Patent Application
20200024112
This document relates generally to winch assemblies, and more specifically to winch assemblies having a cover.
Winch assemblies are commonly used to provide assistance in moving or loading cargo onto a trailer where the cargo is secured for transport. The transported cargo may include boats, automobiles, crates, and/or any heavy or cumbersome objects. Winches are typically mounted to a tongue of the trailer and utilize a strap, cable, or the like to pull the cargo onto the trailer. A handle is used to rotate a drum around which the strap is wound thus moving the cargo toward the winch and onto the trailer or away from the winch and off of the trailer.
Traditionally, winch assemblies utilize a primary gear that meshes with a secondary gear to turn the drum in response to movement of the handle. A pawl is also used to lock the gears in place. Traditionally, these and other components have been exposed both visually and to the elements. While some manufacturers have recently enclosed these core components within covers, the covers are difficult to remove in the event access to the core components is desired. Accordingly, a need exists for a cover that provides access to the core components of the winch assembly for maintenance or the like without the need to completely remove the cover. Even more, the cover should be able to be positioned over the winch either before or after the winch is mounted to the trailer.
In accordance with the purposes and benefits described herein, a winch assembly is provided. The winch assembly may be broadly described as including a base having first and second sides, a first shaft extending through the first and second sides and supporting a gear, and a second shaft extending through the first and second sides and supporting a ratchet gear. The ratchet gear meshes with the gear and a pawl supported by a third shaft extending through the first and second sides. A cover supported by the base includes an upper member movable between first and second positions.
In another possible embodiment, the winch assembly further includes a handle attached to the second shaft for rotating the second shaft.
In yet another possible embodiment, the cover includes first and second sides supporting the upper member.
In still another possible embodiment, the first side of the cover includes an arm extending toward and supported by the second side of the cover. In another, the arm includes a nib extending toward the second side and the second side includes a pocket for receiving the nib. In yet another, the second side of the cover includes a second arm extending toward the first side of the cover. In one additional embodiment, the arm includes a nib extending toward the second arm and the second arm includes a pocket for receiving the nib.
In another possible embodiment, the arm supports an insert for receiving a bolt extending through the second side of the cover for securing the first and second sides of the cover together.
In still yet another possible embodiment, the second side of the cover includes a second arm extending toward the first side of the cover and the arm includes a nib extending toward the second arm and the second arm includes a pocket for receiving the nib.
In one additional possible embodiment, the upper member of the cover includes at least one hook engaging the bolt.
In another possible embodiment, the upper member of the cover includes a pair of hooks for engaging a third shaft extending between first and second sides of the cover.
In yet another possible embodiment, the pawl includes a lever and further includes a cover for the lever. In this embodiment, the cover extends at least partially through an aperture formed in the upper member of the cover.
In one additional possible embodiment, a winch assembly including a base supporting a reel and a gear on a first shaft, a ratchet gear on a second shaft meshing with the gear for rotating the reel, a pawl for engaging the ratchet gear, and a handle attached to the second shaft, includes a cover having first and second sides and a top rotatable between first and second positions.
In another possible embodiment, the first side includes a first arm extending toward and engaging a second arm extending from the second side.
In still another possible embodiment, the first arm includes an aligner extending toward the second arm for engaging an aperture formed in the second arm.
In one other possible embodiment, the top includes at least one hook for engaging a third shaft extending between the first and second sides.
In yet another possible embodiment, the third shaft is supported by the first and second arms.
In still yet one other possible embodiment, the shaft is a bolt extending through the first side and a channel formed in the first arm and engaging a threaded insert supported by the second arm.
In another possible embodiment, the first side includes at least one retainer clip and the top includes at least one lug.
In still another possible embodiment, the second side includes at least one retainer clip and the top includes at least one additional lug.
In one more additional embodiment, a winch assembly includes a base having first and second sides, a first shaft supported by the base and supporting a gear and a reel, and a second shaft supported by the base and supporting a ratchet gear. The ratchet gear meshes with the gear and a pawl supported by a third shaft supported by the base, and a handle is attached to the second shaft for rotating the second shaft. The winch assembly further includes a cover having a top movable between first and second positions and first and second sides rotatably supporting the top.
In another possible embodiment, the first side includes a first arm extending toward and engaging a second arm extending from the second side along an end of the base.
In still another possible embodiment, the first arm includes a nib for engaging an aperture formed in the second arm.
In yet another possible embodiment, the top includes first and second hooks for engaging a fourth shaft extending between the first and second sides of the cover.
In one other possible embodiment, the fourth shaft is a bolt extending through a channel formed in the first arm into an insert supported by the second arm.
In still another possible embodiment, the first and second sides of the cover each include at least one retainer clip and the top includes corresponding lugs for engaging the at least one retainer clips.
