Extensible hoist for a natero vessel

A relocating apparatus having a pivot connector for removably pivotally connecting the apparatus to a mast of a sailing vessel. The relocating apparatus also includes a telescoping sleeve assembly which supports a cable which can be connected to a load such as a dinghy. The cable is retracted about a drum which is rotated by a winch handle inserted in the relocating apparatus causing the dinghy to be raised. The relocating apparatus is swung about the pivot connecter to place the dinghy into position near a deck edge of the vessel. The telescoping sleeve assembly is then retracted or extended as desired by inserting the winch handle in a second socket and rotating the winch handle in the desired direction. After the dinghy has been located above the desired position, the cable is extended by inserting the winch handle in the proper socket and rotating the handle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Technical Field 
The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for moving 
a load from one location to another; and, more particularly, to apparatus 
for use aboard watercraft to: (i) raise a load, such as a small boat or 
dinghy; (ii) move the load to a new selected location; and (iii), lower 
the load at the new selected location. 
2. Background Art 
It is commonly known that various types of devices such as cranes and 
derricks are available for lifting heavy loads and transferring these 
loads to other locations where the loads may be deposited. Typically, 
these cranes are large heavy devices, often machine powered, which require 
large areas in which to operate and which are cumbersome to move to 
different job locations. 
In the shipping industry, larger ships are equipped with cranes to load and 
off-load cargo. Smaller ships and boats not equipped with these cranes, 
must depend upon dock mounted cranes to accomplish heavy loading and 
unloading operations. Often, however, these dock mounted cranes are 
unavailable, particularly at smaller moorages, so that the heavy loading 
and unloading must be done manually. 
A number of boats, however, utilize a crane-like device called a davit to 
raise and lower a dinghy or lifeboat between the boat and the water. The 
davits usually are two curved upright members which project over the side 
of the boat for suspending the dinghy over the water, and which allow the 
dinghy to be hoisted into and out of the water. The davits are typically 
immobile except for downwardly extending cables which are retracted and 
extended to raise and lower the dinghy. These davits are typically 
immobile except for downwardly extending cables which are retracted and 
extended to raise and lower the dinghy. These davits are sometimes found 
on some larger pleasure power boats, typically extending over the stern of 
the boats. Normally when a dinghy is supported by davits, the davit arms 
extend over the side a short distance so that the dinghy may clear the 
side of the boat when being raised or lowered. However, often two people 
are necessary to operate such devices since one person is required to 
operate the mechanism for raising and lowering the dinghy, while a second 
person must stabilize the dinghy from impacting the side of the boat 
during gusty winds or if the raising/lowering of the dinghy imparts a 
sideways motion to the dinghy. 
Some power boats typically support the dinghy on a transom extending 
rearwardly from the stern near the water line in a manner that the dinghy 
is hoisted by pulling a line attached to a gunwhale of the dinghy so the 
dinghy may be pulled upwardly on its side to rest athwartships on the 
transom. 
In pleasure sailing vessels, the dinghy normally is towed behind the 
vessel. It is undesirable to support the dinghy at the stern of the 
sailing vessel because the weight of the dinghy adversely affects the 
vessel's sailing qualities. In addition, the dinghy can fill with sea 
water caused by large waves coming over the deck of the sailboat making 
the sailboat further stern heavy and possibly unseaworthy. Therefore, a 
preferable location for stowing a dinghy on a sailing vessel is at a 
forward location along the vessel's centerline so that: (i) the trim of 
the sailing vessel is not adversely affected; and (ii), the dinghy is 
forward of waves which typically impact the deck of the sailboat at an aft 
location. However, when stowing the dinghy forward along the vessel's 
centerline, problems are often encountered since such dinghies are 
difficult to manipulate as they are moved between a first location resting 
on the sailing vessel near the centerline, and a second location outboard 
of the deck edge, where they can be readily lowered into the water. Davits 
are unsuitable for accomplishing this type of operation. 
Various conventional apparatus and methods have been disclosed for raising 
and lowering loads from a boat or ship. In U.S. Pat. No. 
3,640,400--Becraft, there is disclosed a method for retrieving a submerged 
hose connected to a marker buoy to bring such hose aboard ship. The method 
utilizes a first cable to raise the marker buoy above the deck of the 
ship, and then a second cable to raise a section of chain attached to the 
marker buoy, in a manner such that the marker buoy is lowered onto the 
deck of the ship, and the first cable is then removed from the marker buoy 
and attached to another succeeding section of chain. The second cable 
lowers the first section of chain to the deck, then is removed from the 
first section of chain, and is reattached to a third section of chain to 
raise the third section above the deck. This process continues until the 
end of the chain attached to the submerged hose together with the 
submerged hose are retrieved. 
An apparatus for engaging a torpedo floating in the water is disclosed in 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,262,585 by Olson, including a plurality of poles having 
cables which form open nooses which are threaded around the torpedo and 
then tightened around the outer surface thereof so that the torpedo can be 
manipulated in the water. The open nooses include a fixed loop for 
attaching a crane hook so that the torpedo can be hoisted out of the water 
and onto the deck of the ship. In U.S. Pat. No. 2,196,518 to Boudreau, a 
davit for hoisting a load to and from the deck of a boat is disclosed 
wherein the davit includes a carriage assembly mounted within a fore and 
aft track, and a first elongated member pivotally connected to the 
carriage for movement to an upright position to support a cable for 
hoisting the load, and a second elongated member pivotally connected to 
the carriage and having an end sleeve slidably engaged to the first 
elongated member for supporting the member in the upright position. 
