Abstract: According to some embodiments, a winch tightening apparatus comprises a mounting plate; a first moment arm coupled to the mounting plate and configured to provide leverage for rotating the mounting plate; and a pawl comprising a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally coupled to the mounting plate such that the second end pivots to engage a ratchet gear when the mounting plate is rotated in a first direction and pivots to disengage the ratchet gear when the mounting plate is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction. Some embodiments include a second moment arm coupled to the mounting plate and configured to provide leverage for rotating the mounting plate. Some embodiments include a counterweight coupled to the mounting plate and positioned to rotate the mounting plate in the second direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a free fall winch comprising a drum, which can be rotationally driven by a winch drive, wherein a free fall brake is provided for braking the drum in free fall operation. According to the invention, a torque acting on the free fall winch, which depends on the free fall braking torque, is detected by means of a detection device, and a brake actuation force with which the free fall brake is actuated is controlled or adjusted by a control device according to the detected torque.

Abstract: An anchor winch system includes a support arm, an end effector, a guide channel, a winch, a cable and an anchor. The anchor winch system enables a user to deploy an anchor that is stored within the C or Z channels of a pontoon or tritoon boat. The support arm is mounted along the C or Z channel and the end effector is mounted onto an end of the support arm. The end effector is a holding apparatus that retains the anchor in a stowed position when not deployed. The guide channel traverses through the support arm, and the cable is threaded through the guide channel. The winch is tethered to one end of the cable and the anchor is tethered to the opposite end. Thus, the winch is able to deploy or retract the anchor by paying out or reeling in the cable.

Abstract: A drum hoist including a movable drum which is arranged on a main shaft with a coupling apparatus for the releasable connection of the movable drum and the main shaft, a drum wheel which is connected fixedly to the movable drum so as to rotate with it and a coupler wheel which can be displaced axially in an engagement direction and a disengagement direction with respect to the main shaft. In order to effectively prevent undesired disengagement of a coupler wheel of the coupling apparatus without mounting additional elements, coupling elements are arranged between the drum wheel and the coupler wheel which can be engaged and disengaged, which coupling elements can be brought into and out of engagement by a rotation of the engaged coupler wheel with respect to the drum wheel by the amount of the tooth flank play between the toothing systems of the two wheels.

Abstract: A chain hoist having an electric drive motor connected to a gearbox by a slip clutch, wherein the slip clutch comprises an enlarged outer surface area in the form of recesses disposed in the outer surface of the slip clutch for improving heat dissipation with the recesses being implemented circumferentially in the form of a thread pitch in the outer surface of the slip clutch.

Abstract: A clutchable winch contains a shaft member including: a tube used to fix a belt; a fitting piece including a central hole mounted thereon; a column fixed on the central hole; a sleeve coupled with the fitting piece, including a groove arranged on one end thereof and a connecting end secured on another end thereof, the connecting end including plural apertures disposed thereon; a positioning disc fixed on a bottom end of the groove, including plural first inclined teeth arranged therearound, the first inclined teeth being spaced apart evenly from each other and each having a vertical side; an annular actuating plate fitted on the column, including a hexagonal pore arranged on a central portion thereof and plural second inclined teeth disposed on one end surface thereof, wherein each second tooth includes a vertical fringe; a compression spring defined between the actuating plate and the fitting piece of the tube.

Abstract: An adjustable tourniquet includes a first component, a second component, a third component and a band. Two ends of the first component respectively have an axle for fixing the band and a buckling trough with an engaging element, wherein two ends of the axle respectively have a ratchet. The first and second components respectively have a rejecting element and a driving element to stop the ratchet. The axle is clamped by an axial cover, and two ends of the axle are respectively connected with a connecting axle for penetrating the second component. Furthermore, the ratchet includes an inner and an outer ratchet surfaces respectively for butting the rejecting element and the driving element, and the teeth of the inner and outer ratchet surfaces are respectively bent toward the same direction and the arrangement of the inner and outer ratchet surfaces are perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: A power or manually operated winch mechanism for handling the running rigging lines of a sailing yacht. The winch includes a winding drum, operating in conjunction with a level wind mechanism. A special, manually operated line release clutch allows controlled release of line independently of the power or manual drive mechanisms of the winch, providing for quick release under emergency conditions as well as for a convenient, manually controlled release for sail control purposes. During line release by power or manual rotation of the winding drum, the line is tensioned by the level wind mechanism and thus positively drawn from the unwinding winch drum The arrangement enables lines to be automatically released from one winch and retrieved on a second winch, under a common control, as when tacking or resetting sails, without any physical line handling by crew members, with resulting improvement in the safety and convenience of the crew.

