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Patent Searching and Data


Title:
WINCH MOUNTING METHOD AND MEMBER
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2004/067370
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
There is disclosed a method of mounting a winch to a deck of a boat, a boat deck including a winch mounting member, and a winch mounting member for mounting a winch to a boat deck. In embodiments of the invention, the method comprises the steps of forming an aperture in the deck (22), securing a winch mounting member (20) adjacent to the aperture below an upper surface (24) of the deck (22), and then locating a winch (10) on the upper surface (24) of the deck (22) with part of the winch (10) extending through the aperture, and coupling the winch (10) to the winch mounting member (20), as well as to a corresponding boat deck and winch mounting member.

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Inventors:
STOVE LAWRENCE JAMES (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/GB2004/000234
Publication Date:
August 12, 2004
Filing Date:
January 23, 2004
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
LEWMAR LTD (GB)
STOVE LAWRENCE JAMES (GB)
International Classes:
B63B3/70; B63B9/06; B63B21/16; B66D1/74; B63B5/02; (IPC1-7): B63B21/16
Foreign References:
DE20017769U12001-02-22
EP0112413A11984-07-04
GB416250A1934-09-13
US20020092454A12002-07-18
US4112645A1978-09-12
BE524824A
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Macdougall, Donald Carmichael (19 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow G1 3AE, GB)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS
1. A method of mounting a winch to a deck of a boat, the method comprising the steps of: forming an aperture in the deck; securing at least one winch mounting member adjacent to the aperture below an upper surface of the deck; and then locating the winch on the upper surface of the deck with part of the winch extending through the aperture; and coupling the winch to the winch mounting member.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, including forming the aperture prior to securing the winch mounting member below the upper surface of the deck.
3. A method as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, comprising passing the winch mounting member downwardly through the aperture.
4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising securing the winch mounting member to a lower surface of the deck.
5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising securing the winch mounting member between the upper surface of the deck and a lower surface of the deck.
6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising securing the winch mounting member using a fastener.
7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising securing the winch mounting member using an adhesive.
8. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising coupling the winch to the winch mounting member by coupling a mounting element to the winch and engaging the mounting element with a fixing on the winch mounting member.
9. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising coupling the winch to the winch mounting member by engaging a mounting element extending from the winch mounting member with a fixing on the winch.
10. A method as claimed in claim 9, comprising securing the winch mounting member below the upper surface of the deck so that the mounting element extends through the deck for coupling to the winch.
11. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising forming a fixing in the winch mounting member, for coupling the winch to the winch mounting member, following securing of the winch mounting member below the upper surface of the deck.
12. A method as claimed in claim 11, comprising forming at least one mounting hole in the winch mounting member, threading the mounting hole, and then coupling the winch to the winch mounting member using a threaded mounting element.
13. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising securing the winch mounting member spaced laterally from the aperture in a direction along a plane of the deck.
14. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising securing the winch mounting member in a location around a periphery of the aperture.
15. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising locating the winch mounting member between the upper surface and a lower surface of the deck during manufacture of the deck.
16. A method as claimed in claim 15, comprising locating the winch mounting member between two adjacent layers of the deck, which layers form at least part of the deck.
17. A method as claimed in claim 15, comprising removing part of the deck to define a space for receiving the winch mounting member, and locating the winch mounting member in the space.
18. A method as claimed in claim 17, comprising removing part of the lower surface of the deck to form a recess, and locating the winch mounting member in the recess.
19. A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18, comprising securing an annular winch mounted member between the upper and lower deck surfaces and then cutting the aperture through a centre of the winch mounting member.
20. A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18, comprising securing a winch mounting plate between the upper and lower deck surfaces and then removing part of the plate when forming the aperture.
21. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising securing a plurality of winch mounting members below the upper surface of the deck.
22. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising securing a plurality of curved winch mounting members below the upper surface of the deck, which members together define a generally annular ring.
23. A method of mounting a winch to a deck of a boat, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least one winch mounting member between an upper surface and a lower surface of the deck; forming an aperture in the deck adjacent to the winch mounting member; and then locating the winch on the upper surface of the deck with part of the winch extending through the aperture; and coupling the winch to the winch mounting member.
24. A method as claimed in claim 23, further comprising forming a fixing in the winch mounting member for coupling the winch to the winch mounting member.
25. A method as claimed in claim 24, comprising forming the fixing subsequent to provision of the winch mounting member between the upper and lower surfaces of the deck.
26. A method as claimed in either of claims 24 or 25, comprising forming a threaded mounting aperture in the winch mounting member for securing the winch to the winch mounting member using a mounting element.
