AU2007202070B1 - An improved winch assembly - Google Patents

Description

09/05 '07 WED 17:08 FAX 61 8 82119433 Lesicar Perrin 031 13876AU

ORIGINAL

Complete Specification Applicant: Title; Harry Xydias An improved winch assembly Address for Service: LESICAR PERRIN, 49 Wright Street, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to melus: COMS ID No: SBMI-07311937 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:51 Date 2007-05-09 09/05 '07 WED 17:08 FAX 61 8 82119433 LscrPri 3 Lesicar Perrin [a 032 o An improved winch assemnbly ct The present invention relates to a winch assembly and, in particular, to a winch assembly including a clutch that is muoveable between a first position in which the winch drum and motor ON are operatively engaged, aud a second position in which the winch drum is disengaged from the, motor enabling the winch drum to free spool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION o The present invention relates generally to boat winches, although obviously the invention should not be limited to such usage. For example, the winch assembly could equally well be used for towing and hauling applications.

Winches of this general type are now and have been in comm on use, but prior and present winches known. to the applicant suffer various deficiencies and do not incorporate certain desirable features that form part of the present invention. In particular, winches that are in common use today do not effectively allow for the free fall descent of an anchor, whilst also allowing for normal operations such as powered descent or raising of the anchor if required.

The benefit of having the capacity to free fall is that an anchor can be lowered into the water in a matter of sconds, as opposed to minutes. For example, in 40 feet of water it is estimated that a free falling anchor Would reach the bottom surface in approximately 10-15 seconds. Those skilled in the art would realise the benefit of this being that when a boat has been stopped at a predetermined location, for example ini a position according to coordinates of a global positioning system one can allow the anchor to free fall thereby anchoring the boat as near as possible to the desired position. In using conventional winches, by the time the anchor has hit the bottom, the boat may have drifted well away from the desired position. This problem is exacerbated when there is a strong surface current. Further, where fish are detected beneath the boat at any one time using a fish finder for example, it is desirable to anchor the boat at that position as soon as possible.

There do exist prior art winches that have the capacity to free fall, however, they tend to be ineffective due to deficiencies in their design. For example in some assemblies, the winch drum is supposedly "free"' to rotate by the weight of the anchor, however, such rotation still takes place through the reduction gearing of the motor. Such configurations not only result in the anchor taking longer to reach the bottom, but also result in considerable wear and tear on the COMS ID No: SBMI-0731 1937 Received by IP Australia: lime 16:51 Date 2007-05-09 29/11 '07 THJ 16:35 FAX 61 8 82119433 Lesicar Perrin [a 022 2 0 o gears and other moving parts of the assembly. Such winches are therefore not in common use.

cxl Furthermore, in order to allow for two modes of use, that is, free fall mode and normal mode o .using a motor to raise and/or lower the anchor, winch assemblies have tended to be quite complex, inefficient, cumbersome and bulky, and expensive to manufacture.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome at least some of the aforementioned problems or to provide the public with a useful alternative.

o SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION C',l Therefore in one form of the invention there is proposed a winch assembly including: o a longitudinal shaft rotatable through operation of a drive means; C, a winch drum that is independently rotatable about said shaft, said winch drum including an abutment surface that extends in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal shaft axis, said abutment surface being a spaced apart distance from the shaft axis; a clutch positioned alongside said winch drum and being rotatable with said shaft, said clutch including an abutment surface spaced apart approximately the same distance from the shaft axis as that of the winch drum abutment surface, said clutch further being slideable along said shaft between a first position in which the clutch and winch drum are spaced apart allowing the winch drum to rotate freely, and a second position in which the clutch and winch drun are mechanically coupled by way of engagement between the respective abutment surfaces.

Preferably said winch drum abutment surface is in the form of a pin extending longitudinally outwardly from an end plate thereof, and said clutch abutment surface is in the form of a correspondingly shaped female bore located on an inside surface of said clutch, said bore configured to receive the stub.

In preference said clutch is moveable to said second position only when the stub and bore are coaxially aligned.

In preference said clutch is slideable through use of a pivotable rod having a first end and a second end, said clutch being rotatably supported at said first end, and said second end having associated therewith an actuation means for pivotably moving the rod between a first position corresponding with said clutch first position, and a second position corresponding with said clutch second position.

