Abstract: The device is in the nature of a winch, particularly for use on sailing yachts as a sheet or anchor winch, and in which the rope or the like to be gripped is guided over a driven member comprising two conical discs operatively coupled to each other and having their conical surfaces facing each other and opening around the entire periphery of the driven member. A drive shaft is operable to rotate the discs, and at least one conical disc and preferably both conical discs, are mounted for rotation about respective axes fixedly inclined relative to the axis of the drive shaft. Thereby the discs conjointly define, along a part of their circumferences, a wedge-shape opening for the rope to be gripped or clamped. The discs are rotatably supported on respective mounting plates which are secured to each other and to a suitable support surface, such as the deck of a yacht.