Sealed silent winch

Claim 1

A deck winch comprising: a base for mounting on a deck; an upstanding shaft mounted on said base; a drum including an outer surface for holding working lines and an inner coaxial surface; bearing means engaging said shaft and inner coaxial surface of said drum for mounting said drum for rotation about said shaft; a first sprag clutch encircling said shaft and in one-way braking engagement with said shaft in drum; a separate cap for said winch overlying said drum and including a closed end socket recess for insertion of a handle to drive said winch; said cap including a tubular sleeve portion encircling said upstanding shaft and in rotational engagement therewith; a second sprag clutch engaging the outer surface of said tubular sleeve portion of said cap and an inner surface of said drum whereby said cap and drum are engaged for one-way driving of said drum by said cap; said first and second sprag clutches oriented for braking in opposite directions whereby said cap applies driving force from said cap to said drum when said cap is driven one direction and said drum is braked from rotation in the opposite direction wherein said upstanding shaft includes two step portions and a retaining groove in each step portion; a thrust bearing ring secured to each the first and second step portion of said upstanding shaft; one of said thrust bearings engaging said tubular sleeve portion of said cap; and the second of said thrust bearings engaging said drum.