27. A boat deck comprising: a winch mounting aperture; and at least one winch mounting member secured below an upper surface of the deck adjacent to the aperture, the winch mounting member adapted to be subsequently coupled to a winch to mount the winch to the deck.
28. A boat deck as claimed in claim 27, wherein the winch mounting member is secured in a location spaced laterally from the aperture in a direction along a plane of the deck.
29. A boat deck as claimed in either of claims 27 or 28, wherein the winch mounting member is secured in a location around a periphery of the aperture.
30. A boat deck as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 29, comprising a plurality of winch mounting members secured below the upper surface of the deck.
31. A boat deck as claimed in claim 30, wherein each winch mounting member is generally curved and the winch mounting members together define a generally annular ring.
32. A boat deck as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 29, wherein the winch mounting member is a generally annular ring which is elastically deformable for passing downwardly through the winch mounting aperture, to facilitate securing the winch mounting member below the upper surface of the deck.
33. A boat deck as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 29, wherein the winch mounting member is a circular plate.
34. A boat deck as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 33, comprising at least one fastener securing the winch mounting member below the upper surface of the deck.
35. A boat deck as claimed in claim 34, wherein the fastener is selected from the group comprising a bolt, a screw and a rivet.
36. A boat deck as claimed in claim 34, wherein the fastener is adapted to grip an upper surface of the deck and the winch mounting member.
37. A boat deck as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 35, wherein the winch mounting member is secured using an adhesive.
38. A boat deck as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 37, wherein the winch mounting member is secured to a lower surface of the deck.
39. A boat deck as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 37, wherein the winch mounting member is secured between the upper surface and a lower surface of the deck.
40. A boat deck as claimed in claim 39, wherein the boat deck is of a composite material comprising a number of layers and the winch mounting member is located between two adjacent layers.
41. A boat deck as claimed in claim 39, wherein the boat deck is of a composite material comprising a number of layers and wherein the winch mounting member is located in a space formed between upper and lower surfaces of the deck.
42. A boat deck as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 37, wherein the winch mounting member is mounted in a recess in a lower surface of the deck.
43. A boat deck as claimed in any one of claims 39 to 42, wherein the winch mounting member is annular and the aperture is adapted to be cut through a centre of the winch mounting member following securing below the upper surface of the deck.
44. A boat deck as claimed in any one of claims 39 to 42, wherein the winch mounting member is a plate and at least part of the plate is adapted to be removed when forming the aperture.
45. A boat deck as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 44, wherein the winch mounting member includes at least one fixing for coupling the winch mounting member to the winch.
46. A boat deck as claimed in claim 45, wherein the fixing is a threaded bore for coupling the winch mounting member to the winch by a mounting element.
47. A boat deck as claimed in claim 46, wherein the winch mounting member includes a boss defining the threaded bore.
48. A boat deck as claimed in claim 45, wherein the fixing is a bolt extending from the winch mounting member for alignment with a bore in the winch and for coupling to the winch by a nut.
49. A boat deck as claimed in claim 45, wherein the fixing is adapted to be formed subsequent to securing the winch mounting member below the upper surface of the deck.
50. A boat deck as claimed in claim 49, wherein the mounting aperture is threaded for coupling the winch to the winch mounting member using a bolt.
51. A winch mounting member for mounting a winch to a deck of a boat, the winch mounting member adapted to be secured below an upper surface of the deck adjacent to a winch mounting aperture, and to be subsequently coupled to a winch.
52. A boat deck comprising: a winch mounting aperture; and at least one winch mounting member secured below an upper surface of the deck adjacent to the aperture, the winch mounting member including at least one fixing for subsequently coupling a winch to the winch mounting member to mount the winch to the deck.
53. A boat deck comprising: a winch mounting aperture; and at least one winch mounting member provided between an upper surface and a lower surface of the deck adjacent to the aperture, for subsequently coupling a winch to the winch mounting member to mount the winch to the deck.
54. A winch mounting member for mounting a winch to a deck of a boat, the winch mounting member adapted to be secured below an upper surface of the deck adjacent to a winch mounting aperture, and the winch mounting member including at least one fixing for subsequently coupling a winch to the winch mounting member.
55. A method of mounting a winch to a deck of a boat, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least one winch mounting member between an upper surface and a lower surface of the deck; locating the winch on the upper surface of the deck; and then coupling the winch to the winch mounting member.
56. A method of mounting a winch to a deck of a boat utilising one or more fasteners, the method comprising the steps of: passing the fasteners through apertures in the deck from above, the fasteners adapted to engage a lower surface or portion of the deck.
57. A method as claimed in claim 56, comprising reconfiguring or expanding the fasteners to engage the lower surface or portion of the deck.
58. A boat deck comprising: a winch coupled to the boat deck by one or more fasteners, the fasteners adapted to be passed through apertures in the deck from above to engage a lower surface or portion of the deck.
59. A fastener for coupling a winch to the deck of a boat, the fastener adapted to be passed through an aperture in the deck from above and to engage a lower surface or portion of the deck.
60. A boat incorporating a boat deck as claimed in any one of claims 27 to50,52, 53 or 58.
Description:
WINCH MOUNTING METHOD AND MEMBER The present invention relates to a winch mounting method and member. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a method of mounting a winch to a deck of a boat and to a winch mounting member for mounting a winch to a deck of a boat, as well as to a boat deck and a boat incorporating the winch mounting member.

