, a hoisting rope and machinery. The winding drum comprises at least one axial support element and the frame comprises at least another axial support element, and at least either the axial support element of the winding drum or the axial support element of the frame substantially extends round the circumference of the winding drum. The axial support element of the winding drum and the axial support element of the frame are arranged in respect of each other such that the movement of the winding drum in the direction of its longitudinal axis, which is caused by the axial component of the rope force of the hoisting rope, is hindered at least in one direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Inventor: Ari Kiviniitty
  • Patent number: 6237502
    Abstract: A sheave arrangement having a driving drum and a tension wheel. The driving drum includes a circumferential groove that has two side walls disposed at an angle, alpha. A line preferably is placed between the drum and tension wheel such that a substantially non-distorting three contact point driving force is achieved. Utilization of this sheave arrangement in a slack pulling carriage and a method of driving a line with the sheave arrangement are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: Richard Van Damme
  • Patent number: 6149133
    Abstract: A ratchet-type tensioning mechanism for a rope or cord has a rotatable sheave with faces having improved outwardly extending serrations which include alternating primary and secondary projections. The secondary projections are located in valleys between pairs of primary projections. A releasable ratchet mechanism permits rotation of the sheave in one direction but not the other. The projections are positioned at regular intervals around the circumference of the sheave and located so that a primary projection on one face of the sheave faces a secondary projection in a valley on the opposite face of the sheave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Helmut K. Skyba
  • Patent number: 6073917
    Abstract: A guide structure for guiding rope into turns of a helically wound arrangement of the rope upon a generally cylindrical capstan rotating to receive helical turns of the rope thereon, includes a helically ramped guide surface upon which the rope travels in winding into said turns and a support base formed on said guide structure and spaced from said guide surface. The guide structure has a coupling structure arranged for adjustably fixed coupling to a support structure on which the capstan is rotatably mounted. Multiple coupling structures are arranged to enable adjustably fixing spacial orientation of the ramped surface in relation to the capstan, in order to directionally adjust feed of the rope from the ramped guide surface onto the capstan to induce orderly arrangement of the rope turns on the capstan. In one embodiment, an annular arrangement of coupling sockets are provided on a rear support surface of the guide structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Greenlee Textron, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Plummer
  • Patent number: 6027103
    Abstract: An electrically powered hoisting system is operated by seating a line attached to the load to be hoisted in a groove formed between two sheave components and activating the electrical drive motor to rotate the sheave assembly. Voltage for the electrical drive motor is provided by an on-board 12 volt battery and voltage to the drive motor is controlled by means of a switch device. The groove formed by the sheave components has a resilient gripping surface that provides a firm line gripping action and hands-free and self-tailing operation. A davit, davit mounting brackets, and a flexible mounting assembly for mounting the powerhead assembly to a support are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Inventor: Byron Wayne Painter
  • Patent number: 6019353
    Abstract: A winch has two portions of respectively different diameters. A ridge between them permits line to be flipped from the larger diameter portion to the other. Surface treatments of the two portions may be different, with that on the larger diameter portion being less aggressive than that on the smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Lewmar Marine Limited
    Inventor: Philip Atfield
  • Patent number: 5957433
    Abstract: A belt hoist for allowing fixture of a belt to a winding member to be strengthened to improve the reliability, with a simple structure. The winding member around which the belt is wound includes a shaft insertion bore at the center thereof; a belt fixing surface for allowing the belt to be fixed on a winding periphery; and a belt holder fitted on the belt fixing surface to press an end portion of the belt against the belt fixing surface. The belt fixing surface has a width not less than an inner diameter of the shaft insertion bore, and a fixing bore is so bored in the belt fixing surface as to escape from the shaft insertion bore, whereby the end portion of the belt is inserted in and fixed between the belt fixing surface and the belt holder by a fixing member fixed into the fixing bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Elephant Chain Block Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Fujikawa, Koji Saai
  • Patent number: 5947451
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved marine winch drum having a plurality of grooves of a specific geometry formed in the spool of the drum to increase the holding power of the drum with respect to the line received thereon and to minimize damage to the line wrapped around the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Paul D. Cavanagh
  • Patent number: 5927690
