초록 ▼

A handle operated brake and release mechanism for a cable drum winch provides a winch that can be used in the assembly of inland river barges to form multi-barge tows. The handle of the brake and release mechanism can in one function and entirely by hand (without using any other tools) release the c

A handle operated brake and release mechanism for a cable drum winch provides a winch that can be used in the assembly of inland river barges to form multi-barge tows. The handle of the brake and release mechanism can in one function and entirely by hand (without using any other tools) release the cable tension and apply the brake at the same time. The entire brake and release mechanism is mounted on the outside of a winch frame having winch side plates, thereby allowing the mechanism parts to be replaceable in the field without taking the winch side plates apart.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A winch apparatus comprising: a) a frame; b) a cable drum supported by the frame; c) a drive shaft mounted on the frame; d) gearing that enables the drive shaft to rotate the cable drum; e) a holdback mechanism on the frame that includes a holdback gear and a holdback d

The invention claimed is: 1. A winch apparatus comprising: a) a frame; b) a cable drum supported by the frame; c) a drive shaft mounted on the frame; d) gearing that enables the drive shaft to rotate the cable drum; e) a holdback mechanism on the frame that includes a holdback gear and a holdback dog having an extended arm and at least one tooth to engage the holdback gear to hold back against a cable pulling force; and f) a handle mounted on a handle shaft separate from the drive shaft and next to the holdback dog, the handle having two fixed pins, including a first pin that acts to pry out the holdback dog and a second pin that tensions a brake band around a brake drum of the winch, wherein the holdback dog can be pried out using the mechanical advantage of the handle. 2. The winch of claim 1, wherein handle movement pries out and releases the holdback dog as the brake band applies a maximum tension to the brake drum. 3. The winch of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a pair of winch frame side plates and the holdback dog, the holdback gear, the handle and the brake drum is mounted on the outside of one winch side plate enabling replacement without opening either winch side plate. 4. The winch of claim 1, wherein the handle can, in one function, entirely by hand, and without using any other tools, release the holdback dog and tensions the brake band at the same time. 5. The winch of claim 2, wherein the frame includes a pair of winch frame side plates and the holdback dog, the holdback gear, the handle and the brake drum form a brake and release mechanism and the brake and release mechanism is mounted on the outside of one winch side plate of the winch enabling replacement without opening either winch side plate. 6. The winch of claim 5, wherein parts of the brake and release mechanism can be easily replaced without opening either winch side plate. 7. The winch of claim 1, wherein the drive shaft is positioned below a drum shaft. 8. The winch of claim 1, wherein the holdback gear and the brake drum are mounted on a common shaft. 9. The winch of claim 8, wherein the common shaft is the drive shaft. 10. A winch apparatus comprising: a) a frame; b) a cable drum supported by the frame; c) a drive shaft mounted on the frame; d) gearing that enables the drive shaft to rotate the cable drum; e) a holdback mechanism on the frame that includes a holdback gear and a holdback dog having an extended arm and at least one tooth to engage the holdback gear to hold back against a cable pulling force; and f) a handle mounted on a handle shaft separate from the drive shaft and next to the holdback dog, the handle having two fixed pins, including a first pin that acts to pry out the holdback dog and a second pin that tensions a brake band around a brake drum of the winch, wherein the holdback dog can be pried out using the mechanical advantage of the handle, and handle movement both releases the hold back dog and simultaneously tightens the brake band around the brake drum. 11. The winch of claim 10, wherein handle movement pries out and releases the holdback dog as the brake band applies a maximum tension to the brake drum. 12. The winch of claim 10 wherein the frame includes a pair of winch frame side plates and the holdback dog, the holdback gear, the handle and the brake drum is mounted on the outside of one winch side plate enabling replacement without opening either winch side plate. 13. The winch of claim 10, wherein the handle can, in one function, entirely by hand, and without using any other tools, release the holdback dog and tensions the brake band at the same time. 14. The winch of claim 11, wherein the frame includes a pair of winch frame side plates and the holdback dog, the holdback gear, the handle and the brake drum form a brake and release mechanism and the brake and release mechanism is mounted on the outside of one winch side plate of the winch enabling replacement without opening either winch side plate. 15. The winch of claim 14, wherein parts of the brake and release mechanism can be easily replaced without opening either winch side plate. 16. The winch of claim 10, wherein the drive shaft is positioned below a drum shaft. 17. The winch of claim 10, wherein the holdback gear and the brake drum are mounted on a common shaft. 18. The winch of claim 17, wherein the common shaft is the drive shaft.