Patent ID: 6652205
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: B60P,B60R,B61D

Abstract:
A reversible, portable winch for attachment to a load-bearing structure which comprises:(a) a winch shaft for rotation; (b) a take-up reel for winding and unwinding a flexible securing strap, said take-up reel being connected to said shaft and affixed thereto for rotation therewith; (c) a flexible securing strap connected to said take-up reel at a first end thereof; (d) a single pawl operationally connected to said teeth in a first position or second position for engaging and disengaging thereof, (e) a plurality of bi-directional pawl-engaging teeth located about said shaft and affixed thereto so as to prevent and permit rotation of said take-up reel and said shaft by being engaged and disengaged with said pawi, said bi-directional teeth being adapted so as to permit rotation of said take-up reel in counterclockwise direct ion and to prevent rotation of said take-up reel in a clockwise direction when said pawl is in said first position, and being adapted so as to permit rotation of said take-up reel in a clockwise direction and to prevent rotation of said take-up reel in a counterclockwise direction when said pawl is in said second position; (f) winding means connected to one of said shaft and said take-up reel for winding said shaft and said take-up reel; (g) support means for supporting said shaft and said pawl said, support means having an orifice with said winch shaft rotatably located at least partially within said orifice, said support means including attachment means for attaching said support means to load-bearing structure; and (h) a securing means for temporarily securing said shaft and pawl to said support means so as to permit rotation of said shaft in a first location in said support means and removal of said shaft and pawl from said support means and reinsertment thereof in a second location on an opposite side of said support means, so as to permit rotation of said shaft in said second location.