Abstract:
A marine line hauling assembly includes a line hauling device and a drive casing. The drive casing has a first attachment flange and the line hauling device has a second attachment flange. These first and second flanges are attached to each other by a flange clamp circumferentially embracing the flanges to press them together by an inwardly-facing surface of the flange clamp due to circumferential tension in the flange clamp. The flange clamp has a pivot arrangement for attaching the clamp to a substrate (such as one of the attachment flanges). In this way, the flange clamp is attachable to the substrate but pivotable about the pivot point away from the first and second flanges. This allows the flanges to be brought together before pivoting the clamp back towards the flanges for attachment.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of pending International patent application PCT/GB2006/004730 filed on Dec. 15, 2006 which designates the United States and claims priority from GB patent application No. 0526427.0 filed on Dec. 23, 2005, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is concerned with an assembly for hauling a line in a marine environment. Particularly, but not exclusively, the invention is concerned with windlasses, winches and the like for sailing yachts and pleasure craft, including such windlasses and winches that are powered via a motor. 
         [0003]    In the context of the present invention, the term “line” is intended to encompass chain, rope and/or cable or other such flexible elongate members capable of taking up tension. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is known to fix a device such as a windlass to the deck of a yacht, the windlass being adapted to haul and lower anchor line (e.g. chain or rope) for the yacht. Such windlasses can be powered by hand but many users prefer motorised windlasses, e.g. using electric or hydraulic motors. Especially when using electric motors, it is often necessary to use reduction gearing, held in a gearbox, in order to provide the windlass with low geared power. If a motor is used to drive the windlass, it is of course necessary to fix the windlass with respect to the motor casing or gearbox in order to resist the torque transmitted to the windlass by the driveshaft. In the present context, the motor casing and gearbox will together be referred to as the drive casing. 
         [0005]    In order to avoid cluttering the deck of the yacht more than necessary, and to some extent to protect the motor, it is preferred to locate the motor for the windlass, and the gearbox, under the deck of the yacht. The driveshaft for the windlass then extends through a hole in the deck from the gearbox into the windlass. 
         [0006]    Previously, the windlass has been provided with an attachment flange and the drive casing has been provided with a corresponding attachment flange, each flange having bolt holes extending through so that bolts may connect the flanges together, to be tightened using nuts. After attachment, the drive shaft extends axially within the flanges from the drive casing to the windlass. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present inventor has realised that the above arrangement has serious disadvantages. In particular, the installation of the drive casing is difficult, since it is necessary to present the drive casing flange to the windlass flange, hold the two in place so that the bolt holes line up, insert the bolts and then thread the corresponding nuts along the bolts to attach the flanges to each other. Furthermore, it is often necessary to carry out this operation in a cramped space underneath the deck. However, it is seen as desirable that the drive casing and windlass are firmly fixed with respect to each other, since the driveshaft often transmits high torques and so this must be resisted by the attachment of the drive casing to the windlass. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, in a general aspect, the present invention provides attachment via a flange clamp, the flange clamp circumferentially embracing and attaching first and second attachment flanges and pressing said flanges towards each other via circumferential constriction of or tension in said flange clamp. 
         [0009]    In a first preferred aspect, the present invention provides a method of assembling a drive casing and a marine line hauling device, the drive casing being provided with a first attachment flange, the hauling device being provided with a second attachment flange, the method including bringing said first attachment flange and said second attachment flange together and attaching them using a flange clamp circumferentially embracing said flanges, wherein said clamp has an inwardly-facing surface for bearing against said first and second flanges, in which method circumferential constriction of the clamp presses the first and second flanges towards each other. 
         [0010]    In a second preferred aspect, the present invention provides a marine line hauling assembly comprising a line hauling device and a drive casing, the drive casing having a first attachment flange and the line hauling device having a second attachment flange, said first and second flanges being attached to each other by a flange clamp circumferentially embracing said flanges and said first and second flanges being pressed together by an inwardly-facing surface of said flange clamp due to circumferential tension in said flange clamp. 
         [0011]    In a third preferred aspect, the present invention provides a drive casing kit for a marine line hauling assembly comprising a drive casing and a flange clamp, the drive casing having a first attachment flange for attachment to a second attachment flange of a line hauling device using the flange clamp, the flange clamp having an inwardly-facing surface for bearing against surfaces of the first and second attachment flanges, the flange clamp being suitable for circumferentially embracing said flanges and pressing said flanges together due to circumferential tension in said flange clamp. 