    Abstract: A push-pull chain garage door operator system includes a drive module and an elongated guide rail for a push-pull chain connected to a carriage assembly mounted on the guide rail. The chain is engaged with a sprocket mounted on a generally rectangular plate-like molded plastic support member which includes a serpentine idle chain storage slot formed therein. The support member is releasably connected to a stamped metal frame plate for covering the storage slot and supporting the drive module. The bottomwall of the support member supports a right angle speed reduction drive unit connected to a drive motor retained in a cradle formed by an integral boss on the support member. The motor and a starting capacitor therefor are retained in respective cradle portions of the boss by a removable retaining strap. A control circuit board is mounted on the underside of the support member and a two-part shroud for the operator mechanism is releasably secured to the frame plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: James A. White, Nicholas Dragomir, James Stottsberry
  • Patent number: 5829736
    Abstract: A sailboat winch used for trimming lines of alternate sails, such as a jib and a spinnaker, has a drum with upper and lower drum portions of different diameters separated by a continuous radially projecting lip. The upper drum portion has a first diameter and is used for trimming the jib at maximum power. The lower drum portion has a diameter greater than the first diameter and is used for trimming the spinnaker lines. The radial extent of the lip is sufficient to prevent a line, when wrapped on the lower drum, from slipping upwardly and becoming disengaged from the lower drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Harken, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter O. Harken
  • Patent number: 5779226
    Abstract: A composite storage winch for use in the deployment and retrieval of anchor systems employed with motive offshore drilling platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Inventor: Donald J. Wudtke
  • Patent number: 5593140
    Abstract: A winch comprising a substantially cylindrical housing, rotatably disposed around a central shaft, which housing comprises, at the top thereof, a flange and has a central portion of a diameter smaller than the diameter of the flange and the diameter of the bottom housing portion, the central portion of the housing having a smooth surface and, in cross section, not being completely circular. To this end, the central portion of the housing is provided with a number of concave faces, for instance six, extending in vertical direction over the central portion, with the possible provision of flat faces between these faces. In the winch according to the invention, it is no longer necessary to roughen the surface of the central portion, which considerably reduces the wear in the sheet to be wound onto the winch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Meissner Engineering B.V.
    Inventor: Willem P. van Beers
  • Patent number: 5346181
    Abstract: A hauling block 20 having a sheave 30 comprising two identical halves 32 and 34. The hauling surfaces 40 and 42 of the sheave 30 carry outwardly extending, cleat receiving pockets 54. Reinforced cleats 50 are seated in the pockets 54 and releasably fastened to the sheave 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Marco Seattle, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold T. Cook, Jr., Donn B. Furlong, Robert A. Svendsen, Allan P. Rustad
  • Patent number: 5072840
    Abstract: A medical bed apparatus is provided that has a body frame, a hoisting assembly and a hammock supported from the hoisting assembly by hanging strings. The body frame is positioned over a hospital bed or the like and a person is placed on the hammock. A pair of drums are provided in the hoisting assembly so that the hanging strings may be hoisted or wound on the drums in a first direction to lift the hammock. The drums are preferably cone-shaped such that the head portion of the hammock is initially lifted at a rate that is faster than the rate the foot portion of the hammock is lifted. Once the person's upper torso is substantially upright, the lifting rate for the head and foot portion of the hammock are substantially equal. Once the person is lifted, the hoisting assembly is horizontally movable in both the x and y directions so that the person may be maneuvered away from the bed and positioned in an upright sitting position over a urinal, bath or chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Inventors: Yoshio Asakawa, Yasunaga Suezaki
  • Patent number: 5062241
    Abstract: An improved cable spool arrangement is disclosed for use in powered vehicle door operating systems, or in other cable-actuated devices, having one or more actuating cables. In one form of the invention, a groove, or other open channel-like opening, is formed along a generally helical path on the cable spool, and preferably has a varying groove depth along at least a portion of the helical path in order to take up or pay out at least a portion of a cable at a correspondingly varying rate with respect to cable spool rotation and thus cause movement of a door or other movable member at a correspondingly varying rate with respect to cable spool rotation. A second, constant depth portion of the helical groove can also be provided for generally constant take-up or pay-out of a cable onto or from the constant-depth portion of the helical groove. Such varying radius groove arrangement can be used both in high displacement/low force cable movements and in low displacement/high force cable movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Masco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel L. DeLand
  • Patent number: 5025591
