Abstract: A winch with a wrap spring brake is provided. The winch includes a rotatable drum configured to wind and unwind a cable. The cable may be connected to a load to be moved. A shaft is coupled to the drum such that rotation of the shaft causes rotation of the drum, thereby winding or unwinding the cable about the drum. The winch also includes an input hub capable of rotating and coupled to the shaft such that rotation of the input hub causes rotation of the shaft. The winch also includes a grounding hub. Finally, the winch includes a wrap spring wound about the grounding hub. The wrap spring has a first end and a second end. The first end of the wrap spring is coupled to the shaft such that the first end rotates with the shaft. The wrap spring is configured to be wrapped down on the grounding hub when the input hub is not rotated, thereby automatically locking the winch.

Abstract: A variable speed slip clutch is provided. The clutch has an output shaft, a first and second input hub, and output hub, a wrap spring and a control hub. In one embodiment, the clutch includes a source coupler coupled to a first and a second input drive. The output shaft is configured to rotate. The first input hub is coupled to the first input drive and configured to rotate about the output shaft in a first direction. The second input hub is coupled to the second input drive and configured to rotate about the output shaft in a second direction opposite the first direction. The output hub fixed to the output shaft and configured to rotate therewith. The wrap spring has a first and a second end. The first end of the wrap spring is fixed to the output hub such that the first end of the wrap spring rotates with rotation of the output hub. The control hub is coupled to the second end of the wrap spring. In one embodiment a control motor is provided and coupled to the control hub.

Abstract: A clutch has a rotatable input, a rotatable output, a spring and a damper mechanism. The rotatable input is capable of being rotated and of being held stationary. The spring is coupled to the input such that each time the input changes modes the spring changes states. The damper mechanism allows the spring to change states without rotating the input. The rotatable output is positioned relative to the spring such that the output synchronously rotates with the input when the spring is in the first state and rotates independently of the input when the spring is in the second state.

Abstract: A clutch has a rotatable input, a rotatable output, a spring and a damper mechanism. The rotatable input is capable of being rotated and of being held stationary. The spring is coupled to the input such that each time the input changes modes the spring changes states. The damper mechanism allows the spring to change states without rotating the input. The rotatable output is positioned relative to the spring such that the output synchronously rotates with the input when the spring is in the first state and rotates independently of the input when the spring is in the second state.

Abstract: A spring hinge and method of making same are disclosed. The spring hinge has a housing enclosing the spring and its associated shaft. The housing includes projections adjacent the ends of the spring such that upon rotation of the spring in either direction, an end of the spring is engaged by the housing and the spring is caused to expand into the "wrap open" condition.