Chainfall! That is the term I was looking for. The simplest chainfall mechanisms I could find are 1:1 pulleys for manual garage door openers. I also found some chain operated wheels (chainwheel) for overhead valves and other hand wheel operated components.
It uses lock link chain like this. I did find a chain hoist that I could cannibalize for $35 on Amazon, though it may be a little small?. I would prefer having a rope rather than a chain hanging from the ceiling so I may experiment with using my CNC to make one. I have been unsuccessful in finding a rope based one online. I could see cutting some pockets around the perimeter of a plywood disk and gluing two disks together to make the sprocket. The hardest part may be tying knots evenly spaced along the rope's length.
--Nathan, TX. Hire the lazy man. He may not do as much work but that's because he will find a better way.