Snelling, U.S. Pat. No. 1,125,197 discloses apparatus for lifting boats 
from the well of a ship, including a boom for supporting cables which are 
attached to the boat and which are wound about a motor driven drum to 
raise and lower the boats from the well. 
In Sawman, U.S. Pat. No. 1,094,750 a boat davit is disclosed including an 
elongated boom pivotally connected to upstanding flanges to support the 
boom between raised and lowered positions. The boat davit also includes an 
actuating arm threadably engaged to an elongated worm gear for 
longitudinal movement along the worm gear. The actuating arm is also 
pivotally connected to a base so that rotation of the worm gear by a crank 
causes the actuating arm to move longitudinally along the worm gear 
causing the boom to move between the lowered and raised positions. 
U.S. Pat. No. 550,343--Greener, discloses a boom, slidably and rotatably 
connected to the mast of a sailing ship, and having a hook at an outboard 
end thereof for engaging a bridle supporting a lifeboat so that when the 
boom is lowered by block and tackle, the boat may be lowered over the side 
of the ship and into the water. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention comprises apparatus for relocating a load which 
typically is too heavy for a person to move without mechanical assistance. 
The apparatus is adapted to be mounted to a vertical structure of a 
watercraft, which includes an edge defining a perimeter of the watercraft, 
in order to relocate the load between the watercraft and a location 
outside the perimeter of the watercraft. The apparatus comprises a support 
beam located upwardly from the load and having a first end portion 
connected to the vertical structure in a manner to permit the support beam 
to be moved laterally. The support beam includes a second end portion 
spaced apart from the vertical structure a distance greater than the 
distance from the vertical structure to the edge of the watercraft so that 
the lateral movement causes the second end portion and any load carried 
thereby to be moved between a first location within the perimeter of the 
watercraft and a second location where the second end portion and the load 
are positioned outside the perimeter of the watercraft. The apparatus also 
includes means for moving the load in both a generally upward direction 
and a generally downward direction. The moving means includes a cable 
operatively connected to the support beam at the second end portion 
thereof and having an end adapted to be connected to the load. The moving 
means also includes means for retracting the cable to cause the load to 
move in an upward direction, and for extending the cable to cause the load 
to move in a downward direction. 
In an exemplary embodiment, the second end portion is movably engaged to 
the first end portion in a manner to allow the second end portion to be 
repositioned along a longitudinal axis of the support beam in a first 
direction toward the first end portion, and in a second direction away 
from the first end portion. The support beam includes a first crank 
operatively connected to the second end portion and adapted for manual 
engagement to move the second end portion in the first and second 
directions. The first end portion of the support beam is releasably 
fastened to the vertical structure about an axis generally parallel to the 
vertical structure to permit the support beam to be pivoted manually about 
the vertical structure. 
In another exemplary embodiment, the load comprises a small boat or dinghy 
which is normally stowed at a forward location along a fore and aft 
centerline of the watercraft--i.e., a sailboat. The present invention 
discloses apparatus for relocating the dinghy between the forward 
centerline location and a location outward from and below a deck of the 
sailboat--e.g., in a body of water. 
In the present invention, the second end portion includes a first sleeve 
coaxially aligned within the first end portion for axial slidable movement 
therein. A first crank is operatively connected to the first sleeve and 
adapted to be manually engaged to move the first sleeve in the first and 
second directions. The second end portion also includes a second sleeve 
coaxially aligned within the first sleeve for axial slidable movement 
therein. The second sleeve is releasably engaged to the first sleeve at 
selected axial locations to permit selective manual axial repositioning of 
the second sleeve in the first and second directions. 
The cable retraction and extension means include a drum rotatably engaged 
to the support beam to wind the cable in a winding direction thereon in 
order to retract the cable, and to unwind the cable therefrom in an 
unwinding direction in order to extend the cable. A second crank 
operatively connected to the drum is adapted to be engaged by the operator 
to wind and unwind the cable from the drum. 
The cable extension and retraction means may also include a first roller 
having an outer portion which rotatably engages an outer portion of the 
drum in a manner that rotation of the drum in a first direction causes the 
roller to rotate in an opposite direction therefrom. A second roller 
having an outer portion which engages the cable urges the cable against 
the first roller. The first roller and the drum are characterized in that 
the distance from an axis of rotation of the first roller to the outer 
portion thereof is greater than the distance from an axis of rotation of 
the drum to the cable wound upon the drum, thus causing the first roller 
to pull the cable from the drum when the drum is rotated in the unwinding 
direction. 
The cable retraction and extension means include a flange member freely 
rotatable in the winding direction, and restricted from rotation in the 
unwinding direction. The flange member is movable by manual rotation of 
the second crank between a first position wherein the drum rotates 
independently of the flange member, and a second position wherein the drum 
is engaged to the flange member so that the drum is restricted from 
rotation in the unwinding direction. 
