Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved marine winch drum having a plurality of grooves of a specific geometry formed in the spool of the drum to increase the holding power of the drum with respect to the line received thereon and to minimize damage to the line wrapped around the drum.

Abstract: Planetary gears of an epicyclic drive train of a winch which drive a drum of the winch through a carrier which is at all times constrained to rotate with the drum, are used to keep a feeder/stripper arm of a self-tailing channel of a winch from rotating, by engagement between secondary gears and a gear ring associated with the feeder/stripper arm.

Abstract: A sheave liner for an elevator system sheave that supports a hoist rope with an elevator car suspended therefrom is replaced without having to remove the hoist ropes and without having to hang the elevator car by means other than the hoist ropes. The existing liner is cut and removed while the elevator car is suspended from the hoist ropes resting on the sheave. The new liner is rotated into its position and two ends of the liner are joined by either a mechanical bond or by a room temperature adhesive bond.

Abstract: A sheave for advancing a rope by application to said sheave of rotational forces includes a central hub with opposed sheave surfaces each of the opposed surfaces being provided with alternating projections and valleys. The projections of the first one of the surfaces being aligned with a valley of the opposed second surface, each of the projections having a generally flat outer surface which is provided with rounded edges, the valleys being tapered in width toward the hub of the sheave and having a generally flat floor surface, the center of each the valley having a ridge projecting from the floor surface, the ridges each being of a height extending above its associated valley floor surface that is substantially less than the height of the projections.

Abstract: A method of attaching a handle to a halyard winch on a sail boat in order to increase the mechanical advantage of the handle. The method comprises removing the standard halyard winch handle, removing the standard ship's wheel, and placing the ship's wheel on the halyard winch in place of the halyard winch handle. Also, a device is used to attach the ship's wheel to the halyard winch which has a first end inserted into the halyard winch and a second end for securing the ship's wheel thereto. Turning the ship's wheel will turn the halyard winch, and since the ship's wheel is larger than a normal winch handle, a mechanical advantage will be realized.

Abstract: A remote controlled winch operable by a hand held remote control. The winch has a single piece drum that is reversibly driven by a drive motor through a planetary gear arrangement for winding cable onto the drum and unwinding cable off the drum. A remote control capable of handling the high amperage draw of the drive motor is provided to control power to and the rotative direction of the drive motor. The remote control has two switch arms that are connected to the motor leads with each of the switch arms normally biased to a ground connection. A manually operated mechanism is provided to selectively and independently switch (move) each of the switch arms from a ground connection to a connection with a power source to supply power to the motor and control the rotative direction of motor.

Abstract: A rope traction device used as a winding instrument for a moving scaffold and other construction, loading and unloading and conveying machines, includes a sheave which is rotated by a motor through a speed reduction gear and around which a part of a traction rope is wound, and is movable along the rope by rotating the sheave. The sheave is provided with a rope groove formed by a pair of parallel and planar side plates substantially along the entire circumference of the sheave for receiving a part of the rope therein and resiliently pressing the rope on its side portions. The rope traction device includes an improved brake system according to which slots elongated in the circumferential direction are formed in each clutch member and each slot has a greater depth axially in the central portion thereof than in other portions.

Abstract: A rope traction device has a sheave which is driven and rotated to cause a traction rope to be wound on the sheave and thereby moves along the traction rope. The rope traction device includes a pair of annular side plates made of an elastic material and provided at sides of the sheave in such a manner that the interval between the inner surfaces of the side plates is made smaller than the diameter of the rope by a predetermined value and the side plates are secured to the sides of the sheave by means of boltheads of bolts arranged alternately in the circumferential direction of the sheave. The side plates may alternately be secured to the sides of the sheave by means of boltheads of bolts and nuts positioned at opposite positions in the circumferential direction of the sheave.

Abstract: A which winch can permit free-fall is disclosed, which includes a shaft adapted to be driven by a source of power, a first cone connected about the shaft to be driven therewith, and a second cone co-axial with the first cone and movable axially relative thereto. The second cone can be caused to assume one of two axial positions relative to the first cone, the arrangement being such that a rope or chain passing between the two cones can be driven by the winch when the second cone is in one of its two positions and can free-fall when the second cone is in the other of its two positions.

Abstract: A rope traction device used as a winding instrument for a moving scaffold and other construction, loading and unloading and conveying machines includes a sheave which is rotated by a motor through a speed reduction gear and around which a part of a traction rope is wound, and is movable along the rope by rotating the sheave. The sheave is provided with a rope groove formed by a pair of side plates substantially along the entire circumference of the sheave for receiving a part of the rope therein and resiliently pressing the rope on its side portions. In one aspect of the invention, the rope traction device includes an improved brake system according to which slots elongated in the circumferential direction are formed in each clutch member and these slots have a larger width axially in the central portion thereof than in other portions.

Abstract: A clamp on combination chain and rope hauler wheel formed from two semi-circles half wheels having an outer periphery adaptable for gripping the links of a chain and a rope which are removably clamp together and gripping clamp around a drum. The gripping connection to the drum is adjustable to grip a range of different drum diameters of a drum winch.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving marine seismic cable uses an endless traction member which defines a helical path of at least two turns for pulling the cable in a uniform fashion without forming overlapping layers.

Abstract: The apparatus is mounted on a deck of a boat and includes an elongated track with an inboard end and outbroad end disposed to at least the waterline for capturing a line having a float on one end and a subsea trap on the other end. A trolley is movably mounted on the track and a funnel-like guide structure is connected to the outboard end to direct the float and line, as the boat moves forwardly, to a capturing hook mounted to the trolley. Upon movement of the trolley inboard the float and line are drawn to permit a hydroslave pulley to pull the trap to the boat above the waterline thereby harvesting the catch therefrom and rebaiting same prior to returning the trap to the sea. A novel method of retrieving the subsea traps is also set forth herein.

Abstract: A self-tailing winch with pivoting teeth comprising a fixed support constituting a base, a drum mounted to rotate about the fixed support, a vertical shaft for driving the drum in rotation and connected thereto via a transmission including a stepdown gear train, and an automatic clamping mechanism for clamping cable or rope wound around the winch, which clamping mechanism is mounted at the top of the drum in order to form a self-tailing head for the rope. The automatic cable or rope clamping mechanism comprises a plurality of pivoting teeth distributed around the bottom portion of a block on top of the drum and constrained to rotate therewith, and springs mounted in the block in order to exert downwards pressure individually on each of the pivoting teeth which themselves exert pressure individually on the rope in order to pinch the rope against the top end of the drum, thereby enabling the same winch to operate effectively with ropes of different types and of different sections.

Abstract: An arrangement for manually driving a winch (1) or like rotatable device, comprising an input rotational shaft (2) which is actuable for driving the rotational device and arranged to rotate an external drum (3) or the like at a given transmission ratio, the arrangement comprising a preferably peg-like drive part (4) which co-acts rotationally with the input shaft without mutual rotation therebetween and further comprises a crank arm (5) or the like intended for co-action with the drive part such as to produce a rotational movement.The arrangement is particularly characterized by devices (12) which transmit rotational movement of the crank arm (5) to the drive part (4) at a given transmission ratio.

Abstract: A pulley comprises a hub with spokes arranged radially about its circumference. Secured on the spokes is a rim with a rim base accommodating lining inserts having holes wherethrough a flexible link extends to embrace the rim base. At the outside of the pulley each insert has a groove terminating in the hole. The width of the groove is such as to ensure removal of the flexible link from the hole therethrough. Provided at end faces of the inserts concentrically with the holes are recesses receiving ends of precompressed resilient elements disposed between the inserts.

Abstract: The winch has a disc-shaped hub having a shaft extending upwardly from its top surface. It also has a winch drum having an axial bore whose diameter is sized to rotatably receive the shaft of the disc-shaped hub. The bottom end of the winch drum has a recess with ratchet teeth formed around its inner annular surface and there are a pair of pawl members in spring loaded attachment with the outer surface of the shaft of the disc-shaped hub to form a ratchet assembly. There is a bore hole in the bottom end of the disc-shaped hub and an upright extending secondary shaft member has its top end rotatably inserted into this bore hole. A handle has its one end secured to the secondary shaft and it extends radially therefrom and has a supporting block mounted on its opposite end and a double cam cleat is mounted thereon. An alternative form of handle is also operable with the same basic winch structure but does not require the handle to be permanently secured to the winch.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the spaced relation between the cheeks of a sheet nipping sheave as used on winches, particularly for nautical applications, of the type comprising a sheet winding drum (2) with a sheet nipping sheave overlying the drum. The sheet nipping sheave has a lower cheek and a movable upper cheek. The movable cheek has a tubular connecting part provided with internal radially extending projections arranged to engage with corresponding recesses offset in height and formed on the sidewall of a collar which is fastened to the drum. A spacer spring is provided between the upper cheek and the drum.

Abstract: A yarn conveying apparatus is disclosed, and which comprises a pair of circular discs, each having a yarn engaging front surface. The discs are mounted for rotation about respective axes which are inclined with respect to each other, and such that portions of the respective yarn engaging front surfaces are disposed in a closely adjacent opposing face-to-face relationship and define a yarn advancing zone therebetween. The discs are resiliently biased toward each other at the yarn advancing zone, and so that the discs are adapted to engage and advance a yarn which is guided through the advancing zone, without substantial slippage.

Abstract: An accessory or an accessory mount for a yacht comprises a device (1) not involved with the normal operation of a winch and having an integral supporting leg (3) which is adapted to locate in the handle receiving socket of a winch. The leg (3) is designed to be a jamm fit in the handle receiving socket, and has a thread (5) at least towards its upper end. A threaded ring (6) engages the threaded upper end of the leg (3) and is screwable down the leg (3) so that it will engage the top of the winch and force the leg (3) out of its jamm fit with the socket.

Abstract: Rope hoist apparatus comprising a single driven drive pulley (15) in which the rope (11) is pressed by a spring-loaded lever (32) by two pressure rollers (29 and 30) into the rope groove (19). The pressure rollers (29 and 30) are so arranged that the rope tip (41) of the rope (11) can easily be pushed beneath the pressure rollers (29 and 30). The rope (11) is conducted after being lifted out of the rope groove (19) via a lateral ramp (60) onto a running face (21) of the drive pulley (15) which is disposed adjacent the rope groove (19) and over which the slack run (13) is conducted in a manner preventing damage parallel to the load run (12).

Abstract: The present invention is an improved winch drum design which improves the gripping action of the drum on a rope by departing from the traditional belt-pulley theory. The winch drum has a series of depressions at spaced intervals around the circumference of the drum. The portion of the drum between the depressions is smooth, producing a low coefficient of friction with the rope. The rope deforms as it bends over a portion of the drum between depressions at a relatively sharp angle, causing the rope to resist lengthwise movement. At the same time, the smooth surface allows the rope to easily move parallel to the spin axis of the drum, thereby facilitating the necessary climbing action of the rope from working to tailing ends. The gripping action is provided because the rope is compressed and bent between depressions, thereby making it difficult for the uncompressed portion of the rope resting over a depression to propagate lengthwise of the rope.

Abstract: In such an arrangement a faultless clamping of the rope in the traction sheave is necessary. For that purpose two-piece traction sheaves are known whose sheave halves can be pressed together. Further, seat grooves are known wherein the ropes are radially pressed down into the seat grooves. In the so-called V-shaped grooves clamping of the ropes takes place by means of counterweights at the unloaded rope ends. Disadvantages of the known types of construction are unnecessary loads, considerable wear, high weights, bulky arrangements and poor efficiency. For doing away with these disadvantages, two sheaves halves 7, 14 are now mounted parallel to one another and are provided with a common peripheral V-shaped groove. The sheave halves 7, 14 are spring-loaded pressed together and at the periphery of the V-shaped rope groove, rope-supporting elements 20 are fixedly mounted. Thereby a simple construction is achieved, safety has increased and the operation is simplified by requiring no maintenance.

Abstract: A capstan adaptable "V" puller fitted with a plurality of vertical staves d is positioned on a "host" capstan. The staves are adjusted to the diameter of the capstan and securely clamped in place by any suitable means. Friction is enhanced by rubber pads mounted between the contact surface of the capstan and the staves.

Abstract: A continuous winch with two, drums at least one of which is driven and is provided with a multiple groove configuration with one discharge groove for the non-loaded cable. The non-loaded, running-off, or discharging cable in the discharge groove is capable of being stressed or tensioned transverse to the discharge direction. The discharge groove is limited by a tensioning disc which is spring-loaded in the tensioning direction. The tensioning disc is capable of being lifted from the cable counter to spring-loading by a hydraulically engaged stroke piston. The cable exit groove, which is located opposite the discharge groove in the axial direction of the drums, is limited by a clamping disc, which is capable of being tensioned by a hydraulic pressure piston against the cable. The stroke piston of the tensioning disc, and the pressure piston of the clamping disc, are coupled by a hydraulic control and are capable of being engaged by pressure in opposite directions with respect to the cable.

Abstract: A winch is disclosed and is equipped with two drive shafts and two rope drums corresponding thereto. The rope drums have peripheral grooves in which the rope which is slung over the drums is guided. A slip clutch is provided to compensate for velocity differences in the region where the rope is slung over the rope drums. The slip clutch is associated with at least one of the two drive shafts of the rope drums.

Abstract: A self-threading capstan drive includes two sheaves mounted in a frame, each having a spiral groove with approximately three turns. The sheaves are slightly misaligned so that an elongated sonar array is directed from one sheave to the next without lateral bending. A pair of containment troughs are aligned with the top and bottoms of the sheaves to direct the sonar array between the sheaves. At least one of the sheaves is motor-driven such that its direction of rotation is reversible, the sonar array being reeled onto and off of a storage reel. Each of the sheaves and the containment troughs includes a groove with an inner channel whose dimensions accommodate the sonar array and an outer channel of larger diameter accommodating an endless tubular belt which recirculates over both sheaves and makes contact throughout most of its length with the sonar array, positively driving and carrying the sonar array in either direction.

Abstract: A winch is disclosed having at least one rope drum which includes a run-out groove on its periphery in which a rope is guided. The run-out groove is bounded in part by a tightening disc which is pressable against one side of the rope. The run-out groove for the rope is configured on a drive disc which is configured so as to be separate from the rope drum. The drive disc is coupled with the rope drum via a free runner and in such a manner that an operative connection existing when the rope is run out under load is interrupted when the load is removed from the rope.

Abstract: An accessory for a yacht or a mounting device for a range of accessories has a supporting leg which is adapted to locate and key with the socket of a yacht winch. The accessory or mounting device has a locking device which releasably locks the leg in the socket and also has a clamping member which after the accessory or mounting device has been locked to the winch can be adjusted to engage the winch to take up any slackness and also to prevent rotation of the winch socket.

Abstract: Traction enhancement for a traction elevator system has an elevator car and counterweight connected by a plurality of wire ropes reeved about a drive sheave with a predetermined angle of wrap. An arcuate frame having a plurality of rollers has one end pivotally and adjustably fixed, while its other end biases the rollers against the ropes in the angle of wrap with a tension spring. Over travel of the elevator car releases the bias to allow the ropes to slip should the counterweight reach an end of its travel path.

Abstract: This scaffold hoist uses a transmission mechanism whose output shafts are fastened to the hoist housing, and whose case rotates, carrying a sheave which impels the mechanism along the cable. The transmission mechanism is advantageously a quadrant drive for extremely high torque-to-weight ratio.The sheave has a peripheral groove, tapered and deep enough to seat a cable having any of three different diameters, at different depths in the groove.The cable wraps around three-fourths of the sheave. Around five-eighths of the sheave, a chain presses the cable into the groove. The chain rollers enter the groove deeply enough to engage even the smallest-diameter cables of interest, while clearing the sheave periphery. The chain side bars ride along the sides of the sheave, holding the chain and cable in position.A resettable overspeed brake uses a rotary cam that jams a cable of any of the three sizes, at correspondingly various cam angles.

Abstract: A selftailing capstan winch having a stationary shaft element which holds bearings for a winch drum and houses a driving shaft adapted to be crank handle driven from above. The shaft element has a fixed radial arm projecting outwardly about a drum top flange and into an upper annular rope groove. The driving shaft is mounted eccentrically in the stationary shaft element. The driving engagement with the drum is established by a pinion on the rotary shaft which simply engages an interior, relative broader toothed rim on the drum. With this arrangement, the drum is not rotated as quickly as the crank handle; however, the driving arrangement is simple and robust.

Abstract: Line or net hauling apparatus is disclosed comprising a drum having a cylindrical surface from which project a plurality of generally radially extending engagement members each having a first surface element at the cylindrical surface on the opposite side of a circumferential center line from that of the adjacent members to define a sinuous path for a flexible line or net wound on the drum; edge surface elements of the engagement members being inclined with respect to the diametral axial plane in which lies the said first surface element of the engagement member, the inclination of adjacent edge surface elements being in opposite directions from one another.

Abstract: A winch for sheet winding on seacrafts, including a fixed mount, a drum for sheet winding, a rotatable shaft for operationally rotating the drum, a pair of blocking rings operationally connected to the drum and forming between the rings a groove having an axis extending in a predetermined direction and arranged to grasp and drag the sheet into rotation when the sheet is under stress, and a roller for passing thereover the sheet coming from the drum and directed to the groove or vice versa and having an axis which extends in a direction substantially corresponding to the direction of extension of the groove and is slanted to the axis of the groove at a small angle, so that when the sheet passes from the groove to the roller the sheet reaches the roller in a direction almost perpendicular to the axis of the roller.

Abstract: A self-tailing winch comprises a substantially cylindrical housing arranged for rotation about a central shaft. The housing is provided at the top with a flange thinning towards the circumference and an annular plate disposed on the top of the housing and thinning towards the circumference. The plate has a diameter substantially equal to that the flange, in such a way that between the flange and the annular plate there is produced a V-shaped slot. A stripper arm is mounted above the annular plate, which stripper arm has a portion extending downwardly beyond the circumference of the annular plate. According to the invention, tooth-like raised portions are provided on the facing surfaces of the annular plate and the flange, so that opposite each tooth on the flange surface there is a tooth on the surface of the plate. One tooth of each pair of opposed teeth is convex and one tooth is concave.

Abstract: A winch having a central shaft held axially in place by keys in the form of collets, a tongue of which penetrates an aperture in a stationary column of the winch and runs in a groove in the shaft. The collets are readily assembled to the winch by being trapped in a recess under a top cap. Bolts may, in a self-tailing winch, not only restrain the collets but also a hub bearing the arm of a line guide. In a self-tailing winch, the bolts pass through passages in the collets so that the collets attach the entire winch top assembly to the casing and hold it in the desired angular position.

Abstract: The channel of a self-tailing winch is made up of two jaw members (5,17) interlinked by an arrangement such that when there is relative rotation between the jaws a relative axial displacement is imposed upon them by that relative rotation. Cam following studs (20) associated with one jaw engage in inclined camming slots (22) associated with the other. The inclination of the slots is preferably "positive" i.e. such as to cause closer axial approach of the jaws when there is any slippage.

Abstract: The presser wheel support comprises a depending support arm pivotally connected to the end of a cantilevered arm projecting at a downward slope in the tailing direction from a net hauler sheave frame member preferably in the form of a transverse suspension plate overlying the net hauler sheave. A fluid operated jack interacting between the hauler sheave frame and the support arm generally in the common plane of the hauler sheave and presser wheel urges the wheel yieldably against netting descending in the main hauler sheave groove so as to increase the hauling traction and hauling force exerted on the netting to avoid slippage and damage of netting.

Abstract: A sheave for guiding and supporting stranded wire rope. The sheave includes a plurality of circumferential grooves, with treaded elastomeric inserts being disposed in the grooves. The walls which define the treads are disposed at a predetermined angle relative to the circumferential axis of the insert, selected such that they will be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a strand, as each strand of the wire rope contacts and extends across a tread. The treads are thus fully compliant with the incremental changes in strand length due to the differential in rope tension on the two sides of the sheave.

Abstract: A device for self-tailing a conventional winch drum utilizing the motion of the hauled in line under load to provide, through a multiple sheave assembly, the tension on the free end of the line necessary to render the winch drum operational and properly haul in the line.

Abstract: There is disclosed in a chain hoist system or the like, an improved chain travel stop device which is readily attachable to and positionally adjustable on either the load carrying chain or the "slack chain" depending from the load hoisting or pulling machine. The device is positionable with improved facility at any preferred location along the length of any such chains, so as to limit the chain travel relative to the hoist/puller machine.

Abstract: A self-tailing winch for use on a sailboat comprising a rotatable drum and a clamping pulley attached to and axially aligned with the upper end of the drum. The pulley has a rigid upper jaw and a flexible lower jaw formed from elastomeric material. There is a recess under the material of the lower jaw to permit it to flex into the recess and at least partially close it so as to afford an additional degree of flexibility to the lower jaw.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manually driven winch, preferably intended as a sheet winch on sailboats, with which sheeting can be performed with the required mechanical advantage between the ingoing and the outgoing parts of the sheet, by imparting to the outgoing portion of the sheet a reciprocal pumping movement, which is used to drive the winch drum.

Abstract: The improved crab pot line hauler's drive motor, sheave and associated line guide means having a common support are mounted as a composite unit on pivotal support bearings that permit the unit to revolve freely about a fixed bearing axis in addressing itself to the incoming line being hauled and that restrain the unit against other bodily motion. Placement of the center of mass of the hauler unit at or closely adjacent to such pivot bearing axis assures its relatively steady orientation in operative relation to the incoming line with minimal line deflection force acting on it to do this. Polar moment of inertia about such bearing axis being also made relatively small by such mounting system, quickness of response of the unit to changing line approach direction is also achieved, a major advantage in stormy weather.

Abstract: The mechanism comprises at least one driving pulley comprising of two parts which are each provided with one part of a cable groove, which groove has a relatively great output transmission capacity. The parts are pressed toward each other by pressing devices, which comprise spiral springs or leaf springs which rest on and are coupled for rotation with the driving pulley parts. Each driving pulley may cooperate with another (identical or conventional) driving pulley which rotates at the same speed, e.g., by means of two gears mounted on the peripheral edges of the driving pulleys.

Abstract: The disclosed automatically meshing sheet winch has a drum to be driven either directly or indirectly through a reduction gear by a main shaft, and a rope guide which includes an internal gear operatively related to another internal gear formed on a fixed base frame of the winch through a gear mounted on the main shaft, whereby the rope guide can be set at any desired angular position without modifying the position of the base frame.

Abstract: In a powered V-sheave hauling system, purposively spaced enlargements on the line permit automatic disengagement of line and sheave when any desired point on the line reaches the sheave. The line is then held from running backwards under its load. The invention is particularly directed towards the avoidance of stresses or damage when a load has been fully pulled in.

Abstract: Known winches for sailing boats have flanges which are perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The instant invention comprises a self-tailing winch in which the upper flange is inclined in relation to the axis of rotation and follows the rotation of the drum. In operation, the rope rises along the drum as it is taken up by the winch. When the rope has reached the underside of the flange, it is automatically clamped, and, since the flange is inclined, the rope will become loose during rotation of the flange as the drum lets out the rope.

Abstract: In a winch or capstan, means for holding the free end of a rope in readily releasable condition but with sufficient force to insure that the turns of rope on the winch drum will not slip as the rope under tension is being wound thereon.

Abstract: The device is adapted to be used in a manual or motorized lifting system comprises a self-tightening jaw-block which normally lets a lifting or an auxiliary cable pass through it, whereby a releasing device, by an excessive speed of the cable relatively to the jaw-block, lets jaws clamp the cable and an interrupter stop the motors.