AU2003241636A1 - A winch assembly - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Details of Associated Provisional Application(s) No(s): CHRIS JOHN TONGE CHRIS JOHN TONGE

INTELLEPRO

Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Level 7 102 Adelaide Street BRISBANE, QLD, 4000 (GPO Box 1339, BRISBANE, 4001) A WINCE ASSEMBLY Australian Patent Application No 2002951029 filed 28 August 2002.

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 2 A WINCH ASSEMBLY TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION THIS INVENTION relates to winch assembly for hauling objects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Winch assemblies known to the applicant generally have a rotatable drum on which a steel cable is wound for storage and is paid out and then wound onto the drum for hauling an object that is connected to the end of the cable. The drum is usually turned by moving a handle that is fixed to the drum or to a drum axle on which the drum is supported. Turning of the drum requires considerable force and energy as the full weight of the drum and the cable must be overcome.

The steel cables tend to frail and some individual wires of the cables would then break. As such, the cables would frequently cause injuries to users that come into contact with them. The cables would also become rusty, especially when they are used in places on or close to shores. These prior art winches are also bulky and heavy. The cables are difficult to manipulate due to their size and stiffness.

OBIECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to alleviate or to reduce to a certain level one or more of the prior art disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect therefore the present invention resides in a winch assembly for hauling objects. The assembly includes a winch body having spaced side walls, a drum axle supported by the side wails and arranged to extend between the side walls, a drum positioned between the side walls and rotatably supported on the 3 drum axle, a coilable member wound on the drum and being arranged for hauling an object, actuation means arranged for pivotal movement about the drum axle, and bearing means arranged between the actuation means and the drum so that the pivotal movement of the actuation means is transferred through the bearing means to rotate the drum.

In preference, the assembly further includes a pawl and ratchet arrangement having at least one pawl selectively engageable with at least one ratchet wheel configured so that when the at least one pawl is in engagement with the at least one ratchet wheel the drum can rotate in one direction only. It is preferred that the at least one ratchet wheel is formed integrally with the drum.

The at least one ratchet wheel may have a series of teeth shaped so that the at least one pawl engaged therewith rides thereover when the drum moves in said one direction and is arrested between adjacent teeth when the drum moves in an opposite direction.

The drum may have a cylindrical part with a wheel-shaped part formed at one or each end thereof. Desirably, the wheel-shaped part(s) is arranged to form the at least one ratchet wheel.

The at least one pawl may be spring biassed to an engagement position for engaging the at least one ratchet wheel, and is selectively movable out of the engagement position so that the drum is rotatable in either direction. Any one or each of the at least one pawl may be configured to move with the actuation means.

It is preferable that the coilable member is a synthetic rope. More preferably, the synthetic rope is a stranded rope that is substantially chemical resistant. One 4 such stranded rope is the series of 12 strand ropes traded under the trade mark "PLASMA" and manufactured from Honeywell Spectra Fibre that has been enhanced by a process described in United States patent nos. 5,931,076 and 5,901,632 (Puget Sound Rope Corporation). These stranded ropes have a relative high strength, low stretch and low creep in comparison to a steel cable. They are also relatively soft to handle and easy splicing, in addition to being torque free and being able to float.

The following table illustrates a comparison of relative weight and break strength between a range of sizes of the plasma 12 strand rope and correspondingly sized steel wire cables, as provided by janrak Equipment Pty Ltd, a distributor of Plasma rope: Diameter in Plasma weight Wire weight Plasma break Wire break millimetre per 100m per 100m strength strength 1.7kg 9.5kg 2495kg 1346kg 6mm 2.5kg 13.7kg 3629kg 1967kg 8mm 3.7kg 24.4kg 5307kg 3395kg 9mm 5.5kg 30.8kg 7938kg 4301 kg 11mm 6.3kg 46.1kg 9500kg 6432kg 12mm 9.5kg 54.8kg 14200kg 7645kg 14mm 11.8kg 74.6kg 17200kg 10397kg A plasma 12 strand rope also has the following properties: Specific gravity about 0.98 Melting point about 284 degree Fahrenheit Critical temperature about 150 degree Fahrenheit Coefficient of Friction about 0.09 0.12 Elongation at break about 4% Fibre water absorption about 0% The bearing means may have a first bearing member mounted on the axle member and associated with one or each end of the drum and the first bearing member(s) is configured to transfer movement of the actuation means to the drum.

The bearing means may also have a second bearing member mounted on the axle member and associated with one or each end of the drum so that the drum rotates about the second bearing member(s).

