Patent ID: 6431525
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: B66D,Y10T

Abstract:
A winch mechanism for engagement with a pinion gear, the pinion gear being rotatable in a forward direction and a reverse direction, the winch mechanism comprising:a frame having a pair of sidewalls including at least one aperture disposed in one sidewall, the at least one aperture being proximate to an axle opening in one of the sidewalls; a ratchet including a ratchet arm and a ratchet plug, the ratchet arm enables repositioning of a pawl, the ratchet plug enables engagement of the ratchet with the frame; and the pawl having at least two teeth, the first tooth being in dÃ©tente engagement with the pinion gear enabling a forward rotation of the pinion gear while blocking reverse rotation of the pinion gear, the second tooth being in dÃ©tente engagement with the pinion gear enabling a reverse rotation of the pinion gear while blocking forward rotation of the pinion gear, each position of the ratchet and pawl position relative to the pinion gear being secured by dÃ©tente engagement between the ratchet plug and one aperture of the at least one aperture.