COMS ID No: ARCS-170617 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:16 Date 2007-11-29 29/11 '07 THU 16:35 FAX 61 8 82119433 LscrPri 12 Lesicar Perrin Z023 6 3 o Preferably said clutch is disc-shaped and is rotatably supported within a bracket mounted to the first end of said rod.

Z In preference said bracket is* a C-shaped bracket including a projection lining its internal ON surface adapted to engage a correspondingly shaped cavity lining the circumferential surface of the clutch.

Preferably said actuation means is in the form of a mechanical cable system which when operated causes a telescopic arm to move said rod second end between said first and second S positions.

swthAlternatively said actuation means is electrical and comprises a solenoid and an electric wic which when operated causes'the rod second end to move between said first and second positions.

Preferably said winch assembly includes a means of biasing said clutch towards said second position.

In preference said drive means is in the form of an electric motor capable of forward and reverse drive.

In a further form of the invcntion there is proposed a winch assembly for a marine vessel anchor, said winch assembly including: a drive shaft defining a longitudinal axis, said drive shaft being rotatable through operation of an associated drive means; a winch drum that is independently rotatable about said drive shaft, said winch drumn includn an end plate having a pin that extends along an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, said pin axis being spaced apart from the longitudinal axis; a disc clutch that is rotatable with said drive shaft and slideable between a first position in which the disc clutch and winch drum are disengaged allowing the anchor to free faill, and a second position in which the disc clutch and winch drum are engaged allowing the anchor to be raised and lowered through operation of the drive means; and wherein said disc clutch includes a bore positioned so as to be engageable by said pin when the disc clutch is moved toward said second position and when the pin and bore axes are coaxially aligned.

COMS ID No: ARCS-170617 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:16 Date 2007-11-29 29/11 '07 THU 16:36 FAX 61 8 82119433 Lesicar Perrin [a 024 4 04 o In preference said clutch is slideable through use of a pivotable rod having a first end and a second end, said clutch being rotatably supported at said first end, and said second end having o associated therewith an actuation means for pivotably moving the rod between a first position z corresponding with said clutch first position, and a second position corresponding with said C' 5 clutch second position.

oIn preference said clutch is rotatably supported within a bracket mounted to the first end of said rodL Preferably said bracket is a C-sbaped bracket including a projection lining its internal surface adapted to engage a correspondingly shaped cavity lining the circumferential surface of 0 the clutch.

Preferably said actuation means is in the form of a mechanical cable system which when operated causes a telescopic arm to move said rod second end between said first and second positions.

Alternatively said actuation means is electrical and comprises a solenoid and an electric switch which when operated causes the rod second end to move between said first and second positions.

Preferably said winch assembly includes a means of biasing said clutch towards said second position.

In preference said drive means is in the form of an electric motor capable of forward and reverse drive.

The present invention therefore provides the ability for a boat anchor associated with the winch assembly to free fall. When the clutch is in a disengaged position, the winch drum is able to freely rotate which allows the anchor to descend to the bottom at a much faster rate than hitherto known winch assemblies. When the clutch is in an engaged position, the winch drum is engaged by the disc clutch and is therefore rotatable with the drive shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS COMS ID No: ARCS-170617 Received by 1P Australia: Time 17:16 Date 2007-11-29 29/11 '07 THU 16:36 FAX 61 8 82119433 Lesicar Perrin R1025 0 4a o The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specifloation, illustrate an implementation of the invention and, together with the description, z serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings: ci Figure I illustrates a side view of a boat including a winch assembly in accordance with the present invention, mounted beneath the deck of' tbe boat; Figure 2 illustrates a top view of Figure 1; o Figure 3 illustrates an enlarged top view of the winch assembly of the Present invention when the clutch is disengaged and the winch is in free fal mode; Figure 4 illustrates an enlarged top view of the winch assembly of the present invention when the clutch is engages and toe winch is powered by the drive means; Figure 5 illustrates a Thrther enlarged top view of the winch assembly and in particular the hidden components of Lhe assembly; Figure 6 illustrates an enlarged top view of the moveable disc clutch formidng part of the winch assembly of the present invention; Figure 7 illustrates a side view of the moveable disc clutch of Figure 6; and Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of the moveable disc clutch of Figure 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMEfNTS The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings.

