U.S. patent application number 16/159883 was filed with the patent office on 2020-04-16 for pulley with line guides.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hall Labs LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Hall Labs LLC. Invention is credited to David R. Hall, Casey Webb.
Application Number | 20200115203 16/159883 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69951799 |
Filed Date | 2020-04-16 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200115203 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hall; David R. ; et
al. |
April 16, 2020 |
Pulley with Line Guides
Abstract
A pulley is disclosed. The disclosure provides a pulley. The
pulley is made up of a frame and a wheel. The frame includes a
first and second plate spaced apart from each other. The wheel is
rotatably connected between the first and second plate. The first
and second plate each include an extended portion extending in a
common direction beyond the radius of the wheel. The extended
portion of the first and second plate each include a ramp for
guiding a line onto the wheel. Also disclosed is a method for
making the pulley.
Inventors: |
Hall; David R.; (Provo,
UT) ; Webb; Casey; (Spanish Fork, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hall Labs LLC |
Provo |
UT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Hall Labs LLC
Provo
UT
|
Family ID: |
69951799 |
Appl. No.: |
16/159883 |
Filed: |
October 15, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B66D 2700/026 20130101;
F16H 2055/363 20130101; B21D 53/261 20130101; B66D 3/04 20130101;
F16H 55/48 20130101; F16H 55/44 20130101; B21D 35/00 20130101; B21D
53/36 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B66D 3/04 20060101
B66D003/04; B21D 53/26 20060101 B21D053/26; B21D 35/00 20060101
B21D035/00; F16H 55/48 20060101 F16H055/48; F16H 55/44 20060101
F16H055/44 |
Claims
1. A pulley comprising; a frame comprising a first and second plate
spaced apart from each other, a wheel rotatably connected between
the first and second plate, and wherein the first and second plate
each comprise an extended portion extending in a common direction
beyond the radius of the wheel; and wherein the extended portion of
the first and second plate each comprise a ramp for guiding a line
onto the wheel.
2. The pulley of claim 1, wherein the sides are connected by a
bridging member.
3. The pulley of claim 2, wherein the sides and bridging member are
formed from a single piece of material.
4. The pulley of claim 3, wherein the material is metal and wherein
the ramps are stamped into the extended portions.
5. The pulley of claim 4, wherein the first and second plate and
the bridging member are formed by bending a single sheet of
metal.
6. The pulley of claim 5, wherein the first and second side plate
each form a hook.
7. The pulley of claim 6, further comprising a protective coating,
covering at least a portion of the frame.
8. The pulley of claim 7, wherein the hooks are covered with a
slip-resistant coating.
9. The pulley of claim 3, wherein the material is plastic.
10. The pulley of claim 1, wherein the wheel includes center
spindles on each side that journal within holes in the first and
second side plate.
11. The pulley of claim 1, further comprising an axle upon which
the wheel rotates, which axle is attached to the first and second
side plate.
12. A method of making a pulley comprising: providing a sheet of
material; forming a frame comprising; a first and second side
plate, with extended portions on both the first and second side
plate, and a bridging member between the first and second plate by
bending the sheet of material; forming ramps into the extended
portions of the first and second side plate; and attaching a
rotatable wheel between the first and second plate.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the ramps are stamped into the
extended portions.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the sheet of material is
metal.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the frame
is covered by a protective coating.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the material is plastic.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the sheet is cut into the
appropriate shape before the bending step.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the appropriate shape includes
a first hook, which after the bending step extends from the first
side plate.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the appropriate shape includes
a second hook, which after the bending step extends from the second
side plate and mirrors the first hook.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the hooks are covered in a
slip-resistant coating.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates to lifting and pulling devices. More
specifically this disclosure relates to pulleys.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The pulley is well known. Pulleys have been a part of
enabling the lifting of loads. By using a fixed pulley, the
direction of force is changed. Changing the direction of the force
allows a load to be lifted without pulling from above the load.
Using a movable pulley enables less force to be exerted to lift a
load, than lifting that same load without the moveable pulley.
While the pulley has been around for hundreds of years, advances in
technology have led to improvements in the construction of the
pulley itself as well as in the ropes or lines with which pulleys
are used.
