Winch handle retention system

Details Winch handle retention system Winch handle retention system

2000-10-10

2002-12-10

Marcelo, Emmanuel (Department: 3654)

Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force

Apparatus for hauling or hoisting load, including driven...

Device includes rotatably driven, cable contacting drum

C016S422000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06491285

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to winch handles or hand cranks which are used to rotate a winch.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Sailboats utilize sails to drive propel boats through the water. Ropes or lines are used to control the shape and position of the sails. The sails are typically triangular and configured with an upper comer (head), forward comer (tack) and rear corner (clue). The shape and position of the sails are controlled by lines which are made of rope and/or wire. The lines connected to the head of the sails are called halyards. The lines connected to the clues of the sails are called sheets and the lines connected the tack of the spinnaker are called guys. The position of these exemplary lines and many other lines are controlled by winches.
Referring to
FIG. 1
, a line
103
is held in place by wrapped it around the winch drum
105
several times. Tension on the first end
111
and the second end
113
creates friction between the winch drum
105
and the line
103
. The surface of the winch drum
105
may be textured to increase friction. When there is sufficient friction the line
103
moves as the winch drum
105
rotates. The winch
107
has an internal gear system that rotates the winch drum
105
when a center socket (not shown) at the top center is rotated.
A winch handle
121
has a socket (not shown), an arm
123
and a handle
125
. The socket of the winch handle
121
is releasably insertable into the center plug. By manually rotating the handle
125
around the winch
107
, the center socket is rotated driving the internal gearing and causing the winch drum
105
to rotate and the line
103
to move. The winch drum
105
is ratcheted so that it only rotates in one direction, typically clock-wise when viewed from above. A substantial amount of tension can be produced in the line
103
due the gearing of the winch
107
.
It is often necessary to quickly remove the line
103
from the winch
107
. In order to improve the speed which the line can be removed from the winch
107
, the winch handle
121
is first removed from winch
107
while tension is maintained on the line
103
. With the winch handle
121
removed the line
103
can be released from the winch
107
by pulling the line
103
straight up and off the winch drum
105
without fouling on the winch handle
121
.
A problem with winch handles is that they may be accidentally dislodged from the winches and become lost in the surrounding water when they fall off the boat. In order to reduce this problem, the locking which handle was developed. Referring to
FIG. 2
, a locking winch handle
221
inserted into a winch
207
is illustrated the winch socket
251
and winch handle plug
261
are typically splined such that when engaged, there is no relative rotation between the winch socket
251
and the plug
261
when the winch handle
221
is rotated about the winch
207
. The winch
207
has a splined socket
251
which is geared to rotate the winch drum
205
and an enlarged space below the splined socket
251
. The locking plate
263
is connected to a shaft
265
and is rotationally actuated by a switch
267
relative to the plug
261
and below the splines of the socket
251
is an open space
255
.
Referring to
FIG. 3A
, the bottom of the locking plate
363
is illustrated. In the normal position, the locking plate
263
is rotated relative to the splines of the plug
361
to be out of alignment with the splines of the socket
351
which locks the winch handle into the winch and prevents the accidental removal of the plug
261
from the socket
351
. The winch handle may have an internal spring that normally positions the locking
363
out of alignment with the splines of the plug
361
. Referring to
FIG. 3B
, when the switch is actuated, the locking plate
363
is rotated into alignment with the splines of the plug
361
allowing the plug
361
to be inserted or removed from the socket
351
. When a locking plate
363
mounted on the bottom of the plug
361
is aligned with the splines of the plug
361
the winch handle may be inserted or removed from the winch.
A problem with the rotating plate locking mechanism is that it utilizes a mechanism that requires manual manipulation in order to insert and remove the winch handle and is prone to failure. Further the rotating plate may be exposed to a salt water environment that can cause rotating shaft to seize within the plug preventing the rotation of the locking plate. If the plate mechanism malfunctions or seizes, it may be impossible to insert into or remove the winch handle from the winch.
What is needed is a winch handle that has a retention mechanism that does not require manual manipulation of a switch and does not have internal rotating components that can seize in corrosive environments.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTIONS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention is a system for retaining a winch handle within a socket using a locking plate mounted to the bottom of the splined plug. The locking plate may be rectangular in shape and may extend away from the bottom of the plug at one edge. Normally, when the plug of the winch handle in inserted into the socket of a winch, the plug and socket have substantially the same center axis and the locking plate rests below the lower edge of the socket splines. During normal use, there is no tendency for the winch handle plug to fall out of the socket because only downward and rotational forces are applied to the grip of the winch handle.
An accidental impact with the winch handle may produce an upward force upon the bottom of the winch handle arm causing the plug to rotate within the winch socket. This rotation of the socket causes the locking plate to engage the lower edge of the socket splines. The interference of the locking plate and lower edge of the socket splines prevents the winch handle plug from sliding out of the winch socket which retaining the winch handle in the winch.
In an embodiment, a lower portion of the winch plug facing the arm is cut away. The cut away section of the plug allows the plug to rotate farther within the socket when an upward force is applied to the winch arm. The cutaway section of the plug also exposes a larger section of the locking plate and allows a larger area of the locking plate to interfere with the lower edge of the socket splines.
In an embodiment, the bottom portion of the locking plate is tapered, conical or hemispherical in shape which allows the winch handle plug to be more easily aligned and inserted into the socket.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3167338 (1965-01-01), Troike
patent: 3608936 (1971-09-01), Karden
patent: 3733937 (1973-05-01), Mezey
patent: 3865500 (1975-02-01), Newell
patent: 4606671 (1986-08-01), Rasmussen
patent: 4883255 (1989-11-01), Bacon
patent: 5257557 (1993-11-01), Batten
patent: 5702088 (1997-12-01), Roberge
patent: 5833217 (1998-11-01), Goldsby

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Winch handle retention system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Winch handle retention system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Winch handle retention system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2951507