Patent ID: 7434787

Claim:
A winch ( 6 ) for raising and lowering persons, comprising: a housing provided with a first attachment member ( 16 ), a first opening ( 17 ) in the housing substantially opposite to the first attachment member, an electric motor ( 30 ) coupled to the input of a reduction gearing ( 28 , 29 ), a reel component ( 27 ) coupled to the output of the reduction gearing ( 28 , 29 ), a flexible elongated traction member ( 7 ) connected to the reel component for winding and unwinding the traction ( 7 ) member for raising and lowering a person, characterized in that the housing is provided with a second opening ( 19 ) and the traction member ( 7 ) being guided through the first opening ( 17 ) or through the second opening ( 19 ); wherein the second opening is configured for guiding the traction member and the reel is disposed relative to the first and second opening such that the traction member can be run through either the first opening or the second opening while being rolled up onto the reel and paid out from the reel.