WO2008119108A1

WO2008119108A1 - Guide for a winch crank

Info

Publication number: WO2008119108A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/000433
Authority: WO
Inventors: Douglas Rawson-Harris
Original assignee: Goodcart Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2007-03-30
Filing date: 2008-03-28
Publication date: 2008-10-09

Abstract

A winch handle of the type used for a winch on a sail boat. The winch handle comprising a lug for engaging a socket disposed on the winch, a locking plate attached to the lug and rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the lug. A self-aligning guide is attached to or integral with the locking plate and comprising an engagement profile arranged for first engaging with the winch socket and then guiding the lug into an engagement with the winch socket regardless of the orientation of said locking plate with respect to said lug.

Description

GUIDE FOR A WINCH CRANK

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a winch crank. In particular, the invention relates to a guide that is attached to or integral with the engagement face of the lug of the winch crank and is arranged for guiding the lug into engagement with the respective winch socket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Manually operated winches are widely used in sail boats. Winch cranks (handles) are used in these systems for engaging respective winch sockets and rotating them around respective axes. Such engagements requires a large number of well defined edges (splines) of the engagement lug of the winch crank to be arranged in corresponding orientation with regard to the respective engagement profile of the winch socket. One type of winch crank (handle) that is commonly used has a locking plate that prevents its removal from the winch socket. Such winch crank is shown in the prior art Figs 2, 3 a and 3b of US Patent No. 6,491,285 (Tomita). In such arrangement the locking plate is mounted at the free end of the plug (or lug) of the winch crank. The locking plate is connected to a switch (or lever) by a shaft, and may be actuated by movement of the switch. In use the locking plate may be actuated to align with splines on the lug so that the winch crank may be inserted or removed from the winch socket. Even experienced sailors find it difficult to consistently effect quick engagement of such a winch crank, which can be very important in some situations, such as competitive sailing.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous if an arrangement is designed which would facilitate convenient and quick engagement of the lug of the winch crank with the corresponding winch socket. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect the present invention consists in a guide for a winch crank, the winch crank comprising a lug for engaging a respective winch socket, the guide being attached to or integral with the engagement face of the lug and comprising an engagement profile arranged for first engaging with the winch socket and then guiding the lug into an engagement with the winch socket.

Preferably the engagement profile comprises a plurality of guiding formations separated by troughs, the guiding formations having rounded edges and/or surfaces, and being arranged so that, when the lug is urged against the winch socket and the rounded edge or surface of at least one guiding formation engages at least one engagement edge of the winch socket, any further urging abuttingly directs the guide into rotation that leads the guide into engagement with the winch socket, the guide being so rotationally oriented with respect to the engagement profile of the lug that engagement of the guide guides the lug into an engagement with the winch socket.

Preferably the engagement profile is in the form of a star-like formation, including four prismatic guiding formations separated by four troughs.

According to a second aspect the present invention consists in a locking plate for attaching to the lug of a winch handle, the lug having engagement edges for engaging with respective profile of a winch socket, the locking plate being attached to the front face of the lug and comprising stopping peripheral edges, the locking plate also being rotatable about the central axis of the lug between; an aligned configuration, wherein the stopping edges are aligned with the engagement edges of the lug, and a locking configuration, wherein the locking plate is rotated around the central axis so that the locking edges are offset with respect to the engagement edges of the lug, the locking plate being resiliently rotatingly biased into the locking configuration, the arrangement being such that to facilitate engagement between the lug and the winch socket, the locking plate is rotated into an aligned configuration to facilitate the insertion of the lug into the winch socket, where the locking plate aligns with a peripheral space on the inner surface of the winch socket within which, upon release, the locking plate can rotate back into its locking configuration, in which configuration at least sections of the stopping edges of the locking plate stoppingly abut against an inner cross-sectional surface of the winch socket, the rotational bias of the locking plate maintaining the locking plate into the locked engagement with the winch socket to prevent disengagement of the winch handle from the winch socket, wherein the locking plate also includes a guide.