Abstract: The present invention is a transmission used with a winch drum. The transmission includes a drive shaft, an output shaft, a hydraulic or pneumatic system, a cooling system, a gear coaxially mounted on the output shaft, and an electric motor for powering the gear. The drive shaft is adapted to drive the winch drum and includes a clutch disc extending generally radially outwards from the drive shaft. The clutch disc has a face. The output shaft coaxially surrounds at least a portion of the drive shaft and includes a friction surface extending generally radially inward. The friction surface has a face opposing the face of the clutch disc. The hydraulic or pneumatic system is adapted to bring the faces into contact, and the cooling system is adapted to remove heat from the friction surface via a fluid coolant.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism (75) for use with a machine to disengage the machine until normal operation thereof is commenced. The clutch mechanism (75) includes a clutch engaging member (130) movable into engagement with a notch (77) of the ring gear (76) of a planetary gear stage (70) to engage the clutch, and movable out of engagement with the ring gear (76) to disengage the clutch mechanism (75). The clutch engaging member (130) is spring biased to a position in which the clutch mechanism is engaged. A manually-operated handle (120) moves the clutch engaging member (130) via a link (128) and clutch actuator (122) from a clutch engaging position to a clutch disengaging position.

Abstract: Ship's winch including a frame which can be attached to a vessel and on which the cable drum and the motor driving the cable drum are provided. Adjacent to the cable drum, a slipping clutch is provided and between slipping clutch and the motor, a freewheel mechanism is provided which works towards the frame. The slipping clutch is embodied not to transmit further load to the freewheel mechanism or motor, respectively, in case of a certain overload caused by tension in the towing cable. In addition, by positioning the freewheel mechanism/clutch in this manner, the motor output for pulling in a certain load under greatly varying stresses can be reduced.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to crane systems and/or hoists. One aspect includes in combination with a pair of runways in a crane system, a pair of hoist assemblies moveable on the runways, a pair of transfer rails selectively disposable transversely to the runways, the transfer rails including racks for at least a portion of one or both of the hoist assemblies to travel on, a spreader assembly locatable between the hoist assemblies and engaging the runways and/or the hoist assemblies to push the runways or hoist assemblies apart during insertion of the transfer rails between the runways.

Abstract: A fast looping-up and releasing rope loop assembly includes two one-way locking devices, at least one band, and a buckle. The one-way locking device includes a body constituted by a base and a cover. The one-way locking device allows the pull rope to extend therethrough and to move with respect thereto along a single direction. By inserting the pull rope through a rope entry opening of the base of the one-way locking device and further extending the rope around a rotary disk and a rotary wheel arranged inside the locking device and extending out of the locking device, the one-way locking device that locks the movement of the rope in an opposite direction is completed. When the rope is jammed due to excessive tightening, a presser of the buckle is depressed to release the one-way locking device from the jamming condition so that efficient loop-up and release can be realized.

Abstract: Hand winch comprising a wind roll for receiving a flexible elongated member, an operation shaft engaged with the wind roll for transmitting forces therebetween, a friction brake including a gear member being in engagement with the wind roll and having a thrust position in which the gear member acts on a stationary member for generating braking forces directed oppositely to a sense of winding off the elongated member, characterized in that said gear member is movably mounted on the operation shaft such that, in case of winding off the elongated member, the gear member is displaced from a released position to said thrust position.

Abstract: A power or manually operated winch mechanism for handling the running rigging lines of a sailing yacht. The winch includes a winding drum, operating in conjunction with a level wind mechanism. A special, manually operated line release clutch allows controlled release of line independently of the power or manual drive mechanisms of the winch, providing for quick release under emergency conditions as well as for a convenient, manually controlled release for sail control purposes. During line release by power or manual rotation of the winding drum, the line is tensioned by the level wind mechanism and thus positively drawn from the unwinding winch drum The arrangement enables lines to be automatically released from one winch and retrieved on a second winch, under a common control, as when tacking or resetting sails, without any physical line handling by crew members, with resulting improvement in the safety and convenience of the crew.

Abstract: A drawworks for drilling rigs having an improved dual brake system that divides the drill line load equally between the dual brakes, a more efficient braking action is realized by the provision of radial guide rollers positioned to urge the brake bands into concentric relation respective the brake drums which maximizes contact therebetween and results in more sensitive control of weight on bit. A chain and sprocket drive line includes flingers immersed in lub oil which effectively distributes lub oil throughout the drive line.

Abstract: A drawworks for a rig is disclosed. This drawworks may be used by any appropriate type of rig, such as a drilling rig or a service/workover rig. The drawworks includes at least one drum (e.g., a main drum, a sand drum), and each such drum may incorporate a number of desirable features. For instance, the drum may include a lubricant flowpath with at least one annular section that reduces the potential for clogging. This drum may also include a drive hub that is detachably interconnected with one or more drive sprockets so as to facilitate repair/replacement. Finally, this drum may include one or more structures for reducing the potential that certain lubricant will reach the clutch, where this lubricant is propelled from one or more rotating drive sprockets and/or the associated chain.

Abstract: The present invention is a transmission used with a winch drum. The transmission includes a drive shaft, an output shaft, a hydraulic or pneumatic system, a cooling system, a gear coaxially mounted on the output shaft, and an electric motor for powering the gear. The drive shaft is adapted to drive the winch drum and includes a clutch disc extending generally radially outwards from the drive shaft. The clutch disc has a face. The output shaft coaxially surrounds at least a portion of the drive shaft and includes a friction surface extending generally radially inward. The friction surface has a face opposing the face of the clutch disc. The hydraulic or pneumatic system is adapted to bring the faces into contact, and the cooling system is adapted to remove heat from the friction surface via a fluid coolant.

Abstract: A three-phase drive motor is utilized to operate a boat lift. In one example, a drive motor arrangement for replacing manual drives on an existing boat lift winch shaft comprises a worm gear box with a worm driven by an integrally mounted motor on the worm gear box. A worm gear is mounted on a tubular cross shaft extending outwardly on opposite ends of the gear box. The bore of the cross shaft is of size to slide over an existing winch drive shaft. The tubular shaft has a drive connection that mates with the existing drive connection on the winch box shaft. As shown a disc that effects drives to a mating disc on the winch box shaft. After removing the manual ratchet and wheel on an existing winch shaft, the tubular shaft of the worm gear box can be put into place and a suitable fastener is used to hold the drive connection on the tubular shaft in engagement with the drive member on the winch shaft.

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: A lift assembly having a drum rotatably mounted to a frame and linearly translatable with respect to the frame. A plurality of head blocks are connected to the frame along a helical mounting path, wherein linear translation of the drum during takeoff or take-up maintains a predetermined fleet angle between a take off point from the drum and the head block.

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 windlass assembly includes a single-turn gypsy for engaging the line and/or chain of an anchor rode of a water craft. This has to be driven from a drive shaft, but also has to have the capacity to rotate relative to the shaft under the influence of the anchor as it is paid out. A lever is movable between positions where it engages drive to and disengages drive from the gypsy. It is biased (e.g. by a spring) towards the engaged position, but in its other position can be pressed onto the gypsy to control the friction to which the latter is subject while rotating relative to the shaft.

Abstract: A hydraulic winch in which a piston rod of a brake cylinder constituting a hydraulic winch is connected in a state capable of being moved only in a range fixedly controlled in axial and diametral directions relative to a pressure plate to control an axial movement of the piston alone when a mode is switched and not to exert an unreasonable load to the connected portion. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an overstroke of the piston of the brake cylinder and to improve the switching responsiveness when switched to the brake release state again.

