Winch and method of use thereof
First Claim
1. A winch for moving a load, comprising a frame and a drum mounted on the frame for rotation thereof, a retrieve cable for fixing to the load and wound in a first direction around a first drum part, a launch cable for fixing to the load and wound in the opposite direction around a second drum part, a winding mechanism for turning the drum in a retrieve rotation to wind the retrieve cable onto the drum and to pay out the launch cable, and for turning the drum in a launch rotation to wind the launch cable onto the drum and to pay out the retrieve cable, a pinion shaft having a pinion gear engaging a drive gear integral with the drum, and a brake mechanism operable to halt launch rotation of the drum in response to a sudden increase in tension in the retrieve cable caused by the weight of the load acting on the retrieve cable, further comprising, the brake mechanism including a pawl mounted on the frame, and a ratchet assembly mounted on the pinion shaft, the ratchet assembly having a released configuration in which a ratchet wheel forming a part thereof is rotatable on the pinion shaft, and a locked configuration in which the ratchet wheel is locked to the pinion shaft.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A winch for moving a load along a track from a first position to a higher position has a drum around which a retrieve and a launch cable are wound in different directions. Rotation of the drum acts to reel in one of the cables while paying out the other. The retrieve cable extends directly between the drum and the near end of the load and the launch cable extends past the rear of the load though a sheave mounted on the track, and then back to far end of the load. A winding mechanism operates in retrieve mode to turn the drum to reel in the retrieve cable and pay out the launch cable. The winding mechanism is used in launch mode to turn the drum in the opposite direction to pay out the retrieve cable and reel in the launch cable. A brake mechanism is operable to halt runaway of the load along and down the track when the winch is being operated in launch mode.
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Citations
17 Claims
- 1. A winch for moving a load, comprising a frame and a drum mounted on the frame for rotation thereof, a retrieve cable for fixing to the load and wound in a first direction around a first drum part, a launch cable for fixing to the load and wound in the opposite direction around a second drum part, a winding mechanism for turning the drum in a retrieve rotation to wind the retrieve cable onto the drum and to pay out the launch cable, and for turning the drum in a launch rotation to wind the launch cable onto the drum and to pay out the retrieve cable, a pinion shaft having a pinion gear engaging a drive gear integral with the drum, and a brake mechanism operable to halt launch rotation of the drum in response to a sudden increase in tension in the retrieve cable caused by the weight of the load acting on the retrieve cable, further comprising, the brake mechanism including a pawl mounted on the frame, and a ratchet assembly mounted on the pinion shaft, the ratchet assembly having a released configuration in which a ratchet wheel forming a part thereof is rotatable on the pinion shaft, and a locked configuration in which the ratchet wheel is locked to the pinion shaft.
Specification