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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7900893 | Electronic control for winch tension A method for controlling the tension in a spooled device disposed on a winch, comprises providing an input signal to a controller indicative of a measured tension in the spooled device, providing an input signal to the controller indicative of a desired tension in t... | 03/08/2011 |
| 7832711 | Control system for transfer means A control system comprising a force measuring means (3) for measuring the magnitude of the force acting on a lower part of the rope suspending a load, which force is caused by a force imposed on the load by an operator, the mass of the load, and an accelerati... | 11/16/2010 |
| 7810791 | Hoist controls with compensation for dynamic effects A servo motor driven hoist includes a float mode in which a load is raised lowered in response to manually applied forces on the load exerted by an operator in which forces applied to the load as a result of accelerations of the load generated by hoist movement of s... | 10/12/2010 |
| 7810790 | Vehicle with on-board cargo handling system A vehicle, configured to transport an object, said vehicle among other components, comprising: a load bearing member; a line; an actuator coupled to said vehicle and adapted for applying a tensile force to said line in response to an actuator command, and disposed a... | 10/12/2010 |
| 7559533 | Lift actuator An improved electric lift actuator for use on a variety of lift systems, includes various improvements that enable a universal design with interchangeable parts across several load ranges. The universal design further enables additional features and functionality (e... | 07/14/2009 |
| 7334776 | Apparatus and method for vehicle on-board cargo handling system An apparatus for loading an object into a vehicle, the vehicle having a trunk lid, the apparatus comprising: a line; an actuator adapted for applying a tensile force to the line in response to an actuator command, and disposed and adapted for transmitting at least a... | 02/26/2008 |
| 7309059 | Hoist apparatus rope sensing device A hoist apparatus (10) including a rope sensing device (14) for detecting rope fouling events. The rope sensing device (14) includes a lever arm (74) having a first end portion (74g), a second end portion (74h)... | 12/18/2007 |
| 7275733 | Compact drive for a counterweight assisted winch The invention is a compact drive for a counterweight-assisted winch which can be retrofitted into existing manually operated systems that use counterbalancing weights. The counterbalancing weight will be fixed at a first predetermined percentage of the maximum capac... | 10/02/2007 |
| 7264227 | Self-climbing stage light support A self-climbing stage lighting system having a self-climbing apparatus and a light bar is disclosed. The self-climbing apparatus is hung from cables that extend approximately vertically from a fixed endpoint. The self-climbing apparatus includes an elongated support... | 09/04/2007 |
| 7264228 | Counterweight assisted winch The invention is a motorized winch which can be retrofitted into existing manually operated systems that use counterbalancing weights. The counterbalancing weight will be fixed at 50% of the maximum capacity of the set. The winch is rated at 50% of the maximum capac... | 09/04/2007 |
| 7222839 | Cable slack and guide monitoring apparatus and method for a lift device The present invention is a method and apparatus for monitoring the condition of a cable in a human power amplifying lift system. The method and apparatus employ a cable slack sensor and a cable end sensor to override and prevent the lift from continuing to unwind th... | 05/29/2007 |
| 7178788 | Even reeving system for a top drive earth drilling machine An earth drilling machine includes a mast, a crown block assembly mounted on the mast top for providing a drilling line having front sheaves, a fast line sheave mounted to a crown block sheave for reeving the drilling line, a drawworks drum, and a traveling frame as... | 02/20/2007 |
| 7137618 | Power-assisted cable-pulling device The invention involves a hand held, power-assisted cable-pulling apparatus. The hand held, power-assisted cable-pulling apparatus has a housing, a take-up wheel, a drive transfer coupling, at least one dog pawl, a line, and a ground fixation mechanism. The housing h... | 11/21/2006 |
| 7134645 | Winch assembly for use with synthetic ropes A winch assembly is disclosed that eliminates rope crushing, even when synthetic ropes are used. Tension is applied to the rope by at least one traction sheave so that the tension at the drum is reduced. By using multiple sheaves with large wrap angles traction can ... | 11/14/2006 |
| 7090200 | Actuator An actuator and control algorithm which provide an operator with the ability to intuitively and responsively maneuver heavy work-pieces with ease and precision. The structure of the apparatus may provide a hoist with a compliant sensing system to measure the weight ... | 08/15/2006 |
| 7080825 | Chain motor drive control system An improved chain motor drive controller is provided for a chain hoist. The system employs a position encoder including a position sensor located within the casing of the chain hoist to producing encoded electrical position signals. A motor pulley is mounted on the ... | 07/25/2006 |
| 7080824 | Chain motor drive controller An improved chain motor drive controller is provided for a chain hoist. The system employs a position encoder including a position sensor located within the casing of the chain hoist to producing encoded electrical position signals. A motor pulley is mounted on the ... | 07/25/2006 |
| 7069675 | Power tilt apparatus In a power tilt apparatus in which an operation state of a cylinder apparatus is switched between an extension side and a compression side in accordance with an oil feeding direction of a pump apparatus by a switching valve apparatus provided in a pipe passage conne... | 07/04/2006 |
| 7043337 | Methods and apparatus for eliminating instability in intelligent assist devices Methods and apparatus for eliminating instability in intelligent assist devices are disclosed. The intelligent assist device includes an overhead motorized moveable trolley, a support that extends downwardly from the trolley to a payload, and a sensor operatively co... | 05/09/2006 |
| 7028856 | Crane control apparatus and method This crane control apparatus and method with swing control and variable impedance is intended for use with overhead cranes where a line suspended from a moveable hoist suspends a load. It is responsive to operator force applied to the load and uses a control strateg... | 04/18/2006 |