         [0012]    In a fourth preferred aspect, the present invention provides a marine craft such as a sailboat or a motorboat having a marine line hauling assembly according to the second aspect. 
         [0013]    Preferred and/or optional features of the invention are set out below, and in the specific description of preferred embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that these are applicable either singly or in any combination with any of the aspects of the invention, unless the context demands otherwise. 
         [0014]    Preferably, the drive casing includes a gearbox. The gearbox typically contains reduction gearing for gearing down from an electric motor to a drive shaft. The first attachment flange may be formed in a single piece with a top cap of the drive casing or gearbox. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the line hauling device is one of a windlass and a winch. 
         [0016]    The first attachment flange and the second attachment flange may be shaped so as to be attachable to each other only in a discrete number of relative positions. For example, the first attachment flange and second attachment flange may attach to each other via an arrangement of pins and recesses, to resist relative rotation of the drive shaft housing and line hauling device in operation. There may be, for example, two, three, four or more pins extending from the first flange, cooperating with the same number of recesses in the second flange, or vice versa. However, there may be more recesses than pins, thereby allowing the first flange to be located relative to the second flange in more than two alternate positions. For example, if the first flange has two pins regularly spaced and the second flange has eight corresponding recesses regularly spaced, then there are eight different location positions for the first flange relative to the second flange. This can be advantageous where the drive casing needs to be located in a particular orientation, e.g. to optimise space saving or to assist in installation. 
         [0017]    The axis along which the driveshaft lies can be considered the principal axis of the attachment flanges. Preferably, the first attachment flange has a face for abutment with a corresponding face of the second attachment flange, said face being perpendicular to the principal axis. The face preferably includes a peripheral flat portion and a stepped inner portion, the stepped inner portion also being flat but axially offset from the peripheral flat portion. Preferably, the corresponding face of the second attachment flange also has a stepped inner portion for mating engagement with the stepped inner portion of the first attachment flange. In this way, the two flanges can be more easily located with respect to each other, since the stepped inner portions click into place to indicate axial alignment of the flanges. 
         [0018]    Preferably, each flange has a tapered cross-sectional profile, being thinner at the periphery of the flange than at an inner part of the flange. As will be set out in more detail below, this assists with the clamping together of the flanges. 
         [0019]    The second flange may be provided integrally with the casing of the line hauling device or may be provided in an adapter portion, the adapter portion having at one end said second attachment flange and at the other end an attachment arrangement for attachment to the casing of the line hauling device. 
         [0020]    Preferably, the flange clamp may be attached with respect to either the first or second flange before the step of bringing the first and second flanges together. Typically, the line hauling device is fixed first to the deck of the craft. Therefore, typically, the flange clamp is fixed with respect to the first flange, this being provided extending from the drive casing. 
         [0021]    It is preferred that the attachment of the flange clamp with respect to the first flange is achieved so that the flange clamp can be positioned so that it does not interfere with the operation of bringing the first and second flanges together. Thus, preferably, the flange clamp is not attached directly to the first flange at this stage of the operation. Instead, preferably it is attached to a substrate that itself is attached or attachable to the flange. For example, the substrate may form part of a top plate for the drive casing. 
         [0022]    The flange clamp may attach to the substrate via a pivot attachment. In this way, it can be pivoted into a position so that it will not interfere with the operation of bringing the first and second flanges together. After the first and second flanges have been brought together, the flange clamp may then be pivoted so as to circumferentially embrace the flanges and clamp them together. 
         [0023]    Preferably, the flange clamp is detachable from the substrate. Preferably, the detachment of the flange clamp is achieved by movement of the flange clamp in a direction perpendicular to (or, alternatively, at least not parallel with) the principal axis of the flange. For example, such detachment may be achieved by rotation of the flange clamp about the flange. This may be desirable if the flange clamp could be more easily tightened if located at a different rotational angular position with respect to the flanges. 
         [0024]    Preferably, the pivot attachment of the flange clamp to the substrate is achieved via a pivot pin. The pivot pin may extend from the substrate into a corresponding pivot recess in the flange clamp. However, preferably the pivot pin extends from the flange clamp into a corresponding pivot recess in the substrate. The pivot pin may have an enlarged head portion. This may fit into a corresponding enlarged portion of the recess, covered via an overhang. Location of the enlarged head portion into the enlarged portion of the recess therefore may only be possible along a defined path, said defined path not being parallel with the principal axis of the flange but preferably being perpendicular to said axis. 
