Mechanical member for moving loads, particularly for boats

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a mechanical member for moving loads, particularly suitable for being installed on board of boats where it is used, for example, for manueuvring the anchor or sails (in which case it is traditionally called "winch" in the nautical jargon) during navigation and/or during mooring, warping and so on operations.

[0002] In the nautical field, the mechanical member of the invention is typically represented by a winch or by a windlass, while the load that the same mechanical member is responsible for moving is, for example, the anchor or sail of a boat or any other object, tool, device or accessory which can be towed/lifted during normal activity and operation of the boat itself.

[0003] It is widely known that the mechanical members for moving loads (or weights) used in sectors such as sailing, aeronautics, construction, agriculture and so on, typically called winches or windlasses depending on whether used for towing or lifting respectively, are available in a variety of constructive types, many of which exploit potentials of a gear which multiplies the force transmitted by actuator means in order to get the movement of the loads themselves.

[0004] Basically, such a mechanical member of known type comprises an operating, generally cylindrical, drum made of a material with high mechanical strength (e.g. steel or plastic material), suitable to be coupled with a reference structure which is specific to the field of use.

[0005] The operating drum of the aforesaid mechanical member of the prior art defines a longitudinal, horizontal or vertical, axis which is placed at necessary in rotation around by actuation means which can be, obviously, manual or automatic and that, as said, transmit the force which the load is moved with.

[0006] Such operating drum is also provided with an outer surface that is actually affected by the winding of the recovery cable of the external device and which is usually, though not exclusively, smooth.

[0007] According to the prior art, a mechanical member of the type here concerned also includes a recovery cable (or rope or chain), provided with a first free end, suitable to be at necessary bound to the load in question, and a second opposite end connected with the operating drum or, more properly, with the relative support frame in such a way that the recovery cable, as result of the force imparted by the actuation means, is at least partly wound/unwound on/from the outer surface of the operating drum.

[0008] The actuation means belonging to the known mechanical members concerned are of manual or automatic type, in which case are constituted by electric motors or linear actuators of hydraulic or pneumatic type.

[0009] The functionality of the mechanical members just briefly described has been known for several years and evidently well acquired to the state of the art: their use allows to solve with extreme effectiveness practical situations characterized by a certain criticality if not sometimes also by a clear danger for the conditions they determine for the operators (think about for example to rescuing with helicopter of persons missing at open sea due to a shipwreck, typical situation where the use of the mechanical member concerned is required).

[0010] A mechanical member of the type summarily just described and according to the preamble of the appended claim is disclosed in the patent publication published as EP2151411 A1.

[0011] However, the mechanical members for moving loads of the current state of the art still have some recognized drawbacks.

[0012] A first drawback of the mechanical members under consideration of the known type is constituted by the fact that the winding of the recovery cable around the outer surface of the operating drum occurs in a free, irregular and/or disorderly manner, however carefully and slowly performed by the manual or automatic actuation means.

[0013] This operational situation inevitably submits one or more sections of the recovery cable at inopportune, unnecessary and improper traction and/or torsion efforts (further ones with respect to those typical and expected ones resulting from the moving of the load) that, over time, cause the deterioration thereof up to also compromise its structural integrity and, therefore, the actual effective use.

[0014] It should be noted that the accuracy of the winding of the recovery cable around the outer surface of the operating drum is in any case relative, since the operation is typically performed without paying that attention that would be required in order to ensure the preservation of the structural integrity of the recovery cable.

[0015] In addition, the irregular, uncontrolled and free winding of the recovery cable around the operating drum complicates all the same the inverse operation of the unwinding of the recovery cable itself, especially if the actuation means which provoke it are of the manual type.

[0016] Starting, therefore, from the knowledge of the foregoing drawbacks of the prior art, the present invention intends to remedy to them.

[0017] In particular, main purpose of the present invention is to provide a mechanical member for moving loads, particularly for boats, that, contrary to the equivalent mechanical members of known type, ensures a regular and orderly winding of the recovery cable around the outer surface of the operating drum.

[0018] In the context of the aforesaid purpose, it is task of the present invention to indicate a mechanical member for moving loads, particularly for boats, by means of which it is possible to ensure the preservation of the structural integrity of the recovery cable, under the continuous use cycles, for times longer than those ones obtainable with known mechanical members.

[0019] It is another task of the invention to develop a mechanical member for moving loads, particularly though not exclusively for boats, which makes it easier and faster than the prior art manoeuvring of unwinding of the recovery cable from the operating drum, mostly in the case in which they are performed manually.

[0020] It is a second purpose of the present invention to allow that the operator responsible for the operation of a mechanical member, such as a winch or a windlass, can exclusively and with confidence devote themselves to the execution of the most important and delicate moving of the load and incidental conditions of the environment in which it takes place, without the need, however often disregarded, to continuously check the conditions with which the recovery cable is actually wound around the operating drum.

[0021] It is a last but not least purpose of the invention to give substance to a mechanical member for moving loads, particularly for boats, which, while achieves the above purposes, presents at the same time a simple and cost-competitive construction.

[0022] The foregoing objects are achieved by means of a mechanical member for moving loads, particularly for boats, according to claim 1 attached herewith, as hereinafter referred for the sake of exposure brevity.

[0023] Further technical features of detail of the mechanical member of the invention are contained in the corresponding dependent claims.

[0024] The above claims, in the following specifically and concretely defined, are considered integral part of the present description.

[0025] Advantageously, the mechanical member for moving loads, particularly for boats, of the invention ensures a smooth and orderly winding of the recovery cable around the outer surface of the operating drum: this thanks to the presence of the guiding and positioning means which, being operatively connected with the operating drum, progressively interfere with consecutive sections of the recovery cable during the winding/unwinding of the recovery cable on/from the outer surface of the operating drum.

[0026] Still advantageously, the mechanical member of the present invention allows to the recovery cable to keep unaltered its structural and, consequently, functional, integrity under continuous use cycles, longer than similar mechanical members of known type.

