Loft block with aligned sheaves
AssigneeElectronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
InventorDonald A. Hoffend, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lift system configured to lift an article (e.g., a batten). The lift system includes a first cable configured to be coupled to the article, a second cable configured to be coupled to the article, a drive mechanism coupled to the first cable and the second cable and operable to raise and lower the article, a first loft block including a first loft sheave to redirect the first cable from a first substantially horizontal axis to a first substantially vertical axis, and an idler sheave to direct the second cable along a second substantially horizontal axis. The lift system further includes a second loft block including a second loft sheave to redirect the second cable from the second substantially horizontal axis block to a second substantially vertical axis.
Claims21
A lift system configured to lift an article, the lift system comprising:
- a first cable configured to be coupled to the article;
- a second cable configured to be coupled to the article;
- a drive mechanism coupled to the first cable and the second cable and operable to raise and lower the article;
- a first loft block including a first loft sheave to redirect the first cable from a first substantially horizontal axis to a first substantially vertical axis, and an idler sheave to direct the second cable along a second substantially horizontal axis;
- and
- a second loft block including a second loft sheave to redirect the second cable from the second substantially horizontal axis to a second substantially vertical axis.
A loft block assembly comprising:
- a hanger configured to be secured to a structural member;
- a loft sheave coupled to the hanger and configured to direct a first cable from a first orientation to a second orientation, the loft sheave mounted for rotation about a loft axis and within a loft plane perpendicular to the loft axis;
- and
- an idler coupled to the hanger and configured to guide a second cable through the loft block assembly, the idler mounted within the loft plane.
A loft block assembly comprising:
- a hanger configured to be secured to a structural member;
- a loft sheave coupled to the hanger and configured to redirect a first cable from a first substantially horizontal axis to a substantially vertical axis;
- and
- an idler coupled to the hanger and configured to direct a second cable along a second substantially horizontal axis,
- wherein the idler is located at least partially above the first horizontal axis and the substantially vertical axis extends through the idler such that at least a portion of the idler vertically overlaps the loft sheave.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.