The present invention also includes a method for relocating a load to and 
from a watercraft having a vertical support position and an edge defining 
a perimeter of the watercraft. The method includes the steps of providing 
a support beam having a first end portion connected to the vertical 
support portion in a manner to permit the support beam to be moved 
laterally with respect to the watercraft, and a second end portion spaced 
apart from the first end portion to define a distance between the vertical 
support portion and the second end portion which is greater than the 
distance between the vertical support portion and the edge of the 
watercraft. The method also includes the step of attaching a cable (which 
is operatively connected to the support beam at the second end thereof) to 
the load, and retracting the cable to raise the load toward the support 
beam. The support beam is moved laterally between a first position where 
the second end of the support beam is positioned above the watercraft, and 
a second position where the second end of the support beam is positioned 
outside the perimeter of the watercraft so as to move the load between a 
first location above the watercraft and a second location beyond the 
watercraft perimeter. The cable is extended to lower the load away from 
the support beam. The method also comprises moving the second end portion 
coaxially with respect to the first end portion so that in cooperation 
with the step of moving the support beam laterally, the second end portion 
is moved between the first position and the second position. 
The present invention comprises, in another exemplary embodiment, a 
portable apparatus for mounting to a vertical structure in order to 
relocate a load. The apparatus comprises a support beam located upwardly 
from the load and having a first end portion releasably fastened to the 
vertical structure in a manner to permit the support beam to be moved 
laterally. The support beam includes a second end portion operatively 
connected to the first end portion and repositionable along a longitudinal 
axis of the support beam in a first direction away from the first end 
portion and in a second direction toward the first end portion. Means are 
provided for repositioning the second end portion along the longitudinal 
axis. Means are also included for moving the load in both a generally 
upward and a generally downward direction. The moving means include a 
cable operatively connected to the movable end portion and which is 
adapted to be connected to the load. Means retract the cable to cause the 
load to move in the upward direction, and extend the cable to cause the 
load to move in the downward direction, whereby the repositioning means 
and the retracting and extending means are adapted to be manually operated 
to raise the load from a first location, to move the load longitudinally 
and laterally, and to lower the load at a second location. 
In another exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method for relocating 
a load, such as a dinghy, about a watercraft having a vertical support 
portion and an edge defining a perimeter of the watercraft. The method 
includes the steps of providing a support beam having a first end portion 
connected to a vertically extending mast of the watercraft in a manner to 
permit the support beam to be moved in a lateral direction, and providing 
a second end portion spaced apart from the first end portion. A cable 
which is operatively connected to the support beam at the second end 
thereof is attached to the load. The cable is retracted to raise the load 
toward the support beam from a location within the perimeter of the 
watercraft. The support beam is moved in a lateral direction and the 
second end portion is moved axially away from the first end portion so 
that in cooperation with moving the support beam in the lateral direction, 
the second end portion of the support beam is positioned beyond the 
watercraft edge outside the perimeter thereof so as to move the load 
between a first location within the watercraft perimeter and a second 
location outward from the watercraft perimeter. The cable is extended to 
lower the load to a location outward from and below the watercraft edge. 
The method also comprises retracting the cable to raise the load to the 
second location and moving the support beam laterally toward the first 
location. The second end portion is moved axially toward the first end 
portion so that in cooperation with moving the support beam laterally 
toward the first location, the second end portion of the support beam is 
positioned above the watercraft so as to move the load from a location 
outward from the watercraft perimeter to a location above the watercraft. 
The cable is extended to lower the load to the location within the 
perimeter of the watercraft.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus and methods of the present 
invention will be disclosed in an exemplary embodiment wherein a dinghy is 
relocated between: (i) a stowed position onboard a sailboat; and (ii), the 
water. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not 
limited to relocating a dinghy to and from a sailboat, but rather it may 
be utilized whenever it is desired to move a relatively heavy load between 
two locations. 
In FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a relocating apparatus, generally 
indicated at 20, having an elongate configuration, removably and pivotally 
connected to a forward surface of a main mast 22 extending vertically from 
a sailing vessel 24. The exemplary relocating apparatus 20 is connected to 
main mast 22 in a manner to permit the relocating apparatus 20 to swing 
outboard of deck side edges 25 which extend aft from bow 26 terminating at 
stern 27; with the bow 26, deck edges 25 and stern 27 defining a perimeter 
of sailing vessel 24. The relocating apparatus 20 includes a shackle 28 
(FIG. 4) pivotally connected to the relocating apparatus 20 at a distal 
end thereof for engaging a mainsail halyard 30 depending downwardly from a 
top portion of main mast 22 to support the relocating apparatus 20 at a 
level generally parallel to a main deck 32 of sailing vessel 24. In the 
present application the term "outward" will be used to describe a 
direction generally away from mast 22, whereas the term "inward" will be 
used to describe a direction generally toward mast 22. 
