Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
  • B66D—CAPSTANS; WINCHES; TACKLES, e.g. PULLEY BLOCKS; HOISTS
  • B66D1/00—Rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms; Capstans
  • B66D1/60—Rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms; Capstans adapted for special purposes
  • B66D1/74—Capstans
  • B66D1/7463—Accessories
  • B66D1/7468—Handles
  • B66D1/7473—Handles with locking means

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a winch handle for operating a winch, comprising:
• a locking mechanism connected to the coupling piece and having a control for selectively locking the winch handle.
• winch handle is known from publication EP 1 582297, which relates to a lock/release mechanism for the winch handle.
• the winch handle comprises a coupling piece for coupling to a winch, which coupling piece comprises locking pins.
• the locking pins are connected to the coupling piece via spring washers and are moved outward by an actuating pin arranged inside the coupling piece. When the actuating pin moves downward, the locking pins are released and will be moved inward by the spring washers. The winch handle can then be removed from the winch.
• the actuating pin is connected to an operating handle arranged tiltably on the winch handle. By moving the operating handle downward the actuating pin is also moved downward, with the above stated result.
• a drawback of such a winch handle lies in the spring washers. These spring washers are subject to contact corrosion, corrosion caused by water, and salt crystals can form around the spring washers. A result hereof is that the spring washers no longer have the desired functionality. The locking pins will no longer move inward when they are released. The result hereof is that it is no longer possible to remove the winch handle from the winch. This can result in undesirable and dangerous situations. It is possible to envisage it being necessary very quickly to operate a winch other than the one on which the handle is placed, for instance when the boat tacks. If it is then not possible to release the winch handle, this can have serious consequences. It is also possible to envisage a jammed winch handle having serious consequences if a person falls onto it while the boat is at full speed. This is one of the reasons why it is desirable to be able to remove a winch handle from a winch.
• the present invention has for its object to obviate or at least alleviate the drawbacks of the known art, for which purpose a winch handle is provided according to the invention as defined in the appended claims, particularly the independent claim.
• the locking mechanism comprises a tilting arm tiltable about a pivot shaft, which tilting arm is provided on one side relative to the pivot shaft with a locking means and is provided on an opposite side relative to the pivot shaft with a protrusion which forms at least part of the control. Owing to the tilting arm the force exerted on the control is transmitted directly to the point where the locking means engages on the winch. When for whatever reason the locking means is undesirably jammed on the winch, this connection can be overcome by exerting more force on the control. A result hereof is that it can be assumed with much greater certainty that it is possible to remove the winch handle from the winch.
• An embodiment of the winch handle according to the invention has the feature that the protrusion has substantially an orientation corresponding to the length of the handle body.
• An advantage hereof is that the winch handle can be uncoupled with one hand, since the winch handle can be grasped and force can simultaneously be exerted on the control.
• the protrusion and the direction of the pivot shaft toward the locking means enclose an angle greater than 90 degrees. By making the enclosed angle greater than 90 degrees less force is required to operate the locking mechanism than if the angle were to be less than 90 degrees. It is hereby easier to operate the winch handle, particularly in situations where it is difficult to grasp the winch handle.
• the form of the tilting arm also influences the position of the pivot shaft, and thereby the force required to operate the locking mechanism.
• the winch handle may further comprise an operating member which co-acts with the protrusion in order to form the control, and which is rotatable about a rotation shaft .
• an operating member which co-acts with the protrusion in order to form the control, and which is rotatable about a rotation shaft .
• the rotation shaft it is further possible for the rotation shaft to be located at a distance from the pivot shaft.
• the operating member will act more on the outer end of the protrusion. This is advantageous, since the closer to the outer end of the protrusion the force is exerted, the less force is required to operate the locking mechanism. If the force is transmitted to the protrusion close to the pivot shaft, a great deal of force will have to be exerted. If the force is transmitted above the pivot shaft, the locking mechanism will not be operated at all.
• rotation shaft and the pivot shaft to form a unit.
