Abstract: A hoisting means comprises a rotary member for winding on or interlockingly guiding weight suspension means like a cable, a chain or similar means, drive means for the rotary member, first brake means for indirectly inducing a braking action onto the rotary member for suppressing a movement of the rotary member in the winding-off direction under influence of the load, and further comprises second brake means directly acting upon the rotary member.

Abstract: A distributor for independent plural drive inputs (14,15) to plural drive outputs (12,13), especially for sailing craft, enables permutation of drives e.g. both to one output, both to the other or independently to each. Dog clutches (34-37) are engageable with both sides of the drive input sprockets (14,15) in various combinations. They are controlled by rotational setting of a cam shaft (20) with a plurality of face cams (21-24) respectively interacting with cam-follower discs (30-33) on the dog clutches.

Abstract: A winch design for consumer applications wherein the planetary carrier assemblies are split between the two ends of the drum. The drum is mounted on heavy duty brackets and the housing elements surround the planetary carrier assemblies and also, independent of the drum, are mounted to the brackets. The housing elements are molded with the ring gear configured therein. They are produced from the same moldings. Interconnection as between the planetary carrier assemblies is through an interconnect shaft that is driven by the output shaft of the first planetary carrier assembly (coupled to the motor drive shaft) and carries the sun gear of the second planetary carrier assembly.

Abstract: A single head capstan winch comprises a capstan head which is movably arranged on a supporting frame for being guided relative to a pressing roller and is also rotatably arranged on this supporting frame and provided with a dynamically balanced surface of a shape that complements the enveloping surface of a multiplicity of windings of a cable or rope of the winch to thereby obtain a load-controlled clamping force necessary for the hauling-in of a load by means of the forward extending portion of the cable or rope the rearward extension of which runs off free of any load from the capstan head.

Abstract: A hoist includes a shaft driven by external force, a driving shaft connected to the shaft, a reduction gear train for transmitting rotation of the driving shaft to a load sheave, a mechanical brake assembly in the reduction gear train, and an overload safety device having a clutch mechanism capable of transmitting torque larger in driving said load sheave in a winding-off direction than that in a winding-up direction.

Abstract: A small, light, portable winch having a small gasoline engine, a centrifugal clutch connecting the engine through reduction gears, sprockets, and a chain to a spool having a cable which can be wound on the spool. A positive clutch can be disengaged to permit cable to be withdrawn safely from the spool while the engine is running. A brake permits cable to be controllably unwound from the spool under load. A two-legged bridle attached to the spool-supporting frame and handles on the winch facilitate smoothly spooling cable on the drum. A lever connected to a throttle control cable is conveniently located within reach from one of the handles, while the brake is controlled by a lever conveniently within reach from the other of the handles, and is adjustable.

Abstract: A light-weight portable winch which incorporates a low-horsepower motor, a speed-reducing transmission which is supported by outrigger bearings, a cable take-up drum which is disengagable from the speed-reducing transmission, and a positive lock brake which acts on the drum and which is operable, independently of the winch motor, to prevent rotation of the drum.

Abstract: The hydraulic control system of this invention uses a series of hydraulic valves for directing hydraulic fluid to energize and pressurize rapidly the various clutches of a hydraulically driven transmission, while protecting the input clutch of the pump. A restrictor check valve slows the rate at which the input clutch disengages the pump from the power takeoff, thereby ensuring that the variable displacement pump destrokes during backdriving before the input clutch disengages. A sequence valve is ordinarily used to ensure that the winch is deactivated by dumping pressure in the system and by destroking the pump when control pressure in the system drops below a predetermined level. The hydraulic controls include a single-lever, four-function control valve for selecting four modes of operation: brake-off, reverse, free-spool, and forward, and a range selector for selecting between high and low range. Three three-way valves are used to shuttle hydraulic fluid to the main drive clutches (i.e.

Abstract: A winch has a drum arranged on a rotatable shaft, a rope member connected with the drum and connectable with a load, a speed-changing transmission, a drive element arranged to drive at least one member of the transmission, and a clutch arranged to connect the shaft with the transmission to provide rotation of the drum with one speed and disconnect the shaft from the transmission to provide rotation of the drum with a different speed.

Abstract: A winch arrangement intended for the rapid shifting of aircraft or other wheeled vehicles which incorporate their own braking system and which may be under the control of an occupant during winching, is so constructed as to provide compensation for wide fluctuations in load on the winch due to a possible lack of coordination between operation of the winch drive and the control of the vehicle. The winched arrangement comprises a drive motor, a winch drum assembly coupled to the drive motor by means of a transmission incorporating a reduction gear said transmission being of relatively high inertia, so that it can run on to drive the winch drum and take up slack in the winch rope in the event of stoppage of the drive motor. The transmission preferably includes an eddy current overload coupling.

Abstract: An adapter that converts any normal chainsaw into a winching type towing machine for use by hunters who fell large game such as elk or deer, and must haul their fallen prey over rugged and remote terrain. The adapter replaces a chainsaw chain and guide bar, and bolts into the same position. The adapter comprises a drive chain and housing with a cable guide bar in the front and a tow bar in the rear. The housing contains a drive sprocket connected to a cable drum via a transmission that engages or disengages the drive train. An automatic braking system prevents the cable drum from paying out cable when under a load which may occur when the chainsaw motor is idling and a centrifugal clutch has disengaged the drive power. The adapter folds up into a compact unit capable of being transported anywhere. Additionally, the invention is not limited to use by hunters, but may be used whenever a motorized winching operation is called for.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fishing reel which has free spooling, variable drag, and lock up action controlled by an exterior lever. The lever is cammed to a draw rod, which, in turn, through a floating contact, pins journalled through the reel housing, and a thrust bearing, urges a brake disk against a brake lining fixed to the spool. The floating contact is adjustable for presetting the maximum drag and provides smooth operation even under conditions of a warped brake disk or uneven brake lining. And use of approximately a dozen pressure pins, depending on reel size, avoids pressure warpage of the thrust bearing race and consequent binding during maximum drag operation. The brake disk, floating contact, journalled pins, and thrust bearing are located in a housing opposite that containing the lever, winding handle, and a second thrust bearing for the spool and thereby permit easy access for repair.

Abstract: A guyline tensioner for communication towers is provided wherein the towers are of the type having a plurality of nested sections which are raised and lowered by a telescoping action. The device of the present invention provides a guying means so that as the tower is raised or lowered, a single operator can maintain equal tension on all of the guys at the same time.

Abstract: An apparatus for splitting logs and the like is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an elongated track having an upstanding splitting wedge attached thereto and a ram slidingly mounted thereon. The ram includes an upstanding abutment plate and an upstanding drive plate which is spaced from the abutment plate on the opposite side thereof from the wedge. A cable-wound-drum electrical power unit which is operable with advance, hold and release modes is mounted at an intermediate point on the track between the drive and abutment plates with the cable of the power unit extending from the drum to the drive plate. Upon implementation of the advance mode of the power unit, the cable is wound onto the drum to pull the drive plate towards the power unit and thereby advance the abutment plate towards the wedge.

Abstract: The invention relates to electrical drive apparatus for a vertically displaceable blackboard. In order to obtain synchronous operation of such drive apparatus either one motor, one shaft, or two motors connected by means of an electrical shaft were employed. The apparatus according to the invention operates with an electric motor which is combined with a worm drive, a drive sheave, and a slip coupling to a unit which is mounted at the top inside the guide beams of the blackboard, with the motor arranged vertically and having a hollow shaft through which the drive cable is guided. One such drive apparatus is mounted in each guide beam at its top, with simultaneous switching on and switching off without an electrical shaft.

Abstract: Anchor winch equipment, for a motor boat, a yacht or a small-sized fishing boat, which ensures easy and simple paying out and hauling in of an anchor and whose power is supplied from a battery or a generator provided in said boat or yacht, is characterized in that when a drive motor built in a drum rotates in the winding direction, a changeover ratchet wheel having a drive pawl at one end transmits rotation to a drum and a feed cam shaft by means of a roller clutch fitted by a screw provided at the outer periphery of main shaft linked with motor shaft, causing the anchor rope to be wound in the same time when said drum begins to rotates, and a feed cam shaft simultaneously rotate to cause said anchor rope to be gradually wound along the surface of said drum, and that in the case of reverse of direction, said changeover ratchet wheel is immediately disengaged by means of said pawl and only said roller clutch moves together with said main shaft, both said drum and said feed cam shaft being disengages from said

Abstract: A water-ski towline winch assembly comprises a support member adapted to be mounted on a boat and an annular drum rotatably mounted on the support member. A handle is rotatably mounted on the support member to rotate the drum to selectively reel-in or reel-out the towline, via a stepped-down gear set. A plurality of slots are formed in the drum whereby floats secured on the towline may be positioned exteriorly of the drum in non-interfering relationship with the towline which is wrapped on the drum. A release mechanism is provided for permitting the gear set to free-wheel to troll out the towline. Two embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein with one of the embodiments (FIGS. 7-11) including a mounting bracket for vertical or horizontal securance to the hull of the boat and a support bracket attachable to the mounting bracket and having the winch assembly proper mounted thereon.

Abstract: A variable speed winch including a uni-directional drum rotatable initially by the clockwise motion of a handle in a clockwise sense only. The winch also includes a gear selector including a control plate rotatable with respect to the drum into an extreme clockwise position wherein a first gear ratio is selected. The gear selector further includes ratchet structure, splined to a shaft rotatable by the handle. The ratchet structure is slidable axially with respect to the shaft under the influence of a cam structure responsive to the relative angular displacements of the handle with respect to the control plate. The control plate has recesses engageable by respective spring-loaded balls captively supported by the ratchet structure. The balls are adapted to enter and lock within the recesses in response to an anti-clockwise rotation of the handle sufficient to cause axial sliding of the ratchet structure, with respect to the shaft, under the influence of the cam structure.