Patent ID: 6209852
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: B66D

Abstract:
A removable position encoder assembly for attachment to a chain hoist that has a casing into which and with respect to which a chain travels comprising:a position encoder assembly housing;a releasable connector that firmly couples said position encoder assembly housing externally on said chain hoist casing and holds said position encoder assembly housing in a fixed position relative to said chain hoist casing;a position encoder assembly chain gear rotatably mounted relative to said position encoder assembly housing so that said precision encoder assembly chain gear engages said chain externally from said chain hoist casing as said chain travels relative to said chain hoist casing;a releasable clamp anchored relative to said position encoder assembly housing and engageable to maintain engagement of said precision encoder assembly chain gear with said chain so that linear movement of said chain produces a proportional rotational movement of said position encoder chain gear; andan encoder mounted on said position encoder assembly housing and which detects rotational movement of said position encoder assembly chain gear and provides output signals indicative of the extent and direction of rotational movement of said position encoder assembly chain gear relative to said chain hoist casing.