Manual disengaging and self-engaging clutch

• US 7,891,641 B1
• Filed: 10/03/2006
• Issued: 02/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ramsey Winch Company (Ramsey Industries, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ramsey Winch Company (Ramsey Industries, Inc.)
• Inventors: Miller, Jonathan A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MARCELO, EMMANUEL MONSAYAC
• Application Number:
  US11/542,094
• Time in Patent Office: 1,603 Days
• Field of Search: 254/344, 254/345, 254/346, 254/355, 254/365, 254/370, 242/261, 242/262
• US Class Current: 254/346
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 1/16 the drums or barrels being freely rotatable , e.g. having a clutch activated independently of a brake B66D1/20, B66D1/22, B66D1/24 take precedence; clutches activated alternately with brakes B66D1/14, slip couplings B66D1/14

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. An over-center position of the link (128) and clutch actuator (122) maintains the clutch in a disengaged condition, until normal operation of the machine is commenced, whereupon a protrusion (256) on the clutch actuator (122) is struck and the clutch actuator (122) is forced back to the engaged position, thus self engaging the clutch on commencement of normal machine operation.

Claims

1. A clutch for use with a winch of the type having a drum on which a cable is wound and unwound, comprising:

a drive shaft adapted for powering the winch;

a housing in which clutch components are contained;

a clutch mechanism having a locking plunger moveable to a first position for allowing torque to be coupled from said drive shaft to said cable drum, and movable to a second position for allowing said cable drum to free wheel;

an actuator manually movable from a rest position in which the clutch mechanism is engaged to an actuated position in which the clutch mechanism is disengaged, said actuator connected to said to locking plunger so that when said actuator is in the rest position said locking plunger allows torque to be coupled to said cable drum, thereby allowing the drive shaft to drive the cable drum, and when said actuator is moved to said actuated position the cable drum is disconnected from said drive shaft and can be free wheeled; and

a striking member rotatable by said drive shaft, said striking member engageable with said actuator to move the actuator from the actuated position to the rest position to thereby automatically engage said clutch mechanism when the drive shaft is rotated.

2. The self-engaging clutch of claim 1, further including a link hingeably connecting said locking plunger to said actuator, said link moveable by said actuator to an over-center position to maintain the locking plunger in said second position.

3. The self-engaging clutch of claim 1, wherein said actuator comprises a shaft which is spring biased to said first position, and said actuator is manually moveable in an axial direction to said second position.

4. The self-engaging clutch of claim 3, wherein said actuator includes a radial tab formed thereon, said tab responsive to striking thereof for rotating said actuator, whereupon a spring moves said actuator to said first position.

5. The self-engaging clutch of claim 3, wherein said striking member is a pin located on a periphery of a planetary gear carrier.

6. The self-engaging clutch of claim 5, wherein said pin is spring loaded.

7. A clutch for use with a winch of the type having a drum on which a cable is wound and unwound, comprising:

a housing for housing said clutch;

an input shaft driven by a motor;

a cable drum;

at least one planetary gear stage coupling torque from said input shaft to said cable drum, said planetary gear stage having a sun gear, plural planetary gears and a carrier for supporting said planetary gears,

a ring gear mounted for rotation, said planetary gears meshing with said ring gear;

a clutch mechanism for coupling torque from said planetary gear stage to said cable drum and for disconnecting the planetary gear stage from said cable drum, said clutch mechanism including;

an actuator having a shaft connected to a handle, said actuator manually operable from a rest position to a second position for disengaging said clutch, said actuator having a lug off center from an axis of said handle shaft;

a locking member adapted for movement into engagement with said ring gear to lock said ring gear with respect to said housing, and out of engagement with said ring gear to allow said ring gear to rotate with said planetary gear stage;

a hinged link connecting said actuator to said locking member, said link and said actuator movable to an over-center condition when said actuator is in said second position; and

a rotating member rotatable when said motor is energized, said rotating member adapted for striking said actuator lug to rotate said actuator and move said locking member into engagement with said ring gear.