To prevent the relocating apparatus 20 from pivoting in a fore and aft 
direction when pivoted outboard to the position shown in FIG. 1, 
additional lines 33 are connected to shackle 28 and to conventional cleats 
(not shown) anchored to deck 32 located generally fore and aft of main 
mast 22. A dinghy 34 is moved by a cable 38 which is retracted by 
relocating means 20 to raise dinghy 34, and which is extended from 
relocating means 20 to lower dinghy 34. The dinghy 34 typically includes a 
bridle 36 attached to the bow and stern of the dinghy 34 to support the 
dinghy in a generally level attitude during its relocation. As shown in 
FIG. 2, it is preferable to stow dinghy 34 aboard the sailing vessel 24 at 
a forward centerline location thereof to avoid upsetting the trim of 
sailboat 24 as well as to avoid filling the dinghy 34 with sea water which 
may be received in large waves over the bow of sailboat 24 and which 
typically impact deck 32 and inner areas of the sailboat 24 aft of main 
mast 22. 
When it is desired to remove dinghy 34 from sailboat 24, the relocating 
apparatus 20 is removed from its stowed location aboard sailboat 24, 
typically below deck or within the stowed dinghy, and attached to the main 
mast 22 and to the main sail halyard 30. After attaching cable 38 to 
bridle 36, the operator then retracts cable 38, thereby elevating dinghy 
34 above cabin overhead 39. The operator then pivots relocating apparatus 
20 outboard so that dinghy 34 is suspended outward from deck edge 25 at a 
location over the water. In the event that dinghy 34 does not clear deck 
edge 25, and to provide additional clearance between deck edge 25 and 
dinghy 34 so that an additional operator need not be present to insure 
that dinghy 34 does not impact the side of sailboat 24, the operator 
extends the relocating apparatus 20 longitudinally outward until dinghy 34 
is well clear of the perimeter of sailing vessel 24. Cable 38 is then 
extended in order to lower dinghy 34 into the water at a location shown in 
FIG. 1. Retrieval of dinghy 34 is accomplished in reverse order of the 
aforementioned steps. When the operator is finished, support lines 33 and 
main sail halyard 30 are disengaged, and the relocating apparatus is 
removed from mast 22 and returned to its stowed location. Further 
discussion of relocating apparatus 20 will follow hereinafter, however it 
should be appreciated that the exemplary relocating apparatus 20 of the 
present invention allows a dinghy 34 to be relocated, as described above, 
by one operator without the assistance of additional operators to 
stabilize the dinghy 34 or to prevent the dinghy 34 from impacting the 
side of the sailboat 24. 
Referring now to FIGS. 3 through 6, it will be noted that the exemplary 
relocating apparatus 20 includes engaging means, generally indicated at 37 
for pivotally removably connecting relocating apparatus 20 to mast 22. The 
relocating apparatus 20 also includes a telescoping sleeve assembly, 
generally indicated at 40, for supporting a dinghy 34 by means of cable 
38. As here shown, the telescoping sleeve assembly 40 includes an outer 
cylindrical sleeve 41 enclosing an intermediate cylindrical sleeve 42 
which is coaxially aligned within outer sleeve 41 and which is movable 
axially between a "retracted" position enclosed within sleeve 41 as shown 
in FIGS. 3 and 4, and an "extended" position outward and away from 
connecting means, generally indicated at 39 in FIG. 6. The telescoping 
assembly 40 also includes an inner cylindrical sleeve 44 enclosed 
coaxially within intermediate sleeve 42 and movable axially with respect 
to sleeve 42 from a "retracted" position enclosed within sleeve 42, as 
shown in FIG. 5, and an "extended" position outward from engaging means, 
generally indicated at FIG. 6. 
As described previously, the illustrative relocating apparatus 20 is 
supported by main sail halyard 30 which is connected to shackle 28 
pivotally connected to sleeve 44 at a distal end thereof. Located outward 
from shackle 28 is a fitting 49 for engaging a loop 52 at the distal end 
of cable 38, shown in FIG. 5. Typically dinghy lift bridle 36 includes a 
pulley 51 (FIG. 4). Cable 38 extends downward about pulley 51 and then 
upward where it is engaged by fitting 49. This arrangement results in a 
two-fold purchase which reduces the manual effort of raising and lowering 
the load. Cable 38 is extended and retracted by retraction and extension 
means, generally indicated at 52 in FIG. 7, enclosed within a housing 54 
which is attached to outer cylindrical sleeve 41. Housing 54 includes a 
pair of oppositely disposed vertical side members 56 which support a pair 
of rotatable drive shafts 57, 58 mounted perpendicular to side members 56 
and having axially recessed sockets 59, 60, respectively, located at 
opposite ends of shafts 57, 58. Sockets 59, 60 are adapted to engage the 
male end of a universal winch handle 61 (FIGS. 4 and 6) to impart 
rotational movement to drive shafts 57, 58 such that rotation of drive 
shaft 57 in opposite directions serves to retract or extend cable 38; 
while rotation of drive shaft 58 serves to retract or extend telescoping 
sleeve 42 in the manner described herebelow. Telescoping sleeve 44 is 
retracted and extended by manually moving sleeve 44 axially relative to 
sleeve 42 in a manner also described hereinbelow. 
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, telescoping sleeve 42 is extended and retracted 
by a worm gear 62 (FIG. 7) enclosed within a rectangularly shaped housing 
64 depending downwardly from cylindrical sleeve 41 at a location outward 
from housing 54. Side portions 56 of housing 54 are secured in opposing 
mating engagement around sleeve 41 by removable fasteners (not shown) to 
form an enclosed inner chamber containing a circular rack 70 rigidly 
engaged to the drive shaft 58 extending axially therethrough so that 
rotation of circular rack 70 by winch handle 61 rotates worm gear 62. 
Rotation of worm gear 62 is accomplished by a bevelled pinion gear 74 
mounted on a shaft 76 which meshes with teeth 78 of rack 70. Shaft 76, 
located parallel to and below sleeve 41, is supported within a shaft 
sleeve 80 extending in an outward direction through an opening in housing 
54. The diameter of circular rack 70 causes shaft 76 to be located at a 
greater distance below sleeve 41 than the distance from sleeve 41 to worm 
gear 62 resulting in misalignment of the shaft 76 and worm gear 62. 
Therefore, in order to connect shaft 76 with worm gear 62, shaft 76 is 
coupled to a shaft sleeve 82 having a pin 83 extending vertically across 
an inner passageway of sleeve 82. Pin 83 is disposed vertically through a 
passageway 84, having a larger diameter than pin 83, and extending 
vertically through a distal end of shaft 76 so that pin 83 can be 
displaced from an imaginary axial centerline of passageway 84 to permit 
sleeve 82 to connect with a shaft 88 extending axially inwardly from worm 
gear 62. Sleeve 82 includes a second pin 83' at an opposite end thereof 
disposed in a second vertical passageway 84' of shaft 88 and having a 
greater diameter than pin 83'. Worm gear 62 is joined to shaft 88 within 
housing 64 at a location below outer sleeve 41. Worm gear 62 includes 
helically configured flights 92 which extend radially upwardly through an 
axially extending opening in the lower surface of outer sleeve 41 to 
engage and mesh with teeth 90 extending axially along intermediate sleeve 
42 at a lower surface thereof. Therefore, clockwise rotation of circular 
rack 70, as viewed in FIG. 7, causes shaft 76 and worm gear 62 to rotate 
in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 8, thus causing sleeve 
42 to move in an outward, or left to right direction, as viewed in FIG. 7. 
Counterclockwise rotation of circular rack 70 causes sleeve 42 to be moved 
in an inward, right to left direction. Also enclosed within housing 54 are 
cable retraction and extension means 52 which include a drum 93 having a 
cylindrical hub 94 with integral upstanding circular flanges 96 disposed 
at opposite ends of hub 94 so that cable 38 may be wound around hub 94 
between flanges 96. Hub 94 is rotatably mounted to shaft 57 and is located 
generally inward and downward from rack 70 due to the relatively large 
diameter of flanges 96. 
Cable 38 is routed in a direction generally inward from hub 94 through an 
opening in housing 54 and then through a cylindrical tube 98 extending 
parallel to and generally below sleeve 41. Cable 38 is then routed upward 
and generally outward around an inward support pulley 100 (FIG. 9) which 
is supported for rotational movement about a shaft 102 located generally 
parallel to hub shaft 57 and supported at opposite ends by a rounded cap 
104 attached to the inward end of sleeve 41. Cable 38 extends outwardly 
through sleeves 41, 42, and 44, and around an outward support pulley 108 
(FIG. 10) supported for rotational movement on a shaft 110 which is 
supported laterally within sleeve 44 in a direction generally parallel to 
pulley support shaft 102. Cable 38 extends around pulley 108 then 
downwardly through an opening in the lower surface of sleeve 44. 
Returning to FIG. 7, extension and retraction means 52 is prevented from 
unwanted extension by a pawl 114 which is biased by a spring 115 into 
engagement with recesses 116 disposed about the outer circumference of a 
circular ratchet 118 which is, in turn, supported for rotational movement. 
When pawl 114 is engaged within recesses 116, hub 94 is prevented from 
rotating in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 7, so that 
cable 38 is prevented from extending. However, movement of hub 94 in a 
clockwise direction, is permitted as pawl 114 merely rides across the 
outer circumferential surface of ratchet 188, thereby allowing the cable 
38 to be retracted. Pawl 114 can be rapidly disengaged from ratchet disk 
118 by means of a chain 124 extending outwardly through housing 54 and 
terminating in a ring 126 which can be advantageously engaged to relocate 
pawl 114 in a direction generally outward and away from ratchet disk 118. 
Referring now to FIG. 9 in more detail, inner sleeve 44 includes a 
cylindrical collar 130, around an outer surface thereof at the inward end 
of sleeve 44 which engages an inner surface of intermediate sleeve 42 for 
slidable movement thereagainst. Sleeve 44 includes a second cylindrical 
collar 132 (FIG. 5) around an outer surface thereof located outward from 
collar 130 which engages the inner surface of intermediate sleeve 42 for 
slidable axial movement thereagainst. Collars 130, 132 support inner 
sleeve 44 within intermediate sleeve 42. In addition collar 132 limits 
outward extension of sleeve 44 by engaging a cylindrical collar 135 (FIG. 
10) extending circumferentially about the outer surface of sleeve 42 at 
the outward end of sleeve 42. Collar 135 includes a circular lip 136 which 
engages the outer surface of inner sleeve 44 for slidable movement 
thereagainst so that at maximum outward extension of sleeve 44, inner 
collar 132 engages lip 136. 
On the other hand, intermediate sleeve 42 is supported between the inner 
surface of outer sleeve 41 and flights 92 of worm gear 62 (FIG. 8). 
