Crawl space winch system

A crawl space winch system including a base plate; a winch box carried by said base plate; a winch mechanism disposed in said winch box and having a cable extending out of an opening in a front side of said winch box for attaching to an item; a winch drive shaft extending through a sidewall of said winch box and being operatively associated with said winch mechanism for retracting said cable; and, a primary anchor opening disposed in a generally central portion of said base plate for receiving a portion of a primary anchor to secure said base plate to the ground, and wherein said primary anchor provides a pivot point around which said base plate rotates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a winch system, and more particularly, to a winch system to be use in tight confined spaces such as a building crawl space.

2) Description of Related Art

Crawl spaces and basements can often be difficult to work in, sometimes offering less than two feet of clearance. Typically, materials being used in crawl spaces and basements will be sand, dirt, stone, mechanical equipment, bricks, concrete blocks, concrete mix, water heaters, HVAC equipment, etc. These areas have very few options to get these heavy materials to the work areas, and the confined spaces make the task even more difficult. Usually, the materials are simply moved by hand, which takes extra time and effort to accomplish the work. In some case, the materials can be dragged by hand in small carts to the work area. As such, considerable time and effort is spent just getting the materials to the work area in the crawl space or basement.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a winch system for use in confined areas like crawl spaces and basement to assist in transporting materials to a work area.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portable winch system that can be easily installed in a confined space and able to pull heavy loads of material to a work area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above objectives are accomplished according to the present invention by providing a crawl space winch system comprising a base plate; a winch box carried by said base plate; a winch mechanism disposed in said winch box and having a cable extending out of an opening in a front side of said winch box for attaching to an item; a winch drive shaft extending through a sidewall of said winch box and being operatively associated with said winch mechanism for retracting said cable; and, a primary anchor opening disposed in a generally central portion of said base plate for receiving a portion of a primary anchor to secure said base plate to the ground, and wherein said primary anchor provides a pivot point around which said base plate rotates.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the base plate includes upturned edge portions extending along a perimeter on each side that facilitate sliding of the base plate on the ground and resist digging into the ground.

In a further advantageous embodiment, said winch drive shaft is adapted to engage a portable electric hand tool for rotating said drive shaft.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a support bracket is mounted on said base plate adjacent said winch box and laterally spaced from said winch drive shaft for receiving said portable electric hand tool.

In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one storage slot is disposed in said winch box for carrying accessory items.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a lid is pivotally carried on a top side of said winch box for enclosing said winch box.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a shield is pivotally carried by said lid and operable between a deployed position extending upwardly from said lid, and a retracted position laying horizontally on top of said lid.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a knee pad is disposed on a top side of said base plate.

In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one drain hole opening is dispose in said winch box.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a handle opening is disposed in said base plate to assist in carrying and moving said base plate.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a series of secondary anchor openings are disposed adjacent a perimeter edge of said base plate for receiving a secondary anchor to secure said base plate to the ground.

In a further advantageous embodiment, said secondary anchor comprises a stake.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a second primary anchor opening is disposed along a rear perimeter edge of said base plate.

In a further advantageous embodiment, said primary anchor openings each define a different shaped keyway for receiving a portion of a primary anchor.

In a further advantageous embodiment, said primary anchor comprise a screw anchor.

In a further advantageous embodiment, said primary anchor opening is aligned in a linear arrangement with said winch mechanism in said winch box.

In a further advantageous embodiment, said base plate includes a recessed portion along one side of said base plate in which a width of said base plate is narrowed such that a front perimeter edge is longer than a rear perimeter edge.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that one or more aspects of this invention can meet certain objectives, while one or more other aspects can meet certain other objectives. Each objective may not apply equally, in all its respects, to every aspect of this invention. As such, the preceding objects can be viewed in the alternative with respect to any one aspect of this invention. These and other objects and features of the invention will become more fully apparent when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying figures and examples. However, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are of a preferred embodiment and not restrictive of the invention or other alternate embodiments of the invention. In particular, while the invention is described herein with reference to a number of specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that the description is illustrative of the invention and is not constructed as limiting of the invention. Various modifications and applications may occur to those who are skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention, as described by the appended claims. Likewise, other objects, features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from this summary and certain embodiments described below, and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such objects, features, benefits and advantages will be apparent from the above in conjunction with the accompanying examples, figures and all reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom, alone or with consideration of the references incorporated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawings, the invention will now be described in more detail. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter belongs. Although any methods, devices, and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the presently disclosed subject matter, representative methods, devices, and materials are herein described.

The present invention helps with moving heavy loads in tight, confined areas such as in crawl spaces and basements, which can sometimes have less than two feet of clearance. This invention is used to tow a sled or the like with a heavy load through the confined space. The crawl space winch system of the present invention can be easily installed in a confined space and is capable of pulling several thousand pounds of material when anchored to the ground.

Referring toFIGS.1,5and10, the crawl space winch system of the present invention comprises a base plate10. In preferred embodiments, base plate10will be around about 24 inches wide to around about 30 inches long. However, the size dimensions will vary depending on areas of use and intended load to be pulled. As shown in the illustrated embodiments, base plate10includes rounded upturned edges12around the perimeter of base plate10to facilitate sliding and resist digging into the ground. Base plate10is illustrated in a generally rectangular format, but may be other shapes, such as circular, and is not limited to just the illustrated disclosure. As shown in the embodiment ofFIG.10, base plate10includes a recessed portion, designated generally as11, along one side in which a width of base plate10is narrowed such that a front perimeter edge12ais longer than a rear perimeter edge12b. This allows the shorter end to be inserted into an opening first and then the base plate rotated to fit the larger side through the opening to facilitate ingress and egress from a crawl space.

Referring toFIGS.1,3,5,6,7and10, a winch box14is mounted toward a front end of base plate10. Winch box14contains a winch mechanism16and a storage slot or slots18for tools and anchors for securing base plate10to the ground. In the illustrated embodiment, the winch mechanism16is contained in one section of the winch box14apart from the storage slots18. In one embodiment, the winch mechanism16is a basic manual, hand or screw winch that is preferably driven by a portable electric hand tool20, such as a drill or other battery powered device capable of rotating a winch drive shaft22.

Referring toFIGS.1,3,6,7and10in the illustrated embodiments, the winch mechanism16includes a spool24for carrying a strap/rope/cable27. The cable extends out of the winch box through a cable opening26for attaching the cable to an item for winching. The cable will typically attach to a sled to pull material to a work area. This system is intended to tow a sled, bin, or like hauling device that preferably has a low profile, usually around eight inches high.

Referring toFIGS.1,3,6,7and10in the illustrated embodiments, winch mechanism16further includes a large spool gear28attached to the spool24. A smaller drive gear30is attached to the winch drive shaft22and engages the large spool gear28inside the winch box14to turn the spool24to retract the cable. As best shown inFIG.1, winch drive shaft22extending through a sidewall of winch box16and is thus operatively associated with the winch mechanism16for retracting the cable when rotated by the portable electric hand tool20, other electric motor, or even a manual hand crank, to turn the winch mechanism16. In the illustrated embodiment, a pivotally mounted catch pawl32is included adjacent the small drive gear30to prevent unwanted reverse movement of the spool gear28that could cause the cable to extend off the spool24. The catch pawl engage the gear teeth of the drive gear30when extending the cable out to prevent rotation unless it is manually depressed to prevent engagement and allow the spool to release and extend out the cable. Preferably, a support bracket21is mounted on base plate10adjacent winch box14and laterally spaced from winch drive shaft22for receiving the portable electric hand tool20. In the illustrated embodiment, support bracket21is a generally C-shaped bracket that received a portion of the housing for the portable electric hand tool20to help hold the tool in place when operating winch mechanism16.

