Winch system safety device controlled by towrope angle
First Claim
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1. A towrope winch with a safety shutoff device comprising:
- a winch configured to wind a rope; and
a safety shutoff device which deactivates the winch if the rope moves outside a designated range of angles relative to an intake of the winch;
in which the safety shutoff device comprises a light curtain for determining an angle at which said rope extends relative to an intake of the winch.
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Abstract
A towrope winch with a safety shutoff device includes a winch configured to wind a rope; and a safety shutoff device which deactivates the winch if the rope moves outside a designated range of angles relative to an intake of the winch.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A towrope winch with a safety shutoff device comprising:
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a winch configured to wind a rope; and a safety shutoff device which deactivates the winch if the rope moves outside a designated range of angles relative to an intake of the winch; in which the safety shutoff device comprises a light curtain for determining an angle at which said rope extends relative to an intake of the winch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10)
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6. A towrope winch with a safety shutoff device comprising:
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a winch configured to wind a rope; and a safety shutoff device which deactivates the winch if the rope moves outside a designated range of angles relative to an intake of the winch; in which the safety shutoff device comprises a slider which is moved by the rope to activate or deactivate the winch depending on the angle of the rope relative to an intake of the winch; in which the slider closes a circuit to provide power to the winch if the rope is under tension and extending within said designated range of angles relative to an intake of the winch; in which the slider moves downward under influence of gravity to open said circuit if not moved by the rope.
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7. A towrope winch with a safety shutoff device comprising:
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a winch configured to wind a rope; and a safety shutoff device which deactivates the winch if the rope moves outside a designated range of angles relative to an intake of the winch; in which the safety shutoff device comprises a slider which is moved by the rope to activate or deactivate the winch depending on the angle of the rope relative to an intake of the winch; in which the slider further comprise a roller for engaging the towrope.
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11. A method of operating a towrope winch with a safety shutoff device, where the winch is configured to wind a rope, the method comprising;
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with the safety shutoff device, deactivating the winch if the rope moves outside a designated range of angles relative to an intake of the winch; in which the designated range of angles includes a range of angles from 0 degrees to −
75 degrees, with 0 degrees being parallel to a water surface on which a watercraft bearing said winch is floating. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A towrope winch with a safety shutoff device comprising:
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a winch configured to wind a towrope; and a safety shutoff device which makes a determination of whether a handle on said towrope is in or outside a watercraft on which said winch is disposed, said safety shutoff device deactivates the winch if said handle is determined to be inside said watercraft. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification