Patent ID: 6719507
Filing Date: 2004-04-13
Classification: B60P,B61D

Abstract:
A winch bar for winding a strap winch having a ratchet mechanism including a winding drum with a longitudinal opening therein and a ratchet wheel operatively connected thereto, the ratchet wheel having a plurality of teeth thereon, said winch bar comprising:an elongated bar member having a first end and an opposing second end; an insert member attached at said first end of said bar member, said insert member dimensioned to fit within the opening; a bar pawl having a first end and a second end, said first end of said bar pawl pivotally attached to said bar member such that said second end of said bar pawl abuts said insert member when said winch bar is in a closed position, said second end of said bar pawl configured to operatively engage at least one of the plurality of teeth on the ratchet wheel; a first spring connector attached to said bar member; and a spring disposed between said first spring connector and said bar pawl, said spring configured to bias said bar pawl toward said insert member when said winch bar is in said closed position or the plurality of teeth on the ratchet wheel when said insert member is engaged in the opening; wherein when said insert member is engaged in said opening and said bar pawl operatively engages said ratchet wheels said winch bar will wind said winding drum when said bar member is rotated in one direction and ratchet against said ratchet wheel when rotated in the opposite direction so as to allow winding of said winding drum while said winch bar remains engaged with said ratchet mechanism of said strap winch.