GB2571754A

GB2571754A - A winch fixing

Info

Publication number: GB2571754A
Application number: GB1803681.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Greville Penny Robin; Fisher James
Original assignee: PENNY HYDRAULICS Ltd
Current assignee: PENNY HYDRAULICS Ltd
Priority date: 2018-03-07
Filing date: 2018-03-07
Publication date: 2019-09-11
Also published as: GB201803681D0

Abstract

A winch fixing comprises a first portion of a winch bearing retainer 110, the first portion having an outer surface 110b with a first profile, a second portion of a winch mounting bracket 106 to receive the first portion of the bearing retainer 110, the second portion having an inner surface 106c with a second profile, the first and second profiles are corresponding non-circular profiles such that, when the first portion is received and aligned in the second portion, the outer surface 110b of the first portion and inner surface 106c of the second portion restrict the rotation of the winch bearing retainer 110 relative to the winch mounting bracket 106. The outer surface 110b of the first portion and inner surface 106c may include corners forming abutting contacts AB. The profiles may be triangle, rectangle, square, hexagon, ellipse, oval or stadium shaped profiles. The bearing retainer 110 and bearing 108 may include flanges (110d, 108c fig. 4).

Description

A WINCH FIXING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a winch. In particular, the present invention relates to a winch fixing to at least restrict the rotation of a winch bearing retainer relative to a winch mounting bracket, and a fixing method thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A winch is typically used for raising, lowering or dragging a load.

Figures 1 to 2b depicts an example of a conventional winch apparatus (1) comprising a combined motor and gearbox (2), a rotatable shaft (4), and a mounting bracket (6). The rotatable shaft comprises a first end (not shown) coupled to the motor, a drum region (8), and a second end (10) coupled to the mounting bracket. In use, a cable (not shown) is coiled around the drum region of the shaft and coupled to a load (not shown). As the motor drives the shaft to rotate, the cable is shortened or extended to raise, lower or drag the load as required.

As shown in Figures 1 to 2b, the second end of the shaft is rotationally coupled to the mounting bracket using a bearing assembly. The bearing assembly comprises a bearing and a bearing retainer. The bearing is intended to receive the second end of the shaft. The bearing retainer is intended to form a static connection with the mounting bracket and a rotatable connection with the bearing, thereby allowing the shaft to rotate relative to the mounting bracket. In the conventional winch apparatus depicted in Figures 1 to 2b, the bearing retainer is a circular retainer ring (12) friction fitted into a corresponding circular aperture (14) of the mounting bracket. The bearing is a circular flanged bush (16) clearance fitted into the circular retainer ring.

However, it has been found that under certain operating conditions the driving torque of the shaft can be transmitted to the bearing retainer and cause the bearing retainer to slip and rotate with respect to the mounting bracket. This undesirable rotation of the bearing retainer can lead to the wearing of both the mounting bracket and the bearing retainer which, in turn, allows the shaft to become misaligned, compromises the operation of the winch and can ultimately result in the failure of the winch.

Previous attempts to solve this rotating bearing retainer problem have involved separating the motor and gearbox, and mounting the shaft there-between so that a bearing assembly and mounting bracket are no longer utilised. Nevertheless, this solution is disadvantageous because it increases the overall size and weight of the winch apparatus, it is more difficult to mount the winch and costly to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the problems identified above.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a winch fixing to at least restrict rotation of a winch bearing retainer relative to a winch mounting bracket.

By restricting (preferably inhibiting) rotational movement between the winch bearing retainer and winch mounting bracket, the winch fixing is able to counter (preferably nullify) the undesirable transmission of driving torque from the winch shaft to the winch bearing retainer. The winch fixing is thereby able to avert consequential damage to the winch and extend the operational lifetime of the winch.

By restricting (preferably inhibiting) rotational movement between the winch bearing retainer and the winch mounting bracket, the winch fixing is also able to improve (preferably optimise) the operational limits of the winch. For example, the winch fixing is able to improve the maximum driving torque, motor size, and/or duty cycle.