Intermediate sleeve 42 includes a flange 136, (FIG. 9), depending 
downwardly from the outer surface of intermediate sleeve 42 at a location 
inward of teeth 90, which slidably engages the inner surface of outer 
sleeve 41. Further outward extension of sleeve 42 is restricted when 
flange 136 engages the inwardmost flight 92 of worm gear 62. 
Selective extension and retraction of sleeve 44 is controlled by a 
plurality of locking assemblies, one of which is generally indicated at 
142 in FIG. 11, which are disposed axially within sleeve 44. Locking 
assemblies 142 include opposing parallel vertical flanges 144 which engage 
therebetween opposing buttons 146 having tips 148 which are biased by 
spring 150 to extend vertically through openings in the top and bottom of 
sleeves 44. Spring 150 is mounted within opposed U-shaped recesses 152 of 
buttons 146 to urge buttons 146 in opposite vertical directions. Tips 148 
extend through opposing vertical openings located axially along 
intermediate sleeve 42 at selected locations to secure sleeve 44 to sleeve 
42 at those selected locations. When it is desired to reposition sleeve 44 
relative to sleeve 42, tips 148 are compressed against spring 150 and 
sleeve 44 is moved axially within sleeve 42 until buttons 146 engage 
another pair of opposed vertical openings within intermediate sleeve 42. 
In order to allow the exemplary relocating apparatus 20 of the present 
invention to pivot between a temporary storage location parallel to mast 
22 and an operable location generally parallel to the deck of sailing 
vessel 24, and as best observed by reference to FIGS. 3 and 9 conjointly, 
the end cap 104 at the innermost end of the relocating apparatus 20 is 
pivotally connected to engaging means 37 by a pivot connector 156 having a 
pivot axis occupying a generally horizontal plane. Engaging means 37 
includes a U-shaped member 158 extending inwardly from pivot connecter 156 
and defined by parallel upper, lower horizontal flanges 160, 161 which 
receive therebetween a mast flange fitting 162 (FIG. 4) extending 
forwardly from mast 22 and occupying a generally horizontal plane. Flange 
162 includes a vertical opening which aligns with upper and lower openings 
164, 166 extending vertically through upper and lower members 160, 161 
respectively. The aligned openings receive a vertical shaft 168 of a 
T-shaped plunger 170 therethrough to pivotally connect U-shaped member 158 
to flange 162 to permit relocating apparatus 20 to pivot about an axis 
generally parallel to mast 22. Plunger 170 may be lifted to a "raised" 
position, shown in phantom in FIG. 9, against the bias of a spring 172 
extending helically about shaft 168 and within a recess of a housing 
portion 174 which extends vertically upward from uppermost flange 160. 
Spring 172 is held within housing portion 174 by a collar 175 extending 
radially from shaft 168. The biasing action of spring 172 holds plunger 
170 in an "engaging" position, shown by solid lines in FIG. 9. 
Typically, the vertical thickness of flange 162 will vary. It is 
preferable, however, that U-shaped member 158 closely engage flange 162 to 
restrain movement of the relocating apparatus 20 about its longitudinal 
axis. Therefore, engaging means 37 includes a thumb wheel 178 integrally 
connected to a downwardly extending, annular, externally threaded portion 
180, which is threadably engaged with threaded bore 166. Thus, the thumb 
wheel 178 is located between flanges 160, 161 so that an opening 181, 
defined by the lower surface of upper flange 160, and the upper surface of 
thumb wheel 178, has a variable vertical dimension to conform to the 
vertical thickness of flange 162. Thumb wheel 178 and annular portion 180 
include a recessed area extending downwardly therethrough for slidably 
receiving shaft 168 when shaft 168 is in the "engaged" position. The 
arrangement is such that rotation of thumb wheel 178 causes vertical 
movement of annular portion 180 within vertical opening 166 to vary the 
vertical dimension of opening 181. In addition, to maintain the desired 
vertical dimension of opening 181, lowermost flange 161 may include a 
threaded set screw (not shown) which can be rotated into engagement with 
annular portion 180 after the desired vertical dimension of opening 181 
has been achieved, thus locking the parts together. 
Referring to FIG. 10, it will be noted that the relocating apparatus 20 
includes a fitting 49 having an opening 188 extending therethrough in a 
direction generally parallel to pulley shaft 110. Opening 188 is adapted 
for receiving support lines 33 (FIGS. 1 and 2) therethrough to support 
relocating apparatus 20 as described previously. Fitting 49 includes a 
U-shaped recess 190 which extends upwardly into fitting 49. Slidably 
engaged within fitting 49 is a spring lock 192 having a shaft portion 194 
which is biased by a spring 196 across recess 194 which is biased by a 
spring 196 across recess 194 to engage loop 52 of cable 38 therewithin. 
Spring lock 192 includes an inwardly extending ring 198 attached to shaft 
194 for advantageous engagement by boat hook or the like to retract shaft 
194 inwardly from recess 190 against spring 196 *to allow loop 52 engaged 
and/or disengaged. 