• An advantage hereof is that there are fewer shafts which are subject to wear. Maintenance and repair of such a winch handle will thus be cheaper and easier to carry out. In addition, only one shaft need be detached in order to take apart the whole unit.
• the winch handle according to the invention can be placed on a winch without operating the locking mechanism.
• the locking means, and thereby also the tilting arm will be displaced by the coupling piece of the winch to another position. At the moment that it is possible for the locking means to return to the original position, this will take place due to the built-in springs.
• the tilting arm can be moved separately of the operating member, the tilting arm will come up against the operating member when it returns to its original position. A sound will be audible here which can be used as confirmation that the winch handle is locked in the winch. Another result is that the winch handle can be placed on a winch without use of the operating member.
• a further embodiment of the winch handle according to the invention has the feature that the locking means takes the form of a hook.
• An advantage of a hook is that it is a good form for locking the winch handle relative to the winch.
• a hook also has larger surface area with which to engage on a winch. The force required to remove the winch handle from the winch without operating the locking mechanism is very great.
• Another advantage of the locking means in the form of a hook is that the placing of the winch handle on a winch is simplified by the inclining surfaces of the hook. It is also relatively simple to manufacture a locking means in this form.
• a handgrip it is further also possible for a handgrip to be arranged rotatably on a free outer end of the grip. In some cases it is desirable that two people use the winch handle simultaneously in order to drive a winch. In order to provide the second person with the greatest possible convenience of use, the additional handgrip is therefore arranged rotatably relative to the first handgrip. A result is that the second person will not suffer any blisters and/or grazes either, and faster operation of the winch handle is also possible.
• the locking mechanism and the control can be formed as a module.
• An advantage of a module is that, when the module is replaced, all the components therein are all replaced. This makes it possible to manufacture the modules at a different location and time and to hold them in stock. When it is necessary to replace such a module, this can be done quickly because it is not necessary to dismantle the whole winch handle.
• a module also has the advantage that it can have a protection around it. The protection has the advantage that everything in the module can be shielded from the outside environment, and this will only enhance the durability of the components. Winch handles have a short and a long variant. By forming the locking mechanism and associated control as a module, the same module can be used for both variants.
• An advantage hereof is that modules are interchangeable without problem between different winch handles. Yet another advantage resulting from the locking mechanism and the control being formed as module is that the required pivot shaft and/or rotation shaft is accommodated in the module. A result hereof is that a pivot shaft and/or rotation shaft through the handle body is not necessary, thereby preventing contact corrosion and therefore a serious weakening of the handle body. It is also advantageous that, through the use of a module comprising all moving parts and pivot points, no additional weakening drill holes in the winch handle are necessary. A result is a slender design with a smooth finish.
• the module is advantageous here for the module to be arranged on and/or in the handle body using a single mount.
• a result hereof is that the module can be removed easily and quickly out of and/or from the handle body and a new one placed should this be necessary. It is possible to envisage that no time may be lost in repairing a winch handle on open sea. Or this time must in any case be kept as limited as possible. This is of particularly great importance during a race.
• the module may comprise a base which can be incorporated in the handle body.
• the base is used for placing thereon of means required for keeping the tilting arm and the operating member in a desired position. Incorporating this base in the handle body makes it possible to arrange the locking mechanism and the control in separate parts. An advantage hereof is that it is relatively simple to clean the individual parts.
• the winch handle further comprises at least one additional tilting arm. It will be found in practice that the additional tilting arm is located opposite the first tilting arm. An advantage of what can be gained with an additional tilting arm is that an even firmer locking is realized. This is because there is an even greater surface area engaging on the winch. When still more tilting arms are provided, they will be distributed uniformly over the periphery of the coupling piece.
• the module may comprise at least a base, a locking mechanism and an operating member.
• Figure 1 shows a cross-section of a winch handle according to the invention
