Patent ID: 6960053
Filing Date: 2005-11-01
Classification: B60P,B61D

Abstract:
1. A manually driven winch system for use to rotate a shaft that is rotationally mounted on a frame, that has an axis of rotation, and that is adapted for attachment to an elongated flexible member so that the elongated flexible member can be wrapped around the shaft by rotating the shaft about the axis of rotation, the winch system comprising: a drive system secured to the shaft to rotate the shaft about the axis of rotation, the drive system including (a) a series of ratchet teeth spaced around the axis, the drive system being connected to the shaft in such a manner that the series of ratchet teeth revolves around the axis as the shaft rotates and such that the series of ratchet teeth can move axially between a first location and a second location, and (b) a handle-engaging portion configured to transmit rotational force from a handle to the shaft to urge the shaft to rotate and configured to transmit axially directed force from the handle to cause the series of ratchet teeth to move from one of the locations to the other location; and a pawl that is mounted on the frame and that is positioned (a) to engage the series of ratchet teeth such that the shaft can rotate in only one direction when the series of ratchet teeth is in the first location and (b) such that the pawl does not engage the series of ratchet teeth so the shaft can rotate in both directions when the series of ratchet teeth is in the second location.