The actuation means may have one or more arm members pivotally mounted on the drum axle, a handle receiving member fixed to or integrally formed with the one or more arm members, and a handle arranged for attachment to the receiving member. Preferably the handle is configured for adjustability between a minimum length and a maximum length. More preferably, the handle has a multiple handle sections that are arranged for telescopic adjustment of the length of the handle between the minimum length and the maximum length.

It is preferred that the assembly further includes a connection member arranged for connection to an anchor arrangement. The connection member may include a connection axle fixed to the side walls for connection to the anchor arrangement. Advantageously, the connection member includes a removable connection part for removably connecting to the anchor arrangement. One form of the connection part is a shackle.

The anchor arrangement may be in the form of a strap or a pole arranged for fixing to a fixed body. The pole may have a single or multiple extended sections for enhancing holding strength thereof. The extended section(s) can be in the form of a helix arranged along the pole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the present invention can be readily understood and put into practical effect the description will hereinafter refer to the accompanying drawings which illustrate non limiting embodiments of the present invention and wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the winch assembly according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the winch assembly shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the winch assembly according to the present invention; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the winch assembly shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a plan view of the handle partially shown in Figures 1 40 4; Figure 6 is an anchor for use with the assembly shown in Figures 1 to 4; Figure 7 shows an application of the winch assembly according to the present; and Figure 8 shows another application of the winch assembly according to the present.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings and initially to Figures 1 and 4, there is shown a winch assembly 10 according to the present invention. The assembly 10 has two spaced side plates or walls 12 and 14, a drum axle 16 arranged between the side plates 12 and 14. The drum axle 16 has threaded ends for fixing to the plates 12 and 14 by nuts 18 (one only shown in Figure A drum 20 is arranged between the side plates 12 and 14 and rotatably mounted on the drum axle 16. A synthetic rope 22 such as an 8mm diameter Plasma 12 strand rope is wound on the drum The drum 20 has enlarged end members formed as ratchet wheels 24. Each of the wheels 24 has a series of shaped teeth 26 along its periphery. Each tooth 26 has an abrupt edge 28 and a smooth inclined edge 30 joined to the abrupt edge of an adjacent tooth 26. A pawl 32 extending from a pin 34 that is rotatably mounted to the side plate 12, is biassed by a spring 36 to engage the ratchet wheel 24. The pawl has its free end inclined so that it is in contact with the abrupt edge 28 as shown. When the pawl 32 is in the position shown, the ratchet wheel 24 and thereby the drum 20 cannot rotate in the clockwise direction as seen in Figure 2.

But the pawl 32 can ride over the teeth 26 when the ratchet wheel rotates in the opposite direction. Therefore, the rope 22 can be hauled in to wind onto the drum but the rope on the drum 20 cannot be extended.

Actuation means 38 is arranged to turn the drum 20. The actuation means 38 in this embodiment has a handle receiving section 40 and two arms 42 pivotally supported on the drum axle 16. A handle 70 (partially shown) is arranged for attachment to the receiving section A pin 44 is fixed to the arms 42. Mounted on the pin 44 is a sleeve 46 which carries another pawl 48, and an extension plate 50 which is biassed by a spring 37 for the pawl 48 to engage the ratchet wheel 24 which is opposite to the wheel 24 engaged with the pawl 32. Any of the pawls 32 and 48 can arrest rotation of the ratchet wheels 24 should one of them fails.

The assembly 10 has a connection axle 52 fixed to the plates 12 and 14 by means of nuts 54 on its threaded ends. The axle 52 rotatably supports a connection plate 56 with an aperture 58 for receiving a shackle 60. Figure 1 shows that a belt 62 with a loop 64 arranged in the shackle 60, is provided for anchoring purposes.

Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the assembly 10. In this embodiment, the pawl 32 is similar in construction to the pawl 48 and is mounted on the pin 44.

Turning to Figure 4, the assembly 10 as shown has its pawls 32 partially removed for clarity of the components. The rachet wheels 24 each have a recess 72 for receiving a roller bearing arrangement 74 about the axle 16. The roller bearing arrangement 74 is in contact with a needle bearing arrangement 76 which is also fixed to the arm 42. When the actuation means 38 is pivotally moved about the axle 16, the motioned is transmitted to the drum 20 through the bearing arrangements 74, 76 and the integral ratchet wheels 24. Washers 78 are provided for spacing the arms 42 and the side plates 12 and 14.

