Lift assembly systems and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10799809-B2
Application number	US-201916441275-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 14, 2019
Priority date	Nov 8, 2007
Publication date	Oct 13, 2020
Grant date	Oct 13, 2020

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.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A lift system configured to move an article relative to a beam, the lift system comprising:
a drum rotatable about an axis;
an elongate member coupled to the drum, the elongate member configured to be coupled to the article;
a beam clamp configured to be fixed to the beam;
a tube coupled to the beam clamp; and
a loft block coupled to the tube and configured to guide the elongate member to raise the article when the drum rotates about the axis in a first direction and to lower the article when the drum rotates about the axis in a second direction,
wherein one of the beam clamp and the tube includes a slot, and
wherein the other one of the beam clamp and the tube includes a protrusion positioned within the slot such that the tube is coupled to the beam clamp.

2. The lift system of claim 1 , wherein clamps are positioned within the slot for the clamps to engage the protrusion.

3. The lift system of claim 2 , wherein the protrusion includes a flange engageable with the clamps for the tube to hang from the beam clamp.

4. The lift system of claim 3 , wherein the flange is inserted between the clamps in a first direction, and wherein the clamps move relative to the beam clamp in response to the flange being inserted between the clamps.

5. The lift system of claim 4 , wherein the protrusion and the clamps move in a second direction opposite the first direction for the tube to hang from the beam clamp.

6. The lift system of claim 5 , wherein the slot is defined by a plurality of walls, wherein each of the plurality of walls includes a tapered tip, and wherein the tapered tips restrict movement of the clamps in the second direction.

7. The lift system of claim 1 , wherein the tube includes the protrusion, and wherein the beam clamp includes the slot.

8. The lift system of claim 1 , wherein a snap connection is provided between the protrusion and the slot to secure the tube to the beam clamp.

9. The lift system of claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is fixed to the one of the beam clamp and the tube.

10. The lift system of claim 1 , wherein the loft block is a first loft block of a plurality of loft blocks, and wherein the plurality of loft blocks are coupled to the tube along a length of the tube.

11. The lift system of claim 1 , wherein the drum is coupled to the tube.

12. The lift system of claim 1 , wherein the tube includes a channel having a longitudinal axis extending between opposite ends of the tube, wherein the channel receives a portion of the loft block to couple the loft block to the tube, and wherein the loft block is selectively lockable in a plurality of positions along the longitudinal axis of the channel.

13. A lift system configured to move an article relative to a beam, the lift system comprising:
a drum rotatable about an axis;
an elongate member coupled to the drum, the elongate member also configured to be coupled to the article;
a tube configured to be attached to the beam, the tube having a longitudinal axis between opposing ends of the tube; and
a loft block coupled to the tube and moveable along the longitudinal axis of the tube, the loft block lockable in a plurality of positions relative to the tube along the longitudinal axis, the loft block configured to guide the elongate member to raise the article when the drum rotates about the axis in a first direction and to lower the article when the drum rotates about the axis in a second direction.

14. The lift system of claim 13 , wherein the loft block is wedged in a channel of the tube to lock the loft block relative to the tube.

15. The lift system of claim 13 , wherein the loft block is configured to move upwardly toward the beam to allow movement of the loft block relative to the tube, and wherein the loft block is configured to move downwardly away from the beam to secure the loft block to the tube.

16. The lift system of claim 13 , wherein the tube includes a channel defined by a plurality of walls of the tube, wherein the plurality of walls each include a rail adjacent an opening of the channel, and wherein the loft block slides along the rails to position the loft block in the plurality of positions relative to the tube.

17. The lift system of claim 16 , wherein the loft block includes a locking mechanism, and wherein the locking mechanism is operable to lock the loft block relative to the tube in response to the locking mechanism being actuated.

18. The lift system of claim 13 , further comprising a beam clamp configured to be fixed to the beam, wherein the tube is coupled to the beam clamp.

19. The lift system of claim 18 , wherein one of the beam clamp and the tube includes a plurality of walls defining a slot, and wherein the other one of the beam clamp and the tube includes a protrusion positioned within the slot such that the tube is coupled to the beam clamp.

20. The lift system of claim 19 , wherein a snap connection is provided between the protrusion and the slot to secure the tube to the beam clamp.

Assignees

• Electronic Theatre Controls Inc

Inventors

• Hoffend Iii Donald A

Classifications

• Y10T29/49826

  Assembling or joining · CPC title

• Y10T403/70

  Interfitted members · CPC title

• B66D1/741

  and having rope storing means · CPC title

• B66D1/36

  Guiding, or otherwise ensuring winding in an orderly manner, of ropes, cables, or chains · CPC title

• B66D1/74

  Capstans · CPC title