Manual marine winch with safety knockout override preventing release of winch tension without the handle in the stowed position

Abstract

A manual marine winch includes a safety knockout override preventing release of winch tension without the handle in stowed position. The winch includes a housing; a rotating drum on the housing; a winch line on the drum; a control for spooling and un-spooling the winch line on the drum, wherein the control includes a handle for selectively tensioning the drum and moveable between a position engaged with the drum and a disengaged stowed position; a tension holding mechanism on the housing comprising a ratchet gear coupled to the drum, a pawl selectively engaged with the ratchet gear, and a knockout configures to selectively disengage the pawl from the gear to allow for release of winch tension; and a safety knockout override coupled to the housing and selectively engaged by the handle and configured to prevent release of winch tension when the handle is not in the stowed position.

Claims

1. A manual marine winch comprising: a winch housing; a rotating drum assembly supported on the winch housing; and a winch line selectively spooled and un-spooled on the drum, a manually actuated control for spooling and un-spooling the winch line on the drum, wherein the manually actuated control includes a handle for selectively tensioning the drum and moveable between a position engaged with the drum in at least one rotational direction for tensioning of the winch line on the drum and stowed position wherein the handle is not engaged with the drum; a tension holding mechanism on the winch housing comprising at least one ratchet gear coupled to the drum, at least one pawl selectively engaged with said at least one ratchet gear to hold tension on the winch line on the drum, and a knockout configured to selectively disengage said at least one pawl from an associated ratchet gear to allow for release of tension on the winch; wherein the improvement comprises a safety knockout override coupled to the winch housing moveable between an engaged and disengaged position, wherein in the engaged position the safety knockout override prevents disengagement of said at least one pawl from the associated ratchet gear for release of winch tension, and wherein the safety knockout override is in the engaged position when the handle is engaged with the drum.

2. The marine winch of claim 1 wherein the safety knockout override includes at least one leg member extending from a mounting member coupled to the winch housing.

3. The marine winch of claim 2 wherein the mounting member is a pivot member, and wherein one leg member includes a projecting stop at a distal end thereof spaced from the pivot member, and wherein the stop is selectively engaged with one of the knockout and each of said at least one pawl of the tension holding mechanism when the handle is not in the stowed position and configured to prevent disengagement of the said at least one pawl from the associated ratchet gear when the handle is not in the stowed position.

4. The marine winch of claim 3 wherein the mounting member is a pivot member which extends substantially parallel to an axis of the drum.

5. The marine winch of claim 1 wherein the safety knockout override includes a pair of leg members extending from a mounting member coupled to the winch housing.

6. The marine winch of claim 5 wherein the safety knockout override further includes a spring member coupled to one of the pair of leg members, wherein the spring member biases the safety knockout override to the engaged position preventing release of winch tension.

7. The marine winch of claim 6 wherein the winch is configured such that movement of the handle to the stowed position will move the leg members to a position allowing release of winch tension.

8. The marine winch of claim 7 wherein one leg member includes a projecting stop at a distal end thereof spaced from the mounting member.

9. The marine winch of claim 8 wherein the stop is selectively engaged with one of the knockout and each of said at least one pawl of the tension holding mechanism when the handle is not in the stowed position and configured to prevent disengagement of said at least one pawl from the associated ratchet gear when the handle is not in the stowed position.

10. The marine winch of claim 9 wherein the mounting member is a pivot member which extends substantially parallel to an axis of the drum.

11. The marine winch of claim 9 wherein the mounting member is a pivot member which extends substantially perpendicular to an axis of the drum.

12. The marine winch of claim 8 wherein the mounting member is a pivot member which extends substantially parallel to an axis of the drum.

13. The marine winch of claim 12 wherein the safety knockout override includes a gear coupled to the drum and selectively engaged by the projecting stop when the handle is not in the stowed position.

14. The marine winch of claim 5 wherein the winch is configured such that movement of the handle to the stowed position will move the leg members to a position allowing release of winch tension.

15. The marine winch of claim 14 wherein one leg member includes a projecting stop at a distal end thereof spaced from the mounting member.

16. The marine winch of claim 15 wherein the stop is selectively engaged with one of the knockout and each of said at least one pawl of the tension holding mechanism when the handle is not in the stowed position and configured to prevent disengagement of said at least one pawl from the associated ratchet gear when the handle is not in the stowed position.

17. The marine winch of claim 16 wherein the mounting member is a pivot member which extends substantially parallel to an axis of the drum.

18. The marine winch of claim 16 wherein the mounting member is a pivot member which extends substantially perpendicular to an axis of the drum.

19. The marine winch of claim 15 wherein the mounting member is a pivot member which extends substantially parallel to an axis of the drum.

