GB2038268A

GB2038268A - Webbing winding and storage device

Info

Publication number: GB2038268A
Application number: GB7943036A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-12-20
Filing date: 1979-12-13
Publication date: 1980-07-23

Abstract

The invention relates to a winch device comprising a support member (2) having two brackets (4), a bar (14) rotatably mounted at each end portion thereof in one of the two brackets, a ratchet wheel (16) fixedly mounted at one end region of said bar adjacent a first one of said brackets, a pawl (10) pivotally mounted on said first bracket successively to engage teeth of the ratchet wheel, webbing (22), one end of which being secured to an intermediate region of the bar so as to facilitate winding of the webbing about the bar as the pawl successively engages said teeth, a fixed stop member (12) to limit pivotal movement of the pawl in one direction and a removable stop member (24) to limit pivotal movement of the pawl in a second, opposite, direction. Conveniently, storage means are also provided to store a length of webbing which is excess to requirements. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Webbing storage device The invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to winching devices, particularly winching devices for use on transport vehicles or mobile apparatus such as haulage trailers, wagons and the like.

Where a load is to be secured in place with respect to a load-carrying surface it is customary to use ropes straps or webbing to span the load as necessary and to secure the ends of the loadencircling means so as to minimise the possibility of accidental loosening.

It is desirable to use securing devices which both assist in the tightening of the load-spanning means and in the securing of ends thereof in a reliable manner.

The invention therefore provides, in or for use in a load-carrying vehicle or other similar mobile apparatus, a winch device comprising a support member having two brackets, a bar rotatably mounted at each end portion thereof in one of the two brackets, a ratchet wheel fixedly mounted at one end region of said bar adjacent a first one of said brackets, a pawl pivotally mounted on said first bracket successively to engage teeth of the ratchet wheel, load-encircling means in the form of webbing or strapping, one end of said load-encircling means being secured to an intermediate region of the bar so as to facilitate winding of the means about the bar as the pawl successively engages said teeth, a fixed stop membey to limit pivotal movement of the pawl in one direction and a removable stop member to limit pivotal movement of the pawl in a second, opposite, direction.

Conveniently, the removable stop member is in the form of a rod insertable in an aperture in the first bracket, which aperture lies adjacent the pawl when it is in a rest position against the fixed stop member, and is situated on the opposite side of the pawl with respect to the fixed stop member. Thus insertion of the rod traps the pawl between the fixed stop and the rod.

Advantageously, means are also provided to prevent accidental removal of the removable stop member.

Advantageously, a further bar may be rotatably mounted to span the distance between the two brackets, retaining means being provided on the bar to securing a free end of the load-encircling webbing or strapping, means provided to wind onto said further bar a length of webbing or strapping excess to requirements and also locking means to maintain the excess length in a stored condition.

Conveniently there may be provided on the further bar an engagement means capable of engaging a chain provided on a tommy bar of the main device.

It will be understood that the load-carrying vehicles or apparatus may include road haulage vehicles, rail transporters, trailers, platform wagons, lorries and the like. The winch device may be secured in place on the vehicle on the underside of the load-carrying surface, platform or the like, or in any other suitable location.

There will now be described two examples of devices according to the invention. It wi!l be understood that the description, which is intended to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a support member of a first device.

Figure 2 is an end view of the device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a fragmentary side view of the device of Figure 1; and Figures 4a and 4b show a support member of a second device and a storage bar therefor, respectively.

Figures 1-3 show a support member 2 having two bracket portions 4 each having a first circular aperture 6. A second, smaller, circular aperture 8 is provided in each bracket portion below the aperture 6.

On the left-hand bracket portion 4, as viewed in Figure 1, is a pivotally mounted pawl 10, springbiassed towards a fixed stop member 12. Received between the bracket portions 4 and passing through apertures 6 is a winch bar 14 having a ratchet wheel 16 secured to the left hand end thereof. The pawl 10 engages the teeth 18 of the wheel.

