Reel assembly

A reel assembly, for use in a capstan winch 10, comprises a reel 12, which is driven so that it rotates, and two generally annular floating flanges 20 which are mounted so as to be able to rotate with reel 12. The floating flanges 20 are supported so that the planes in which they rotate converge towards one another. The cylindrical surface of the reel 12 is provided with alternating lands (19, figure 3) and grooves (18, figure 3), and the floating flanges 20 have a generally annular surface which in use contacts a cable being wound onto the reel. These surfaces comprise alternating inclined faces 24,26 which correspond with the grooves (18, figure 3) and lands (19, figure 3) respectively. As shown the inclined faces 24,26 on each flange are angled so that the faces 26 are generally parallel to one another and the inclined faces 24 converge. Consequently, substantial lateral forces are exerted on a cable being wound onto the reel 12 only when the cable overlies the grooves 18 formed on the reel 12. Thus, frictional forces on the cable are minimised as is the likelihood of the cable twisting or being damaged. Preferably the inclined faces are formed by a plurality of smooth curved elements (60, Figure 6) detachably secured to the annular flanges and the lands and grooves are formed by a plurality of curved sections (50, Figure 4) detachably secured around the surface of the reel. A capstan winch having such a reel is also disclosed where the winch may be additionally provided with inlet and outlet guides (21, Figure 1) for guiding the cable between the flanges.