Abstract: The present invention includes a passive shifting apparatus for a marine winch having a plurality of gears thereon. The passive shifting apparatus permits the winch to be rotated in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, and comprises a central shaft about which the gears rotate, supported on a base in a marine winch housing. A rotatable curvilinear cam is mounted on the shaft. A radially inwardly and outwardly movable cam follower is engaged against the curvilinear cam. A first spring is arranged between the housing and the cam follower to bias the cam follower against the curvilinear cam. A second spring is arranged between the housing and the cam follower to bias the cam follower on the inner end of the shift arm when the cam is counter rotated. The cam follower may then move into and out of a slot in the curvilinear cam, and the cam may be able to rotate either clockwise or counter-clockwise without locking-up the cam follower.

Abstract: The present invention is a marine winch having a tension limiting clamp ring thereon, to permit the safe release of a line or halyard when forces become too great therewith. The winch has a base for attachment to a boat. A central driveshaft is supported on the base. A drum is disposed about the driveshaft. The drum has an upper flange and a lower flange thereon, the drum being arranged to receive a line thereabout. The upper flange has an inner hub disposed about the upper end of the driveshaft. A clamp ring is arranged about the hub, the clamp ring and the upper flange having opposed outer annular surfaces thereon arranged to receive a line therebetween. The clamp ring is movable with respect to the upper flange and the hub to provide a limitable force on a line disposed between the outer annular surfaces of the flange and the clamp ring.

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: The present invention comprises a transmission for the distribution of power from a rotating shaft, which shaft is supported between a pair of housing segments, which housing segments are connectedly joined to one another, including a rotatable shaft having a power source at one end thereof, for rotation of the shaft; a first housing enclosing at least a portion of the rotatable shaft, the housing having a first end with a plurality of spaced apart longitudinally directed holes therein; a flange having at least one radially directed projection thereon, the projection having a cammed surface which sweeps across the holes on the first end of the first housing; a second housing having a first end with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart longitudinally directed holes therein; a plurality of reciprocally moveable pins disposed within the holes in the first and the second housing; and a cam arranged within the second housing, so as to effectuate longitudinal movement of the pins within the second housing

Abstract: The present apparatus includes an improved weather resistant marine winch arranged to permit the control of lines on a ship and to minimize water intrusion into the winch. The winch comprises a base for attachment to surface of the ship, the winch including a vertically oriented drive shaft supported over the base. A cylindrically shaped drum is rotatively disposed about the drive shaft, the drum having an upper drum flange and a lower drum flange. The upper drum flange has an upper hub portion on which an annular peeler bar is arranged. The peeler bar has a central bore with a shoulder therearound. A ring cap is fit about an upper end of the drive shaft, with a downwardly extending flange mating radially about the shoulder of the peeler bar. An annular "U" shaped groove is arranged about the outer periphery of the shoulder to divert any weather elements from infiltrating under the ring cap, thereby protecting the winch from the weather.

Abstract: A removable crank for driving various manually powered rotary devices, such as winches. The crank includes an improved mechanism for locking it to the device. The locking mechanism involves a manually retractable locking element located in the crank extension which interacts with a groove disposed in the crank receiving socket of the rotary device.

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.