Abstract:
The present invention is related generally to hoists, and more particularly to a hoist system for safely raising, storing, and lowering loads.

Description:
This application claims priority on Application No. 60/832,166 filed Jul. 20, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 

   FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is related generally to hoists, and more particularly to a hoist system for safely raising, storing, and lowering loads. 
   Storage for recreational equipment such as bicycles, canoes, kayaks, and other equipment is sometimes considered inefficient because of space limitations in garages, basements, and sheds. Recreational equipment tends to consume much-needed space and may be inconvenient to access and load onto vehicles when desired. Consequently, storage and use of recreational equipment can inhibit consumers from using, enjoying, and even purchasing such equipment due to storage space limitations. 
   Various racks and hoist systems are available for consumer use, but they tend to be complicated, unsafe, and have space consuming problems of their own. There is, therefore, a need for a simple and safe system for storing recreational gear and other equipment. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a hoist system for raising, storing, and lowering loads in a safe and efficient manner. The hoist is easily and safely used to store recreational equipment in residential garages and sheds to optimize space by storing such equipment overhead. 
   Also, the present invention can be used in garages so that vehicles can be positioned under the hoist system so that equipment can be directly raised from and lowered to the vehicles and/or racks connected to the vehicles. Such an arrangement simplifies loading and unloading of recreational equipment and may be compatible with specialized vehicle racks. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of a lift mechanism in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the lift mechanism of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of a ratchet mechanism in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a ratchet mechanism in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a pulley for use in the lift mechanism in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is another perspective view of a pulley for use in the lift mechanism in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a pulley combination for use in a lift mechanism in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a ratcheted lift mechanism and pulley arrangement in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a ratchet mechanism secured to an overhead joist in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a partial perspective view of a ratcheted lift mechanism with a side eyelet for securing a pull chain in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 11  is a detailed perspective view of the eyelet of  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 12  is an exploded view of a ratchet mechanism in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a lift system using two ratchet mechanisms in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a lift mechanism employing a common drive shaft and pulley combination for lifting multiple objects in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a ratchet mechanism in accordance with the present invention with a cover removed to show that it is lowering an object; 
       FIG. 16  is a side view of the ratchet mechanism of  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the ratchet mechanism in a lifting mode; and 
       FIG. 18  is a side view of the ratchet mechanism of  FIG. 17  in a lifting mode. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   A hoist system  20  in accordance with the present invention is depicted in  FIGS. 1 through 18 . The hoist system  20  includes a hoist  22 , passive pulleys  24 , supporting cables  26 , and a drive chain  28 . The hoist system  20  may also include a storage platform  30  ( FIG. 13 ) or straps  32  ( FIG. 1 ) or hooks  34  ( FIG. 14 ) to engage and support a load. 
   As seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 ,  7 ,  10 ,  13  and  14 , the storage system  20  is preferably used to lift, store, and lower loads such as recreational equipment  40 , including boats, kayaks, bicycles, and other gear or boxes. The storage system  20  of the present invention is preferably installed in garages to optimize storage space, and is more preferably stored above an area where an automobile can be driven so that loads can be directly raised from and lowered to the automobile. For example, a kayak can be raised and lowered directing to a roof-top rack on an automobile by installing the hoist system  20  of the present invention in a garage ceiling. 
   The hoist  22  includes a frame  42  defined by a first portion  44  and a second portion  46  that are joined by screws  48  to house at least some of the moveable components. There is also included a drive shaft  50  extending through an opening  52  defined by the frame  42 . On each end of the drive shaft  50 , there are spools  56  for receiving the supporting cables  26 , although the supporting cables  26  could be attached directly to the drive shaft  50 . Preferably, the drive shaft  50  is square or rectangular in cross-section to obviate the need for keys that will fix its movement with other moving components. 
   Inside the first and second portions  44  and  46  of the frame  42 , there are a ratchet gear  60 , a drive gear  62 , a pawl  64  for engaging the ratchet gear  60 , a spring  66  for biasing the pawl  64  into engagement with the ratchet gear  60 , and a pair of bearings  68  for supporting the ratchet gear  60  and the drive gear  62  in the frame  42 . The drive chain  28  is disposed between the ratchet gear  60  and the drive gear  62 . Preferably, the drive chain  28  is endless for ease of operation. It may be coated with plastic or in a protective sleeve to prevent damage to a user&#39;s hands or nearby vehicles and equipment. 
   The ratchet gear  60  and drive gear  62  are preferably joined together with screws  70  to maintain the drive chain  28  in place and maintain positive contact between the components as they move with little or no slippage. The pawl  64  pivots in the frame  42  about an integral pin  80  that mates with appropriate recesses  82  in the frame  42 . 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the drive shaft  50  can extend from one frame  42  to a passive hoist  72  that is axially aligned with the hoist  22 . In this manner, a single drive chain  28  can be used to operate two or more hoists  22  and  72 . 
   Referring back to  FIGS. 15 through 18 , to operate the hoist system  22 , the drive chain  28  is pulled in one direction to raise a load. The drive chain  28  rotates the drive gear  62  and the ratchet gear  60 , which in turn rotates the drive shaft  50  and spools  56 . A support cable  26  joined to the spool  56  will then be wound up and will raise the load connected to the support cable  26 . Mechanical advantage for the operator can be gained by using known pulley arrangements, if desired. 
   Accidental lowering of the load is prevented because the pawl  64  is biased by the spring  66  into engagement with the ratchet gear  60 , which prevents counter-rotation of the drive shaft  50 . 
   To lower the load, the drive chain  26  is pulled outward ( FIGS. 15 and 16 ) away from the ratchet gear  60 , and against the pawl  64 . When enough force is applied against the pawl  64  to overcome the bias of the spring  66 , the pawl  64  will no longer engage the ratchet gear  60  and the load can be lowered. If the load moves too quickly or the operator loses a grip on the drive chain  28 , the spring  66  will reengage the pawl  64  with the ratchet gear  60  and present further downward movement. 
   Preferably the hoist system  20  is joined to the structure of a garage such as ceiling joists using screws, bolts, or a releasable system such as the FLIP CLIP clamp sold by Inspire Design Group, LLC of 2219 Eagle Drive, Middleton, Wis. 53562, Ph. 608-836-8180.