[0027] Equally advantageously, thanks to the fact that the winding of the recovery cable on the operating drum takes place according to a regular, ordered and precise pattern - determined by the guiding and positioning means -, the mechanical member of the present invention simplifies, thus making it more rapid and practice than the equivalent known art, the reverse manoeuvre of unwinding the recovery cable from the operating drum, especially if it must be done manually by the operator, by means of a handle coupled with the operating drum itself.

[0028] The operator is thus more free, while the mechanical member of the invention is operating, to engage with the utmost attention and tranquility to the execution of the moving of the load concerned and to the ancillary conditions of the environment of manoeuvre, without the need , however difficult to meet, to verify the state of winding of the recovery cable on the outer surface of the operating drum.

[0029] In advantageous manner, furthermore, the mechanical member for moving loads, particularly for boats, which is the object of the present invention, achieves the advantages set out above presenting at the same time a simple construction and low or otherwise competitive production costs.

[0030] Said purposes and advantages, as well as others which will emerge below, will appear to a greater extent from the detailed description which follows, relating to a preferred embodiment of the mechanical member object of the invention, given by way of indicative and illustrative, but not limiting, title with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• figure 1 is a assonometric view of the mechanical member of the invention under application or installation conditions;
• figure 2 is an assonometric separate view of the mechanical member of figure 1;
• figure 3 is an enlarged view of figure 1 according to the section plane AA;
• figure 4 is an exploded view of the mechanical member of figure 2.

[0031] The mechanical member of the invention, used for moving loads, is illustrated in figure 1, where it is globally numbered with 1, in one of the possible application conditions, represented by the inside of the wall M of a boat.

[0032] More properly, the mechanical member 1 of the invention is used for the movement of lifting and/or towing of loads such as objects, devices, tools or accessories which it is necessary to handle for any reason within a boat: the loads to be handled are thus represented by sails, anchors, small pleasure crafts (such as water motorcycles, canoes, rubber boats) and even more.

[0033] According to the invention, the mechanical member 1 here described includes:

• an operating drum 2, suitable to be coupled with a reference structure (the wall M, as just mentioned) and defining a longitudinal axis Z around which it is set in rotation by actuation means, overall marked with 3;
• a recovery cable 4, provided with a first free end, but suitable to be at necessary connected with the load, and a second end connected directly or indirectly with the operating drum 2 so that the recovery cable 4, due to the action of the actuation means 3, is at least partly wound/unwound on/from the outer surface 2a of the operating drum 2.

[0034] According to the invention, the mechanical member 1 comprises guiding and positioning means, on the whole indicated with 5, operatively connected with the operating drum 2 so as to progressively interfere with consecutive sections of the recovery cable 4 during the winding/unwinding of the recovery cable 4 on/from the outer surface 2a of the operating drum 2 so that the recovery cable 4 itself is wound/unwound in an orderly way on/from the operating drum 2.

[0035] In the specific case, the actuation means 3 actually belong to the mechanical member 1 and are electrically connected with control means, not visible in the figures which follow but of the type per se known to the man skilled in the art, accessible to the operator and used for automatic actuation of the actuation means 3 themselves.

[0036] The actuation means 3 comprise any of the automatic actuators selected from the group consisting of electric motor, hydraulic or oil-pressure cylinder and pneumatic cylinder. Preferably, as shown in figures 1 and 2, the actuation means 3 include in this case an electric motor 6 connected by means of a reducer 7 with a drive shaft 8 which, as best seen in figure 3, is inserted into a first axial through hole 9 of the operating drum 2, which is made integral with through constraint means, indicated as a whole with 10.

[0037] Moreover, the drive shaft 8 is inserted into a second axial through hole 11 made in the reducer 7 with which the drive shaft 8 is keyed and made integral by a first interconnection key 12 contained in a first slot 13 made in the outer wall 8a of the drive shaft 8 in such a manner as to partially protrude from such an outer wall 8a.

[0038] As far as the constraint means 10 are concerned, figure 3 shows that preferably but not necessarily they comprise:

• a laminar flange 14 which is coupled with a first side edge 2b of the operating drum 2 through first fastening means, generally indicated with 15, and presents a central through opening 16 through which the drive shaft 8 passes;
• an auxiliary bushing 17 externally coaxial to the drive shaft 8, stably coupled with the laminar flange 14 so as to protrude from a first face 14a of the laminar flange 14 itself in according to an axial direction and at the central through opening 16 of the latter; the auxiliary bush 17 is also engaged in an inner annular recess 18 made at the first side edge 2b and in the inner surface 2d delimiting the first axial through hole 9 of the operating drum 2;
• a second interconnection key 19 contained in a second slot 20, made in the outer wall 8a of the drive shaft 8 and separated from the first slot 13, and in a third slot 21 made in a limited portion 22 of the inner surface 17a of the auxiliary bushing 17.

[0039] The inner annular recess 18 in which the auxiliary bushing 17 engages, therefore, faces the second axial through hole 11 of the reducer 7 and, if the operating drum 2 is considered as a separate component, communicates with the outside.

[0040] Moreover, the auxiliary bushing 17 is coupled with the first face 14a of the laminar flange 14 through junction means, comprising for example an annular line of welding.

[0041] Such a constructive composition that, it is repeated, has been given purely by way of indication, is predominantly a consequence of the fact that the operating drum 2 is, preferably, made of plastic material and it is, therefore, technically convenient that the interconnection key 19, for its function, cooperates by contact with a surface made of metallic material, which is that one of the auxiliary bushing 17, rather than with a surface made of plastic material.

[0042] Advantageously, the drive shaft 8 is in this case provided substantially near the intermediate zone 8b and in the outer wall 8a with an annular projection 23, well visible in figure 4, contrasting, at one side, with the first interconnection key 12 and, at the opposite side, with an annular spacer 24, made for example of polymeric material, interposed between the annular projection 23 and the laminar flange 14 which is disposed close against from opposite sides.

[0043] The annular projection 23 is made in single piece, directly by means of turning, with the drive shaft 8.

[0044] The figures quoted so far illustrate that, according to the invention, the operating drum 2 is firmly coupled with the reference structure M through support means, on the whole reported with 25.

