Modular lift assembly

1. A lift assembly, comprising:

a frame;

a drum rotatably connected to the frame about an axis of rotation and having at least one winding section;

a plurality of head blocks spaced about the drum at more than one radial distance from the axis of rotation;

a drive mechanism operatively connected to the drum for rotating the drum; and

a plurality of cables each windable about the drum and connectable to a load, the plurality of cables being directed from the drum via the plurality of head blocks to a generally vertical path to support the load,

wherein at least one of the plurality of cables is directed in a generally vertical path that is internal relative to the frame and that is within a footprint of the frame.

2. The lift assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of cables are directed from the drum in a direction that is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation before being directed to the generally vertical path.

3. The lift assembly of claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of head blocks engage a corresponding one of the plurality of cables and direct the corresponding cable in the direction that is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation.

4. The lift assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of head blocks are longitudinally aligned along the drum.

5. The lift assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a loft block spaced from each of the plurality of head blocks, each head block and loft block combination defining a cable path passing from the drum to the head block and then substantially parallel to the axis of rotation to the loft block.

6. The lift assembly of claim 1 , wherein the drum is translatable relative to the frame along the axis of rotation.

7. The lift assembly of claim 6 , wherein translation of the drum maintains a fleet angle of each cable relative to the drum during raising or lowering of the load.

8. The lift assembly of claim 1 , further comprising at least one loft block for engaging each cable and directing the cable to the generally vertical path.

9. The lift assembly of claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises a motor, operatively connected to the drum, and a gearbox connected to the motor.

10. A lift assembly, comprising:

a frame;

a drum rotatably connected to the frame about an axis of rotation and having a plurality of winding sections;

a drive mechanism operatively connected to the drum for rotating the drum;

a plurality of cables each windable about one of the plurality of winding sections of the drum and connectable to a load; and

a plurality of head blocks coupled to the frame, each head block configured for directing at least one of the plurality of cables from the drum to a generally vertical path that is internal relative to the frame and that is within a footprint of the frame, wherein a first head block, of the plurality of head blocks, is at a first radial spaced position, relative to the axis of rotation, different from a second radial spaced position of a second head block, of the plurality of head blocks.

11. The lift assembly of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the plurality of head blocks is configured for directing at least one of the plurality of cables from the drum to one of a plurality of generally vertical paths, external relative to the frame, to support the load.

12. The lift assembly of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of generally vertical paths of the cables, external to the frame, are spaced apart to support the load.

13. The lift assembly of claim 11 , wherein the at least one of the head blocks is configured to direct the at least one cable from the drum in a direction that is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation before directing the at least one cable to the generally vertical path.

14. The lift assembly of claim 11 , wherein each head block of the plurality of head blocks are configured for engaging one of the plurality of cables and directing the one cable in a direction that is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation.

15. The lift assembly of claim 14 , comprising a plurality of loft blocks, each loft block spaced from a corresponding one of the plurality of head blocks and, in conjunction with the corresponding one head block, defining a cable path passing from the drum to the head block and then substantially parallel to the axis of rotation to the loft block.

16. The lift assembly of claim 10 , wherein the drum is translatable relative to the frame along the axis of rotation.

17. The lift assembly of claim 16 , wherein translation of the drum maintains a fleet angle of each cable relative to the drum during raising or lowering of the load.

18. The lift assembly of claim 10 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises a motor, operatively connected to the drum, and a gearbox connected to the motor.

19. The lift assembly of claim 10 , further comprising a load brake mechanically coupled to a portion of the drum or a drive shaft about which the drum rotates.