         [0025]    Preferably, the recess for the pivot pin is provided in the substrate at an upstanding portion of the substrate, so that when the flange clamp is attached to the substrate, the inwardly-facing surface of the flange clamp is level with the first flange. In this way, the flange clamp can be rotated into position more easily for clamping the flanges. 
         [0026]    Preferably, apart from at the upstanding portion of the substrate, there is a gap between the flange clamp and the substrate. Preferably, this gap extends for at least two thirds of a turn, or three quarters of a turn, or four fifths of a turn, or five sixths of a turn, or more, around the substrate. This provides room for an installer&#39;s fingers to locate the flange clamp as required around the flanges. 
         [0027]    Some of these features of the flange clamp are considered to be new per se and thus are set out in an independent aspect of the invention below. Also set out below are further preferred and/or optional features of the flange clamp. 
         [0028]    In a fifth preferred aspect, the present invention provides a flange clamp for circumferentially embracing and attaching first and second attachment flanges after said flanges have been brought together, said flange clamp having an inwardly-facing surface for bearing against said first and second flanges so that circumferential constriction of the clamp presses the first and second flanges towards each other, the flange clamp including a pivot arrangement for attaching the clamp to a substrate about a pivot point, so that the flange clamp is attachable to said substrate but pivotable about said pivot point away from the first and second flanges to allow said flanges to be brought together and pivotable back towards said flanges to circumferentially embrace said flanges for attachment. 
         [0029]    Preferably, the substrate is fixed or attached with respect to one of the first and second flanges, most preferably the first flange. 
         [0030]    Preferably, the pivot arrangement is detachable from the substrate to allow the flange clamp to slide circumferentially around the flanges. In this way, the optimal angular position of the flange clamp may be selected for a particular assembly and location. 
         [0031]    It is preferred to define an attachment axis for the flange clamp, being the axis extending perpendicular to the circumferential extent of the flange clamp. In this way, in use, the attachment axis is aligned with the principal axis of the flanges. 
         [0032]    Preferably, the pivot arrangement includes a pivot pin protruding from the flange clamp. Most preferably, the pivot pin is shaped to resist detachment from the substrate along the attachment axis. The pivot pin may have a head portion for location in a corresponding recess in the substrate, the recess preferably including an overhang for preventing the axial detachment of the pivot pin from the recess. 
         [0033]    The flange clamp preferably is C-shaped so that it has circumferential end portions that can be moved apart to receive the flanges and brought together to embrace the flanges and circumferentially constrict the clamp. Tension may be applied to the clamp via a bolt and a nut threaded on said bolt. The bolt is preferably hingedly attached to one circumferential end of the flange clamp. At the other circumferential end of the flange clamp, there is preferably provided a gate into which the bolt may be placed by rotation about its hinge. Preferably, the nut is shaped so that, when screwed up along the bolt and into the gate, the nut and thus bolt is prevented from escaping from the gate. 
         [0034]    Preferably, the bolt is hinged using the pivot pin that attaches the flange clamp to the substrate. In this way, the construction of the flange clamp is simplified. 
         [0035]    Preferably, the flange clamp has two arms connected via a hinge, the free ends of the arms constituting the circumferential ends of the clamp. 
         [0036]    Preferably, the inwardly-facing surface of the flange clamp has a V-shaped surface. This allows the inwardly-facing surface to cooperate with the outer surfaces of the first and second flanges, assisting in pressing the flanges together. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0037]    Preferred and/or optional features of embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0038]      FIG. 1  shows an assembly of a windlass, gearbox and motor according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 2  shows a partial enlarged view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 , excluding the windlass; 
           [0040]      FIG. 3  shows a partial schematic cross sectional view through  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 4  shows a further partial schematic cross sectional view through  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 5  shows a cross sectional view through an assembly of a windlass, gearbox and motor according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of a gearbox top plate, windlass adapter portion and flange clamp prior to assembly; 
           [0044]      FIG. 7  shows the gearbox top plat, windlass adapter portion and flange clamp of  FIG. 6  after assembly; 
           [0045]      FIGS. 8A-C  show different views of a windlass adapter portion for use with embodiments of invention; 
           [0046]      FIG. 9A-F  show different views of a first arm of a flange clamp according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0047]      FIGS. 10A-F  show different views of a second arm of a flange clamp according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0048]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  show different views of a pivot pin of a flange clamp according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0049]      FIGS. 12A-C  show different views of a threaded bolt of a flange clamp according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0050]      FIGS. 13A-C  show different views of a lock nut of a flange clamp according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0051]      FIGS. 14A-D  show different views of a gearbox top plate for use with embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0052]    Embodiments of the invention are described with respect to a windlass. However, it is to be understood that the invention is also applicable to other marine line hauling devices, such as winches. 
