Patent ID: 6572083
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: B66D

Abstract:
A manual winch comprising:a) a housing supporting a rotatable reel; b) a ratchet assembly coupled to the reel movable between an engaged and disengaged position, wherein the reel is rotatable only in one direction when the ratchet assembly is in the engaged position wherein the ratchet assembly includes a rotatable ratchet gear which is adapted to be engaged by a pivotable locking pawl; and c) a load releasing system for moving the ratchet assembly system to the disengaged position, wherein the load releasing system includes a movable base which secures the locking pawl to the housing, a linear actuator for moving the base relative to the ratchet gear and the housing, and a separate brake for holding the reel and ratchet gear in position under a load.