Abstract: A variable speed winch in one embodiment includes a drive shaft, a power source, a single gear operation lever, a variable gearing system and a drum. The power source is configured to rotate the drive shaft. The variable gearing system is in rotational connection with the drive shaft and is configured to change the gearing of the winch based on the rotation of the single gear operation lever. The drum is in rotational connection with the variable gearing system.

Abstract: A rope winch has at least one bearing support and a rope drum supported on the at least one bearing support so as to be rotatable about a drive axis. A drive motor and a gear connected to the drive motor are provided, wherein the drive motor drives the rope drum about the drive axis through the gear. At least one sensor that senses a load acting on the rope drum is provided. An exchangeably secured component that is exchangeable without dismounting the at least one bearing support is provided. The at least one sensor is arranged on the exchangeably secured component.

Abstract: The present invention is a winch clutch assembly, where the deceleration mechanism of the winch contains an additional second internal gear ring, and its outer annular wall is provided with multiple equally distanced fitting indents. The clutch assembly, external to the deceleration mechanism, has clutch levers shifted in longitudinal motion, where the clutch levers are used either to immobilize in the fitting indents of the second internal gear ring of the deceleration mechanism or to release from their immobilized state, enabling the power to transmit or pause to the steel rope sheave of the winch, to accomplish the clutch function.

Abstract: A winch including a drum, a motor and a power transmission device. The power transmission device includes a casing and a planetary mechanism assembly having first and second planetary carriers rotatably disposed in the casing; first to third planetary gears rotatably supported on the first and second planetary carriers and engaged with the transmission gear; an annular gear fixed in the casing and engaged with the first to third planetary gears respectively; and a power output member having an input gear portion and an output gear portion, the input gear portion engages with the first to third planetary gears respectively, and the output gear portion engages with the inner drum gear portion of the drum. The winch achieves deceleration function with large speed ratio by a single stage planetary mechanism.

Abstract: A winch assembly includes a housing member, a drum rotatably coupled to the housing member, a drive shaft extending through the drum and into the housing member, a gear train located within the housing member and driven by the shaft, a coupling member axially fixed to the shaft, and a clutch assembly including a clutch knob. The shaft is fixed for rotation with and axially displaceable relative to a drive input. The clutch knob is rotatably coupled to the housing member and includes an axially extending ramped surface that axially displaces the shaft in first and second axial directions upon rotation of the clutch knob in first and second rotary directions. Rotation in the first rotary direction rotationally couples the drum to the gear train through engagement with the coupling member and rotation in the second rotary direction disengages the drum from rotational engagement with the gear train.

Abstract: A cable drawworks for a drilling rig has an electric motor and a primary drive transmission which connects the motor to a drum shaft that passes through the hub of a cable drum. The drum shaft is rotatably mounted on the drawworks frame whereas the cable drum is rotatably mounted on the drum shaft. The drum shaft connects to a secondary drive transmission that connects the drum shaft to the cable drum. The secondary drive transmission has a planetary gear transmission set. Each end of the cable drum has a brake drum and a brake band wrapped around thereon. A brake actuating system is used to selectively tighten the bands and includes an equalization linkage system resulting in equal braking forces being applied to each brake drum. The simplified cable drawworks system is compact enough to be mounted on the drilling rig floor and eliminates the need for liquid cooling of the braking mechanism.

Abstract: A drive system for regulating devices in motor vehicles comprising a housing containing a drive element of the regulating device, a disk armature motor provided with an armature disk, and a planet wheel transmission. The planet wheel transmission comprises an internal geared wheel fixed to the housing and provided with an internal gear, an output internal geared wheel connected to the drive element of the regulating device and provided with an internal gear, and a radially flexible ring, the external gear thereof partially meshing with the inner gears of the internal geared wheel fixed to the housing and of the output internal geared wheel, and the inner envelope surface thereof rolling on rollers arranged on a drive hub connected to the armature disk. A journal pertaining to the output internal geared wheel is centred between the fixed drive axle and a cylinder of the drive hub.