[0045] According to the invention, for the purposes of the innovative technical concept of the present invention, the support means 25 include:

• a main strike plate 26 suitable to be coupled with the reference structure M through second fastening means, as a whole numbered with 27 and of the type per se known in this kind of constructions;
• a pair of shaped brackets 28, 29 spaced apart and facing each other, projecting cantilevered from the main plate 26 and supporting the actuation means 3;
• an auxiliary plate 30, spaced apart from and facing to one of the shaped brackets 28, 29, also projecting from the main plate 26 and supporting the operating drum 2together with one of the shaped brackets 28, 29.

[0046] Specifically, each shaped bracket 28, 29 defines a development plane substantially orthogonal to the development plane defined by the main strike plate 26.

[0047] Furthermore, the shaped brackets 28, 29 are arranged near the first end 26a of the main strike plate 26 in such a way that a first shaped bracket 28 is the outermost one and faces the side edge 26c of the main strike plate 26 and a second shaped bracket 29 is the innermost one and faces the central zone 26d of the main strike plate 26.

[0048] The auxiliary plate 30 is, in turn, arranged near a second end 26b, opposite to the first end 26a, of the main strike plate 26 and, together with the second innermost shaped bracket 29, laterally delimits the intermediate containment space of the operating drum 2.

[0049] As a function of the just described composition of the support means 25, it is therefore possible to specify that the drive shaft 8 includes:

• a first pin 31 inserted into a third axial through hole 32 made in the first shaped bracket 28;
• a second pin 33 inserted into a fourth axial through hole 34, coaxial to the third axial through hole 32, made in the auxiliary plate 30;
• an inner portion, for the sake of expositive simplicity not accompanied by a reference number, inserted into a fifth axial through hole 35, coaxial to the axial through holes 9, 11, 32, 34 so far introduced, made in the second shaped bracket 29.

[0050] Since, as previously mentioned, the mechanical member 1 of the invention is, in the specific example, installed close to the inner part of the wall M of a boat, the main strike plate 26 presents a through slit 36 which, as it is well observed in figures 1 and 2, allows the passage of the recovery cable 4 for the connection with the load and the traction/release of the load itself during its winding/unwinding on the operating drum 2.

[0051] According to the invention, in the outer surface 2a the operating drum 2 is provided with a drive endless screw 37 defining a helical groove 38 which extends along the longitudinal axis Z for the entire length of the operating drum 2 and receives consecutive sections of the recovery cable 4 during its winding, where it remains blocked by the guiding and positioning means 5.

[0052] In particular, in accordance with the invention, the operating drum 2 is provided at the second side edge 2c with a friction head 39 projecting from the outer surface 2a of the operating drum 2 in such a way that the outer face 39a of the friction head 39 results close to the inner face 30a of the auxiliary plate 30 of the support means 25; preferentially, the friction head 39 is formed monolithically with the drive endless screw 37 of the operating drum 2, as clearly shown in figure 3.

[0053] According to the preferred embodiment described herein of the guiding and positioning means 5, they include an operating block 40 provided with an axial through nut screw 41 in which the drive endless screw 37 engages in such a manner that the operating block 40 slides along the aforesaid longitudinal axis Z and progressively interfere with consecutive sections of the recovery cable 4 contained into the helical groove 38 when the operating drum 2 is set in rotation around the longitudinal axis Z by the actuation element 3.

[0054] The operation block 40 is coupled with the second shaped bracket 29 and the auxiliary plate 30 through, by way of pure example, guide means, indicated as a whole with 42, which support the operating block 40 and substantially surround the operating drum 2.

[0055] More in detail, the guide means 42 preferably comprise four longitudinal slide columns 43 space apart and parallel each other, arranged around the operating drum 2 according to the vertexes of a hypothetical square, as clearly highlighted by figure 4.

[0056] Each of the longitudinal slide columns 43 is first of all provided with ends constrained on one side, to the second shaped bracket 29 and, on the opposite side, to the auxiliary plate 30, in both sides through third fastening means, as a whole numbered with 44 and of the type per se known to the person skilled in the art.

[0057] Each of the longitudinal columns 43 is then inserted into a peripheral through hole 45 made in the operating block 40 according to a linear axis Z' parallel to the longitudinal axis Z defined by the operating drum 2 and, consequently, by the axial through nut screw 41 of the operating block 40 itself.

[0058] It is understood that in further embodiments of the mechanical member of the invention, not represented in the accompanying drawings, the guide means could comprise a number of longitudinal sliding columns spaced apart and parallel each other different from that one described above and illustrated in the drawings, this number could vary depending on the constructive choices starting from two.

[0059] In a preferred, advantageous but not exclusive, way the mechanical member 1 of the invention also includes an auxiliary guide pulley 46, arranged and operating downstream the operating drum 2 which it cooperates with in such a way as to receive consecutive sections of the recovery cable 4 during winding/unwinding of the recovery cable 4 itself, ensuring as more aligned and in tension position as possible thereof at the output of the drive endless screw 37 of the operating drum 2.

[0060] In particular, the auxiliary guide pulley 46 is idle and is rotatably coupled with a shaped plate 47 fixed to the inner side wall 40a of the operating block 40 which the guide pulley 46 is thus structurally and operatively integral with.

[0061] Operatively, the mechanical member 1 of the invention is firmly fixed to the boat by coupling the main strike plate 26 close to the inner part of the wall M of the boat itself through the second fastening means 27; obviously, at the mechanical member 1 and, more precisely, at the through slit 36 of the main strike plate 26, the wall M of the boat presents an appropriate through access mouth B.

[0062] In this case, the electric motor 6 of the actuation means 3 is electrically connected with the control means available to the operator on board of the boat, for example inside the control cabin.

[0063] When the mechanical member 1 of the invention is required for use in the nautical field, for moving any permissible load, the operator unwinds the recovery cable 4 from the operating drum 2 for a length suitable for the manoeuvres to be carried out and connects the free end of the recovery cable 4 to the load itself.

[0064] In the unwinding phase, thanks to the presence, in first place, of the guiding and positioning means 5 and, in second place, of the auxiliary guide pulley 46 located downstream the operating drum 2, the recovery cable 4 is moved in effectively way and without any mishap by the actuation means 3 according to a suitable aligned position at the point of detachment of the recovery cable 4 from the operating drum 2 and at its release to the outside through the through slit 36.

