Tool for rewinding winch belts

• US 7,410,336 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2006
• Issued: 08/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard Parks
• Original Assignee: Richard Parks
• Inventors: Parks, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): GORDON, STEPHEN T
• Application Number:
  US11/372,004
• Publication Number:
  US 20070212186A1
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 410/12, 410/96, 410/100, 410/103, 410/156, 173/13, 173/49, 242/390, 242/532, 242/129.3, 254/266, 279143-145, 814/36, 814/39, 814/61, 811/778.5, 81/35, 814/40, 81/73
• US Class Current: 410/156
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/0846 winding up or storing of straps
• CPC Class Codes: B61D 45/00 Means or devices for securing or supporting the cargo, including protection against shocks for vehicles in general B60P7/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 279/3412 Drive conversion

Abstract

The tool for rewinding winch belts has a C-shaped member having a pair of parallel arms, a transverse portion joining the arms, and a shaft extending from the transverse portion away from the arms along a rotational axis thereof. Each arm has a boss protruding therefrom, with both bosses protruding toward each other along a working axis. One of the bosses has an inclined end defining a straight side facing a working direction and an inclined surface facing a releasing direction. In another aspect, a clevis and a pin extending through a diameter of the shaft define an articulation axis of the tool, extending at right angle from the working axis and the rotational axis. The articulation of the pin and the articulation of the bosses in the holes through the socket of a winch jointly define an universal joint along the tool'"'"'s rotational axis.

Claims

1. A tool for rewinding winch belts, comprising;

a rotational axis and a working axis extending at right angle from said rotational axis, a working direction about said rotational axis, and a releasing direction opposite said working direction;

a C-shaped member having first and second parallel arms, a transverse portion joining said arms, and a shaft extending from said transverse portion away from said arms along said rotational axis;

each of said arms having a boss protruding therefrom, said bosses protruding toward each other along said working axis;

one of said bosses having an inclined end defining a straight side facing said working direction and an inclined surface facing said releasing direction.

2. The tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the other of said bosses has a square end and two straight sides facing said working direction and said releasing direction respectively.

3. The tool as claimed in claim 1, further having a clevis on said transverse portion, and a pin extending through said clevis and through a diameter of said shaft;

said pin defining an articulation axis extending at a right angle from said working axis and said rotational axis.

4. The tool as claimed in claim 1, further including a polygonal-shaped portion on an end of said shaft.

5. The tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transverse portion has two holes there through for reducing a stiffness of said C-shaped member.

6. The tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein said C-shaped member is made of a flat bar of spring steel.

7. The tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said bosses has a cylindrical shape.

8. A tool for rewinding winch belts, comprising;

a rotational axis and a working axis extending at right angle from said rotational axis, a working direction about said rotational axis, and a releasing direction opposite said working direction;

a C-shaped member having first and second parallel arms, a transverse portion joining said arms, and a shaft extending from said transverse portion away from said arms along said rotational axis;

each of said arms having a boss protruding therefrom, said bosses protruding toward each other along said working axis;

a clevis on said transverse portion, and a pin extending through said clevis and through a diameter of said shaft;

said pin defining an articulation axis extending at a right angle from said working axis and said rotational axis; and

one of said bosses having an inclined end defining a straight side facing said working direction and an inclined surface facing said releasing direction.

9. The tool as claimed in claim 8, further including a polygonal-shaped portion on an end of said shaft.

10. A tool for rewinding winch belts, comprising;

a rotational axis and a working axis extending at right angle from said rotational axis, a working direction about said rotational axis, and a releasing direction opposite said working direction;

a C-shaped member made of flat bar of spring steel and having first and second parallel arms, a transverse portion joining said arms, and a shaft extending from said transverse portion away from said arms along said rotational axis;

each of said arms having a boss protruding therefrom, said bosses protruding toward each other along said working axis; and

a clevis on said transverse portion, and a pin extending through said clevis and through a diameter of said shaft;

said pin defining an articulation axis extending at a right angle from said working axis and said rotational axis.