Abstract: A winch device, comprising a drum for storing cable and the like, wherein the device disengageably couples the drum to a winch drum shaft driven by a high torque, low speed hydraulic motor or pump. The motor includes a housing suitable for mounting on a frame of a vehicle or other device. The principal components of the motor or pump include a crank shaft mounted in the housing for connection to a winch drum shaft. At least two cylinder and piston assemblies are attached to the crank shaft for rotation of the crank shaft upon movement of the pistons between a minimum and maximum point of travel in the cylinders to thereby impart motion to the crank shaft and, thus, the drum crank shaft. A valve assembly is driven by the crank shaft for providing hydraulic fluid to the cylinders under pressure to sequentially move each the piston between its minimum and maximum points of travel by providing hydraulic fluid under pressure on each face of the piston to move the piston in the desired direction of piston travel.

Abstract: A power option is provided for a manually-operated material lift that employs a telescoping mast system which is extended or retracted by a winch. In one embodiment a reversible electric motor is connected to the winch via two-way reduction gearing that remains in the drive train during manual operation and requires no clutches or disconnect means. In a second embodiment a crankshaft that operates the winch is provided with slide couplings that either engage the manual operating handles or release the handles and engage the motorized drive. The power option is initiated by selecting the position of a reversing switch that controls the motor, and closing an on/off switch which energizes the motor for rotation in the selected direction. When the on/off switch is open, the lift may be manually operated in the conventional manner.

Abstract: One of the hand wheel and the brake ratchet wheel is provided with a cover portion extending toward the other thereof and having a circular peripheral surface which covers the lining plate, and the other of the hand wheel and the brake ratchet wheel is provided with a circular opposite peripheral surface opposed to the circular peripheral surface, so that opposite peripheral surfaces of those circular peripheral surfaces can be arranged adjacently to each other or have a scaling member interposed therebetween. Therefore, even when dust and rainwater enter a wheel cover for a hand wheel, these dust and rainwater can be prevented from further entering a mechanical brake.

Abstract: A winch assembly is provided for use with a torque-override shaft. The winch assembly includes a winch supported on a winch shaft for rotation therewith and a winch housing defining a first chamber for the winch and including a housing wall with an opening to receive the winch shaft. In addition, the winch assembly includes a torque-override apparatus, a shell defining a second chamber for receiving the torque-override apparatus and having a radially-extending peripheral rim, and means for retaining the peripheral rim in fixed engagement with the housing wall so that the shell is prevented from rotating with respect to the winch housing.

Abstract: A hoist and traction machine having a mechanical brake (13), wherein a not-relative (14)-rotatable operating handle (18) is axially movably an interposed between a stopper (17) provided at an axial end of a driving shaft (5) and a driving member (8) threadedably engaged with the driving shaft (5).

Abstract: A hoist and traction machine having a free rotation control device/apparatus for selectively controlling the mechanical brake to be inoperative and for maintaining the inoperative mode of the mechanical brake, so as to control the free rotation of the load sheave. The free rotation control device is designed such that improved free rotation control operation can be provided, and the range of the pulling force for the chain can be enlarged in the controlled free rotation of the load sheave; thus, allowing the chain to be pulled quicker, while requiring little operating skill. Further, free rotation operation is not provided when the load sheave (and thus the driving shaft) is subjected to a large load acting in the direction of hoisting down the load, thus achieving highly improved safety.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling movement of a tether in a conduit is disclosed, the apparatus being comprised of a winch, two braking systems, a pair of extensible stabilizer bars and a crossbar for engaging an opening. The winch is engine-driven and mounted on a frame having wheels. Engine power is delivered through a dog clutch to a cable spool through a reduction sprocket set. A brake control arm having a friction pad positioned thereupon to bear against the spool and having a hand grip connected to a drum brake in the drive train is provided. A power arm operable to control the dog clutch and including a throttle tab is also provided. A level winding arm is positioned to be swept across the spool for even cable storage. A pair of stabilizer bars are extensible from the frame and have screw jacks at their ends which mate with a crossbar adapted to engage an opening such as a manhole. The screw jacks are operable to bias the apparatus' weight against the crossbar.