[0003] Early models of pulleys used wood for the wheels and frames,
while the rope was typically constructed of natural fibers such as
hemp. These materials are adequate for certain applications.
However, modern advances allow smaller, lighter, and stronger
pulleys to be constructed. Not only can the frames and wheels be
made smaller, lighter, and stronger but the line which works with
pulley can also be made smaller, lighter, and stronger.
SUMMARY
[0004] In a first aspect, the disclosure provides a pulley. The
pulley includes a frame and a wheel. The frame includes a first and
second plate spaced apart from each other. The wheel is rotatably
connected between the first and second plate. The first and second
plate each have an extended portion extending in a common direction
beyond the radius of the wheel. The extended portion of the first
and second plate each include a ramp for guiding a line onto the
wheel.
[0005] In a second aspect, the disclosure provides a method for
making a pulley. The pulley is made by: first, providing a sheet of
material to form a frame. The frame includes a first and second
side plate. There are extended portions on both the first and
second side plate. A bridging member is included between the first
and second plate. The sheet of material is then bent. Ramps are
formed into the extended portions of the first and second side
plate. A rotatable wheel is attached between the first and second
plate.
[0006] Further aspects and embodiments are provided in the
foregoing drawings, detailed description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The following drawings are provided to illustrate certain
embodiments described herein. The drawings are merely illustrative
and are not intended to limit the scope of claimed inventions and
are not intended to show every potential feature or embodiment of
the claimed inventions. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to
scale; in some instances, certain elements of the drawing may be
enlarged with respect to other elements of the drawing for purposes
of illustration.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a view of the pulley attached to a ceiling mounted
lifting device and lifting a bicycle.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pulley.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pulley with hooks.
[0011] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the pulley.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a view of the sheet of material before being bent
to form the pulley.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a side view showing the interior of the frame of
the pulley with guides for the line.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The following description recites various aspects and
embodiments of the inventions disclosed herein. No particular
embodiment is intended to define the scope of the invention.
Rather, the embodiments provide non-limiting examples of various
compositions, and methods that are included within the scope of the
claimed inventions. The description is to be read from the
perspective of one of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore,
information that is well known to the ordinarily skilled artisan is
not necessarily included.
Definitions
[0015] The following terms and phrases have the meanings indicated
below, unless otherwise provided herein. This disclosure may employ
other terms and phrases not expressly defined herein. Such other
terms and phrases shall have the meanings that they would possess
within the context of this disclosure to those of ordinary skill in
the art. In some instances, a term or phrase may be defined in the
singular or plural. In such instances, it is understood that any
term in the singular may include its plural counterpart and vice
versa, unless expressly indicated to the contrary.
[0016] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the"
include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise. For example, reference to "a substituent" encompasses a
single substituent as well as two or more substituents, and the
like.
[0017] As used herein, "for example," "for instance," "such as," or
"including" are meant to introduce examples that further clarify
more general subject matter. Unless otherwise expressly indicated,
such examples are provided only as an aid for understanding
embodiments illustrated in the present disclosure and are not meant
to be limiting in any fashion. Nor do these phrases indicate any
kind of preference for the disclosed embodiment.
[0018] As used herein, "radius" is meant to refer to the radius of
a circle. The measure of a straight line from the center of a
circle to its circumference. The radius relates specifically to a
wheel which is part of a pulley. The radius of the wheel is the
measurement of the straight line drawn from the center of the wheel
to the outer edge of the wheel.
[0019] As used herein, "ramp" is meant to refer to an inclined
plane or slope. The ramp is formed in the material of the side
plate of the pulley. It is for moving or directing the line from
the side plate onto the wheel.
[0020] As used herein, "plate" is meant to refer to the piece of
material that makes up a single side of a pulley.
[0021] As used herein, "bridging member" is meant to refer to the
material connecting the two side plates.
[0022] As used herein, "plastic" is meant to refer to materials
consisting of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic
compounds that are malleable and can be molded into solid objects.
Plastics include but are not limited to; polyamides, polycarbonate,
polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), fiberglass reinforced nylon
(FRN), polyetherimide (PEI), and polylactic acid (PLA). Plastics
also include bioplastics and thermoplastics.
[0023] Advances in materials and manufacturing have led to
improvements in the construction of pulleys and the lines used with
pulleys. In general, these advances have improved the pulley.
Pulleys are generally smaller, lighter, and stronger. These
attributes of smaller, lighter, and stronger also apply to the
lines used with pulleys. Thinner and stronger lines are, in
general, an improvement to the use of a pulley. However, a
detrimental effect of a thinner line is, as the line thins, the
likelihood of the line catching between the wheel and the side
plate increases. To keep a line from being caught between the wheel
and side plate, ramps are formed on the side plates. These ramps
direct the line away from the side plates and onto the wheel.
[0024] Now referring to FIG. 1, which shows the pulley with guides
in use. FIG. 1 shows the pulley attached to a lifting device, such
as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,975,745 or U.S. Pat. No.
9,988,251. FIG. 1 has a bike to illustrate one embodiment of the
pulley in use. The pulley 5 is formed with a hook 9. The hook 9 is
used to attach to a variety of objects such as a bicycle 7. In the
present embodiment, the pulley and guides are used in conjunction
with a lifting device 1. The lifting device has a line 3 that runs
through the pulley and attaches the end of the line to an overhead
attachment system such as that described in U.S. Pat. No
9,939,105.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 2, the pulley with guides 201 is shown.
The pulley has a frame formed by side plates 203 and 204, along
with bridging member 211. Wheel 205 is located between the plates.
Wheel 205 rotates on an axle 213. A line (not shown) rides on wheel
205. The side plates 203 and 204 have extended portions 207 and
209. These extended portions extend beyond the radius of wheel 205
in a common direction. These extended portions include ramps 215
and 217. The ramps 215 and 217 direct the line onto the wheel. The
ramps 215 and 217 also keep the line from catching between the
wheel 205 and either side plate 203 or 204. The angle created by
the ramps is between 5 and 85 degrees. More preferably the angle
formed by the ramp is between 8 and 60 degrees. Most preferably the
angle formed by the ramp is between 10 and 30 degrees. Ramps 215
and 217 are formed into the extended portions 207 and 209 of the
side plates 203 and 204 to keep the line from catching between the
wheel 205 and the side plates 203 and 204.
[0026] The ramps are effective in keeping the line on the wheel in
many situations. One example occurs during the initial setup of the
pulley in conjunction with the lifting device. During setup, the
free end of the line is attached to a carabiner. The line is
threaded through the pulley. As the line is being attached to the
overhead mounting system the pulley is free to move around. In
situations such as this, the line is more likely to get caught
between the wheel and one of the side plates. Ramps formed into the
side plates direct the line away from the side plates and the edge
of the wheel. Therefore, the line is kept from catching between one
of the side plates and the wheel.
[0027] In the preferred embodiment, a metal sheet is used in
forming the frame of the pulley. The process of forming the frame
from a sheet of material will be discussed later.
[0028] The wheel 205 is made of plastic. In other embodiments, the
wheel is formed from other materials such as aluminum, anodized
aluminum, aluminum alloys, titanium, steel and any number of other
materials. Some wheels are constructed with bearings. Some wheels
are constructed without bearings. A skilled practitioner will be
able to choose the correct wheel construction for the
conditions.
[0029] As an alternative to an axle, in certain embodiments, the
wheel includes center spindles on each side that journal within
holes in the first and second side plate. By having a wheel with
center spindles, the number of parts in the pulley is reduced. A
wheel with center spindles is capable of holding itself in place
and will not require a pin or other fastener. However, using pins
or other fasteners to secure the wheel with center spindles to the
frame will decrease the possibility of the wheel with center
spindles coming free from the frame.
[0030] The axle 213 is generally made of steel. In some
embodiments, the axle is made of another material such as aluminum,
titanium, or plastic. The axle has a head, a shaft, and a hole
through the shaft on the end opposite the head. A pin, such as a
clevis pin, is inserted in the hole to keep the axle secured to the
frame.
