Patent ID: 8157113

Claim:
A hoisting device for raising a load, the hoisting device having a maximum load rating and comprising: a geared motor that operates to provide a plurality of hoisting speeds including at least first hoisting speed that is a faster hoisting speed and a second hosting speed that is a slower hoisting speed; a load receptacle means that is coupled to the geared motor with the aid of a driving means, configured so as to lift a received load using power of the geared motor; a load sensor for determining a weight of the received load on the load receptacle means; and an electric control unit that is connected to the load sensor and the geared motor to control the hoisting speed of the geared motor, wherein the control unit enables any selected one of the plurality of hoisting speeds when the weight of the load is equal to or lower than the maximum load rating, and enables only a lower subset of the plurality of hoisting speed when the weight of the load exceeds the maximum load rating, wherein the lower subset of the plurality of hoisting speeds includes the second hoisting speed and excludes the first hoisting speed.