Althoughi the description includes exemplary embodiments, other enbodiments are possible, and changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.

COMS ID No: ARCS-170617 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:16 Date 2007-11-29 09/05 '07 WED 17:09 FAX 61 8 82119433LeicrPrn l06 Lesicar Perrin [a 036 o 0 The present invention relates to an improved winch assembly.10 for preferred use on a powered boat 12 such as that shown in Figures 1 and 2. The winch assembly 10 includes a winch drum 14 having a rope or chain 16 spooled there around, and an anchor 18 attached at a free end thereof. The boat 12 includes a deck 20, beneath which is mounted the assembly 10, and above 0 5 which is mounted two guides 22 and 24 for guiding the anchor rope'16. The skilled addressee would realise that these components are common to existing boat winch assemblies.

o It is to be understood that the winch assembly of the present invention need not be o mounted below the deck, but may equally well be mounted above, or partially above deck When mounted above deck, it is envisaged that the assembly would have an appropriate o 10 waterproof cover (not shown).

Turning now to Figures 3-4, the winch assembly 10 is shown in more detail. The winch drum 14 is preferably supported horizontally above a mounting plate (not shown) which has two side walls 26 and 28 extending upwardly on opposed sides of the winch drumr 14. Therefore, when viewing the assembly from the deck 20 looking down onto the assembly (as shown in Figure 3) it can be appreciated that the winch drum 14 is spaced closer to the side wall 26 on the left hand side to thereby allow space for a clutch mechanism 30 between the winch drum and side wall 28. A motor 32, typically a DC motor, is mounted to thc right hand side wall 28 on a right side thereof. The motor 32 is adapted to drive a central longitudinal shaft 34, herein referred to as the drive shaft 34. In preference, the motor is capable of reverse drive for reasons that will be later explained.

The drive shaft 34 extends between walls 26 and 28 and forms the central longitudinal shaft of the winch drum 14. It is important to realise that the winch drum 14, although baying drive shaft 34 extending through its central axis, rotates indepenidently from the drive shaft 34.

This may be achieved through well known means such as through the use of bushings 36 which allow the internal drive shaft 34 to rotate whilst the winch drain 14 remains still. It is to be understood however that other means for allowing independent rotation could also be used. The internal components of the assembly are shown in Figure In using bushings 36, the winch drum 14 may tend to shift along the drive shaft 34 during rotation. For this reason, located on opposed sides of the drum 14 are locking clips 38 and which prevent longitudinal movement of the drum relative to the drive shaft 34 but which do not COMS ID No: SBMI-07311937 Received by P1 Australia: Time 16:51 Date 2007-05-09 09/05 '07 WED 17:09 FAX 61 8 82119433LecrPrinEI7 Lesicar Perrin Z037 o interfere with the drum's rotation. Thc winch drum 14 will only rotate by way of operation of the mootor 32 when the clutch mechanism 30 is engaged, this being described in more detail below.

It should therefore already be apparent to the reader bow the winch drum 14 is able to freely rotate about its axis completely independently, that is, without the use of ball bearings or through reduction gearing and the like. Such a configuration allows the attached anchor 18 to o free, fall by its own weight at a much faster rate than hitherto known winches. As mentioned in the preamble of the invention, in approximately fourty feet of water it is envisaged that when allowed to free fall in this manner, the anchor could reach the bottom surface in some 10- seconds.

o 10 The clutch mechanism 30 is essentially a disc 42 that is moveable along the drive sha-ft 34 between two positions, an engaged position in which rotation of the winch drum 14 is dependent upon rotation of the drive shaft 34, and a disengaged position in which the winch drum 14 rotates independently of the drive shaft 34. The disengaged position is shown in Figure 3 and the engaged position is shown in Figure 4.

