Patent ID: 7984894

Claim:
A clutch operable with a planetary gear reduction assembly to provide engagement and disengagement between a motor and a cable drum, said clutch comprising: a block; a solenoid having a plunger adapted for moving said block between two positions, said solenoid of the type that is electrically energized to move said block; said planetary gear reduction assembly including a ring gear, and said block adapted for engaging said ring gear to disengage said clutch and thereby prevent rotation of said ring gear, and said block adapted for being removed from engagement with said ring gear to engage said clutch and allow rotation of said ring gear; a winch control having a clutch switch which, when activated, drives said solenoid with electrical energy to cause said block to be retracted to a first position out of engagement with said ring gear to thereby engage said clutch; said winch control adapted to control said solenoid to cause said block to be extended to a second position and into engagement with said ring gear to thereby disengage the clutch; and a sensor responsive to activation of the motor to cause operation of said solenoid to move said block into engagement with said ring gear to thereby automatically disengage the clutch when the motor is activated.