Hoisting Device With Friction Accessory for Rapid Load Lowering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pulley systems for hoisting and lowering loads, particularly in rescue situations, require significant preparation time and complexity, often impractical for urgent or remote locations, and operate inefficiently from below the device, complicating rescue efforts.

Innovation Solution

A pulley device with a friction accessory and a front plate that can be opened to load a rope, allowing attachment to a load and a support structure, enabling quick setup and control from an elevated position, reducing preparation time and providing sufficient resistance for secure lowering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a block and tackle arrangement is used to hoist and lower loads, then mechanical advantage is achieved with reduced tension force, but the preparation time and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetension forceVSAvoidpreparation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional modules: a pulley assembly for mechanical advantage, a friction accessory for braking control, and a housing for protection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled quickly in rescue situations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A friction accessory acts as an intermediary braking mechanism between the load and the rope. This intermediary component provides independent braking control that complements the pulley system's mechanical advantage, enabling rapid deployment without complex integrated systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Force

If a block and tackle arrangement is used to create mechanical advantage, then the tension force required to lift a load is decreased, but the device complexity and arrangement complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetension forceVSAvoidarrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pulley assembly and friction accessory are merged into a single integrated device housed within a common housing. This combination provides both mechanical advantage and braking control in one unit, reducing the overall arrangement complexity compared to separate block and tackle systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device serves multiple functions: the pulley assembly provides mechanical advantage for hoisting, while the friction accessory provides braking control for lowering. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate devices, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If an auxiliary braking system with a spindle in a chamber is used, then braking control is achieved, but the rope arrangement complexity and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking controlVSAvoidrope arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The braking function is extracted from the pulley assembly and implemented as a separate friction accessory. This extraction simplifies the rope arrangement by providing dedicated braking control points that do not interfere with the pulley's mechanical advantage function, reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of controlling braking through complex rope routing through a chamber as in prior art, the friction accessory provides braking control through a simplified mechanism that operates independently of the rope's path through the pulley system, inverting the traditional approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of operation

If the braking system is operated from below the device, then braking control is achieved, but the ease of operation decreases in elevated rescue positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking controlVSAvoidoperational position flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The friction accessory extends laterally from the pulley assembly, moving the braking control interface to a different spatial dimension. This allows operators to access and control braking from elevated positions horizontally, rather than requiring vertical access from below the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device allows for rapid setup and secure lowering of heavy loads from elevated positions with minimal effort, even in limited spaces, maintaining control and reducing the force required, thus enhancing safety and efficiency in rescue scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

The weight of the load creates friction between the cord and the device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS12358765B2Hoisting and lowering device

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 GRID TRAINING CORP

AI summary

A device, system and method are used for hoisting and lowering a load. The device has a front plate that may be displaced to reveal a sheave. The device also has a friction accessory. The friction accessory is arranged to create friction between a rope and the device when a load is suspended from the device using the rope and where the device is secured to a support structure. The system may be prepared by an operator, having ascended to an elevated location, and further allows the operator to lower the load from the elevated location prior to descending.