Patent ID: 8328480

Claim:
A winch for a cargo restraining strap, said winch comprising: an aluminum frame including: (i) a base; (ii) first and second spaced-apart sidewalls extending from said base; (iii) a protective wall extending from said base and spaced from said first sidewall, wherein said first sidewall and said protective wall cooperate to define a channel; a pawl comprising a portion located in said channel between said first sidewall and said protective wall, said portion of said pawl located in said channel pivotally connected to both said first sidewall and said protective wall by a fastener that extends between said first sidewall and said protective wall and through said portion of said pawl that is located in said channel; a spool adapted to hold an associated cargo restraining strap, said spool extending between and rotatably supported relative to said first and second sidewalls; and, a ratchet wheel connected to said spool and selectively engaged by said pawl when said pawl is located in a first position, wherein said pawl is disengaged from said ratchet wheel when said pawl is located in a second position.