Abstract: Auto-engaging winch clutches, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative winch can include a frame, a cable drum, a drive motor supported by the frame, a gear train, and an auto-engaging clutch mechanism. The gear train can include a ring gear and a gear set engaged with the ring gear, the drive motor, and the drum. The auto-engaging clutch mechanism can include a locking element movable from a disengaged position to an engaged position, wherein in the engaged position the ring gear is grounded to the frame, and the gear set is coupled to transfer torque between the drive motor and the cable drum. An engagement mechanism can be coupled between the locking element and the drive motor to automatically move the locking element from the disengaged position to the engaged position and to automatically decouple the locking element from the drive motor when the motor is rotated.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a winch comprising a transmission shaft disposed in a longitudinal direction, a motor in drivable connection with the transmission shaft, a three-stage center wheel rotatably mounted on the transmission shaft, an upper planetary wheel frame mounted on the three-stage center wheel, a lower planetary wheel right frame mounted on the outer side of the three-stage center wheel, a convex extending from an end of the upper planetary wheel frame, a connecting ring mounted on the three-stage center wheel which is longitudinally movable relative to the convex, and a position control mechanism to control longitudinal movement of the transmission shaft, wherein the three-stage center wheel is in contact with one end of the connecting ring, and a spring is disposed between the other end of the connecting ring and the upper planetary wheel frame.

Abstract: A reduction device (18) includes a fixed-side housing (19) accommodating a hydraulic motor (12) having an output shaft (16) and a rotating-side housing (21) rotated with respect to the fixed-side housing (19), and a first-stage planetary gear reduction mechanism (24) having a first sun gear (28) and a second-stage planetary gear reduction mechanism (32) having a second sun gear (33) are provided in the rotating-side housing (21). The first-stage planetary gear reduction mechanism (24) has a rotational shaft (25) having one side in an axial direction spline-connected with the output shaft (16), while the first sun gear (28) is provided on the other side in the axial direction of the rotational shaft (25). A small-diameter shaft (27B) is provided on the rotational shaft (25), and first and second half bushes (40, 41) are fitted with the small-diameter shaft (27B) from a radial direction.

Abstract: A power winch horizontal-pull clutch device provides dynamic forces from a power source and uses a deceleration device to retard the force transmission to a cable pulley for releasing and rewinding a steel cable on the cable pulley. A connecting slot is formed on a casing of the deceleration device. The deceleration device includes an outer ring body and at least one insert slot formed on an external surface. The power winch includes a clutch device for selectively fixing the connecting slot to the insert slot to transmit the dynamic force from the deceleration device to the cable pulley. The clutch device is a sealed assembly and a control handle is provided for making a horizontal movement to achieve the clutching effect and prevent water, dust or other foreign matters from entering into the clutch device, damaging components, causing failure or malfunction, or clamping an operator's hand or foreign matters.

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 an actuation mechanism. The gear train includes a sun gear driven by the drive shaft, a ring gear, and a planetary gear assembly driven by the sun gear and including a planetary gear rotatably coupled to a carrier plate and engaged with the ring gear. The actuation mechanism includes a locking member displaceable between first and second positions and a biasing member having a radially extending arm engaged with the locking member to provide displacement between the first and second positions. The locking member rotationally fixes the ring gear relative to the housing member in the first position and allows relative rotation between the ring gear and the housing member in the second position.

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: Method and apparatus for elevated storage of articles including application of a spring clutch winch to provide the required lifting and holding forces. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus includes a spring clutch winch, one or more elongate elements payed out from and, alternatively, wound onto the winch, at least one rotational support supporting each elongate element and a hanger secured to an elongate element end. The article to be stored can be raised by winding each elongate element onto the spring clutch winch and can be lowered by unwinding the line from the spring clutch winch. Use of a spring clutch winch for this storage application provides a highly effective yet simple and cost effective manner of raising and lowering the article and securely holding the article in an elevated position.

Abstract: An automatic three-speed winch comprising a base plate (1), a bollard (2) mounted for rotation relative to said base plate and carrying teeth (7) on its inner surface, arranged to cooperate through intermediate gears, with at least one driving gear (5, 6) around a central shaft (14) of the winch. An element (21, 22) is provided, which is mounted for rotation between a first and a second position about the central shaft (4) of the winch, which element carries three shafts (12, 14, 20), with a pair of gears (8, 11; 18, 19; 10, 13) being mounted for rotation about each shaft. The transition between the three different speeds takes place fully automatically by just changing the direction of rotation of the driving gear, without requiring any further operation on the winch.

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: An electric hoist includes an electric motor, a driving shaft connected to a rotor shaft of said electric motor, a reduction gear train for transmitting rotation of the driving shaft to a load sheave, and a mechanical brake assembly in the reduction gear train. According to the invention between the driving shaft and the rotor shaft of the motor is arranged an overload safety device comprising a support member fixed to the rotor shaft, a retainer member fitted onto the driving shaft, and a disc arranged between the support and retainer members through friction plates and having a one-way clutch. The one friction plate between the retainer plate and the disc has larger friction transmission force than that of the other friction plate between the support member and the disc.

Abstract: A draw works comprises a drum shaft which is supported off a base at spaced locations by four bearings. Each of the locations is adjacent a support side plate connected to support members of the base. The support members extend transversely to the drum shaft. Two of the support side plates are located on one side of a drum associated with the drum shaft, and two other support side plates are associated with the drum shaft on the other side of the drum. Disposed between the first two support side plates on one side of the drum is a mechanism for receiving a first power input, and disposed between the second two support side plates is another mechanism for receiving a second power input. Transmission mechanisms for coupling the power inputs to the drum shaft are also disclosed.

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: One or more freefall systems for a crane or the like is disclosed, which system includes a protective circuit that includes three separate switches that must be closed before the winch can be placed in its freefall mode. A mode switch in the cab must first be closed, a brake pedal must be depressed to close a second switch, and a third switch must be held closed by the operator during freefall.

Abstract: A grooved winch drum is driven by a reversible hydraulic motor. A pump supplies fluid to the motor through a system using an electrically controlled four-way, flow direction valve associated with a counterbalance valve and a manually adjustable flow control valve. The four-way valve controls the direction of drum rotation and the flow control valve regulates the drum rotational speed. The motor drives the drum through a planetary gearing which includes a ring gear normally held from rotation by a friction clutch band, spring biased into engaged position but releasable by the application of hydraulic pressure from a separate pump supplied through a second system that includes a second flow control valve. The flow control valves for the motor and clutch are each associated with a cam operator mounted on a shaft rotated by a lever which also carries a three position electrical switch to control the four-way valve.