The winch fixing comprises a first portion of a winch bearing retainer and a second portion of a winch mounting bracket to receive the first portion of the winch bearing retainer. The first portion comprises an outer surface and the outer surface defines a first cross-sectional profile of the first portion. The second portion comprises an inner surface and the inner surface defines a second crosssectional profile of the second portion, whereby the first and second profiles are corresponding non-circular cross-sectional profiles. As such, when the first portion is received and aligned in the second portion, the outer surface of the first portion and inner surface of the second portion interact to at least restrict rotation of the winch bearing retainer relative to the winch mounting bracket.

By having non-circular cross-sectional profiles, the outer surface and inner surface are not circular in shape or are not complete circles in shape. Hence, each non-circular surface may comprise multiple surface regions and multiple corners at junctions between adjacent surface regions.

The first and second portions may have any suitable corresponding non-circular profiles to achieve interaction and the rotational fixing effect. The corresponding non-circular profiles of the first and second portions may have a regular shape or a non-regular shape. The first and second portions may, for example, have corresponding triangle, rectangle, square, hexagonal, elliptical, oval, semi-circle or stadium shaped profiles.

The first and second portions may interact to restrict rotation by forming a mating contact between corresponding surface regions and/or corresponding corners of the outer and inner surfaces.

For example, when the first portion is received and aligned in the second portion, corresponding corners of the outer surface of the first portion and the inner surface of the second portion may interact by abutting to form at least one abutting contact. This abutting contact between the corresponding corners acts as a stop in order to counter rotational torque and thereby at least restrict the rotation of the winch bearing retainer relative to the winch mounting bracket.

So as to constrain the clockwise rotational torque of the shaft acting on the winch bearing retainer, the corresponding corners of the first and second portions may be configured to form at least one abutting contact to restrict clockwise rotation of the winch bearing retainer relative to the winch mounting bracket when the first portion is received and aligned with the second portion.

So as to constrain the anti-clockwise rotational torque of the shaft acting on the winch bearing retainer, the corresponding corners of the first and second portions may be configured to form at least one abutting contact to restrict anti-clockwise rotation of the winch bearing retainer relative to the winch mounting bracket when the first portion is received and aligned with the second portion.

The corresponding corners may be configured to form at least one abutting contact and restrict the rotation of the winch bearing retainer in relation to the winch mounting bracket by approximately 3 degrees, less than approximately 3 degrees, by approximately 1 degree or less than approximately 1 degree.

The corresponding corners may be a rounded corner, a sharp corner, or a chamfered corner. The rounded corners and chamfered corners advantageously reduce the stress concentration at the abutting contact site. Moreover, when the chamfered faces of the corresponding chamfered corners abut, the corresponding chamfered corners form a face contact between the first and second portion with a greater surface contact area than a line contact or point contact. This increased surface contact area between the abutting chamfered corners aids the rotational fixing effect of the winch fixing. Also, the increased surface contact area at the abutting chamfered corners allows the winch fixing to dissipate stress between the winch bearing retainer and winch mounting bracket.

Additionally or optionally, corresponding surface regions of the outer surface of the first portion and the inner surface of the second portion may interact by interfacing to form at least one inter-surface contact when the first portion is received and aligned in the second portion. Advantageously, the inter-surface contact between corresponding surface regions enhances the mating contact between the winch bearing retainer and the winch mounting bracket, and thereby averts rotation. Also, by forming an inter-surface contact the winch fixing is able to facilitate the dissipation of stress between the corresponding surface regions.

The corresponding surface regions may be curved corresponding surface regions or linear corresponding surface regions. Each of the curved surface regions may form part of a circle, i.e. an arc. Each of the linear surface regions may be inclined, substantially horizontal or substantially vertical. Each of the linear surface regions may be a chord.

The first portion of the winch bearing retainer may comprise a mounting portion for mounting the winch bearing retainer on/in the winch mounting bracket.

The first portion of the winch bearing retainer may comprise a bearing housing with an aperture or recess that is configured to house a winch bearing.

The second portion of the winch mounting bracket may comprise an aperture or recess formed in the winch mounting bracket for receiving the first portion.

