This invention relates to a cable drive unit (1) for use with a free stall cleaning system (101). The cable drive unit (1) includes a base frame (3), a support frame (5) being displaceable with respect to the base frame (3) via a corresponding displacement assembly (7), and a drum (9) pivotably mountable about the support frame (5) and displaceable therewith for receiving a cable (11) to be wound about said drum (9). Also described is a kit for assembling a cable drive unit (1) and a free stall cleaning system (101). The invention further includes a method of winding a cable (11) of a free stall cleaning system (101) about a drum (9) via the present cable drive unit (1).

A crystal growing system includes a rotating seed lift assembly to rotate and lift a seed crystal supported by a cable. The seed lift assembly includes a spool that rotates to wrap the cable around the spool, thus raising the cable. As the spool rotates, it moves in an axial direction to avoid displacing the cable in the axial direction. A leadscrew in a counterweight assembly is mechanically coupled to the spool via a coupling (e.g., a sprocket-and-chain coupling coupled to the spool spindle). As the spool rotates, the leadscrew thus rotates at a rate proportional to the spool's rate of rotation. A movable counterweight driven by the leadscrew is thus driven to move in a direction opposite the axial direction (e.g., opposite the movement of the spool). The counterweight assembly is thus configured to offset center-of-mass changes that would have otherwise been introduced by movement of the spool.

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 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 cable winch arrangement (1) which includes at least one cable drum (2), which is mounted rotatably about a drum axis (3), for winding up and/or unwinding at least one cable (30-37), and a supporting structure (20), and a spindle drive (14) for displacing the cable drum (2) relative to the supporting structure (20), wherein the spindle drive (14) has a spindle (16) extending along a spindle axis (15), and a cable run-off point (6) of the at least one cable (30-37), at which the cable (30-37) runs tangentially onto and/or out from the cable drum (2), is at least substantially positionally fixed with respect to the supporting structure (20), and the spindle axis (15) is arranged coaxially with respect to the drum axis (3) of the cable drum (2).

A cable winch arrangement (1) which includes at least one cable drum (2), which is mounted rotatably about a drum axis (3), for winding up and/or unwinding at least one cable (30-37), and a supporting structure (20), and a spindle drive (14) for displacing the cable drum (2) relative to the supporting structure (20), wherein the spindle drive (14) has a spindle (16) extending along a spindle axis (15), and a cable run-off point (6) of the at least one cable (30-37), at which the cable (30-37) runs tangentially onto and/or out from the cable drum (2), is at least substantially positionally fixed with respect to the supporting structure (20), and the spindle axis (15) is arranged coaxially with respect to the drum axis (3) of the cable drum (2).

A winch assembly including a mount attachable to a vehicle, and a guide attached to the mount; including a winch having a drum for winding and unwinding a line, and a motor for driving the drum about a winding axis, wherein the drum has a helical groove for receiving the line as it is wound. A frame connects to the first and second end of the drum and is adapted to move relative to the guide so as to synchronize movement of the drum along the winding axis so that the line is aligned with the helical groove during winding and unwinding. A rod is attached to the frame and generally parallel to the winding axis, and passes through a hole in the guide, allowing the movement of the drum along the winding axis but preventing the frame from rotating about the winding axis is disclosed.

A winch assembly including a mount attachable to a vehicle, and a guide attached to the mount; including a winch having a drum for winding and unwinding a line, and a motor for driving the drum about a winding axis, wherein the drum has a helical groove for receiving the line as it is wound. A frame connects to the first and second end of the drum and is adapted to move relative to the guide so as to synchronize movement of the drum along the winding axis so that the line is aligned with the helical groove during winding and unwinding. A rod is attached to the frame and generally parallel to the winding axis, and passes through a hole in the guide, allowing the movement of the drum along the winding axis but preventing the frame from rotating about the winding axis is disclosed.

A hoist is disclosed. In various embodiments, the hoist includes a torque tube defining a longitudinal axis and having a radially outer surface; a cable drum having a radially inner surface; and a bar spline disposed radially outward of the torque tube and radially inward of the cable drum and configured to transfer a torque from the torque tube to the cable drum.

A hoist is disclosed. In various embodiments, the hoist includes a torque tube defining a longitudinal axis and having a radially outer surface; a cable drum having a radially inner surface; and a bar spline disposed radially outward of the torque tube and radially inward of the cable drum and configured to transfer a torque from the torque tube to the cable drum.