AU2004229024B2

AU2004229024B2 - Winch with a braking device

Info

Publication number: AU2004229024B2
Application number: AU2004229024A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Chun-Chin Ho
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-11-10
Filing date: 2004-11-10
Publication date: 2006-09-07
Anticipated expiration: 2024-11-10
Also published as: AU2004229024A1

Description

S&F Ref: 697392

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Chun-Chin Ho, of No. 5-5, Szu-Kung-Pu, Chung-Pu Hsiang, Chiayi Hsien, Taiwan Chun-Chin Ho Spruson Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Winch with a braking device The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5845c WINCH WITH A BRAKING DEVICE

O

Z This invention relates to a winch, and more particularly to a cable-unwinding speed adjustable winch that includes a braking device for reducing the rotational speed of a c-i 5 cable drum during the pay out of a cable.

h When a load on an end of a cable is paid out by a winch, the operator must operate the winch using both hands, one Sto hold a base of the winch and the other to control the turning of a handle of the winch. The load may be an inoperable vehicle controlled to slide down a ramp, a boat that is allowed to move a certain distance downstream in a river, or a heavy piece of construction equipment that is descend from an upper floor of a building to the ground.

In any of the cases, it is difficult to control the cable-unwinding speed.

The object of this invention is to provide a winch that includes a braking device that can be operated easily to reduce the cable-unwinding speed.

According to this invention, a winch comprises: a base including a horizontal bottom wall and a pair of first and second vertical walls extending respectively and upwardly from two opposite sides of the bottom wall; a cable drum journalled between the first and second vertical walls of the base and located above the bottom wall of the base; a gear unit disposed on the base and connected to the cable drum; and a braking device including 0 Z a braking gear disposed pivotally on the first vertical wall of the base and rotatable to activate'the gear unit so as to rotate the cable drum, and C 5 a gear-braking unit connected to the braking gear and operable to clamp the braking gear within an assembly of the gear-braking unit and the base so as to reduce the rotational speed of the braking gear.

These and other features and advantages of this invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of this invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an assembled perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of a winch according to this invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the first preferred embodiment; Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a braking device of the first preferred embodiment; Fig. 4 is an assembled perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of a winch according to this invention; Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the second preferred embodiment, illustrating an engagement position of a rotary wheel; Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a braking device of the second preferred embodiment; Fig. 7 is a side view of the second preferred embodiment, 0 Z illustrating how an engagement plate is rotated between a pressing position and a release position; and Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the second Ci 5 preferred embodiment, illustrating the release position of the engagement plate.

Before the present invention is described in greater detail in connection with the preferred embodiments, it should be noted that similar elements and structures are designated by like reference numerals throughout the entire disclosure.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the first preferred embodiment of a winch according to this invention is used to wind a cable 10 thereon, and is shown to include a U-shaped base 2, a cable drum 3, a gear unit 4, a horizontal driving shaft 5, and a braking device 6.

The base 2 includes a horizontal bottom wall 21, and a pair of first and second vertical walls 22, 24 extending respectively and upwardly from two opposite sides of the bottom wall 21. The first vertical wall 22 has a non-circular hole 23 formed therethrough.

The cable drum 3 is journalled between the first and second vertical walls 22, 24, and is located above the bottom wall 21. The cable 10 is wound around the cable drum 3.

The driving shaft 5 is journalled between the first and second vertical walls 22, 24, and has two opposite ends projecting respectively and outwardly from the first and 0 Z second vertical walls 22, 24.

The gear unit 4 includes a large gear 41 sleeved fixedly on the cable drum 3, and a small gear 42 sleeved fixedly C 5 on the driving shaft 5 and meshing with the large gear 41 so as to transfer rotation of the driving shaft 5 to the cable drum 3. The small gear 42 has a diameter smaller than that of the large gear 41. Therefore, the cable drum 3 rotates at a slower speed than the driving shaft A rotary lever 50 is connected fixedly to an end of the driving shaft 5 adjacent to the second vertical wall 24, and is operable to directly and indirectly rotate the large and small gears 41, 42, and as well as the cable drum 3 so as to wind the cable 10 around the cable drum 3.