Therefore, in an embodiment, the winch fixing may comprise:

a bearing housing of a winch bearing retainer, the bearing housing having an outer surface and the outer surface defining a cross-sectional profile of the bearing housing;

an aperture or recess of a winch mounting bracket to receive the bearing housing of the winch bearing retainer, the aperture or recess having an inner surface and the inner surface defining a cross-sectional profile of the aperture or recess;

wherein the cross-sectional profiles of the bearing housing and aperture or recess are corresponding non-circular profiles such that, when the bearing housing is received and aligned in the aperture or recess, the outer surface of bearing housing and inner surface the aperture or recess interact to at least restrict the rotation of the winch bearing retainer relative to the winch mounting bracket.

The winch fixing may further comprise a flange portion extending from the first portion wherein the flange portion is configured to form mating contact with the winch mounting bracket when the first portion is received and aligned in the second portion.

The flange portion may be a circumferential flange.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a winch apparatus comprising:

a rotatable shaft, a mounting bracket, a winch bearing assembly to rotationally couple the rotatable shaft and mounting bracket, the winch bearing comprising a winch bearing retainer and a winch bearing, and a winch fixing to rotationally engage the winch bearing retainer and winch mounting bracket according to the first aspect of the invention and thereby restrict relative rotation of the winch bearing retainer and winch mounting bracket.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a method of rotationally fixing a winch bearing retainer and winch mounting bracket comprising:

providing a first portion of a winch bearing retainer, the first portion having an outer surface with a first cross-sectional profile;

providing a second portion of the winch mounting bracket, the second portion having an inner surface with a second cross-sectional profile, wherein the first profile and the second profile are corresponding non-circular cross-sectional profiles, locating and aligning the first portion in the second portion so that the outer portion and inner portion interact to restrict the rotation of the winch bearing retainer relative to the winch mounting bracket.

Wherein the outer surface and inner surface comprise corresponding corners, and the step of locating and aligning of the first portion in the second portion so that the outer surface and inner surface interact to restrict rotation comprises: forming at least one abutting contact between the corresponding corners.

Wherein the outer surface and inner surface comprise corresponding surface regions, and the step of locating and aligning of the first portion in the second portion so that the outer surface and inner surface interact to restrict rotation comprises: forming at least one inter-surface contact between corresponding surface regions.

Wherein the step of locating and aligning the first portion in the second portion so that the outer surface and inner surface interact to restrict rotation comprises: push-fitting the first portion into the second portion when they are aligned.

03 18

Wherein the step of providing the second portion of the winch mounting bracket comprises: press-cutting an aperture in the winch mounting bracket, the aperture having the inner surface with the second profile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a known winch assembly;

Figures 2a and 2b are front views of the bearing retainer and the mounting bracket of the known winch assembly as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a winch with a winch fixing according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is an enlarged exploded view showing the mounting bracket, bearing 20 retainer, bearing and second end of the shaft of the winch according to the present invention as shown in Figure 3;

Figures 5 is an exploded view showing the winch fixing of the winch according to the present invention as shown in Figure 3;

Figure 6a to 6c are front views showing the winch fixing of the winch according to the present invention as shown in Figure 3;

Figures 7a to 7c are front views showing a second embodiment of a winch fixing 30 according to the present invention;

Figures 8a to 8c are front views showing a third embodiment of a winch fixing according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to Figures 3 to 8c, a winch apparatus according to the present invention is indicated generally at (100). The winch comprises a combined motor and gearbox (102), a rotatable shaft (104), mounting bracket (106), a bearing (108), a bearing retainer (110) and a winch fixing.

The combined motor and gearbox (102) may be any suitable drive train for rotatably driving the shaft to raise, lower or drag a load.

The shaft (104) comprises a first end (not shown) that is coupled to and driven by the motor, a drum region (104a) for a cable (not shown) and a second end (104b) rotationally coupled to the mounting bracket. The shaft (104) extends in an axial direction AA' between the motor (102) and the mounting bracket (106). In the embodiments depicted in Figure 3 to 8c, the second end comprises a sintered or cast steel rod with a diameter of approximately 25mm

The mounting bracket (106) may be any suitable bracket for mounting the winch apparatus at a desired location. In the embodiments depicted in Figure 3 to 8c, the mounting bracket has a generally L-shape and comprises a foot portion (106a) and a generally upright wall (106b). The mounting bracket (106) may be formed from steel plate approximately 5mm thick.

The shaft (104) is rotationally coupled to the mounting bracket (106) using a bearing assembly, so as to allow the shaft to rotate relative to the mounting bracket. The bearing assembly comprises a bearing (108) and a bearing retainer (HO).

The bearing (108) may be any suitable bearing, including, for example, a plain bearing or a roller bearing. In the embodiments depicted in Figure 3 to 8c, the bearing (108) is a flanged bush bearing comprising a cylindrical body (108a) with a circular through-hole (108b) and a circumferential flange (108c). The bearing through-hole (108b) is configured to receive the second end (104b) of the shaft. In the embodiment, the second end of the shaft and bearing through-hole have a corresponding configuration and diameter of approximately 25mm to form a tight fit. The bearing assembly may comprise any suitable fastening means to secure the bearing and the shaft. As shown in Figure 4, the fastening means may comprise corresponding teeth and grooves (108d) arranged on an inner surface of the bearing through-hole (108b) and an outer surface of the shaft (104b) to securely engage the second end of the shaft as it is received in the bearing though-hole. The bearing is preferably formed from a low-friction material or has a low friction coating to reduce friction between the bearing and the bearing retainer. In the embodiments depicted in Figures 3 to 8c, the bearing is formed from a low-friction bronze composite to reduce friction between the bearing and bearing retainer as the bearing and shaft rotates. The bearing body (108a) has an external diameter of approximately 32mm. The bearing flange (108c) has a diameter of approximately 45mm.

The bearing retainer (110) may be any suitable bearing retainer for housing the bearing and, in turn, the shaft. In the embodiment depicted in Figures 3 to 8c, the bearing retainer is formed from mild steel plated with zinc and comprises a hollow body (110a) to house the bearing (108) and the shaft (104). The bearing retainer body comprises an outer surface (110b) and a circular through-hole (110c). The bearing retainer further comprises a circumferential flange (HOd) extending around the body. In the embodiments shown, the inner surface (llOe) of the bearing retainer through-hole has a corresponding configuration with the outer surface of the bearing body, and has an internal diameter of the approximately 32mm and depth of approximately 12mm so as to receive and form a clearance fit with the bearing body (108a). As a result, the bearing (108) and shaft (104) are able to freely rotate within the bearing retainer (110) and about axis AA', when the shaft is driven by the motor (102). The bearing flange (108c) and bearing retainer flange (110c) have a corresponding configuration and corresponding diameter of approximately 45mm such that the bearing flange abuts the bearing retainer flange when the bearing body is housed in the bearing retainer through-hole.

The bearing retainer (110) is mounted on the mounting bracket (106). In the embodiment depicted in Figures 3 to 8c, the mounting bracket comprises an aperture (106c) formed in the upright wall (106b) to receive the bearing retainer body (110a). The aperture has an inner surface (106d). In the embodiment depicted, the inner surface has a depth of approximately 5mm. The aperture may be formed using any suitable cutting, milling or machining techniques. For example, the aperture may be press-cut in the mounting bracket.

In use, as the shaft rotates, the bearing retainer (110) will be subject to dynamic loads. These dynamic loads can compromise the operation of the winch and restrict the operational limits of the winch. Therefore, to counter any undesirable rotational torque, the winch apparatus of the present invention further comprises a winch fixing to restrict relative rotation between the bearing retainer (110) and the mounting bracket (106), about longitudinal axis AA'.

By restricting the rotation of the bearing retainer (110) relative to the mounting bracket (106), the winch fixing is able to impede the transmission of rotation from the shaft (104) to the mounting bracket (106). Thus, the risk of wear, winch misalignment and failure is advantageously reduced, whilst the operational limits of the winch are improved.

The winch fixing comprises a first portion (112a) of the bearing retainer and a second portion (114a) of the mounting bracket to receive the first portion.

The first portion (112a) comprises a non-circular outer surface (112b) with multiple outer surface regions and multiple outer corners at junctions between adjacent outer surface regions.

Likewise, the second portion (114a) comprises a non-circular inner surface (114b) with multiple inner surface regions and multiple inner corners at junctions between adjacent inner surface regions.

The cross-sectional profile of the first portion is defined by the non-circular outer surface (112b) and the cross-sectional profile of the second portion is defined by the non-circular inner surface (112b).

In the winch fixing, the outer surface and inner surface have corresponding noncircular perimeter. As a consequence, the outer surface and inner surface have corresponding multiple surface regions and corresponding multiple corners, and the first and second portions have corresponding non-circular cross-sectional profiles.

Due to the corresponding non-circular cross-sectional profiles of the first portion and second portion, the first portion must be correctly aligned relative to the second portion for it to be fitted in the second portion. When aligned, the profile of the first portion is orientated relative to the profile of the second portion, and the first and second portions are coaxial. This must-fit arrangement advantageously helps to minimise operator error when installing or servicing the winch. For example, if the operator fails to correctly align and inter-engage the winch bearing retainer in the mounting bracket then the shaft will not extend in the axial direction AA' as required and wobble as it rotates.

Moreover, the corresponding multiple surface regions and/or corresponding multiple corners interact and enable a mating contact when the first portion is aligned and received in the second portion. This mating contact between the first and second portions has the effect of at least restricting the rotation of the winch bearing retainer relative to the winch mounting bracket. The mating contact forms when corresponding corners of the first and second portions abut. Additional or alternative mating contact forms when corresponding surface regions of the first and second portions interface.

The rotatonal fixing effect of the winch fixing is dependent on the tolerances and profile configuration of the first portion and the second portion. By way of example, the first portion and second portion may be configured to have corresponding non-circular cross-sectional profiles such that corresponding corners abut to and restrict the rotation by up to 3 degrees, less than approximately 3 degrees, by approximately 1 degree or less than approximately 1 degree.

The flange portion may be a circumferential flange.

In the embodiments depicted in Figure 3 to 8c, the first portion (112a) of the winch fixing is the bearing retainer body (110a), the outer surface (112b) of the winch fixing is the outer surface (110b) of the bearing retainer body and the first portion cross-sectional profile is defined by the outer surface (110b) of the bearing retainer body. The second portion (114a) of the winch fixing is the mounting bracket aperture (106c), the inner surface (114b) of the winch fixing is the inner surface (106d) of the mounting bracket aperture and the second portion cross-sectional profile is defined by the inner surface (106d) of the mounting bracket aperture.

The bearing retainer body (110a)/winch fixing first portion (112a) and mounting bracket aperture (106c)/winch fixing second portion (114a) may have any suitable corresponding non-circular profiles. The corresponding non-circular profiles may have a regular or non-regular shaped. The bearing retainer body/first portion and mounting bracket aperture/ second portion may, for example, have corresponding triangle, rectangle, square, hexagon, ellipse, oval, semi-circle or stadium shaped profiles.

In a first embodiment of the winch fixing depicted in Figures 3 to 6c, the bearing retainer body (110a)/first portion (112a) and mounting bracket aperture (106c)/second portion (114a) have corresponding stadium shaped profiles. Due to the corresponding stadium shaped profiles, the outer surface of the bearing retainer body (first portion) and inner surface of the mounting bracket aperture (second portion) each comprise a first corresponding linear surface region (115a, 116a), a second corresponding linear surface region (115b, 116b) opposing the first linear surface region, a third corresponding curved surface region (115c, 116c), a fourth corresponding curved surface region (115d, 116d) opposing the third curved surface region, and four corresponding curved corners (117a-d, 118a-d) formed at the junctions between the adjacent linear and curved surface regions.

As shown in Figure 6c, when the bearing retainer body (first portion) is received in and aligned in the mounting bracket aperture (second portion), each of the corresponding corners form an abutting contact (AB). The abutting contact is sufficient to restrict rotation of the bearing retainer relative to the mounting bracket to less than approximately 3 degrees. Also, the abutting contact formed between each of the corresponding corners is able to restrict rotation in the clockwise and anti-clockwise direction. In this embodiment, the radii of the corresponding curved corners also help to reduce contact stress at each of the four abutting contact sites.