Yachts, pleasure cruisers and other water-going vessels typically include one or more winches for paying- out and reeling-in ropes and chains. For example, winches are used for the ropes coupled to sails on a yacht; capstans are used for mooring ropes; and a windlass is used for both chain and rope, for example, for anchor chain and mooring ropes. Capstans and windlasses are generally referred to as being types of winch.

Winches are typically electrically powered and operated, including a motor for rotating a drum to pay- out or reel-in the rope or chain, and are usually mounted to the deck of the boat. This requires a portion of the winch, typically the components which require to be isolated from water, to be located below the surface of the deck. For example, the electric motor and control apparatus is located below deck whilst the drum forms part of a"deck unit"located above deck.

When installing a winch on a boat deck, it is necessary to cut an aperture in the deck and to drill holes in the deck for mounting bolts which extend through the deck to securely clamp the winch to the deck.

Conventionally, winches have been installed according to one of two methods. The first of these is to provide a

winch housing with built-in fixed bolts. The winch deck unit is located with the bolts extending through the holes in the deck and securing nuts are fixed onto the bolts below deck. Secondly, the winch housing may include threaded bores for mating with bolts extending from below deck.

In both cases, it is necessary to provide access for a workman below deck either to secure nuts to the bolts extending from the winch housing, or to locate bolts extending upwardly from below deck and to couple the bolts to the winch.

Yachts, pleasure cruisers and the like typically include accommodation areas below deck and inner false walls are mounted inwardly of the outer hull of the boat.

As winches are typically located adjacent the edge of the deck, for functional reasons, this requires a relatively large gap to be provided between the outer hull and the inner false wall for access by workmen. This causes a restriction in the size of the accommodation below deck and is a particular problem in relation to luxury yachts and pleasure cruisers, which are often sold on the basis of the size of the accommodation area.

It is amongst the objects of embodiments of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the disadvantages associated with existing methods for mounting winches.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of mounting a winch to a deck of a boat, the method comprising the steps of: forming an aperture in the deck; securing at least one winch mounting member adjacent to the aperture below an upper surface of the deck; and then

locating the winch on the upper surface of the deck with part of the winch extending through the aperture; and coupling the winch to the winch mounting member.

The method allows a winch to be mounted to a boat deck from above, without the requirement to gain access below deck to secure the winch. Accordingly, it is not necessary to define a space below deck between the outer hull and inner walls of the boat to gain access to the winch, thus avoiding the reduction in space below deck found when mounting a winch to a boat deck in a conventional fashion.

