Configurable winch
AssigneeJ.R. Clancy, Inc.
InventorsMichael S. Murphy, Donald P. Ardine, Stephen J. Kochan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lift system having a modular backbone with two or more backbone sections being attached end to end to form the backbone. Also, a lift system with end to end modular attachment, using universal joints, between motor assembly(ies), shaft section(s), drum assembly(ies) and/or shaft end sections. Also, a lift assembly with a backbone having longitudinally adjustable lift component attachment hardware, such as an elongated slot with lips suitable for engaging a nut tooth.
Claims20
A lift system for raising and lowering suspended object(s) by winding and unwinding one or more cable(s), the system comprising:
- a first elongated backbone section defining a first end and comprising a modular attachment structure in the vicinity of the first end;
- a second elongated backbone section defining a first end and comprising a modular attachment structure in the vicinity of the first end, with the attachment structure of the first elongated backbone section being mechanically connected to the attachment structure of the second elongated backbone section;
- and
- a drum mechanically connected to at least one of the first elongated backbone section and the second elongated backbone section, with the drum defining an axis of rotation and with the axis of rotation being at least substantially parallel to the direction of elongation of the first backbone section and the second backbone section.
A lift system for raising and lowering suspended object(s) by winding and unwinding one or more cable(s), the system comprising:
- a backbone;
- a drum mechanically connected to the backbone;
- and
- a shaft mechanically connected to the drum so that rotation of the shaft drives the drum to rotate, with the shaft comprising:
- a first shaft section defining a first end and a central axis, the first shaft section comprising a modular attachment structure in the vicinity of the first end,
- a second shaft section defining a first end and a central axis, the second shaft section comprising a modular attachment structure in the vicinity of the first end, and
- a universal joint structured and located to mechanically connect the attachment structure of the first shaft section to the attachment structure of the second shaft section so that the central axis of the first shaft section is at least substantially co-axially aligned with the central axis of the second shaft section.
A lift system for raising and lowering suspended object(s) by winding and unwinding one or more cable(s), the system comprising:
- a backbone;
- a motor assembly connected to the backbone with the motor assembly comprising a modular attachment structure;
- a lift component defining a rotational axis and comprising a modular attachment structure, with the lift component being one of the following:
- a drum assembly or a shaft;
- and
- a universal joint structured and located to mechanically connect the attachment structure of the motor assembly to the attachment structure of the lift component so that rotation of the motor drives at least a portion of the lift component into rotation about its rotational axis.
A lift system for raising and lowering suspended object(s) by winding and unwinding one or more cable(s), the system comprising:
- a backbone;
- a drum assembly connected to the backbone with the drum assembly comprising a first modular attachment structure, with the drum assembly comprising a rotatable drum and the drum defining a rotational axis;
- a lift component defining a rotational axis and comprising a modular attachment structure, with the lift component being one of the following:
- a drum assembly, a shaft end assembly or a shaft;
- and
- a universal joint structured and located to mechanically connect the attachment structure of the drum assembly to the attachment structure of the lift component so that rotational axis of the drum is at least substantially co-axial with the rotational axis of the lift component.
A lift system for raising and lowering suspended object(s) by winding and unwinding one or more cable(s), the system comprising:
- an elongated backbone section comprising longitudinally adjustable lift component attachment hardware;
- and
- a lift component attached to the longitudinally adjustable lift component attachment hardware.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.