| 7000903 | Wireline subsea metering head and method of use A system and method to measure positioning with respect to deploying a subsea load, the system comprising a subsea metering head having a position sensor; a controllable winch operatively connected to the winch flexible cable; and a controller operatively in communi... | 02/21/2006 |
| 6997442 | Safety sensor for a lift assembly A lift assembly having a drum rotatably mounted to a frame and linearly translatable with respect to the frame. A plurality of head blocks are connected to the frame along a helical mounting path, wherein linear translation of the drum during takeoff or take-up main... | 02/14/2006 |
| 6974044 | System and device for controlling a load lifting device The invention relates to a system for controlling a load lifting device (1) with a controllable drive (2) and a lifting element (5) which is linked with the drive (2) and which is—at least in a non-operational position due to the gravit... | 12/13/2005 |
| 6926259 | Hoist system The invention is a hoist system for use on a drilling rig made of a tubular mast with a front, back, and top side, a splittable block connected to the mast top side, a trolley with a trolley top and bottom side, wherein the trolley's top side is connected to the spl... | 08/09/2005 |
| 6916015 | Lifting device A lifting device comprising a rope or wire provided at one end with a gripping device for an object to be lifted, a pulling device provided at the other end of the rope or wire and a rope wheel around which the rope or wire is wound. The rope wheel is provided with ... | 07/12/2005 |
| 6907317 | Hub for a modular intelligent assist system An intelligent assist system having a modular architecture, coordinated by electronic communication links between the modules is provided. A multi-function hub for use in the assist system includes a physical interface for providing mechanical support within the ass... | 06/14/2005 |
| 6886812 | Human power amplifier for lifting load with slack prevention apparatus A human power amplifier includes an end-effector that is grasped by a human operator and applied to a load. The end-effector is suspended, via a line, from a take-up pulley, winch, or drum that is driven by an actuator to lift or lower the load. The end-effector inc... | 05/03/2005 |
| 6681638 | Device and method for wireless material handling systems The invention provides a device and method for wireless material handling systems. The invention further provides an instrumented glove device worn by an operator. A sensory system within the glove device measures the contact force the operator is exertin... | 01/27/2004 |
| 6634621 | Lifting device and a method for lifting by using the same A lifting device for lifting and moving objects with minimal effort and a method for using the same is provided. The lifting device has a cable attachable to an object and a handle on the cable. Sensors in the handle may sense vertical pressure exerted on... | 10/21/2003 |
| 6622990 | Human power amplifier for lifting load with slack prevention apparatus A human power amplifier includes an end-effector that is grasped by a human operator and applied to a load. The end-effector is suspended, via a line, from a take-up pulley, winch, or drum that is driven by an actuator to lift or lower the load. The end-e... | 09/23/2003 |
| 6600289 | Portable three-phase AC power supply for chain hoist motor A portable three-phase alternating current power supply is provided to drive one or more chain hoist drive motors. The portable power supply has a portable case for holding electrical components and includes a control panel that has at least one single-ph... | 07/29/2003 |
| 6554252 | Device and method for wireless lifting assist devices A wireless lifting assist device includes a pulley driven by an actuator which is attached to a ceiling. An end-effector is suspended, via a line, from the pulley and interfaces the object to be maneuvered. The wireless lifting assist device further provi... | 04/29/2003 |
| 6499724 | Safety latch for a tire carrier A winch assembly includes an actuating mechanism coupled to a winch and a latch. Rotation of the winch in a first direction drives the actuating mechanism to position the latch at a first position. The actuating mechanism includes a clutch allowing furthe... | 12/31/2002 |
| 6390452 | Safety latch for a tire carrier and improvements therefor This invention provides a safety mechanism for a winch assembly when storing a load, such as a tire under a vehicle or a boat on a trailer, in a raised or stored position. The invention finds particular application to a spare tire, but those skilled in th... | 05/21/2002 |
| 6386513 | Human power amplifier for lifting load including apparatus for preventing slack in lifting cable A human power amplifier includes an end-effector that is grasped by a human operator and applied to a load. The end-effector is suspended, via a line, from a take-up pulley, winch, or drum that is driven by an actuator to lift or lower the load. The end-e... | 05/14/2002 |
| 6299139 | Human power amplifier for vertical maneuvers A human power amplifier includes an end-effector which is grasped by a human operator and applied to a load. The end-effector is suspended, via a rope, from a take-up pulley, winch or drum which is driven by an actuator to lift or lower the load. The end-... | 10/09/2001 |
| 6209852 | Removable chain hoist position encoder assembly A chain hoist having a casing into which and with respect to which a chain travels is provided with an externally mounted position encoder assembly. A releasable connector, such as a ratchet strap, is employed to firmly but removably couple the position e... | 04/03/2001 |
| 6022002 | Apparatus for the assisted handling of a load An apparatus for the assisted handling of a load includes at least one motor unit, which actuates the winding and unwinding of a flexible traction element; one or more guiding sheaves; and a detector for detecting the weight of the load and the force appl... | 02/08/2000 |
| 5960849 | Cable slack detector An apparatus that detects the occurrence of slack in a cable and that compensates for detected slack is disclosed. The apparatus includes body parts that are movable relative to each other between fully extended and fully retracted positions. A bias devic... | 10/05/1999 |
| 5915673 | Pneumatic human power amplifer module A pneumatic human power amplifier module is usable in conjunction with a wide variety of pneumatic actuators and lifting devices to provide a human power amplifier for lifting a load. The module includes an end-effector, an electronic controller and a pne... | 06/29/1999 |
