Patent Publication Number: US-11034562-B2

Title: Modular powered hoist with integrated lift/guide assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/744,280, filed Oct. 11, 2018 and entitled “Modular Lifting Device,” the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Powered hoists are widely used in the materials handling industry and are used for moving large objects by means of a drum or liftwheel around which a lifting media (such as a wire rope, a chain, or a synthetic strap or rope) wraps. For example, powered hoists generally comprise a motor attached to the liftwheel that engages with the lifting media to lift or lower a hook or tool attached to or connected to the load. A liftwheel can be connected to a stationary structure capable of supporting loads attached to a powered hoist. A motor of a powered hoist may be driven by electricity, air, or hydraulic means. Air or hydraulic drive motors are typically controlled by valves which may be manual or electrical in operation to achieve the proper rotation to move a connected load up or down. An electric motor, where used, may be controlled by conventional electromechanical means or by digital control systems to achieve the proper rotation to move a connected load up or down. 
     Conventionally, powered hoists have been designed to take advantage of high-volume manufacturing techniques such as casting and/or forging where piece prices can be held to a minimum value. One disadvantage of using high-volume techniques is a lack of flexibility in changing product design. Efforts to modify an existing design of a powered hoist that uses these high volume manufacturing techniques for a new application requires significant time and financial resources. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     Embodiments described herein are directed to an improved, modular powered hoist design comprising: 1) a multifunctional baseplate, which forms a foundation of the powered hoist design and comprises part of a guide system for a lifting media, and 2) an integrated lift/guide assembly, securing a liftwheel therein, that is attachable to the baseplate through attachment features formed within the baseplate. Embodiments described herein allow for different components of a powered hoist to be selected to optimize different and often conflicting operating parameters such as hoist safety factor, lifting media speed, and overall hoist weight in combinations not attainable in conventional designs. Moreover, in manufacturing, embodiments described herein allow for the use of overlapping product parts across different powered hoist product designs—thereby reducing overhead-related costs. 
     Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Such embodiments are presented herein for illustrative purposes only. Additional embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the embodiments and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  is a top-side perspective view of a powered hoist in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a top-side perspective view of a powered hoist in accordance with another embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of the powered hoist of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded side perspective view of the powered hoist of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top-side perspective view of a powered hoist in accordance with a further embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of an integrated lift/guide assembly in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an exemplary baseplate of a powered hoist in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an exemplary baseplate of a powered hoist in accordance with an alternate embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an exemplary baseplate of a powered hoist in accordance with an alternate embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a pendant used to operate a powered hoist in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a top-side perspective view of the powered hoist of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded view of an integrated lift/guide assembly in accordance with an alternate embodiment. 
     
    
    
     The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference characters identify corresponding elements throughout. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the corresponding reference number. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     I. Introduction 
     The present specification and accompanying drawings disclose one or more embodiments that incorporate the features of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The disclosed embodiments merely exemplify the present invention, and modified versions of the disclosed embodiments are also encompassed by the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention are defined by the claims appended hereto. 
     References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. 
     In the discussion, unless otherwise stated, adjectives such as “substantially,” “approximately,” and “about” modifying a condition or relationship characteristic of a feature or features of an embodiment of the disclosure, are understood to mean that the condition or characteristic is defined to be within tolerances that are acceptable for operation of the embodiment for an application for which it is intended. 
     Furthermore, it should be understood that spatial descriptions (e.g., “above,” “below,” “up,” “left,” “right,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” etc.) used herein are for purposes of illustration only, and that practical implementations of the structures described herein can be spatially arranged in any orientation or manner. 
     Still further, it should be noted that the drawings/figures are not drawn to scale unless otherwise noted herein. 
     Numerous exemplary embodiments are described as follows. It is noted that any section/subsection headings provided herein are not intended to be limiting. Embodiments are described throughout this document, and any type of embodiment may be included under any section/subsection. Furthermore, embodiments disclosed in any section/subsection may be combined with any other embodiments described in the same section/subsection and/or a different section/subsection in any manner. 