         [0053]      FIG. 1  shows an assembly  10  of a windlass  12  having a gypsy  14  suitable for hauling or lowering anchor chain. The windlass is attached to a deck (not shown) of a marine vessel (not shown) via attachment plate  16  and bolts  18  and nuts (not shown). 
         [0054]    A drive casing  20  is provided, having a motor casing  22  for housing an electric motor and a gearbox  24  for housing reduction gearing. Gearbox  24  attaches to the motor casing  22 . 
         [0055]    Gearbox  24  has a top plate  26  attached to the gearbox by bolts  28 . Top plate  26  will be described in more detail below. A drive shaft (not shown) extends through top plate  26 , through a windlass adapter portion  30  (described in more detail below) and into the windlass, in order to provide power to the windlass from the electric motor. Power and control signals are provided to the electric motor via cables  32 . 
         [0056]    Top plate  26  of the gearbox  24  and the windlass adapter portion  30  are attached to each other via a flange clamp  34 . Flange clamp  34  is shown in more detail in  FIG. 2 , which shows the arrangement of  FIG. 1  from a different perspective and does not show the windlass  12 . Top plate  26  presents a first flange  40  (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) at its upper end and windlass attachment portion  30  presents a second flange  42  (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) at its lower end. These are brought together and then fastened by flange clamp  34 . Flange clamp  34  has a first arm  46  and a second arm  44  connected at one lateral side of the assembly by a hinge (not shown in  FIG. 2 ). At the other lateral side of the assembly, the arms of the flange clamp are connected by a hinged bolt  48  extending from a pivot pin  50  that is rotatable within a corresponding hole through the free end of the second arm  44  of the flange clamp. The free end of the hinged bolt can be swung between an open position and a closed position, the closed position being shown in  FIG. 2 . In the closed position, the hinged bolt is received into a gate formed in the free end of the first arm  46  of the flange clamp. A locking nut  52  is threaded onto the hinged bolt  48 . When the hinged bolt is in the closed position, rotation of the locking nut up the hinged bolt forces nose  54  of the locking bolt into the gate in which the hinged bolt is received. The gate is shaped so as to resist lateral movement of the nose  54  of the locking nut  52 , so that subsequent tightening of the locking nut causes circumferential constriction of the flange clamp. In turn, this causes the first and second flanges to be pressed together. 
         [0057]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the top plate  26  of the gearbox has an upstanding support portion  56 . This provides a support at which the flange clamp can be releasably attached without attachment of the flange clamp to either the first or the second flange. Support portion  56  will be described in more detail below. 
         [0058]      FIG. 3  shows a similar view to  FIG. 2 , except that a cross section is taken along the axis of hinged bolt  48 . Pivot pin  50  extends through the free end of the second arm  44  of the flange clamp. At the lower end of the flange clamp is formed an enlarged head portion  58 . Enlarged head portion  58  fits into a recessed track  60  formed at the support portion  56  of the top plate of the gear box. Recessed track  60  is formed with an overhang  62  (not shown in detail in  FIG. 3  but shown in  FIG. 4 ) so that the pivot pin (and hence the flange clamp) is prevented from moving axially away from the top plate of the gearbox. The flange clamp may therefore be attached to the support portion  56  by placing the enlarged head portion  58  of the pivot pin at the entrance to the recessed track  60  and pushing the enlarged head portion  58  along the recessed track, in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the driveshaft (not shown). When attached to the support portion in this way, the flange clamp may be swung away from the flanges when the clamp is in the open position, i.e. when the hinged bolt is not received in the gate of the free end of the first arm  46  of the flange clamp. This allows the flange clamp to be swung out of the way when the first and second flanges are brought together for abutment. Once the flanges are located together, the flange clamp can be easily swung back to receive and embrace the flanges, and subsequently the hinged bolt can be pivoted to be received in the gate and the locking nut tightened to clamp the flanges together. 
         [0059]      FIG. 4  also shows the flanges  40  and  42  in cross section. The flanges each have a flat peripheral abutment surface. The first flange  40  has an upward inner step  70  and the second flange  42  has a corresponding recessed step  72 . These are provided in order to assist in the location of the flanges together and to ensure that the flanges are aligned properly. 