Abstract: An adjustable speed winch includes a winch housing, a winch drum rotatably connected to the winch housing, a winch motor, a drive shaft, motor shaft coupling means, direct drive means, first gear reduction means and selection means. The motor includes a motor shaft rotating at a first speed. The motor shaft is coupled to the drive shaft by way of the motor shaft coupling means so that the drive shaft rotates at a second speed. In some embodiments, the second speed is the same as the first speed, while in some embodiments the second speed is less than the first speed. The direct drive means couple the winch drum to the drive shaft so that the winch drum also rotates at the second speed when the direct drive means is engaged. The first gear reduction means couple the winch drum to the drive shaft so that the drum rotates at a third speed that is less than the second speed when the first gear reduction means is engaged.

Abstract: By modern gears for electric/hydraulic and manually driven sheet winches, demands are made on the presence of a free-wheeling mechanism (24) in case that the drive unit fails, and it is also desirable that the gear takes up as little space as possible, irrespectively whether it is placed on deck or below on a boat. Thus there is indicated a gear of the kind indicated which is peculiar in that the planet carrier (22) is suspended on roller/ball bearings disposed farther away from the center axis (12) of the planet carrier than the free-wheeling mechanism (24). This design enables reducing installation dimensions for the gear, as the normally used central shaft may be omitted and the space can be utilised for placing the free-wheeling mechanism (24).

Abstract: A lock/release mechanism for the crank handle of a winch consists of a set of one or more pins that are captured within the drive head of the handle. Within the drive head is an actuation rod, which acts on these pins. Depending on the position of the rod, the pins are either moved or pushed outward (lock position), or retracted into the drive head (unlock position). The actuation rod is moved by means of a lever that enables removal of the crank handle with one hand.

Abstract: A cable winch structure for vehicles is disclosed. The cable winch includes a rolling cylinder connected to a speed-reducing device at one lateral side, and having a motor connected to one end of the roller cylinder so that the speed reducing motor transmits the power of the motor to the roller cylinder facilitating traction of the cable and the speed-reducing device.

Abstract: A tension applying device including a housing in which are mounted a primary shaft, a main shaft, a pinion shaft, and a load-member sheave shaft. A ratchet handle is associated with the primary shaft for imparting rotation thereto when pumped by a user. Rotation of the primary shaft causes rotation of the main shaft which, in turn, is imparted to the pinion shaft and to a load-member sheave mounted on the load-chain sheave shaft. Rotation of the load-member sheave then applies tension to the load member which, in turn, is connected to a desired application. The tension applying device further includes a plurality of drive mechanisms for achieving different mechanical advantages between the ratchet handle and the load-member sheave, thereby allowing a desired input force to attain a desired output force. Further, the load on the tension member may be used for automatically switching between the plurality of drive mechanisms and for a load limit lock-up.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hoist apparatus including at least one of a three-part double reeved bottom block that has the same height profile as a two-part bottom block and the same lifting capacity as a three-part bottom block that includes an integral equalizer sheave nest, a device for limiting the rotation of a hoist drum beyond a desired position, a hybrid gear box adapted for use on two different categories and/or types of hoist apparatuses through the use of an adapter plate that permits coupling of the gearbox to the hoist drum of the hoist apparatus in a plurality of configurations and an external ring gear that results in a second output torque and speed of the gearbox, a self-lubricating load braking assembly having lubrication inlet holes and lubrication outlet holes for pumping lubrication into and out of the load brake assembly, a gearbox for use on the hoist apparatus including a two-stage high gear ratio gear set and a load brake assembly, a controller configured to acquire operational data re

Abstract: Apparatus for the selective engagement and disengagement of a ring gear of a gear set in which an actuator can be displaced between a first position engaging the ring gear and a second position disengaged from the ring gear selectively by a manually operable mechanical arrangement or a fluid pressure arrangement without altering or adding to the housing or control device of the gear set. The mechanical arrangement and the fluid pressure arrangements are integrated so that the operation of the actuator can be selectively achieved either by the mechanical or fluid arrangement.

