An apparatus includes a drum to draw in or let out a line, and a motor and transmission coupled to the drum to apply a torque thereto. In certain embodiments, the motor and transmission are substantially entirely contained within the drum. In the same or other embodiments, a bearing may provide support for both the transmission and the drum.

An apparatus includes a drum to draw in or let out a line, and a motor and transmission coupled to the drum to apply a torque thereto. In certain embodiments, the motor and transmission are substantially entirely contained within the drum. In the same or other embodiments, a bearing may provide support for both the transmission and the drum.

A back-up load retention system includes a retention line which is connected to a load, a counterweight unit which is connected to the retention line, and a double-acting hydraulic cylinder which is connected to the counterweight unit. The counterweight unit maintains a tension force in the retention line. The double-acting hydraulic cylinder brakes and/or stops the load in a case of a failure in a main lifting system.

In at least one illustrative embodiment, a winch may include first and second end frames, a drum coupled between the first and second end frames and configured to rotate to wind or unwind a cable, a brake configured to resist rotation of the drum when engaged, a switch configured to cause the brake to engage the drum when the switch is activated, a slack arm frame having a first end engaged with the cable and a second end pivotally coupled between the first and second end frames, where the slack arm frame is configured to pivot between a first position when the cable is taut and a second position when the cable is slack, and a cam coupled to the slack arm frame and configured to rotate with the slack arm frame to activate the switch when the slack arm frame is in the second position.

In at least one illustrative embodiment, a winch may include first and second end frames, a drum coupled between the first and second end frames and configured to rotate to wind or unwind a cable, a brake configured to resist rotation of the drum when engaged, a switch configured to cause the brake to engage the drum when the switch is activated, a slack arm frame having a first end engaged with the cable and a second end pivotally coupled between the first and second end frames, where the slack arm frame is configured to pivot between a first position when the cable is taut and a second position when the cable is slack, and a cam coupled to the slack arm frame and configured to rotate with the slack arm frame to activate the switch when the slack arm frame is in the second position.

A rotation lock device comprising: a stopper support member rotating integrally with a shaft-shaped member; a stopper member supported by the stopper support member in a state of being slidable; a holding means configured to hold the stopper member; an urging means configured to urge the holding means toward a first rotation direction with respect to the stopper member; and a stopper locking means configured to stop a rotation of the shaft-shaped member by engaging with the stopper member, wherein when the shaft-shaped member accelerates the rotation toward the first rotation direction, a holding force for the stopper member by the holding means is decreased and/or released by an inertial load of the holding means to cause the stopper member to project from the predetermined position to a position where the stopper member engages with the stopper locking means to thereby stop the rotation of the shaft-shaped member.

A rotation lock device comprising: a stopper support member rotating integrally with a shaft-shaped member; a stopper member supported by the stopper support member in a state of being slidable; a holding means configured to hold the stopper member; an urging means configured to urge the holding means toward a first rotation direction with respect to the stopper member; and a stopper locking means configured to stop a rotation of the shaft-shaped member by engaging with the stopper member, wherein when the shaft-shaped member accelerates the rotation toward the first rotation direction, a holding force for the stopper member by the holding means is decreased and/or released by an inertial load of the holding means to cause the stopper member to project from the predetermined position to a position where the stopper member engages with the stopper locking means to thereby stop the rotation of the shaft-shaped member.

The invention relates to a winch system intended, in particular, for water sports, comprising at least one frame, at least one motor, a brake system, and a main tension cable wound around two spools, each spool being actuated by a motor such that when one of the spools unwinds the main cable, the other spool winds up the cable such as to maintain both the unwinding speed and the tension required for the main cable.

The invention relates to a winch system intended, in particular, for water sports, comprising at least one frame, at least one motor, a brake system, and a main tension cable wound around two spools, each spool being actuated by a motor such that when one of the spools unwinds the main cable, the other spool winds up the cable such as to maintain both the unwinding speed and the tension required for the main cable.

The invention relates to a construction machine having a mast and a lifting element which can be moved up and down along the mast with a hoist rope. The hoist rope can be activated by means of two rope winches. At least one first rope winch is designed as a free fall winch, wherein the hoist rope can be lowered in free fall. To lower the hoist rope a controller is provided, with which the first rope winch, which is designed as a free fall winch, can be switched into a free fall mode. Meanwhile, a second rope winch is operated in force-locking manner.