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 device for pulling a submersible pump from a well casing comprises a pair of spaced, parallel legs adapted to straddle the rim of the casing and be clamped thereto by upper and lower clamps. A submersible pump in the well may be pulled by operating a winch mounted at the upper end of the device.

Abstract: A drum winch for a yacht has a drum rotatably mounted on a supporting shaft structure through roller clutch means to permit rotation of the drum in one rotary direction only and seal means are provided for sealing the roller clutch means from the exterior of the winch, the seal means preferably being of a stretched O-ring arrangement mounted over an annular ramp-like surface having a radially inwardly directed component. The roller clutch means is dimensioned relative to the exterior diameter of the shaft structure and/or relative to the internal diameter of a central bore in the drum so that a yieldable interference fit is established with lubricant whereby if the load applied to the drum exceeds a predetermined load which is less than the load which would cause damage or destruction of the roller clutch means, creep or slippage occurs at the yieldable interference fit.

Abstract: A portable winch includes a base plate which is adapted to be quickly and easily coupled with and uncoupled from a bracket attached to a utility pole. The base plate hangs on the bracket and requires no tools or clamps to maintain the connection. The base plate and bracket have cooperating portions which stabilize the base plate in its operating position and prevent rocking, swinging or swaying. The winch can be supported so that the winch cable drops either on the outside or inside of the drum, thus to change the spacing of the cable from the pole. The control means for operating the winch can be carried on the basket of an aerial boom by a bracket which hangs on the lip of the basket. The bracket includes a support tongue on which the winch can be hung during its travel to and from the pole. Alternately, the winch can be powered by a hand drill detachably coupled with the winch drive and held by a worker in the basket.

Abstract: A suspension hook assembly for a hoist in which the shank of the hook is received between an assembled pair of half-cylindrical members held together by a ring. A pin member received between spaced frame members of the hoist extends through aligned holes in the assembled half-cylindrical members, and the ring is positioned axially between the pin and outwardly directed projections formed on the half-cylindrical members. The hook then pivots about a first axis through its shank, and the hook assembly pivots about a second, perpendicular, axis through the pin.

Abstract: A device for use by arborists for handling heavy tree limbs and main stems including a base for attachment to the tree trunk and a cylindrical member for receiving a rope mounted on the base. In an alternate form of the invention, the cylindrical member is mounted on an axle which is attached to the base and ratchets permit selective rotation of the cylindrical member in at least one direction. In still another form of the invention, a lever is attached to the cylinder to give an operator great mechanical advantage so that the device may be used to raise heavy loads by turning the cylindrical member.