The present invention relates to a winch assembly.
The invention has primarily developed for use in tensioning a load retaining strap for restraining freight of load on vehicles including rigid-bodied trucks, semi-trailers, flat-deck trailers, drop-deck trailers, car carriers and logging trailers and will be described with reference to these applications. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to these applications.
The use of winches in applying tension to load retaining straps in the transport industry is well known. Known winches include a winch shaft mounted for rotation in a bracket that can be attached to, for example, a semi-trailer. Cylindrical extensions coupled to respective ends of the winch shaft are provided on either side of the bracket. The extensions include a radial aperture through which a drive bar or pole may be inserted to rotate the extension and thus the winch shaft.
The rotational axis of the winch shaft is generally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the trailer and the cylindrical extension and the bar rotate about that axis. In recent times, it has become necessary to mount additional components to the trailers, for example mud guards. These components greatly restrict access to the cylindrical extension at certain locations along the length of the trailer and can make rotation by the bar or pole difficult impossible.
AU 200066493 provides a winch assembly intended for use in confined or restricted spaces. Whilst the winch assembly ameliorates some of the deficiencies, high strap tension may cause binding and excessive wear to the system. Over time this may lead to gear slippage.
It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate this deficiency.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a winch assembly including:
a winch shaft rotatably mounted within a bracket and adapted for rotation about a first axis;
a substantially right-angled drive transferring mechanism having a drive input coupled to a manual tool engagement device and drive output coupled to the winch shaft, the tool engagement device adapted for rotation about a second axis extending substantially radially from the first axis, wherein manual rotation of the tool engagement device causes rotation of the winch shaft; and
an anti-twist bar attached to the bracket to reduce twist during rotation of the winch shaft.
Preferably, the bracket is adapted to be slidably received within complimentary mounting formations on a vehicle or vehicle trailer.
Preferably, the bracket is adapted to be attached directly to a vehicle or vehicle trailer. In another form, the bracket is attached directly to the vehicle a vehicle trailer, for example by welding.
Preferably, the drive transferring mechanism includes a housing that contains a relatively small gear coupled to the tool engagement device that meshes with a relatively large gear coupled to the winch shaft.
Still preferably, the housing includes a projection configured for engagement with a grease gun for injecting grease within the housing.
Preferably, the drive transferring mechanism includes one or more bearings to reduce friction during rotation of the winch shaft.
Preferably, the one or more bearings includes bushing disposed on the winch shaft.
Preferably, the one or more bearings includes at least one bushing disposed on the drive input.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides a bi-fold handle for use with the winch assembly of any one of the preceding claims, the handle including:
a first portion having a first axis, the first portion configured to engage the drive transferring mechanism;
a second portion having a second axis generally perpendicular to the first axis; and
a third portion pivotably attached at one end to the second portion, wherein
the second portion includes a locking means configured to lock the third portion coaxial to the second portion.
Preferably, the locking means includes a locking sleeve and biasing means configured to urge the locking sleeve in engagement with the second portion.
Preferably, the first portion and the second portion are one piece.
The third portion may include a rotatable sleeve, or a non-sleeved straight bar handle.
Preferably, the bracket is configured to be attached directly to a vehicle or vehicle trailer. In another form, the bracket is attached directly to the vehicle a vehicle trailer, for example by welding.
The drive transferring mechanism is preferably contained in a housing. In one form, the housing is fixed relative to the mounting bracket. In another form, the housing is rotatable about the first axis relative to the bracket.
The housing is desirably positioned adjacent one end of the winch shaft and a cylindrical extension with a radial aperture therethrough is desirably positioned adjacent the other end of the winch shaft.
The drive transferring apparatus preferably includes a relatively small gear coupled to the tool engagement device that meshes with a relatively large gear coupled to the winch shaft. The gears are preferably helical bevel gears.
The winch shaft preferably includes means for engaging a load retaining strap, most preferably in the form of a slot.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Referring to
A right-angled drive transferring mechanism, indicated generally by the reference numeral 20, is mounted external to the bracket 18 adjacent one end of the shaft 12. The mechanism 20 includes a housing 22 that contains a relatively small input drive gear 24 positioned in meshing engagement with a relatively large output drive gear 26. The input drive gear 24 is non-rotatably mounted on an input shaft 28. A tool engagement device, in the form of a nut 32, is also non-rotatably mounted on the shaft 28 external house 22. The nut 32, shaft 28 and gear 24 are adapted for rotation about axis 33 which extends radially from the axis 14.
In this embodiment, the housing 22 is adapted to rotate about the axis 14 relative to the bracket 18 for convenient positioning of the drive nut 32 by the operator. However, in other embodiments (not shown), the position of the housing 22 may be fixed relative to the housing 18.
The output gear 26 is non-rotatably mounted directly to one end of the shaft 12. A cylindrical extension 34 with a radial aperture therein is non-rotatably mounted to the shaft 12 adjacent the other end of the shaft 12. A toothed locking wheel 38 is non-rotatably mounted to the extension 34 for engagement with a ratchet locking member 40. Engaging the locking member 40 with the gear 38 locks the shaft 12 at a predetermined position as is well known in the art.
A straight bar 35 may be used in conjunction with the cylindrical extension 34 for winding/tightening of the strap (not shown). A small handle 37 with a rotating sleeve 39 is attached to the straight bar 35 for ease of winding the strap before tightening.
A projection 58 in the form of a grease nipple is configured for engagement with a grease gun for injecting grease within the housing 22. The grease nipple 58 allows for addition of lubricant without opening the housing 22 thus facilitating ease of service.
As shown in
The primary advantage of the invention is that it can be mounted within confined spaces as only access to the nut in the direction of its rotational axis is required. The self-locking bi-fold handle enables easy access in low ground clearance during tightening of the strap, such as operating the winch in a double drop-deck trailer configuration. Additionally, the anti-twist bar reduces twisting and distortions to the bracket when operating, allowing further tension to be obtained when operating. Finally, the bearings and bushings prevent the drive shaft from binding when endeavoring to obtain high strap tension, which can result in excessive wear to the gear box housing and the drive shaft, and over time, cause gear slippage.
Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2018902483 | Jul 2018 | AU | national |
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Number | Date | Country |
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200066493 | Apr 2001 | AU |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20200010308 A1 | Jan 2020 | US |