Winch assembly

• US 10,414,639 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2016
• Issued: 09/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dutton-Lainson Company
• Original Assignee: Dutton-Lainson Company
• Inventors: Downs, Joseph C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gallion, Michael E
• Application Number:
  US15/226,591
• Publication Number:
  US 20170036895A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,141 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 1/04 manually operated
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 1/06 Safety cranks for preventing unwanted crank rotation and subsequent lowering of the loads
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 1/28 Other constructional details

Abstract

A winch assembly includes a lower body having a base, first and second sides, first and second upper body sides, a spacer positioned between the first and the upper body second sides, a first shaft extending through the upper body sides, the first shaft supporting first and second gears, a winding bar supported and rotated by the first shaft and attached to a first end of a strap, a second shaft extending through the first and second upper body sides and supporting first and second ratchet gears, the first ratchet gear meshing with the first gear and the second ratchet gear meshing with the second gear, a pawl for engaging one of the first and second ratchet gears, and a handle attached to the second shaft for rotating the second shaft, wherein rotation of the second shaft imparts rotation of the first and second ratchet gears and the first and second gears.

Claims

1. A winch assembly, comprising:

a bracket having a base, and first and second sides;

first and second sides;

at least one spacer positioned between said first and second sides;

a first shaft extending through said first and second sides, said first shaft supporting first and second gears;

a winding bar supported by first and second transverse arms, said first and second arms extending from and rotated by said first shaft, said winding bar attached to a first end of a strap;

a second shaft extending through said first and second sides, said second shaft supporting first and second ratchet gears, said first ratchet gear meshing with said first gear and said second ratchet gear meshing with said second gear;

a pawl for engaging one of said first and second ratchet gears; and

a handle attached to said second shaft for rotating said second shaft,

wherein rotation of said second shaft imparts rotation of said first and second ratchet gears and said first and second gears.

2. The winch assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cover.

3. The winch assembly of claim 1, wherein said first side is attached to said bracket first side, and said second side is attached to said bracket second side.

4. The winch assembly of claim 3, wherein said pawl is configured to allow movement of said first and second ratchet gears in two directions.

5. The winch assembly of claim 1, further comprising a hook attached to a second end of said strap, and a protective covering for said strap.

6. The winch assembly of claim 5, wherein said strap is looped through a hole in said hook, and further comprising a fastener for securing said protective covering adjacent said hole.

7. The winch assembly of claim 1, wherein said first and second sides include interior and exterior surfaces.

8. The winch assembly of claim 7, wherein said first gear is positioned adjacent said exterior side of said first side, and said second gear is positioned adjacent said exterior side of said second side.

9. The winch assembly of claim 8, wherein said first side is attached to said bracket first side, and said second side is attached to said bracket second side.

10. The winch assembly of claim 9, wherein said pawl is configured to allow movement of said first and second ratchet gears in two directions.

11. The winch assembly of claim 8, further comprising a cover.

12. The winch assembly of claim 11, wherein said cover is attached to said first and second upper body sides.

13. The winch assembly of claim 12, wherein said first and second upper body sides and said first and second gear are positioned within said cover.

14. The winch assembly of claim 1, further comprising a first spacer positioned between said first and second winding bar arms and through which said first shaft extends.

15. The winch assembly of claim 14, further comprising a second spacer extending through said first side, and positioned between said first arm and said first gear, and a third spacer extending through said second side, and positioned between said second arm and said second gear.

16. The winch assembly of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of said first shaft extending through said first side and said first gear includes a flat side and a threaded side.

17. The winch assembly of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of said first shaft extending through said second side and said second gear includes a flat side and a threaded side.

18. The winch assembly of claim 15, further comprising a pair of bushings, a first bushing secured within said first side and a second bushing secured within said second side, wherein said second spacer extends through said first bushing and said third space extends through said second bushing.

19. The winch assembly of claim 18, wherein at least a portion of said first shaft extending through said first side and said first gear includes a flat side and a threaded side.

20. The winch assembly of claim 19, wherein at least a portion of said first shaft extending through said second side and said second gear includes a flat side and a threaded side.

21. The winch assembly of claim 1, wherein said handle is removable.

22. A winch assembly, comprising:

a bracket having a base, and first and second sides;

a first side attached to the first bracket side and a second side attached to the second bracket side;

at least one spacer positioned between the first and second sides;

a first shaft extending through the first and second sides, the first shaft supporting first and second gears;

a winding bar attached to a first end of a strap and rotated by the first shaft;

a second shaft extending through said first and second sides, the second shaft supporting first and second ratchet gears, the first ratchet gear meshing with the first gear and the second ratchet gear meshing with the second gear;

a pawl for engaging one of the first and second ratchet gears; and

a handle attached to the second shaft for rotating the second shaft,

wherein the first and second sides are inboard of the first and second gears.