Abstract: The invention concerns a load balancing device consisting of a planetary or trochoidal mechanical differential speed reducer, arranged on a winch comprising two drums and enabling to balance the torque exerted on the drums. Thus, if a cable is improperly wound on one of th drums, the balancing device enables the tensile load exerted on each wire to remain identical. Such a device is particularly efficient to ensure security for a working platform operating on a building facade.

Abstract: Disadvantages of the floating body of a SOI MOSFET are addressed by providing a pocket halo implant of indium beneath the gate and in the channel region of the semiconductor SOI layer of the MOSFET. Also provided is the method for fabricating the device.

Abstract: An improved structure of a cable winch used in vehicle is disclosed. The present cable winch provides the user to turn the control button to position a protruded peg at the top edge of the through hole of the gear box, and the control button will pull the transmission shaft and the moving gear thereon and the worm-like spring, thereby the moving gear disengages from the teeth portion of the rolling cylinder and the rolling cylinder is unloaded and rotates freely, and the cable of the winch can be rapidly and conveniently pulled out.

Abstract: A winch comprises a drum rotatably mounted on a housing for winding a cable thereupon. A motor is attached to the housing, the motor supplying torque through a motor shaft. A special stage of planetary gears is mounted to the housing for transmitting torque between the motor shaft and the drum. The special stage of planetary gears includes a sun gear for receiving torque, a carrier/clutch unit and an annular ring gear encircling the carrier/clutch unit. The carrier/clutch unit includes a frame rotatably mounted to the housing and having walls defining a cavity therein, at least one circumferentially-spaced planet gear rotatably mounted on the frame for simultaneously engaging the sun gear and the ring gear, a selectively engagable clutch mounted within the cavity of the frame, and an output member which, when the clutch is engaged, can receive useful torque from the frame and, when the clutch is disengaged, cannot receive useful torque from the frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a convertible winch (A), comprising a basic body (1), motion transmission and reduction means (5; 5′, 5″), for the manual and powered operation, with a mono-direction rotation, and manual or powered operation according to at least two directions, with different rotation speed, and a central hole (4) for the insertion of manual operation means, said motion transmission and reduction means (5; 5′, 5″) providing at least a central gear (5′), a lower gear (5″), and a slidable side gear (21), coupling, by pawls (19, 20), with said central gear (5′) or with said lower gear (5″), determining the rotation according to different speed in function of the rotation direction of the manual or powered operation means, said winch (A) further providing, inside said body (1), means (18) interacting with said slidable gear (21), on which a operable button (14) removably acts, inside said insertion central hole (4) of the manual operation means (18

Abstract: A winch constructed with a fairlead frame providing a mounting base for the winch and providing a rotational support for a cable drum. Loads exerted on a cable and through the fairlead rollers and cable drum are transferred to the unitary fairlead frame members, and thus to the base to which the winch is mounted.

Abstract: Drums each having an independent drive source is installed on a trolley and each of the drums has a lifting rope which is wound around it and has an unwound end locked on a suspension piece, which will suppress any need to design the lifting rope in longer length and the drums in larger size. Sun gears, carriers and planetary gears disposed in each of the drums as well as internal teeth in each of the drums so as to be integrally rotated with the drum constitute a speed reducing mechanism for transmitting rotation of a drive source to each of the drums, will enable the entire hoist to be compact in size. Unwound length of the lifting rope from each drum is adjusted to control posture of the suspension piece and load in adequate state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive for adjustment devices in motor vehicles, especially for a window lift. Said drive comprises a motor and a toothed gearing coupled with said motor, said toothed gearing being mounted in an at least two-piece housing and being driven by an internal gear. According to the invention on at least one housing part and bears the drive element.