It will be understood that the term"boat"is used not only to refer to yachts, pleasure cruisers and the like, but also generally to any watergoing vessel.

Similarly, it will be understood that the term"deck"is used in relation not only to the substantially horizontal upper surface of a boat, but to any plinth, or deck portion or indeed to any surface or surface portion on which a winch may be mounted. For example, the winch may be mounted on a vertical surface or a surface angled from the horizontal.

Preferably, the winch mounting member is passed downwardly through the aperture and positioned in a mounting location below the upper surface of the deck.

Accordingly, the aperture is preferably formed prior to securing the winch mounting member. The winch mounting member may be secured to a lower surface of the deck.

Alternatively, the winch mounting member may be secured between the upper surface of the deck and a lower surface of the deck. It will be understood that the term "securing"refers to the fixing, mounting or providing of the winch mounting member adjacent to the aperture below the upper surface of the deck.

The winch mounting member may be secured below the upper surface of the deck using a bolt, screw, rivet, clip or the like, or using an adhesive, adhesive tape, hook and loop fasteners or the like. Preferably, the bolt or the like is located extending through the deck from the upper surface or is coupled to or mounted on the upper surface of the deck.

The winch may be coupled to the winch mounting member by a mounting such as a bolt extending from the winch and engaging a fixing on the winch mounting member, such as a threaded bore, or vice-versa.

Alternatively, the method may comprise forming a fixing in or on the winch mounting member following securing of the winch mounting member below the upper surface of the deck. For example, the method may comprise drilling at least one mounting aperture in the winch mounting member following securing below the upper surface of the deck and subsequently threading the mounting aperture for coupling the winch to the winch mounting member using a bolt.

In a further alternative, the method may comprise providing the winch mounting member with at least one fixing extending from the winch mounting member through the deck for coupling to the winch. For example, the winch mounting member may be provided with at least one bolt extending through the deck and the winch may be coupled to the winch mounting member using a suitable nut.

The method may comprise securing a plurality of winch mounting members below the upper surface of the deck. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises securing two curved plates below the upper surface of the deck, which plates together define a generally annular member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a boat deck comprising: a winch mounting aperture; and at least one winch mounting member secured below an upper surface of the deck adjacent to the aperture, the winch mounting member adapted to be subsequently coupled to a winch to mount the winch to the deck.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a boat deck comprising: a winch mounting aperture; and at least one winch mounting member secured below an upper surface of the deck adjacent to the aperture, the winch mounting member including at least one fixing for subsequently coupling a winch to the winch mounting member to mount the winch to the deck.

Preferably, the boat deck comprises a plurality of winch mounting members secured below the upper surface of the deck. This allows the winch mounting members to be sized to easily pass downwardly through the winch mounting aperture for securing below the upper surface of the deck. Each winch mounting member may be generally curved and the winch mounting members may together define a generally annular ring. Thus, two or more curved winch mounting members may together define the generally annular ring. Alternatively, the winch mounting member may comprise a generally annular ring which may be elastically deformable for passing downwardly through the winch mounting aperture for securing the winch mounting member below the upper surface of the deck. In a further alternative, the winch mounting member may comprise a small plate which may be of any suitable shape in plan, for example, square, rectangular, oval or circular.

The winch mounting member may be secured below the upper surface of the deck by a bolt, screw, rivet, clip,

lip, flange or the like, or by adhesive, adhesive tape, hook and loop fasteners, or the like. Where the mounting comprises a clip, lip or flange, the clip or the like may be adapted to grip or rest on an upper surface of the deck. For example, the clip may comprise a generally L- shaped clip extending from the winch mounting member through the aperture, part of the clip engaging or abutting on the upper surface of the deck.

Preferably, the winch mounting member is secured to a lower surface of the deck. Alternatively, the winch mounting member may be secured between the upper surface and a lower surface of the deck or may be mounted in a recess or cut-away portion in a lower surface of the deck.

The winch mounting member preferably includes at least one fixing for coupling the winch mounting member to the winch. Preferably also, the fixing is provided on the winch mounting member prior to securing the winch mounting member below the upper surface of the deck. The fixing may comprise a threaded bore for coupling the winch mounting member to the winch by a suitable mounting such as a bolt. The winch mounting member may include a boss or may be generally thickened in the region of the threaded bore, to provide additional strength and to allow a high coupling force to be exerted.

Alternatively, the fixing may comprise a bolt extending from the winch mounting member for alignment with a bore on or in the winch and for coupling to the winch by, for example, a nut. In a further alternative, the fixing may be formed on or in the winch mounting member subsequent to securing of the winch mounting member below the upper surface of the deck. For example, a mounting aperture may be formed in the winch mounting member following securing below the upper surface of the deck, and the

mounting aperture may be threaded for subsequently coupling the winch to the winch mounting member using a bolt.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a winch mounting member for mounting a winch to a deck of a boat, the winch mounting member adapted to be secured below an upper surface of the deck adjacent to a winch mounting aperture, and, to be subsequently coupled to a winch.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a winch mounting member for mounting a winch to a deck of a boat, the winch mounting member adapted to be secured below an upper surface of the deck adjacent to a winch mounting aperture, and the winch mounting member including at least one fixing for subsequently coupling a winch to the winch mounting member.

Further features of the winch mounting member are defined above.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of mounting a winch to a deck of a boat, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least one winch mounting member between an upper surface and a lower surface of the deck; forming an aperture in the deck adjacent to the winch mounting member; and then locating the winch on the upper surface of the deck with part of the winch extending through the aperture ; and coupling the winch to the winch mounting member.

The winch mounting member may be located between the upper and lower surfaces of deck during manufacture of the deck. The winch mounting member may therefore be sandwiched between the upper and lower surfaces of the

deck. For example, where the deck is of a composite material such as glass reinforced plastic (GRP) comprising a number of layers or sheets of glass fibre material, the winch mounting member may be located between two adjacent glass fibre layers. Alternatively, areas of a number of layers may be cut away, shaped or formed during construction of the deck to define a recess or space in which the winch mounting member is located.

Preferably, the aperture is formed subsequent to providing the winch mounting member between the upper and lower surfaces of the deck. Thus, the aperture may be formed following completion of the deck incorporating the winch mounting member.

Alternatively, the method may further comprise removing a portion of the deck and locating the winch mounting member in the deck between the upper and lower surfaces. For example, the method may comprise forming a recess or cutting away part of the deck, such as part of the lower surface of the deck, and locating the winch mounting member in the deck such that the winch mounting member is provided between the upper and lower surfaces of the deck.

The method may further comprise forming a fixing in the winch mounting member. Preferably, the fixing is formed subsequent to provision of the winch mounting member between the upper and lower surfaces of the deck.

The method may comprise forming a mounting aperture in the winch mounting member for securing the winch to the winch mounting member using a mounting such as a bolt.

The mounting aperture may be threaded.

Further features of steps of the method common with the method of the first aspect of the present invention are defined above.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a boat deck comprising: a winch mounting aperture ; and at least one winch mounting member provided between an upper surface and a lower surface of the deck adjacent to the aperture, for subsequently coupling a winch to the winch mounting member to mount the winch to the deck.

Preferably, the boat deck is of a composite material, such as GRP and the winch mounting member is located between two adjacent glass fibre layers.

Alternatively, the winch mounting member may be located in a recess or cut-away portion of the boat deck, which may be formed between upper and lower surfaces of the deck, or in part of the lower surface of the boat deck.

The winch mounting member may include a fixing for coupling the winch to the winch mounting member.

Preferably, the fixing is formed in the winch mounting member subsequent to location of the winch mounting member between the upper and lower surfaces of the deck.

Alternatively, the fixing may be provided in the winch mounting member prior to location between the upper and lower surfaces of the deck.

The fixing may comprise a mounting aperture which may be threaded for receiving a bolt for coupling the winch to the winch mounting member. Alternatively, the mounting may comprise a bolt or the like extending from the winch mounting member for coupling to the winch using a nut or the like.

Further features of the boat deck common with the boat deck of the second and third aspects of the present invention are defined above.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a winch mounting member for mounting a winch to a deck of a boat, the winch mounting

member adapted to be located between an upper surface and a lower surface of the deck and to be coupled to a winch for mounting the winch to the deck.