[0065] However, the main advantage brought by the mechanical member 1 of the invention is realized in the winding phase of the recovery cable 4 around the outer surface 2a of the operating drum 2 which, as seen before, comprises in this specific case the drive endless screw 37.

[0066] Indeed, the presence of the guiding and positioning means 5 allows to keep stably and neatly successive sections of the recovery cable 4, which progressively winds around the outer surface 2a of the operating drum 2, in the helical groove 38 defined by the drive endless screw 37, avoiding uncontrolled, unplanned, improper and therefore very risky and/or dangerous seat escapes and those overlapping or kinks of the recovery cable 4, which can be instead typically and easily found in similar mechanical members of the prior art.

[0067] The operation of the guiding and positioning means 5of the mechanical member 1 of the invention is well marked and evident in figure 3, where it is observed as the relative operating block 40, advancing by linear motion along the longitudinal axis Z due to the effect of the rotation of the operating drum 2 integral with the drive shaft 8, maintains sequentially consecutive sections of the recovery cable 4 stably and properly housed in the helical groove 38 of the drive endless screw 37 of the operating drum 2.

[0068] In particular, advancing of the operating block 40 along the longitudinal axis Z is imparted by the rotation in a given direction of the drive endless screw 37 (or involute screw), belonging to the operating drum 2, meshing or engaging in the axial through nut screw 41 of the operating block 40 itself.

[0069] The risks of wear, deterioration or breakage over time, under continuous use cycles, of the recovery cable 4 of the mechanical member 1 are thus greatly reduced compared to the equivalent known technique.

[0070] Based on the foregoing, it is understood, therefore, that the mechanical member for moving loads, particularly for boats, of the present invention achieves the objects and realizes the advantages previously mentioned.

[0071] In the invention, winding of the recovery cable around the outer surface of the operating drum is more regular, precise and uniform than what happens in similar mechanical members currently used for moving loads or weights.

[0072] Upon implementation, changes could be made to the mechanical member for moving loads of the invention consisting, for example, in guiding and positioning means different from those ones described earlier in reference to the preferred embodiment of the invention itself.

[0073] In addition, in other constructive solutions of the mechanical member claimed herein, not accompanied by explanatory drawings, the actuation means may be different from those ones previously described, which does not affect the advantage brought by the present invention.

[0074] For example, versions of the mechanical member of the invention alternative to that one described above, not shown, could provide that the actuation means are of the manual type so that the rotation of the operating drum is impressed by the hand of a user by means of a special handle connected with the operating drum itself.

[0075] Moreover, it is stated precisely that the mechanical member for moving loads, object of the present invention, could be associated with any reference structure and thus result suitable to use even in fields different than the nautical one: for instance, the mechanical member of the invention could be used even in helicopters provided at Public Administration institutions for the above rescue of people from difficulty or danger setting.

[0076] It is, finally, clear that several other changes could be made to the mechanical member concerned, without departing from the principle of novelty intrinsic in the inventive idea expressed herein, as it is clear that, in the practical implementation of the invention, materials, shapes and sizes of the illustrated details could be changed, as needed, and replaced with others technically equivalent.

[0077] Where the constructive features and techniques mentioned in the following claims are followed by reference numbers or signs, those reference signs have been introduced with the sole objective of increasing the intelligibility of the claims themselves and therefore they have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified, by way of example only, by these reference signs.

Claims

1. Mechanical member (1) for moving loads, particularly boats, comprising:

- an operating drum (2), suitable to be firmly coupled with a reference structure (M) through support means (25) and defining a longitudinal axis (Z) which is suitable to be rotated around by actuation means (3);

- a recovery cable (4), provided with a first free end, suitable to be at necessary bound to said load, and a second end connected with said operating drum (2) in such a way that said recovery cable (4 ), due to the action of said actuation means (3), is at least partly wound/unwound on/from the outer surface (2a) of said operating drum (2);

- guiding and positioning means (5), operatively connected with said operating drum (2) in such a way as to progressively interfere with consecutive sections of said recovery cable (4) during winding/unwinding of said recovery cable (4) on/from said outer surface (2a) of said operating drum (2) so that said recovery cable (4) is wound/unwound in an orderly manner on/from said operating drum (2),

wherein in said outer surface (2a) said operating drum (2) is provided with a drive endless screw (37) defining a helical groove (38) extending along said longitudinal axis (Z) for the entire length of said operating drum (2) and receiving said consecutive sections of said recovery cable (4) during said winding, where it remains blocked by said guiding and positioning means (5), and wherein said support means (25) include:

- a main strike plate (26) suitable to be coupled with said reference structure (M) through second fastening means (27);

- a pair of shaped brackets (28, 29) spaced apart and facing each other, projecting from said main plate (26) and supporting said actuation means (3);

- an auxiliary plate (30), spaced apart from and facing to one of said shaped brackets (28, 29), projecting from said main plate (26) and supporting said operating drum (2) together with one of said shaped brackets (28, 29),

characterized in that said operating drum (2) is provided at a second side edge (2c) with a friction head (39) projecting from said outer surface (2a) of said operating drum (2) in such a way that the outer face (39a) of said friction head (39) is close to the inner face (30a) of said auxiliary plate (30) of said support means (25).

2. Member (1) according to claim 1) characterized in that said actuation means (3) belong to said mechanical member (1) and are electrically connected with control means, accessible to the operator, for the automatic operation of said actuation means (3).

3. Member (1) according to claim 2) characterized in that said actviation means (3) comprise an electric motor (6) connected through a reducer (7) with a drive shaft (8) which is inserted into a first axial through hole (9) present in said operating drum (2), which is made integral with through constraint means (10), and into a second axial through hole (11) present in said reducer (7) which is keyed with and made integral by a first interconnection key (12) contained in a first slot (13) made in the outer wall (8a) of said drive shaft (8) in such a manner as to partially protrude from said outer wall (8a) of said drive shaft (8).

