Reliable spooling for a motorized lifting/pulling device
AssigneeHall Labs LLC
InventorsDavid R. Hall, Jerome Miles
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for providing reliable spooling for hoists, winches, and other pulling and/or lifting devices is disclosed. In one embodiment, such an apparatus includes a motor and a drum rotated by the motor to draw in or let out a line from the drum. The drum includes a groove formed in an outer surface thereof to accommodate the line. A roller is provided to place pressure on the line against the drum. This roller is powered to assist the drum in spooling the line onto and off of the drum. In certain embodiments, the roller is driven by a gear that engages teeth on the drum. In other embodiments, the roller is driven by a wheel that is rotated by the drum. A corresponding method is also disclosed and claimed herein.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a motor;
- a drum rotated by the motor to draw in or let out a line from the drum, the drum comprising a groove formed in an outer surface thereof to accommodate the line;
- and
- a roller tracking and extending into the groove immediately over the line in order to push the line into the groove, wherein the roller is powered to assist the drum in spooling the line onto and off of the drum.
A method comprising:
- rotating a drum to draw in or let out a line from the drum, the drum comprising a groove formed in an outer surface thereof to accommodate the line;
- pushing the line into the groove with a roller tracking and extending into the groove immediately over the line;
- and
- powering the roller to assist the drum in spooling the line onto and off of the drum.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.