Preferably said guide having an engagement profile comprising a plurality of guiding formations separated by troughs, the guiding formations having rounded edges and/or surfaces, and being arranged so that, when the lug is urged against the winch socket and the rounded edge or surface of at least one guiding formation engages at least one engagement edge of the winch socket, any further urging abuttingly directs the guide into rotation that leads the guide into engagement with the winch socket, the guide being so rotationally oriented with respect to the engagement profile of the lug that engagement of the guide guides the lug into an engagement with the winch socket.

According to a third aspect the present invention consists in a winch crank comprising a winch lug for engaging a respective winch socket, a locking plate attached to said lug and rotatable about a longitudinal axis of said lug, said locking plate rotatable between an aligned configuration in which first engagement edges of said lug are aligned with second engagement edges on said locking plate, and a locking configuration in which said first engagement edges are offset with said second engagement edges, said locking plate resiliently biased towards said locking configuration and able to be moved from said locking configuration to said aligned configuration by actuation of a lever, wherein said locking plate has a guide attached thereto or integral therewith, said guide for leading said winch lug into engagement with said winch socket when said locking plate is urged against said winch socket, said guide being self aligning to allow said guide to lead said winch lug into engagement with said winch socket when said locking plate is in either said locking configuration or said aligned configuration, or misaligned there between. Preferably once said winch lug is fully engaged with said winch socket, said locking plate is biasedly urged into said locking configuration thereby locking said winch lug to said winch socket, and said lever may be actuated to move said locking plate to said aligned configuration to allow removal of said winch lug from said winch socket.

Preferably said guide has an engagement profile comprising a plurality of guiding formations separated by troughs.

Preferably said engagement profile of said guide is in the form of a star-like formation, including four prismatic guiding formations separated by four troughs.

Preferably said winch socket is disposed on a winch used for sail boat applications.

According to a fourth aspect the present invention consists in a winch handle of the type used for a winch on a sail boat, said winch handle comprising a lug for engaging a socket disposed on said winch, a locking plate attached to said lug and rotatable about a longitudinal axis of said lug, said locking plate rotatable between an aligned configuration in which first engagement edges of said lug are aligned with second engagement edges on said locking plate, and a locking configuration in which said first engagement edges are offset with said second engagement edges, said locking plate resiliency biased towards said locking configuration and able to be moved from said locking configuration to said aligned configuration by actuation of a lever by a user, wherein said locking plate has a guide attached to or integral with the engagement face of said lug, said guide comprising an engagement profile having a plurality of guiding formations separated by troughs, the guiding formations having rounded edges and/or surfaces, said guide for leading said winch lug into engagement with said winch socket when said locking plate is urged against said winch socket, said guide being self aligning to allow said guide to lead said winch lug into engagement with said winch socket when said locking plate is in either the locking configuration or the aligned configuration, or misaligned there between. Preferably once said winch lug is folly engaged with said winch socket, said locking plate is biasedly urged into said locking configuration thereby locking said winch lug to said winch socket, and said lever may be actuated to move said locking plate to said aligned configuration to allow removal of said winch lug from said winch socket.

According to a fifth aspect the present invention consists in a winch handle of the type used for a winch on a sail boat, said winch handle comprising a lug for engaging a socket disposed on said winch, a locking plate attached to said lug and rotatable about a longitudinal axis of said lug, wherein a self-aligning guide is attached to or integral with said locking plate and comprising an engagement profile arranged for first engaging with said winch socket and then guiding said lug into an engagement with said winch socket regardless of the orientation of said locking plate with respect to said lug.

Preferably the engagement profile comprises a plurality of guiding formations separated by troughs.

Preferably said plurality of guiding formations separated by troughs is in the form of a star- like formation, including four prismatic guiding formations separated by four troughs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an upper perspective view of a winch crank in an embodiment of the present invention, the engagement lug of the winch crank being aligned for engagement with a winch socket.

Fig. 2 is a lower perspective view of the winch crank of Fig. 1, showing in more detail the winch lug and the winch guide.

Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are a side view and an underside view respectively, of the winch crank of Fig.l, wherein the locking plate is in an aligned configuration with the engagement profile of the winch lug.

Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are a side view and an underside view respectively, of the winch crank of Fig.l, wherein the locking plate is in a locking configuration and out of alignment with the engagement profile of the winch lug.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 depicts a winch crank 1 comprising a winch lug 2 for engaging winch socket 3 and rotating it around an axis. Winch lug 2 includes engagement edges (splines) 4 for engaging with respective grooves 5 of the engagement profile of winch socket 3. Winch lug 2 also includes a locking plate 6 that is attached to the front face of winch lug 2. Locking plate 6 comprises peripheral stopping edges 7 and is rotatable around axis X of the winch lug, between an "aligned configuration" and a "locking configuration". The rotation of the locking plate is facilitated by lever 8.

The "aligned configuration", shown in Figures 3 and 4, is a configuration where the edges 7 of locking plate 6 are aligned with the engagement edges 4 of winch lug 2. In the

"locking configuration", on the other hand, locking plate 6 is slightly rotated around axis X with respect to the "aligned configuration". In this locking configuration, the edges 7 are offset with respect to the engagement edges 4 of winch lug 2, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Notably, locking plate 6 is resiliently and rotationally biased into the locking configuration.

In use, to engage winch lug 2 with winch socket 3, lever 8 may be used to rotate locking plate 6 into its aligned configuration. Edges 7 are aligned with edges 4 of winch lug 2 to enable engagement of same to winch socket 3. The inner surface of winch socket 3 has a peripheral depression 9 disposed at a predetermined length of the engagement profile. Such a depression 9 may define the end of the engagement profile or may be a groove in the middle of the engagement profile. Depression 9 is so arranged that, once winch lug 2 is inserted into winch socket 3, locking plate 6 aligns with depression 9. Upon release of lever 8, and due to the rotational bias, locking plate 6 rotates back into its locking configuration, where its edges 7 stoppingly abut against the inner cross sectional surface of depression 9 of winch socket 3, thus locking the locking plate 6 and winch lug 2 within winch socket 3. The rotational bias of the locking plate 6 into its "locking configuration", prevents disengagement of winch lug 2, and therefore winch crank 1, from winch socket 3. Notably, locking plate 6 includes a guide 10 that is attached or integral with the engagement face of locking plate 6, and facilitates the engagement of locking plate 6 and winch lug 2, with winch socket 3.

As shown in Fig. 2, guide 10 has an engagement profile that comprises a plurality of prismatic guiding formations 11 separated by troughs 12. Guiding formations 11 have rounded edges and surfaces. In this embodiment engagement profile of guide 10, as readily seen in Figs 2, 4 and 6, is "star-like" and comprises four prismatic guiding formations 11 separated by four troughs 12. The shape and the roundness of the engagement profile of guide 10 facilitate easy engagement of guide 10 with winch socket 3.

The guide 10 enables the winch lug 2 to be urged and engage winch socket 3, regardless of whether the locking plate 6 is in the "aligned configuration" or "locked configuration", or misaligned between those two configurations. When winch lug 2 is urged against winch socket 3, one or more of the rounded edges and/or surfaces of guiding formations

11 engages with one or more engagement edges 13 of winch socket 3. A further urging of winch lug 2 towards winch socket 3, abuttingly directs guide 10 into rotation, which leads guide 10 into engagement with winch socket 3. The rotational orientation of guide 10 with respect to the engagement profile of winch lug 2, is arranged so that an engagement of guide 10 with winch socket 3 will ensure that engagement occurs between the edges (splines) 4 of winch lug 2 and the grooves 5 of winch socket 3. This rotation of the guide 10 by its guiding formations allows for a smooth lead in, such that edges (splines) 4 of lug 2 are smoothly synchronized into engagement with grooves 5 of socket 3.