4. Member (1) according to claim 3) characterized in that said constraint means (10) comprise:

- a laminar flange (14) which is coupled through first fastening means (15) with a first side edge (2b) of said operating drum (2) and presents a central through opening (16) through which said drive shaft (8) passes;

- an auxiliary bushing (17) externally coaxial to said drive shaft (8), coupled with said laminar flange (14) so as to protrude from a first face (14a) of said laminar flange (14) according to an axial direction and at said central through opening (16), and engaged in an inner annular recess (18) made at said first side edge (2b) and in the inner surface (2d) delimiting said first axial through hole (9) of said operating drum (2);

- a second interconnection key (19) contained in a second slot (20), made in said outer wall (8a) of said drive shaft (8) and separated from said first slot (13), and in a third slot (21) made in a limited portion (22) of the inner surface (17a) of said auxiliary bushing (17).

5. Member (1) according to claim 4) characterized in that said drive shaft (8) is provided near the intermediate zone (8b) and in said outer wall (8a) with an annular projection (23) contrasting at one side with said first interconnection key (12) and at the opposite side with an annular spacer (24), interposed between said annular projection (23) and said laminar flange (14) which is disposed close against from opposite sides.

6. Member (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that each of said shaped brackets (28, 29) defines a development plane substantially orthogonal to the development plane defined by said main strike plate (26).

7. Member (1) according to claim 1 or 6 characterized in that said shaped brackets (28, 29) are arranged near a first end (26a) of said main strike plate (26) in such a way that a first shaped bracket (28) is the outermost one and faces the side edge (26c) of said main strike plate (26) and a second shaped bracket (29) is the innermost one and faces the central zone (26d) of said main strike plate (26).

8. Member (1) according to claim 1, 6 or 7 characterized in that said auxiliary plate (30) is arranged near a second end (26b), opposite to said first end (26a) of said main strike plate (26) and, together with said second innermost shaped bracket (29), laterally delimits the intermediate containment space of said operating drum (2).

9. Member (1) according to claim 7) or 8) characterized in that said drive shaft (8) includes:

- a first pin (31) inserted into a third axial through hole (32) made in said first shaped bracket (28);

- a second pin (33) inserted into a fourth axial through hole (34), coaxial to said third axial through hole (32), made in said auxiliary plate (30);

- an inner portion inserted into a fifth axial through hole (35), coaxial to said axial through holes (9, 11, 32, 34), made in said second shaped bracket (29).

10. Member (1) according to any of the claims 1 and from 6 to 9 characterized in that said main strike plate (26) presents a through slit (36) that allows the passage of said recovery cable (4) for connection with said load and traction/release of said load during said winding/unwinding of said recovery cable (4).

11. Member (1) according to claim 1) characterized in that said guide and positioning means (5) include an operating block (40) provided with an axial through nut screw (41) which said drive endless screw engages in (37) in such a manner that said operating block (40) slides along said longitudinal axis (Z) and progressively interferes with said consecutive sections of said recovery cable (4) contained into said helical groove (38) when said operating drum (2) is set in rotation around said longitudinal axis (Z) by said actuation means (3).

12. Member (1) according to claim 11) characterized in that said operation block (40) is coupled with said second shaped bracket (29) and said auxiliary plate (30) through guide means (42) substantially surrounding said operating drum (2).

13. Member (1) according to claim 12) characterized in that said guide means (42) include at least two longitudinal slide columns (43), each of which is:

- provided with ends constrained through third fastening means (44), on one side, to said second shaped bracket (29) and, on the opposite side, to said auxiliary plate (30);

- inserted into a peripheral through hole (45) made in said operating block (40) according to a linear axis (Z ') parallel to said longitudinal axis (Z) defined by said operating drum (2).

14. Member (1) according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises an auxiliary guide pulley (46), arranged and operating downstream said operating drum (2) which it cooperates with in such a way as to receive said consecutive sections of said recovery cable (4) during winding/unwinding of said recovery cable (4), ensuring as more correct and in tension position as possible at the output of said operating drum (2).

15. Member (1) according to claim 14) characterized in that said auxiliary guide pulley (46) is idle and is rotatably coupled with a shaped plate (47) fixed to the inner side wall (40a) of said operating block (40) which said guide pulley (46) is structurally and functionally integral with.

Ansprüche

1. Mechanisches Element (1) zum Bewegen von Lasten, insbesondere von Booten, welches Folgendes umfasst:

- eine Arbeitstrommel (2), die dafür geeignet ist, durch Haltemittel (25) fest mit einer Referenzstruktur (M) gekoppelt zu werden, und eine Längsachse (Z) definiert, die dafür geeignet ist, durch Betätigungsmittel (3) in Drehung versetzt zu werden,

- ein Rückholkabel (4), das mit einem ersten freien Ende versehen ist, welches dafür geeignet ist, bei Bedarf mit der Last verbunden zu werden, und mit einem zweiten Ende versehen ist, das derart mit der Arbeitstrommel (2) verbunden ist, dass das Rückholkabel (4) infolge der Wirkung der Betätigungsmittel (3) zumindest teilweise auf die Außenfläche (2a) der Arbeitstrommel (2) gewickelt oder davon abgewickelt wird,

- Führungs- und Positionierungsmittel (5), die mit der Arbeitstrommel (2) derart operativ verbunden sind, dass sie während des Aufwickelns des Rückholkabels (4) auf die Außenfläche (2a) der Arbeitstrommel (2) oder während des Abwickelns von dieser fortschreitend mit aufeinander folgenden Abschnitten des Rückholkabels (4) in Wechselwirkung treten, so dass das Rückholkabel (4) in geordneter Weise auf die Arbeitstrommel (2) aufgewickelt bzw. von dieser abgewickelt wird,

wobei die Arbeitstrommel (2) in der Außenfläche (2a) mit einer endlosen Antriebsschnecke (37) versehen ist, die eine helikale Nut (38) definiert, welche sich entlang der Längsachse (Z) über die gesamte Länge der Arbeitstrommel (2) erstreckt, und welche die aufeinander folgenden Abschnitte des Rückholkabels (4) während des Wickelns aufnimmt, wobei sie durch die Führungs- und Positionierungsmittel (5) blockiert bleibt und wobei die Haltemittel (25) Folgendes aufweisen:

