A winch with a spool having an axis of rotation and a helical groove formed thereon and a line around the spool in the helical groove. The winch also includes a motor configured to rotate the spool in a first direction to wind the line on the spool and a second direction to unwind the line from the spool. The helical groove includes a line cradle shaped to carry the line with a portion of the line protruding from the helical groove, and a channel extending below the line cradle. A portion of the channel is not occupied by the line. The winch also includes a line guide adjacent to the spool and configured to move axially along the spool. The line guide includes a tab that engages the channel to cause the line guide to move axially along the spool to wind or unwind the line.
B66D 1/30 - Rope, cable, or chain drums or barrels
B66D 1/38 - Guiding, or otherwise ensuring winding in an orderly manner, of ropes, cables, or chains by means of guides movable relative to drum or barrel
A self-propelled cart comprising: a body having a rectangular prism shape, further comprising: a battery compartment, and a utility platform comprising a plurality of connecting features; a rechargeable battery housed in the battery compartment; a controller; four arms having a first end and a second end, each pivotally attached at the first end to the body; four wheels, each connected to the second end of one of the four arms; four arm actuators, each configured to pivot one of the four arms; and at least two motors powered by the battery, each independently controlled by the controller, whereby the controller can move the cart and control the yaw of the cart by rotating one or more of the four wheels; at least one sensor for determining the pitch of the cart in communication with the controller.
B62D 57/024 - Vehicles characterised by having other propulsion or other ground-engaging means than wheels or endless track, alone or in addition to wheels or endless track with ground-engaging propulsion means, e.g. walking members specially adapted for moving on inclined or vertical surfaces
G05D 1/02 - Control of position or course in two dimensions
B62D 57/02 - Vehicles characterised by having other propulsion or other ground-engaging means than wheels or endless track, alone or in addition to wheels or endless track with ground-engaging propulsion means, e.g. walking members
A winch is described that includes a motor and a driveshaft coupled to the motor for rotation about its axis. A first and second spool are mounted to the drive shaft so that rotation of the driveshaft causes rotation of the first and second spool. A first line is attached to the first spool and a second line is attached to the second spool. First and second line guides are configured to wind the lines in a helical path on the respective spools when the driveshaft is rotated in one direction and to unwind the lines from the helical path when the driveshaft is rotated in an opposite direction. Each line guide is further configured to translate axially along the first spool to facilitate winding and unwinding along the respective helical path.
B66D 1/38 - Guiding, or otherwise ensuring winding in an orderly manner, of ropes, cables, or chains by means of guides movable relative to drum or barrel
B66D 1/12 - Driving gear incorporating electric motors
B66D 1/26 - Rope, cable, or chain winding mechanismsCapstans having several drums or barrels
4.
HOISTING DEVICE WITH MULTIPLE LINE TYPES ON DRIVESHAFT
Disclosed is a system for manipulating an object and providing at least one utility winch. The system includes a motor and a driveshaft having an axis and being coupled to the motor. The system includes a first spool on the driveshaft being rotatable with the driveshaft by the motor and a first line for lifting an object, the first line attached to the first spool. The system also includes a second spool on the driveshaft being rotatable with the driveshaft by the motor, and a second line attached to the second spool, the second line configured to deliver at least one utility selected from electric power, data, and fluid.
B66D 1/12 - Driving gear incorporating electric motors
B66D 1/38 - Guiding, or otherwise ensuring winding in an orderly manner, of ropes, cables, or chains by means of guides movable relative to drum or barrel
B66D 1/26 - Rope, cable, or chain winding mechanismsCapstans having several drums or barrels
Disclosed is a winch with a spool having an axis of rotation and a helical groove formed thereon and a line around the spool in the helical groove. The winch also includes a motor configured to rotate the spool in a first direction to wind the line on the spool and a second direction to unwind the line from the spool. The helical groove includes a line cradle shaped to carry the line with a portion of the line protruding from the helical groove, and a channel extending below the line cradle. A portion of the channel is not occupied by the line. The winch also includes a line guide adjacent to the spool and configured to move axially along the spool. The line guide includes a tab that engages the channel to cause the line guide to move axially along the spool to wind or unwind the line.
