Patent ID: 12215761

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description recites various aspects and embodiments of the inventions disclosed herein. No particular embodiment is intended to define the scope of the invention. Rather, the embodiments provide non-limiting examples of various compositions, and methods that are included within the scope of the claimed inventions. The description is to be read from the perspective of one of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, information that is well known to the ordinarily skilled artisan is not necessarily included.

Definitions

The following terms and phrases have the meanings indicated below, unless otherwise provided herein. This disclosure may employ other terms and phrases not expressly defined herein. Such other terms and phrases shall have the meanings that they would possess within the context of this disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. In some instances, a term or phrase may be defined in the singular or plural. In such instances, it is understood that any term in the singular may include its plural counterpart and vice versa, unless expressly indicated to the contrary.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to “a substituent” encompasses a single substituent as well as two or more substituents, and the like.

As used herein, “for example,” “for instance,” “such as,” or “including” are meant to introduce examples that further clarify more general subject matter. Unless otherwise expressly indicated, such examples are provided only as an aid for understanding embodiments illustrated in the present disclosure and are not meant to be limiting in any fashion. Nor do these phrases indicate any kind of preference for the disclosed embodiment.

As used herein, “line” is meant to refer to any device or material that is long, cylindrical, thin, flexible, and having a high tensile strength. Preferably, this will be a braided wire, but ropes, cords, string, twine, cable, strand, chains and combinations thereof may be used as well.

As used herein, “loop” with reference to a line means the end of the line is connected to the beginning of the line.

As used herein, “capstan effect” is meant to refer to the small holding force exerted on a line by one side of a cylinder and the line therefore being able to carry a much larger loading force on the other side, as shown in the Capstan equation. Rotation of the cylinder multiplies the applied tension by the friction between the line and the cylinder.

Capstan-effect devices are used to lift and pull objects, but typical capstan-effect devices have some limitations. The line wrapping around the drum overlaps or rubs against itself. The line naturally would exit and enter typical capstan-effect devices at whatever location the line comes off the drum. These and other limitations are overcome in the present invention. The present invention is a capstan-effect device that uses a drum and stacked pulleys to cause travel of a sliding support. In a preferred embodiment, the drum has alternating grooves of alternating circumferences, termed alpha and beta grooves. Alpha grooves align with a set of first stacked pulleys while beta grooves align with a set of second stacked pulleys. The drum is between the first and second stacked pulleys and all are parallel to one another. Alpha grooves may be larger than beta grooves, or vice versa. The drum and stacked pulleys are all mounted to the sliding support, or “slider.” At either end of the slider are a first end pulley and a second end pulley. A line wraps in a continuous loop from the end pulleys and through a combination of the drum and stacked pulleys, as explained next. The first end pulley rotates at a first angle so that as the line passes from a last of the beta grooves and around the first end pulley, the line passes over a last of the alpha grooves. The line then passes back and forth between the alpha grooves and the first stacked pulleys as follows. The first stacked pulleys rotate at a second angle so that as the line passes from the alpha grooves and around the first stacked pulleys it passes onto a previous groove of the alpha grooves. The second end pulley rotates at the first angle so that as the line passes from a first of the alpha grooves and around the second end pulley, the line passes over a first of the beta grooves. The line then passes back and forth between the beta grooves and the second stacked pulleys as follows. The second stacked pulleys rotate at a third angle so that as the line passes from the beta grooves and around the second stacked pulleys it passes onto a next groove of the beta grooves. When any of the drum, the first end pulley, or the second end pulley is driven, such as by hand or a motor, the difference in the circumferences of the alpha and beta grooves and the first stacked grooves and the second stacked grooves causes the slider to move toward either the first or second end pulleys. The slider thereby moves linearly. In a preferred embodiment, the slider has an object attached and carries the object. One advantage of this device is that the mechanical advantage allows for a low-torque, high-speed motor to be used without need for a gearbox. This increases efficiency while lowering noise and cost.