- eine Hauptanschlagsplatte (26), die dafür geeignet ist, durch zweite Befestigungsmittel (27) mit der Referenzstruktur (M) gekoppelt zu werden,

- ein Paar geformter Halteelemente (28, 29), die voneinander beabstandet sind und einander zugewandt sind, von der Hauptplatte (26) vorstehen und die Betätigungsmittel (3) halten,

- eine Hilfsplatte (30), die von dem einen der geformten Halteelemente (28, 29) beabstandet ist und diesem zugewandt ist, von der Hauptplatte (26) vorsteht und die Arbeitstrommel (2) zusammen mit einem der geformten Halteelemente (28, 29) hält,

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Arbeitstrommel (2) an einem zweiten Seitenrand (2c) mit einem Reibungskopf (39) versehen ist, der von der Außenfläche (2a) der Arbeitstrommel (2) derart vorsteht, dass die Außenseite (39a) des Reibungskopfs (39) nahe der Innenseite (30a) der Hilfsplatte (30) der Haltemittel (25) ist.

2. Element (1) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Betätigungsmittel (3) zum mechanischen Element (1) gehören und für den automatischen Betrieb der Betätigungsmittel (3) elektrisch mit für den Bediener zugänglichen Steuermitteln verbunden sind.

3. Element (1) nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Betätigungsmittel (3) einen Elektromotor (6) umfassen, der durch eine Untersetzung (7) mit einer Antriebswelle (8) verbunden ist, die in ein erstes axiales Durchgangsloch (9), das in der Arbeitstrommel (2) vorhanden ist, welche integral mit Rückhaltemitteln (10) ausgebildet ist, und in ein zweites axiales Durchgangsloch (11), das in der Untersetzung (7) vorhanden ist, die mit einem ersten Verbindungskeil (12), der in einem ersten Schlitz (13) enthalten ist, welcher in der Außenwand (8a) der Antriebswelle (8) ausgebildet ist, verkeilt und damit integral ausgebildet ist, eingeführt ist, um teilweise aus der Außenwand (8a) der Antriebswelle (8) vorzustehen.

4. Element (1) nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Rückhaltemittel (10) Folgendes umfassen:

- einen laminaren Flansch (14), der durch erste Befestigungsmittel (15) mit einem ersten Seitenrand (2b) der Arbeitstrommel (2) gekoppelt ist und eine zentrale Durchgangsöffnung (16) aufweist, durch welche die Antriebswelle (8) hindurchtritt,

- eine Hilfsbuchse (17), die sich außen koaxial zur Antriebswelle (8) befindet, gekoppelt mit dem laminaren Flansch (14), um von einer ersten Seite (14a) des laminaren Flansches (14) entsprechend einer axialen Richtung und an der zentralen Durchgangsöffnung (16) vorzustehen, und in Eingriff mit einer inneren ringförmigen Aussparung (18), die am ersten Seitenrand (2b) und in der Innenfläche (2d) ausgebildet ist, wodurch das erste axiale Durchgangsloch (9) der Arbeitstrommel (2) begrenzt ist,

- einen zweiten Verbindungskeil (19), der in einem zweiten Schlitz (20), welcher in der Außenwand (8a) der Antriebswelle (8), getrennt vom ersten Schlitz (13) ausgebildet ist, und in einem dritten Schlitz (21), der in einem begrenzten Abschnitt (22) der Innenfläche (17a) der Hilfsbuchse (17) ausgebildet ist, enthalten ist.

5. Element (1) nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Antriebswelle (8) in der Nähe der Zwischenzone (8b) und in der Außenwand (8a) mit einem ringförmigen Vorsprung (23) versehen ist, der auf einer Seite dem ersten Verbindungskeil (12) und auf der entgegengesetzten Seite einem ringförmigen Abstandselement (24) gegenübersteht, das zwischen dem ringförmigen Vorsprung (23) und dem laminaren Flansch (14) angeordnet ist, der nahe gegenüber den entgegengesetzten Seiten angeordnet ist.

6. Element (1) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jedes der geformten Halteelemente (28, 29) eine Entwicklungsebene definiert, die im Wesentlichen orthogonal zur durch die Hauptanschlagsplatte (26) definierten Entwicklungsebene ist.

7. Element (1) nach Anspruch 1 oder 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die geformten Halteelemente (28, 29) in der Nähe eines ersten Endes (26a) der Hauptanschlagsplatte (26) in einer solchen Weise angeordnet sind, dass ein erstes geformtes Halteelement (28) das äußerste ist und dem Seitenrand (26c) der Hauptanschlagsplatte (26) gegenübersteht, und ein zweites geformtes Halteelement (29) das innerste ist und der zentralen Zone (26d) der Hauptanschlagsplatte (26) gegenübersteht.

8. Element (1) nach Anspruch 1, 6 oder 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Hilfsplatte (30) in der Nähe eines zweiten Endes (26b) entgegengesetzt zum ersten Ende (26a) der Hauptanschlagsplatte (26) angeordnet ist und gemeinsam mit dem zweiten innersten geformten Halteelement (29) den Zwischenaufnahmeraum der Arbeitstrommel (2) seitlich begrenzt.

9. Element (1) nach Anspruch 7 oder 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Antriebswelle (8) Folgendes aufweist:

- einen ersten Stift (31), der in ein drittes axiales Durchgangsloch (32) eingeführt ist, das im ersten geformten Halteelement (28) ausgebildet ist,

- einen zweiten Stift (33), der in ein viertes axiales Durchgangsloch (34) eingeführt ist, das koaxial mit dem dritten axialen Durchgangsloch (32) verläuft, welches in der Hilfsplatte (30) ausgebildet ist,

- einen inneren Abschnitt, der in ein fünftes axiales Durchgangsloch (35) eingeführt ist, das koaxial mit den axialen Durchgangslöchern (9, 11, 32, 34) verläuft, welche im zweiten geformten Halteelement (29) ausgebildet sind.

