A chain assembly includes a wheel secured on a shaft. A chain manually rotates the wheel and the shaft. A one way bearing has an inner race secured to the shaft and has an outer race that can freely rotate in only one direction in relation to the inner race. A brake drum is coupled to the outer race. Brake shoes are in operative contact with the brake drum to apply friction to the brake drum when there is relative motion between them. A brake adjuster adjusts the braking force applied by the brake shoes on said brake drum. The one way bearing is arranged to maintain the brake drum stationary in one direction of rotation of the shaft and rotate the brake drum in the opposite direction of rotation resulting in a degree of braking of the shaft as determined by the brake adjuster.