A load support device and load support systems. The load support device may include a body. The body may include a first fixed bollard. The body may additionally include a pivotable bollard. The pivotable bollard and the first fixed bollard may be configured such that friction is applied to a line between the first fixed bollard and the pivotable bollard without locking the line to preclude movement in response to a force applied to the pivotable bollard. A load support system may include a load support device and a line threaded through a body of the load support device in one of several different line configurations.

A system includes two or more lifting devices attached to a structure each lifting device having a drum rotated by a motor to draw in or let out a line from the drum. The drum includes a groove formed in an outer surface thereof to accommodate the line. In certain embodiments, each of the lifting devices are quickly and easily detachable from the structure by way of a flange and mounting bracket. The flange and mounting bracket have holes which are coaxially aligned. A pin or other fastener is used to join the flange and mounting bracket together. Two or more lifting devices may be connected to and moved along a mounting bracket.

A hoist system having a drum primarily self-contained within a batten, for raising and lowering lighting, sound equipment, curtains and the like in a performance environment. The hoist system may be adapted with safety mechanisms including an overload sensor and/or a slack line detector. The system may be provided in the form of a point hoist. The compact system is highly scalable to a variety of spaces and applications, including school and public theaters and concert halls, as well as some homes, private business, etc. Additional features include various cable management systems and trim adjustment mechanisms for use with the hoist system.

A descender device for manually raising and lowering an object or person on a rope has a housing (which has opposing first and second ends and opposing side walls), an attachment means (provided at the first end of the housing and configured for attachment to an anchor point or to the object or person to be raised or lowered), rope entry and exit ports (at the second end of the housing), a drive pulley (around which the rope may be engaged), a centrifugal brake (configured to limit the speed of rotation of the drive pulley), a gear assembly, a wheel (arranged to be gripped by a user of the device), and a rope retaining means provided on an outside of the housing. The wheel is connected to the gear assembly. The rope retaining means comprises a projection and at least one groove.

A descender device for manually raising and lowering an object or person on a rope has a housing (which has opposing first and second ends and opposing side walls), an attachment means (provided at the first end of the housing and configured for attachment to an anchor point or to the object or person to be raised or lowered), rope entry and exit ports (at the second end of the housing), a drive pulley (around which the rope may be engaged), a centrifugal brake (configured to limit the speed of rotation of the drive pulley), a gear assembly, a wheel (arranged to be gripped by a user of the device), and a rope retaining means provided on an outside of the housing. The wheel is connected to the gear assembly. The rope retaining means comprises a projection and at least one groove.

An apparatus includes a drum to draw in or let out a line and a motor and transmission coupled to the drum to apply a torque thereto. An encoder is provided to measure an angular position of the drum. A counter is provided to record a number of rotations of the drum. A locking mechanism automatically prevents rotation of the drum when the drum stops. Using this information, a processor may calculate an amount of line let out from the drum based on the number of rotations of the drum, the angular position of the drum, and a radius of the drum. In certain embodiments, the angular position and/or number of rotations is stored in non-volatile memory so that is can be recovered in the event of a power outage or other significant event.

An apparatus includes a drum to draw in or let out a line and a motor and transmission coupled to the drum to apply a torque thereto. An encoder is provided to measure an angular position of the drum. A counter is provided to record a number of rotations of the drum. A locking mechanism automatically prevents rotation of the drum when the drum stops. Using this information, a processor may calculate an amount of line let out from the drum based on the number of rotations of the drum, the angular position of the drum, and a radius of the drum. In certain embodiments, the angular position and/or number of rotations is stored in non-volatile memory so that is can be recovered in the event of a power outage or other significant event.

An apparatus includes a motor and a drum rotated by the motor to draw in or let out a line from the drum. The drum includes a groove formed in an outer surface thereof to accommodate the line. In certain embodiments, the motor and drum are quickly and easily detachable from a structure by way of a flange and mounting bracket. The flange and mounting bracket have holes which are coaxially aligned. A pin or other fastener is used to join the flange and mounting bracket together.

An apparatus includes a drum to draw in or let out a line and a motor and transmission coupled to the drum to apply a torque thereto. The transmission includes at least one stage of gearing to reduce a gear ratio of the motor relative to the drum. A shaft couples the motor to the transmission and a locking mechanism selectively locks the shaft to prevent rotation of the drum. In certain embodiments, a braking mechanism may be provided in addition to the locking mechanism to slow the motor when the motor is not applying torque to the drum. This may slow the motor sufficiently to enable engagement of the locking mechanism.

An apparatus includes a drum to draw in or let out a line and a motor and transmission coupled to the drum to apply a torque thereto. The transmission includes at least one stage of gearing to reduce a gear ratio of the motor relative to the drum. A shaft couples the motor to the transmission and a locking mechanism selectively locks the shaft to prevent rotation of the drum. In certain embodiments, a braking mechanism may be provided in addition to the locking mechanism to slow the motor when the motor is not applying torque to the drum. This may slow the motor sufficiently to enable engagement of the locking mechanism.