[0031] Hooks integrated into the extended portions of the pulley
are shown in FIG. 3. The pulley has a frame formed by side plates
303 and 304, along with bridging member 311. A wheel 305 is located
between the plates. The wheel 305 rotates on an axle 313. A line
(not shown) rides on the wheel 305. The side plates 303 and 304
have extended portions 307 and 309. These extended portions extend
beyond the radius of the wheel 305. These extended portions include
ramps 315 and 317. The ramps 315 and 317 direct the line onto the
wheel. The ramps 315 and 317 keep the line from catching between
the wheel 305 and either side plate 303 or 304. The side plates are
joined together and kept at a fixed distance apart by a bridging
member 311. In the preferred embodiment, the side plates 303 and
304 of the pulley frame extend into hooks 319 and 321. The two
hooks are parallel and function as a single hook. The hook ends are
coated in a slip-resistant coating 331. This coating helps to
reduce the sliding of objects attached to hooks 319 and 321. One
use of the pulley hook is to lift objects like bicycles to store
them up and out of the way.
[0032] As noted, the preferred embodiment has two parallel hooks
that function as a single hook. However, in other embodiments, the
pully has more hooks or hooks that are oriented in different ways.
For example, instead of the hooks being an extension of the side
plates and parallel to each other the hooks are oriented
perpendicular to the side plates. This enables the hooks to act
independently. In other words, the hooks are oriented so that an
object is attached to each of the hooks individually. Another
embodiment would be to add another set of hooks that extend in the
opposite direction of the depicted hooks. There are many
orientations and configurations for the hooks which are employed
depending on the use the hooks and pulley will be put to.
[0033] The frame, including bridging member 311, is preferably
formed from a single piece of material. However, there are
embodiments in which the side plates 303 and 304 and bridging
member 311 are not formed from a single piece of material. These
pieces would be formed individually. The side plates 303 and 304
and bridging member 311 would be attached together by welds,
rivets, bolts, or other methods.
[0034] Referring to the exploded view in FIG. 4, the pulley with
guides 401 is shown. The pulley has a frame formed by side plates
403 and 404, along with bridging member 411. A wheel 405 is located
between the plates. The wheel 405 rotates on an axle 413. A line
(not shown) rides on the wheel 405. The side plates 403 and 404
have extended portions 407 and 409. These extended portions extend
beyond the radius of the wheel 405. These extended portions include
ramps 415 and 417. The ramps 415 and 417 direct the line onto the
wheel. The ramps 415 and 417 also keep the line from catching
between the wheel 405 and either side plate 403 and 404. The ramp
415 is seen on the inner surface of the pulley frame, and it
protrudes into the interior and guides the line onto the wheel. As
can be seen with ramp 415 the outer surface of the pulley frame has
an indentation from the plane of the outer surface. The ramps use
the material in the extended portion of the side plates in their
formation. No extra material is used to form the ramps, in the
preferred embodiment, the ramps are formed by stamping the material
with a die which protrudes the ramps above the inner surface of the
pulley frame and leaves an indentation on the outer surface of the
pulley frame.
[0035] By forming ramps 415 and 417 into the extended portions 407
and 409 of the side plates 403 and 404 the line is kept from
catching between the wheel 405 and the side plates 403 and 404. The
side plates are joined together and kept at a fixed distance apart
by a bridging member 411. In this exploded view the bridging member
411 is not connected to the side plate 403 (this is merely for the
purpose of representation). The side plates 403 and 404 have holes
423 and 425 for the axle 413 to pass through.
[0036] The pulley frame is formed by stamping or cutting the frame
from a sheet of material. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the pulley
frame 501 is shown from a view as it would appear after being
formed but before bending the frame to its final shape. The stamped
pulley frame includes two side plates 503 and 503 and bridging
portion 511. The side plates contain extended regions 507 and 509.
Within the extended portion 507 and 509 of the side plates, ramps
515 and 517 have been formed. It is of note that the ramps are
preferably formed such that the ramps are stamped into the
material. The ramps are not cut and bent, they are pressed such
that the side that will end up as the interior of the pulley frame
has the ramps above the plane of the surface of the frame and the
side that will become the outside of the pulley frame has a divot
below the plane of the outside surface. This is shown in FIG. 4.
The openings for the axle to pass through 523 and 525 have been
formed at this time as well. The bridging member 511 is shown. In
this embodiment, the hooks 519 and 521 are shown. In other
embodiments, the hooks will be absent, and the pulley will have
side plates 503 and 504 along with extended portions 507 and
509.