The winch drum 14 includes circular side plates 44 and 46 between which the rope 16 is allowed to spool, as is common in the art. However, the right side plate 46, that is, the side plate adjacent the clutch mechanism 30, includes a rounded protrusion 48 extending outwardly therefrom. The protrusion 48 is positioned off-centre, that is, it is disposed a predetermined distance away from the central longitudinal axis 50. This predetermined distance corresponds with the distance between the central longitudinal axis 50 and a bore 52 located on th e inside edge of the disc clutch 42. Therefore, when the protrusion 48 on the winch drum wall 46 and the bore 52 on the disc 42 are coaxially aligned and urged against each otber, the protrusion 48 is received within the bore 52, and the disc 42 and side plate 46 of the winch drum 14 become locked.

Those skilled in the art would realise that if' the drive shaft 34 is responsible for rotation of the disc 42, then when the disc 42 and winch drum 14 become engaged as described above, the drive shaft 34 also becomes responsible for rotating the winch drumn 14. Therefore when the clutch mechanism 30 is in the engaged state, rotation of the drumn 14 is achieved through operation of die motor 32.

Those skilled in the art would also realise however that in order to disengage from the winch drum 14, the disc 42 needs to be moved in a direction away from the winch drum side COMS ID No: SBMI-07311937 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:51 Date 2007-05-09 09/05 '07 WED 17:10 FAX 01 8 82119433 LscrPri 3 LesIcar Perrin Z038 o 7 o plate 46. In other words, the disc 42 needs to be configured so that it is iongitudinally moveable relative to the drive shaft 34, but also radially fixed such that when the drive shaft 34 rotates, so does the disc 42. This is achieved through use of diametrically opposed keyed sections 54 and 56 along the shaft as shown most clearly in Figures 6-8.

The disc 42 includes an internal circular apertre 58 through which extends the drive o shaft 34. The aperture 58 includes diametrically opposed keyways 60 and 62 which correspond in shape and size to that of the keyed sections 54 and 56 of the drive shaft 34 for engagement therewith. Those skilled in the art would realise that the keyed sections 54 and 56 act as a guide Cl for the disc 42, in that they allow the disc longitudinal movement there along, but at the same o 10 time prevent radial movement relative to the shaft 34.

Movement of the disc 42 between engaged and disengaged positions is achieved using a pivotable ann 64. The arm 64 is able to pivot about a pivot point 66 (shown in the drawings as a bolt screwed into part of the winch assembly housing). The disc 42 is attached to the arm 64 using a C-shaped bracket 68. As mentioned above, the disc 42 is associated with the drive shaft 34 in a manmer which allows it rotate therewith. For this reason, the pivotabic arm 64 and the disc 42 need to be coupled in such a way as to allow for rotation of the disc 42 as well as slight rotational movement of the arm 64.

Tbe C-shaped bracket 68 is journalled. partially around the perimeter of the disc 42. The disc 42 is able to rotate inside the C-shaped bracket 68 by way of engagement between a shoulder 70 extending inwardly from the C-shaped bracket 68 and a correspondingly shaped outer annular groove 72 extending around the perimeter of the disc 42. Fivotable movement between the C-shaped bracket 68 and the arm 64 can be achieved a number of ways. Although not shown, there could be an additional pivotable connecting piece between the two parts which allows for said pivotable movement of the arm 64 whilst still allowing the disc 42 to be maintained perpendicularly to the drive shaft 34.

Alternatively, the width of the groove 72 could be made slightly larger to thereby allow for slight pivotable movement of the shoulder 70 therein. In a further alternate configuration, the C-shaped bracket 68 could be oval rather than circular whereby ends of the C-structure engage the groove at top and bottom portions thereof. In being oval shaped and engaging the disc in this way allows the arn to be directly connccted to the bracket whilst allowing for pivotable COMS ID No: SBMI-07311937 Received by IP Australia: lime 16:51 Date 2007-05-09 09/05 '07 WED 17:10 FAX 61 8 82119433 LscrPri 3 Lesicar Perrin Z 039 o movement of the arm. It is to be understood that other suitable means of allowing for such movement could be used.

