Device for bearing the weight of a load
AssigneeRoland John Lindqvist
InventorsRoland John Lindqvist, Perry John Underwood
Life of this patent
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Abstract
There is provided a weight bearing device for being located overhead to support the weight of a load applied to the device in use. Embodiments comprise a reel for winding up or unwinding a support belt for supporting the load, the reel being rotatable about a first axis of rotation. An actuator element is provided for being driven about a second axis of rotation to drive a locking mechanism to lock the reel against unwinding of the support belt when the weight of the load is applied to the support belt. The reel is released by the locking mechanism when the weight of the load is removed from the support belt. Methods for use of the device are also provided.
Claims23
A weight bearing device for being located overhead to support the weight of a load applied to the device in use, the device comprising:
- a support belt for supporting the weight of the load;
- a reel for winding up or unwinding the support belt, the reel being rotatable about a first axis of rotation to obtain a desired length of said support belt hanging from the reel for the application of the load to the support belt;
- a locking mechanism for locking the reel against rotation about the first axis of rotation and thereby unwinding of the support belt;
- and
- an actuator element for driving the locking mechanism to lock the reel against said rotation about the first axis and thereby retain the length of the support belt hanging from the reel at the desired length, wherein the support belt wraps around one side of the actuator element for swinging the actuator element about a second axis of rotation to drive the locking mechanism to lock the reel against said rotation about the first axis upon the weight of the load being applied to the support belt, the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation being offset with respect to one another and wherein the locking mechanism is arranged to release the reel with return movement of the actuator element about the second axis of rotation when the weight of the load is removed from the support belt.
A weight bearing device located overhead to support the weight of a load applied to the device in use, the device comprising:
- a support belt for supporting the weight of the load;
- a reel for winding up or unwinding the support belt, the reel being rotatable about a first axis of rotation to obtain a desired length of said belt hanging from the reel for the application of the load to the belt;
- a locking mechanism for locking the reel against rotation about the first axis of rotation and thereby unwinding of the support belt;
- and
- an actuator element for driving the locking mechanism to lock the rotation of the reel against rotation about the first axis and thereby retain the length of the support belt hanging from the reel at the desired length, wherein the support belt wraps around one side of the actuator element for swinging the actuator element about a second axis of rotation to drive the locking mechanism to lock the reel against said rotation upon the weight of the load being applied to the support belt, and wherein the locking mechanism is arranged to release the reel with return of the actuator element about the second axis of rotation when the weight of the load is removed from the support belt, and the device is mounted on an overhead track for permitting movement of the device along the track.
A method for supporting a load, comprising:
- providing a weight bearing device, the device being located overhead and having a support belt for supporting the load;
- a reel for winding up or unwinding the support belt, the reel being rotatable about a first axis of rotation to obtain a desired length of said belt hanging from the reel for the application of the load to the belt;
- a locking mechanism for locking the reel against rotation about the first axis of rotation and thereby unwinding of the support belt;
- and an actuator element for driving the locking mechanism to lock the rotation of the reel against rotation about the first axis and thereby retain the length of the support belt hanging from the reel at the desired length, wherein the support belt wraps around one side of the actuator element for swinging the actuator element about a second axis of rotation to drive the locking mechanism to lock the reel against said rotation upon the weight of the load being applied to the support belt, and wherein the reel is released by the locking mechanism upon the weight of the load being removed from the support belt;
- and
- applying the load to the support belt of the device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.