Also, when the bearing retainer body (first portion) is received in and aligned in the mounting bracket aperture (second portion), each of the corresponding surface regions interface forming inter-surface contacts (IN). These inter-surface contacts further restrict rotation and also help to dissipate stress. By interfacing all the surface regions, the winch fixing is able to minimise rattling.

In a second embodiment of the winch fixing as depicted in Figures 7a to 7c, the bearing retainer body (first portion) and the mounting bracket aperture (second portion) have corresponding rectangle shape profiles. Consequently, the outer surface of the bearing retainer body and inner surface of the mounting retainer aperture each comprise four corresponding linear surface regions (119a-d, 120ad) and four sharp corresponding corners (121a-d, 122a-d) between adjacent linear surfaces. As shown in Figure 7c, when the bearing retainer body (first portion) is aligned and received in the mounting retainer aperture (second portion), each of the four corresponding corners form an abutting contact (AB) to restrict rotation in the clockwise and anti-clockwise direction. Also, each of the four corresponding linear surface regions form an inter-surface contact (IN) so as to further restrict rotation, also dissipate stress and minimise rattling.

In the third embodiment of the winch fixing as depicted in Figures 8a to 8c, the bearing retainer body (first portion) and mounting bracket aperture (second portion) have corresponding hexagon shaped profiles. Consequently, the outer surface of the bearing retainer body and inner surface of the mounting bracket aperture each comprise six corresponding linear surface regions (123a-f, 124a-f) and six corresponding corners (125a-f, 126a-f) between adjacent linear surfaces.

When the bearing retainer body (first portion) is aligned and received in the mounting bracket aperture (second portion), each of the six corresponding corners form an abutting contact (AB) to restrict rotation in the clockwise and anti-clockwise direction.

To enhance the abutting contact between the corresponding corners, the corresponding corners of the bearing retainer body (first portion) and mounting retainer aperture (second portion) are chamfered and comprise corresponding chamfered faces. By increasing the surface contact area at the abutting contact sites, the abutting and thereby the rotational fixing effect is improved.

Also, each of the six corresponding linear surface regions form an inter-surface contact (IN) so as to further restrict rotation, dissipate stress and minimise rattling.

A winch comprising a winch fixing according to the present invention has reduced wear, an improved operation, and a longer operational lifetime. For example, a winch comprising a winch fixing according to the present invention is able to operate at increased driving torques. As a result, the winch is able to handle heavier loads. The winch fixing also enables the winch to operate more quickly, have longer winching distances and/or operate for longer continuous time periods. For example, during testing, it has been found that a winch comprising the winch fixing according to the present invention can operate at an increased driving torque of approximately 165Nm, in comparison to a driving torque of approximately 140Nm for a conventional winch (without a winch fixing). The winch can be powered using a higher powered motor of 1000W, rather than the conventional 800W motor. The duty cycle of the winch is doubled from the conventional 30 seconds operational time to an approximately 60 second operational time, with 15 minutes rest.

Also, by using a winch fixing to reduce the wear of the bearing retainer and mounting bracket, the variety of materials suitable for the bearing retainer and mounting bracket is increased. These materials may be cheaper in cost, lighter in weight, easier to manufacture and/or have better noise damping characteristics that the materials of conventional winch bearing retainers and winch mounting brackets.

Although the invention has been described above with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that various changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A winch fixing comprising:

a first portion of a winch bearing retainer, the first portion having an outer surface and the outer surface defining a cross-sectional profile of the first portion;

a second portion of a winch mounting bracket to receive the first portion of the bearing retainer, the second portion having an inner surface and the inner surface defining a cross-sectional profile of the second portion;

wherein the cross-sectional profiles of the first and second portions are corresponding non-circular cross-sectional profiles such that, when the first portion is received and aligned in the second portion, the outer surface of the first portion and inner surface of the second portion interact so as to restrict the rotation of the winch bearing retainer relative to the winch mounting bracket

2. The winch fixing according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding outer surface and inner surface each comprise a corresponding first corner that are configured to abut and form an abutting contact so as to restrict rotation of the winch bearing retainer relative to the winch mounting bracket, when the first portion is received and aligned in the second portion.