20. The marine winch of claim 19 wherein the safety knockout override includes a gear coupled to the drum and selectively engaged by the projecting stop when the handle is not in the stowed position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation of a conventional prior art manual marine winch which can implement a safety knockout override preventing release of winch tension without the handle in stowed position according to the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a single stack manual marine winch which can implement a safety knockout override preventing release of winch tension without the handle in stowed position according to the present invention;

(3) FIGS. 3-5 are illustrations of a safety knockout override according to a first embodiment of the present invention configured for preventing release of winch tension without the handle in stowed position, wherein the safety knockout override is positioned to prevent the release of winch tension;

(4) FIG. 6 is an illustration of the safety knockout override according to the a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 3-5, wherein the safety knockout override is positioned to allow the release of winch tension;

(5) FIG. 7 is an illustration of the safety knockout override according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 3-5, wherein the safety knockout override is positioned to allow the release of winch tension and the knockout has been operated to release the pawls and allow for release of winch tension;

(6) FIG. 8 is a schematic end view of the safety knockout override according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 3-5;

(7) FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of the safety knockout override according to the first embodiment of the present invention in the position shown in FIGS. 3-5;

(8) FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of the safety knockout override according to the first embodiment of the present invention in the position shown in FIG. 6;

(9) FIG. 11 is a schematic end view of the safety knockout override according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the safety knockout override is positioned to prevent the release of winch tension;

(10) FIG. 12 is a schematic end view of the safety knockout override according to the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the safety knockout override is positioned to allow the release of winch tension;

(11) FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of the safety knockout override according to a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein the safety knockout override is positioned to prevent the release of winch tension;

(12) FIGS. 14A and B are a schematic side view and enlarged view thereof, respectively, with the hand wheel removed for clarity, of the safety knockout override according to a version of the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the safety knockout override is positioned to allow the release of winch tension; and

(13) FIGS. 15A and B are a schematic side sectional view and enlarged view thereof, respectively, of the safety knockout override according to FIGS. 14A and B, wherein the safety knockout override is positioned to allow the release of winch tension.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(14) FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation of a conventional prior art manual marine winch 10 discussed above which can implement a safety knockout override 100 preventing release of winch tension without the handle 26 in stowed position according to the present invention. Further, FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a single stack manual marine winch 50, also discussed above, which can implement a safety knockout override 100 preventing release of winch tension without the handle in stowed position according to the present invention. The release of winch tension can be also referenced as paying out, unspooling, unwinding of the winch line, and is used herein to reference the act of actuating the knock-out, such as lever 86, to disengage the pawls (also called locking dogs) from the gearing such as 82. The drum tension in this release of winch tension may actually be maintained by a foot brake or hand brake or via a secure gripping of the hand wheel by the operator.

(15) The safety knockout override of the present invention can be incorporated into any winch 10 or 50 having a winch housing (formed by side plates 14 or 54 and associated structure in winches 10 and 50 respectively); a rotating drum assembly (formed by drum 16 or 56 and associated structure in winches 10 and 50, respectively) supported on the winch housing; and a winch line selectively spooled and un-spooled on the drum, a manually actuated control for spooling and un-spooling the winch line on the drum, wherein the manually actuated control includes a handle (formed by handles 26 and 78 and associated structure in winches 10 and 50, respectively) for selectively tensioning the drum and moveable between a position engaged with the drum in at least one rotational direction for tensioning of the winch line on the drum and stowed position wherein the handle is not engaged with the drum; and a tension holding mechanism on the winch housing comprising at least one ratchet gear (82 in winch 50, not clearly illustrated in winch 10) coupled to the drum, at least one pawl (84 in winch 50, not clearly illustrated in winch 10) selectively engaged with at least one ratchet gear to hold tension on the winch line on the drum, and a knockout (86 in winch 50, not clearly illustrated in winch 10) configures to selectively disengage each of the pawls from the gears to allow for release of tension on the winch. The remaining portions of the brief description of the preferred embodiments will reference winch numerals from winch 50, but it would be apparent winch 10 and other similar prior art winches can implement the safety knockout override 100 preventing release of winch tension without the handle in stowed position according to the present invention.

(16) In each embodiment of the present invention the safety knockout override 100 is coupled to the winch housing, namely side plate 54, and selectively engaged by the handle 78 and configured to prevent release of winch tension when the handle is not in the stowed position.

(17) Further in each embodiment illustrated herein the safety knockout override 100 includes a pair of one leg members 102 and 108 extending from and pivoting about a pivot member 106 coupled to the winch housing side plate 54. The coupling may be through a separate add-on coupling member 105 as shown in FIGS. 3-5 and 7 or the coupling may be through a hole in the side plate 54 for mounting the pivot member 106 (possibly including bearings as needed) such as shown in FIG. 6 and schematically in FIG. 8. The use of the add-on coupling member 105 allows for easy retrofitting of existing winches.

(18) The first leg member 102 is configured to engage the handle 78 and may include a handle engaging stop 104 at a distal end thereof to engage the handle, such as in the first embodiments shown in FIGS. 3-10.