Alternatively, an electric motor (not shown) can be provided to rotate the driving shaft The braking device 6 includes a braking gear 61 disposed between the first and second vertical walls 22, 24 and mounted pivotally on the first vertical wall 22, and a gear-braking unit 62 operable to clamp the braking gear 61 therein so as to reduce the rotational speed of the braking gear 61. The gear-braking unit 62 includes a threaded shaft 621 having a head 622 formed on one end and an externally threaded end 623 formed on an opposite end portion of the threaded shaft 621, a pair of inner and outer braking plates 624, 624', a rotary knob 625, and a pressing plate 626.

>The threaded shaft 621 extends through the first 0 Z vertical wall 22. That is, the externally threaded end 623 of the threaded shaft 621 engages fittingly the non-circular hole 23 in the first vertical wall 22 so as q 5 to prevent rotation of the threaded shaft 621 relative to C the first vertical wall 22.

The inner and outer braking plates 624, 624' abut C respectively against two opposite side surfaces of the braking gear 61. The inner braking plate 624 is disposed between the braking gear 61 and the first vertical wall 22.

The rotary knob 625 has a hollow outer cylindrical portion 627 and a hollow inner cylindrical portion 628.

The outer cylindrical portion 627 is disposed around the inner cylindrical portion 628, and has an end wall 627'.

The inner cylindrical portion 628 extends from a central portion of the end wall 627' of the outer cylindrical portion 627, and is formed with an internally threaded end 628' that engages the externally threaded portion 623 of the threaded shaft 621. When the rotary knob 625 is tightened, an end surface of the internally threaded end 628' presses against the first vertical wall 22.

The pressing plate 626 is sleeved on the threaded shaft 621, is movable in a longitudinal direction of the threaded shaft 621, and is disposed between the head 622 of the threaded shaft 621 and the outer braking plate 624'. The threaded shaft 621 has a non-threaded intermediate portion 620 that engages fittingly a non-circular hole 629 in the 0 Z pressing plate 626 so as to prevent rotation of the pressing plate 626 relative to the threaded shaft 621. An assembly of the head 622 of the threaded shaft 621, the pressing C' 5 plate 626, the braking gear 61, and the inner and outer braking plates 624, 624' is located at one side of the first vertical wall 22. The rotary knob 625 is located at the other side of the first vertical wall 22.

When the rotary knob 625 is tightened, an assembly of the braking gear 61, the pressing plate 626, and the inner and outer braking plates 624, 624' is clamped between the first vertical wall 22 and the head 622 of the threaded shaft 621. Therefore, the unwinding speed of the cable drum 3 can be adjusted by controlling the tightness level of the rotary knob 625.

Referring to Figs. 4, 5, and 6, the second preferred embodiment of a winch according to this invention is shown to include a U-shaped base 2, a cable drum 3, a gear unit 4, a horizontal driving shaft 5, a braking device 6, a clutch device 7, and a switching device 8.

The base 2 includes a horizontal bottom wall 21, and a pair of first and second vertical walls 22, 24 extending respectively and upwardly from two opposite sides of the bottom wall 21.

The cable drum 3 is journalled between the first and second vertical walls 22, 24, and is located above the bottom wall 21. The cable 10 is wound around the cable drum c-I 3.

0 Z The driving shaft 5 is journalled between the first and second vertical walls 22, 44, and has two opposite ends projecting respectively and outwardly from the first and C 5 second vertical walls 22, 24.

(D The gear unit 4 includes a large gear 41 sleeved fixedly on the cable drum 3, a small gear 42 sleeved fixedly on Sthe driving shaft 5 and meshing with the large gear 41 so as to transfer rotation of the driving shaft 5 to the cable drum 3, and an outer gear 43 sleeved on the driving shaft and disposed adjacent to the first vertical wall 22. The small gear 42 is disposed adjacent to the second vertical wall 24, and has a diameter smaller than that of the large gear 41. Therefore, the cable drum 3 rotates at a slower speed than the driving shaft The braking device 6 includes a braking gear 61 mounted adjacent to and pivotally on the first vertical wall 22, and a gear-braking unit 62 operable to clamp the braking gear 61 therein so as to reduce the rotational speed of the braking gear 61. The braking gear 61 meshes with the outer gear 43.