10. Element (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 und 6 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Hauptanschlagsplatte (26) einen Durchgangsschlitz (36) aufweist, der das Hindurchführen des Rückholkabels (4) zur Verbindung mit der Last und zum Anziehen/Loslassen der Last während des Aufwickelns/Abwickelns des Rückholkabels (4) erlaubt.

11. Element (1) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Führungs- und Positionierungsmittel (5) einen Arbeitsblock (40) aufweisen, der mit einer axialen Durchgangsmutterschnecke (41) versehen ist, worin die endlose Antriebsschnecke bei (37) eingreift, so dass der Arbeitsblock (40) entlang der Längsachse (Z) gleitet und fortschreitend mit den aufeinander folgenden Abschnitten des Rückholkabels (4) wechselwirkt, die in der helikalen Nut (38) enthalten sind, wenn die Arbeitstrommel (2) durch die Betätigungsmittel (3) um die Längsachse (Z) in Drehung versetzt wird.

12. Element (1) nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Arbeitsblock (40) mit dem geformten Halteelement (29) und der Hilfsplatte (30) durch Führungsmittel (42), welche die Arbeitstrommel (2) im Wesentlichen umgeben, gekoppelt ist.

13. Element (1) nach Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Führungsmittel (42) wenigstens zwei in Längsrichtung verlaufende Gleitsäulen (43) aufweisen, die jeweils

- mit Enden versehen sind, welche auf einer Seite durch dritte Befestigungsmittel (44) am zweiten geformten Halteelement (29) befestigt sind und auf der entgegengesetzten Seite an der Hilfsplatte (30) befestigt sind,

- in ein peripheres Durchgangsloch (45), das im Arbeitsblock (40) ausgebildet ist, entsprechend einer linearen Achse (Z') parallel zur Längsachse (Z), welche durch die Arbeitstrommel (2) definiert ist, eingeführt sind.

14. Element (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es eine Hilfsführungsriemenscheibe (46) umfasst, die hinter der Arbeitstrommel (2) angeordnet ist und arbeitet, womit sie zusammenwirkt, so dass die aufeinander folgenden Abschnitte des Rückholkabels (4) während des Aufwickelns/Abwickelns des Rückholkabels (4) aufgenommen werden, wodurch eine möglichst korrekte und gespannte Position am Ausgang der Arbeitstrommel (2) gewährleistet wird.

15. Element (1) nach Anspruch 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Hilfsführungsriemenscheibe (46) in Bereitschaft und drehend mit einer geformten Platte (47) gekoppelt ist, die an der inneren Seitenwand (40a) des Arbeitsblocks (40) befestigt ist, womit die Führungsriemenscheibe (46) strukturell und funktionell integriert ist.

Revendications

1. Élément mécanique (1) pour déplacer des charges, en particulier des bateaux, comprenant :

- un tambour de travail (2) apte à être fermement couplé à une structure de référence (M) à l'aide de moyens de support (25) et définissant un axe longitudinal (Z) qui est apte à être tourné par des moyens d'actionnement (3) ;

- un câble de récupération (4), comportant une première extrémité libre, apte à être reliée, si nécessaire, à ladite charge, et une seconde extrémité reliée audit tambour de travail (2) d'une manière telle que ledit câble de récupération (4), en raison de l'action desdits moyens d'actionnement (3), est au moins partiellement enroulé sur/déroulé de la surface extérieure (2a) dudit tambour de travail (2) ;

- des moyens de guidage et de positionnement (5), reliés de façon fonctionnelle audit tambour de travail (2) de façon à interférer progressivement avec des sections consécutives dudit câble de récupération (4) durant l'enroulement/le déroulement dudit câble de récupération (4) sur/à partir de ladite surface extérieure (2a) dudit tambour de travail (2) de telle sorte que ledit câble de récupération (4) est enroulé/déroulé d'une manière ordonnée sur/à partir dudit tambour de travail (2),

dans lequel, dans ladite surface extérieure (2a), ledit tambour de travail (2) comporte une vis sans fin d'entraînement (27) définissant une rainure hélicoïdale (38) s'étendant le long dudit axe longitudinal (Z) sur toute la longueur dudit tambour de travail (2) et recevant lesdites sections consécutives dudit câble de récupération (4) pendant ledit enroulement, où il reste bloqué par lesdits moyens de guidage et de positionnement (5), et dans lequel lesdits moyens de support (25) comprennent :

- une plaque principale protectrice (26) apte à être couplée à ladite structure de référence (M) à l'aide de seconds moyens de fixation (27) ;

- une paire de supports profilés (28, 29) espacés l'un de l'autre et se faisant mutuellement face, se projetant à partir de ladite plaque principale (26) et supportant lesdits moyens d'actionnement (3) ;

- une plaque auxiliaire (30), espacée de et faisant face à l'un desdits supports profilés (28, 29), se projetant à partir de ladite plaque principale (26) et supportant ledit tambour de travail (2) conjointement avec l'un desdits supports profilés (28, 29),

caractérisé par le fait que ledit tambour de travail (2) est muni à un second bord latéral (2c) d'une tête de friction (39) se projetant à partir de ladite surface extérieure (2a) dudit tambour de travail (2) d'une manière telle que la face extérieure (39a) de ladite tête de friction (39) est proche de la face intérieure (30a) de ladite plaque auxiliaire (30) desdits moyens de support (25).

2. Élément (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait que lesdits moyens d'actionnement (3) appartiennent audit élément mécanique (1) et sont connectés électriquement à des moyens de commande, accessibles à l'opérateur, pour le fonctionnement automatique desdits moyens d'actionnement (3).

3. Élément (1) selon la revendication 2, caractérisé par le fait que lesdits moyens d'actionnement (3) comprennent un moteur électrique (6) relié par l'intermédiaire d'un réducteur (7) à un arbre d'entraînement (8) qui est introduit dans un premier trou traversant axial (9) présent dans ledit tambour de travail (2), qui est rendu solidaire de moyens de contrainte traversants (10), et dans un deuxième trou traversant axial (11) présent dans ledit réducteur (7) qui est claveté avec et rendu solidaire par une première clavette de liaison (12) contenue dans une première rainure (13) ménagée dans la paroi extérieure (8a) dudit arbre d'entraînement (8) de façon à faire partiellement saillie à partir de ladite paroi extérieure (8a) dudit arbre d'entraînement (8).