     Powered hoists are widely used in the materials handling industry and are used for moving large objects by means of a drum or liftwheel around which a lifting media (such as a wire rope, a chain, or a synthetic strap or rope) wraps. For example, powered hoists generally comprise a motor attached to the liftwheel that engages with the lifting media to lift or lower a hook or tool attached to or connected to the load. A liftwheel can be connected to a stationary structure capable of supporting loads attached to a powered hoist. A motor of a powered hoist may be driven by electricity, air, or hydraulic means. Air or hydraulic drive motors are typically controlled by valves which may be manual or electrical in operation to achieve the proper rotation to move a connected load up or down. An electric motor, where used, may be controlled by conventional electromechanical means or by digital control systems to achieve the proper rotation to move a connected load up or down. 
     Conventionally, powered hoists have been designed to take advantage of high-volume manufacturing techniques such as casting and forging where piece prices can be held to a minimum value. One disadvantage of using high-volume techniques is a lack of flexibility in changing product design. Efforts to modify an existing design of a powered hoist for a new application requires significant time and financial resources. With an alternative design methodology, digital fabrication techniques and additive manufacturing techniques can be leveraged to provide for greater product application flexibility. For example, embodiments described herein are directed to an improved, modular powered hoist design comprising: 1) a multifunctional baseplate, which forms a foundation of the powered hoist design and comprises part of a guide system for a lifting media, and 2) an integrated lift/guide assembly, securing a liftwheel therein, that is attachable to the baseplate through attachment features formed within the baseplate. Embodiments described herein allow for different components of a powered hoist to be selected to optimize different and often conflicting operating parameters such as hoist safety factor, lifting media speed, and overall hoist weight in combinations not attainable in conventional designs. Moreover, in manufacturing, embodiments described herein allow for the use of overlapping product parts across different powered hoist product designs—thereby reducing overhead-related costs. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the improved, modular powered hoist design referenced above.  FIG. 1  provides a top-side perspective view of a powered hoist  100 , in accordance with embodiments described herein. As shown in  FIG. 1 , powered hoist  100  includes the following components or parts: a baseplate  102 , a motor  106 , a clutch  108 , an integrated lift/guide assembly  110  (also referred to herein as a lifting block assembly), a gearbox  112 , an electrical board  114 , and a brake  116 . 
     In  FIG. 1 , baseplate  102  assumes a rectangular structure. However, in other embodiments, baseplate  102  may assume any shape (e.g., a square, a triangle, or an oval). In embodiments, baseplate  102  comprises a mounting surface to which components of powered hoist  100  are attached that is substantially planar (i.e., a structure that is substantially longer and wider than thick) and substantially level (i.e., having minimal height differences between any given points on a surface). 
     Baseplate  102  is designed to accommodate one or more components of powered hoist  100  being mounted to or attached to its top surface via attachments features (e.g., a hole, recess or a slot). For example, during the assembly of powered hoist  100 , integrated lift/guide assembly  110  may be mounted or attached to baseplate  102  via one or more attachment features  130 , which in this embodiment comprises at least one aperture formed within baseplate  102 . Further, integrated lift/guide assembly  110  may be attached to baseplate  102  via attachment feature(s)  130  using fasteners, such as bolts and nuts (e.g., a swage nut) or screws. Although in  FIG. 1  only attachment feature  130  is visible, in this embodiment and other embodiments described herein, baseplate  102  may include any number of attachment features  130 . 
     Baseplate  102  is further designed for guiding a lifting media (not pictured in  FIG. 1  but shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) when powered hoist  100  is active. For example, baseplate  102  includes lifting media channels  132  formed within baseplate  102  and sized to keep a lifting media aligned with a liftwheel when the lifting media is lifted or lowered. To help further illustrate, during operation of powered hoist  100 , a lifting media may move through a first channel of lifting media channels  132  in a first direction and move through a second channel of lifting media channels  132  in a second direction opposite the first direction. Lifting media channels  132  can be modified for improved performance with certain parent materials by the applications of certain coatings which increase surface hardness and lubricity. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 1 , integrated lift/guide assembly  110  includes: an upper hook or lug mount  122 , a lifting media guide  126 , and side plates  124  and  128 . As depicted in  FIG. 1 , upper hook or lug mount  122  is affixed to lifting media guide  126  and side plates  124  and  128  are affixed to opposing sides of lifting media guide  126 . In another embodiment, upper hook or lug mount  122  may be affixed to lifting media guide  126  and to one or both of side plates  124  and  128  (as illustrated in subsequent  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). In embodiments, upper hook or lug mount  122 , lifting media guide  126 , and side plates  124  and  128  may be affixed to each other using fasteners (e.g., bolts, screws, etc.) or via another attachment means. 
     As previously described, integrated lift/guide assembly  110  may be mounted to baseplate  102  via attachment feature(s)  130 . In an embodiment, only lifting media guide  126  of integrated lift/guide assembly  110  may be attached to baseplate  102  via attachment feature(s)  130 . In another embodiment, lifting media guide  126  and one or more of side plates  124  and  128  may be attached to baseplate  102  via attachment features of baseplate  102  (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). 
     Integrated lift/guide assembly  110  (together with baseplate  102 ) forms a guide system for a lifting media when the lifting media is lifted or lowered during operation of powered hoist  100 . For example, lifting media guide  126  is operable to guide a lifting media around a liftwheel (not visible in  FIG. 1  but shown in  FIG. 4 ) secured within lifting media guide  126  as the liftwheel turns. Side plates  124  and  128  are operable to secure a liftwheel within lifting media guide  126 , Upper hook or lug mount  122  is operable to connect powered hoist  100  to a structural support capable of supporting powered hoist  100  as well as loads attached to lifting media thereof. For example, upper hook or lug mount  122  may comprise a conventional hook mount or a lug mount (e.g., in a trolley system) that can be used to suspend powered hoist  100  overhead to a support beam of a building or structure. 
     Additionally, in  FIG. 1 , a mount  104  is shown attached to baseplate  102 . In an embodiment, mount  104  may comprise a pedestal mount. Mount  104  may be used to attach motor  106  to baseplate  102 . Mount  104  may be affixed to baseplate  102  via one or more attachment features (like attachment feature  130 ) using fasteners (e.g., bolts and nuts, screws, etc.). Motor  106  may be attached to mount  104  in a similar manner as mount  104  is attached to baseplate  102  or may merely be cradled in mount  104  without the use of fasteners. In another embodiment, motor  106  may be attached directly to baseplate  102 . Moreover, motor  106  can be an electrical, pneumatic, or hydraulic type motor and can assume a plurality of sizes. As such, baseplate  102  may be designed to accommodate several types of motors with differing motor geometries and sizes and requiring different mounting schemes—thus providing powered hoist  100  the flexibility to be used for a variety of applications. 
     In  FIG. 1 , motor  106  is connected to clutch  108 . Clutch  108  may protect powered hoist  100  from over-winding or gross overload (e.g., at a certain torque clutch  108  will stop rotating). Clutch  108  may comprise a conventional friction clutch. Alternatively, clutch  108  may comprise another type of clutch, such as a clutch that involves electromagnetic or other emerging technologies, or can be entirely omitted depending on the application of the product. As further shown in  FIG. 1 , clutch  108  is additionally connected to integrated lift/guide assembly  110 , integrated lift/guide assembly  110  is additionally connected to gearbox  112 , and gearbox  112  is additionally connected to brake  116 . Gearbox  112 , integrated lift/guide assembly  110 , clutch  108 , motor  106  and brake  116  may be connected via shafts that are part of each respective component and/or may be individual components. Furthermore, in embodiments, these shafts may be of a conventional type connected by a spline or keyway or may include flexible shafting or intermediate, offset gear trains. 
       FIG. 1  shows a specific arrangement of components of powered hoist  100  attached to baseplate  102 . Nonetheless, baseplate  102  is designed to accommodate various viable arrangements of components of powered hoist  100 . For example, components of powered hoist  100  may be arranged on baseplate  102  such that motor  106  connects to an input of gearbox  112  and an output of gearbox  112  connects to the liftwheel secured in integrated lift/guide assembly  110 . 
     Gearbox  112  may include two or more gears with one of the gears driven by power transmitted from motor  106  (e.g., via a shaft). In a particular embodiment, gearbox  112  may include a planetary design. Some advantages of planetary gearing include: high torque transmission, compact design relative to other gearing schemes, and high numerical gear ratios. Furthermore, a planetary gearbox allows changing of ratios of a gearbox by simply changing a gear arrangement inside the gearbox. This increases the range of applications for which powered hoist  100  can be used and allows for the same gearbox to be used in different product designs. 
     Brake  116 , if applied during operation of powered hoist  100 , will stop gearbox  112  which in turns stops movement of a liftwheel and movement of a lifting media engaged with the liftwheel. Brake  116  can be controlled by electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic means. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 1 , attached to baseplate  102  is electrical board  114  that is used to control powered hoist  100  (e.g., turn on/off motor  106 , turn on/off brake  116 , set speed of motor  106 , etc.). Electrical board  114  may include controls that are electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic in nature. In an embodiment, powered hoist  100  may include a variable frequency drive (in the form of an electrical board or boards) that is connected to baseplate  102 , a connection harness that electrically connects motor  106 , brake  116 , and an operator pendant control to the variable frequency drive, and a dynamic braking resistor connected to the variable frequency drive. The variable frequency drive may comprise a type of adjustable-speed drive used to control AC motor speed and torque by varying motor input frequency and voltage. In addition, in this example embodiment, the dynamic braking resistor used to dissipate energy from the variable frequency drive may be attached directly to baseplate  102  to aid in heat dissipation, allowing baseplate  102  to act as a heatsink. In other embodiments, baseplate  102  may include additional features to aid in heat dissipation, such as pins or fins. 
     Components of powered hoist  100  may be enclosed for user protection and durability of powered hoist  100 . For example, a cover may be connected to baseplate  102  and integrated lift/guide assembly  110  such that the cover substantially covers baseplate  102 , motor  106 , clutch  108 , gearbox  112 , brake  116 , electric board  114 , a liftwheel of integrated lift/guide assembly  110 , and any shafts connecting components of powered hoist  100  and such that the cover partially covers a lifting media and integrated lift/guide assembly  110  (e.g., by exposing upper hook or lug mount  122 ). In an embodiment, the cover may comprise a first cover portion  118  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) that engages with a first end of base plate  102  and a similarly designed second cover portion that engages with a second and opposing end of baseplate  102 . For additional protection, a first end cap  120  may be attached to first cover portion  118  and a second end cap may be attached to the second cover portion. The components of the cover may can be made from one or more different materials (e.g., plastic, metal, etc.) dependent on the application. Additionally, each cover portion may employ geometry to interlock to baseplate  102 , reinforcing structural integrity of powered hoist  100  while also protecting the components of powered hoist  100 . In an alternative embodiment, additional design flexibility can be obtained by using flat sheets of a material to form a cover and end cap. For example, sheets of a material may be attached using a fastening system to form a cover and end cap. Each end cap, like the cover portions, may be made from one or more different materials (e.g., plastic, metal, etc.) and comprise different configurations (e.g., inclusion of handles to assist in portability). 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  will now be described.  FIGS. 2 and 3  provide different perspective views of another exemplary embodiment of powered hoist  100 .  FIG. 2  provides a top-side perspective view of a powered hoist  200 , which includes the same components as powered hoist  100  but also includes a lifting media  202 . Although lifting media  202  is depicted as a metal chain, lifting media  202  could also comprise any other type of chain, any type of rope, any type of wire, or any type of strap (e.g., a strap made of synthetic material). However, these examples are not intended to be limiting, and still other types of lifting media may be used. One end of lifting media  202  may be connected to a load hook. 
     Lifting media  202  is designed to engage with a liftwheel and be raised or lowered responsive to the turning of the liftwheel. For example, lifting media  202  may be wrapped around or aligned with a liftwheel secured within integrated lift/guide assembly  110 . To help further illustrate, a portion of lifting media  202  may be moved through a first lifting media channel (e.g., lifting media channels  132  in  FIG. 1 ) in baseplate  102  in an upward direction and another portion of lifting media  202  may be moved through a second lifting media channel in baseplate  102  in a downward direction to lift a load connected to lifting media  202 . 
       FIG. 2  also depicts another configuration of integrated lift/guide assembly  110 . In  FIG. 2 , integrated lift/guide assembly  110  includes: upper hook or lug mount  122 , lifting media guide  126 , and side plates  124  and  128 . In contrast to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2  shows upper hook or lug mount  122  affixed to lifting media guide  126  and side plates  124  and  128 .  FIG. 3  provides another perspective view of powered hoist  200 .  FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of powered hoist  200 , in accordance with embodiments described herein. 
     To help further illustrate how components of powered hoists  100  and  200  are connected,  FIG. 4  will now be described.  FIG. 4  provides an exploded side perspective view of powered hoist  200 , in accordance with embodiments described herein. As shown in  FIG. 4 , powered hoist  200  includes the following additional components not shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 : a drive shaft  402 , bearings  404 , and a liftwheel  406 . 
     Drive shaft  402  is designed to connect to clutch  108 , gearbox  112 , and brake  116 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , drive shaft  402  is substantially cylindrically shaped and sized to allow drive shaft  402  to pass from clutch  108  to gearbox  112  through a circular aperture  416  in side plate  124 , an axial channel  412  that extends through an axle  420  of liftwheel  406 , and a circular aperture  418  in side plate  128 . Clutch  108  is operable to be rotated by motor  106  and drive shaft  402  is operable to be turned by the rotation of clutch  108 . Drive shaft  402  is further designed to pass through gearbox  112  to connect to brake  116 . Brake  116 , if applied or engaged during operation of powered hoist  200 , will stop the turning of drive shaft  402 , thereby also stopping the operation of gearbox  112 . 
     As further shown in  FIG. 4 , gearbox  112  includes a gearbox input  408  and a gearbox output  410 . For example, gearbox input  408  connects to drive shaft  402  and is operable to be actuated by the turning of drive shaft  402 . Gearbox output  410  connects to liftwheel  406  and is operable to be turned in responsive to the actuation of gearbox input  408 . Gearbox  112  is configured to concentrate power from motor  106  to lift a load attached to a lifting media (e.g., lifting media  202  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). For instance, an operator of powered hoist  200 , through interaction with an operator pendant control attached to electrical board  114 , may power on motor  106  to initiate a lifting of a load attached to a lifting media. After powering on, motor  106  may cause clutch  108  to rotate in a direction needed to lift the lifting media. The rotation of clutch  108  may then cause drive shaft  402  to turn. Gearbox input  408  may be actuated (e.g., by starting to rotate gears within gearbox  112 ) by the turning of drive shaft  402  and gearbox output  410  may turn liftwheel  406  in response to the actuation of gearbox input  408 . The lifting media engaged with liftwheel  406  (e.g., using a sprocket and chain system) may then be lifted responsive to gearbox output  410  turning liftwheel  406 . Gearbox output  410  reduces rotational speed and increases rotational torque to facilitate lifting of the load. 
     When powered hoist  200  is assembled, a first end of axle  420  of liftwheel  206  is disposed within circular aperture  416  in side plate  124  and a second end of axle  420  is disposed within circular aperture  418  in side plate  128 . A first bearing of bearings  404  may be disposed between the first end of axle  420  and an edge of circular aperture  416  in side plate  124  and a second bearing of bearings  404  may be disposed between the second end of axle  420  and an edge of circular aperture  418  in side plate  128 . Bearings  404  can be used to limit movement of components of powered hoist  200  to a desired motion and reduce friction between moving parts of powered hoist  200 . 
     As further shown in  FIG. 4 , baseplate  102  includes attachment features  130 . For example, as described with reference to  FIG. 1 , integrated lift/guide assembly  110  may be mounted or attached to baseplate  102  via one or more attachment features  130 . Further, integrated lift/guide assembly  110  may be attach to baseplate  102  via attachment features  130  using fasteners, such as bolts and nuts or screws. Similarly, in some embodiments, brake  116  and gearbox  112  may be attached via attachment features  130  to baseplate  102 . Different types of attachment features may be used for different components. 
       FIG. 5  provides a top-side perspective view of another exemplary powered hoist in accordance with an embodiment.  FIG. 5  provides a top-side perspective view of a powered hoist  500 , which includes the same components as powered hoist  100  and powered hoist  200  but also includes a position sensor  502  for providing positional feedback from the liftwheel. For example, as a liftwheel secured within integrated lift/guide assembly  110  rotates past position sensor  502 , geometric features of the liftwheel relating to the rotational position of the liftwheel are reported (e.g., via an electrical signal) to a variable frequency drive or other monitoring device. In an embodiment, a liftwheel can be modified to create additional geometric features (such as “teeth”) to increase positional detection accuracy. Position sensor  502  may employ either electromagnetic or optical principles to provide positioning feedback. Although position sensor  502  is shown placed on the side of lifting media guide  126 , one or more position sensors may easily be placed in any number of other configurations on powered hoist  500  as specific lifting applications may require single or dual (redundant) positioning feedback. 
       FIG. 6  provides an exploded view of integrated lift/guide assembly  110  including upper hook or lug mount  122 , lifting media guide  126 , and side plates  124  and  128 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , with side plates  124  and  128  detached from lifting media guide  126 , liftwheel  406  is exposed. Like in  FIG. 4 , a top portion of lifting media guide  126  is rounded and sized for accommodating liftwheel  406 . This rounded cavity in the top portion of lifting media guide  126  may be designed to accommodate liftwheel  406  and a lifting media and keep liftwheel  406  and a lifting media aligned when powered hoist  100  and powered hoist  200  are operating. Furthermore, integrated lift/guide assembly  110  may be fabricated from any suitable, lightweight material(s), including plastic, rubber, metal, composites, or a combination of metals/alloys, etc. Alternatively, integrated lift/guide assembly  110  may be made from stronger materials including metals such as titanium or steel, composites such as fibre-reinforced plastic, or a combination of metals/alloys, etc. 
       FIGS. 7-9  provide exemplary embodiments of baseplate  102 . In  FIG. 7 , baseplate  102  includes lifting media channels  132  and several attachment features  130  for mounting components of a powered hoist to baseplate  102 . In some embodiments, baseplate  102  may include several attachment features assuming differently sized and/or differently shaped apertures formed within baseplate  102 . Differently sized and/or differently shaped apertures may indicate where to attach particular components of powered hoist  100  powered hoist  200  on baseplate  102 . For example, in  FIG. 7 , the square shaped apertures may indicate where to attach electric board  114  (referenced in prior FIGS.). 
     In other embodiments, components of powered hoist  100  and  200  may be attached to baseplate  102  via a snap locking system or via a slotted system. As shown in  FIG. 8 , components of powered hoist  100  and powered hoist  200  may be connected directly into slots of baseplate  102  or may be connected to the baseplate by intermediary connectors that fit into the slot and fasten to the components by other fastening means such as screws. Components of powered hoist  100  and  200  may also include attachment devices that allow components of powered hoist  100  and  200  to impermanently attach to baseplate  102 . Furthermore, baseplate  102  may be fabricated from any suitable, lightweight material(s), including plastic, rubber, metal, composites, or a combination of metals/alloys, etc. Alternatively, baseplate  102  may be made from stronger material(s), including metals such as titanium or steel, composites such as fibre-reinforced plastic, or a combination of metals/alloys, etc. 
     As previously described, baseplate  102  may act as a heatsink and can include additional features to aid in heat dissipation, particularly when a dynamic braking resistor is connected directly to the mounting surface of baseplate  102 . For example,  FIG. 9  provides a bottom perspective view of baseplate  102  in accordance with an embodiment in which a bottom surface of baseplate  102  includes fins  902  extending therefrom. Fins  902  may be attached to baseplate  102  to further aid heat dissipation by providing an increased surface area over which heat may be distributed and dissipated. As previously noted, other structures (e.g., pins) may also be attached to or integrated with baseplate  102  in order to aid heat dissipation. 
