Patent · US Expired

Obstacle detector for a descending or ascending load

US4438903A · kind A · utility

12Cited by
3References
7Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 7, 1982
Grant dateMar 27, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 7, 2002

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA63J1/028
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An obstacle detector is disclosed, being designed to automatically brake a descending or ascending load suspended on at least two spaced cables, should an obstacle be encountered in the path of the load. The detector comprises at least two winch drums and a rotatable horizontal rod having at least two laterally-spaced levers projecting radially therefrom and inclined on opposite sides of the rod. One end of each cable is secured to a drum, passes through a pulley supporting the load and is secured to a corresponding lever at its other end. A change in the tension of one of the cables, due to an obstacle, results in a small rotation of the rod, thus activating an electric sensing device which effectively shuts down the motor driving the winch drums.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.