Now referring toFIG.1,FIG.1is an isometric view of a device for moving an object linearly with a close-up view of a slider unit that may be used in one embodiment of the present invention.FIG.2is the isometric view ofFIG.1without the line.FIG.3is a front-elevation view of the device ofFIG.1with a close-up view of the slider unit.FIG.4is the elevation view ofFIG.3without the line.FIG.5is a back-elevation view of the device ofFIG.1with a close-up view of the slider unit.FIG.6is the elevation view of the device ofFIG.5without the line.FIG.7is a back-elevation view of a second end pulley ofFIGS.1-6.FIG.8is a front-elevation view of the second end pulley ofFIGS.1-6.FIG.9is a back-elevation view of a first end pulley ofFIGS.1-6.FIG.10is a front-elevation view of the first end pulley ofFIGS.1-6. A line22is in the form of a loop. A slider14has a drum16, a first stack of pulleys18, and a second stack of pulleys20. The drum16has a drive handle24that a user can turn. In preferred embodiments, the drive handle24is replaced by a motor. The drum16consists of alternating alpha grooves26and beta grooves28, with the alpha grooves26having a greater circumference than the beta grooves28. In this embodiment, the first of the beta grooves28is adjacent the slider14. In other embodiments, the first of the alpha grooves26is adjacent the slider14. The pulleys of the first stack of pulleys18have first stacked grooves19. The pulleys of the second stack of pulleys20have second stacked grooves21. The first stacked grooves19have a greater circumference than the second stacked grooves21. The drum16is between the first stacked pulleys18and the second stacked pulleys20, and the long axes of all three are parallel in a plane. The first stacked pulleys18are adjacent a first end of the slider14and the second stacked pulleys20are adjacent the opposite end of the slider14. The slider14slides along a track30. At one end of the track30is a first end pulley10. At the opposite end of the track30is a second end pulley12. The first end pulley10is elevated and tilted at a first angle and thereby aligns with the last grooves of the alpha and beta grooves26and28. The second end pulley12is attached to the track30and tilted at the first angle and thereby aligns with the first grooves of the alpha and beta grooves26and28. The first end pulley10rotates at the first angle so as the line22passes over a last groove of the beta grooves28and around the first end pulley10, the line22is transitioned to pass over a last groove of the alpha grooves26. The plurality of stacked pulleys18rotate at a second angle so as the line22comes off the alpha grooves26and around the first stacked grooves19, the line22is transitioned to pass over a previous groove of the alpha grooves26. The second end pulley12rotates at the first angle so as the line22passes over a first groove of the alpha grooves26and around the second end pulley12, the line22is transitioned to pass over a first groove of the beta grooves28. The plurality of stacked pulleys20rotate at a third angle so as the line22comes off the beta grooves28and around the second stacked grooves21, the line22is transitioned to pass over a next groove of the beta grooves28. In a preferred embodiment, the drum16is driven by the handle or motor24, and the difference in circumference of the alpha grooves26and the beta grooves28and the difference in circumference of the first stacked grooves19and the second stacked grooves21causes the slider to move toward one of the first or second end pulleys10and12by the capstan effect.

In other embodiments, the first, second, or both end pulleys are replaced by two or more pulleys to accomplish the transition angle and distance with smaller pulleys.

In some embodiments, the first, second, or both end pulleys have a tensioner, such as a spring or a weight, that pulls the first and second end pulleys away from each other, resulting in tension in the line, enhancing or enabling the capstan effect in the device. In other embodiments, the friction between the line and the grooves is sufficient to provide the tension needed for the capstan effect. In some embodiments, the surfaces of the grooves are sufficiently rough to cause sufficient friction to eliminate the need for the spring to provide tension on the line—the friction provides all the tension required.

The surface of the grooves is preferably designed so as to provide the right balance between friction and wear on the line. In other words, the total surface of the grooves that engages the line need to have enough friction, i.e. grip, with the line so that the line can be pulled by rotation of the drive cylinder. Likewise, the surface of the grooves should not have so much friction, e.g. roughness, so that the line wears unnecessarily as it is passed over the grooves repeatedly.

The more grooves and the bigger the area of contact between the grooves and the line means that each groove needs less friction. The fewer the grooves, the greater the friction required on the surface or the greater the counterweight or force supplied by another tensioning device. The surface of the grooves can be tailored with special coatings, such as a soft polymeric coating, e.g. urethane or rubber, that would provide a better grip on the line. Alternatively, the surface of the grooves can be roughened, for example by etching, abrading or the like. Also, the outer surface of the line itself may be tailored with polymers coatings and the like, so as to provide more grip on the rollers.

