Caterpillar Tractor Co.

Ronald E Wineburner

Norman R Allen

Richard F Hoehn

A single control lever mounted on a pivot assembly is movable in an arc in first and second directions in one plane to impart motion through a cam arrangement to a first push rod and cable assembly so that the first push rod and cable assembly moves proportionally to the movement of the lever in either the first or second direction. The same control lever is movable in an arc in third and fourth directions in a second plane normal to the first plane to impart longitudinal motion to a second push rod and cable assembly affixed to the pivot assembly. A resilient means is incorporated in the pivot assembly to resiliently bias the single control lever to a neutral position in the first plane. A gating plate is affixed to the bracket supporting the pivot assembly and limits the travel of the single control lever to a predetermined path.

Lever mechanism

A single-control lever mounted in a pivot assembly is movable in an arc in first and second directions in one plane to impart motion through a cam arrangement to a first push rod and cable assembly so that the first push rod and cable assembly moves equal amounts in the same direction upon movement of the lever in either the first or second direction. The same single-lever is movable in an arc in third and fourth directions in a second plane normal to the first plane to impart longitudinal motion to a second push rod and cable assembly affixed to the pivot assembly. A plate member affixed to the bracket supporting the pivot assembly limits travel of the single-control lever to a predetermined path.

The invention is concerned with an improvement in a winch and fluid control system. The preferred system which is improved comprises (1) a rotatable drum for receiving and releasing a cable, (2) a drive train for supporting said drum and for selectively transmitting rotary drive thereto, said drive train including a brake, (3) a source of pressurized fluid, (4) a control valve having an inlet communicating with the source of pressurized fluid and having an outlet system and a valving element which is shiftable between at least three positions including a Brake-On position, a Reel-In position and a Brake-Off position, and (5) a winch lubricating system which communicate said source of pressurized fluid with said winch. Preferably the valving element is also shiftable to a Free-Spool position. The improvement of the present invention comprises a one-way clutch associated with said brake which allows said drum to rotate in a reel-in direction when said brake is engaged; an auxiliary drag brake for stopping reel-in rotation of said drum caused by viscous drag of hydraulic fluid on said drive means when said valving element is in said Brake-On position; and a fluid flow directing system intermediate said winch lubricating system and said auxiliary drag brake which directs a flow of pressurized fluid from said winch lubricating system to said auxiliary drag brake responsive to shifting of said valving element to said Brake-On position and blocks said flow of pressurized fluid from said winch lubricating system to said auxiliary drag brake responsive to shifting of said valving element to any of said Brake-Off and Reel-In positions and, when applicable, said Free-Spool position.

Winch valve drag brake control

The invention is concerned with an improvement in a winch and fluid control system. The preferred system which is improved comprises (1) a rotatable drum for receiving and releasing a cable (2) a drive train for supporting the drum and for selectively transmitting rotary drive thereto, said drive train including a brake. A source of pressurized fluid, forms another part of said system. Said system further comprises a control valve having an inlet communicating with said source of pressurized fluid, and having an outlet system and a valving element which is shiftable between at least three positions including a Brake-On position, a Reel-In position and a Brake-Off position. The improvement of the present invention comprises a normally engaged one-way clutch intermediate said brake and a stationary support therefor which always allows substantially unrestricted rotation of said drive train relative to said stationary support in a Reel-In direction and normally prevents rotation of said drive train relative to said stationary support in a Reel-Out direction; and means for selectively disengaging said brake to allow substantially unrestricted rotation of said drive train in said Reel-Out direction.

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Pekin, IL, United States of America

Ronald E Wineburner