Figure 5 shows that the handle 70 has a hollow cylindrical section 80 and a smaller hollow cylindrical section 82 arranged to be adjustably positioned in the section 80. The section 80 has a series of holes 84 (one only shown) for receiving a spring biassed retention member 86 arranged on the section 82. Pressing the retention member 86 inwards allows the section 82 to be adjustably moved within the section 80 for adjusting the length of the handle Figure 6 shows an anchor 88 with helix members 90 along its lower section 92, and a connection ring 94 at the free end of its upper section 96. The sections 92 and 96 is arranged for length adjustability as discussed above.

Figure 7 shows a vehicle 100 being hauled in by using the assembly 10. As shown, the vehicle 100 has gone off the road and is in water. The rope 22 with a hook 102 attached to the vehicle. The assembly is anchored by the belt 62 to a tree 104. A user moves the handle 70 for winding the rope 22 and thereby hauling the vehicle 100 onto the shore. In Figure 8, the assembly 10 is used to haul in the vehicle 100 trapped in a sandy or muddy ground. In this situation, the anchor 88 is used to anchor into the ground as shown.

Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the present invention many variations and modifications thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention as herein set forth in the claims.

Claims (22)

1. A winch assembly for hauling objects, the assembly includes a winch body having spaced side walls, a drum axle supported by the side walls and arranged to extend between the side walls, a drum positioned between the side walls and rotatably supported on the drum axle, a coilable member wound on the drum and being arranged for hauling an object, actuation means arranged for pivotal movement about the drum axle, and bearing means arranged between the actuation means and the drum so that the pivotal movement of the actuation means is transferred through the bearing means to rotate the drum.

2. The assembly according to claim 1 further including a pawl and ratchet arrangement having at least one pawl selectively engageable with at least one ratchet wheel configured so that when the at least one pawl is in engagement with the at least one ratchet wheel the drum can rotate in one direction only.

3. The assembly according to claim 2 wherein the at least one ratchet wheel is formed integrally with the drum.

4. The assembly according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the at least one ratchet wheel having a series of teeth shaped so that the at least one pawl engaged therewith rides thereover when the drum moves in said one direction and is arrested between adjacent teeth when the drum moves in an opposite direction.

5. The assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the drum having a cylindrical part with a wheel-shaped part formed at one or each end thereof and the wheel-shaped part(s) is arranged to form the at least one ratchet wheel. 11

6. The assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the at least one pawl being spring biassed to an engagement position for engaging the at least one ratchet wheel, and is selectively movable out of the engagement position so that the drum is rotatable in either direction.

7. The assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein one or each of the at least one pawl is configured to move with the actuation means.

8. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the coilable member is a synthetic rope.

9. The assembly according to claim 8 wherein the synthetic rope is a stranded rope that is substantially chemical resistant.

The assembly according to claim 9 wherein the synthetic rope is a plasma 12 strand rope having the following properties: Specific gravity about 0.98 Melting point about 284 degree Fahrenheit Critical temperature about 150 degree Fahrenheit Coefficient of Friction about 0.09 0.12 Elongation at break about 4% Fibre water absorption about 0%

11. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the bearing means having a first bearing member mounted on the axle member and associated with one or each end of the drum and the first bearing member(s) is configured to transfer movement of the actuation means to the drum. 12

12. The assembly according to claim 11 wherein the bearing means also having a second bearing member mounted on the axle member and associated with one or each end of the drum so that the drum rotates about the second bearing member(s).

13. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the actuation means having one or more arm members pivotally mounted on the drum axle, a handle receiving member fixed to or integrally formed with the one or more arm members, and a handle arranged for attachment to the receiving member.

14. The assembly according to claim 12 wherein the handle is configured for adjustability between a minimum length and a maximum length.

The assembly according to claim 14 wherein the handle having multiple handle sections that are arranged for telescopic adjustment of the length of the handle between the minimum length and the maximum length.

16. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 15 further including a connection member arranged for connection to an anchor arrangement for anchoring said assembly to a support.

17. The assembly according to claim 16 wherein the connection .member including a connection axle fixed to the side walls for connection to the anchor arrangement.

18. The assembly according to claim 16 or 17 wherein the connection member including a removable connection part for removably connecting to the anchor arrangement.

19. The assembly according to any one of claims 16 to 18 wherein the anchor arrangement is in the form of a strap or a pole arranged for fixing to the support in the form of a fixed body.

The assembly according to claim 19 wherein the pole having a single or multiple extended sections for enhancing holding strength thereof.

21. The assembly according to claim 20 wherein the extended section(s) being in the form of a helix arranged along the pole.

22. A winch assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings. DATED this 2 8th day of August 2003 CHRIS JOHN TONGE By his Patent Attorneys INTELLEPRO