       FIG. 10  will now be described.  FIG. 10  provides an exemplary embodiment of a pendant configured to control powered hoist  100  of  FIG. 1  and powered hoist  200  of  FIGS. 2-4 . In  FIG. 10 , a pendant  1000  connects to electrical board  114  of baseplate  102  through a connection harness  1006 . Connection harness  1006  may include an assembly of electrical cables or wires which transmit signals or electrical power to electrical board  114  to control powered hoist  100  and powered hoist  200  (e.g., turn on/off motor  106 , turn on/off brake  116 , adjust speed of motor  106 , etc.). These cables or wires may be bound together by a durable material such as rubber, vinyl, electrical tape, conduit, a weave of extruded string, or a combination thereof. 
     An operator may use buttons  1004  and  1002  to operate powered hoist  100  or powered hoist  200 . For example, an operator may push button  1004  to activate the powered hoist and cause the powered hoist to lift a load attached to a lifting media. In addition, the operator may push button  1002  to activate the powered hoist and cause the powered hoist to lower a load attached to a lifting media. 
       FIG. 11  provides another exemplary embodiment of powered hoist  200  illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4 .  FIG. 11  shows cover  118  and end cap  120  that are designed to enclose powered hoist  200  for user protection and durability of powered hoist  200 . For example, cover  118  may be connected to baseplate  102  such that cover  118  substantially covers baseplate  102 , motor  106 , clutch  108 , gearbox  112 , brake  116 , and electric board  114 , and such that cover  118  partially covers integrated lift/guide assembly  110  and a lifting media. For additional protection, end cap  120  may be attached to a first end of cover  118  and a second end cap, like end cap  120 , may be attached to a second end of cover  118  opposite the first end of cover  118 . Additionally, cover  118  may employ geometry to interlock to baseplate  102 , reinforcing structural integrity of powered hoist  200  while also protecting the components of powered hoist  200 . For example, in  FIG. 11 , cover  118  includes a slot  1102  which may allow for baseplate  102  to be inserted into cover  118  and secured within cover  118 . In one embodiment, an additional slot, like slot  1102 , may be positioned directly across from slot  1102  on an opposite side of cover  118 . Further, baseplate  102  may include features located on each side of baseplate  102  adjacent to the mounting surface of baseplate  102  that interlock with slot  1102  and the other slot when baseplate  102  is inserted. Still other structures for interlocking baseplate  102  to cover  118  may be utilized. 
       FIG. 12  provides another exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of integrated lift/guide assembly  110 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , integrated lift/guide assembly  110  includes upper hook or lug mount  122 , lifting media guide  126 , and side plates  124  and  128 . In  FIG. 12 , with side plates  124  and  128  detached from lifting media guide  126 , liftwheel  406  is exposed. Like shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , a top portion of lifting media guide  126  is rounded and sized for accommodating liftwheel  406 . This rounded cavity in the top portion of lifting media guide  126  may be designed to accommodate liftwheel  406  and a lifting media and keep liftwheel  406  and a lifting media aligned when powered hoist  100  and powered hoist  200  are operating. 
     When powered hoist  200  is assembled, a first end of an axle of liftwheel  406  is disposed within circular aperture  416  in side plate  124  and a second end of an axle is disposed within circular aperture  418  in side plate  128 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , a first bearing of bearings  404  may be disposed between the first end of the axle and an edge of circular aperture  416  in side plate  124  and a second bearing of bearings  404  may be disposed between the second end of the axle and an edge of circular aperture  418  in side plate  128 . Bearings  404  can be used to limit movement of components of powered hoist  200  to a desired motion and reduce friction between moving parts of powered hoist  200 . 
     Upper hook or lug mount  122  may be affixed to lifting media guide  126  and to one or both of side plates  124  and  128  (as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). Upper hook or lug mount  122 , lifting media guide  126 , and side plates  124  and  128  may be affixed to each other using fasteners (e.g., bolts, screws, etc.) or via another attachment means. 
     VI. Conclusion 
     While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. Thus, the breadth and scope of the embodiments should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.