As discussed previously, the illustrative retraction and extension means 
generally indicated at 52 in FIG. 7 includes a drum 93 around which cable 
38 is wound during retraction thereof. It was also discussed that 
extension of cable 38 was selectively prevented by an interlocking pawl 
114 which engaged ratchet disk 118. Referring to FIGS. 12 through 15, in 
order to bypass the braking effect of pawl 114 and to allow cable 38 to be 
extended by an operator in a controlled manner while a load is attached 
thereto, ratchet disk 118 may be disengaged from drum 93 by a clutching 
arrangement to be described hereinafter. The clutching arrangement 
operates in the following manner: when winch handle 61 (FIGS. 4, 6, and 
13) is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 13--for example, 
when an operator is raising dinghy 34--drum 93 is bound into frictional 
engagement with ratchet disk 118 by a clutch disk 200 so as to sandwich 
ratchet disk 118 between drum 93 and clutch disk 200. Thus, when rotation 
of drum 93 is discontinued by the operator, drum 93 is prevented from 
rotating in a cable unwinding direction by pawl 114 which is biased into 
engagement with ratchet disk 118. On the other hand, when winch handle 61 
is rotated by the operator in a counterclockwise direction--for example, 
when the cable 38 is being extended--drum 93 is released from ratchet disk 
118 and clutch disc 200 so that drum 93 rotates freely. However, if 
rotation of winch handle 61 is stopped by the operator, and cable 38 
continues to be extended by the weight of the load attached thereto, the 
resulting counterclockwise rotation of drum 93 again sandwiches ratchet 
disk 118 between drum 93 and clutch disk 200 located at the other side of 
ratchet 118 so a to prevent further extension of cable 38. 
Further description of the clutching operation is provided by referring to 
FIGS. 12, 14 and 15 which show hub 94 of drum 93 having a cylindrical 
inner surface which defines a cylindrical bore 202. An axial portion 206 
of bore 202 is relatively smooth for receiving shaft 57 therein to permit 
rotation of drum 93 about shaft 57. A remaining axial portion 208 of bore 
202 is threaded for engaging a threaded portion of an annular shaft 57' 
therein. Annular shaft 57' extends through clutch disk 200 in rigid 
engagement therewith and includes an end surface 210' which is held 
rigidly in mating engagement with a like end surface (not shown) of 
annular shaft 57 by a fastener 212 so that shafts 57 and 57' are engaged 
in axial alignment. Shaft 57' includes an axially recessed socket (not 
shown) for receiving winch handle 61 therein. Fastener 212 includes a 
threaded bolt extending axially through shafts 57, 57' and the respective 
end surfaces thereof and which is secured by a threaded nut 213 to engage 
the end surfaces therebetween. 
Shafts 57, 57' are rotatably supported for rotational movement by side 
members 56 of housing 54. Rotatably mounted to shaft 57' between clutch 
disk 200 and drum 93, are a pair of circular frictional disks 220 which 
are mounted on either side of ratchet disk 118 about shaft 57'. Therefore, 
in operation, clockwise rotation of winch handle 61 (FIG. 13) causes 
shafts 57, 57' to rotate within drum inner surface 202 causing threaded 
shaft 57' and clutch disk 200 integrally connected thereto to move axially 
in a rightward direction (FIG. 12) towards drum 93 so that friction disks 
220 and ratchet disk 118 are frictionally engaged between drum 93 and 
clutch disk 200 causing drum 93, clutch disk 200, friction disks 220, and 
ratchet disk 118 to rotate in unison so that the cable 38 is retracted. 
Conversely, counterclockwise rotation of handle 61 by the operator causes 
clutch disk 200 to move in a leftward axial direction away from drum 93 to 
a location shown in FIG. 15, so that drum 93 and friction disks 220 may 
freewheel about shafts 57, 57'. The resulting disengagement of drum 93 
from ratchet 118 allows the cable 38 to be extended from drum 93 as a 
result of the pulling force generated by the weight of dinghy 34 thereby 
causing drum 93 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. 
As long as the winch handle 61 is rotated by the operator at a sufficient 
rate in the counterclockwise direction to maintain the axially spaced 
relationship of ratchet 118, drum 93 and clutch disk 200 as shown in FIG. 
15, drum 93 will continue to freewheel as cable 38 is being extended. 
Normally, however, the weight of dinghy 34 will cause drum 93 to rotate at 
a much faster rate than the winch handle 61 can be manually rotated. 
Therefore, drum 93 will rotate in a counterclockwise direction relative to 
shaft 57' causing drum 93 to move axially towards clutch plate 200, or to 
the "engaged" position shown in FIG. 14 where further rotation of cable 38 
is halted by the engagement of pawl 114 against ratchet disk 118. As the 
winch handle 61 continues to be manually rotated in a counterclockwise 
direction, clutch disk 200 will once again be rotated axially to a 
"disengaged" location to allow drum 93 to once again freewheel as the 
cable 38 is being retracted. It can be appreciated, therefore that 
extension of the cable 38 involves a series of small extension operations 
occurring each time clutch disk 200 is rotated away from drum 93, and 
halting when drum 93 rotates into sandwiching engagement with friction 
disks 220, ratchet disk 118 and disk 200. 
