A payload coupling apparatus is provided that includes a housing. The housing is adapted for attachment to a first end of a tether. The apparatus further includes a slot extending downwardly from an outer surface of the housing towards a center of the housing thereby forming a lower lip on the housing beneath the slot. The slot is adapted to receive a handle of a payload. The apparatus further includes a sensor configured to detect touchdown of the payload and a transmitter configured to send a touchdown confirmation signal to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based on a touchdown detection by the sensor.

A power winch with changeable connection position includes a first connection line and an induction line connected between a power source and an electric control box, which are connected to a second connection line for grounding the electric control box, and a third connection line is connected to the power source for grounding. These lines are connected to the exterior of the electric control box and the power source to facilitate a quick detachment from the electric control box and the power source.

A hoist system may include an airframe, a cable disposed between the hoist assembly and a hook assembly, and a cable angle exceedance detection arrangement. The cable angle exceedance detection arrangement may include a housing comprising a first end and a second end, a payout disposed within the housing and comprising an aperture within an interior surface and disposed a first end and a second end of the payout, a detection member coupled to the housing, and a wiring assembly coupled to and disposed between the detection member and a controller, wherein the controller is coupled with a display assembly via a communication assembly.

An unmanned aerial vehicle system is provided including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a fuselage, a tether having a first end secured to a winch system positioned in the UAV and a second end secured to a payload coupling apparatus, a payload coupling apparatus receptacle positioned in the fuselage of the UAV, a payload having a handle, wherein the handle of the payload is positioned within a slot in the payload coupling apparatus. A method of securing a payload to a UAV is also provided.

Disclosed are systems, apparatuses, and methods for a load control system for use on or with respect to a main load bearing line, carrier hook, and or head block of a crane.

A power winch with changeable connection position includes a first connection line and an induction line connected between a power source and an electric control box, which are connected to a second connection line for grounding the electric control box, and a third connection line is connected to the power source for grounding. These lines are connected to the exterior of the electric control box and the power source to facilitate a quick detachment from the electric control box and the power source. After the connection position between the electric control box and the power source is changed, a quick connection can be achieved to provide a wider range of use.

A cable angle exceedance detection arrangement is provided. The cable angle exceedance detection arrangement may include a housing having an aperture extending therethrough defining an axis, the aperture being configured to allow a cable to extend through the housing from a first end of the housing, wherein the cable is aligned with the axis, to a second end of the housing. The cable angle exceedance detection arrangement may include a detection member coupled to the housing and configured to be contacted by the cable when a fleet angle defined between the axis and the cable at the second end of the housing exceeds a selected value.

A system for controlling operation of a winch assembly having an electric motor, a drum, and a cable. A controller is configured to access a winch load threshold, with the winch load threshold defining a hold zone and a reel zone, and one of the hold zone and the reel zone including loads greater than the winch load threshold and another of the hold zone and the reel zone including loads less than the winch load threshold. The controller is further configured to determine whether the drum is rotating, determine whether the winch assembly is operating within the hold zone or the reel zone, generate a hold current while the winch assembly is operating within the hold zone preventing rotation of the electric motor, and generate a reel current while the drum is operating within the reel zone permitting rotation of the electric motor.

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.

A hoist lifting system having planning and monitoring of components. The system monitors one or more components and may have a processing structure and memory storing instructions to configure the processing structure to: receive hoist machine data; determine a rotation speed of a bearing, a travel speed of a rope, a load on the bearing, a friction in the at least one bearing based on the hoist machine data; and store the rotation speed, the travel speed, the load, and the friction in a maintenance database in memory. The hoist lifting system may have the processing structure determine a wear of one or more components.