[0001] This invention is directed to rising and lowering objects, in particular objects,
such as theater scenic elements, suspended from fly sets, by improved fail-safe motorized
means.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] In most theaters the scenery is hung from manually operated fly sets. Each set usually
consists of a pipe batten hung parallel to the proscenium opening from cables approximately
2.5 to 3.5 meters apart.
[0003] Each cable passes from the pipe batten over loft blocks, mounted on the gridiron
or to the underside of the roof beams. From the loft blocks the cables lead over a
common headblock, mounted at the side of the stage, usually approximately level with
the loft blocks, and down to a counterweight arbor. The counterweight arbor is typically
a steel frame, supporting lead, and steel or cast iron weights. It is guided by tracks
or cables, which are mounted on the stage sidewall. The weight of the counterweight
arbor is balanced to be approximately equal to the weight of the pipe batten and the
set hung from the pipe batten.
[0004] The fly set is lifted or lowered by an operating rope, tied on top of the counterweight
arbor, passing up over and around the head block, down around a tension sheave and
up again through a friction lock to the bottom of the counterweight arbor. The friction
lock holds the nearly balanced pipe batten and the counterweight arbor in position.
[0005] The pipe battens are usually spaced at 150 to 200 mm on centers. The number of sets
varies. 20-30 may be used in smaller theaters while more than 100 in larger theaters.
The system has several disadvantages. Loading and unloading counterweights for balancing
the loads is time-consuming and dangerous. There have been many accidents when counterweights
were dropped from 18 to 25 meters above the stage. Also, in case of excessive unbalance
the fly set may run away when the rope lock is opened.
[0006] Motorized winches have been used in larger theaters. In the past most of them have
been one of kind designs, developed specifically for the particular applications.
More recently standardized winches have become available, but are still considerably
more costly than the manually operated fly sets.
[0007] Motorized fly sets are generally spaced wider apart than the manual sets. 200 mm
center-to-center spacing has become an accepted standard in the US. The standardized
winches presently available are wider than 200 mm and therefore cannot be mounted
side by side in a single row. Double row or staggered winch mounting is required for
these winches for spacing the fly sets at 200 mm centers.
[0008] Some of the standardized fly set winches are zero fleet angle type, meaning that
the angle of the cables between the cable drum and the loft block sheaves, mounted
on the winch base, does not change when the cables wind or unwind on the drum. This
feature is achieved by translating the drum in its longitudinal direction with respect
to the sheaves, in synchronization with the back and forth travels of the cables in
the drum cable grooves. As an alternate, the drum can be stationary and the loft block
sheaves can be translated in similar manner with respect to the drum. This translation
can be accomplished by a screw, with the thread pitch identical or in fixed ratio
with the spacing of the cable grooves in the drum. The screw can be non-rotatably
mounted to the winch base. It would engage a rotating nut, part of the winch. As an
option the screw can be rotatably mounted on the winch engaging a fixed nut mounted
on the winch base. As another option, the grooves in the winch drum can be used for
translating the drum in its longitudinal direction through a device such as a rotating
cam or wheel mounted on the winch base and engaging the drum grooves. In this case
the drum grooves act as screw thread.
[0009] All the existing above described winches are mounted on external base structures
and use separate protective enclosures around the winch moving parts.
[0010] Known is
US2003/0030045 discloses a lift assembly having a drum rotatably mounted to a frame and linearly
translatable with respect to the frame. A plurality of head blocks are connected to
the frame along a helical mounting path, wherein linear translation of the drum during
takeoff or take-up maintains a predetermined fleet angle between a take off point
from the drum and the head block. This arrangement cannot achieve required winch mounting
spacing for side by side installation as required for theaters.
[0011] Known is
US6520485 discloses a motorized fly system winch, drum and carriage combination for raising
and lowering, for example, theatre scenery by means of cables and which incorporates
functions for emergency braking, for moving the drum in synchronization with relation
to the carriage containing cable-guiding means and for driving of a limit switch if
desired. The system has a framed carriage as a base structure separate from a protective
winch enclosure. This may be considered the closest relevant art.
KR 2009 0115645 A discloses another motorized winch for raising and lowering objects by means of cables
with respect to a facility.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0012] An object of the present invention is an improved winch that combines the functions
of the winch base structure and a protective winch enclosure into a single component
tubular support enclosure.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is an improved zero fleet angle winch where
the tubular support enclosure includes means for mounting the winch unit inside the
tubular support enclosure such that it or its drum can be moved back and forth parallel
to its longitudinal axis inside the tubular support enclosure.
[0014] A further object of the present invention is an improved zero fleet angle winch configured
in such manner that the motor, gear reducer and an overspeed brake, part of the winch
unit, all mounted inside the tubular support enclosure, are accessible for maintenance
or replacement without removing the winch unit from its tubular support enclosure
or from its mounted location in the facility.
[0015] Yet another object of the invention is an improved zero fleet angle winch that is
compact, requires reduced maintenance, and is sufficiently versatile that it can be
easily adapted for mounting along the theater sidewalls or to the gridiron or to the
overhead structure and where the winches can be mounted at approximately 200 mm on
centers with respect to each other.
[0016] A principal feature of this invention is a winch construction of which the winch
unit is mounted inside a tubular support enclosure that supports and guides the winch
unit while providing access to movable components of the winch unit for maintenance
and repair. In a preferred embodiment, a sheave assembly and a sensor unit are mounted
on the bottom side of the tubular support enclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the
control sensor contains up and down position and overtravel limit switches which can
be selectively adjusted for each particular installation and also for maintenance.
It also may contain an absolute encoder, for example, a rotary or shaft encoder, for
setting the fly set variable position travel stops and speed control.
[0017] A feature of the invention is that the winch construction is confined within a right
quadrangular volume defined by the enclosure sides and straight prolonged extensions
of the sides with the result that plural winches can be mounted side-by-side without
fear of winch component interference.
[0018] A further feature is that mounting of the sheave assembly to and outside of the enclosure
allows construction of a structurally sound enclosure that will protect the winch
components while allowing full access to maintainable winch parts, including removal
and replacement of the cables without removing the winch unit from its tubular enclosure.
[0019] A new feature of the invention described in this application is that the use of rollers,
mounted to the inside of the tubular support enclosure engaging the motor and brake
end supports of the movable winch unit, reduce friction and permit the use of steel
for these end supports for reduced wear and improved operational life.
[0020] The various features of novelty, which characterize the invention, are pointed out
with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this application.
For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific
objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings
and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described the preferred
embodiments of the invention, and in which like reference numerals denote the same
or similar components.
SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021]
FIG 1 is a side view of an improved winch in accordance with the invention shown in
one configuration with the improved winch ready for mounting to a facility structure.
The tubular support enclosure is partially cut to show the winch unit inside;
FIG 1A is a side view of an improved winch, shown in FIG 1, showing the motor and
gear drive withdrawn from the enclosure for servicing without affecting the integrity
of the enclosure mounting to the facility;
FIG 1B is a side view of an improved winch, shown in FIG 1, with the overspeed brake
and bearing end of the winch unit withdrawn from the enclosure for servicing without
affecting the integrity of the enclosure mounting to the facility;
FIG 2 is a cross sectional view of the improved winch taken along line 2-2 of FIG
1, illustrating the brake end support, one arrangement of sheaves and sheave housing
and tubular support enclosure geometry;
FIG 3 is a cross sectional view of the improved winch taken along line 3-3 of FIG
1, illustrating the motor end support, one arrangement of sheave and sheave housing,
mounting of the sensor assembly and tubular support enclosure geometry;
FIG 4 is a side view of an improved winch in accordance with the invention, shown
in another configuration, with the improved winch ready for mounting to a facility
structure, showing alternate arrangement of sheaves and alternate mounting brackets;
FIG 5 is a cross sectional view of the improved winch taken along line 5-5 of FIG
4 illustrating an alternate arrangement of sheaves, alternate mounting bracket and
alternate support enclosure geometry;
FIG 6 is a cross sectional view showing several of the improved winches mounted side
by side to a facility structure;
FIG7 is a side view of an improved winch in accordance with the invention shown in
another configuration with the improved winch ready for mounting to a facility structure.
The tubular support structure is partially cut to show the winch unit inside;
FIG 7A is a side view of an improved winch, shown in FIG 7, with the motorized gear
reducer and overspeed brake exposed for maintenance. The tubular support enclosure
is partially cut to show the winch unit inside;
FIG 8 is a side view of an improved winch in accordance with the invention shown in
another configuration with the winch unit supported by rollers, instead of sliding
bearings, with the improved winch ready for mounting to a facility structure. The
tubular support enclosure is partially cut to show the winch unit inside and the rollers
which are mounted to the inside of the tubular support enclosure;
FIG 9 is a cross sectional view of the improved winch taken along either lines 9A-9A
and 9B-9B of FIG 8, illustrating how the winch unit is supported by rollers mounted
to the inside of the tubular support enclosure engaging, respectively the motor and
brake end supports which supports are part of the winch unit;
FIG 10 is a partial cross sectional view of the control sensor arrangement and winch
unit illustrating a configuration of limit switches directly activated by the winch
unit back and forth movement through its control linkage;
FIG 11 is a cross sectional view of the limit switch mounting taken along line 11-11
of FIG 10;
FIG 12 is a side view of a stage, gridiron and fly set with the improved winches mounted
on the stage sidewall;
FIG 13 is a side view of a gridiron and fly set with the improved winch mounted on
the gridiron;
FIG 14 is a side view with the improved winch mounted on the gridiron with loft blocks
underhung from overhead roof or ceiling beams;
FIG 15 is a side view of an underhung fly system from the facility structure with
the improved winch underhung from the overhead beams;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] As used in this application, a "fly set" typically is the combination of a batten,
loft blocks (sheaves) and one or more support lines, for example, a wire cable or
rope, attached to the batten and engaging a loft block. Typically, the number of loft
blocks equals the number of support lines. A "batten" is the structural member typically
supporting a scenic element. Typically the batten is a steel or aluminum pipe, though
other strip-type structural members can be substituted. When the scenery to be raised
and lowered is, for example, a screen or backdrop extending laterally across the stage,
the supporting batten typically has a length exceeding the width of the proscenium,
i.e., the stage opening visible to the audience, and the batten would typically use
4-7 support lines spaced evenly across its top. As used herein, the terms "laterally"
and "width" refer to the horizontal dimension or direction of the proscenium and the
term "vertically" refers to the vertical dimension or direction of the proscenium.
The "stage ceiling" is the ceiling of the stage tower that is above and behind the
open curtain and not visible to the audience. It typically extends, when the scenery
is lifted straight up and removed from the view of the audience, to a distance above
the top of the proscenium equal to or greater than the height of the scenery. The
term "gridiron" refers to a rigid structural member typically composed of steel beams
and channels that form an open grid structure extending parallel to and typically
1.8 to 2.2 meters below the stage ceiling out of view of the audience and which is
capable of supporting various objects. "Wells" in the gridiron are larger openings
through which support cables can be extended to battens or other structures beneath.
[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the invention is directed to an improved winch for rising
and lowering objects, such as theatre scenery, consisting of a winch unit mounted
inside and supported by a tubular support enclosure. The winch unit incorporates functions
for lifting, lowering and supporting the objects, for emergency braking, for translating
the drum in its longitudinal direction in synchronization with winding and unwinding
the cables from the drum so that the orientation of the cables is maintained in relation
to the tubular support enclosure. The winch unit may also be used for driving the
limit switches and an encoder for sensing and controlling object position. The tubular
support enclosure supports the winch unit and the cable guiding sheaves. It may also
be used for mounting limit switches, encoder, and electrical controls. By "tubular
support enclosure" is meant an integral tubular unit comprising side, bottom and top
walls enclosing preferably at least 60% of the winch unit. The remaining up to 40%
may include openings, which may be covered by removable panels for accessing the winch
unit for maintenance and repair.
[0024] One form of the improved winch according to the invention is shown in FIG 1 and FIGs
2, 3. The important feature of this invention is that the winch unit 10 is mounted
inside a tubular support enclosure 21, fixed to the facility, which tubular support
enclosure 21 supports and guides the winch unit 10 while providing access to movable
components of the winch unit for maintenance and repair. In the preferred embodiment
a sheave assembly 30 and a sensor unit 40 are mounted on the bottom side of the tubular
support enclosure 21.
[0025] The form of winch unit 10 shown on FIG 1 includes a drum assembly 11, rotatably supported
and directly driven at one end through a motorized gear reducer 13 mounted on a motor
end member 122, part of a frame 12, all translatable along the longitudinal axis of
drum assembly 11 inside the tubular support enclosure. The opposite end of cable drum
assembly 11 is supported from a bearing 14 through an elongated hub 113, part of,
or bolted to the cable drum grooved portion 111 brake end. The bearing 14 can be mounted
into a frame 12 brake end member 123. The elongated hub 113 includes means for connecting
it to an overspeed brake 15, which would engage in case of overspeed drum rotation,
if caused by the motorized gear reducer 13 or a motor brake 131 failure. Under normal
conditions, the load on the winch unit 10 is held by the motor or the motor brake
131, which are parts of the motorized gear reducer 13.
[0026] In the preferred embodiment the winch unit 10 is mounted into the tubular support
enclosure 21 so that it can be moved back and forth parallel to the longitudinal axis
of the drum assembly 11, relative to the tubular support enclosure 21, and, as shown
on FIG 2 and FIG 3, supported inside the tubular support enclosure 21 by support and
guide recessed sections such as guide grooves 211 through sliding bearings 127 fastened
to the motor end support 124 and to the brake end support 125 of the frame 12. Single
or plural cables 17 pass from the drum grooved portion 111 over their respective vertically
and/or horizontally offset cable-guiding sheaves 313, over respective loft blocks
56 (as shown on FIGs 12, 13, 14, 15) to a pipe batten 57 used for supporting the stage
sets. For some installations, when required due to the facility layout and geometry,
the cables 17 can be further directed over or below a guide block 32 fastened to the
tubular support enclosure 21as shown on FIG 1. In the configuration shown on FIG 1
and FIG 2, the tubular support enclosure 21 is mounted to the facility structure (not
shown) by means of brackets 22. In Fig. 2, the preferred tubular enclosure is rectangular
with side walls 217 and 218 and bottom wall 216A below, which supports the sheave
assembly. Looking again at FIG 1, when the rotating drum assembly 11 winds or unwinds
the cables 17, the cables travel back and forth in the drum grooved portion 111 grooves.
Therefore, in order to provide straight cable runs between the drum grooved portion
111 and horizontally fixed cable guiding sheaves 313, the winch unit 10 has to travel
laterally (parallel to the drums axis) in synchronization with and in the same direction
as the cable back and forth travel in the drum grooved portion 111 grooves. By a "straight
cable run" is meant that the angular orientation between the drum grooved portion
111 and the cable guiding sheaves 313 in maintained in a vertical orientation when
the improved winch system is mounted horizontally, and when the improved winch system
is mounted vertically, the cables are maintained in a horizontal orientation. If the
winch system is mounted at an angle, then the cable angular orientation is maintained
to maintain a straight cable run.
[0027] In the configuration shown in FIG 1, the drum assembly 11 is used for horizontally
moving the winch unit 10 inside the tubular support enclosure 21 in relation to the
fixed cable guiding sheaves 313. The movement is fixed in synchronization with the
cable 17 back and forth travel in the drum grooved portion 111 grooves. This is accomplished,
in accordance with a preferred embodiment, by a power transmission screw 25 (ACME,
ball or roller type), connected non-rotatably through a connector 24 to screw 25 support
23, inside the tubular support enclosure 21. A power transmission nut 114 (ACME, ball
or roller type) is mounted to the drum assembly 11 brake end hub 113, which hub is
hollow so that the power transmission screw 25 can pass, via the hollow hub, inside
the drum assembly 11, which is also hollow, where the screw 25 is protected when the
pipe batten hung from winch unit 10 is in its up, or storage, position. The view of
FIG 1 with the power transmission screw 25 extending outside the drum assembly 11
occurs when the pipe batten is at its down position. Storing the power transmission
screw 25 inside the drum assembly 11 is possible because the drum is not mounted on
a separate shaft, but the drum itself forms its own shaft. The power transmission
nut 114, being secured to the hub 113, rotates together with the drum assembly 11
and also with respect to screw 25. The pitch of the screw 25 thread is equal to the
pitch of the drum grooved portion 111 cable grooves. Therefore, the winch unit 10
is moved in synchronization with the back and forth travels of the cables 17 in the
drum grooved portion 111 grooves. Straight cable runs/paths are maintained between
the winch unit 10 and the cable guiding sheaves 313.
[0028] Another option (not shown on FIGs) is to mount the power transmission screw 25 rigidly
to the end of the drum assembly 11 and to mount the power transmission nut 114 rigidly
to the screw support 23. Now the power transmission screw 25 would rotate together
with drum assembly 11, engage the fixed power transmission nut 114 and translate the
drum assembly 11 together with the frame 12 and all the components mounted to the
frame 12 relative to the tubular enclosure 21 in synchronization with the back and
forth travel of cables 17 in drum assembly 11 grooved portion 111 grooves.
[0029] Looking at FIG 1, the drum assembly 11 can be constructed of a cylindrical tubular
member having the grooves 111 machined in its outer surface, with hubs 112 and 113
at each end. The hubs can be bolted or welded to the grooved drum grooved portion
111. Suitable materials for the cable drum grooved portion 111 are aluminum and steel.
Other materials or their combinations can be used. For example, the drum grooved portion
111 can be made of one un-grooved tubular member with short pre-grooved cylindrical
portions installed around and supported by the un-grooved tubular member. Likewise
the drum grooved portion 111 can be made of short cylindrical grooved portions, held
together by post-tensioned ties or by similar means.
[0030] In the embodiment shown in FIG 1 the drum assembly 11 is mounted into the drum support
frame 12, which comprises of one rigid horizontal member 121, motor end vertical member
122, brake end vertical member 123, motor end support 124 and brake end support 125.
The motor end vertical member 122 can be made of steel or aluminum plates or castings,
incorporating all mounting interfaces for the motorized gear reducer 13. The brake
end vertical member 123 can be made of steel or aluminum plates or castings, incorporating
all mounting interfaces for the anti-friction bearing 14, overspeed brake 15 and,
as shown on FIG 2, shaft 126. The horizontal member 121 can be made of steel or aluminum
tubing.
[0031] A protective device 18 shown on FIG 2 and FIG 3 is a roller or a bar assembly. On
FIG 5 the protective device 18A is configured as a curved cover. Protective devices
can be mounted on the frame 12 for preventing and/or sensing the cables 17 from jumping
the drum grooved portion 111 grooves. The protective device 18 or 18A can have electricity
conductive surfaces (not shown) normally insulated from the frame 12. Should a cable
17 develop slack or cross the drum grooved portion 111 groove, the cable will touch
these conductive surfaces and ground these surfaces to the frame 12. A ground fault
detector, part of electrical controls, would then stop the winch 10 operation. Another
type of protective device can be a wire (not shown), tensioned close to the outside
diameter of the drum or rollers supported by a wire or a rod (not shown) mounted close
to the outside diameter of the cables 17 wound on drum grooved portion 111 between
the frame 12 end members 122 at motor end and 123 at the brake end. This wire can
also be insulated from the frame 12 and act as a ground fault detector as described
above.
[0032] As shown on FIG 1 and FIG 3 the motor end support 124 is a rigid part of frame 12,
connected to the top member 121 and motor end member 122. Bearings 127 are mounted
on the motor end support 124 surfaces interfacing with the tubular support enclosure
21 guide surfaces 212.
[0033] As shown on FIG 1 and FIG 2 the brake end support 125 is mounted to the frame 12
through shaft 126. This permits the brake end support 125 to pivot about the longitudinal
axis of shaft 126 and frame 12 so as compensate for possible tubular support enclosure
21 guide surfaces 212 and support and guide groove 211 irregularities. Bearings 127
are mounted on the brake end support 125 interfacing with the support and guide surfaces
212 of the tubular support enclosure 21.
[0034] One important feature of the above arrangement of the supports 124 and 125 is that
all the forces caused by the drive torque from the motorized gear reducer 13 are resisted
by the motor end support 124 while the brake end support 125 supports the vertical
and lateral forces only. Likewise, if the overspeed brake 15 engages, its torque is
applied to the brake end member 123 and transferred through the top member 121 to
the motor end support 124, which will resist the forces applied by the overspeed brake
15 torque.
[0035] The overspeed brake 15 can be centrifugal type used in other fly system winches.
It can be also solenoid-applied type or spring applied electrically released brake
similar to what is used in the industry for motors and other rotating devices.
[0036] Looking at FIG 1 and FIG 2, another option for the frame (not shown) is to eliminate
the top axial-extending beam-like member 121. The tie between the vertical motor end
member 122 and brake end member 123 would then be formed by the drum assembly 11.
In this case the motor end vertical member 122 and the motor end support 124 have
to be rigid to resist all the drive torques from the motorized gear reducer 13 and
in addition the frictional forces between the bearings 127 and the tubular support
enclosure 21 support and guide surfaces 212. Likewise the brake end vertical member
125 and the brake end support 123 have to be rigid, similar to the motor end support,
in order to resist the braking torque from the overspeed brake 15 and in addition,
the frictional forces between the bearings 127 and the tubular support enclosure 21
support and guide surfaces 212.
[0037] In the configuration shown on FIG 1 and FIG 2 the bearings 127 are used as sliding
bearings between the winch unit 10 and tubular support enclosure 21. These bearings
can be made of PTFE or PTFE compounds. The bearings 127 can be glued or mechanically
fastened to the motor end support 124 and to the brake end support 125. As an alternate
(not shown here) anti-friction ball or roller bearings or cam followers can be used
instead of the sliding bearings.
[0038] A feature of this invention is combining the winch unit 10 supports, its guides and
its protective enclosure into a tubular support enclosure 21 which also has connection
means 213 (mounting bracket recessed sections such as grooves) for adjustably positioning
the mounting brackets 22 with complementary-shaped T-shaped extensions to the tubular
support enclosure 21 as illustrated on FIG 1, FIG 2 and FIG 3. The tubular support
enclosure 21, together with mounting brackets 22 forms the winch support 20, ready
for installation to a facility. These grooves 213 by which the tubular enclosure is
supported allow slidable adjustment of the bracket 22 spacing to suit the spacing
of the facility beams to which the brackets will be fixed. Once the properly spaced
brackets are secured to the facility, locking screws can be tightened to fix the tubular
enclosure to the brackets.
[0039] This invention as shown in FIG 6 permits installation of the winches very close to
each other (200 mm on centers), which is a standard spacing of the theater fly sets,
without danger of interference between their adjacent moving parts and, as later described,
it also provides access to all important winch unit 10 moving parts, including to
the sensors for positioning and speed control, which may require service or replacement.
It further permits removal and replacement of cables 17 without the need for removal
of winch 10 from its mounts in the facility. This non-interfering close spacing is
achieved by confining all winch components within a right quadrangular volume 219
defined by the enclosure side walls left 217, right 218 and straight prolonged extensions
of the sides, illustrated by the dashed line extensions 220 (FIG 3). Note that no
winch components lie outside that volume 219, and thus when the enclosures are mounted
side-by-side (FIG 6), no interference during operation will occur.
[0040] No other currently manufactured multi-cable winches permit such close spacing and
in order to place the fly sets of 200 mm centers, these winches have to be installed
in multiple rows or at different levels.
[0041] One problem in meeting this objective under the constraints are the drum diameters
required by standards and codes, which, together with 6.3 mm cable wrapped around
it, would be approximately 170 mm. The second problem is that the standardized motor
frame and gear reducer sizes which, for lifting about 1,200 kg, would be approximately
185 mm wide. This invention makes it possible to mount all these winch elements inside
a tubular support enclosure 21 that will resist vertical loads, longitudinal axial
forces and torsion forces, with the outside dimension between the lines 220 on FIG
3 not exceeding 200 mm.
[0042] Close mounting of the winches on 200 mm centers according to this feature of the
invention is made possible by the cross-sectional profile of the tubular support enclosure
21, shown on FIG 2, FIG 3 and FIG 5. Referring now to FIG 1, the tubular support enclosure
21 has to support vertical loads, as a beam applied on it through the brake end support
125 and the motor end support 124. It also has to support the longitudinal axial forces,
applied by the cables 17 and by the power transmission screw 25. In addition, the
tubular support enclosure 21 has to support torsion forces applied through the motor
end support 124 to the support and guide grooves 211 as shown on FIG 2 and FIG 3.
I have found that a thin walled tube is very efficient for supporting the torsion
loads. This feature permits to use thin side walls for the tubular support enclosure
21, which in turn, provides maximum width inside the tubular support enclosure 21
for mounting the winch unit 10. The top and bottom walls and the portions around the
support and guide 211 of the tubular support enclosure 21 can be made thicker to support
the vertical forces in bending and to transfer the load concentrations from the motor
end support 124 and brake end support 125 to the mounting brackets 22 without over
stressing the thin side walls.
[0043] It should be noted that even if a winch unit 10 could be mounted inside a framed
structure (not shown) and because a framed structure could not utilize thin side walls,
a 200 mm winch side by side spacing would not be possible.
[0044] In the winch construction illustrated, the side walls can be as thin as 3 to 6 mm,
preferably about 5 mm. This will accommodate the width of codes and standards compliant
drum assembly 11 and motorized gear reducer 13, with adequate clearances. The height
can be increased to accommodate thicker top walls 216 and thicker bottom walls 216A
if required for structural strength. The resultant thin-side-walled, thick top-and-bottom
walled tubular enclosure, even with the openings provided for access, will house the
kind of winch unit described, provide a maximum overall enclosure width of 200 mm
and will adequately resist the various stresses exerted during operation of the winch.
Loads about 1200 kg can be lifted with a motorized gear reducer 13 that fits into
the 200 mm wide tubular support enclosure 21. Aluminum extrusions, with cross sectional
profiles as shown as item 8 on FIG 2 and FIG 3 will provide sufficient strength for
such an enclosure.
[0045] In the preferred embodiment, referring to FIG 1, FIG 2 and FIG 3, the tubular support
enclosure 21 is a substantially rectangular aluminum extrusion configured to form
the support and guide grooves 211 together with bottom, side and top support and guide
surfaces 212 for mounting the winch unit 10 into the tubular support enclosure 21
so that it can be moved back and forth during operation parallel to the longitudinal
axis of the drum assembly 11. The grooves 213 for the mounting brackets 22, used for
installation of winch 10 into the facility, can also be part of the tubular support
enclosure 21. These grooves 213 can be inverted T shape as shown on FIG 2 or horizontal
as shown on FIG 5. While the preferred embodiment describes an extruded aluminum tubular
support enclosure 21, the tubular support enclosure with the support and guide grooves
211 can also be constructed of independent components (not shown), made of aluminum
or other materials, welded and/or bolted together.
[0046] FIGs 2, 5 and 6 show access openings 214 cut on the bottom side of tubular support
enclosure 21 for cables 17 passing from drum grooved portion 111 to the cable guiding
sheaves 313. These openings can also be used for removal and installation of cables
17 to drum grooved portion 111. A slot 215, shown on FIG 3 and FIG 11, can be also
cut on the bottom side of the tubular support enclosure 21 for connecting the sensor
assembly 40 to the movable frame 12 through a sensor connecting pin 161 (FIG 1 and
FIG 10) fastened to the bracket 16. Additional holes (not shown) may be provided for
mounting the sheave assembly 30, optional guide block 32 (FIG 1), the sensor assembly
40 and the screw support 23 to the tubular support enclosure 21. The power transmission
screw 25 is non-rotatably mounted to the screw support 23 through screw connector
24. The power transmission screw 25 engages the power transmission nut 114 part of
the winch unit 10 drum assembly 11.
[0047] According to FIGs 1, 2, 3 and 5 the tubular support enclosure 21 can be installed
to the facility structure (not shown) through mounting brackets 22 and 22A. One type
of mounting bracket 22, made from aluminum extrusion, is shown on FIG 1 and FIG 2.
The brackets 22 engage the recessed sections, preferably inverted T-shape grooves
213 in tubular support enclosure 21, and are inserted into these grooves. Brackets
22 can be bolted to one end of the tubular support enclosure 21 in order to support
the horizontal loads applied by the cables 17. Bolting would also eliminate the torsional
movement of the tubular support enclosure 21 that may be caused by the torsion applied
to the tubular support enclosure 21 by the motorized gear reducer 13 if excessive
tolerance gaps exist between the brackets 22 and the grooves 213.
[0048] The second pair of mounting brackets 22 can be but does not have to be bolted to
the tubular support enclosure 21. Without bolting the second pair of brackets 22 engage
the grooves 213 and support the vertical loads. Their position can be easily adjusted
in the tubular support enclosure 21 by sliding them in the grooves 213 in the longitudinal
direction so as to compensate for the interfacing facility structure tolerances.
[0049] The other type mounting bracket 22A, made of aluminum extrusion, is shown on FIG
4 and FIG 5. This bracket 22A engages the horizontal grooves at the sides and near
the top of the tubular support enclosure 21A. Other than the geometry, its functionality
is identical to the bracket described for FIG 1, and FIG 2.
[0050] One configuration of the sheave assembly 30 is shown on FIG 1, FIG 2, FIG3 and FIG
6. In this configuration the cable guiding sheaves 313 are mounted into a common enclosing
housing 31 in vertically ascending fashion so as to provide vertical clearance between
cables 17 leaving the cable guiding sheaves 313. The assembly 30 comprises outer side
plate 311, inner side plate 312, sheaves 313, sheave shafts 314 and cable guards 315.
The outer side plate 311 and the inner side plate 312 are fastened to the bottom side
of the tubular support enclosure 21. The outer side plate 311 may be permanently fastened
to the tubular support enclosure 21 by riveting, welding or bolting. One important
feature of this invention is that the inner side plate 312 is removable and when removed,
as shown on FIG 6, access is provided to the winch unit 10 drum grooved portion 111
through the access openings 214 in the bottom side of tubular support enclosure 21
for removal and replacement and connecting the cables 17 to drum grooved portion 111.
[0051] Looking again at FIG 1 and FIG 2, the cable guiding sheaves are mounted on shafts
314, which shafts can be permanently connected to the outer side plate 311 and connected
through removable nuts 316 to the inner side plate 312. This unique arrangement of
the invention permits removal of the inner side plate 312 while the cable guiding
sheaves 313 can remain in place supported by the outer side plate 311 only, as shown
on FIG 6. This is an important feature for removal and installation of cables 17 to
drum grooved portion 111.
[0052] The cable guards 315 (FIG 1) are used to prevent the cables 17 from leaving the grooves
of sheaves 313. The cable guards 315 are also used to tie the sheave assembly 30 side
plates 311 and 312 together for additional rigidity. They can also prevent a cable
guiding sheave 313 from falling out of the sheave assembly 30 in case of the sheave
shaft 314 failure. Each cable guard 315 (FIG 1) can consist of a bolt, permanently
connected to the outer side plate 311 and a loose spacer sleeve (not shown) placed
over the bolt. The spacer sleeves provide proper spacing between the side plates 311
and 312 when pulled tight against the spacers by nuts on the bolts that are permanently
mounted to the outer side plate 311. When the inner side plate 312 is removed (FIG
6), by removing the nuts, the spacer sleeves can be also removed. This permits access
to the grooves of sheaves 313 for replacement of cables 17, which may have preinstalled
fittings (not shown) that would not fit through the sheave 313 groove when the cable
guard 315 spacer sleeve is in place. This arrangement also permits the removal of
a cable guard if a straight cable drop 17A is required as shown on FIG 1. The side
plates 311 and 312 can be made of aluminum or steel. Preferred materials for the sheaves
are nylon based compounds.
[0053] A second configuration of sheaves is shown on FIG 4 and FIG 5. This configuration
consists of individual sheave assemblies 33 each mounted to the bottom side of tubular
support enclosure 21A. Each sheave assembly 33 consists of housing 331 and sheave
313. As shown on FIG 5, each sheave assembly 33 has a different angular orientation
with respect to the bottom surface of tubular support enclosure 21. This separates
the cables 17 horizontally from each other. For removal and replacement each cable
17 the respective sheave assembly 33 has to be removed in order to provide access
to drum grooved portion 111 through the opening 214. A sheave assembly 33 can also
be removed if a straight cable 17A drop from drum grooved portion 111 is required
as shown on FIG 1.
[0054] According to a feature of the invention (FIG 1A) access for maintenance or removal
and replacement of the motorized gear reducer 13 is provided by disconnecting the
power transmission screw connector 24 from the support 23 at the left on FIG 1A and
sliding the winch unit 10 to the right so that the motorized gear reducer is moved
outside, and past the end of the tubular support enclosure 21, all while the motor
end support 124 remains engaged and supported by the tubular support enclosure 21
support and guide grooves 211. For this purpose, the right end of the enclosure may
be left open as shown or provided with a removable cover.
[0055] According to FIG 1B the access for maintenance or removal of the overspeed brake
15, bearing 14, power transmission nut 114, power transmission screw 25 and screw
connector 24 is provided by disconnecting the screw connector 24 from the support
23, then by disconnecting and removal of the support 23 and by sliding the winch unit
10 to the left so that the overspeed brake 15 and the selected components are outside
and past the brake end of the tubular support enclosure 21. Again, the brake end support
125 remains engaged and supported by the tubular support enclosure support and guide
grooves 211. Similarly, the left end of the enclosure may be left open as shown or
provided with a removable cover.
[0056] Referring now to FIG 6, the access for removal of the cables 17 from the drum grooved
portion 111, and their replacement, is provided through the access openings 214 on
the bottom side of tubular support enclosure 21 after removal of the sheave assembly
inner side plate 312.
[0057] FIG 7 illustrates another configuration of the improved winch. This winch 10 includes
a drum assembly 11, rotatably supported and directly driven at its drive end through
motorized gear reducer 13 mounted on a sliding or rolling base 19. The sliding or
rolling base 19 consists of a motor end member 122 and sliding guide 124, rigidly
connected to each other so as to slidably or rollably support the motorized gear reducer
13 from the tubular support enclosure 21 by guide grooves 211 through sliding or rolling
bearings (not shown) and transfer the motorized gear reducer 13 drive torque into
the tubular support enclosure 21. The opposite end of a cable drum assembly 11 is
supported from a power transmission screw 25 (ACME, ball or roller type), connected
rigidly and non-rotatably to the screw support 23 inside the tubular support enclosure
21 so that all the forces imposed by the cable drum assembly 11 are transferred through
the power transmission screw 25 and the screw support 23 into tubular support enclosure
21.
[0058] The drive end of the drum assembly 11 has an elongated hub 112 at its motor end.
The motor end hub 112 engages the motorized gear reducer 13 shaft 132 that supports
and rotates the drum assembly 11. An overspeed brake 15 is also mounted to the sliding
or rolling base 19. The overspeed brake 15 engages the motor end hub 112 in case of
motorized gear reducer 13 or the gear reducer shaft 132 failure. The overspeed brake
15 stops the rotation of drum assembly 11 and supports the lifted load hung from cables
17.
[0059] In the configuration shown in FIG 7, the drum assembly 11 is used for horizontally
moving the drum assembly 11 and motorized gear reducer 13 together with sliding or
rolling base 19 inside the tubular support enclosure 21 in relation to the cable guiding
sheaves 313. The movement is fixed in synchronization with the cable 17 back and forth
travel in the drum assembly 11 grooved portion 111 grooves. This is accomplished by
a power transmission screw 25, which is connected non-rotatably to the screw support
23 inside the tubular support enclosure 21. A matching power transmission screw nut
114 is mounted to the drum assembly 11, which is hollow so that the drum assembly
11 can move over the power transmission screw 25 when the drum assembly 11 translates
in its longitudinal direction when it rotates.
[0060] The nut 114 being secured to drum assembly 11 rotates together with the drum assembly
11 and also with respect to power transmission screw 25. The pitch of the power transmission
screw 25 thread is equal to the pitch of the drum assembly 11 grooved portion 111
cable grooves. Therefore, the drum assembly 11, together with the sliding or rolling
base 19 and motorized gear reducer 13 are moved in synchronization with the back and
forth travels of cables 17 in drum assembly 11 grooved portion 111 grooves. Straight
cable paths are maintained between the drum assembly 11 and cable guiding sheaves
313.
[0061] Another option is to mount the power transmission screw 25 rigidly to the end of
the drum assembly 11 and to mount the power transmission nut 114 rigidly to the screw
support 23. Now the power transmission screw 25 would rotate together with drum assembly,
engage the fixed power transmission nut 114 and translate the drum assembly 11 together
with the sliding base 19 in synchronization with the back and forth travel of cables
17 in drum assembly 11 grooved portion 111 grooves.
[0062] Other features of the configuration illustrated in FIG 7 remain similar to those
described for the preferred embodiment for FIG 1 and in the figures referred to in
FIG 1.
[0063] According to FIG 7A the access for maintenance or removal and replacement of the
motorized gear reducer 13, overspeed brake 15 and other components mounted at or near
the motorized gear reducer 13 is provided by disconnecting the support 23 top plate
26 from the tubular support enclosure 21 support and guide grooves 211 and from the
angle 27 (if used). The entire winch unit 10 can now be moved while supported by tubular
support enclosure 21 guide and support grooves 211 to a position where all the motor
end components are outside the tubular support enclosure 21 and accessible for maintenance.
[0064] Descriptions of FIG 1 and FIG 2 teach that the sliding bearings 127 can be replaced
with anti-friction ball or roller bearings or cam followers (hereinafter rollers).
In this configuration these rollers (not shown) would be mounted to the frame 12 or
to the motor and brake end supports 124 and 125 respectively. These rollers (not shown)
would then roll on the tubular support enclosure 21 support and guide surfaces 212
shown on FIG 2 and would replace the sliding bearings 127.
[0065] Another option for replacement of sliding bearings 127 with rollers 127A, is shown
on FIG 8 and FIG 9. In this configuration the modified winch remains identical to
the winch shown on FIGs 1, 2, 3 and 4, except the sliding bearings 127 and their supports
124, 125 shown on these FIGs are replaced, as shown on FIGs 8 and 9, with rollers
127A. Instead of mounting these rollers 127A on the winch unit 10, they are mounted
to the inside of the tubular support enclosure 21.
[0066] Looking at FIGs 1, 2 and 3, the sliding bearings 127 are mounted on the frame 12
motor end support 124 and brake end support 125 and translate horizontally with the
winch unit 10 in the longitudinal direction of the tubular support enclosure 21 when
the drum assembly 11 rotates. Looking at FIGs 8 and 9, in contrast, the rollers 127A
do not translate in the longitudinal direction with the winch unit 10, but remain
fixed to the tubular support enclosure 21. In the example as shown, at each end of
the system four rollers 127A, two on top and two on bottom, support the winch unit
10 in the vertical direction as shown on FIG 9, a total of eight rollers in this example.
These rollers engage the top and bottom surfaces of the motor end support 124A and
brake end support 125A, which supports are part of the winch unit 10 and translate
together with the winch unit 10 in the longitudinal direction of the tubular support
enclosure 21 when the drum assembly 11 rotates. More rollers 127A can be used if required
for supporting very heavy loads. Each roller 127A may be an assembly of an anti friction
or sleeve bearing 127B, rotatably mounted on a shaft or stud 127C. The shafts 127C
can be screwed into threaded holes in the enlarged ribs 221 and 221A, part of the
tubular support enclosure 21, as shown, or they can be secured to the tubular support
enclosure 21 by riveting, shrink fit or by other means. Each such roller assembly
is commonly known as cam follower or track roller and are standard parts made by several
manufacturers. Examples would be McGill CFH 1-1/8 SB, RBC Bearings RBC 1-1/8. There
are many others available commercially.
[0067] FIG 9 is a cross section taken, for example, at line 9A-9A and 9B-9B of FIG 8. It
shows a cross sectional profile of the tubular support enclosure 21 with longitudinal
thickened portions or ribs 221 and 221A which are also shown on FIG 8. These ribs
221 and 221A provide the required metal thickness for mounting the rollers 127A into
the tubular support enclosure 21. During winch unit 10 normal operation, when the
winch unit 10 is supported by rollers 127A bearing on the top and bottom surfaces
of the motor and brake end supports 124A and 125A, the latter shown on FIGs 8 and
9, do not touch the ribs 221 or 221A. However, as an additional function, the ribs
221 and 221A would support the winch unit 10 in case of a roller 127A failure. Another
purpose of the ribs 221 and 221A is to provide support surfaces 212 for sliding the
winch unit 10 motor or brake end out of the tubular support enclosure 21 in a manner
shown on FIGs 1A and 1B for maintenance.
[0068] The sliding bearings 127 (also known as sliders), shown here and also in the FIG
1 embodiment, can be mounted on the outside edges of the motor end support 124A and
brake end support 125A, shown on FIG 9. All sliding bearings 127 translate together
with the winch unit 10 and support the winch unit 10 in transverse direction, perpendicular
to the tubular support enclosure 21, in a manner identical to the winch unit shown
on FIGs 1 and 2, 3. As an alternate, the rollers 127A can be replaced with flanged
rollers (not shown) or horizontal rollers (not shown) for supporting the winch unit
10 from the tubular support enclosure 21 in its transverse direction. In this case
the sliding bearings 127 can be eliminated.
[0069] The advantage of the improved winch configuration shown on FIGs 8 and 9 is that the
rollers 127A reduce considerably the friction between the tubular support enclosure
21 and the winch unit 10 as compared to the sliding bearings 127 shown on FIGs 1 and
2, 3. The rollers 127A, however, apply high force concentrations on the surfaces of
the motor and brake end supports 124A and 125A. If the latter were of aluminum they
would not have good-enough surface strength for the rollers 127A to roll on without
possibly causing excessive wear under concentrated heavy loads. In order to resist
these forces, without excessive wear, preferably the motor end support 124A and the
brake end support 125A can be made of steel. These supports can be welded to the frame
12 by welds 128 as shown on FIG 9 if the frame 12 or its horizontal member 121 is
made of steel. If the frame 12 or its horizontal member is made of aluminum or from
other materials
, bolted, riveted or other type connection (not shown) should be used. The aluminum
extrusion can still be used for the tubular support enclosure 21 and has adequate
strength for mounting the rollers 127A to the inside of the tubular support enclosure
21. The rollers 127A on the top surfaces of the motor and brake end supports 124A
and 125A are important because the tubular support enclosure 21 is subjected to twisting
forces by the torque applied by the motorized gear reducer 13, shown on FIG 8, when
loads are hung from the drum assembly 11 by cables 17. The rollers on top assist in
resisting such forces. Since, however these forces are lower than the forces on the
bottom rollers, replacing the top rollers with sliding bearings (not shown) would
not substantially increase the friction and can be beneficial.
[0070] Looking again at FIG 8, the supports 124A and 125A translate together with the winch
unit 10 in the longitudinal direction of the tubular support enclosure 21 when the
drum assembly 11 rotates during lifting or lowering the loads (not shown) on cables
17. Therefore the supports 124A and 125A have to be slightly longer than the winch
unit 10 maximum longitudinal translation 116 in order for the rollers 127A to remain
engaged with the supports 124A and 125A.
[0071] The replacement of sliding bearings 127 on FIGs 1, 2 and 3 with the rollers 127A
shown in FIGs 8 and 9 is described as a modification of the winch shown in FIGs 1
through FIG 6, and FIG 10 through FIG 15. Similar modifications are possible also
for alternate winch embodiments as shown on FIGs 7 and 7A.
[0072] FIG 10 and FIG 11 illustrate one configuration of the limit switch mounting on the
bottom side of tubular support enclosure 21. In this configuration a limit switch
actuator slide 423 is mounted into the slot 215 cut through the bottom side of tubular
support enclosure 21 and is guided by this slot. The limit switch actuator slide 423
is connected to the winch unit frame 12 through the bracket 16 and pin 161, which
engages the hole 424 in the switch actuator slide 423. The hole 424 is slotted, perpendicular
to the actuator slide 423 travel in the slot 215. This permits pin 161 vertical and
lateral movement in the limit switch actuator slide 423 slotted hole 424 so that no
vertical or lateral movements and forces are transferred from the pin 161 to the actuator
slide 423 during the back and forth travel of the winch unit 10, which may slightly
wobble during its back and forth travel due to the guide surfaces tolerance variations.
The limit switches 419 are mounted near the ends of the limit switch actuator slide
423 travel to stop the winch at the up and down terminal positions and at the up and
down over-travel positions when the limit switch actuator slide 423 strikes the limit
switch 419 actuator arm. The limit switches 419 are mounted on sliding bases 425,
which have slotted holes 426 for their position adjustment. For assisting precise
limit switch 419 position adjustment, additional means, such as precision screw adjustment
(not shown) can be used. For major changes of up and down stopping positions, the
limit switches 419 together with their slidable bases 425 can be mounted into different
holes 427 at the bottom of the tubular support enclosure 21.
[0073] Instead of mounting the individual limit switch components directly on the tubular
support enclosure as shown on FIGs 10 and 11, a pre-assembled limit switch unit can
be used (not shown). Such unit can consist of parallel channel supports (not shown)
for the limit switches 419. The limit switches 419 would be slidably mounted on these
channel supports, each precisely positioned and held in place by a threaded rod (not
shown), so that its position can be adjusted. The parallel channels would be also
used for supporting and guiding the actuator slide 423 instead of the slot 215 shown
on FIG 11. The functioning of this pre-assembled limit switch unit would be as described
for FIGs 10 and 11. Such pre-assembled unit can also be pre-wired and then installed
as a complete unit 40 on the tubular support enclosure 21, shown schematically on
FIG 1.
[0074] FIG 10 and FIG 11 do not show the encoder mounting or its driving method. For this
limit switch arrangement a string actuated encoder (not shown) can be used with the
string pulled by winch unit 10. For more precise operation the encoder can be mounted
on the motor.
[0075] Looking at FIG 1, the control sensors (not shown) could also be mounted inside the
tubular support enclosure 21on the brake end member 123 in the space above the power
transmission screw 25. In this case, they would be driven by the rotation of hub 113
through a roller chain (not shown) and a roller chain sprocket (not shown) mounted
on the sensors. Since the drum assembly 11 rotates approximately through 40 turns
for full travel in a typical installation, an additional gear reducer (not shown)
would be required for reducing the limit switch cams rotation to one turn.
[0076] As seen from FIGs 12, 13, 14, 15, showing the installation of the winches 10 into
a theater facility, with the sheave assembly above or below the enclosure, the control
sensor assembly 40 is always accessible for maintenance and adjustments. This is one
major advantage of the configuration and mounting location of the control limit switch
assembly 40.
[0077] FIG 12 shows one installation in the facility where the improved winch 10 is installed
on the stage sidewall 54 in vertical position. The cables 17 pass from the winch over
the head block 55, over the loft blocks 56 and down to the pipe batten 57. This option
of installation is particularly beneficial in existing theaters where the manually
operated fly sets are replaced with motorized winches which, in this case, can be
mounted on the wall that is used for the manual fly set counterweights and counterweight
guides. Likewise, the existing head blocks 55 and loft blocks 56 will remain usable.
Another reason why the improved winch 10 is particularly suitable for refurbishing
the existing theaters in this manner is that winches 10 can be mounted adjacent to
each other, as shown on FIG 6 spaced at 200 mm centers, which is the generally accepted
spacing for the motorized fly sets. The existing cables 17 can also be reused, disconnected
from the counterweights (not shown) and re-connected to the improved winch 10 cable
drum assembly 11.
[0078] FIG 13 shows another type of installation of the improved winches 10 into a facility.
The improved winches 10 are installed at the gridiron 52 level at one or both (not
shown) sides of the stage. The cables 17 pass from the improved winch 10 directly
over the loft blocks 56 (mounted on the grid wells 53) down to the pipe batten 57.
Note that this type installation in the new theaters eliminates the need for head
blocks 55 shown on FIG 12. It has also the advantages described under FIG 12 for refurbishing
the existing theaters.
[0079] FIG 14 shows a type of installation where the winches 10 are mounted on the gridiron
at one or both sides (not shown) of the stage and the loft blocks 56 are mounted to
the underside of the roof or ceiling beams 51, which are located above the gridiron
wells 53. The cables 17 pass from the winch 10 directly over the loft blocks 56 and
down through the grid wells 53 to the pipe batten 57.
[0080] FIG 15 shows yet another type installation in a different facility where the improved
winches 10 are under hung from the stage house overhead beams 51 and installed between
the overhead beams 51. One cable 17 can be dropped directly from the improved winch
10 to the pipe batten 57 while the other cables 17 pass over the loft blocks 56 installed
and connected to the stage house overhead beams 51. This type of installation is particularly
useful for many small theaters, which do not have gridirons. It can be also used in
the theaters with gridiron in order to keep the gridiron clear from horizontal cable
17 runs shown on FIG 13. Instead of installing the improved winches 10 over the stage
area as shown on FIG 15, they can be mounted at the stage left or right areas and
all cables 17 would then pass over the loft blocks 56 to the pipe batten 57. As another
option, where the spacing of cables 17 along the length of pipe batten 57 is sufficiently
close, (not shown), two cables 17 can be dropped directly from the improved winch
10 to the pipe batten 57.
[0081] Among the benefits of the invention over the previously built winches is the use
of the tubular support enclosure, as a single structural member that performs a multitude
of functions. It supports the winch unit mounted inside the tubular support enclosure,
protects its movable parts, provides access for maintenance to the major movable parts,
supports the cable guiding sheaves, and interfaces with the mounting brackets for
installation of the improved winch to the facility structure. An advantage is that
the tubular support enclosure can be produced as a one piece aluminum extrusion with
all winch support ribs, guiding surfaces mounting bracket interfaces and other interface
items formed as part of the extrusion. This minimizes the fabrication and assembly,
requirements and reduces the cost. It can also be made as an assembly of a extruded
top portion and a U-shaped bent channel lower portion, if economically beneficial.
[0082] Another important advantage is that the improved winches in this invention can be
installed in a facility close to each other because the tubular support enclosure
protects the moving parts of the adjacent winches from interfering with each other
and all moving parts are confined within the volume previously defined. The desired
200 mm fly set spacing can be achieved with the improved winches installed in a single
row, side by side, which is not possible with the currently available winches. This
feature is especially beneficial for rehabilitation of the existing theaters, which
use manually operated counterweight fly sets, where the improved winches can be installed
to the wall that is used for guiding the counterweights. The improved winches would
then be accessible for maintenance from the existing platforms used for loading the
counterweights or from the stage floor.
[0083] In addition, the versatile improved winch can be installed in horizontal position
on the gridiron level or above. It can be hung from the overhead beams above the gridiron
or in the theaters which do not have gridirons. The improved winch can also be mounted
in tilted positions where required. It can be mounted at either side of the stage
or over the performing area. The protection provided to the critical moving components
by the structurally sound tubular support enclosure simplifies the handling of the
improved winch during its installation.
[0084] Yet another advantage of the invention is that easy access is provided for removal
and replacement of the fly set cables through the openings in the mounted tubular
support enclosure, which together with all the cable guiding sheaves are accessible
when the inner side plate of the sheave housing is removed. This feature is also beneficial
for rehabilitation of the existing theaters, which use manually operated counterweight
fly sets. The existing loft blocks, head blocks, cables and pipe battens can be reused
by simply disconnecting the cables from the counterweights and reconnecting them to
the improved winches after installation of the winches.
[0085] The improved winch also improves personnel safety, because contrary to the currently
available winches, with covers over their moving parts, which may be removed and left
open, all the major moving parts of the improved winches are inside the tubular support
enclosure, not accessible to the personnel during winch operation.
[0086] Additional safety is provided by mounting the overspeed brake to the opposite end
of the drum from its drive end, so that in case of motor, motor brake, or the gear
reducer of the drive shaft key failure, the overspeed brake would still stop the drum
and support the objects hung from the winch. The tubular support enclosure would also
contain the parts which may break off the winch unit in case of a catastrophic failure
of the drive train and prevent them from falling.
[0087] It will also be appreciated that the invention is not limited to raising and lowering
scenic elements in the theater, but can also be used in any facility with a need for
raising and lowering any object, such as, for example, objects in a theme park.
[0088] The term "facility" has been used above to designate a building made up of the usual
fixed structural members, such as beams, etc., and the tubular enclosure housing and
supporting the winch unit typically is bolted at least at one end to a fixed structural
member of the facility. However, while this is the more normal application of the
invention, it is possible that in certain special cases the tubular enclosure housing
and supporting the winch unit can be attached to a movable member in turn movably
mounted to the facility. An example would be to mount the tubular enclosure housing
and supporting the winch to a carriage riding on rails fixed to the facility to allow
the load to be moved with the carriage or the carriage with winch to the location
of the load. The inventive winch system is otherwise identical in this application,
and thus "facility" should be interpreted to include not only fixed structural members
of a building but also movable members connected to the building.
[0089] While the invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiments,
it will be understood that modifications thereof within the scope of the claims will
be evident to those skilled in the art and thus the invention is not limited to the
preferred embodiments but is intended to encompass such modifications.
1. A motorized winch for raising and lowering objects by means of cables with respect
to a facility, comprising:
an elongated tubular support enclosure (21) having a longitudinal direction and having
means (22) for mounting it to the facility and means (127,211) for guiding and supporting
a winch unit (10) rollably or slidably mounted inside and supported by the tubular
support enclosure, the tubular support enclosure having top, bottom, and side walls
(214,216,217,218) extending in the longitudinal direction;
cable guiding means (313,314,315) for receiving and guiding cables and mounted in
a fixed position with respect to and supported by the tubular support enclosure;
wherein the winch unit comprising:
an elongated drum (11) having a longitudinal axis extending in the longitudinal direction
and having on its outside a helical groove (111) configured to receive adjacent strands
of a cable and mounted for rotation about and translation relative to its longitudinal
axis on supports inside the tubular support enclosure and with respect to the tubular
support enclosure,
one or more cables (17) engaging the drum grooves and passing from the outside of
the drum through the access openings (214) in at least one of the walls of said tubular
support to and over the cable guiding means to the object, each cable when wound up
on the drum occupying an axially-extending section having a given length of the drum
grooves,
at least one drive means for rotating the drum,
said drum, and cables being connected to the cable guiding means such that rotation
of the drum causes each cable to wind or unwind on or off the drum grooves to move
the object up or down with respect to the facility while simultaneously translating
back and forth, parallel to its longitudinal axis, relative to the tubular support
enclosure in synchronization with the rotation of the drum controlling the cable runs
to their respective cable guiding means to achieve zero fleet angle while the drum
is translated over the given length of the axially-extending section,
the mounting of the winch unit inside the tubular support enclosure being such that
access for maintenance and repairs can be had to the cables, drive means and cable
guiding means without removing the tubular support enclosure from its mounting to
the facility.
2. A motorized winch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cable guiding means comprises
a common sheave housing mounted to the tubular support enclosure and plural sheaves
mounted into the common sheave housing in vertically ascending or staggered fashion
so as to provide clearance between cables leaving the cable guiding sheaves.
3. A motorized winch as claimed in claim 2, wherein the common sheave housing comprises
an outer side plate and inner side plate, one of the side plates being permanently
fastened to the tubular support enclosure, the sheaves having shafts mounted on the
said one of the side plates, the other of the side plates being removable such that
when removed access is provided to the winch unit and to the cables.
4. A. motorized winch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cable guiding means comprises
individual sheave housings mounted to the top or bottom wall of the tubular support
enclosure each in a different angular orientation with respect to the top or bottom
wall so as to provide clearance between cables leaving the cable guiding sheaves.
5. A motorized winch as set forth in any of the claims 1 to 4, the winch unit further
comprising a frame, a drive motor, a gear transmission connected to the drive motor,
and an over-speed brake all mounted into the frame, said frame being mounted for translation
back and forth along the longitudinal axis of the drum to and inside the tubular support
enclosure, supported and guided by the tubular support enclosure.
6. A motorized winch as set forth in any of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the winch unit
drum, its drive motor and gear transmission are supported by a first guiding support
at the drive end of the drum and by a second guiding support at the opposite end of
the drum, both guiding supports being connected to each other through the drum so
that the entire assembly forms a winch unit and can translate parallel to the longitudinal
axis of the drum, inside the tubular support enclosure.
7. A motorized winch as set forth in any of the claims 1 to 6, where the translation
of the winch unit, together with a the drum, in the drum longitudinal direction is
caused by a an interior threaded surface at one end of the drum, rotating together
with the drum and engaging a screw which is non-rotatably mounted to the tubular support
enclosure, so that during this translation the drum moves to surround the screw in
a cavity inside the drum.
