Winch with free-wheeling drum

Claim 2

In a machine having engine means, a winch comprising a rotatable winch drum and a power train including a rotatable power input member coupled to the engine means, an intermediate drive means, a normally disengaged input friction clutch which is selectively engageable to provide a coupling between the input member and intermediate drive means, a friction brake being normally engaged to secure the intermediate drive means against rotation and being selectively disengageable to permit rotation of the intermediate drive means, a jaw-type clutch being normally engaged to provide a positive coupling between the intermediate drive means and the winch drum, the jaw clutch being selectively disengageable to permit free-wheeling of the winch drum free of drag from the intermediate drive means, a source of fluid pressure, conduit means connecting said source of fluid pressure to said normally disengaged input friction clutch and to said friction brake and to said jaw-type clutch, means controlling said fluid pressure to said input friction clutch for engaging the same and simultaneously disengaging said friction brake whereby said winch is driven from said engine means, and means controlling said fluid pressure to said jaw-type clutch independent of said means controlling fluid pressure to said input friction clutch and said friction brake for disengaging the same to effect free wheeling of said winch drum.

Claim 3

A winch as in claim 1, wherein the machine is a vehicle with the engine means providing a prime mover for the vehicle, the winch being adapted to provide a towing function for the vehicle.

Claim 4

A winch as in claim 2, wherein the normally disengaged input friction clutch is arranged along a direct drive path between the input member and the rotatable winch drum, the normally engaged friction brake being arranged upon a branch of the drive path on the output side of the friction clutch.

Claim 5

A winch as in claim 3, wherein the normally disengaged input friction clutch, the normally engaged friction brake and the jaw-type clutch are all hydraulically operated.

Claim 6

A winch as in claim 4, wherein the winch drum is mounted in relatively rotatable relation upon a winch drum shaft coupled for rotation with the power train, the jaw-type clutch being arranged to selectively provide a positive coupling between the winch drum and the winch drum shaft.

Claim 7

A winch as in claim 5, wherein the jaw-type clutch is disposed interiorly of said drum and includes a spring urging the clutch in engagement with said shaft.

Claim 8

In a machine comprising engine means, a winch comprising a rotatable winch drum, a rotatable power input member coupled to the engine means, an input clutch, a brake, a winch engaging clutch, pressurized fluid for operating said input clutch, said friction brake and said winch engaging clutch, and pressurized fluid control means controlling application of said pressurized fluid to said input clutch, said friction brake and said winch engaging clutch, an improvement comprising: 1. utilizing as said input clutch a friction clutch which is normally disengaged when said pressurized fluid is not applied thereto and is selectively engageable on application of fluid pressure thereto to provide coupling between said input member and an intermediate drive means located between said input clutch and said winch engaging clutch; 2. utilizing as said brake a friction brake which is normally engaged when said pressurized fluid is not applied thereto and is selectively disengageable on application of fluid pressure thereto to release said intermediate drive means and permit rotation thereof; 3. utilizing as said pressurized control means, first fluid control means controlling application of fluid pressure to said friction brake and said friction clutch and second fluid control means operating independently of said first fluid control means, said second fluid control means controlling application of fluid pressure to said winch engaging clutch; and 4. utilizing as said winch engaging clutch a jaw type clutch which is normally engaged when said pressurized fluid is not applied thereto to provide a positive coupling between said intermediate drive means and the winch drum and is selectively disengageable to permit free-wheeling of the winch drum free of drag from the intermediate drive means on application of pressurized fluid to said jaw-type clutch.

Claim 9

In a machine comprising engine means, a winch comprising a rotatable winch drum, a rotatable power input member coupled to the engine means, an input clutch, a brake, a winch engaging clutch, pressurized fluid for operating said input clutch, said friction brake and said winch engaging clutch, and pressurized fluid control means controlling application of said pressurized fluid to said input clutch, said friction brake and said winch engaging clutch, an improvement comprising: 1. utilizing as said input clutch a friction clutch which is normally disengaged when said pressurized fluid is not applied thereto and is selectively engageable on application of fluid pressure thereto to provide coupling between said input member and an intermediate drive means located between said input clutch and said winch engaging clutch; 2. utilizing as said brake a friction brake which is normally engaged when said pressurized fluid is not applied thereto and is selectively disengageable on application of fluid pressure thereto to release said intermediate drive means and permit rotation thereof; 3. utilizing as said pressurized control means, first fluid control means controlling application of fluid pressure to said friction brake and said friction clutch and second fluid control means operating independently of said first fluid control means, said second fluid control means controlling application of fluid pressure to said winch engaging clutch; and 4. utilizing as said winch engaging clutch a jaw type clutch which is normally engaged when said pressurized fluid is not applied thereto to provide a positive coupling between said intermediate drive means and the winch drum and is selectively disengageable to permit free-wheeling of the winch drum free of drag from the intermediate drive means on application of pressurized fluid to said jaw-type clutch.

Claim 10

An improvement as in claim 7, including speed reduction means intermediate said intermediate drive means and said jaw-type clutch to cause said intermediate drive means to operate under reduced torque.