Abstract: An apparatus for the motorized control of theatrical sets connected to manual lift units each comprising upper and lower pulleys upon which a line runs to raise and lower a counterweight operatively connected to a set on the stage by a plurality of lift lines is comprised of a series of upper and lower sheaves for support of an independent control line connected to the counterweight. The sheaves are positioned as to not interfere with the manually-operated lines. A drive drum and motor drive unit is associated with each upper and lower sheave, and runs the control line. The drive drums and motor drive units are arranged in a spaced array such that the drive units may be connected and discounted to the drive drums as necessary and required by a particular set configuration, thus eliminating the need for all drums of the array to be coupled to drive units at all times.

Abstract: A driving device employed in a window regulator comprising: a driving member including a shaft and an associating member having at least a notch portion; a drum adjacent to said associating member and having an associating projection capable of associating with said notch portion with some play in the rotational direction; and an elastic member urging said associating member in the rotational direction. The shaking of the crank lever can be surely inhibited.

Abstract: A mechanism for automatically regulating tension of wires employed in a window regulator comprising a drum being provided for rotational movement within said housing, and having a first side surface provided with a first ratchet teeth, a second side surface provided with a first engaging portion for engaging a first wire end, and a peripheral surface as winding surface; a ratchet plate being adjacent to said drum coaxially, and having a surface provided with a second ratchet teeth engaging said first ratchet teeth and a second engaging portion engaging a second wire end; a spiral spring having one end engaged with said ratchet plate and having the other end engaged with said housing, and urging said ratchet plate is such direction that said first ratchet teeth and said second ratchet teeth are moved idly; an elastic member axially urging said drum toward said ratchet plate; and a shaft for operating said drum to rotate by means of engaging with said drum.

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: An electric power cable reeling apparatus that can be detachably attached to a rubber tired dozer. The reeling apparatus comprises a frame that is provided with a hydraulic motor and clutch assembly for rotating the cable reel shaft for reeling in the cable. The frame is also provided with jacks that are used to maintain the frame at a selected vertical position. A split bearing assembly is used to hold the cable reel shaft onto the frame. By adjusting the vertical position of the frame the cable reel can be easily mounted or dismounted by rolling the cable reel on or off.

Abstract: A driving device employed in a window regulator comprising: a driving member including a shaft and an associating member having at least a notch portion; a drum adjacent to said associating member and having an associating projection capable of associating with said notch portion with some play in the rotational direction; and an elastic member urging said associating member in the rotational direction. According to the present invention, the shaking of the crank lever can be surely inhibited.

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: An improved winch is provided which is useful in tightening and adjusting ropes, rigging, lines and sheets. The winch includes a rotatable winch member having a central non-circular aperture extending therethrough and a crank member having a shaft portion which has a non-circular cross-section complementary with the shape of the aperture and interengageable therewith so that rotation of the shaft causes rotation of the winch member. A handle member is hinged to the upper end of the shaft portion so as to pivot between an operating position at right angles with the shaft portion to facilitate rotation of the shaft portion and winch member and an inoperative stowable position projecting from the end of the shaft portion in alignment with the axis thereof.

Abstract: A log skidder winch control system (10) includes a manually actuated master cylinder (22) connected to the winch drum brake release cylinder (18) to allow the winch cable (44) to be winched out gradually independent of the vehicle hydraulic system. The master cylinder is connected in the hydraulic line between the winch control valve (34) and the drum brake release cylinder, and normally serves only as a conduit for oil flow to the brake release cylinder when the control valve is put in a "free spool" condition. With the control valve is neutral the master cylinder can be manually actuated to pressurize the brake release cylinder to provide gradual release of the winch drum brake (26).

Abstract: The present winch may be a so-called single speed or double speed winch. The rope, which loops around a clamping roller with a looping angle smaller than 360.degree., is operated by at least one power system controlled by a control system through a spring clutch. The control system can close the spring clutch for full power transmission or open the spring clutch completely to interrupt the power train from the power system to the clamping roller. In addition the clutch may be opened partially to control the power transmission for precisely rotating the clamping roller in both rotational directions and stopping the clamping roller in any desired angular position.