In some embodiments, the slider14is attached to a load and carries it laterally or vertically.

In a preferred embodiment, the first stacked grooves and the alpha grooves do not have the same circumference as the first stacked pulleys are at an angle, so their circumference is slightly larger than the circumference of the alpha grooves. The size of the pulleys is such that the rope does a 180° turn and goes straight into the groove of the next pulley. The same is true of the relative circumferences of the beta grooves and the second stacked grooves.

The smaller the difference between the circumferences of the alpha and beta grooves, the less torque required to turn the drum, and the less linear motion created. A larger difference leads to a higher required drive torque, but more linear motion.

FIG.11is an isometric view of an elevator equipped with four of the devices ofFIGS.1-10that may be used in one embodiment of the present invention. The devices are mounted to the sliders14to the four top corners of the sides of the elevator40. The first end pulley10attaches to the bottom of the elevator shaft and the second end pulley (not shown) attaches at the top of the elevator shaft. The motors24turn the drums16of the devices, causing the devices and therefore the elevator32to climb up or down the lines22due to the capstan effect. Call buttons34and floor buttons (inside—not shown) signal the controller32. The controller32starts and stops the motors24to climb the elevator to the desired elevation.

One benefit of the present invention is that the elevator cannot be lowered if the drum or end pulleys are not actively turned as the capstan effect acts as a friction lock, meaning that no locking mechanism is required in case of power loss, only the weight, line friction, or other line tensioning device. This makes the elevator inherently safer than many traditional lifting devices.

FIG.12is an isometric view of a device for moving an object linearly that may be used in one embodiment of the present invention. A line22is in the form of a loop. A slider14(shown in dashed lines to show features behind the slider14) has a first drum16, a first stack of pulleys18, and a second stack of pulleys20mounted on the slide14. The first drum16has a second drum17mounted parallel upon the first drum16. Mounting shafts for the pulleys and drums are not shown for clarity. The drums16and17are driven by a motor (not shown). The first drum16has alpha grooves26and the second drum17has beta grooves28. The alpha grooves26have a greater circumference than the beta grooves28. The drums16and17are driven together on the same shaft. The pulleys of the first stack of pulleys18have first stacked grooves19. The pulleys of the second stack of pulleys20have second stacked grooves21. The first stacked grooves19have a greater circumference than the second stacked grooves21. The drum16is between the first stacked pulleys18and the second stacked pulleys20, and the long axes of all three are parallel in a plane. The first stacked pulleys18are adjacent a first end of the slider14and the second stacked pulleys20are adjacent the opposite end of the slider14. The slider14slides along a track (not shown). At one end of the track30is a first end pulley10. At the opposite end of the track is a second end pulley12. The second end pulley12is elevated and tilted at a first angle and thereby aligns with the last groove of the alpha grooves26and the first groove of the beta grooves28. The first end pulley10is attached to the track and tilted at a second angle and thereby aligns with the first groove of the alpha grooves26and the last groove of the beta grooves28. The first end pulley10rotates at the first angle so as the line22passes over a last groove of the beta grooves28and around the first end pulley10, the line22is transitioned to pass over a first groove of the alpha grooves26. The plurality of stacked pulleys18rotate at a third angle so as the line22comes off the alpha grooves26and around the first stacked grooves19, the line22is transitioned to pass over a next groove of the alpha grooves26. The second end pulley12rotates at the second angle so as the line22passes over a last groove of the alpha grooves26and around the second end pulley12, the line22is transitioned to pass over a first groove of the beta grooves28. The plurality of stacked pulleys20rotate at a fourth angle so as the line22comes off the beta grooves28and around the second stacked grooves21, the line22is transitioned to pass over a next groove of the beta grooves28. In a preferred embodiment, the drums16and17are driven by the motor24and the difference in circumference of the alpha grooves26and the beta grooves28and the difference in circumference of the first stacked grooves19and the second stacked grooves21causes the slider14to move toward one of the first or second end pulleys10and12by the capstan effect. In one embodiment, a last of the alpha grooves26is larger than the remainder of the alpha grooves and a last of the beta grooves28is larger than the rest of the beta grooves. This increases the tension in the line, increasing the capstan effect.