         [0060]    The outer surfaces of the flanges are tapered so that they decrease in thickness towards the periphery of the flanges. Each arm of the flange clamp  34  has a corresponding V-shaped inner face  74 . As can easily be seen in  FIG. 4 , circumferential constriction of the flange clamp causes the first and second flanges to be pressed together, in view of the interaction between the tapered outer surfaces of the flanges and the V-shaped inner face of the flange clamp  34 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 5  shows a sectional view of an assembly substantially as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of the windlass adapter portion  30 , the flange clamp  34  and the top cap  26  of the gearbox, before the flanges  40  and  42  are abutted and attached. The flange clamp  34  is releasably attached to the support portion and is swung away from the first flange  40  to allow the second flange  42  to come into abutment with the first flange.  FIG. 7  shows the same components (with the addition of a locking nut  52 ) after the flanges have been attached using the flange clamp. 
         [0063]    It is noted here that some of the components shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  differ slightly in shape from those shown in  FIGS. 1-5 . However, these components are given the same reference numerals in all of the figures, in view of their similarity in function between the different drawings. 
         [0064]      FIGS. 8-14  show engineering drawings of various components. The skilled reader will understand that the precise measurements shown in the drawings may be altered in order to provide components suitable for a particular application. 
         [0065]      FIGS. 8A-C  show different views of a windlass adapter portion  30 .  FIG. 8A  shows a partial cross sectional view of the adapter portion  30 , with preferred axial length about 110 mm. The taper of flange  42  is about 20°. The inner and outer diameters of the adapter portion are about 30 mm and about 70 mm respectively.  FIG. 8B  shows the view from the second attachment flange  42  end.  FIG. 8C  shows the view from the windlass attachment end  41 . At the second attachment flange end, the recessed step  72  is shown. 
         [0066]      FIGS. 9A-F  show different views of the first arm  46  of the flange clamp  34 . 
         [0067]      FIGS. 10A-F  show different views of the second arm  44  of the flange clamp  34 . 
         [0068]    As can be seen from  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the first and second arms of the flange clamp are hinged and are sized and shaped to allow the clamp to embrace the flanges  40 ,  42 . 
         [0069]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  show different views of pivot pin  50 . The main shaft of the pivot pin  50  extends through a hole in the free end of the second arm of the flange clamp. A stepped portion  51  is formed between the main shaft and the enlarged head  52  in order to locate the enlarged head the correct distance from the second arm  46  of the clamp in order that the enlarged head can fit into the recessed track  60 . At the other end of the pivot pin  50  is formed a barb  53 , retained within the hole in the free end of the second arm of the flange clamp by a spring washer or the like.  FIG. 11B  shows the pivot pin  50  from the right hand end of  FIG. 11A . 
         [0070]      FIGS. 12A-C  show different views of the hinged threaded bolt  48 . The bolt has a hole  49  formed at one end for locating the pivot pin  50 . Hole  49  is surrounded by a cylindrical wall  47 , coaxial with the axis of hole  49 . 
         [0071]      FIGS. 13A-C  show different views of the lock nut  52 . Lock nut  52  has a knurled finger-tightening section  53 , a hexagonal bolt-tightening section  55  and a forwardly-extending nose  54  with a tapered free end, the function of which is as described earlier. 
         [0072]      FIGS. 14A-D  show different views of the gearbox top plate  26 . First flange  40  is formed at the upper surface of the top plate  26 . The base of the top plate is provided with bolt holes for attachment to the gear box. First flange  40  has an upwardly projecting inner step  70  for location in the recessed step  72  of the windlass adapter portion. Holes  90  are provided in the projecting inner step  70 , for the location of projecting pins (not shown) for engagement with corresponding holes in the windlass adapter portion. The engagement of these pins and holes provides resistance to the torque developed and transmitted by the drive shaft (not shown). 
         [0073]    Recessed track  60  is formed in raised support portion  56 . Recessed track  60  has an overhang  62  shaped to trap the enlarged head  52  of the pivot pin  50 . Recessed track  60  takes the form of an arc, substantially centred on the principal axis of first flange  40 . In this way, the flange clamp may be detached from the support portion  56  by rotation of the flange clamp around the first flange  40 . This may be desirable in order to locate the locking nut in the most suitable position for tightening of the flange clamp, depending on the availability of space to the person installing the assembly. 
         [0074]    The above embodiments have been described by way of example. Modifications of these embodiments, further embodiments and modifications thereof will be apparent to the skilled person on reading this disclosure and as such are within the scope of the present invention.