Patent ID: 6131703
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: B66B

Abstract:
A safety device in combination with a cable hoist including a platform within a latticework tower, wherein the tower includes at least three vertically oriented members and a plurality of transverse braces interconnecting adjacent vertically oriented members, and wherein the hoist includes a lift cable having a first end adapted to be secured to the platform and a second end coupled to a winch, the safety device comprising:a plurality of vertically oriented skid members secured to the platform, each of the skid members being positioned between a respective adjacent pair of vertically oriented tower members and having a generally planar surface adapted to slidingly contact the transverse braces interconnecting said respective adjacent pair of vertically oriented members as the platform is raised and lowered, each of said skid members having an upper portion extending above said platform;a plurality of cable connection members each secured to a respective skid member upper portion;a plurality of connector cables each secured at a first end to a respective cable connection member and at a second end to said lift cable; anda plurality of brake members each attached to a respective skid member upper portion between said platform and the respective cable connection member, each of said brake members including:a hook portion extending outwardly and downwardly, said hook portion being sized to fit over a transverse brace of said tower; andan energy absorbing portion coupling said hook portionto said respective skid member upper portion;whereby, when tension is applied by the lift cable through the connector cables, the skid member upper portions are flexed inwardly so that the brake member hook portions clear the transverse braces of the tower during movement of the platform, and when tension is released, as by a cable break, the skid member upper portions move outwardly so that the brake member hook portions engage respective transverse braces as the platform falls, with the brake member energy absorbing portions gradually slowing the rate of descent of the platform until it comes to a halt.