Patent ID: 7219879
Filing Date: 2007-05-22
Classification: B66D

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for signaling rotation of a cable winding drum of a winch to an operating lever of the winch, said apparatus comprising: drive means for driving the cable winding drum to wind and unwind a cable from said drum, a self-contained optical system driven by said drive means, said optical system comprising: an optical disc driven in rotation by said drive means, an optical sensor facing said optical disc to produce pulsed output signals when said optical disc rotates, and a solenoid receiving said pulsed output signals, said solenoid being operatively associated with the operating lever of the winch to produce vibration of said operating lever when the solenoid receives the pulsed signals from said sensor indicating rotation of said drum, said self-contained optical system including a housing insertable into the winch for connection of said optical disc to said drive means.