A longitudinal slot 20 is provided through the bar 14 in which may be received an end portion of a length of webbing 22, the opposite end portion being secured to the vehicle load-carrying platform (not shown).

A tommy bar 24 is provided, one purpose of which is to facilitate rotation of the bar 14 by insertion in holes 26 for turning the bar 14 and so winding the webbing 22 therearound. The tommy bar is attached to the second bracket 4 by a chain 28, and a hook 30 is provided on that bracket 4 for purposes to be explained below.

In use, the end of the webbing 22 is secured about the bar 14 and the webbing is tensioned by inserting the tommy bar in the holes 26 and turning the bar 14 in the direction shown by the arrow A in Figure 2.

The pawl 10 thus successively engages the teeth 18 until the webbing is fully tensioned. The stop member 12 prevents the pawl moving away from contact with the adjacent tooth 18, but it is possible for movement of the load or other jerking movement momentarily to change the tension in the webbing which could result in the pawl being freed from the ratchet. To prevent this, therefore, the tommy bar 14 fulfils its second purpose by being inserted in the small apertures 8 so that an end portion 32 projects alongside the pawl 10 to act as a removable stop member and effectively trap the pawl in position.

The tommy bar is secured against accidental removal by placing an appropriate link of the chain 28 on the hook 30, to render longitudinal movement of the bar 24 practically impossible.

In Figure 4a, those parts which are also shown in Figures 1-3 are similarly numbered. The brackets 4 are each provided with an extension piece 34, the pieces having aligned apertures 36, through which pass a second rotatable bar 38 (Figure 4b). A hook 40 on the bar engages an aperture 37 in a free end 39 of a length of the webbing 22 excess to requirements. A pair of washers 41 retain the bar in the apertures 36 and a handle 42 permits rotation of the bar 38 to wind up the excess webbing into a stored condition.

A spring-loaded safety device is provided on the bracket 36, comprising a rod 43 mounted between lugs 44 and spring-biassed to the right as viewed in Figure 4a so as to enter an appropriate pair of diametrically opposed apertures 45 in the bar 38 to prevent accidental unwinding of the excess webbing.

If difficulty is experience in releasing the pawl after use, a small projection may be provided on the pawl to aid in lifting it out of engagement.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the following

Claims

claims. CLAIMS

1. A winch device, in or for use in a load-carrying vehicle or other similar mobile apparatus, comprising a support member having two brackets, a bar rotatably mounted at each end portion thereof in one of the two brackets, a ratchet wheel fixedly mounted at one end region of said bar adjacent a first one of said brackets, a pawl pivotally mounted on said first bracket successively to engage teeth of the ratchet wheel, load-encircling means in the form of webbing or strapping, one of said load-encircling means being secured to an intermediate region of the bar so as to facilitate winding of the means about the bar as the pawl successively engages said teeth, a fixed stop member to limit pivotal movement of the pawl in one direction and a removable stop member to limit pivotal movement of the pawl in a second, opposite, direction.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the removable stop member is a rod insertable in an aperture in the first bracket, which aperture lies adjacent the pawl when it is in a rest position against the fixed stop, said aperture being situated on the opposite side of the pawl with respect to the fixed stop member.

3. A device as claimed in either one of claims 1 and 2, wherein means are provided to prevent accidental removal of the removable stop member, said means comprising a securing chain.

4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein storage means are provided for an excess length of webbing or strapping, said means comprising a further bar, said bar being rotatably mounted to span the distance between the two brackets, retaining means being provided on the bar to securing a free end of the load-encircling webbing or strapping, means provided to wind onto said further bar a length of webbing or strapping excess to requirements and also locking means to maintain the excess length in a stored condition.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 insofar as it is dependent on claim 3, wherein there is provided spring-loaded safety means to prevent accidental unwinding of said excess length of webbing or strapping, said means comprising a rod capable of passing through apertures in said further bar.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the removable stop member is a tommy bar, which may also be used as means for rotating the bar each end portion of which is mounted in the brackets.

7. Awinch device for use in a load-carrying vehicle or other similar mobile apparatus, constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.