4. Élément (1) selon la revendication 3, caractérisé par le fait que lesdits moyens de contrainte (10) comprennent :

- une bride laminée (14) qui est couplée par l'intermédiaire de premiers moyens de fixation (15) à un premier bord latéral (2b) dudit tambour de travail (2) et présente une ouverture traversante centrale (16) à travers laquelle passe ledit arbre d'entraînement (8) ;

- une bague auxiliaire (17) extérieurement coaxiale audit arbre d'entraînement (8), couplée à ladite bride laminée (14) de façon à faire saillie à partir d'une première face (14a) de ladite bride laminée (14) selon une direction axiale et au niveau de ladite ouverture traversante centrale (16), et engagée dans un renfoncement annulaire intérieur (18) ménagé audit premier bord latéral (2b) et dans la surface intérieure (2d) délimitant ledit premier trou traversant axial (9) dudit tambour de travail (2) ;

- une seconde clavette de liaison (19) contenue dans une deuxième rainure (20), ménagée dans ladite paroi extérieure (8a) dudit arbre d'entraînement (8) et séparée de ladite première rainure (13), et dans une troisième rainure (21) ménagée dans une partie limitée (22) de la surface intérieure (17a) de ladite bague auxiliaire (17).

5. Élément (1) selon la revendication 4, caractérisé par le fait que ledit arbre d'entraînement (8) est muni, près de la zone intermédiaire (8b) et dans ladite paroi extérieure (8a), d'une saillie annulaire (23) contrastant, sur un côté, avec ladite première clavette de liaison (12) et, sur le côté opposé, avec une entretoise annulaire (24) interposée entre ladite saillie annulaire (23) et ladite bride laminée (14) qui est disposée contre à partir de bords opposés.

6. Élément (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait que chacun desdits supports profilés (28, 29) définit un plan de développement sensiblement orthogonal au plan de développement défini par ladite plaque principale protectrice (26).

7. Élément (1) selon l'une des revendications 1 ou 6, caractérisé par le fait que lesdits supports profilés (28, 29) sont agencés près d'une première extrémité (26a) de ladite plaque principale protectrice (26) d'une manière telle qu'un premier support profilé (28) est le plus à l'extérieur et fait face au bord latéral (26c) de ladite plaque principale protectrice (26) et qu'un second support profilé (29) est le plus à l'intérieur et fait face à la zone centrale (26d) de ladite plaque principale protectrice (26).

8. Élément (1) selon l'une des revendications 1, 6 ou 7, caractérisé par le fait que ladite plaque auxiliaire (30) est agencée près d'une seconde extrémité (26b), opposée à ladite première extrémité (26a) de ladite plaque principale protectrice (26), et, conjointement avec ledit second support profilé le plus à l'intérieur (29), délimite latéralement l'espace de confinement intermédiaire dudit tambour de travail (2).

9. Élément (1) selon l'une des revendications 7 ou 8, caractérisé par le fait que l'arbre d'entraînement (8) comprend :

- un premier axe (31) introduit dans un troisième trou traversant axial (32) ménagé dans ledit premier support profilé (28) ;

- un second axe (33) introduit dans un quatrième trou traversant axial (34), coaxial audit troisième trou traversant axial (32), ménagé dans ladite plaque auxiliaire (30) ;

- une partie intérieure introduite dans un cinquième trou traversant axial (35), coaxial auxdits trous traversants axiaux (9, 11, 32, 34), ménagé dans ledit second support profilé (29).

10. Élément (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 et 6 à 9, caractérisé par le fait que ladite plaque principale protectrice (26) présente une fente traversante (36) qui autorise le passage dudit câble de récupération (4) pour une liaison à ladite charge et une traction/libération de ladite charge pendant ledit enroulement/déroulement dudit câble de récupération (4).

11. Élément (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait que lesdits moyens de guidage et de positionnement (5) comprennent un bloc de travail (40) muni d'un trou de vis traversant axial (41) que ladite vis sans fin d'entraînement engage (37) d'une manière telle que ledit bloc de travail (40) coulisse le long dudit axe longitudinal (Z) et interfère progressivement avec lesdites sections consécutives dudit câble de récupération (4) contenues dans ladite rainure hélicoïdale (38) lorsque ledit tambour de travail (2) est entraîné en rotation autour dudit axe longitudinal (Z) par lesdits moyens d'actionnement (3).

12. Élément (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait que ledit bloc de travail (40) est couplé audit second support profilé (29) et à ladite plaque auxiliaire (30) par l'intermédiaire de moyens de guidage (42) entourant sensiblement ledit tambour de travail (2).

13. Élément (1) selon la revendication 12, caractérisé par le fait que lesdits moyens de guidage (42) comprennent au moins deux colonnes de coulissement longitudinales (43), chacune d'elles :

- comportant des extrémités limitées à l'aide de troisièmes moyens de fixation (44), sur un côté, audit second support profilé (29) et, sur le côté opposé, à ladite plaque auxiliaire (30) ;

- étant introduite dans un trou traversant périphérique (45) ménagé dans ledit bloc de travail (40) selon un axe linéaire (Z') parallèle audit axe longitudinal (Z) défini par ledit tambour de travail (2).

14. Élément (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait qu'il comprend une poulie de guidage auxiliaire (46) agencée et fonctionnant en aval dudit tambour de travail (2) avec lequel elle coopère de façon à recevoir lesdites sections consécutives dudit câble de récupération (4) pendant l'enroulement/déroulement dudit câble de récupération (4), garantissant une position aussi correcte et en tension que possible à la sortie dudit tambour de travail (2).

15. Élément (1) selon la revendication 14, caractérisé par le fait que ladite poulie de guidage auxiliaire (46) est folle et est couplée de façon rotative à une plaque profilée (47) fixée à la paroi latérale intérieure (40a) dudit bloc de travail (40) avec lequel ladite poulie de guidage (46) est structurellement et fonctionnellement solidaire.

Drawing