FIG.13is an isometric view of a device for moving an object linearly that may be used in one embodiment of the present invention.FIG.14is a side view of the device ofFIG.13. A line22is in the form of a loop. A slider14(shown in dashed lines inFIG.13, normal inFIG.14) has a first drum16, a first stack of pulleys18, and a second stack of pulleys20mounted on the slide14. The first drum16has a second drum17mounted parallel and in line with the first drum16. Mounting shafts for the pulleys and drums are not shown for clarity. The drums16and17are driven by a motor24. The first drum16has alpha grooves26and the second drum17has beta grooves28. The alpha grooves26have a greater circumference than the beta grooves28. The drums16and17are driven together on the same shaft. The pulleys of the first stack of pulleys18have first stacked grooves19. The pulleys of the second stack of pulleys20have second stacked grooves21. The first stacked grooves19have a greater circumference than the second stacked grooves21. The drum16is between the first stacked pulleys18and the second stacked pulleys20, and the long axes of all three are parallel in a plane. The first stacked pulleys18are adjacent a first end of the slider14and the second stacked pulleys20are adjacent the opposite end of the slider14. The slider14slides along a track (not shown). At one end of the track30is a set of four first end pulleys10. At the opposite end of the track is a second end pulley12. Tension in the line22is maintained by a spring36pulling the second end pulley12away from the slider14. The second end pulley12is elevated and tilted at a first angle and thereby aligns with the last groove of the alpha grooves26and the first groove of the beta grooves28. The first end pulleys10are attached to the track and tilted at a second angle and thereby aligns with the first groove of the alpha grooves26and the last groove of the beta grooves28. The first end pulleys10rotates at the first angle so as the line22passes over a last groove of the beta grooves28and around the first end pulleys10, the line22is transitioned to pass over a first groove of the alpha grooves26. The plurality of stacked pulleys18rotate at a third angle so as the line22comes off the alpha grooves26and around the first stacked grooves19, the line22is transitioned to pass over a next groove of the alpha grooves26. The second end pulley12rotates at the second angle so as the line22passes over a last groove of the alpha grooves26and around the second end pulley12, the line22is transitioned to pass over a first groove of the beta grooves28. The plurality of stacked pulleys20rotate at a fourth angle so as the line22comes off the beta grooves28and around the second stacked grooves21, the line22is transitioned to pass over a next groove of the beta grooves28. In a preferred embodiment, the drums16and17are driven by the motor24and the difference in circumference of the alpha grooves26and the beta grooves28and the difference in circumference of the first stacked grooves19and the second stacked grooves21causes the slider14to move toward one of the first or second end pulleys10and12by the capstan effect. In this embodiment, four first end pulleys10were used. In other embodiments, one, two, three, or more than four pulleys may be used, chosen for convenience of materials availability, manufacturing ability, or simplicity. In this embodiment, the motor24is powered by a battery42.

In this embodiment, a controller32controls the motor24and receives information from the motor20, the battery42, and a position indicator44. A smart device38can transmit40instructions to the controller32, allowing for the user to control operations. The smart device38also receives the information from the controller32, allowing the user to see information from sensors such as battery levels, current draw by the motors, the position of the slider14on the track, how much force is exerted on the line, and other typical information desired by users.

FIG.15is a block diagram of a system for lifting an object and moving the object translationally that may be used in one embodiment of the present invention.FIG.16is a block diagram of the system ofFIG.15, the object lifted.FIG.17is a block diagram of the system ofFIG.16, the object moved translationally.FIG.18is a block diagram of the system ofFIG.17, the object lowered to the ground. An object46is on the ground (FIG.15), lifted (FIG.16), moved translationally (FIG.17) and placed on the ground (FIG.18). The lifting device48is a winch or similar lifter. The lifting device48is mounted to a slider11that is part of a device as inFIGS.1-10. In this manner, the object16can be elevated, moved, and set in a new location.

The invention has been described with reference to various specific and preferred embodiments and techniques. Nevertheless, it is understood that many variations and modifications may be made while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention.