Abstract: A winch mounted to an automobile bumper and comprising a cable winding drum rotatably mounted between a main drive housing and an opposite end idler housing. The main drive housing has a main lower section of integral box-like construction and an open top closed by an upper housing section. The drive end of the drum and an intermediate drive member are inserted laterally into the lower housing through access openings, and are retained in place by a downwardly inserted retaining plate. The remaining drive components are inserted into the lower housing section through the top opening or positioned in the upper housing section. This construction provides for easy assembly of the drive components, with box-like construction of the main housing being better able to withstand the substantial force loads exerted thereon.

Abstract: A winch having a clutch-brake assembly comprising a ratchet plate with a constantly engaged pawl, and two clutch shoes. With a tension load on the cable of the drum, two rotatably mounted cam members engage each other to move the clutch shoes into engagement with the ratchet plate to cause power to be transmitted to the drum of the winch. Under minimal or no external load, after the power source has been operated shortly in reverse, a spring maintains the clutch shoes out of engagement to permit the cable on the drum to be reeled out freely at a moderate rate of acceleration.

Abstract: An automobile mounted winch having a clutch-brake assembly comprising a disc shaped ratchet plate positioned between two friction shoes, acting as a clutch in one direction and a speed governor in another direction, and a stationary brake. A plurality of friction buttons extend through the ratchet plate in a generally circular pattern, with each button engaging both shoes. Each button has an expanded head portion, and the buttons are oppositely arranged in an alternating pattern to centrally locate the ratchet between the two shoes and provide proper frictional engagement of the buttons with the shoes.