Automatic load brake having wear-induced locking mechanism

A drive train for a hoist having an automatic load brake with a wear-induced locking mechanism, comprising:

• a housing;
• an output shaft rotatably disposed within the housing and configured to rotate a cable drum, the output shaft defining an annular hollow portion and a radially outer surface, the output shaft configured to translate axially along a longitudinal axis;
• a driving shaft rotatably disposed within the housing and defining an engagement portion and a radially inner surface, the radially inner surface configured to engage the radially outer surface;
• a cup rotatably disposed within the housing;
• a first reaction plate connected to the output shaft;
• a second reaction plate connected to the driving shaft;
• and
• at least one friction disc connected to the cup and disposed between the first reaction plate and the second reaction plate,
• wherein the at least one friction disc comprises a plurality of friction discs includes a first wear surface disposed on one side of the friction disc and a second wear surface disposed on the opposite side of the friction disc,
• wherein the first shaft and the second shaft are in frictional disengagement prior to the first wear surface of the friction disc and the second wear surface of the friction disc experiencing thinning,
• wherein, in response to the first wear surface of the at least one of the plurality of friction discs and the second wear surface of the at least one of the plurality of friction discs experiencing thinning, the engagement portion of the second shaft is configured to translate an axial distance into the annular hollow portion of the first shaft and thereby lock to the engagement portion of the driving shaft.