3. The winch fixing according claim 2, wherein the corresponding outer surface and inner surface each comprise multiple corresponding corners that are configured to form multiple abutting contacts so as to restrict rotation of the winch bearing retainer relative to the winch mounting bracket, when the first portion is received and aligned in the second portion.

4. The winch fixing according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the corresponding first corners or multiple corresponding corners are configured to form an abutting contact so as to restrict rotation of the winch bearing retainer in a clockwise direction and/or in an anti-clockwise direction.

5. The winch fixing according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the corresponding first corners or multiple corresponding corners are configured to form an abutting contact so as to restrict the rotation of the winch bearing retainer to approximately 3 degrees, preferably to less than approximately 3 degrees.

6. The winch according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the corresponding first corners or multiple corresponding corners are rounded, sharp or chamfered corresponding corners.

7. The winch fixing according to any of preceding claim, wherein the corresponding outer surface and inner surface each comprise a corresponding first surface region that are configured to interface and form an inter-surface contact so as to restrict the rotation of the winch bearing retainer relative to the winch mounting bracket, when the first portion is received and aligned in the second portion.

8. The winch fixing according to claim 7, wherein the corresponding outer surface and inner surface each comprise multiple corresponding surface regions that are configured to form multiple inter-surface contacts so as to restrict the rotation of the winch bearing retainer relative to the winch mounting bracket, when the first portion is received and aligned in the second portion.

9. The winch fixing according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the corresponding first surface regions or multiple corresponding surface regions are curved or linear corresponding surface regions.

10. The winch fixing according to any preceding claim, wherein the corresponding non-circular cross-sectional profiles of the first portion and the second portion are corresponding regular non-circular shaped profiles or corresponding non-regular non-circular shaped profiles.

11. The winch fixing according to any preceding claim wherein the corresponding non-circular cross-sectional profiles of the first portion and second portion are corresponding triangle, rectangle, square, hexagon ellipse, oval or stadium shaped profiles.

12. The winch fixing according to any preceding claim, wherein the first portion is a bearing housing to retain a winch bearing.

13. The winch fixing according to any preceding claim, where the second portion is a recess or aperture formed in the winch mounting bracket.

14. The winch fixing according to any preceding claim, further comprising a flange portion extending from the first portion, preferably wherein the flange portion is a circumferential flange.

15. A winch comprising:

a rotatable shaft;

a mounting bracket;

a bearing assembly to couple the rotatable shaft and mounting bracket, the bearing assembly comprising a bearing and a bearing retainer;

a winch fixing to restrict the rotation of the bearing retainer relative to the mounting bracket according to any of claims 1 to 14.

16. A method of rotationally fixing a winch bearing retainer and winch mounting bracket comprising:

providing a first portion of the winch bearing retainer, the first portion having an outer surface and the outer surface defining a crosssectional profile of the first portion;

providing a second portion of the winch mounting bracket, the second portion having an inner surface and the inner surface defining a cross-sectional profile of the second portion, wherein the cross-sectional profiles of the first and second portions are corresponding non-circular cross-sectional profiles, locating and aligning the first portion in the second portion so that the outer surface of the first portion and inner surface of the second portion interact so as to restrict the rotation of the winch bearing retainer relative to the winch mounting bracket.

17. A method of claim 16, wherein the outer surface and inner surface comprise corresponding corners, and the step of locating and aligning of the first portion in the second portion so that the outer surface and inner surface interact to restrict rotation comprises: forming at least one abutting contact between the corresponding corners.

18. A method of claim 16 or 17, wherein the outer surface and inner surface

5 comprise corresponding surface regions, and the step of locating and aligning of the first portion in the second portion so that the outer surface and inner surface interact comprises: forming at least one inter-surface contact between the corresponding surface regions.