    Abstract: An improved cable spool arrangement is disclosed for use in powered vehicle door operating systems, or in other cable-actuated devices, having one or more actuating cables. In one form of the invention, a groove, or other open channel-like opening, is formed along a generally helical path on the cable spool, and preferably has a varying groove depth along at least a portion of the helical path in order to take up or pay out at least a portion of a cable at a correspondingly varying rate with respect to cable spool rotation and thus cause movement of a door or other movable member at a correspondingly varying rate with respect to cable spool rotation. A second, constant depth portion of the helical groove can also be optionally provided for generally constant take-up or pay-out of a cable onto or from the constant-depth portion of the helical groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Masco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. DeLand, Douglas L. Semke
  • Patent number: 4911373
    Abstract: A winch having a torodially-shaped drum with an axis of rotation and at least one cable wound on the drum having a cable length extending from the drum parallel to and substantially equally spaced from said axis at all times during rotation of the winch. The drum has negatively-curved and positively-curved surfaces joined at a common edge, the cable being wound on the negatively-curved surface and directed therefrom over the positively-curved surface in a direction parallel to the drum axis. This drum is used advantageously with the mast system described in application Ser. No. 246,112.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: GTE Government Systems Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Roberts
  • Patent number: 4899988
    Abstract: The cable puller employs a conically tapered capstan and self-contained motor both carried on a readily collapsible and portable frame. The puller is adapted for placing inside of a manhole where the capstan is aligned with the duct through which the cable is to be pulled. Several such cable pullers may be operated in concert to pull a theoretically endless fiber optic cable at a controlled speed and without exceeding the tensile strength of the cable. Tension on the cable effects the frictional gripping force between the capstan and the cable looped there around and this gripping force controls the extent to which the cable is permitted to climb up and slip down the conical incline of the capstan to a point where equilibrium is reached. A radio-controlled sensor is provided at each pulling station to signal cable stoppage faults and to respond to faults signaled by other pulling stations by shut down of all stations until the fault is corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Madison lightwave Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Mills
  • Patent number: 4828225
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use at an airport for drawing in and paying out an electric cable, which reliably grips the cable even when it is covered with a slippery anti-freeze fluid used at airports. The apparatus includes a motor-driven traction wheel against which the cable is pressed, with the periphery of the wheel being concave and having a radius of curvature about the same as the cable so the cable can closely nest in it. The wheel has closely spaced treads that press through fluid on the cable to grip it, and has a circumferentially extending groove through which fluid can drain. The cable is pressed against the wheel by rollers that have concave peripheries to also closely surround the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Wyle Laboratories
    Inventors: William Owen, Robert Bell, Douglas Chase, Leonard Briese
  • Patent number: 4760622
    Abstract: A compound counterbalance system for window sashes and the like, comprising: a biasing mechanism for easing operation of a window sash and the like, the biasing mechanism being movable at an inherently variable of force; a first biasing force transmission, connected intermediately of the window sash and the like and the biasing mechanism, for increasing the effective range of movement of the biasing mechanism; and, a second biasing force transmission connected intermediately of the first biasing force transmission and the biasing mechanism, the second biasing force transmission having a variable rate of operation predetermined to automatically compensate for the variability of the biasing mechanism, to provide substantial constancy of the biasing force. The biasing mechanism preferably comprises a linearly extensible and contractible spring. In one embodiment, both the first and second biasing force transmissions comprise pulley and cable systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Assignee: Schlegel Corporation
    Inventor: Henry Rohrman
  • Patent number: 4706940
    Abstract: Rope hoist apparatus comprising a single driven drive pulley (15) in which the rope (11) is pressed by a spring-loaded lever (32) by two pressure rollers (29 and 30) into the rope groove (19). The pressure rollers (29 and 30) are so arranged that the rope tip (41) of the rope (11) can easily be pushed beneath the pressure rollers (29 and 30). The rope (11) is conducted after being lifted out of the rope groove (19) via a lateral ramp (60) onto a running face (21) of the drive pulley (15) which is disposed adjacent the rope groove (19) and over which the slack run (13) is conducted in a manner preventing damage parallel to the load run (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: Greifzug Hebezeugbau GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Harig
  • Patent number: 4688765
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved winch drum design which improves the gripping action of the drum on a rope by departing from the traditional belt-pulley theory. The winch drum has a series of depressions at spaced intervals around the circumference of the drum. The portion of the drum between the depressions is smooth, producing a low coefficient of friction with the rope. The rope deforms as it bends over a portion of the drum between depressions at a relatively sharp angle, causing the rope to resist lengthwise movement. At the same time, the smooth surface allows the rope to easily move parallel to the spin axis of the drum, thereby facilitating the necessary climbing action of the rope from working to tailing ends. The gripping action is provided because the rope is compressed and bent between depressions, thereby making it difficult for the uncompressed portion of the rope resting over a depression to propagate lengthwise of the rope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Inventor: Jesus Guangorena
