Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force – Apparatus for hauling or hoisting load – including driven... – Device includes rotatably driven – cable contacting drum
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-12
2001-01-30
Matecki, Katherine A. (Department: 3653)
Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force
Apparatus for hauling or hoisting load, including driven...
Device includes rotatably driven, cable contacting drum
C254S359000, C254S362000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179270
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to chain hoists and more particularly to a portable drive assembly for driving the drive chain of a chain hoist.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Chain hoists are widely used throughout the world to lift and lower heavy objects. Basically, a chain hoist includes a load chain that is designed to connect to the load and a drive chain that is operative to raise and lower the load chain and the load connected thereto. The chain hoist includes a reduction gear network that is operatively connected between the drive chain and the load chain. Thus, very heavy loads can be moved upwardly or downwardly by a relatively small amount of force.
Many of the chain hoists that are operating today are of the manual drive type. That is, the drive chain is manually pulled by a person as opposed to the newer chain hoists that are electrically driven. Surprisingly, there are large numbers of manual hoists in existence and being used today. The amount of energy required to drive these chain hoists is substantial. This is particularly true in applications where individuals operating these manual chain hoists are required to repeatedly and continuously manually drive them. It is not unusual for this strenuous work over time to result in back and other injuries.
It is known, however, to provide chain hoists with electric drives. For example, in the patent to H. B. Newhall, U.S. Pat. No. 1,468,916, there is shown a chain hoist that is powered by an electric motor. However, the electric motor is mounted on a frame and suspended from the drive chain by a pulley or drive member that is driven by an interconnecting gear network. In the end, such drive systems are heavy, bulky and certainly difficult to transport from one location to another.
Therefor, there has been and continues to be a need for a portable light weight power assembly for driving manual chain hoists that can be easily transported from one location to another.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention entails a portable drive assembly for driving a manual chain hoist. As a part of the portable drive assembly, there is provided a drive sheave that includes a chain drive cavity formed around the sheave that is adapted to engage and drive a drive chain that forms a part of a manual chain hoist. Extending from or through the drive sheave is a drive shaft that is particularly adapted to connect to a portable power drill. By actuating the power drill, the drive sheave is driven, and when the drive sheave is maintained in engagement with the drive chain, this results in the manual chain hoist being driven.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the drive sheave is provided with a stabilizer in the form of a stirrup. This stirrup extends from the drive sheave and is engaged by the foot of an operator. The operator's foot inserted into the stirrup tends to stabilize the drive sheave and the entire portable drive assembly. In one embodiment of the present invention, the stabilizer takes the form of an elongated elastomember that is connected, by hooks for example, to opposite ends of the drive shaft that extends through the drive sheave.
In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the drive sheave is constructed of a relatively lightweight material such as nylon. This contributes to the lightweight and portability of the entire drive assembly. To provide a smooth driving operation, the chain cavity formed around the drive sheave can be faced with a rubber or resilient material such as neoprene.
Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent and obvious from a study of the following description and the accompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of such invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 665210 (1901-01-01), Griffin et al.
patent: 756454 (1904-04-01), Astrup
patent: 1288137 (1918-12-01), Newhall, Jr.
patent: 1468916 (1923-09-01), Newhall et al.
patent: 4151981 (1979-05-01), Gennep
patent: 4962901 (1990-10-01), Shirley et al.
patent: 5738340 (1998-04-01), Brantner
patent: 5871069 (1999-02-01), Carmitchel
patent: 5996971 (1999-12-01), Crouse
Coats & Bennett PLLC
Matecki Katherine A.
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