LEVEL WIND ASSEMBLY FOR A WINCH DRUM INCLUDING A TENSIONING ARM

摘要

The present invention relates to an improved level wind arm for a winch drum assembly, and a winch drum assembly incorporating such a level wind arm. The level wind arm includes a cross member adapted to bias against an outwardly extending portion of rope, the cross member being concave so that more force is required for the rope spindle associated with the cross member to “climb” the slope of the cross member, causing a momentary pause in motion of the spindle after it reaches the end of wind stroke. This momentary pause allows for rope being wound onto the drum to rise up the end wall of the drum to create a new layer which is aligned and consistent with the layer below, without causing gaps in the rope or other circumstances which could lead to the rope accumulating at any one point, or becoming tangled. The present invention also includes means of ensuring that tension is maintained in the rope, and that the rope does not jump off the reel and, for example, into the clutch mechanism.

主权项

1. A level wind assembly for a winch drum including a winch drum reel having an axis of rotation, said level wind assembly including:
a level wind arm configured such that it is rotatably biased with respect to the winch drum reel, said level wind arm extending outwardly from said winch drum reel and including a cross member at or adjacent a distal end of the level wind arm providing a rotatably biased force on a tether means extending directly out of said winch drum reel a spaced apart distance from said reel for facilitating level winding of said tether means about said winch drum reel; and a tensioning arm extending from or adjacent said distal end of the level wind arm such that the tensioning arm forms an extension of the level wind arm, said tensioning arm configured such that it extends in an opposite direction back towards and over the winch drum reel and is rotatably biased with respect to the level wind arm to cause a contact portion at or adjacent a distal end of the tensioning arm to provide a rotatably biased force on the tether means wound about said winch drum reel.