An overhead storage device comprising a cable pulley; a constant torque spring unit attached to the cable pulley and adapted to apply an approximately constant torque to the cable pulley; a cable partially wound around the cable pulley and having an attachment mechanism at one end of the cable; and a locking mechanism; comprising a pawl, a release cord attached the pawl and a ratchet unit; adapted to permit the attachment mechanism and an attached load to be lowered and locked at any desired position within the range of the device. The device is particularly suited for storing items, such as bicycles, golf clubs and yard equipment that are commonly stored in garages.

There is provided a crane winch device allowing a suspended load to freely fall due to a load thereof. The crane winch device includes a winch drum around which a rope for suspending the suspended load is wound, braking brake unit that brakes the winch drum, speed-increasing unit that performs speed-increasing assist of the winch drum in a direction of free fall acceleration when a braking force of the brake unit is smaller than a first threshold, and an adjustment unit that adjusts the first threshold.

There is provided a crane winch device allowing a suspended load to freely fall due to a load thereof. The crane winch device includes a winch drum around which a rope for suspending the suspended load is wound, braking brake unit that brakes the winch drum, speed-increasing unit that performs speed-increasing assist of the winch drum in a direction of free fall acceleration when a braking force of the brake unit is smaller than a first threshold, and an adjustment unit that adjusts the first threshold.

Methods and systems are provided for an externally actuatable pulling tool assembly. An example system may include a drum enclosing an externally actuatable input drive shaft, an output driven shaft, and a torque-limiting device positioned in-between the externally actuatable input drive shaft and the output driven shaft. The output driven shaft may be coupled to a transmission with a ring gear, the ring gear meshing with a plurality of teeth on an output end of the drum.

Methods and systems are provided for an externally actuatable pulling tool assembly. An example system may include a drum enclosing an externally actuatable input drive shaft, an output driven shaft, and a torque-limiting device positioned in-between the externally actuatable input drive shaft and the output driven shaft. The output driven shaft may be coupled to a transmission with a ring gear, the ring gear meshing with a plurality of teeth on an output end of the drum.

A drive train is provided for hoisting gears, and in particular for hazardous transports. The drive train includes a drive motor (1), a cable drum (6) connected thereto, a reduction transmission (5) arranged between the drive motor (1) and the cable drum (6), a service brake (4) provided between the drive motor (1) and the reduction transmission (5) and a safety brake (7). To prevent damage to the reduction transmission (5) in the event of an emergency stop braking an automatic overrun disconnect means can be provided between the drive motor (1) and the service brake (4). The overrun disconnect means is preferably in the form of a freewheel (2).

A drive train is provided for hoisting gears, and in particular for hazardous transports. The drive train includes a drive motor (1), a cable drum (6) connected thereto, a reduction transmission (5) arranged between the drive motor (1) and the cable drum (6), a service brake (4) provided between the drive motor (1) and the reduction transmission (5) and a safety brake (7). To prevent damage to the reduction transmission (5) in the event of an emergency stop braking an automatic overrun disconnect means can be provided between the drive motor (1) and the service brake (4). The overrun disconnect means is preferably in the form of a freewheel (2).

Auto-engaging winch clutches, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative winch can include a frame, a cable drum, a drive motor supported by the frame, a gear train, and an auto-engaging clutch mechanism. The gear train can include a ring gear and a gear set engaged with the ring gear, the drive motor, and the drum. The auto-engaging clutch mechanism can include a locking element movable from a disengaged position to an engaged position, wherein in the engaged position the ring gear is grounded to the frame, and the gear set is coupled to transfer torque between the drive motor and the cable drum. An engagement mechanism can be coupled between the locking element and the drive motor to automatically move the locking element from the disengaged position to the engaged position and to automatically decouple the locking element from the drive motor when the motor is rotated.

Auto-engaging winch clutches, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative winch can include a frame, a cable drum, a drive motor supported by the frame, a gear train, and an auto-engaging clutch mechanism. The gear train can include a ring gear and a gear set engaged with the ring gear, the drive motor, and the drum. The auto-engaging clutch mechanism can include a locking element movable from a disengaged position to an engaged position, wherein in the engaged position the ring gear is grounded to the frame, and the gear set is coupled to transfer torque between the drive motor and the cable drum. An engagement mechanism can be coupled between the locking element and the drive motor to automatically move the locking element from the disengaged position to the engaged position and to automatically decouple the locking element from the drive motor when the motor is rotated.

The invention relates to a free fall winch comprising a drum, which can be rotationally driven by a winch drive, wherein a free fall brake is provided for braking the drum in free fall operation. According to the invention, a torque acting on the free fall winch, which depends on the free fall braking torque, is detected by means of a detection device, and a brake actuation force with which the free fall brake is actuated is controlled or adjusted by a control device according to the detected torque.