B66D 1/38 - Guiding, or otherwise ensuring winding in an orderly manner, of ropes, cables, or chains by means of guides movable relative to drum or barrel
B66D 1/12 - Driving gear incorporating electric motors
An apparatus for lowering a hitch onto a truck bed and raising the hitch off of a truck bed is disclosed. The apparatus includes: an upper carriage, a lower carriage, and a kingpin. The upper carriage is suspended from multiple lines, which lines are configured to lower and raise the upper carriage. The lower carriage is attachable to the upper carriage at various positions relative to the upper carriage to allow the load on the lines to be balanced in one direction. The kingpin is attached to the lower carriage, and kingpin is configured to be captured by the hitch. Allowing the hitch to be lowered onto the truck bed and raised off of the truck bed as the upper carriage and the lower carriage are lowered and raised by the lines. Another embodiment of the apparatus includes lifting devices attached to the lines for raising and lowering the hitch.
A load-leveling hanging apparatus and a system for suspended lifting of objects are disclosed. The load-leveling hanging apparatus includes a carriage suspended from a line; a hanging beam adapted for attachment of multiple objects at points along the beam; a mechanism for moving the hanging beam relative to the carriage to thereby achieve a level condition; and a level indicator. The mechanism is a rotatable screw. The system includes the load-leveling hanging apparatus and a lifting device. The lifting device includes a drum for winding and unwinding a line; a motor coupled to the drum to apply a torque thereto; a guide to direct the line onto the drum; and a controller. The lifting device raises and lowers the suspended hanging apparatus.
F16M 11/04 - Means for attachment of apparatusMeans allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
F16M 13/02 - Other supports for positioning apparatus or articlesMeans for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
8.
Overhead mounting system for daisy-chained devices
The struggle to organize many tools and miscellaneous items of greatly varying shapes and sizes has led to some innovation in garage storage systems. However, most systems are based on the similar concept of creating an overhead floor on which to store things. This is frequently inconvenient and/or inadequate. Accordingly, a garage organization solution is presented herein. The solution comprises an overhead mounting system. The system may include a channel, a device mount for light-weight devices, and a device mount for heavy-weight devices. The light-weight device mount may be detachable from a corresponding light-weight device. The heavy-weight device mount may be integrated into a corresponding heavy-weight device.
F16M 13/02 - Other supports for positioning apparatus or articlesMeans for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
F16B 1/00 - Devices for securing together, or preventing relative movement between, constructional elements or machine parts
The invention is a method for intelligent current limiting enabling chaining of electrical appliances. Different embodiments apply to alternating current (AC) appliances, direct current (DC) appliances, and a combination of each. In each embodiment, current limits control the number of appliances that can be connected in the chain. If current limits are exceeded, current-limiting devices cut power to one or more of the appliances. Each appliance in the system has conductors with the capacity to carry a current load at least as large as the overall current limit. Preferably, the appliances in the system are garage appliances that are mounted to an overhead track system in a garage, where electrical outlets are scarce.
H02J 5/00 - Circuit arrangements for transfer of electric power between ac networks and dc networks
H02J 3/00 - Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
H02J 13/00 - Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the networkCircuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
Embodiments of overhead mounting systems are described herein. Various embodiments may include a channel, one or more covers, and one or more cover spacers. The channel may include a channel base, at least two channel walls, and at least two channel ends. The channel walls may be connected perpendicularly to the channel base such that the channel is u-shaped. The channel walls may each comprise a plurality of channel wall openings. The covers may include a cover base, at least two cover walls, and at least two cover ends. The cover walls may each include one or more inward protrusions. The cover ends may be concaved along the cover base such that a cover base length is less than a cover wall length. The cover ends may be concaved along one or more of the cover walls.
F16M 13/02 - Other supports for positioning apparatus or articlesMeans for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
F16B 1/00 - Devices for securing together, or preventing relative movement between, constructional elements or machine parts
F16M 13/04 - Other supports for positioning apparatus or articlesMeans for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or holding steady relative to, a person, e.g. by chains
11.
Reliable spooling for a motorized lifting/pulling device
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.
A system includes two or more lifting devices attached to a structure each lifting device having a drum rotated by a 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. In certain embodiments, each of the lifting devices are quickly and easily detachable from the structure by way of a flange and mounting bracket. The flange and mounting bracket have holes which are coaxially aligned. A pin or other fastener is used to join the flange and mounting bracket together. Two or more lifting devices may be connected to and moved along a mounting bracket.
B66D 1/38 - Guiding, or otherwise ensuring winding in an orderly manner, of ropes, cables, or chains by means of guides movable relative to drum or barrel
B66D 1/58 - Safety gear responsive to excess of load
A47B 57/06 - Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions with means for adjusting the height of the shelves
B66D 1/26 - Rope, cable, or chain winding mechanismsCapstans having several drums or barrels
B66D 1/30 - Rope, cable, or chain drums or barrels
F16M 13/02 - Other supports for positioning apparatus or articlesMeans for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
B66D 1/12 - Driving gear incorporating electric motors
patents
