Patent ID: 7309059
Filing Date: 2007-12-18
Classification: B66D

Abstract:
1. A hoist apparatus comprising: a frame; a drum mounted on the frame for rotation about a drum axis; a motor connected to the drum for selectively rotating the drum in opposite wind-up and wind-off directions about the drum axis; a rope wound around the drum such that the rope winds on to and off of the drum in response to rotation of the drum in the wind-up and wind-off directions, respectively; a switch mounted to the frame and preventing the motor from rotating the drum when the switch is actuated to a stop motor position; and a rope sensing device pivotable between a sensing position and a fouled position, the rope sensing device including a lever arm having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a pivot point located between the first and second end portions along the lever arm, the lever arm being pivotably connected to the frame at the pivot point, a follower connected to the first end portion and positioned adjacent and spaced from the drum such that the rope winds on to the drum spaced from and relative to the follower when the rope sensing device is in the sensing position, and a switch actuator connected to the second end portion adjacent the switch, the rope sensing device being biased towards and positioned in the sensing position until a rope fouling event occurs and causes the rope to contact the follower and pivot the lever arm from the sensing position to the fouled position, the switch actuator actuating the switch to the motor stop position when the rope sensing device is in the fouled position.