Actuation of the arn 64 to move the disc from thc engaged to the disengaged position ON and vice versa could also be achieved in a -number of ways. In the embodiment shown, a mechlanical cable mnechanism, 74 is used. The mechanism includes a telescopic rod 76 which is o fixed to a part 78 of the housing at one aend thereof and pivotably connected to the ann 64 at its free end 80 using a bolt 82. The free end 80 of the rod 76 is moveable between two positions, an extended and a refracted position. Those skilled in the art would realise that such movement Ci causes the connecting arm to rotate about pivot point 66, and thereby shift the disc 42.

o 10 Although not shown, there is a cable rnnning inside tube 84 which extends from the fixed portion of the rod 76 to a push-pull lever (not shown) located in the boat cabin. The cable and rod 76 are associated inl such a way that pushing the lever, for example, causes the cable to move and thereby -urge the telescopic rod in one direction, and pulling the lever causes the cable to move in the opposite direction and thereby urge thre telescopic rod in the opposite direction. The extent to which the rod moves should be made to correspond with the extent of movement required of the disc 42 to engage and disengage protrusion 52. Of course, extension and retraction of the arm could be achieved through other means, such as electrically through use of a solenoid (not shown) in which case the clutch could be actuated at a push of a button in the boat cabin, as is well known in the art.

It should be apparent that when the arm 64 is retracted as shown to a leftmost position, the disc 42 will be disengaged from the winch drum 14, however when the ann 64 is extended to a rightmost position, the arm will pivot about pivot point 66 and thereby shift the disc 42 towards the winch drum 14 so that protrusion 48 and bore 52 may engage.

Although not shown, the disc 42 could be spring biased toward the winch drm 14so that it is constantly in the engaged position, and then when free fall is requirek, the lever/batton (not shown) can be pressed and the disc 42 will disengage, enabling free fall of the anchor 18.

Therefore, the present invention allows for the raising and lowering of an anchor using a motor which is preferably equipped to operate in forward and reverse, as well as lowering of the anchor in a free falling capacity such that rotation of the winch drum takes place completely independently of the motor and other moving parts of the assembly.

COMS ID No: SBMI-0731 1937 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:51 Date 2007-05-09 09/05 '07 WED 17:11 FAX 81 8 82119433 LscrPri J4 Lesicar Perrin [a 040 o 9 (N Thus, ini using the apparatus of the present invention, a user may not only lower an anchor to a bottom surface much quicker than hitherto known winches, but greater flexibility is provided to the user. For example, if the user requires that the anchor be submerged only halfway to the ocean floor, which may be required in some conditions, he or she may allow the 0 anchor to free fal Lo the reqaired depth and then simply engage the clutch by pressing the button/lever.

o The speed of rotation of the winch drain may be excessive in larger boats due to the o weight of the anchor. Accordingly, the winch assembly further includes a screw-type brake pad 86 which when tightened moves toward the right side wall 46 of the winch drum 14 engaging it o 10 and thereby slowing it down. The brake pad 86 is shown most clearly in Figures 3-4 and includes a handle 88 for manually tightening the pad 86. It is to be understood that this could, as with the clutch actuation, be achieved electronically whereby such tightening would may be activated from within the boat cabin.

It is to be, tither understood that the size of the motor and size of the winch drum should be relative to the size of the boat. In smaller boats such as 16 foot boats, the anchor is relatively light and the anchor rope is some 16-20 mm in diameter. In larger boats, for example in 35 foot boats, the anuchor will be heavier and the anchor rope will be some 16-20mm in diameter, requiring a winch drum and motor of approximately doable the size as for the 16 foot boat.

It is to be still further understood that the arrangement of parts shown in the drawings and described above, for example the manne in which the motor is attached at the side of the winch drum, is by way of example only and the present invention should not be limited to only this anngement and configuration of parts. For example, the winch drum may equally well be a vertically extending winch drum in which case the motor may be mounted below the drum. Also, other parts which are deemed to be known in the art have not been described here fally.

Further advantages and improvements may -very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is -not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the falfl scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

COMS ID No: SBMI-07311937 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:51 Date 2007-05-09 09/05 '07 WED 17:11 FAX 61 8 82119433 Lesicar Perrin l041 O 0 In any claims that follow and in the summary of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", i.e. the features specified may be associated with further Sfeatures in various embodiments of the invention.

