Patent ID: 8201810
Filing Date: 2012-06-19
Classification: B66D

Abstract:
1. A hoist system defining X, Y and Z directions, the system comprising: a frame, a first shaft segment, a first bearing assembly, a first-assembly connection hardware set and a second bearing assembly, wherein: the first bearing assembly is mechanically connected to the frame by the first-assembly connection hardware set; the first bearing assembly comprises a first bearing; the second bearing assembly is rigidly mechanically connected to the frame; the second bearing assembly comprises a second bearing located to be spaced apart from the first bearing; the second bearing is a pillow block bearing; the first bearing and the second bearing are shaped, sized and located to support and constrain the first shaft segment so that the first shaft segment is free to rotate about the Z direction; the first-assembly connection hardware set defines a first constraint point and a second constraint point spaced apart from the first constraint point; the first-assembly connection hardware set is sized, shaped, located and/or connected so that the first bearing assembly has, relative to the frame and with respect to the first constraint point, the following degrees of freedom/constraint: (i) fixed or free in along X; (ii) free in rotation about X; (iii) fixed in along Y; (iv) free in rotation about Y; (v) free in along Z; and (vi) free in rotation about Z; and the first-assembly connection hardware set is further sized, shaped, located and/or connected so that the first bearing assembly has, relative to the frame and with respect to the second constraint point, the following degrees of freedom/constraint: (i) fixed in along X; (ii) free in rotation about X; (iii) fixed in along Y; (iv) free in rotation about Y; (v) free in along Z; and (vi) free in rotation about Z.