Abstract: A winch comprises a drum rotatably mounted on a housing for winding a cable thereupon. A motor is attached to the housing, the motor supplying torque through a motor shaft. A special stage of planetary gears is mounted to the housing for transmitting torque between the motor shaft and the drum. The special stage of planetary gears includes a sun gear for receiving torque, a carrier/clutch unit and an annular ring gear encircling the carrier/clutch unit. The carrier/clutch unit includes a frame rotatably mounted to the housing and having walls defining a cavity therein, at least one circumferentially-spaced planet gear rotatably mounted on the frame for simultaneously engaging the sun gear and the ring gear, a selectively engagable clutch mounted within the cavity of the frame, and an output member which, when the clutch is engaged, can receive useful torque from the frame and, when the clutch is disengaged, cannot receive useful torque from the frame.

Abstract: A utility winch having a single planet gear assembly that commonly engages adjacent ring gears, one ring gear fixed and the other rotatable. The planet gears of the planet assembly have inner and outer portions that rotate together and have different diameters and different numbers of teeth, one ring gear engaged with an inner portion and a second ring gear engaged with an outer portion of the planet gears. Said ring gears matched to the respective planet gear portions and having different numbers of teeth and different diameters as required to achieve involute engagement of the ring gears and planet gears whereby the rotatable gear is caused to rotate at a substantially reduced rate of rotation. Said rotatable ring gear is fixed to the winch reel for reduced rotation of the reel.

Abstract: In a hoisting/pulling device comprising a pinion gear 4, reduction gears 5a which are meshed with the pinion gear 4 and are rotatably mounted in a frame 1, and a load sheave which is interlocked with reduction gears 5b and is rotatably mounted in a frame 1, reduction gear bearings 8 are contiguously formed with a load sheave bearing 7 which is formed in the center of the frame 1. By making the distance between the axes of the reduction gears small and by forming the load gear and the load sheave integrally, it becomes possible to provide the hoisting/pulling device which can make the whole device compact and lightweight and can reduce the number of parts and man hours for machining the device.

Abstract: An improved structure of a cable winch used in vehicle is disclosed. The present cable winch provides the user to turn the control button to position a protruded peg at the top edge of the through hole of the gear box, and the control button will pull the transmission shaft and the moving gear thereon and the worm-like spring, thereby the moving gear disengages from the teeth portion of the rolling cylinder and the rolling cylinder is unloaded and rotates freely, and the cable of the winch can be rapidly and conveniently pulled out.

Abstract: A utility winch having a single planet gear assembly that commonly engages adjacent ring gears, one ring gear fixed and the other rotatable. The planet gears of the planet assembly have inner and outer portions that rotate together and have different diameters and different numbers of teeth, one ring gear engaged with an inner portion and a second ring gear engaged with an outer portion of the planet gears. Said ring gears matched to the respective planet gear portions and having different numbers of teeth and different diameters as required to achieve involute engagement of the ring gears and planet gears whereby the rotatable gear is caused to rotate at a substantially reduced rate of rotation. Said rotatable ring gear is fixed to the winch reel for reduced rotation of the reel.

Abstract: A pneumatic motor is provided with twin cylinders each with a piston installed therein slidably, disposed horizontally adjacent in a direction parallel to axis of a motor shaft interposed between the twin cylinders and arranged in a direction intersecting with the twin cylinders at a right angle. An association system couples the motor shaft to each piston and is arranged so as to convert a linear movement of each piston into a rotational movement and transmit the rotational movement to the motor shaft. The twin cylinders, the motor shaft and the association system are disposed integrally in a casing. The association system has each of a first eccentric shaft and a second eccentric shaft, which in turn are disposed projecting from the motor shaft in opposite directions at a phase angle of 90 and coupled with a first eccentric pin and a second eccentric pin in an eccentric state, which in turn are coupled in association with the respective pistons.

Abstract: In a drum winding unit, a cylindrical drum winding a wire is supported by paired supports fixed to a base structure so the drum freely rotates about a central axis of the drum. A drive unit for rotating the drum is disposed inside the drum. The drive unit is insertable into and extractable from the drum while keeping the drum and the supports in their operating positions.

Abstract: In a hoisting winch, a winding drum is arranged in an outer peripheral portion of a motor portion, a braking unit and an encoder are arranged on one end side of a rotor axis of the motor portion, an internal gear is fitted to an inner diameter area of the winding drum, a reduction mechanism in which planet gears are arranged between a sun gear and the internal gear is provided, the reduction mechanism, the braking unit, and the encoder are arranged in a coaxial fashion, and a wire rope fitting groove is provided on the winding drum on the braking unit side.