0 0 0- (Nq COMS ID No: SBMI-07311937 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:51 Date 2007-05-09

Claims (8)

1. 2. A winch assembly as in claim 1 wherein said Winch drum abutment surface is in the form i of a pin extending longitudinally outwardly from an end plate thereof, and said clutch abutment surface is in the form of a correspondingly shaped female bore located on an inside surface of said clutch, said bore configured to receive the stub.
2. 3. A winch assembly as in claim 2 wherein said clutch is moveable to said second position only when the stub and bore are coaxially aligned.
3. 4. A winch assembly as in any one of claims 1-3 wherein said clutch is slideable through use of a pivotable rod having a first end and a second end, said clutch being rotatably supported at said first end, and said second end having associated therewith an actuation means for pivotably moving the rod between a first position corresponding with said clutch first position, and a second position corresponding with said clutch second position. A winch assembly as in claim 4 wherein said clutch is disc-shaped and is rotatably supported within a bracket mounted to the first end of said rod.
4. 6. A winch assembly as in claim 5 wherein said bracket is a C-shaped bracket including a projection lining its internal surface adapted to engage a correspondingly shaped cavity lining the circumferential surface of the clutch. COMS ID No: ARCS-170617 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:16 Date 2007-11-29 29/11 '07 THIT 16:37 FAX 61 8 82119433 LscrPri 2 Lesicar Perrin Z 027 12 o 7- A winch assembly as in any one of claims 3-6 wherein said actuation means is in the form of a mechanical cable system which when operated causes a telescopic ann to move o said rod second end between said first and second positions. C S. A winch assembly as in any one of vilins 3-6 wherein said actuation means is electrical and comprises a solenoid and an electric switch which when operated causes the rod second end to move between said first and second positions. o 9- A winch assembly as in any one of'the above claims wherein said winch assembly o includes a means of biasing said clutch towards said second position. o 10. A winch assembly as in any one of the above claims wherein said drive means is in the Ni D fonm of an electric motor capable of forward and reverse drive.
5. 11. A winch assembly for a marine vessel anchor, said winch assembly including: a drive shaft defining a longitudinal axis, said drive shalt being rotatable through operation of an associated drive means; a winch dnim that is independently rotatable about said drive shaft, said winch drum including an end plate having a pin that extends along an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, said pin axis being spaced apart from the longitudinal axis; a disc clutch that is rotatable with said drive shaft, and slideable between a first position in which the disc clutch and winch drum are disengaged allowing the anchor to free fall, and a second position in which the disc clutch and winch drum are engaged allowing the anchor to be raised and lowered through operation of the drive means; and wherein said disc clutch includes a bore positioned so as to be engageable by said pin when the disc clutch is moved toward said second position and when the pin and bore axes are coaxially aligned.
6. 12. A winch assembly as in claim I1I wherein said clutch is slideable through use of a pivotable rod having a first end and a second end, said clutch being rotatably supported at said first end, and said second end having associated therewith an actuation means for pivotably moving the rod between a first position corresponding with said clutch first position, and a second position corresponding with said clutch second position.
7. 13. A winch assembly as in claim 12 wherein said clutch is rotatably supported within a bracket mounted to the first end of said rod. COMS ID No: ARCS-170617 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:16 Date 2007-11-29 29/11 '07 THU 16:37 FAX 61 8 82119433 LscrPri 2 Lesicar Perrin [a 028 12a o 14. A -winch assembly as in claim 13 wherein said bracket is a C-shaped bracket including a projection lining its internal suiface adapted to engage a correspondingly shaped cavity o lining the circumferential surfhce of the clutch. A winch assembly as in any one of claims 12-14 wherein said actuation means is in the form of a mechanical cable system which when operated causes a telescopic armn to move said rod second end between said first and second positions. o 16. A winch assembly as in any one of claims 12-14 wherein said actuation means is o electrical and comprises a solenoid and an electric switch which when operated causes the rod second end to move between said first and second positions. ci0 17. A 'winch assembly as in any one of claims 11I- 16 wherein said winch assembly includes a means of biasing said clutch towards said second position. IS. A winch assembly as in any one of claims 11-17 wherein said drive means is in the form of an electric motor capable of forward and reverse drive.
8. 19. A winch assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings. COMS ID No: ARCS-170617 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:16 Date 2007-11-29