  • Patent number: 4666128
    Abstract: A single head capstan winch comprises a capstan head which is movably arranged on a supporting frame for being guided relative to a pressing roller and is also rotatably arranged on this supporting frame and provided with a dynamically balanced surface of a shape that complements the enveloping surface of a multiplicity of windings of a cable or rope of the winch to thereby obtain a load-controlled clamping force necessary for the hauling-in of a load by means of the forward extending portion of the cable or rope the rearward extension of which runs off free of any load from the capstan head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Inventor: Peter Bechmann
  • Patent number: 4657202
    Abstract: A tension take-up system for cable support drums and the like features resilient tension absorbing rollers disposed laterally across the winding surface of the drum. The rollers are partially seated into recessed areas defined longitudinally across the winding surface of the drum and progressively dissipate the tensioning forces generated when high tension cable is pulled into position by using pulling line being wound on the support drum. The recessed areas are capable of accommodating expansion of the rollers when they are depressed as the tensioned pulling line is wound over them. The tension absorbing rollers are made of a highly shock absorbent rubbery material so that, as winding progresses, the resulting compressive forces are dissipated by the progressive deformation of the rollers which causes them to expand within the corresponding recesses on the winding surface of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Inventor: Charles J. Sauber
  • Patent number: 4655433
    Abstract: A tensioner (10) is disclosed for use in tensioning connecting lines (16) connecting a marine riser (14) to a floating platform (12). The tensioner (10) is a passive system which incorporates a series of cylindrical elastomeric members (42, 54, 60) which are deformed in torsion to exert the proper tension on the connecting line (16). A specially tapered drum (30) is provided on the tensioner so that the radial distance from the axis of rotation of the drum to the position where the line leaves the drum varies to compensate for the variation in torsional moment of the elastomeric members so that a predetermined tension can be maintained on the line (16) as the line is payed out and taken in from the tapered drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Lockheed Corporation
    Inventors: George W. Peppel, Paul E. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 4644694
    Abstract: A winding device for cables which is used to wind cables round take-up drums along grooves provided on the outer circumferences thereof, said grooves formed such that the cables will not cause chafing against the side walls of the grooves, so that no unusual noise is caused or the cables will not be worn severely during operation. This winding device can be applied to a window regulator for automobiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ujihara
  • Patent number: 4575050
    Abstract: In a portable cable winch the smooth shell of a motor-driven cable drum is provided with at least one conical surface having an angle of inclination corresponding to the angle of friction between the load-bearing cable and the cable drum. A clamping disk driven in synchronism with the cable drum pulls the load-bearing cable away from the smaller-diameter end of the conical surface and towards a cable storing means. The cable has applied thereto a clamping force which is transmitted as a pulling force back to the cable section to be drawn in via the conical surface. In an embodiment in which the shell of the cable drum is subdivided into two conical surfaces having identical angles of inclination but being disposed on the axis of the cable drum extending in opposite directions, it is possible also to employ the cable winch for raising and lowering loads upon the direction of rotation of the cable drum being reversed to alternatingly guide the cable onto the one or the other of the two conical surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: Rotzler GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Peter Bechmann
  • Patent number: 4345741
    Abstract: The mechanism comprises at least one driving pulley comprising of two parts which are each provided with one part of a cable groove, which groove has a relatively great output transmission capacity. The parts are pressed toward each other by pressing devices, which comprise spiral springs or leaf springs which rest on and are coupled for rotation with the driving pulley parts. Each driving pulley may cooperate with another (identical or conventional) driving pulley which rotates at the same speed, e.g., by means of two gears mounted on the peripheral edges of the driving pulleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Inventors: Johannes A. Rinio, Rodolphe F. Tanson
  • Patent number: 4315617
    Abstract: In a powered V-sheave hauling system, purposively spaced enlargements on the line permit automatic disengagement of line and sheave when any desired point on the line reaches the sheave. The line is then held from running backwards under its load. The invention is particularly directed towards the avoidance of stresses or damage when a load has been fully pulled in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1982
    Inventor: William Kingston