Referring toFIGS.5,6, and7, a lid34is preferably included on winch box14to enclose the winch box and help keep out debris. A separate shield36is pivotally mounted to the lid34, which can be raised during winching to help protect the user. As best shown inFIGS.6and7, shield36is operable between a deployed position extending upwardly from34lid, and a retracted position laying generally horizontally on top of lid34. As safety is an issue in these confined spaces, when winching materials, the shield can be flip up to help protect the user who is kneeling on base plate10.

The invention is used in very wet, dirty, and muddy environments so the winch box may need to be hosed off or otherwise cleaned for maintenance. To do this, each compartment of the winch box include drain holes38(best shown inFIG.3) on at least one sidewall of the compartment, but preferably not in the bottom. If holes are in the bottom of winch box14and extend through base plate10, they will pick up debris while transporting the unit to a work location.

The base plate10includes two large primary anchor openings for receiving primary anchors, which in the illustrated embodiment comprise screw anchors. Referring toFIGS.1,5, and10the first primary anchor opening42is disposed in a generally central portion of base plate10. A second primary anchor opening44is disposed along a rear perimeter edge portion of base plate10. In the illustrated embodiment, first and second primary anchor openings42and44each define a different shaped keyway for receiving a portion of a primary anchor48for securing base plate10to the ground. In the illustrated embodiment, primary anchors48are screw anchors and preferably auger-style screw anchors as shown in the illustrated embodiments. However, other types of screw and spiral ground anchors may also be used. Depending on the load, a single primary anchor48may be inserted through just one of primary anchor openings42and44. This allows base plate10to rotate around the single primary anchor to accommodate changes in direction when winching items or setting up the position of base plate10. Once positioned, the second primary anchor can be added as necessary to secure base plate10to the ground to resist pivoting of the base plate if desired. Additional secondary anchors described herein below may further be utilized in combination with the primary anchors48to secure the base plate10in position on the ground as desired.

Referring toFIGS.1and10, preferably, the primary and secondary anchor opening42,44are aligned in a linear arrangement with winch mechanism16in winch box14, as shown by dotted line41. This arrangement avoids unwanted pivoting and torque on base plate10when winching items in a straight line.

Referring toFIGS.5,8, and9, first primary anchor opening42has a complementary shape to receive a portion of blade46from the screw anchor48. A notch50is defined in first primary anchor opening42that receives shaft52of screw anchor48as blade46is rotated and proceeds through first primary anchor opening42. An end cap54on screw anchor48engages a top side of base plate10to apply pressure to base plate10to secure it to the ground as screw anchor48extends into the ground. In the illustrated embodiments, notch50of first primary anchor opening42is aligned in a linear arrangement with winch mechanism16as shown by dotted line41.

Referring toFIGS.4and5, in the illustrated embodiment, second primary anchor opening44has a generally G-shaped channel in the rear perimeter edge of base plate10. As screw anchor48is extended into the ground, base plate10is positioned to receive the shaft52of screw anchor48. Tab portion56of the G-shaped channel helps to hold shaft52in position in notch51and resist backing out from the G-shaped channel.

Referring toFIGS.1,2and5, base plate10includes a series of secondary anchor openings40. In the illustrated embodiment, the secondary anchor openings comprise circular anchor stake opening40that are located along a perimeter edge portion of base plate10for receiving a secondary anchor, which in one example embodiment, comprised an anchor stake43(FIG.5) to secure the base plate10to the ground. These smaller opening are preferably located toward the rear corners of base plate10and are intended for smaller anchor bolts, such as a stake, that can range in length and thickness and can have threads, serrations or not. These secondary anchors can be used in combination with the primary anchors to secure the base plate, and can be used separately from the primary anchors when anchoring the base plate10to the ground when pulling lighter loads.

Referring toFIG.5, in a preferred embodiment, a rubber or like knee pad58is disposed across portions of baes plate10for the user to rest on during use.

Referring toFIGS.1,5and10, in the illustrated embodiment, a handle opening60is dispose in base plate10to assist in carrying and moving the base plate10.

In a preferred embodiment, the inside surface of winch box14is insulated with a rubber coating product to help insulate noise during operation of winch mechanism16.