Variable speed winch

A winch comprising, in combination, a unidirectional drum rotatable in one sense of rotation only initially by the [clockwise motion] rotation of a handle in a [clockwise] first sense [only], and a gear selector comprising a control [plate] member rotatable with respect to said drum into [an extreme clockwise] a first position wherein a first gear ratio is selected[, whereby subsequent clockwise] in which rotation of said handle in said first sense gives the drum a [clockwise] rotational speed equal to that of the handle, and wherein subsequent [anti-clockwise] rotation of said handle in a second sense opposite to said first sense causes said drum to continue [clockwise] rotation [at] in said one sense via an intermediate [higher speed with reference to the handle, up to a point where said] gear ratio selected by this reversal of the sense of rotation of the handle to obtain rotation of the handle in said second sense, said rotation of the handle in the second sense enabling said control [plate is] member to be urged into [an extreme anti-clockwise] a second position with respect to said drum to select a second gear ratio for rotation of said handle in the first sense, whereupon after selection of said second gear ratio the reversal of the handle [and] with subsequent [clockwise] rotation thereof in said first sense causes continued [clockwise] rotation of said drum [at a still higher speed with reference to said handle] in said one sense via said second gear ratio and wherein a subsequent reversal of said handle [and subsequent] with further [anti-clockwise] rotation [thereof] in said second sense causes said drum to revert to rotation via said intermediate [higher speed] gear ratio whilst continuing to rotate [clockwise] in said one sense , said gear selector further comprises ratchet means [splined to a shaft rotatable by said handle,] whereby [clockwise motion] rotation of said handle [operates a gear train] in said first sense directly drives said drum in said first gear ratio , via said shaft but whereby [anti-clockwise motion] rotation of said handle [operates said gear train] in said second sense drives said drum in said [second] intermediate gear ratio via [said shaft] a gear train;

• said ratchet means being slidable [axially] with respect to said shaft under the influence of cam means responsive to [the relative angular displacement] rotation of said handle [with respect to said control plate] in said second sense ,
• said control [plate] member has [recesses] first entrainment means engageable by [respective spring loaded balls captively] second entrainment means supported by [said] ratchet means, [and said balls are] one of said first and second entrainment means is adapted to [enter and lock within said recesses] entrain the other of said first and second entrainment means in response to [an anti-clockwise] rotation of said handle in said second sense sufficient to cause [axial] sliding of said ratchet means[,] with respect to said shaft[,] under the influence of said cam means whereby said control [plate] member is urged [anti-clockwise until] towards said second position in which said gear train assumes said second gear ratio.