In another possible embodiment, the top includes first and second hooks for engaging a fourth shaft extending between the first and second sides of the cover.
In still another possible embodiment, the first side includes a first arm having a nib extending toward and engaging an aperture in a second arm extending from the second side along an end of the base.
In yet still another possible embodiment, the winch assembly further includes a cover for the ratchet that extends at least partially through an aperture formed in the top of the cover in a closed position.
In the following description, there are shown and described several embodiments of winch assemblies. As it should be realized, the assemblies are capable of other, different embodiments and their several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the assemblies as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the winch assemblies and together with the description serve to explain certain principles thereof. In the drawing figures:
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the winch assembly, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures, wherein like numerals are used to represent like elements.
Reference is now made to
As shown in the partially exploded view of
As further shown, the base 12 supports a second shaft or axle 40 which similarly extends between and is supported by the first and second sides 26, 28 of the base 12. As best shown in
As is known in the art, a ratchet and pawl system 44 is utilized to control movement of the ratchet gear 42 and the drum gear 32 and numerous different types and configurations of ratchet and pawl systems may be utilized in accordance with the present invention. In the described embodiment, however, the ratchet and pawl system 44 is supported by a third shaft or axle 46 extending between the first and second sides 26, 28 of the base 12. As shown in
As emphasized in the partially exploded perspective view of
In order to provide the noted flexibility of the cover 16 with regard to attachment to the overall winch assembly 10 before or after the assembly has been mounted, the cover includes several features which position and support it in position relative the base 12. In addition, the cover 16 is only minimally secured to the base 12 when installed via extension of the second shaft 40 through the first side 18 where the handle assembly 14 is attached. Otherwise, the cover 16 may be fully removed with no effect on the underlying components of the winch assembly 10.
As shown in
The arms 54, 58 further align the sides 28, 20 relative the base 12 through contact with the first end 61. As best shown in
In a similar manner as shown in
In order to further provide the noted flexibility of the cover 16 and ensure proper positioning thereof relative the base 12, a nub 78 extends from a lower edge of the second side 20 as shown in
As best shown in
As the cover sides 18 and 20 are generally mirror images of one another, albeit with certain differences, cover side 18 similarly includes a plurality of ribs 92 as shown in
As noted above, the upper member or top 22 is pivotally connected to the first and second sides 18, 20 of the cover 16 which provides for movement between first and second positions. In order to provide the pivotal movement, the top 22 includes at least one hook. In the described embodiment, a pair of hooks 100, 102 are utilized. The pair of hooks 100, 102 engage and rotate around the bolt 62 utilized to secure the first and second sides 18, 20 as described above. The bolt 62 includes a shaft which in the described embodiment is not threaded except along the end portion that is received by insert 66. As shown in
In order to align the top 22 with the cover sides 18, 20 when transitioning from an open position to a closed position, the top 22 may include at least one alignment lug 104 extending from an inner surface 106 thereof. Corresponding pinch or retainer clips 108 aligned to receive the alignment lugs 104 as the top 22 transitions are formed in the cover sides 18, 20. In this manner, the top 22 is properly aligned during a final portion of the pivoting movement and secured in position when in the closed position.
In the described embodiment, four alignment lugs 104 are utilized which each extend from the inner surface 106 of the top 22. Each of the alignment lugs 104 are angled to allow them to be received in the corresponding pinch clips 108. As shown, the pinch clips 108 are integrally molded in the cover sides 18, 20 and are designed to deform when receiving their respective alignment lug 104 thereby slowing the pivoting motion during the final portion of the pivoting movement and securing the top 22 in the closed position. Of course, fewer or more alignment lugs and corresponding pinch clips may be utilized.
Once in the closed position, the top 22 may be more permanently secured to the cover sides 18, 20 utilizing one more bolts or other means. In the described embodiment, for example, each of the cover sides 18, 20 includes a flange 112, 114, respectively, through which a bolt 110 is inserted. Each bolt 110 is received in an insert 116 secured within a post 118 formed in the top 22 as shown in
It should further be noted that a cover or grip 120 is attached to the ratchet as best shown in
In summary, numerous benefits result from the winch assemblies illustrated in this document. The winch assemblies incorporate a unique cover that includes sides and a top. Whether the top is pivoted or rotated to an open or partially open position or is fully removed, each position accommodates installation of the assembly and provides access to the underlying components of the winch assembly for maintenance purposes or otherwise. Even more, the cover is capable of being put on the winch either before or after the winch is mounted.
The foregoing has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, each element of each cover side, for example, arms, nibs, nubs, flanges, ribs, and/or receiver clips and others, may be integrally molded. Similarly, each element of the top of the cover, for example, aligning lugs, hooks, ribs, and grooves may be integrally molded. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.
