Patent Publication Number: US-2023159310-A1

Title: Winch engagement apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to securing devices, more specifically but not by way of limitation, an apparatus that is configured to engage a winch on a flatbed trailer wherein the apparatus facilitates operation of the winch so as to secure a strap over a cargo load. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Millions of tractor trailers traverse the roads everyday carrying various types of cargo to their destination. There are different types of trailers that are utilized to transport the alternate types of cargo. Palletized loads, boxes and similar types of cargo are most often carried in conventional box trailers that are completely enclosed. Another type of frequently utilized trailer is a flatbed trailer. These types of trailers are utilized for materials that cannot be palletized such as but not limited to lumber and pipe. The flatbed trailer is configured to receive the load superposed on the upper surface and the load is subsequently secured thereto. 
     One issue with securing cargo to a flatbed trailer is the utilization of straps. Most flatbed trailers have deployed along the sides thereof nylon strap rolls and winches on the opposing side. The straps are configured to extend over the load and be operably coupled with the winch wherein the winch is utilized to tighten the strap across the load so as to secure the load in place. The conventional winches coupled to flatbed trailers have a shaft that extends outward from the mounting bracket. The portion of the shaft that extends beyond the mounting bracket has apertures journaled therethrough. These apertures are utilized to place a bar or similar device to rotate the shaft so as to facilitate the tightening of the strap across the load. One problem with operation of the winch with a bar is the increased time required as constant removal/re-insertion of the bar is required during the strap tightening process. Range of motion of the bar can be limited by structure of the trailer and further can cause injury during the strap tightening process. 
     It is intended within the scope of the present invention to provide a winch engagement apparatus that is configured to engage the shaft portion of the winch of a flatbed trailer wherein the present invention facilitates the operation thereof with reduced time and opposing rotational capabilities. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide a winch engagement apparatus that is configured to operably couple to a winch on a flatbed trailer wherein the present invention includes a housing manufactured from metal or similar durable material. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that is operable to facilitate the tightening of a strap through operational engagement of a winch wherein the housing of the present invention includes a hollow passage therethrough having an opening on opposing sides of the housing. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a winch engagement apparatus that is configured to operably couple to a winch on a flatbed trailer wherein the housing includes an engagement lever movably coupled therein. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that is operable to facilitate the tightening of a strap through operational engagement of a winch wherein the engagement lever is pivotally coupled to the housing and is shaped so as to self center in the apertures of the shaft of the winch. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a winch engagement apparatus that is configured to operably couple to a winch on a flatbed trailer wherein the engagement lever includes a distal end that is rounded in form. 
     Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that is operable to facilitate the tightening of a strap through operational engagement of a winch wherein the engagement lever includes an aperture penetrating portion that propagates into one of the apertures on the shaft of the winch. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a winch engagement apparatus that is configured to operably couple to a winch on a flatbed trailer wherein the present invention includes an arm member secured to the housing. 
     An alternate object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that is operable to facilitate the tightening of a strap through operational engagement of a winch wherein the arm member extends outward from the housing and is utilized to engage the present invention to provide rotational movement of the shaft of the winch. 
     Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a winch engagement apparatus that is configured to operably couple to a winch on a flatbed trailer wherein the housing of the present invention can be positioned to operably couple the shaft of a winch from a first side and a second side of the housing. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a cross sectional diagrammatic view of the first side of the housing; and 
         FIG.  2    is a cross sectional diagrammatic view of the second side of the housing; and 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  4    is a side view of the first side of the housing; and 
         FIG.  5    a top view of the first side and second side of the housing; and 
         FIG.  6    is a side view of the second side of the housing; and 
         FIG.  7    is a diagrammatic view of a portion of the handle and housing of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  8    is a diagrammatic view of a portion of the handle and housing of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  9    is a diagrammatic view of a portion of the handle and housing of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  10    perspective view of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     References now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a winch engagement apparatus  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
     An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. 
     It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic. 
     Now referring to the Figures submitted herewith, the winch engagement apparatus  100  is configured to operably engage a conventional strap winch. As is known in the art, conventional strap winches include a mounting bracket that is operable to secure the strap winch an underside of a trailer. Most strap winches include pinion gears, strap engagement rods and a shaft including a portion extending beyond a mounting bracket having apertures or other similar element that can be engaged to provide rotation of the shaft and as such tightening of a strap coupled thereto. The winch engagement apparatus  100  is configured to provide operation of the aforementioned conventional strap winch. 
     The winch engagement apparatus  100  includes a housing  10  that is manufactured from a durable rigid material such as but not limited to metal. The housing  10  includes a first side  11  and second side  12  having a passage  15  formed therethrough. The passage  15  has openings on the first side  11  and second side  12  so as to permit a shaft portion of a conventional winch to be operably inserted into the passage  15 . It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the housing  10  could be formed in alternate shapes and sizes as demonstrated herein with a housing  10  having a different shape. Fundamental to any shape, size or style of the housing  10  is the passage  15  therethrough that provides the ability for a shaft portion to be journaled thereinto. 
     The housing  10  has operably coupled thereto an arm member  20 . The arm member  20  is manufactured from a rigid material such as but not limited to metal. Arm member  20  extends outward from the housing  10  and is configured to be engaged by a user of the winch engagement apparatus  100  so as to provide leverage in order to rotationally move a shaft portion operably coupled with the passage  15 . It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the arm member  20  could be provided in alternate lengths in order to provide varying leverage. Furthermore, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the arm member  20  could be configured to be releasably secured to the housing  10  and that several alternate sized arm members  20  could be provided with the winch engagement apparatus  100 . The housing  10  is manufactured having the first side  11  and second side  12  wherein during the manufacturing process the first side  11  and second side  12  are welded together to complete the housing  10 . 
     Pivotally coupled within the housing  10  in a channel  98  are engagement levers  30 . The channel  98  is formed so as to movably accommodate the engagement levers  30  therein. The engagement levers  30  are pivotally coupled within the housing  10  with pins  35 , 36 . Depending upon the style of housing  10  pins  35 , 36  can be either internally or externally located on the housing  10 . The engagement levers  30  includes a body  31  that is manufactured from metal having an upper portion  32  and a lower portion  33 . The engagement levers  30  are movable so as to be positioned in order to operably couple into the holes present on the shaft portion of a conventional winch with which the winch engagement apparatus  100  is operably coupled. Pins  35 , 36  include external portion  38 , 39  that are configured to be engaged by a user in order to set the engagement levers  30  into position for operation and engagement of a winch. During operation of the winch engagement apparatus  100  the housing  10  is rotatably positioned on a shaft portion of a winch so as to facilitate the coupling of the engagement levers  30  with the shaft portion. Force is applied to the arm member  20  and the engagement levers  30  bias against a hole or other element on a shaft portion of a conventional winch and through coupling therewith a user can rotatably move a shaft on a winch so as to tighten a strap coupled with the winch. 
     The lower portion  33  is shaped so as to provide self-centering of the engagement levers  30 . External portions  38 , 39  of the pins  35 , 36  include keepers  45  wherein keepers  45  extend through the external portions  38 , 39  providing both securing of the pins  35 , 36  and also function as indicators of the position of the engagement levers  30  as to their position of off and on. Engagement levers  30  include a leading edge  47  having corner  48  formed to operably engage a hole on a portion of a shaft of a winch. 
     It should be further understood within the scope of the present invention that the engagement levers  30  could be formed from a flat metal bar having sufficient width to self-center into and aperture or a portion of round bar having the configurations described herein. It should be further understood within the scope of the present invention that the passage  15  having openings on both sides thereof provides the ability to orient the housing  10  in a desired position as either the first side  11  or second side  12  can be placed adjacent a winch so as to engage a shaft portion thereof. This allows for increased options to achieve the desired angle and as such leverage of the winch engagement apparatus  100  in order to accomplish the objective of tightening a strap operably coupled with a strap winch. 
     In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the invention.