Abstract: A winch having one orbital gear or one set of orbital gears to transmit drive from a drive shaft to a drum in which the orbital gear or a gear of the set of orbital gears transmits drive to the drum at different drive ratios from the drive shaft in accordance with the direction of rotation of the drive shaft. The orbital gear or set of orbital gears is/are double gears engaged with a stationary gear ring and a drivable gear ring. Transmission of drive is either from a carrier of the gear(s) or from the drivable gear ring depending on the direction of rotation of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A single mechanism mounted at the head of a winch has a double-selector function, allowing either 1st or 2nd ratio of drive to a drum to be selected upon initial rotation of the drive shaft. The mechanism is mounted coaxially with the drum and shaft and has coaxial inner and outer control buttons. Its body can be mounted on the end of the drive shaft from above.

Abstract: A winch has a final epicyclic reduction drive to its drum. The planetary gearing of the drive is borne in a web of the drum. Input to the final drive is via a ring driven either directly from a drive shaft or via reduction drive trains spaced axially from the final drive in the base of the drum. The drum may be of carbon-fibre material.

Abstract: The features of a known auto shifting three speed winch having a drive shaft and rotatable drum are used to provide first, third and fourth gears upon reversal of rotation of the drive shaft. The third and fourth gears use common gearing and the final gear meshed with the drum. A separate drive train is provided for second gear and includes planetary gears having carriers secured to the drum and operating between a sun gear on the shaft and an outer ring gear. Second gear is selected by means of pawls brought into engagement with a ratchet track on the ring gear, with the pawls being connected to torsion springs controlled manually by a lever arrangement. When second gear is engaged, the winch can shift between only second and third, with fourth being overridden.

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 new and useful winch comprising a cable drum; a motor operatively connected to drive a cable drum; a fall arrestor operatively connected to a cable drum and having no power input requirement and a gear reduction group through which a motor and fall arrestor are operatively connected to a cable drum.

Abstract: A multi-speed winch is attached to a motor vehicle and is hydraulically powered by the vehicle's power steering system or other hydraulic source innate to the host vehicle. The winch operates in either a low-speed, high-torque mode for moving heavy loads, a high-speed, low-torque mode for quickly releasing or retrieving cable, a free-spooling mode for manually releasing cable, and a brake mode for holding the cable and load at a fixed position. The high-speed mode is enabled by coupling the drive shaft directly to the winch drum. The low-speed mode is enabled by coupling the drive shaft to the winch drum through a planetary gear assembly. In an alternate embodiment, high-speed mode is enabled by coupling the drive shaft to the winch drum through one of two planetary gear assemblies. Free-spooling mode is achieved by disengaging the drive shaft from the winch drum, and brake mode is achieved by engaging both the direct drive coupling and the sun and planet gear arrangement.

Abstract: A hydraulic winch assembly is attached to a motor vehicle and hydraulically powered by the vehicle's power steering system. A four-way, dual solenoid-operated valve controls the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid. During normal driving operations while the winch is not in use, hydraulic fluid flows through the valve with no diversion of fluid away from the power steering system. With either of the solenoid coils energized, the valve diverts hydraulic fluid to the winch motor for operation of the winch. Return hydraulic flow from the winch motor maintains sufficiently high pressure to enable the power steering system to function safely during operation of the winch. In this manner, the winch is fail-safe because power steering system operation will not be adversely affected in the event of an inadvertent activation of the winch. Hydraulic fluid is continuously cooled by a cooler, even when the winch is not in operation.

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 power operated drive shaft and brake assembly are coaxially mounted for rotation inside a cable drum which is coupled to the drive shaft through gearing. The brake assembly has an adapter housing and one-way clutch for drivingly connecting the drive shaft and adapter housing during a "cable out" operation. A plurality of brake pads are mounted for movement relative to the brake adapter housing. The brake pads are angularly offset in a non-radial orientation to negate undesired brake drag caused by centrifugal forces while the pads are spring loaded to provide a predetermined braking force to hold a load in place after completion of a winching operation.