[0037] In the preferred embodiment, the pulley frame is formed from
metal. More preferably the metal is steel that has a protective
coating to cover the steel. In other embodiments, the metal will be
any of a number of metals or metal alloys such as aluminum,
anodized aluminum, titanium, anodized titanium, or any alloys of
aluminum and titanium. A die is created that cuts the pulley frame
from metal sheets. The die is generally the shape of the pulley
frame with the openings 523 and 525 for the axle to pass through.
The ramps 515 and 517 are stamped into the extended portions 507
and 509 of side plates 503 and 504. The material is bent along
lines 506 and 508 so that the side plates become parallel to each
other and perpendicular to the bridging member. The frame is bent
along lines 506 and 508 such that the ramps 515 and 517 end up
toward the interior of the frame. Alternatively, in another
embodiment, the pulley frame is made by casting metal or some other
material in a mold.
[0038] One of the reasons a metal sheet is preferred in forming the
frame is that it can be formed into specific shapes. Additionally,
the ductility of metals makes it possible to stamp the ramps into
the extended portions of the side plates. The frame can then be
bent into shape. Metals allow the side plates to be bent into a
position perpendicular to the bridging member. In the more
preferred embodiment, the frame is formed from steel. In many
embodiments, the steel frame is coated in a protective coating.
Many protective coatings are known and used. A typical protective
coating is a powder coat. There are various other protective
coatings that could be used in other embodiments, some of these
coatings include electroplating, galvanization, and coatings that
are painted on. These protective coatings are beneficial to protect
the steel from rusting. In other embodiments, the metal used is
aluminum, anodized aluminum, or an aluminum alloy. Other metals
such as titanium, anodized titanium, or titanium alloys are used in
certain embodiments.
[0039] In other embodiments, the frame is made from a plastic. In
some of these embodiments, the frame is cut from a sheet and bent
in much the same way a metal frame is formed. If using a plastic
sheet, there will typically be an additional step of heating the
plastic while the frame is being bent to shape. In other
embodiments, the plastic frame is injection molded such that the
plastic is forced into a mold and then formed. In embodiments where
injection molding is used the molds are created so that the frame
is formed with the ramps in the extended portion of the side
plates.
[0040] FIG. 6 is a view looking into the interior of the pulley
601. An example of the ramps directing the line onto the wheel will
be helpful in understanding their function. The pulley has a frame
with side plates 603 and 604. The side plates include extended
portions 607 and 609. The frame includes ramps 615 and 617 on
extended portions 607 and 609. As the pulley is being used with the
line 627 to lift loads, the line usually stays seated on the wheel
605. Occasionally, slack occurs in line 627. It is when a line is
pulled taut after being slack that there is a possibility of that
line catching between one of the side plates and the wheel. An
example will illustrate how the ramps prevent this from happening.
In this example, line 627 is depicted in several positions. For
this example, line 627 is shown in cross-section to illustrate the
movement of line 627. Slack in line 627 causes line 627 to extend
to position 630a. As line 627 is being pulled taut it slides along
extended portion 607 of side plate 604 to position 630b. At
position 630c line 627 encounters ramp 617 which pushes line 627
away from side plate 604 and the edge of wheel 605. Line 627
continues to slide along ramp 617 to position 630d. As line 627
passes position 630d it moves away from side plate 604 and the edge
of wheel 605. Ramp 617 moved line 627 away from side plate 604 and
kept line 627 from getting caught between wheel 605 and side plate
604.
[0041] A description of what occurs when a pulley without guide
ramps is used will be illustrative in understanding the importance
of the ramps. As a pulley is being used with a line to lift loads,
the line usually stays seated on the wheel. Occasionally, slack
occurs in the line. Then when the line is pulled taut after being
slack there is a possibility of catching the line between one of
the side plates and the wheel. Slack in the line causes the line to
extend off the wheel. As the line is being pulled taut it slides
along the extended portion of one side plate. The line continues to
slide along the side plate and toward the edge of the wheel. The
line slides along the side plate until it encounters the edge of
the wheel. The line is now caught between the wheel and one side
plate.
[0042] All patents referred to herein are incorporated herein by
reference. The invention has been described with reference to
various specific and preferred embodiments and techniques.
Nevertheless, it is understood that many variations and
modifications may be made while remaining within the spirit and
scope of the invention.
* * * * *