8. A motorized winch as set forth in any of the claims 1 to 6, where the translation
of the winch unit, together with the drum in the drum longitudinal direction, is caused
by a screw fixed to one end of the drum and rotating with the drum while engaging
an interior threaded surface non-rotatably connected to the tubular support enclosure.
9. A motorized winch as set forth in any of the claims 1 to 8, comprising sliding bearings,
mounted on the winch unit, supporting and guiding the winch unit and slidably engaging
an inside surfaces of the tubular support enclosure.
10. A motorized winch as set forth in claims 1 to 8, comprising rollers or rolling bearings,
mounted on the winch unit, supporting and guiding the winch unit and rollably engaging
an inside surface of the tubular support enclosure.
11. A motorized winch as set forth in claim 1, wherein the winch unit supporting means
comprises rollers mounted to the inside of the tubular support enclosure.
12. A motorized winch as set forth in claim 1, wherein the winch unit comprises at opposite
ends a support member having top and bottom bearing surfaces, the winch unit supporting
means comprising at each end of the winch unit two rollers, respectively engaging
and supporting the bottom bearing surface of each of the support members.
13. A motorized winch as set forth in claim 1, wherein the winch unit supporting means
comprises at each end of the winch unit two rollers, respectively engaging and supporting
the top bearing surface of each of the bearing support members.
14. A motorized winch as set forth in claim 1, wherein the winch unit supporting means
comprises at each end of the winch unit two sliders respectively engaging a bearing
surface of the tubular support enclosure.
15. A motorized winch as set forth in any of the claims 1 to 4 and 7 to 11, wherein the
winch unit drum and its drive means are supported slidably or rollably by a first
guiding support at the drive end of the drum and by a second fixed support at the
opposite end of the drum, through a screw or a threaded extension of the drum, so
that rotation of the drum translates the drum, together with said first guiding support
and drive means parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drum, inside the tubular
support enclosure, in synchronization with the rotation of the drum controlling the
cable runs to their respective cable guiding means to achieve zero fleet angle while
the drum is translated over the given length of the axially-extending section.
1. Motorisierte Winde zum Heben und Senken von Gegenständen mittels Kabel im Zusammenhang
einer technischen Einrichtung umfasst: ein langgestrecktes rohrförmiges Trägergehäuse
(21) hat eine Längsrichtung und Mittel (22), um es an die Einrichtung zu befestigen
sowie Mittel zur Führung und Stützen einer Windeeinheit (10) im Inneren aufrollbar
oder verschiebbar angebracht und unterstützt durch ein rohrförmiges Trägergehäuse,
das rohrförmige Trägergehäuse hat obere, untere und Seitenwände (214, 216, 217, 218)
die sich in Längsrichtung erstrecken;
Kabelführungseinrichtung (313, 314, 315) zum Aufnehmen und Führen von Kabeln, die
in einer festen Position in Bezug auf das röhrenförmige Trägergehäuse montiert und
von diesem getragen werden;
worin die Windeeinheit umfasst:
eine längliche Trommel (11) mit einer sich in Längsrichtung erstreckenden Längsachse
und mit einer Spiralnut an ihrer Außenseite (111) so konfiguriert, um benachbarte
Stränge eines Kabels zu empfangen und für eine Umdrehung und Übertragung relativ zu
seiner Längsachse auf Stützen innerhalb des rohrförmigen Trägergehäuses und in Bezug
auf das rohrförmiges Trägergehäuse montiert ist eine oder mehrere Kabeln (17) die
sich in die Trommelrillen einrasten und von der Außenseite der Trommel durch die Zugangsöffnungen
vorbeilaufen (214) in mindestens einer der Wände des genannten rohrförmigen Trägers
zu und über die Kabelführungseinrichtung zum Objekt besetzt jedes Kabel, wenn es auf
der Trommel aufgewickelt ist, einen sich axial erstreckenden Abschnitt mit einer gegebenen
Länge der Trommelnuten, mindestens eine Antriebseinrichtung zum Drehen der Trommel,
genannte Trommel und Kabel sind so mit der Kabelführungseinrichtung verbunden, dass
die Umdrehung der Trommel bewirkt,
dass sich jedes Kabel auf oder von den Trommelnuten windet oder abwickelt, um das
Objekt in Bezug auf die Einrichtung nach oben oder nach unten zu bewegen, während
gleichzeitig zurückwärts und vorwärts übertragen wird, parallel zu seiner Längsachse,
relativ zu dem rohrförmigen Trägergehäuse und in der Synchronisation mit der Drehung
der Trommel, die das Kabel zu seinen jeweiligen Kabelführungseinrichtungen steuert,
um einen Nullwinkel zu erreichen, während die Trommel über die gegebene Länge des
sich axial erstreckenden Abschnitts bewegt wird, die Befestigung der Windeeinheit
innerhalb des rohrförmigen Trägergehäuses ist so geplant, dass der Zugang für Wartungen
und Reparaturen an den Kabeln, Antriebseinheiten und Kabelführungseinheiten möglich
ist, ohne das rohrförmige Trägergehäuse von seiner Befestigung zu der Einrichtung
zu entfernen.
2. Eine motorisierte Winde nach Patentanspruch 1, in der das Kabelführungsmittel ein
gemeinsames Rollengehäuse umfasst, das an dem rohrförmigen Trägergehäuse befestigt
ist und mehrere Seilscheiben, die in dem gemeinsamen Scheibengehäuse in vertikaler
aufsteigender oder versetzter Weise angebracht sind, um einen Abstand zwischen den
Kabeln zu schaffen, welche die Seilführungsscheibe verlassen.
3. Eine motorisierte Winde nach Patentanspruch 2, in der das gemeinsame Scheibengehäuse
eine äußere und eine innere Seitenplatte umfasst. Dabei ist einer der Seitenplatten
dauerhaft an dem rohrförmigen Trägergehäuse befestigt. Die Scheiben haben Wellen,
die an der einen Seitenplatte angebracht sind, wobei die andere Seitenplatte so entfernbar
ist, dass, wenn sie entfernt ist, der Zugang zu der Windeneinheit und den Kabeln möglich
ist.
4. Eine motorisierte Winde nach Patentanspruch 1, wo die Kabelführungseinheiten einzelne
Scheibengehäuse umfassen, die an der oberen oder unteren Wand des rohrförmigen Trägergeheuses
jeweils in einer anderen Winkelausrichtung in Bezug auf die obere oder untere Wand
angebracht sind, um einen Abstand zwischen den Kabeln beim Verlassen der Kabelführungsscheiben
zu schaffen.
5. Eine motorisierte Winde nach einem der Patentansprüchen 1 bis 4, in der die Windeeinheit
ferner einen Rahmen, einen Antriebsmotor, ein Zahnradgetriebe, das mit dem Antriebsmotor
verbunden ist, und eine in den Rahmen eingebaute Überdrehzahlbremse umfasst. Der Rahmen
zur Übertragung rückwärts und vorwärtsist entlang der Längsachse der Trommel in Bezug
auf und
innerhalb des rohrförmigen Trägergehäuses montiert und wird durch diese gestützt und
geführt.
6. Eine motorisierte Winde gemäß einer der Patentansprüchen 1 bis 5, in der die Windeeinheitstrommel,
ihr Antriebsmotor und Zahnradgetriebe durch einen ersten Führungsträger am gegenüberliegenden
Ende der Trommel getragen wird. Beide Führungsträger sind durch die Trommel miteinander
verbunden, so dass die gesamte Anordnung eine Windeeinheit bildet und sich parallel
zur Längsachse der Trommel und innerhalb des rohrförmigen Trägergehäuses bewegen kann.
7. Eine motorisierte Winde nach einem der Patentansprüchen 1 bis 6, in der die Übertragung
der Windeeinheit, zusammen mit der Trommel in der Längsrichtung der Trommel durch
eine Innengewindefläche an einem Ende der Trommel, bewirkt wird. Dabei dreht sich
die Windeeinheit zusammen mit der Trommel und nimmt eine Schraube, die nicht drehbar
an der rohrförmigen Trägergehäuses angebracht ist, in Eingriff so, dass sich die Trommel
während dieser Verschiebung bewegt, um die Schraube in einem Hohlraum innerhalb der
Trommel zu umgehen.
8. Eine motorisierte Winde nach einem der Patentansprüchen 1 bis 6, in der die Verschiebung
der Windeeinheit, zusammen mit der Trommel in der Trommellängsrichtung, durch eine
Schraube bewirkt wird, die an einem Ende der Trommel befestigt ist und sich mit der
Trommel dreht, während sie mit einer Innengewindefläche in Eingriff steht, die nicht
drehbar mit dem rohrförmigen Trägergehäuse verbunden ist.
9. Eine motorisierte Winde nach einem der Patentansprüchen 1 bis 8, bestehend aus Gleitlagern,
die an der Windeeinheit montiert ist, die Windeeinheit trägt, führt und gleitbar in
den Innenflächen des rohrförmigen Trägergehäuses agiert.
10. Eine motorisierte Winde gemäß den Patentansprüchen 1 bis 8, mit Rollen oder Wälzlagern,
die an der Windeeinheit montiert ist, die Windeeinheit tragen und führen und innerhalb
des rohrförmigen Trägergehäuses agiert.
11. Eine motorisierte Winde nach Patentanspruch 1, bei der die Trägereinrichtung der Windeeinheit
Rollen hat, die an der Innenseite des rohrförmigen Trägergehäuses angebracht sind.
12. Eine motorisierte Winde nach Patentanspruch 1, in der die Windeeinheit an gegenüberliegenden
Enden ein Stützelement mit oberen und unteren tragenden Flächen. Die Stützelemente
der Windeeinheit, die an jedem Ende der Windeeinheit zwei Rollen hat, die jeweils
eingreift und die unteren Lagerflachen jedes der Trägerelemente stützt.