Abstract: A power handle for rotating the capstan of a manual winch about its axis is disclosed. The handle includes a housing, a motor, a star stub for removably securing the handle to the capstan and rotating the capstan relative to the housing, a gear reduction unit for connecting the motor with the star stub and a handle for manually securing the housing to prevent rotation of the housing relative to the axis of the capstan.

Abstract: A backwind feature is provided on a line-receiving winch and is particularly suitable for use on high capacity sailboat winches. The winch includes a main drive train to drive the drum of the winch in a winding direction and to prevent rotation in the opposite direction. A planetary gear assembly is provided on the output shaft of the winch, which permits independent rotation of the drum by a separate worm drive, without the need to disconnect any portion of the main drive.

Abstract: A gear transmission for a lifting machine has at least a one step cylindrical gear transmission rotatably carried at least partly inside a rope drum. The cylindrical gear transmission and a planetary gear transmission are coupled to constitute a combined gear transmission at least partly located inside a cylindrical shell, with the combined transmission being located within the rope drum.

Abstract: To improve the smoothness in running in a lifting equipment drive having an engine, one brake and one multi-stage planetary transmission, the input planetary gear set is helical cut and the second planetary gear set is straight cut. In addition, the input shaft is divided between the sun gear of the input planetary gear set and the brake by a clutch with a longitudinal balance, and the input shaft portion on the side of the sun gear is supported over a fixed ball bearing in the planet carrier of the second planetary gear set. By disconnecting the planetary transmission from the brake and the drive stimulations to vibrations are avoided.

Abstract: An electric hoist which includes a drum mounted in a carrying frame, and an electric motor mounted on one end face of the carrying frame, and connected kinematically to a planetary reduction gear, whose housing is disposed totally inside the drum. The housing is connected to the drum by a gear diaphragm and a gear ring. The carrying frame is connected by a connecting shaft and spline joints to the output shaft of a stem, and the gear ring is shaped as an integral part of the drum.

Abstract: The invention involves a hoist for raising and lower loads. The hoist includes a drive motor, gearing, a load brake and a cable-winding drum. The drum has an end with a splined annular member slidably engaging a similar splined annular member of a drum-concentric friction plate. The friction plate directly drives the drum during load raising and directly brakes the drum during load lowering. Because of the direct mechanical coupling between the drum and the friction plate, a failure in the gearing does not impair the ability of the friction plate to brake the load. Further details of the invention are set forth in the specification.

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 constant tension hoisting system is provided for raising and lowering an object between a platform and a surface undergoing vertical motion relative to the platform, such as raising and lowering a lifeboat from a seagoing vessel to the sea in rough weather. The system operates in a normal hoisting mode to raise or lower the object, and in a constant tension mode when the object is supported on the surface. The system is changed from the normal hoisting mode to the constant tension mode at the moment when the object being lowered is first supported by the surface, and a slack condition exists in the cable. The changeover from the normal hoisting mode to the constant tension mode, is performed by a solenoid-operated mode selector responsive to a proximity switch operated by a lever arm engaging the cable. The hoisting system is operated by a single, manually-actuated control lever, which mechanically activates the proximity-type control switches.

Abstract: A power sailboat winch mechanism for the high speed gathering of running rigging line under initial low tension with final slow speed gathering of the same line under final high tension combined with line storage is disclosed. The winch mechanism includes two drums handling the line in series, these drums constituting a winding drum and a high torque drum. The winding drum is provided threaded to the bitter end of the line with a level wind for even distribution of the line along the drum. This winding drum provides initial rapid line take-up, tailing force to a high torque winch drum and line storage for the requisite amount of line used in the particular running rigging handled by the winch. A conventional high torque winch drum is provided between the winding drum and line load. This high torque winch is provided with surfaces to induce line climbing of the drum by conventional crowd climbing over the drum surface.