Patent ID: 11919753
Assignee: ARCOSA MARINE PRODUCTS, INC.
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 0:
1. A winch apparatus, comprising:
a winch housing;
a winch drum rotationally coupled to the winch housing by a drive shaft;
a ratchet gear coupled to the drive shaft for rotating the winch drum;
a first moment arm coupled to the drive shaft and configured to provide leverage for rotating the drive shaft;
a pawl coupled to the drive shaft, wherein the pawl engages the ratchet gear via the first moment arm being rotated in a first direction and disengages the ratchet gear via the first moment arm being rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction; and
a counterweight coupled to the drive shaft, the counterweight positioned to rotate the first moment arm in the second direction to disengage the pawl from the ratchet gear and return the first moment arm to a rest position.