Patent ID: 8342484
Filing Date: 2013-01-01
Classification: B66D

Abstract:
1. A windlass, for use in connection with a boat, an anchor, and a rode, the rode having a tensioned portion entering the windlass and a slack portion exiting the windlass, the windlass comprising: a base extending between opposite front and rear ends, and between opposite left and right sides, and between opposite top and bottom surfaces, the base having at least one aperture from the top through to the bottom adjacent the base rear end, the base having a shaft hole from the top through to the bottom, the base bottom surface being adapted for attachment to the boat; a shaft extending between opposite upper and lower ends, the shaft being mounted to the base for rotation, the shaft having threads on the upper end; a chainwheel mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith, the chainwheel having an outer periphery and an annular groove around the outer periphery, the chainwheel annular groove being adapted to engage the rode so as to pull the rode during rotation of the chainwheel; a retainer extending between opposite left and right ends, the retainer being flexible, the retainer having aright trunnion on the retainer right end, the right trunnion extending between opposite upper and lower ends, the retainer having a left trunnion on the retainer left end, the left trunnion extending between opposite upper and lower ends, the retainer being disposed across the chainwheel annular groove, for pressing the rode into the chainwheel annular groove so as to retain the rode on the chainwheel; a housing extending between opposite front and rear ends, and between opposite left and right sides, the housing having inner and outer surfaces, the housing being attached to the base and covering the chainwheel, shaft upper end, and retainer, the housing being adapted to cover the rode for safety, the housing having an arcuate upper groove on the inner surface adjacent the front end, the upper groove facing downward and extending across the housing from the left side to the right side; an arcuate member extending across the housing from the left side to the right side, the arcuate member having an arcuate lower groove facing upward and extending across the housing opposite and coextensive with the upper groove; the right and left trunnion upper ends being received in the upper groove, the right and left trunnion lower ends being received in the lower groove, allowing the trunnions to pivot in the upper and lower grooves as the retainer flexes, and to slide in the upper and lower grooves toward the slack portion of the rode, so that the retainer will conform closely to the rode, especially toward the slack portion, during rotation of the chainwheel in either direction; and a motor drive attached to the shaft lower end for rotating the shaft.