CLUTCH FOR A WINCH OR HOIST

摘要

A clutch (5;105) comprises an input shaft (10;110), an output shaft (12;112) and a biasing member (48; 148). The biasing member (48; 148) is arranged to provide a biasing force that allows torque transfer from the input shaft (10;110) to the output shaft (12;112) via one or more input friction plates (44;144) and one or more output friction plates (32;132). Rotation of the output shaft (12;112) may cause the biasing force to vary to adjust the maximum torque setting of the clutch (5;105) during reeling-in or reeling-out of a winch cable (7a) around a winch drum (7). A retainer (50;150) may be included in the clutch (5;105) which retains the biasing member (48;148) in operative connection with the output shaft (12;112) and translates axially relative to the input shaft (10;110) upon rotation of the output shaft (12;112). The axial translation may cause the biasing force to vary by varying the compression of the biasing member (48;148).