Silent manual winch

Abstract

Manual winch (1) comprising a crank (2) connected to a first shaft (3) equipped with a first pinion (4), the first pinion (4) being engaged with a second pinion (5) mounted around a second shaft (7) for winding a cable or moving a chain (21), characterized in that it comprises a driving element (12) comprising: - a first end (12a) rotationally connected to the first pinion (4); - a central portion (12b) provided with a disc (12c) bearing on one side against a part of the winch and on the other side against a rotor (13a) of a free wheel (13) and two friction washers (14) positioned on either side of the rotor (13a), mounted around the central portion (12b);- a second end (15), threaded, around which is mounted a nut (16) fixed in rotation to the crank (2) and bearing against one of the friction washers (14), the screwing / unscrewing of which allows the rotor (13a) of the free wheel (13) to be joined / disengaged by friction with the disc (12c) of the driving element (12). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 2;

Description

Title of the invention: Silent manual winch technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of manual winches with cable, chain or rack, in particular for lifting and handling equipment, such as a plate carrier, panel carrier, etc. Previous art

[0002] In the prior art, a manual winch is known, for example equipped with a steel cable that is wound around a drum to lift a load. The winch is operated by means of a crank connected to a first shaft equipped with a first pinion, the first pinion being engaged with a second pinion fixed to a cable winding drum, mounted around a second shaft.

[0003] It is also known to use a ratchet and rack system to lock the winch drum in a given position once the load has been lifted to the desired height.

[0004] The ratchet is generally operated by means of a lever or a button, and once engaged, it locks the winch drum in a fixed position, thus preventing the load from descending.

[0005] A friction washer winch is also known for lowering a load; these are also called friction winches or controlled descent winches. These winches are used to lower a load in a controlled manner, using a combination of friction and tension on the cable.

[0006] The friction washer winch system uses a series of friction washers to apply resistance to the cable or rope as it is wound around the winch drum. When the load is lifted, the resistance to descent is created by adjusting the friction washers, which are often adjustable to regulate the braking force.

[0007] Conventional manual winches can be noisy, particularly due to the use of the ratchet and rack system to lock the drum.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need in the prior art for a manual winch whose operation is simple and silent, while allowing the load to be locked at a desired height and the possibility of lowering the load in a controlled and safe manner. Description of the invention

[0009] The objective of the present invention is therefore to provide a manual winch whose operation is simple and silent, while allowing the load to be locked at a desired height and the ability to lower the load in a controlled and safe manner.

[0010] For this purpose, a manual winch has been developed comprising a crank connected to a first shaft equipped with a first pinion, the first pinion being engaged with a second pinion mounted around a second shaft for winding a cable, moving a chain or a rack.

[0011] According to the invention, the winch comprises a driving element including: - a first end linked in rotation to the first pinion; - a central portion provided with a disc bearing on one side against a part of the winch, such as a bearing of the first shaft or directly the first pinion, and on the other side against a rotor of a free wheel and two friction washers positioned on either side of the rotor, mounted around the central portion; - a second end, threaded, around which is mounted a nut fixed in rotation to the crank and bearing against one of the friction washers, whose screwing / unscrewing allows the locking / unlocking by friction of the rotor of the free wheel with the disc of the driving element.

[0012] In this way, the use of a free wheel allows the second pinion to be locked in rotation to prevent the load lifted with the winch from falling back down, while reducing the noise generated during the use of the winch, in particular compared to the ratchet and rack system of the prior art.

[0013] The friction washers, by tightening the nut when the crank is turned to raise the load, allow the freewheel rotor and the driving element to be frictionally joined, thus rotating the driving element, which in turn rotates the second pinion to lift the load. When the crank is turned in the opposite direction, the nut is loosened and the pressure against the friction washers is gradually released, progressively disengaging the freewheel rotor from the driving element and thus allowing the load to descend gradually and in a controlled manner.