(19) The pivot member 106 may extend substantially parallel to an axis of the drum as in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-10 and FIGS. 14-15 or the third embodiment shown in FIG. 13. Alternatively, the pivot member 106 may extend substantially perpendicular to an axis of the drum, as shown in the second embodiment of FIGS. 11-12.

(20) The safety knockout override 100 further includes a spring member 112 coupled to one leg member 102 and biasing the safety knockout override 100 to a position preventing release of winch tension. FIGS. 3-5 are illustrations of a safety knockout override 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the safety knockout override 100 is positioned as shown to prevent the release of winch tension.

(21) Similarly FIG. 11 is a schematic end view of the safety knockout override 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the safety knockout override 100 is positioned as shown to prevent the release of winch tension.

(22) Finally, FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of the safety knockout override 100 according to a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein the safety knockout override 100 is positioned as shown to prevent the release of winch tension.

(23) The spring member 112 as shown is coupled to one leg member 108 for biasing the safety knockout override 100 to a position preventing release of winch tension, however it could be easily designed to operate on the other leg 102 for such purpose. Further a torsion spring on pivot member 106 could have a similar effect. The spring member 112 will pull the leg 108 against a stop 109 coupled to the housing 54. The stop 109 may be a separate member, or it may be an existing component of the winch, such as a spreader or cross support. The leg 108 is designed such that when it is pulled against the stop 109 the leg will position the projecting stop 110 properly to prevent movement of the knockout 86 as discussed below.

(24) As noted, the one leg member 108 includes a projecting stop 110 at a distal end thereof spaced from the pivot member 106. In the first two embodiments of the invention the stop 110 is selectively engaged with the knockout lever 86, and/or each of the pawls 84, if desired, of the tension holding mechanism when the handle 78 is not in the stowed position. As discussed below, this position of the stop 110 in the first two embodiments prevents disengagement of the pawls 84 from the associated ratchet gear 82 when the handle 78 is not in the stowed position. As discussed below, this position of the stop 110 in the third embodiment of the invention prevents winch tension release when the handle 78 is not in the stowed position through engagement with a separate tension holding gear 122.

(25) As noted above, the winch tension is held on ratchet gears 82 that are engaged by pawls 84. Reiterating, in conventional tensioning operation for the winch 50 the pawls 84 are engaged with the ratchet gears 82 and the operator will rapidly wind up the winch line, and increase the tension, initially through the operation of the hand wheel 76. Once the tension reaches a relatively high amount on the winch line, the operator will continue the tensioning through the repeated use of the ratchet handle 78, often with the use of a handle extending cheater bar to add increased leverage. Once the final tension is achieved it is intended for the operator to move the handle 78 to the disengaged or stowed position, typically the rearward position, to prepare the winch for safe tension release when desired. In the embodiments shown, the marine winch is configured such that movement of the handle 78 to the stowed position will engage one leg 102, through handle engaging stop 104, and pivot the leg members 102 and the stop 110 against the force of spring 112 to a position allowing release of winch tension, such as shown in FIGS. 6-7, 10 and 13-14

(26) As noted above, the knockout lever 86 is conventionally used to disengage the pawls 84 from the gears 82 to release tension on the winch 50, when desired. When controlled payout is desired a footbrake, or handbrake, or similar structure is engaged and the knockout lever 86 is utilized to disengage the pawls 84 from the gears 82 to allow for slow payout. Alternatively, the winch tension release is allowed to be somewhat rapid and the handbrake is not used.

(27) It should be apparent that in the present invention when the handle 78 is not in the stowed or disengaged position, the safety knockout override 10 of the invention prevents release of the winch tension. Specifically, FIGS. 3-5 and 9 are illustrations of the safety knockout override according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the safety knockout override 100 is positioned to prevent the release of winch tension because the stop 110 is positioned to prevent the disengaging movement of the knockout lever 86 and/or the pawls 84.

(28) FIG. 11 is an illustration of the safety knockout override 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the safety knockout override 100 is positioned to prevent the release of winch tension also because the stop 110 is positioned to prevent the disengaging movement of the knockout lever 86 and/or the pawls 84.

(29) Finally in the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 13 the safety knockout override 100 includes a gear 122 coupled to the drum and which is selectively engaged by the projecting stop 110 when the handle 78 is not in the stowed position. Thus in the third embodiment, while the knockout 86 can technically be operated with the handle 78 in the undesirable operative position, the gear 122 that is engaged by the stop 110 operates to prevent winch tension release that could cause undesirable rapid movement of the handle 78. In the third embodiment it is likely that the pawls 84 may need to be reengaged to allow for movement of the handle to the stowed position.

(30) The three illustrated designs are intended to show the wide variety of the present invention each of which may be easily retrofitted into existing winches in the field.

(31) Although the present invention has been described with particularity herein, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment disclosed. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The scope of the present invention is defined in the appended claims and equivalents thereto.