Winch drum tension isolation system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9676559-B2
Application number	US-201615332486-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 24, 2016
Priority date	Mar 13, 2013
Publication date	Jun 13, 2017
Grant date	Jun 13, 2017

Abstract

A winch drum tension isolation system includes a winch drum including an outwardly extending flange, the flange including a plurality of holes spaced along the flange. The winch drum tension isolation system also includes a locking mechanism positioned proximate the winch drum and including a locking member engageable with the flange. The locking member is movable between a first position, in which the locking member is received in one of the plurality of holes to prevent rotation of the winch drum, and a second position, in which the locking member is spaced apart from the flange to permit rotation of the winch drum.

First claim

We claim:

1. A winch drum tension isolation system comprising:
a winch drum including an outwardly extending flange, the flange including a plurality of holes spaced apart along the flange;
a locking mechanism positioned proximate the winch drum and including at least one guide member and a locking member, the at least one guide member positioned adjacent a side of the flange, the locking member movable between a first position in which the locking member extends through the at least one guide member and through one of the plurality of holes to prevent rotation of the winch drum, and a second position in which the locking member is spaced apart from the flange to permit rotation of the winch drum.

2. The winch drum tension isolation system of claim 1 , wherein the winch drum includes a central portion having a first diameter, and the flange has a second diameter greater than the first diameter, the plurality of holes spaced evenly apart along a peripheral edge of the flange.

3. The winch drum tension isolation system of claim 1 , wherein the locking member is a spring-loaded pin.

4. The winch drum tension isolation system of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a housing, and the locking member is slidable through the housing.

5. The winch drum tension isolation system of claim 1 , further comprising a torque arm and a ram driving the torque arm, the torque arm coupled to the winch drum.

6. The winch drum tension isolation system of claim 5 , further comprising a winch frame, an anchor point coupled to the winch frame, and an anchor pin, the winch drum and the locking mechanism coupled to the winch frame, the anchor pin extending through the anchor point and the torque arm to restrain movement of the torque arm.

7. The winch drum tension isolation system of claim 1 , further comprising a motor and gearbox coupled to the winch drum.

8. The winch drum tension isolation system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one guide member includes a pair of guide members, the guide members positioned adjacent either side of the flange, wherein the locking member extends through both of the guide members and through the one of the plurality of holes when the locking member is in the first position.

9. The winch drum tension isolation system of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a restraining mechanism to restrain movement of the locking member, the restraining mechanism including a flange at an end of the locking member.

10. A conveyor system comprises:
a winch frame;
a conveyor extending through the winch frame;
a winch drum coupled to the winch frame that drives the conveyor, the winch drum including an outwardly extending flange having a plurality of holes spaced along the flange;
a torque arm coupled to both the winch frame and the winch drum;
a motor and gearbox that drives rotation of the winch drum;
a locking mechanism positioned proximate the winch drum and including a pair of guide members and a locking member, the pair of guide members positioned on opposite sides of the flange, the locking member movable between a first position in which the locking member extends between the pair of guide members and through one of the plurality of holes to prevent rotation of the winch drum, and a second position in which the locking member is spaced apart from the flange to permit rotation of the winch drum.

11. The conveyor system of claim 10 , wherein the winch drum includes a central portion having a first diameter, and the flange has a second diameter greater than the first diameter.

12. The conveyor system of claim 10 , wherein the flange includes an outer radial circumference.

13. The conveyor system of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of holes are spaced circumferentially about the flange.

14. The conveyor system of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of holes are spaced evenly apart along the flange.

15. The conveyor system of claim 10 , wherein the locking member is a spring-loaded pin.

16. The conveyor system of claim 10 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a housing and the locking member is slidable through the housing.

17. A locking mechanism for a winch drum including a flange having a plurality of holes spaced along the flange, the locking mechanism comprising:
a pair of guide members configured to be positioned on opposite sides of the flange, each of the guide members including an opening aligned with one another; and
a locking member movable between a first position in which the locking member extends through the openings of the pair of guide members and through one of the plurality of holes to prevent rotation of the winch drum, and a second position in which the locking member is spaced apart from the flange to permit rotation of the winch drum.

18. The locking mechanism of claim 17 , wherein the locking member is a spring-loaded pin.

19. The locking mechanism of claim 17 , further comprising a housing, wherein the locking member is slidable through the housing.

20. The locking mechanism of claim 17 , further comprising a restraining mechanism to restrain movement of the locking member, the restraining mechanism including a flange positioned adjacent an end of the locking member.

Assignees

• Joy Mm Delaware Inc

Inventors

• De Lore Andrew P
• Wood Travers T

Classifications

• B65G23/44 Primary

  Belt or chain tensioning arrangements · CPC title

• B66D2700/0183

  Details, e.g. winch drums, cooling, bearings, mounting, base structures, cable guiding or attachment of the cable to the drum · CPC title

• E21F13/06

  {Transport of mined material} at or adjacent to the working face · CPC title

• B66D2700/0141

  Electrically actuated · CPC title

• B66D1/30

  Rope, cable, or chain drums or barrels · CPC title