Line tensioner

A winch comprising:

• a winch drum with at least one groove through which a line is passed;
• and
• a line tensioner assembly comprising:
• a stationary cam surface;
• and
• a plurality of line tensioners rotating with the winch drum, each having a line gripping portion and a cam follower, wherein the line gripping portion is brought into and out of contact with the line as the cam follower rides along at least a portion of the cam surface;
• wherein the cam surface is adjacent to the winch drum along a C-shaped portion of the cam surface and slopes away from the winch drum along a remaining portion of the cam surface, wherein the C-shaped portion pushes the cam follower such that the line gripping portion contacts the line, and the remaining portion brings the cam follower back such that the line gripping portion is out of contact with the line.

A device for moving an object comprising:

• a drive cylinder with at least three drive grooves rotating in parallel planes that are perpendicular to a long axis of the drive cylinder;
• a shaft parallel to the drive cylinder upon which at least two idler pulleys rotate;
• wherein the idler pulleys rotate in planes parallel to each other, which planes are at an angle to the parallel planes of the drive grooves, such that, as a line passes around a first drive groove, onto a first idler pulley, and around the first idler pulley, the line, as it comes off the first idler pulley, is aligned with a second drive groove;
• and wherein as the line comes around the second drive groove, onto a second idler pulley, and around the second idler pulley, the line, as it comes off the second idler pulley, is aligned with a third drive groove;
• wherein the line is attached at a first end to an object and a second end is under tension;
• wherein, as the drive cylinder is rotated the object is moved;
• a line tensioner assembly that provides the tension to the second end comprising:
• a stationary cam surface;
• and
• a plurality of line tensioners rotating with the drive cylinder, each having a line gripping portion and a cam follower, wherein the line gripping portion is brought into and out of contact with the line as the cam follower rides along at least a portion of the cam surface, the line gripping portion pressing the line, providing tension, when the line gripping portion is in contact with the line.