(19)
(11) EP 0 744 374 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
05.11.1997 Bulletin 1997/45

(43) Date of publication A2:
27.11.1996 Bulletin 1996/48

(21) Application number: 96107297.2

(22) Date of filing: 08.05.1996
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)6: B66D 1/04
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB IT LI NL SE

(30) Priority: 22.05.1995 US 447275

(71) Applicant: Fulton Performance Products, Inc.
Mosinee, Wisconsin 54455 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Ebey, Edward W.
    Wausau, Wisconsin 54401 (US)
  • Schocker, Richard L.
    Jefferson, Wisconsin 53549 (US)

(74) Representative: Schwan, Gerhard, Dipl.-Ing. 
Elfenstrasse 32
81739 München
81739 München (DE)

   


(54) Multi-speed winch with constant mesh gearing system


(57) A constant mesh gearing system for a multi-speed winch (10) which allows shifting of gear ratios for varying operating properties. The gearing system incorporates at least two different sized crank gears (32,34) coaxially mounted to a crankshaft (28). Each of the crank gears (32,34) are in constant mesh engagement with drive gears (54,56) mounted to a drive shaft (50). The other end of the drive shaft (50) includes a ratchet gear (58) drivably engaging the winch drum (18). A ratchet pawl (62) with a standoff link (66) locks the ratchet gear (58) against rotation in one direction. Upon cranking the standoff forces the pawl (62) away from the ratchet gear (58) for noiseless cranking of the winch (10). The crankshaft (28) of the winch (10) is longitudinally shiftable to selectively engage either of the crank gears (32,34). The shaft (28) includes detents (44) engageable by a spring-biased ball bearing (46) to prevent inadvertent longitudinal movement of the crankshaft (28). The crankshaft (28) also includes a drive tooth (40) selectively engageable with the crank gears (32,34). Upon longitudinal shifting of the crankshaft (28), different gear ratios may be selected for operation of the winch (10).






Search report