The gear-braking unit 62 includes a threaded shaft 621 disposed fixedly on and perpendicular to the first vertical wall 22. The threaded shaft 621 has a non-threaded intermediate portion 620 formed proximal to the first vertical wall 22, and an externally threaded end 623 formed at a distal end portion of the threaded shaft 621. The gear-braking unit 62 further includes a pair of inner and 0 Z outer braking plates 624, 624', a rotary knob 625, and a pressing plate 626.

The inner and outer braking plates 624, 624' abut CI 5 respectively against two opposite side surfaces of the braking gear 61. The inner braking plate 624 is disposed between the braking gear 61 and the first vertical wall 22.

The rotary knob 625 is similar in construction to that of the first preferred embodiment, and is formed with an internally threaded end that engages the externally threaded portion 623 of the threaded shaft 621.

The pressing plate 626 is sleeved on the threaded shaft 621, is movable in a longitudinal direction of the threaded shaft 621, and is disposed between the rotary knob 625 and the outer braking plate 624'. The non-threaded intermediate portion 620 of the threaded shaft 621 engages fittingly a non-circular hole 629 in the pressing plate 626 so as to prevent rotation of the pressing plate 626 relative to the threaded shaft 621.

When the rotary knob 625 is tightened, an end surface of the internally threaded end of the rotary knob 625 presses against the pressing plate 626. This causes an assembly of the braking gear 61, the pressing plate 626, and the inner and outer braking plates 624, 624' to be clamped between the first vertical wall 22 and the rotary knob 625. Therefore, the unwinding speed of the cable drum 3 can be adjusted by controlling the tightness level of 0 Z the rotary knob 625.

Referring to Figs. 5, 7, and 8, the clutch device 7 includes a driven wheel 71, a rotary wheel 72, and a coiled C 5 spring 73. The driven wheel 71 is sleeved fixedly on the driving shaft 5. The rotary wheel 72 is sleeved rotatably a on the driving shaft 5, and is movable on the driving O shaft 5 between an engagement position shown in Fig. 5 and a disengagement position shown in Fig. 8. The spring 73 is sleeved around the driving shaft 5 so as to bias the rotary wheel 72 to move toward the driven wheel 71.

When the rotary wheel 72 is disposed at the engagement position, tongues 721 of the rotary wheel 72 engage respectively grooves 711 in the driven wheel 71 so as to allow for synchronous rotation of the rotary wheel 72 and the driven wheel 71. When the rotary wheel 72 is disposed at the disengagement position, the rotary wheel 72 is removed from the driven wheel 71 so as to prevent transfer of rotation therebetween. A rotary lever 50 is connected fixedly to the rotary wheel 72, and is operable by application of an external force to rotate the rotary wheel 72 about the driving shaft The switching device 8 includes a horizontal pivot pin 81, a switching lever 82, an engagement plate 83, an insert plate 84, and a coiled spring 85. The pivot pin 81 is journalled between the first and second vertical walls 22, 24. The switching lever 82 and the insert plate 84 extend c-I respectively, integrally, and perpendicularly from two 0 Z opposite ends of the pivot pin 81. The engagement plate 83 also extends integrally from the pivot pin 81, and has a side surface 830 that is formed with a projection 831, C 5 which is disposed adjacent to the second vertical wall 24.

