Lift systems, line brakes, and methods of vertically moving loads

A manual line brake, comprising:

• a housing comprising a stationary member, a movable member, and a hinge rotatably connecting the movable member to the stationary member;
• a first pulley rotatably secured to the stationary member of the housing;
• a second pulley rotatably secured to the movable member of the housing;
• a cam lock within the housing between the first pulley and the second pulley;
• wherein the cam lock is configured to engage a line passing from the first pulley to the second pulley when the movable member of the housing is in a first position, and wherein the cam lock is configured to disengage from the line when the movable member of the housing is in a second position.

A method of vertically moving a load, comprising:

• routing a fly line adjacent at least one pulley secured to a counterweight, adjacent at least one pulley secured to an overhead support, through a base unit comprising at least one pulley and a manual brake, and adjacent at least another pulley secured to the counterweight, wherein ends of the fly line are secured to the overhead support and to the base unit;
• routing a load line adjacent at least one pulley, wherein ends of the load line are secured to the counterweight and to a load;
• securing the base unit to a floor below the overhead support;
• applying a force to the base unit to disengage the manual brake;
• and
• pulling the fly line to move the counterweight vertically in a first direction and move the load vertically in a second direction, the second direction substantially opposite the first direction.

A portable lift system, comprising:

• a plurality of pulleys;
• a base unit configured to be secured to a floor, the base unit comprising at least one pulley and a brake;
• a fly line;
• a load line;
• and
• a container configured to carry the plurality of pulleys, the base unit, the fly line, and the load line when the lift system is in transport, wherein:
• the container comprises a frame defining a plurality of mounting holes configured to be secured to at least two pulleys of the plurality when the portable lift system is in use, and
• the container is configured to vertically carry a counterweight when the portable lift system is in use;
• wherein the brake is configured to engage the fly line to limit vertical movement of the counterweight.

A method of operating a lift system, comprising:

• disengaging a manual brake, the manual brake configured to limit movement of a first fly line when the manual brake is engaged, wherein the manual brake and the first fly line are located at a first location;
• pulling the first fly line to move a counterweight vertically in a first direction and move a first load vertically in a second direction, the second direction substantially opposite the first direction, wherein the counterweight comprises a container;
• engaging the manual brake to limit movement of the first fly line;
• disposing the manual brake within the container;
• transporting the container with the manual brake therein to a second location;
• configuring the manual brake to limit movement of a second fly line at the second location when the manual brake is engaged;
• disengaging the manual brake;
• pulling the second fly line to move the counterweight vertically in a third direction and move a second load vertically in a fourth direction, the fourth direction substantially opposite the third direction;
• and
• engaging the manual brake to limit movement of the second fly line.

A line stopper, comprising:

• a rigid member defining a tapered cavity therethrough, the tapered cavity having a first cross-sectional area at one end thereof and a second cross-sectional area at an opposite end thereof;
• wherein the first cross-sectional area is larger than the second cross-sectional area;
• and
• a line passing through the tapered cavity, wherein the line comprises a tapered plug disposed within the line, the tapered plug having a shape corresponding approximately to the shape of the tapered cavity in the rigid member, wherein the line surrounding the tapered plug has a cross-sectional area larger than the second cross-sectional area of the rigid member.