Patent ID: 6151979
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: B66D,Y10T

Abstract:
A passive shifting apparatus for a marine winch having a plurality of gears thereon, said passive shifting apparatus permitting said winch to be rotated in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, comprising:a central rotatable shaft with an axis or rotation about which said gears rotate, said shaft supported on a base in a marine winch housing;a curvilinear cam plate mounted on said rotatable shaft;a radially inwardly and outwardly movable shift arm with a cam follower thereon engaged against said rotatable curvilinear cam plate;a first spring arranged between said housing and said shift arm to press said shift arm and cam follower against said curvilinear cam plate; anda second spring arranged between said housing and said shift arm to bias said shift arm in its radial orientation with respect to said rotatable central shaft, wherein said cam follower may move into and out of a slot in said curvilinear cam plate, wherein said slot is arranged in a portion of said cam surface which is of a sinusoidal configuration, said slot being of a generally ""V"" shaped configuration with an apogee directed towards said central shaft, wherein said cam plate may thus be able to rotate either clockwise or counter-clockwise without locking-up said cam follower on said shift arm.