13. Eine motorisierte Winde nach Patentanspruch 1, in der die Tragvorrichtung der Windeeinheit
an jedem Ende der Windeeinheit zwei Rollen hat, die jeweils durch jeweilige Eingriffnahme
die oberen Lagerfläche jedes der Lagerstützelemente abstützt.
14. Eine motorisierte Winde nach Patentanspruch 1, bei der die Trägerelemente der Windeeinheit
an jedem Ende der Windeeinheit zwei Schieberegler umfasst, die jeweils in Eingriff
mit einer Lagerfläche des rohrförmigen Trägergehäuses stehen
15. Eine motorisierte Winde nach einer der Patentansprüche 1 bis 4 und 7 bis 11, in der
die Trommel der Windeeinheit und ihre Antriebsmittel gleitend oder aufrollend durch
eine erste Lenkungsstütze am Antriebsende der Trommel und durch eine zweite feste
Stütze am gegenüberliegenden Ende der Trommel getragen werden. Oder durch eine Schraube
oder eine Gewindeverlängerung der Trommel, so dass die Rotation der Trommel diese
zusammen mit der ersten Führungshalterung und der Trommel in das rohrförmige Trägergehäuse
bewegt. Dabei bewegt sie sich synchron mit der Drehung der Trommel, welche das Kabel
zu seiner jeweiligen Kabelführungseinheiten steuert, um einen Null-Winkel zu erreichen,
während die Trommel über die gegebene Lange des sich axial erstreckenden Abschnitts
bewegt wird.
1. Un treuil motorisé permettant de lever et d'abaisser des objets au moyen de câbles
par rapport à une installation, comprenant :
une enceinte de support tubulaire allongé (21) présentant une direction longitudinale
et disposant d'un dispositif (22) pour la fixer à l'installation, ainsi que pour guider
et soutenir une unité de treuil (10) montée de manière à pouvoir rouler ou coulisser
à l'intérieur et soutenue par l'enceinte de support tubulaire, celle-ci disposant
de parois supérieures, inférieures et latérales (214, 216, 217, 218), s'étendant dans
le sens longitudinal ;
un dispositif de guidage de câbles (313, 314, 315) destiné à recevoir et à guider
des câbles et installé en position fixe par rapport à l'enceinte de support tubulaire
qui soutient ce dispositif ;
dans lequel l'unité de treuil comprend :
un tambour allongé (11) doté d'un axe longitudinal s'étendant dans le sens longitudinal
et présentant sur son côté extérieur une gorge hélicoïdale (111) configuré pour recevoir
les torons adjacents d'un câble et fixé sur des supports à l'intérieur de l'enceinte
de support tubulaire et en considération de celle-ci de façon à pouvoir tourner autour
de son axe longitudinal et se déplacer par rapport à celui-ci, un ou plusieurs câbles
(17) s'engageant dans les gorges du tambour et s'introduisant par le côté extérieur
du tambour grâce aux ouvertures (214) dans au moins une des parois dudit support tubulaire
sur et par-dessus le dispositif de guidage de câbles vers l'objet, chaque câble enroulé
sur le tambour qui occupe une portion s'étendant dans le sens axial présentant une
longueur définie correspondant aux gorges du tambour, au moins un dispositif d'entraînement
permettant de faire tourner le tambour, ledit tambour et les câbles étant reliés au
dispositif de guidage de câbles de telle sorte que la rotation du tambour permet d'enrouler
ou de dérouler chaque câble sur les gorges du tambour de façon à lever ou à abaisser
l'objet par rapport à l'installation, tout en opérant un mouvement de va-et-vient,
parallèlement à son axe longitudinal, par rapport à l'enceinte de support tubulaire
en synchronisation avec la rotation du tambour commandant le déplacement des câbles
vers leur dispositif de guidage respectif pour obtenir un angle de déflexion de 0°,
pendant que le tambour se déplace sur la longueur définie de la portion s'étendant
axialement. le montage de l'unité de treuil à l'intérieur de l'enceinte de support
tubulaire étant fait de telle sorte qu'il est possible de réaliser des travaux de
maintenance et de réparation sur les câbles, les dispositifs d'entraînement et de
guidage sans retirer l'enceinte de support tubulaire de son emplacement.
2. Un treuil motorisé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif de guidage
de câbles comprend un boîtier de poulie commun fixé sur l'enceinte de support tubulaire
et plusieurs poulies installées dans ledit boîtier et disposées de manière ascendante
verticalement ou en quinconce afin d'assurer un dégagement entre les câbles sortant
des poulies qui les guident.
3. Un treuil motorisé selon la revendication 2, dans lequel le boîtier de poulie commun
comprend une plaque latérale externe et une plaque latérale interne, l'une d'elles
étant fixée en permanence à l'enceinte de support tubulaire, les poulies étant équipées
d'arbres de transmission fixés sur l'une des plaques latérales, l'autre plaque latérale
étant démontable, ce qui permet d'avoir accès à l'unité de treuil ainsi qu'aux câbles.
4. Un treuil motorisé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif de guidage
de câbles comprend des boîtiers de poulies individuels installés sur la paroi supérieure
ou inférieure de l'enceinte de support tubulaire, chacun ayant une orientation angulaire
différente par rapport à la paroi supérieure ou inférieure afin d'assurer un dégagement
entre les câbles sortant des poulies qui les guident.
5. Un treuil motorisé tel qu'énoncé dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, une
unité de treuil comprenant, en outre, un châssis, un moteur d'entraînement, une transmission
par engrenage reliée au moteur d'entraînement et un frein de survitesse, le tout fixé
sur le châssis, lequel étant installé de manière à aller et venir sur l'axe longitudinal
du tambour en direction et à l'intérieur de l'enceinte de support tubulaire, le châssis
étant également soutenu et guidé par cette dernière.
6. Un treuil motorisé tel qu'énoncé dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans
lequel le tambour de l'unité de treuil, son moteur d'entraînement et sa transmission
par engrenage sont soutenus par un premier support de guidage à l'extrémité motrice
du tambour et par un deuxième support de guidage à l'extrémité opposée du tambour,
les deux supports de guidage étant reliés entre eux par le tambour de telle sorte
que l'ensemble forme une unité de treuil et qu'il peut se déplacer à l'intérieur de
l'enceinte de support tubulaire parallèlement à l'axe longitudinal du tambour.
7. Un treuil motorisé tel qu'énoncé dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, où
l'unité de treuil se déplace avec le tambour, dans le sens longitudinal de ce dernier,
grâce à une surface filetée intérieure située à l'une des extrémités du tambour, en
rotation avec celui-ci et dans laquelle s'engage une vis fixée de manière non rotative
à l'enceinte de support tubulaire de telle sorte que, durant ce mouvement, le tambour
se déplace pour insérer la vis dans une cavité à l'intérieur du tambour.
8. Un treuil motorisé tel qu'énoncé dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, où
l'unité de treuil se déplace avec le tambour, dans le sens longitudinal de ce dernier,
grâce à une vis fixée à l'une des extrémités du tambour et tournant avec ce dernier,
tout en engageant une surface filetée intérieure reliée fixement à l'enceinte de support
tubulaire.
9. Un treuil motorisé tel qu'énoncé dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, comprenant
des paliers coulissants qui, fixés à l'unité de treuil, la soutiennent et la guident
en venant au contact par glissement avec la surface interne de l'enceinte de support
tubulaire.
10. Un treuil motorisé tel qu'énoncé dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, comprenant
des rouleaux ou des paliers à roulement qui, fixés à l'unité de treuil, la soutiennent
et la guident en venant au contact par roulement avec la surface interne de l'enceinte
de support tubulaire.
11. Un treuil motorisé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif permettant
de soutenir l'unité de treuil comprend des rouleaux fixés sur la face interne de l'enceinte
de support tubulaire.
12. Un treuil motorisé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'unité de treuil comprend
à ses extrémités opposées un élément de soutien, muni de surfaces porteuses supérieures
et inférieures, le dispositif permettant de soutenir l'unité de treuil comprenant
à chaque extrémité de celle-ci deux rouleaux, l'un venant en contact avec la surface
porteuse inférieure de chaque élément de soutien et l'autre en la soutenant.
13. Un treuil motorisé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif permettant
de soutenir l'unité de treuil comprend à chaque extrémité de celle-ci deux rouleaux,
l'un venant en contact avec la surface porteuse supérieure de chaque élément de soutien
et l'autre en la soutenant.
14. Un treuil motorisé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif permettant
de soutenir l'unité de treuil comprend à chaque extrémité de celle-ci deux rouleaux
venant respectivement en contact avec la surface porteuse de l'enceinte de support
tubulaire.
15. Un treuil motorisé tel qu'énoncé dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4 et
7 à 11, dans lequel le tambour de l'unité de treuil et son dispositif d'entraînement
sont soutenus, en glissant ou en roulant, par un premier support de guidage à l'extrémité
motrice du tambour et par un deuxième support de guidage à l'extrémité opposée du
tambour, grâce à une vis ou une tige filetée du tambour, de telle sorte que la rotation
du tambour amène à le déplacer avec le premier support de guidage et le dispositif
d'entraînement, à l'intérieur de l'enceinte de support tubulaire, parallèlement à
l'axe longitudinal du tambour, en synchronisation avec la rotation du tambour commandant
le déplacement des câbles vers leur dispositif de guidage respectif pour obtenir un
angle de déflexion de 0°, pendant que le tambour se déplace sur la longueur définie
de la portion s'étendant axialement.