F By operating the switching lever 82, the engagement plate 83 is rotatable relative to the base 2 between a pressing O position shown by solid lines in Fig. 5 and a release position shown by phantom lines in Fig. 5. When the engagement plate 83 is disposed at the pressing position, the rotary wheel 72 is disposed at the engagement position, and the engagement plate 83 presses against the small gear 42 so as to allow for unidirectional rotation of the small gear 42 relative to the base 2 and the cable-winding operation. When located in the release position, the engagement plate 83 is removed from the small gear 42 and the insert plate 84 is inserted into a space between the driven wheel 71 and the rotary wheel 72. The coiled spring is sleeved around the pivot pin 81 with a corresponding end thereof abutting against the engagement plate 83 as shown in Fig. 4 so as to bias the engagement plate 83 to turn toward the small gear 42 and move toward the second vertical wall 24. When the engagement plate 83 is disposed at the pressing position, the spring 85 presses the projection 831 against the second vertical wall 24. When the engagement plate 83 is disposed at the release position, because the projection 831 is no longer in pressing contact with the second vertical wall 24, the spring 85 moves the 0 Z engagement plate 83 from the position shown by the solid lines in Fig. 5 to that shown in Fig. 8. Thus, the side surface 830 of the engagement plate 83 comes into contact C 5 with the second vertical wall 24, and the rotary wheel 72 moves from the engagement position to the disengagement position.

O When it is desired to take up the cable 10, the switching lever 82 is operated to place the rotary wheel 72 at the engagement position, and the rotary knob 625 is loosened.

Subsequently, the rotary lever 50 is operated to rotate directly and indirectly the rotary wheel 72, the driven wheel 71, the driving shaft 5, the small gear 42, the large gear 41, and the cable drum 3.

When it is desired to pay out the cable 10, the switching lever 82 is operated to place the rotary wheel 72 at the disengagement position, and the rotary knob 625 is tightened. As such, the cable 10 can be unwound from the cable drum 3 at a comparatively low speed. Furthermore, transfer of rotation from the cable drum 3 to the rotary lever 50 can be prevented. This proves advantageous since high-speed rotation of the rotary lever 50 during the pay out of the cable 10 may cause injury to the user.

