IP Library › Granted Patent US 12692133
Granted Patent B2
US 12692133 · App. 18/165,708 · Granted Jul 28, 2026

Damper systems for suspended loads

Inventor: George Schafer (Enfield, CT)
Assignee: INNOVATIVE MINDS, LLC
B66C13/063B66C13/22
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12692133
App. No.
18/165,708
Granted
Jul 28, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Load lifting systems include a first flexible suspension member configured to attach to a load lifting structure at a first fixed connection at a first end of the first flexible suspension member and attach to the load lifting structure at a first adjustable connection at a second end of the first flexible suspension member and a second flexible suspension member configured to attach to the load lifting structure at a second fixed connection at a first end of the second flexible suspension member and attach to the load lifting structure at a second adjustable connection at a second end of the second flexible suspension member. An interconnect member extends between and connecting the first adjustable connection and the second adjustable connection. A carriage is movingly suspended on both the first flexible suspension member and the second flexible suspension member.

Claims (47)

1 . A load lifting system comprising:

a first flexible suspension member configured to attach to a load lifting structure at a first connection at a first end of the first flexible suspension member and attach to the load lifting structure at a first adjustable connection at a second end of the first flexible suspension member;

a second flexible suspension member configured to attach to the load lifting structure at a second connection at a first end of the second flexible suspension member and attach to the load lifting structure at a second adjustable connection at a second end of the second flexible suspension member;

an interconnect member extending between and connecting the first adjustable connection and the second adjustable connection; and

a carriage movingly suspended on both the first flexible suspension member and the second flexible suspension member,

wherein the carriage is configured to have a load suspended therefrom,

wherein the first connection and the first adjustable connection define a first axis therebetween and the second connection and the second adjustable connection define a second axis therebetween, and

wherein the carriage is configured to move relative to and along the first flexible suspension member and the second flexible suspension member in directions along the first and second axes such that the carriage follows a curved path having a continuously varying radius of curvature.

2 . The load lifting system of claim 1 , wherein the interconnect member is adjustable in length between the first adjustable connection and the second adjustable connection.

3 . The load lifting system of claim 1 , wherein the interconnect member is a fixed length element.

4 . The load lifting system of claim 1 , wherein the first adjustable connection is a first crank and the second adjustable connection is a second crank.

5 . The load lifting system of claim 4 , wherein:

the first crank comprises a first crank pivot and the second crank comprises a second crank pivot, and

adjusting the first crank about the first crank pivot adjusts a length of the first flexible suspension member and adjusting the second crank about the second crank pivot adjusts a length of the second flexible suspension member.

6 . The load lifting system of claim 1 , wherein the first axis is non-parallel with the second axis.

7 . The load lifting system of claim 1 , wherein the first axis is perpendicular to the second axis.

8 . The load lifting system of claim 1 , wherein the carriage comprises at least one first guide element configured to direct the carriage along the first flexible suspension member and at least one second guide element configured to direct the carriage along the second flexible suspension member.

9 . The load lifting system of claim 1 , further comprising a motor operably coupled to the carriage and configured to drive the carriage along the first flexible suspension member and the second flexible suspension member.

10 . The load lifting system of claim 9 , further comprising an electronics package configured to control operation of the motor.

11 . The load lifting system of claim 9 , further comprising a clutch arranged between the motor and the carriage.

12 . The load lifting system of claim 1 , wherein:

the first connection is a first hoist connection, wherein the first flexible suspension member is configured to be spooled about the first hoist connection and adjusted in length therefrom; and

the second connection is a second hoist connection, wherein the second flexible suspension member is configured to be spooled about the second hoist connection and adjusted in length therefrom.

13 . The load lifting system of claim 12 , further comprising a controller arranged in operable communication with each of the first hoist connection and the second hoist connection, wherein the controller is configured to perform a feedback operation to ensure equal lengths of each flexible suspension member are dispensed or retracted.

14 . A load lifting system comprising:

a first flexible suspension member configured to attach to a load lifting structure at a first connection at a first end of the first flexible suspension member and attach to the load lifting structure at a first adjustable connection at a second end of the first flexible suspension member;

a second flexible suspension member configured to attach to the load lifting structure at a second connection at a first end of the second flexible suspension member and attach to the load lifting structure at a second adjustable connection at a second end of the second flexible suspension member;

an interconnect member extending between and connecting the first adjustable connection and the second adjustable connection; and

a carriage movingly suspended on both the first flexible suspension member and the second flexible suspension member,

wherein the carriage is configured to have a load suspended therefrom, and

wherein the interconnect member is adjustable in length between the first adjustable connection and the second adjustable connection.

15 . The load lifting system of claim 14 , wherein the first adjustable connection is a first crank and the second adjustable connection is a second crank.

16 . The load lifting system of claim 14 , wherein the carriage comprises at least one first guide element configured to direct the carriage along the first flexible suspension member and at least one second guide element configured to direct the carriage along the second flexible suspension member.

17 . The load lifting system of claim 14 , further comprising a motor operably coupled to the carriage and configured to drive the carriage along the first flexible suspension member and the second flexible suspension member.

18 . The load lifting system of claim 14 , wherein:

the first connection is a first hoist connection, wherein the first flexible suspension member is configured to be spooled about the first hoist connection and adjusted in length therefrom; and

the second connection is a second hoist connection, wherein the second flexible suspension member is configured to be spooled about the second hoist connection and adjusted in length therefrom.

19 . A load lifting system comprising:

a first flexible suspension member configured to attach to a load lifting structure at a first connection at a first end of the first flexible suspension member and attach to the load lifting structure at a first adjustable connection at a second end of the first flexible suspension member;

a second flexible suspension member configured to attach to the load lifting structure at a second connection at a first end of the second flexible suspension member and attach to the load lifting structure at a second adjustable connection at a second end of the second flexible suspension member;

an interconnect member extending between and connecting the first adjustable connection and the second adjustable connection; and

a carriage movingly suspended on both the first flexible suspension member and the second flexible suspension member,

wherein the carriage is configured to have a load suspended therefrom, and

wherein the first adjustable connection is a first crank and the second adjustable connection is a second crank.

20 . The load lifting system of claim 19 , wherein:

the first crank comprises a first crank pivot and the second crank comprises a second crank pivot, and

adjusting the first crank about the first crank pivot adjusts a length of the first flexible suspension member and adjusting the second crank about the second crank pivot adjusts a length of the second flexible suspension member.