It is sometimes desirable to extend the cable 38 by rotation of the drum 38 
when no load is attached to the end of the cable. The absence of a load 
can sometimes result in the cable 38 unwinding about drum 93 when drum 93 
is rotated in the unwinding direction without any significant extension of 
cable 38. Therefore, in order to extend cable 38 from drum 93 around 
support roller 100 and through sleeves 41, 42, 44 when there is no load 
attached to cable 38 and as best shown in the exemplary embodiment of the 
present invention depicted in FIG. 16, the illustrative retraction and 
extension means 52 includes a friction roller 226 rotatably mounted about 
a shaft 228. Shaft 228 is oriented in a direction generally parallel to 
drive shafts 57, 57' and is located generally downward and inward of 
shafts 57, 57'. A pair of elongated races 230, attached to opposing 
sidewalls 56 of housing 54 in a generally vertical direction, support 
shaft 228 at opposite ends thereof. Roller 226 is biased in a generally 
upward direction within races 230 by a spring (not shown) connected to 
shaft 228 and sidewall 56 so that an outer edge 230 of drum flange 96 
frictionally engages an outer edge 232 of roller 226. Therefore when drum 
93 is driven in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 16, friction 
roller 226 is driven in a counterclockwise direction by frictional contact 
with drum 93. 
Roller 226 includes a grooved circumferential channel surface 233 which is 
biased into frictional engagement with the cable 38. Opposite roller 226 
is another friction roller 234 rotatably mounted on a shaft 236 which is 
oriented generally parallel to shaft 228 and which is supported in a pair 
of opposing elongated races 238 attached to opposing sidewalls 56 of 
housing 54 and in a generally vertical direction above races 230. Roller 
234 is biased in a generally downward direction within races 238 toward 
roller 226 so that a grooved circumferential channel surface 239 about 
roller 234 frictionally engages cable 38 to sandwich cable 38 between 
rollers 226 and 234. Roller 234 includes an outer circumferential edge 
240, which is biased into frictional engagement with outer edge 232 of 
roller 226 so that when roller 226 is driven in a clockwise direction by 
drum 93, roller 226 drives roller 234 in a counterclockwise direction. 
In carrying out the present invention, the diameter of friction roller 226 
is larger than the diameter of drum side flanges 96 so that the diameter 
of friction roller 226 is always larger than the combined diameter of hub 
94 and the cable wound around hub 94. This arrangement causes the grooved 
circumferential channel surface 233 to rotate through a greater arcuate 
distance and therefore a greater angular velocity than the outermost layer 
of wound cable around hub 94 so that during no load extension, rollers 
226, 234 pull cable 38 from drum 93 and feed cable 38 around support 
roller 100 and through sleeves 41, 42, and 44. 
Overall operation of the exemplary relocating apparatus of the present 
invention 20 proceeds as described hereinbelow. An operator: (i) retrieves 
the relocation apparatus 20 from any convenient stowed location; (ii) 
carries the apparatus 20 to mast 22; (iii) retracts plunger 170; (iv) 
inserts U-shaped member 58 within the mast bracket 162; and (v), then 
releases plunger 170. Thumb wheel 178 is then rotated so that the lower 
surface of flange 160 and the upper surface of thumb wheel 178 engage 
respective opposing surfaces of flange 162. Mainsail halyard 30 is then 
secured within opening 188 of fitting 49, and the pawl 114 is released by 
pulling ring 126 to allow cable 38 to be extended and then engaged about 
dinghy bridle pulley 51. In the event the relocating apparatus 20 does not 
reach bridle pulley 51 because the distance between mast 22 and dinghy 34 
is too great, sleeve 44 is extended by manually compressing button tips 
148 and manually pulling sleeve 44 outwardly until button tips 148 extend 
through the vertical openings in sleeve 42 at the selected extension 
distance. Mainsail halyard 30 is extended so that sleeves 41, 42, 44 are 
approximately horizontal to deck 32. The cable loop 52 on cable 38 is then 
engaged within fitting 49 and winch handle 61 is inserted within socket 
59. As the winch handle 62 is rotated by the operator in a clockwise 
direction, dinghy 34 is raised above cabin overhead 39. The operator then 
pivots the relocating apparatus 20 so that the dinghy 34 is swung outboard 
of deck edge 25. The operator then inserts the winch handle 61 into socket 
60 and rotates the handle 61 in a clockwise direction to extend sleeves 
42/44 axially outward beyond deck edge 25. The operator then reinserts the 
handle 61 into the socket 59 and rotates the handle 61 in a 
counterclockwise direction to extend cable 38 and lower dinghy 34 into the 
water. Retrieval of the dinghy 34 from the water for stowage onto the 
cabin overhead 39 is accomplished by reversing the order of the 
aforementioned steps. 
Other embodiments not disclosed herein, but which are encompassed within 
the spirit and scope of the present invention as described herein are also 
included as part of the present application. For example, if flange 162 is 
attached to an aft surface of mast 22, the exemplary relocating apparatus 
20 may be used for extending and retracting a mainsail clew along a 
mainsail boom track simply by extension and retraction of sleeve 42 as 
described previously. Other exemplary applications of the present 
invention include (i) supporting a boatswain chair or the like over the 
side of a boat to support an individual working on the hull, and (ii) 
raising and lowering fishing apparatus such as crab pots, nets or the like 
between the boat and the water. On the other hand, the present invention 
is also applicable to other domestic and industrial uses where heavy loads 
must be relocated without the benefit of a source of electrical power or 
the like.