[0014] According to a particular embodiment, the winch includes a cable winding drum, mounted around the second axis.

[0015] In order to reduce the number of parts to be used in the winch according to the invention, the second opinion preferably directly forms a flange of the drum.

[0016] The drum includes a mandrel and at least two flanges, and in order to avoid machining operations during manufacturing, and thus reduce manufacturing costs, the mandrel is preferably in the form of a tube whose ends have cutouts, for example obtained by laser cutting, forming tenons engaged in mortises, also obtained for example by laser cutting, made in the flanges.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the winch includes a third pinion mounted around the second axis, engaged: - either with a chain one end of which moves freely, notably due to gravity, inside an accumulation tube and another end of which is attached to a lower end of a mast mounted to slide in a column; - either with a rack fixed along a mast mounted to slide in a column.

[0018] These two embodiments are technical alternatives to the cable winch.

[0019] According to a particular embodiment, the stator of the freewheel is locked in Rotation is achieved via a connecting rod fixed at one end to the stator and at the other end to one end of the second shaft. In a particular embodiment, the stator of the freewheel can be formed directly by the connecting rod, which is attached at one end to the rotor and at the other end to one end of the second shaft.

[0020] In this way, the assembly is compact and reliable, and is of simple and inexpensive design.

[0021] Still with the aim of reducing costs and simplifying manufacturing, the winch includes a frame formed by a sheet metal cut and folded into a U shape, defining a base for fixing the winch to a lifting device, and two wings between which the first axis and the second axis are arranged.

[0022] Still with this same purpose in mind, the first end of the driving element preferably has cutouts forming tenons engaged in mortises made in the first pinion.

[0023] Thus, the winch consists rather of an assembly of parts, for example laser-cut, costly machining operations are avoided, and welding operations are reduced, or even eliminated.

[0024] Still with the aim of facilitating manufacturing and reducing its cost, the crank preferably comprises a body made from sheet metal, and possibly overmolded with a plastic casing.

[0025] Preferably, the nut includes a groove, and the crank includes means for snapping into the groove, so as to be able to mount and dismount said crank quickly. Brief description of the drawings

[0026] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the detailed description given below, by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0027] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention.

[0028] [Fig.2] is a longitudinal sectional view of the first axis.

[0029] [Fig.3] is a perspective view similar to that of [Fig.1], the first pinion and the second gable having been masked.

[0030] [Fig.4] is a perspective view similar to that of [Fig.1], viewed from another side.

[0031] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of the first gable to visualize the mortises.

[0032] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention

[0033] [Fig.7] is a perspective view similar to that of [Fig.1], the envelope in the plastic of the crank had been masked.

[0034] [Fig.8] is a view similar to that of [Fig.7], the freewheeling system having been masked to view the means of ratcheting the crank around the nut, and the central flange of the drum also having been masked to reveal the half-tenons of the tubes.

[0035] [Fig.9] is a representation of a winch adapted for moving a chain and lifting / lower a telescopic mast.

[0036] [Fig. 10] is a detailed view of the winch, shown without the protective casing.

[0037] [Fig.11] is an enlarged view of [Fig.10].

[0038] [Fig.12] is a longitudinal sectional view of [Fig.11], centered on the axis of the crank.

[0039] [Fig. 13] is a view illustrating the lower part of the mast to which is attached a end of the chain.

[0040] [Fig. 14] is a perspective view of a winch adapted for raising / lowering a mast telescopic handler equipped with a rack and pinion system.

[0041] [Fig.15] is a longitudinal sectional view of [Fig.14], centered on the axis of the crank. Detailed description of the invention

[0042] With reference to figures 1 to 15, the invention relates to a manual winch (1) for lifting or lowering a load, for example implemented in a plate-lifting device, which offers quiet operation and controlled descent of the load.

[0043] According to a first embodiment illustrated [Fig. 1] to 8, the winch (1) comprises a crank (2) connected to a first shaft (3) equipped with a first pinion (4) engaged with a second pinion (5) fixed to a drum (6) for winding a cable, mounted around a second shaft (7). Preferably, the second pinion (5) directly acts as a flange for the drum (6).

[0044] The winch (1) comprises a frame formed, for example, by a sheet of metal cut and bent into a U-shape, defining a base (8a) for attaching the winch (1) to a lifting device, and two wings (8b), each having openings through which the first axis (3) and the second axis (7) pass. Bearings (9), made of iron or nylon, can be engaged in openings in the wings around the first axis (3). The openings in the wings can, for example, be non-circular to prevent the bearings (9) from rotating. Alternatively, the wings (8b) They may have chimneys around the openings, acting as bearings, and directly stamped. Without departing from the scope of the invention, the bearings may be welded to the wings.

[0045] The crank (2) can be made in different ways, for example, by means of a sheet overmolded with a plastic casing (11).

[0046] The winch (1) includes a driving element (12), which includes a first end (12a) rotationally linked to the first pinion (4), a central portion (12b) provided with a disc (12c) and around which are mounted a free wheel (13) and two friction washers (14) positioned on either side of the rotor (13a) of the free wheel (13), and a second threaded end (15) receiving a nut (16).

[0047] Preferably, the first end (12a) of the driving element is made integral with the first pinion (4) by means of cutouts forming tenons (12al) engaged in mortises (4a) made in the first pinion (4).

[0048] The disc (12c) of the central portion (12b) of the driving element (12) is mounted to bear on one side against a bearing (9) of the first shaft (3), and on the other side against one of the friction washers (14). The friction washers (14) can be made of any suitable material, for example bronze.

[0049] The crank (2) is mounted around the nut (16) and is rotationally fixed to it, so that the screw-wise / unscrew-wise mechanism allows the rotor (13a) of the freewheel (13) to be engaged / disengaged by friction from the disc (12c) of the drive element (12). A circlip may be provided at the end of the first shaft (3) to act as a stop against unscrewing the nut (16).

[0050] The nut (16) may include a groove and the crank (2) may include ratcheting means (17) in the groove of the nut (16), such as a torsion spring, to allow quick mounting / dismounting of the crank (2).

[0051] The stator (13b) of the freewheel (13) is prevented from rotating by means of a connecting rod (18) fixed at one end to the stator (13b), and at the other end fitting onto one end of the second shaft (7). The connecting rod (18) is fixed around the stator (13b) by means of a flat on the stator (13b) and a complementary flat on the connecting rod (18). A spot weld may be made, but is not necessary.

[0052] The drum (6) comprises a mandrel (6a) and two flanges (6b). Preferably, the mandrel (6a) is in the form of a tube whose ends have cutouts forming tenons (6a1a) engaged in mortises formed in the flanges (6b). The drum (6) may be double, with a central flange positioned between two tube sections whose ends opposite the central flange have cutouts to form half-tenons (6a2), engaged in mortises in the central flange.

[0053] A protective cover (19) can be attached to a wing (8b) to hide the gears and ensure safe operation.

[0054] During operation, the user turns the crank (2) to rotate the gears and wind the cable around the drum (6). When the load needs to be lowered, the user loosens the nut (16) to reduce the friction force on the rotor (13a) of the freewheel (13) and the disc (12c) of the drive element (12), thus controlling the descent of the load using the friction of the washers.

[0055] According to another embodiment illustrated in figures 9 to 13, the winch (1) is designed to move a chain (21) and raise / lower a telescopic mast (23).

[0056] In particular, the winch (1) includes a third pinion (20) mounted around the second axis (7), engaged with a chain (21) one end of which is intended to accumulate or be withdrawn from an accumulation tube (22), positioned under the third pinion (20), and another end of which is attached to a lower end of the mast (23) mounted to slide in a column (24).

[0057] With reference to [Fig. 13], the chain (21) is attached to the lower end of the mast (23), below the third sprocket (20), preferably by means of a spring (25).

[0058] Thus, when the crank (2) is operated to raise the mast (23), the free end of the chain (21) accumulates in the tube (22). For example, the length of the accumulated chain is between 100 cm and 130 cm. The other end of the chain (21) pulls on the lower end of the mast (23), causing the mast to telescope outside the column (24) to perform an object lifting operation.

[0059] Preferably, the winch (1) includes a chain guide fixed to the protective casing, for example in the form of an arched portion of sheet metal (26), which covers the third sprocket (20) to prevent the chain (21) from disengaging from the third sprocket (20) when using the winch.

[0060] The other structural and functional characteristics are similar to those of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 8.

[0061] According to another embodiment illustrated in figures 14 and 15, the winch (1) is designed to raise / lower a telescopic mast (23) equipped with a rack (27).

[0062] In particular, the winch (1) includes a third pinion (20) mounted around the second axis (7), engaged with the rack (27) fixed along the mast (23) mounted to slide in a column (24).

[0063] Thus, when the crank (2) is operated, the pinion (20) moves the rack (27) which allows the mast (23) to be raised or lowered.

[0064] The other structural and functional characteristics are similar to those of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 8

[0065] It follows from the foregoing that the invention provides a manual winch (1) whose operation is simple and silent, while allowing the load to be locked at a desired height and the load to be lowered in a controlled and safe manner. The manufacture of the winch (1) according to the invention is simple and inexpensive.

Claims

Demands

1. Manual winch (1) comprising a crank (2) connected to a first shaft (3) equipped with a first pinion (4), the first pinion (4) being engaged with a second pinion (5) mounted around a second shaft (7) for winding a cable, moving a chain (21) or a rack, characterized in that it comprises a driving element (12) comprising: - a first end (12a) rotationally connected to the first pinion (4); - a central portion (12b) provided with a disc (12c) bearing on one side against a part of the winch and on the other side against a rotor (13a) of a free wheel (13) and two friction washers (14) positioned on either side of the rotor (13a), mounted around the central portion (12b);- a second end (15), threaded, around which is mounted a nut (16) which is fixed in rotation to the crank (2) and bears against one of the friction washers (14), the screwing / unscrewing of which allows the rotor (13a) of the free wheel (13) to be fixed / unfixed by friction with the disc (12c) of the driving element (12).;

2. Manual winch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a cable winding drum (6), mounted around the second axis (7).

3. Manual winch (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the second pinion (5) forms a flange of the drum (6).

4. Manual winch (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the drum (6) comprises a mandrel (6a) and at least two flanges (6b), the mandrel (6a) being in the form of a tube whose ends have cutouts forming tenons (6a 1) engaged in mortises made in the flanges (6b).

5. Manual winch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a third pinion (20) mounted around the second axis (7), the pinion (20) being engaged: - either with a chain (21) one end of which engages freely inside an accumulation tube (22) and another end of which is attached to a lower end of a mast (23) mounted to slide in a column (24); - or with a rack (27) fixed along a mast (23) mounted to slide in a column (24).

6. Manual winch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a stator (13b) of the free wheel (13) is formed by means of a connecting rod (18) coming on one side to cap the rotor (13a), and coming on the other side to cap one end of the second shaft (7).

7. Manual winch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first end (12a) of the driving element (12) has cutouts forming tenons (12al) engaged in mortises (4a) made in the first pinion (4).

8. Winch (1) one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the crank (2) comprises a body made by means of a sheet (10) overmolded with a plastic casing (11).

9. Winch (1) one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nut (16) comprises a groove and the crank (2) comprises ratcheting means (17) in the groove of the nut (16).

10. Winch (1) one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a frame formed by a sheet metal cut and bent into a U shape, defining a base (8a) for fixing the winch (1) to a lifting device, and two wings (8b) through which the first axis (3) and the second axis (7) pass.

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