Further features of the winch mounting member are defined above.

In further aspects of the present invention, there is provided a boat incorporating a boat deck as defined above.

In still further aspects of the present invention a winch is mounted to a deck of a boat utilising one or more fasteners which may be passed through apertures in the deck from above, and which fasteners are adapted to engage a lower surface or portion of the deck.

These aspects of the invention allow a winch to be installed without requiring operator access below the deck, and also do not require provision of a winch mounting member in the form or a disc or plate below the upper deck surface.

The fasteners may be adapted to reconfigure or expand to engage a lower surface or portion of the deck.

The fasteners may take any appropriate form, including fixing plugs, toggles, butterfly nuts, and self-tapping screws. It is believed that such fasteners would not serve to mount a winch as securely as could be achieved using the other embodiments of the invention, although the security achieved may be adequate for many applications.

In a yet further aspects of the present invention, there is provided a method as claimed in claim 55 and a boat as claimed in claim 60.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a winch;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of winch mounting members in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention ; Figs. 3-8 are perspective views illustrating steps in a method of mounting the winch of Fig. 1 to a deck of a boat using the winch mounting member of Fig. 2, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention ; and Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a winch mounting member in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, provided between an upper and a lower surface of the boat deck, for mounting a winch to the boat deck according to an alternative method.

Referring firstly to Fig. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a winch 10 which includes a deck unit 12 and a motor unit 14. The deck unit includes a winch base plate 16, for mounting the winch 10 to a boat deck and a drive shaft 18 on which a winch drum (not shown) is subsequently mounted. It will be understood that the winch 10 may be capstan or windlass.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of two winch mounting members 20 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Each of the winch mounting members 20 are curved and generally C-shaped, and include fixings in the form of three threaded bosses 34 and a retaining screw hole 36. The bosses 34 each receive bolts 48 for coupling the winch 10 to the deck, as will be described below. The bosses extend above and below the winch mounting members 20 and allow a strong connection with the winch 10. The winch mounting members 20 are adapted to be secured below an upper surface of a boat deck adjacent to a winch mounting aperture, and to be subsequently coupled to the winch 10.

Turning now to Figs. 3-8, there are shown perspective views illustrating steps in a method of mounting the winch 10 to a deck 22 of a boat using the winch mounting members 20. The method generally comprises the steps of forming an aperture in the deck 22 ; securing at least one winch mounting member 22 adjacent to the aperture below an upper surface 24 of the deck 22 ; and then locating the winch 10 on the upper surface 24 of the deck 22 with part of the winch 10 extending through the aperture ; and coupling the winch 10 to the winch mounting member 20.

In more detail, Fig. 3 illustrates the step of forming an aperture in the deck for receiving. the winch 10, as well as mounting holes 30 for receiving the bolts 48. A template 26 is first placed on the deck upper surface 24 and secured using adhesive tape 28. The template 26 marks the location where the aperture in the deck 22 should be drilled, as well as the mounting holes 30 for the bolts 48. The mounting holes 30 are drilled first, as shown in Fig. 3 and the aperture 32 for receiving the winch 10 is then cut, as shown in Fig. 4.

The template 26 is then removed and a first one of the winch mounting members 20 is passed downwardly through the aperture 32. The bosses 34 are aligned with and located in the underside of the mounting holes 30, ensuring that the retaining screw hole 36 in the mounting member 22 aligns with one of two small holes 38 previously formed in the deck 22. The mounting member 20 is secured in place in abutment with a lower surface 42 of the deck using a retaining screw 40. The second winch mounting member 20 is then passed down through the aperture 32 as shown in Fig. 5, and is located in a similar fashion. The two winch mounting members 20 thus

together define a generally annular plate adjacent the aperture 32.

Motor power supply wires 44, installed during construction of the boat, are then pulled upwardly through the aperture 32 and are connected to the winch motor unit 14, as shown in Fig. 6. The motor unit 14 is then lowered through the aperture 32 to bring the base plate 16 towards the deck upper surface 24, ensuring that bolt holes 46 in the base plate 16 are aligned with the mounting holes 30. It will be noted that the bolt holes 46 are generally hexagonal ; this allows the winch 10 to be mounted in a conventional fashion, if required, by locating hex head bolts or nuts in the bolt holes 46.

