AU648443B2 - Wheel winch - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 0g

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555 ~0 0 55 TONY RIGG SUPPLIES PTY LIMITED AS TRUSTEES FOR RIGG FAMILY TRUSTS NOS 2AND 3

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT 55 0 I I I I.

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55555 Invention Title: Wheel Winch The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:- 2 The present invention relates to a winch attachment for motor vehicles.

It is not unusual to provide vehicles, particularly four wheel drive vehicles, with winches. Such winches are usually driven either by means of an electric motor from a battery in the vehicle or from a power take-off from the transmission of the vehicle. Such winches are relatively large and expensive and electric winches have the disadvantage that under difficult circumstances the 1C battery can be rapidly exhausted.

The object of the present invention is to provide a very simple device for attachment to a motor vehicle to provide winch facilities.

A winch attachment for a motor vehicle the attachment consisting of an adapter member secured to a driving wheel of a motor vehicle and a winch barrel attached to the adapter member co-axially with the wheel, the adapter member and the winch barrel having complementary interengaging securing means permitting the rapid removal of the winch barrel from the adapter member and of re-attachment thereto.

In one embodiment of the invention the attachment consists of an adapter member for permanent attachment to the wheel and a separate winch barrel or drum having means S 25 whereby it may be readily attached to the adapter member.

In order that the nature of the invention may be better understood a preferred form thereof is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- S 30 Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view through a wheel having a winch attachment according to the invention S°attached to it; Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the drum or barrel 17 about to be attached; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of a wheel with a 2a flanged adapter to which the drum or barrel is about to be attached.

Figure 1 shows a vehicle wheel indicated generally at e *a 3 mounted on an axle 11, the wheel being secured to a flange 12 on the axle by means of the usual studs and wheel nuts 13. These also serve to secure to the flange 12 an adapter member 14 which is of annular shape and which has a peripheral flange 15 in which diametrically opposite holes 16 are formed.

A separate winch drum or barrel 17 is provided with a projecting annular flange 18 that engages within the flange 15, the drum or barrel 17 being secured in place by S 10 means of pins 20 engaging in the hole 16, the pins being operated by means of the levers 21.

ego*.From the above it will be appreciated that in normal .9.

o use the drum or barrel 17 is stowed in the vehicle and is only attached when required for use. This is done in a 15 variety of circumstances, for example, when the vehicle becomes bogged. In such a case the drum or barrel 17 is attached. A length of rope is secured to a suitable anchor and the free end wound around the drum or barrel 17 S"in such a manner that when the engine is started and a 20 gear is engaged the drum or barrel 17 is caused to rotate, the rope is taken up on it and the vehicle moved towards eleet S the anchor. Means may be provided on the barrel or drum o to constitute an attachment for one end of the rope although normally the clamping effect of the rope when 25 under tension will be sufficient to secure it to the drum or barrel 17.

More than one driving wheel of the vehicle may be provided with a winch attachment for example both rear drive wheels.

The winch attachment may be used for other purposes for example in the rescue of another vehicle by jacking the driving wheels off the ground and blocking the non-driving wheels to give purchase.

While the embodiment of the invention described ebove by way of example is preferred the winch attachment may -4take other forms. It may for esample incorporate a free wheel mechanism to allow a rope to be wound onto the drum or barrel by rotating it, the free wheel mechanism then being locked. The winch attachment may take the form of a simple flanged cylinder that is bolted directly to the axial flange 12.

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Claims (5)

1. A winch attachment for a motor vehicle the attachment consisting of an adapter member secured to a driving wheel of a motor vehicle and a winch barrel attached to the adapter member co-axially with the wheel, the adapter member and the winch barrel having complementary interengaging securing means permitting the rapid removal of the winch barrel from the adapter member and of re-attachment thereto.

2. A winch attachment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the adapter member has a projecting annular flange and the winch barrel has a corresponding annular flange adapted for insertion within the flange of the adapter member, lever operated pins on the winch barrel engaging holes in the adapter member to secure the winch barrel to the adapter.

3. A winch attachment as claimed in either of the preceding claims wherein the winch barrel has means constituting an attachment for one end of a rope.

4. A winch attachment as claimed in claim 1 incorporating a free-wheel mechanism to allow rope to be wound onto the barrel and means to lock the free wheel •mechanism.

5. A winch attachment for a motor vehicle substantially 25 as described with reference to and as illustrated in the .accompanying drawings. DATED this 21 day of December 1993 ee. TONY RIGG SUPPLIES PTY e LIMITED AS TRUSTEES FOR RIGG oee FAMILY TRUSTS NOS 2 AND 3 "Patent Attorneys for the :Applicant: F.B. RICE CO.