invention in a garage ceiling the hoist 22 includes a frame 42 defined by a first portion 44 and a second portion 46 that are joined by screws 48 to house at least some of the moveable components there is also included a drive shaft 50 extending through an opening 52 defined by the frame 42 on each end of the drive shaft 50 there are spools 56 for receiving the supporting cables 26 although the supporting cables 26 could be attached directly to the drive shaft 50 preferably the drive shaft 50 is square or rectangular in cross section to obviate the need for keys that will fix its movement with other moving components inside the first and second portions 44 and 46 of the frame 42 there are a ratchet gear 60 a drive gear 62 a pawl 64 for engaging the ratchet gear 60 a spring 66 for biasing the pawl 64 into engagement with the ratchet gear 60 and a pair of bearings 68 for supporting the ratchet gear 60 and the drive gear 62 in the frame 42 the drive chain 28 is disposed between the ratchet gear 60 and the drive gear 62 preferably the drive chain 28 is endless for ease of operation it may.