Round headed bolts 48 are then located in the bolt holes 46 extending through the mounting holes 30 to engage the threaded bosses 34 of the winch mounting members 20, as shown in Fig. 7. The bolts 48 are tightened and the winch 10 is then securely mounted to the deck 22 of the boat, as shown in Fig. 8. The winch drum (not shown) is then coupled to the drive shaft 18 and the winch is ready for use.

It will be understood that the entire procedure to mount the winch 10 to the boat deck 22 is conducted from above, that is from the upper surface 24 of the deck, without the requirement to gain access below deck, in contrast to conventional methods.

Turning now to Fig. 9, there is shown a cross- sectional view of a winch mounting member 122 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, provided between upper and lower surfaces 124, 142 of a boat deck 122, for mounting a winch (not shown) to the boat deck 122 according to an alternative method.

The winch mounting member 120 comprises a generally annular ring or disc and is located within the deck 122

between the upper and lower surfaces 124,142 during manufacture of the deck. It will be understood that where the deck comprises, for example, glass reinforced plastic (GRP), the winch mounting member 120 is typically located between adjacent layers of glass fibre forming the deck, or part of a number of layers is cut-away or shaped to define a recess or space for the winch mounting member.

A winch such as the winch 10 is then mounted to the deck 122 in the fashion described above in relation to the mounting members 20, save that mounting holes for receiving bolts for coupling the winch to the mounting member 120 are drilled in the deck 122 extending through the mounting member 120. The bores formed in the mounting member 120 are then threaded for receiving mounting bolts. Thus, it will be understood that the fixings for coupling the winch to the mounting member 120 are formed subsequent to location of the mounting member between the deck upper and lower surfaces 124,142. In addition, it will be understood that the aperture 132 for receiving the winch 10 is formed subsequent to location of the winch mounting member 120 in the deck 122.

Various modifications may be made to the foregoing within the scope of the present invention.

For example, more than two winch mounting members may be secured below the upper surface of the deck, for example, three or more, which may together define a generally annular ring or disc in the fashion of the winch mounting members 20 of Fig. 2. Alternatively, the winch mounting members may be of any suitable shape, for example, square, rectangular or circular. For example, the winch mounting member may include a boss, similar to the bosses 34 of the winch mounting members 20, the boss carrying a flange forming an abutment surface for

abutting the lower surface of the deck and for receiving a retaining screw.

The winch mounting members 20 may be provided without fixings and suitable fixings may be formed subsequent to securing the mounting member below the upper surface of the deck, for example, by forming bores in the mounting member and then threading the bores, in a similar fashion to the winch mounting member 120.

The winch mounting member 120 may alternatively be located in a recess or cut-away portion formed in the lower surface of the deck and may include suitable fixings, similar to the fixings on the winch mounting member 20. The member may take any appropriate form, and may be square or rectangular and of similar form and dimensions to a plinth on which a winch is to be mounted.

The member 120 may be continuous or may be define a central aperture. The member 120 may be located prior to forming the aperture in the deck; on forming the aperture, part of the member may be removed and may be cut away. In a further alternative, the winch may be mounted without cutting an aperture in the boat deck; thus a winch may be mounted which does not require through deck mounting. This may be achieved by locating a winch mounting member such as the member 120 (or a circular plate or the like) in the deck, typically during deck manufacture, and then subsequently coupling the winch to the member.

In further alternatives, the winch may be mounted to a deck of a boat utilising one or more fasteners which may be passed through apertures in the deck from above, and which fasteners are adapted to engage a lower surface or portion of the deck. This may allow a winch to be installed without requiring operator access below the deck, and also may not require provision of a winch

mounting member in the form or a disc or plate below the upper deck surface. The fasteners may be adapted to reconfigure or expand to engage a lower surface or portion of the deck. The fasteners may take any appropriate form, including fixing plugs, toggles, butterfly nuts, and self-tapping screws. It is believed that such fasteners would not serve to mount a winch as securely as could be achieved using the other embodiments of the invention, although the security achieved may be adequate for many applications.