It will be obvious from the above description that guide 10 of winch crank 1, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, facilitates a relatively easy engagement between winch lug 2 and winch socket 3. Since guide 10 is substantially self aligning, a user of the winch does not need to pay any attention on the alignment between the engagement profiles of winch lug 2 and winch socket 3. All the user needs to do is to bring the locking plate 6 and guide 10, into engagement with the socket 3. The guide formations of the guide 10 ensure locking plate 6 is rotated into the correct alignment and engagement of lug 2 to socket 3. Accordingly, when locking plate 6 is already in the "aligned configuration", guide 10 ensures that simply pressing winch lug 2 towards socket 3, effects an alignment between lug 2 and socket 3.

Regardless of what configuration the locking plate 6 was in originally, once winch lug 2 is fully inserted into the winch socket 3, the locking plate 6 will automatically be urged to the "locking configuration", as it is biased to that configuration. In order to remove the winch crank 1 from the winch socket, the lever 8 must be actuated so that the locking plate 6 is placed in the "aligned configuration" for removal.

It should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the abovementioned embodiment, but also covers other arrangements using similar concepts. For example, while the guide 10 of the abovementioned embodiment is described as part of a locking plate 6, it is obvious that such a guide could be arranged directly onto the front face of the winch lug. While such an arrangement would not be able to lock the winch crank to the winch socket, it would still facilitate easy engagement between the winch lug and the winch socket. In addition, the guide can have an engagement profile that is different from the one illustrated, as long as the profile facilitates both easy alignment of the guide with the winch socket, and directing the winch lug into engagement with the winch socket. The abovementioned embodiment of winch crank 1 having winch lug 2 with guide 10 on locking plate 6, is particularly suited for use on sail boats and allows for a sailor or other user to consistently effect quick engagement of the winch crank with the socket of the winch. This is particularly useful in some situations, such as competitive sailing. It also allows for easier winch crank insertion for less experienced and social sailors. Whilst the abovementioned embodiment has been described with reference to a winch crank used in sailing applications, it should be understood that this embodiment is not limited to this application.

Please note that throughout the description reference is made to a winch crank 1. However in the art of winch sailing equipment, this winch crank is more commonly referred to as a winch handle.

The terms "comprising" and "including" and their grammatical variations, as used herein, are used in the inclusive sense and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of.

Claims

1. A guide for a winch crank, the winch crank comprising a lug for engaging a respective winch socket, the guide being attached to or integral with the engagement face of the lug and comprising an engagement profile arranged for first engaging with the winch socket and then guiding the lug into an engagement with the winch socket.

2. A guide as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engagement profile comprises a plurality of guiding formations separated by troughs, the guiding formations having rounded edges and/or surfaces, and being arranged so that, when the lug is urged against the winch socket and the rounded edge or surface of at least one guiding formation engages at least one engagement edge of the winch socket, any further urging abuttingly directs the guide into rotation that leads the guide into engagement with the winch socket, the guide being so rotationally oriented with respect to the engagement profile of the lug that engagement of the guide guides the lug into an engagement with the winch socket.

3. A guide as claimed 2, wherein the engagement profile is in the form of a star-like formation, including four prismatic guiding formations separated by four troughs.

4. A locking plate for attaching to the lug of a winch handle, the lug having engagement edges for engaging with respective profile of a winch socket, the locking plate being attached to the front face of the lug and comprising stopping peripheral edges, the locking plate also being rotatable about the central axis of the lug between; an aligned configuration, wherein the stopping edges are aligned with the engagement edges of the lug, and a locking configuration, wherein the locking plate is rotated around the central axis so that the locking edges are offset with respect to the engagement edges of the lug, the locking plate being resiliently rotatingly biased into the locking configuration, the arrangement being such that to facilitate engagement between the lug and the winch socket, the locking plate is rotated into an aligned configuration to facilitate the insertion of the lug into the winch socket, where the locking plate aligns with a peripheral space on the inner surface of the winch socket within which, upon release, the locking plate can rotate back into its locking configuration, in which configuration at least sections of the stopping edges of the locking plate stoppingly abut against an inner cross- sectional surface of the winch socket, the rotational bias of the locking plate maintaining the locking plate into the locked engagement with the winch socket to prevent disengagement of the winch handle from the winch socket, wherein the locking plate also includes a guide.

5. A locking plate as claimed in claim 4, wherein said guide having an engagement profile comprising a plurality of guiding formations separated by troughs, the guiding formations having rounded edges and/or surfaces, and being arranged so that, when the lug is urged against the winch socket and the rounded edge or surface of at least one guiding formation engages at least one engagement edge of the winch socket, any further urging abuttingly directs the guide into rotation that leads the guide into engagement with the winch socket, the guide being so rotationally oriented with respect to the engagement profile of the lug that engagement of the guide guides the lug into an engagement with the winch socket.

6. A winch crank comprising a winch lug for engaging a respective winch socket, a locking plate attached to said lug and rotatable about a longitudinal axis of said lug, said locking plate rotatable between an aligned configuration in which first engagement edges of said lug are aligned with second engagement edges on said locking plate, and a locking configuration in which said first engagement edges are offset with said second engagement edges, said locking plate resiliently biased towards said locking configuration and able to be moved from said locking configuration to said aligned configuration by actuation of a lever, wherein said locking plate has a guide attached thereto or integral therewith, said guide for leading said winch lug into engagement with said winch socket when said locking plate is urged against said winch socket, said guide being self aligning to allow said guide to lead said winch lug into engagement with said winch socket when said locking plate is in either said locking configuration or said aligned configuration, or misaligned there between.

7. A winch crank as claimed in claim 6, wherein once said winch lug is fully engaged with said winch socket, said locking plate is biasedly urged into said locking configuration thereby locking said winch lug to said winch socket, and said lever may be actuated to move said locking plate to said aligned configuration to allow removal of said winch lug from said winch socket.

8. A winch crank as claimed in claim 6, wherein said guide has an engagement profile comprising a plurality of guiding formations separated by troughs.

9. A winch crank as claimed in claim 6, wherein said engagement profile of said guide is in the form of a star-like formation, including four prismatic guiding formations separated by four troughs.

10. A winch crank as claimed in claim 6, wherein said winch socket is disposed on a winch used for sail boat applications.

11. A winch handle of the type used for a winch on a sail boat, said winch handle comprising a lug for engaging a socket disposed on said winch, a locking plate attached to said lug and rotatable about a longitudinal axis of said lug, said locking plate rotatable between an aligned configuration in which first engagement edges of said lug are aligned with second engagement edges on said locking plate, and a locking configuration in which said first engagement edges are offset with said second engagement edges, said locking plate resiliency biased towards said locking configuration and able to be moved from said locking configuration to said aligned configuration by actuation of a lever by a user, wherein said locking plate has a guide attached to or integral with the engagement face of said lug, said guide comprising an engagement profile having a plurality of guiding formations separated by troughs, the guiding formations having rounded edges and/or surfaces, said guide for leading said winch lug into engagement with said winch socket when said locking plate is urged against said winch socket, said guide being self aligning to allow said guide to lead said winch lug into engagement with said winch socket when said locking plate is in either the locking configuration or the aligned configuration, or misaligned there between.

12. A winch handle as claimed in claim 11, wherein once said winch lug is fully engaged with said winch socket, said locking plate is biasedly urged into said locking configuration thereby locking said winch lug to said winch socket, and said lever may be actuated to move said locking plate to said aligned configuration to allow removal of said winch lug from said winch socket.

13. A winch handle as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said engagement profile of said guide is in the form of a star-like formation, including four prismatic guiding formations separated by four troughs.

14. A winch handle of the type used for a winch on a sail boat, said winch handle comprising a lug for engaging a socket disposed on said winch, a locking plate attached to said lug and rotatable about a longitudinal axis of said lug, wherein a self-aligning guide is attached to or integral with said locking plate and comprising an engagement profile arranged for first engaging with said winch socket and then guiding said lug into an engagement with said winch socket regardless of the orientation of said locking plate with respect to said lug.

15. A winch handle as claimed in claim 14, wherein the engagement profile comprises a plurality of guiding formations separated by troughs.

16. A winch handle as claimed in claim 15, wherein said plurality of guiding formations separated by troughs is in the form of a star-like formation, including four prismatic guiding formations separated by four troughs.