1. An overrunning coupling assembly having improved shift feel andor noise reduction, the assembly comprising:
a planar first member rotatable about a first axis and having an inside first surface extending generally normal to the first axis, the first member having at least one recess formed in the first surface;
a planar second member rotatable about the first axis and having an inside second surface extending generally normal to the first axis and disposed closely adjacent to the first surface, the second surface having at least one notch formed therein;
at least one key received and retained in the at least one recess, the at least one key being movable between a notch-engaging, locked position in which torque transfer is permitted between the first and second members in a first direction about the first axis and a disengaged position in which the first and second members are permitted to free-wheel relative to each other in a second direction opposite the first direction; and
a compliant retaining device to retain the members together and absorb axial impact loads, the retaining device being less compliant in the locked position than in the disengaged position to decrease axial force at time of axial impact and improve shift feel andor noise reduction.
2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an annular groove formed in one of the members wherein the retaining device includes a deflectable annular ring received and retained in the annular groove.
3. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the annular ring includes a wave spring for biasing one of the members in the disengaged position to provide proper free-wheeling axial clearance between the inside surfaces.
4. The assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the annular groove has a width sufficient to allow the wave spring to deflect within the groove under axial load.
5. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the annular ring includes a stepped weir plate having inside and outside diameters and wherein the weir plate absorbs axial impact loads by deflecting axially especially at its inside diameter.
6. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one biasing member carried by the first member and urging the at least one key toward the second surface.
7. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first member includes a pocket plate.
8. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second member includes a notch plate.
9. An overrunning coupling assembly having improved shift feel andor noise reduction, the assembly comprising:
a planar first member rotatable about a first axis and having an inside first surface extending generally normal to the first axis, the first member having a plurality of recesses formed in the first surface;
a planar second member rotatable about the first axis and having an inside second surface extending generally normal to the first axis and disposed closely adjacent to the first surface, the second surface having a plurality of notches formed therein;
a plurality of keys received and retained in their respective recesses, the keys being movable between a notch-engaging, locked position in which torque transfer is permitted between the first and second members in a first direction about the first axis and a disengaged position in which the first and second members are permitted to free-wheel relative to each other in a second direction opposite the first direction; and
a compliant retaining device to retain the members together and absorb axial impact loads, the retaining device being less compliant in the locked position than in the disengaged position to decrease axial force at time of axial impact and improve shift feel andor noise reduction.
10. The assembly as claimed in claim 9 further comprising an annular groove formed in one of the members wherein the retaining device includes a deflectable annular ring received and retained in the annular groove.
11. The assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the annular ring includes a wave spring for biasing one of the members in the disengaged position to provide proper free-wheeling axial clearance between the inside surfaces.
12. The assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the annular groove has a width sufficient to allow the wave spring to deflect within the groove under axial load.
13. The assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the annular ring includes a stepped weir plate having inside and outside diameters and wherein the weir plate absorbs axial impact loads by deflecting axially especially at its inside diameter.
14. The assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first member includes a pocket plate.
15. The assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second member includes a notch plate.
16. An overrunning coupling assembly having improved shift feel andor noise reduction, the assembly comprising:
a planar first member rotatable about a first axis and having an inside first surface extending generally normal to the first axis, the first member having a plurality of recesses formed in the first surface;
a planar second member rotatable about the first axis and having an inside second surface extending generally normal to the first axis and disposed closely adjacent to the first surface, the second surface having a plurality of notches formed therein;
a plurality of keys received and retained in their respective recesses, the keys being movable between a notch-engaging, locked position in which torque transfer is permitted between the first and second members in a first direction about the first axis and a disengaged position in which the first and second members are permitted to free-wheel relative to each other in a second direction opposite the first direction;
a plurality of biasing members carried by the first member and urging their respective keys toward the second surface; and
a compliant retaining device to retain the first and second members together and absorb axial impact loads, the retaining device being less compliant in the locked position than in the disengaged position to decrease axial force at time of axial impact and improve shift feel andor noise reduction.
17. The assembly as claimed in claim 16 further comprising an annular groove formed in one of the members wherein the retaining device includes a deflectable annular ring received and retained in the annular groove.
18. The assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the annular ring includes a wave spring for biasing one of the members in the disengaged position to provide proper free-wheeling axial clearance between the inside surfaces.
19. The assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein the annular groove has a width sufficient to allow the wave spring to deflect within the groove under axial load.
20. The assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the annular ring includes a stepped weir plate having inside and outside diameters and wherein the weir plate absorbs axial impact loads by deflecting axially especially at its inside diameter.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A mounting system for a winch, said mounting system comprising:
a mounting plate having a first end and a second end,
a flex plate made from a flexible material,
said flex plate having a first end and a second end,
said second end of said flex plate is attached to said mounting plate, and
said first end of said flex plate is free of said mounting plate,
whereby said flex plate can flex with respect to said mounting plate,
a guide plate having a first end and a second end,
said second end of said guide plate being mounted to said first end of said mounting plate by a hinged connection,
whereby said guide plate can pivot with respect to said mounting plate,
a cable guide securely attached to said fast end of said guide plate, means for securely attaching said second end of said mounting plate to a fixed object, and
a cable drum mounted adjacent said support plate and said flex plate,
said cable drum resting on said first end of said flex plate.
2. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein said winch is electrically powered.
3. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein said means for attaching said second end of said mounting plate to said fixed object is a shackle.
4. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein said guide plate can pivot with respect to said mounting plate from an angle of approximately 90 degrees to an angle such that the desired orientation is achieved during operation, and
said angles being measured from a plane of said mounting plate relative to a plane of said guide plate.
5. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein said flex plate is made from high tension flexible steel.
6. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein said winch is attached to said mounting plate by means of a plurality of bolts.
7. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein said means for attaching said second end of said mounting plate to said mounting plate is a plurality of bolts.