• FIG. 2A shows a module according to the invention
• Figure 2B shows an exploded view of the module according to the invention
• Figure 3 shows a handle body with a base
• Figure 4 shows a basic embodiment of the grip
• Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the grip with palm knob
• Figure 6 shows a third embodiment with double grip
• Figure 7 shows another embodiment of the winch handle.
• FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of a winch handle 1 according to the invention.
• Winch handle 1 comprises an elongate handle body 2 in which a recess 9 is provided.
• a locking mechanism with control is arranged in recess 9.
• the locking mechanism comprises a tilting arm 3 which is tiltable about a pivot shaft 4, tilting arm 3 being provided on one side relative to the pivot shaft with a locking means 10 and being provided on an opposite side relative to the pivot shaft with a protrusion 11 which forms at least part of the control.
• Extending over protrusion 11 of tilting arm 3 is an operating member 5 which is arranged rotatably about a rotation shaft 6.
• Operating member 5 co-acts with tilting arm 3, although tilting arm 3 is at least movable separately of operating member 5.
• FIG 2B shows an exploded view of a locking mechanism and associated control, which are formed as module 14.
• Module 14 is shown in its entirety in Figure 2A.
• Module 14 comprises a base 7, a tilting arm 3, an operating member 5, two springs 12, pivot shaft 4 and rotation shaft 6.
• Module 14 can be manufactured at another time and location and placed thus in a handle body 2. Fixing of module 14 is realized with a single mount 8.
• module 14 can be applied in the long and the short variant of a winch handle 1.
• Figure 3 shows a handle body 2 of a winch handle 1 with a recess 9.
• a base 7 is arranged in recess 9.
• Base 7 is required for arranging tilting arm 3 and operating member 5.
• the springs 12 required for tilting arm 3 and operating member 5 can be fixed to base 7 and the other parts can then be arranged.
• the parts are arranged one by one.
• FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of a first embodiment of a base grip 15.
• Base grip 15 comprises a shaft 16 which is arranged fixedly on handle body 2. Arranged around shaft 16 is a handgrip
• FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of a grip 15.
• Grip 15 likewise comprises a shaft 16 arranged fixedly on handle body 2.
• a handgrip 17 which is rotatable relative to shaft 16.
• a knob 18 which is rotatable relative to handgrip 17.
• the rotation is also realized in this embodiment by ball bearings 20.
• the form of knob 18 differs from the form as shown in Figure 4.
• FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of a grip 15.
• Grip 15 likewise comprises a shaft 16 arranged fixedly on handle body 2.
• a handgrip 17 which is rotatable relative to shaft 16.
• shaft 16 is lengthened and an additional handgrip 21 is arranged above first handgrip 17.
• the additional handgrip 21 is rotatable relative to first handgrip 17.
• a knob At a free outer end of additional handgrip 21 a knob
• Figure 7 shows yet another embodiment of winch handle 1.
• Winch handle 1 likewise comprises an elongate handle body 2 in which a recess 9 is provided.
• a locking mechanism with control is arranged in recess 9.
• the locking mechanism comprises a tilting arm 3 which is tiltable about a pivot shaft 4, tilting arm 3 being provided on one side relative to the pivot shaft with a locking means 10 and being provided on an opposite side relative to the pivot shaft with a protrusion 11 which forms at least part of the control.
• Extending over protrusion 11 of tilting arm 3 is an operating member 5 which is likewise arranged rotatably about pivot shaft 4. This is the difference with the above described embodiments.
• Arranged on operating member 5 are cheeks 23 which are arranged on pivot shaft 4 relative to the side of tilting arm 3. It is possible to envisage the pivot shaft being provided on at least one outer end with screw thread which can lock the operating member 5 and tilting arm 3.
• the locking means can take any random form. It is important that the surface area of the locking means engaging on a winch is large enough to withstand external forces, and that the locking means is in direct mechanical connection with the control. It is also possible to envisage a knob on a free outer end of a handgrip not being rotatable through 360D, but through for instance 45D to either side from a zero position. Practice has shown that this is a effective configuration.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Mechanical Control Devices (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=42227635

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Cited By (2)

Citations (5)

• 2009
  • 2009-10-20 NL NL2003675A patent/NL2003675C2/nl not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2010
  • 2010-10-19 EP EP10782427A patent/EP2490978A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2010-10-19 WO PCT/NL2010/050694 patent/WO2011049443A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (5)

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