Intermediate brake for modular 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 maintains a predetermined fleet angle between a take off point from the drum and the head block.
1 . A hoist assembly, comprising:
(a) a frame;
(b) a drum rotatably connected to the frame;
(c) at least one head block connected to the frame and located to redirect a cable extending from the drum;
(d) a motor connected to the frame;
(e) a gearbox connected to the motor; and
(f) a load brake mechanically intermediate the gearbox and the drum.
2 . The hoist assembly of claim 1 , wherein the load brake is coaxial with the drum.
3 . The hoist assembly of claim 1 , wherein the head block redirects the cable path to a horizontal path.
4 . The hoist assembly of claim 1 , wherein the frame is selected for attaching to an overhead structural support.
5 . The hoist assembly of claim 1 , wherein the load brake includes a drive disk and a driven disk, the drive disk being urged in a first direction with respect to the driven disk upon a first rotational direction of the gearbox and a different second direction with respect to the driven disk upon a different second rotational direction of the gearbox.
6 . The hoist assembly of claim 1 , wherein the drum is translatable relative to the frame along an axis of rotation.
7 . The hoist assembly of claim 1 , wherein the load brake includes tensioning means for adjusting a degree of release of the load brake.
8 . A hoist assembly, comprising:
(a) a frame;
(b) a drum rotatably connected to the frame;
(c) at least one head block connected to the frame and located to redirect a cable extending from the drum;
(d) a drive mechanism connected to the frame for selectively rotating the drum; and
(e) a load brake mechanically intermediate the drum and the drive mechanism.
9 . The hoist assembly of claim 8 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a gearbox.
10 . The hoist assembly of claim 8 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a motor and a gearbox.
11 . The hoist assembly of claim 8 , wherein the load brake is coaxial with the drum.
12 . The hoist assembly of claim 8 , wherein the head block redirects the cable path to a horizontal path.
13 . The hoist assembly of claim 8 , wherein the frame is selected for attaching to an overhead structural support.
14 . The hoist assembly of claim 8 , wherein the load brake includes a drive disk and a driven disk, the drive disk being urged in a first direction with respect to the driven disk upon a first rotational direction of the gearbox and a different second direction with respect to the driven disk upon a different second rotational direction of the gearbox.
15 . The hoist assembly of claim 8 , wherein the drum is translatable relative to the frame along an axis of rotation.
16 . The hoist assembly of claim 8 , wherein the load brake includes tensioning means for adjusting a degree of release of the load brake.