Claims

2. The winch as claimed in Claim i, further comprising a horizontal driving shaft journalled between the first and second vertical walls of the base and located above the bottom wall of the base, the gear unit including a large gear sleeved fixedly on the cable drum, and a small gear sleeved fixedly on the driving shaft and meshing with the large gear so as to transfer rotation of the driving shaft to the cable drum, the small gear >having a diameter smaller than that of the large gear 0 Z so that the large gear and the cable drum rotate at a slower speed than the small gear.
3. The winch as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the braking 5 gear is disposed rotatably between the first and second C vertical walls of the base, the gear-braking unit y including a threaded shaft and a rotary knob, the O threaded shaft extending through both the first vertical wall of the base and the braking gear and having an externally threaded end, the rotary knob having an internally threaded end engaging the externally threaded end of the threaded shaft.
4. The winch as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the gear-braking unit further includes a pair of inner and outer braking plates abutting respectively against two opposite side surfaces of the braking gear, the inner braking plate being disposed between the braking gear and the first vertical wall of the base. The winch as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the threaded shaft further has a head at an end opposite to the externally threaded end, the gear-braking unit further including a pressing plate sleeved movably on the threaded shaft and disposed between the head of the threaded shaft and the outer braking plate, an assembly of the head of the threaded shaft, the pressing plate, the braking gear, and the inner and outer braking plates being located at one side of the first vertical wall >of the base, the rotary knob being located at the other 0 Z side of the first vertical wall of the base, the rotary knob being rotatable on the threaded rod to press against the first vertical wall of the base so as to clamp an assembly of the braking gear, the pressing plate, and the inner and outer braking plates between the first vertical wall of the base and the head of the threaded shaft.
6. The winch as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the rotary knob has a hollow outer cylindrical portion and a hollow inner cylindrical portion, the outer cylindrical portion being disposed around the inner cylindrical portion and having an end wall, the inner cylindrical portion extending from a central portion of the end wall of the outer cylindrical portion and being formed with the internally threaded end, the internally threaded end having an end surface that presses against the first vertical wall of the base when the rotary knob is tightened.
7. The winch as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the first vertical wall of the base has a non-circular hole formed therethrough, the externally threaded end of the threaded shaft engaging fittingly the non-circular hole in the first vertical wall so as to prevent rotation of the threaded shaft relative to the first vertical wall.
8. The winch as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the driving shaft has two opposite ends projecting respectively and 0 Z outwardly from the first and second vertical walls of the base, the gear unit further including an outer gear that is sleeved fixedly on an end of the driving shaft I 5 and that meshes with the braking gear of the braking device.
9. The winch as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the O gear-braking unit includes a threaded shaft disposed c-I fixedly on and extending perpendicular to the first vertical wall of the base, and a rotary knob threaded on an end of the threaded shaft, the braking gear being sleeved rotatably on the threaded shaft, the rotary knob being operable to clamp the braking gear within the assembly of the gear-braking unit and the base.
10.The winch as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the gear-braking unit further includes: a pair of ininer and outer braking plates abutting respectively against two opposite side surfaces of the braking gear, the inner braking plate being disposed between the braking gear and the first vertical wall of the base; and a pressing plate sleeved movably on the threaded shaft and disposed between the rotary knob and the outer braking plate, the pressing plate pressing an assembly of the braking gear and the inner and outer braking plates against the first vertical wall of the base when the rotary knob is tightened.
11. The winch as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the threaded 0 Z shaft has an externally threaded end, the rotary knob having a hollow outer cylindrical portion and a hollow inner cylindrical portion, the outer cylindrical C 5 portion being disposed around the inner cylindrical N portion and having an end wall, the inner cylindrical v portion extending from a central portion of the end wall O of the outer cylindrical portion and being formed with an internally threaded end that engages the externally threaded end of the threaded shaft and that has an end surface, which presses against the pressing plate when the rotary knob is tightened.
12.The winch as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the pressing plate has a non-circular hole formed therethrough, the externally threaded end of the threaded shaft engaging fittingly the non-circular hole in the pressing plate so as to prevent rotation of the pressing plate on the threaded shaft.
13.The winch as claimed in Claim 8, further comprising a clutch device that includes: a driven wheel sleeved fixedly on the driving shaft; and a rotary wheel sleeved rotatably on the driving shaft and movable on the driving shaft between an engagement position, where the rotary wheel engages the driven wheel so as to allow for synchronous rotation of the rotary wheel and the driven wheel, and a disengagement position, where the rotary wheel is removed from the 0 Z driven wheel so as to prevent transfer of rotation therebetween, the rotary wheel being rotatable relative to the base by application of an external force; C 5 whereby, when the rotary wheel is located in the engagement position, rotation of the rotary wheel y results in a cable-winding operation of the cable drum. C 14.The winch as claimed in Claim 13, further comprising a switching device that includes: a horizontal pivot pin journalled between the first and second vertical walls of the base; a switching lever extending integrally and perpendicularly from an end of the pivot pin; an insert plate extending integrally and perpendicularly from the other end of the pivot pin; and an engagement plate extending integrally from the pivot pin and rotatable relative to the base between a pressing position, where the rotary wheel is disposed at the engagement position and where the engagement plate presses against the small gear of the gear unit so as to allow for unidirectional rotation of the small gear relative to the base and the cable-winding operation can be performed, and a release position, where the engagement plate is removed from the small gear and where the insert plate is inserted into a space between the driven wheel and the rotary wheel, after f which the insert plate is biased to move the rotary wheel 0 z to the disengaging position. The winch as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the engagement plate of the switching device has a side surface that is formed with an integral projection, the projection being disposed adjacent to the second vertical wall of (N the base, the switching device further including a Scoiled spring that is sleeved around the pivot pin so as to bias the projection of the engagement plate to press against the second vertical wall of the base when the engagement plate is disposed at the pressing position, and so as to bias the side surface of the engagement plate to press against the second vertical wall of the base when the engagement plate is disposed at the release position.
16.The winch as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the clutch device further includes a coiled spring sleeved around the driving shaft so as to bias the rotary wheel to move toward the driven wheel. Dated 10 November, 2004 Chun-Chin Ho Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON