US3315617A - Retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus - Google Patents

Description

, April 25, 19 67 P. D. SCHWIEBERT ETAL RETRACTABLE WINCH-TYPE LADING TIE-DOWN APPARATUS Filed May 19; 1965 mtg s.

United States Patent 3,315,617 RETRACTABLE WINCH-TYPE LADING TIE-DOWN APPARATUS Phillip D. Schwiebert, Glencoe, and Joseph Kuchar, Chicago, 11]., assignors to MacLean-Fogg Lock Nut Co., Mundelein, 111., a corporation of Delaware Filed May 19, 1965, Ser. No. 456,912 15 Claims. (Cl. 105369) This invention relates to retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus, and more particularly to such apparatus which extends the prior concepts of flush deck winch and channel anchor systems to include more versatile and effective multidirectional chain and steel strapping anchoring methods.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an anchor device movable linearly to a selected position along a railway flat car or the like, which anchor device is retractable to flush relationship with the floor of the car and embodies a winch on the top thereof which is adapted to swivel through a full circular are for smooth nonbinding load securement in any direction from the selected position of the anchor device.

Another object of this invention is to provide an anchor device which is movable to selected positions along a railway car or the like and incorporates a winch adapted to swivel in a horizontal plane for chain-type load securement, and which swivela-ble Winch also embodies a lading strap anchor for added versatility in load anchoring ability.

This invention has for another object the provision of swivelable Winch-type tie-down apparatus in which an anchor device is slidable longitudinally along a channeltype retaining structure for selecting a desired anchor position when the anchor device is either fully retracted into the channel and slidable on the bottom thereof or when the anchor device is only partially retracted into the channel and the winch is swive'led to an angular position in which the bottom surface of the winch is slidable along the top surfaces of the channel.

As another object, our invention com-prehends retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus mountable to extend along opposite side regions of railway car floors and wherein the parts thereof are constructed for use and operation on either side of a car and the necessity for left and right hand parts and assemblies is avoided.

Our invention further has within its purview the provision of retractable winch-type lading tie down apparatus in which an anchor device is movable along a channel to a selected position of use at which it is locked relative to the channels by means including cam actuated slide bars.

It is another object of this invention to provide winchtyipe lading tie-down apparatus in which a chain is used as the lading tie element and in which the Winch drum embodies an effective retaining element for the end of the chain and the drum is externally shaped to suit the configuration of the chain links that are wound thereagainst when the chain is tightened.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction With the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view depicting a typical application of our retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus to one generally conventional type of railway flat car;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary e'nd sectional view of approximately one-half of the railway flat car installation illustrated in FIGURE 1, wherein the section is taken substantially as indicated by a line 2-2 and accompanying arrows in FIGURE 1, it being understood that the installation on the other half of the car is similar with the parts in inverse relationship;

FIGURE 3 is 'a fragmentary top plan view drawn to a larger scale than FIGURE 1 and showing a preferred embodiment of an anchor device utilized in the disclosed invention, the anchor device being shown in a retracted position relative to its guide channel, like those shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a top sectional view showing the base of the anchor device illustrated in FIGURE 3 when the base of the 'anchor device is in an elevated and locked position relative to its guide channel, the section being taken substantially as illustrated by a broken line 44 and accompanying arrows in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary side sectional view of the anchor device shown in FIGURE 2 with parts of the anchor device broken away to illustrate some details of internal structure;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary side sectional 'view of the structure shown in FIGURE 4, wherein the anchor de vice is in a raised position relative to its guide channel and the winch thereof is turned ninety degrees from the position illustrated in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary end sectional view of the structure shown in FIGURE 6, wherein the section is taken substantially as indicated by line 77 and accompanying arrows in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 7, drawn to a somewhat smaller scale, and wherein a locking mechanism on the anchor device is retracted, whereupon the anchor device is slidable along the top of the guide channel with end surfaces of the winch resting against top surfaces of the channel;

FIGURE 9 is another fragmentary side sectional view, wherein the section is taken substantially as indicated by a line 99 and accompanying arrows in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary illustrative side view which illustrates the adaptation of the winch-type lading tie-down apparatus of this application to the anchoring of a load, such as farm equipment on a railway flat car; and

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view, drawn to a larger scale than FIGURE 10, and wherein the section is taken substantially as indicated by a line 11-11 in FIGURE 10 and in the direction indicated by accompanying arrows.

Having reference to the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of our retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus is shown in FIGURES l and 2 in an exemplary adaptation to use on a railway flat car for illustrative purposes. Considered generally, the retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus includes a plurality of guide channels 15, 16, .17 and 18 which are mounted on, and extend longitudinally of the underframe structure of a railway flat car \19, and in which guide channels anchor devices 20 are movable longitudinally of their respective channels and secura-ble in selected positions relative thereto. The guide channels 15 and 18 extend along the outer side margins of the flat car floor, while the guide channels 16 and 17 are in spaced relationship to one another on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the car and are spaced inwardly fromthe guide channels 15 and 18. With this arrangement of the guide channels 15, 16, 17 and 18 in the car floor and with the plurality of anchor devices movable longitudinally in each guide channel, the positions of the anchor devices may be readily selected to suit the loading of lading and its disposition on the car floor to afford effective and eflicient anchorage of the lading to the anchor devices.

In the exemplary flat car structure which is shown in FIGURES l and 2 for illustrative purposes, the underframe structure of the car includes side sills 22 which extend longitudinally of opposite sides of the car, longitudinal stringers 23, a bolster 24 and laterally extending cross bearers 25. The cross bearers serve as lateral ties and supports which are secured to and extend between the car side sills 22 and are also secured to the longitudinal stringers 23, as well as to the bolsters 24. The side sills 22 of the car include angles 26 and 27 at the top thereof. On the opposite sides of the car, the guide channels and 18 are mounted upon and secured to the outwardly protecting top surfaces of the angles 26, as shown in respect to the guide channel '18 in FIGURE 2. Since the installations of the guide channels are similar and symmetrical on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the flat car 19 the dispositions of those parts on one side of the car will be described in reference to FIG- URE 2. At spaced positions longitudinally of the car, braces 28 have angularly disposed portions and extend upwardly and outwardly from the side sill 22 to the outer surface of the guide channel 18 with opposite end portions 29 and 30 secured to the side si'll 22 and the outer surface of the guide channel 18 respectively. Also, at spaced positions longitudinally of the car side sil1,'stake pockets 32 are secured to the side sill 22 below the top surface of the angle 26 and project outwardly from the side sill for the accommodation and support of stakes for use in the hauling of certain types of lading. At a position vertically aligned with each stake pocket, an inner portion 33 of the channel 18 is cut away, so that the channel does not interfere with the insertion of stakes into the pockets.

Flooring stringers 34, 35, 36 and 37 extend longitudinally of the car at spaced positions laterally of the underframe and are secured to the underframe to provide supports upon which floor boards 38 and 39 are laid laterally of the car. The floor boards 38 extend betwen the guide channels 17 and 18, while the floor boards 39 extend between the inner guide channels 16 and 17. In some instances, metal filler strips such as 40, 42 and 43 extend along the outer surfaces of the guide channels 17 and 18 against which the ends of the floor boards abut. As shown in FIGURE 5, the level of the tops of the floor boards is above or at least flush with the tops of the guide channels, as shown in FIGURE 2, so that when the anchor devices 20 are retracted into their respective guide channels, they do not interfere with the movement of lading across the car floor surface.

Having more general reference to the various figures 'of the drawings, the guide channels 15, 16, 17 and 18 are each integrally formed with a bottom web 44 adjoining upwardly extending sides 45 and 46. At the tops of the sides, integral flanges 47 and 48 extend inwardly of the channel toward one another and are in spaced and opposed relationship. At uniformly spaced positions longitudinally of the flanges 47 and 48, as shown in FIGURES 3, 4 and 7, notches 49 and 50 are provided in the flanges 47 and 48 respectively, which'notches open inwardly of the channel flanges.

Each anchor device 20 has a base 52 which is desirably a casting having an upper portion 53 and a lower portion 54. The upper portion 53 of the base has a width such that it is freely movable relative to the channel between the opposed inner edges of the flanges 47 and 48. The lower portion 54 of the base is wider than the upper portion and projects laterally on both sides of the upper portion and has surfaces underlying the flanges 47 and 48. The width of the lower portion '54 of the base is somewhat less than the inner widths of the channels 15, 16, 17 and 18, so that the anchor devices are freely movable longitudinally of the channels, unless raised relative to the channels and locked in a fixed position. For efiecting retention of the anchor devices longitudinally of the channels, teeth 55 and 56 are made integrally with opposite sides of the base to project upwardly from the lower portion 54 and outwardly from the upper portion 53 on opposite sides of the base. These teeth 55 and 56 are each of a size, and are spaced relative to one another to fit into the notches 49 and 50 when 4 the base is lifted to a raised position relative to the channel.

For retaining the base in a raised position with the teeth 55 and 56 engaged in notches 49 and 50 of the chamnel flanges 47 and 48, pairs of slide bars 57 and 58 are mounted in slots 59 and 60 at opposite ends of the upper portion 53 of the base 52. The slide bars 57 and 58 are slidable in their respective slots to move laterally of the 7 base between retracted positions in which they are flush with the sides of the upper portion 53, as shown in FIG- URES 3 and 8, and extended positions, shown in FIG- URES 4 and 7, in which they project laterally of the base and overlie the tops of the flanges 47 and 48, thereby to support the base of the anchor device relative to the channel.

Actuation of the slide bars 57' and 58 between their retracted and extended positions is effected by upward swinging movement of an actuating lever 62 through substantially 180 degrees between the positions shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, integral lugs 63 and 64 being provided on opposite sides of the ends of the base to stop the movements of the actuating lever in either direction. Each actuating lever 62 is secured to one end of a shaft 65 by a cross pin 66, the shaft and actuating lever being journaled in the mid-region of the end of the base 52 for rotational movement. Cams 67 and 68 are secured to the shaft 65 in spaced relationship axially of the shaft and in positions aligned with slots 69 and 70 in the slide : bars 57 and 58 respectively. The cams 67 and 68 are eccentric, as shown in FIGURE 7 and are oppositely disposed with respect to the axis of the shaft, so that their positions reverse upon actuation of the lever 62 from one of its positions to the other. Pins 72 and 73 are secured to the slide bar 58 in spaced relationship to one another and extend downwardly therefrom to positions of engagement with opposite sides of the cam 68, whereupon, when the cam is turned by the actuation of lever 62, the pins act as cam followers and move the slide bar 58 between its extended and retracted positions. The other cam 67 engages the slide bar 57 directly at the opposite ends of the slot 69, so that the movements of the cam effected by swinging the actuating lever move the slide bar 57 between its retracted and extended positions. Both slide bars move to their extended positions when the actuating lever is turned to one side, while moving to their retracted positions when the actuating lever is swung to its opposite position.

Each anchor device has a winch 74 mounted on the upper surface of the base for full rotational movement.

relative to the base. structurally the winch 74 has a base casting 75 which includes upwardly extending side walls 76 and' 77 in spaced and opposed relationship to one another and a bottom boss 78 which extends downwardly to provide a circular outer bearing surface 79 which is journaled in a bearing opening 80 in the longitudinal and lateral mid-regions of the base 52. A shoulder 82 at the upper end of the outer bearing surface 79 on the boss 78 serves to support the winch relative to the base. A ring 83 fits onto a lower end portion of the boss 78 and is welded thereto, as at 84 to secure the winch 74 in place on the base for rotational movement relative thereto. Desirably, the ring 83 is disposed in a recess 85 in the lower portion 54 of the base, so that the lower surface of the ring is substantially flush with the lower surface of the base. i

The width of the winch 74 is comparable to that of the upper portion 53 of the base, so that when the winch extends longitudinally of the base, it is free to pass between the inner edges of the flanges 47 and 48 of the channel, whereupon the winch can be retracted to a position within the confines of the channel. In the present instance, the channel sides, have a height which at least equals the height of the winch in its mounted position on the base of the anchor device, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 5. As shown in'FIGURE 5, the winch casting 75 has portions 86 and 87 at its opposite ends which extend longitudinally between the side walls 76 and 77 to provide shoulders 88 and 89 which rest against surfaces 90 and 92 respectively on the base 52 when the winch extends longitudinally of the base. These shoulders 88 and 89 extend apart a distance greater than the width of the winch and the width of the upper portion of the base, so that when the winch is turned to extend transversely of the base, as shown in FIGURE 8, and when the slide ' bars 57 and 58 are retracted, so that the base may drop away from the flanges 47 and 48, the shoulders 88 and 89 engage the upper surfaces of the flanges to retain the anchor device in a raised position in which it is slidable longitudinally of the channel. This raised position in which the anchor device is movable longitudinally of the channels while the winch is turned to extend laterally of the base often affords convenience in making final adjustments in the position at which the anchor device is to be secured relative to the channel and with respect to a particular piece of lading which is to be anchored.

At one end of the winch, upper portions of the side Walls 76 and 77 are extended to provide projecting end portions 93 and 94. A bar 95 extends laterally of the winch between the end portions 93 and 94 of the side walls and is secured to those side walls to serve both as a handle for gripping the anchor device to raise it relative to the channel and to provide a suitable lading strap anchor which may be subjected to use when lading ties of the strap type are utilized for anchoring a particular piece of lading.

In addition, the winch includes a winding drum supported for rotaton relative to the mid-regions of the side wall 76 and 77 by shaft portions 97 and 98 which may desirably be integral with the winding drum. At opposite sides of the mid-region of the winding drum 96, ratchets 99 and 100 are provide, which ratchets are non-rotatable with respect to the winch drum and may be made integrally therewith. As shown in FIGURE 5, a pawl 102 is mounted for swinging movement relative to a cross shaft 103 which extends between the side walls 76 and 77 of the winch casting in spaced relationship to the bar 95. Extending end portions 104 and 105 on opposite sides of the pawl 102 are forcedby gravity to engage with teeth of the ratchets 99.and 100 to prevent rotation of the winch drum in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 5, while permitting rotation of the drum in the opposite direction. V

As shown in FIGURES 3, 6 and 9, the winding drum 96 is disposed between the ratchets 99 and 100 and has external contours adapting it to conform generally to the surfaces of chain links which are alternately disposed in 'lateral relationship relative to one another to effect this result, and recesses such as 106, 107 and 108 are provided on the periphery of the drum, which recesses extend in directions lateral to the axis of the drum. For anchoring a first link 109 of a chain 110 to the winding drum 96, slot 112 extends through the mid-region of the drum from the recess 107. This slot receives the first link 109, and a pin 113 fits into a bore 114 in the winding drum, which bore extends transversely of the slot 112, so that the pin passes through the link 109 when it is disposed within the 'slot 112, thereby securely to anchor the chain on the winding drum. The second and following links wind around the drum in succession, as illustrated in FIGURE 9. As shown in FIGURES 9 and the disclosed anchor device and its winch drum, ratchet and pawl mechanism are consrtucted and arranged so that the portion of the chain which extends to the load which is anchored thereby extends outwardly from beneath the winding drum. With this disposition of parts, the leverage exerted :upon the winch and other parts-of the anchor device is minimized, and is very appreciably lower than it would be if the chain were wound on the drum from the top thereof, so that it 'would extend across the top of the drum and then be wound thereupon.

The shaft portions 97 and 98 of the winding drum are rotatably supported in bearings 115 and 116 respectively in the side walls 76 and 77 of the winch structure. Sockets 117, as shown in FIGURE 5, are provided in opposite ends of the shaft portions 97 and 98 to receive a crank or suitable tool for effecting the manual application of force to the winding drum for tightening the chain in anchoring a load in place. In order to facilitate the placement of the winding drum relative to the side walls 76 and 77 of the winch structure, the side wall 77 is initially cut away to provide an opening 118 having a bottom surface 119 coinciding with the center line of bearing 116. The opening 118 further has lower end surfaces 120 and 122 extending upward-1y from the surface 119 in spaced relationship to opposite sides of the bearing 116. Upper side surfaces 123 and 124 extend into the side wall 77 from the top thereof and are spaced more closely together than the lower surfaces 120 and 122, but are more widely separated than the diameter of the bearing 116. Shoulders 125 and 126 connect the upper ends of the surfaces 120 and 122 to the lower ends 'of the surfaces 123 and 124 respectively. A block 127 fits snugly into the opening 118 and conforms to the configuration thereof, in addition to providing the upper half of the bearing 116. This block is put into the opening 118 after the winding drum is in place, and is secured therein by welding along the adjacent surfaces of the block and the side wall of the winch structure. A drain hole 128 is provided in the bottom boss 78 of the winch.

In anchoring -a load, such as a tractor on a flat car, the chain extends to and around a convenient anchoring portion for the load, such as an axle housing 129 as shown in FIGURE 10. Initially, and with the chain unwound from the winding drum, the chain is put around the axle housing or other part of the load and after being pulled as taut as possible, the end of the chain is connected back to the chain itself by means such as a hook 130. For further tightening, the 'winch and its winding drum are utilized. For absorbing shocks encountered in use, a shock-absorbing device 132 is desirably connected in series with the mid-portion of the chain 110. I

In the form disclosed herein, the shock-absorbing device 132 comprises a cup-type housing 133 having a base 134 and a side wall 135, as shown in FIGURES 10 and 11. A U-bolt 136 has side portions 137 and 138 which extend through the base 134 of the housing 133 and are secured in place by fastening means such as nuts 139. At the end of the housing opposite the base 134, the U-bolt extends beyond the sidewall of the housing and is connected to'the chain 110.' An elastomeric body 140 of compressible material, such as relatively hard by flexible rubber, somewhat smaller than the internal dimensions of the housing 133 has longitudinal slots 142 and 143 extending along opposite sides thereof which fit around the side portions 137 'and 138 of the U-bolt 136. One

end of the elastomeric body 140 engages the inner surface of base 134 of the housing, while the other end region thereof projects from the other end of the housing. An I-bolt 144 extends through-a longitudinal central opening 145 in the elastomeric body 140 and has a nut 146 thereon which engages a plate 147, which plate is slidable along the side portions 137 and 138 of the U-bolt and engages the end of the elastomeric body which projects from the housing 132. A chain 148 is connected to the I-bolt 144 and extends to the load which is anchored. With this arrangement of parts, tension in the chains 110 and 148 applies compressive force to the opposite ends of the elastomeric body 140, and variations of such forces applied through the chain and the elastomeric body are absorbed in the elastomeric body to relieve shocks.

When a lading strap 149 is utilized in connection with the anchoring of any desired load, it is connected to the bar 95 of the winch structure, as shown in FIGURE 9.

When the chain for any anchor device is not in use it is stored in the channel which carries its anchor device,

to accommodate different loads and load anchoring positions, can be retracted to positions below the floor level when not in use. The anchor devices are movable along their respective channels to desired positions while retracted, and also while only partially retracted when the winch is above the channel flange level and turned laterally of the base. In addition, the anchor devices can each be locked at preselected positions along their respective channels by readily operable locking devices which support the anchor devices in their locked positions.

It is understood that the foregoing description is merely illustrative of a preferred embodiment of the invent-ion and that the scope of the invention therefore is not to be limited thereto but is to be determined by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus comprising, in combination, a channel having opposed sides connected by a bottom web and having flanges extending inwardly from the tops of the sides in spaced and opposed relationship to one another, said flanges having notches therein spaced longitudinally of the channel, an anchor device including a base and a winch and means supporting the winch on the top of the base for rotational movement relative thereto, said base being wider than the space between said flanges on the channel and movable longitudinally of the channel between the sides thereof, said base also having teeth thereon and projecting therefrom for engagement in said notches in the flanges of the channel for holding the anchor device in a fixed position along the channel, means on the base for engagement with a portion of the channel for releasably retaining 'the base in position laterally of the channel when said teeth are engaged in said notches, said winch being narrower and longer than the space between said channel and of a height to rest within the height of the channel when the base is seated on the channel web and the said base and winch are longitudinally aligned, and said winch.ineluding a drum supported for rotation about an axis extending across the winch.

2. Retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus as defined in claim 1, and wherein said winch has bottom surface portions at opposite ends thereof adapted to rest against the tops of said flanges on the channel and support the anchor device relative to the channel when the winch is turned laterally of the base and channel and when said means for releasable retaining the base in position laterally of the channel is released and said teeth are disengaged from said notches.

3. Retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus as defined in claim 1, and wherein said winch has a lading strap anchor at one end thereof.

4. Retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus as defined in claim 1, and wherein said means on the as defined in claim 1, and wherein said drum of the winch has outer surface contours which conform generally to the shapes of angularly disposed links of a chain as the chain is wound around the drum.

6. Retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus as defined in claim 1, and wherein said winch embodies a ratchet and a coacting pawl for normally preventing rotation of said drum in a direction for loosening a lading tie, and the normal movement of the winch drum for tightening the lading tie brings said tie to the winch drum below the axis of the drum from whence it is brought up and around the drum in winding.

7. Retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus as 'defined in claim 1, and wherein said means for supporting the winch on the top of the base for rotational movement includes a circular bearing bore in the mid-region of the base, coacting shoulders on the bottom of the winch and top of the base, and means secured to the winch for retaining the winch on the base while providing for rotation of the winch relative to the base.

8. Retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus comprising, in combination, a channel having opposed sides connected by a bottom web and having flanges extending inwardly from the tops of the sides in spacedand opposed relationship to one another, an anchor device including a base and a winch and means supporting the winch on the top of the base for rotational movement relative thereto, said base being wider than the space be tween said opposed flanges on the'channel and movable longitudinally of the channel between the sides thereof flanges, said base and channel having coacting means thereon for retaining the base in fixed positions longitudinally of the channel when engaged by lifting the base to a raised position in the channel, and means slida-ble laterally relative to the base between retracted positions within the base and extended positions in which they a rest on the tops of the channels for holding the base in said raised position.

9. Retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus as I defined in claim 8, and further characterized by cam base for engagement with a portion of the channel for flanges and a retracted position within the side edges of the base, and cam means actuating each pair of slide bars.

5. Retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus means for effecting actuation of said means slidable laterally relative to the base between said retracted and extended positions.

10. Retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus as defined in claim 8, and wherein said winch is'narrower than the space between said opposed flanges on the channel, and the sides of the channel are as high as the projection of the winch above the base, whereby thebaseand winch are retractable into the channel. 7 7 11. Retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus as defined in claim 8, and wherein said winch has 'surfaces on its opposite ends which are spaced and disposed to rest on the tops of said sides of the channel to support the base in a retracted position when the winch is turned laterally of the channel.

12. Retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus as defined in claim 8, and wherein said winch has a lading' strap anchor at one end thereof.

13. In retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus, the combination. comprising a guide track.

having opposed sides from which top flanges project toward one another in opposed relationship with space therebetween, a winch having opposed and spaced side i i V wall portions movable freely along said space between. the flanges and extending upwardly from a base, a circular bearing boss projecting downwardly from the base and integrally formed thereon, a winch drum supported for rotation by and between the mid-regions of said side 7 wall portions, a rachet on said winding drum, a pawl movably mounted on one of said side wall portions and coacting with said ratchet for holding the winding drum in successive postions as a lading tie is wound thereon from one end of the winch, a bearing shoulder encompassing the upper end of said bearing boss, means movablein said guide track below said flanges andengaged by said said bearing boss and bearing shoulder for providing an element within the channel relative to which the Winch is rotatable about the axis of said bearing boss, and additional shoulders at opposite ends of the winch and spaced above said bearing shoulder for engagement with the tops of said flanges to support said winch relative thereto when the winch is disposed laterally of the guide track.

14. In retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus as defined in claim 13, said side wall portions having longitudinal extensions on the ends thereof opposite the said one from which a lading tie is wound on the drum, and means secured to and extending between said extensions for providing a ladin strap anchor.

15. In retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus, the combination comprising a channel having opposed sides connected by a bottom Web and having flanges extending inwardly from the tops of the sides in spaced and opposed relationship to one another, an anchor device including a base having an upper portion freely movable longitudinally of said channel between said flanges and a lower portion wider than the space between said flanges and freely movable longitudinally of the channel between the sides thereof, means on said flanges of the channel and means on said base engageable when the base is in a raised position relative to the channel for preventing movements of the base longitudinally of the channel, and pairs of slide bar mounted in each end of said upper portion of the base for linear movements in directions lateral to the channel between retracted positions with-in the upper portion of the base and extended positions in which projecting portions of the slide bars overlie the tops of the channel sides to hold the base in said raised position relative to the channel, each of said pairs of slide bars being actuated between said retracted and extended positions by cam means having a manually operative element at one end of the base.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,092,368 6/1963 McDowell et al 254l64 3,140,850 7/1964 Packard 248-361 3,181,886 5/1965 Blunden et a1. 280l79 ARTHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner. DRAYTON E. HOFFMAN, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. RETRACTABLE WINCH-TYPE LADING TIE-DOWN APPARATUS COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A CHANNEL HAVING OPPOSED SIDES CONNECTED BY A BOTTOM WEB AND HAVING FLANGES EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM THE TOPS OF THE SIDES IN SPACED AND OPPOSED RELATIONSHIP TO ONE ANOTHER, SAID FLANGES HAVING NOTCHES THEREIN SPACED LONGITUDINALLY OF THE CHANNEL, AN ANCHOR DEVICE INCLUDING A BASE AND A WINCH AND MEANS SUPPORTING THE WINCH ON THE TOP OF THE BASE FOR ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO, SAID BASE BEING WIDER THAN THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID FLANGES ON THE CHANNEL AND MOVABLE LONGITUDINALLY OF THE CHANNEL BETWEEN THE SIDES THEREOF, SAID BASE ALSO HAVING TEETH THEREON AND PROJECTING THEREFROM FOR ENGAGEMENT IN SAID NOTCHES IN THE FLANGES OF THE CHANNEL FOR HOLDING THE ANCHOR DEVICE IN A FIXED POSITION ALONG THE CHANNEL, MEANS ON THE BASE FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH A PORTION OF THE CHANNEL FOR RELEASABLY RETAINING THE BASE IN POSITION LATERALLY OF THE CHANNEL WHEN SAID TEETH ARE ENGAGED IN SAID NOTCHES, SAID WINCH BEING NARROWER AND LONGER THAN THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID CHANNEL AND OF A HEIGHT TO REST WITHIN THE HEIGHT OF THE CHANNEL WHEN THE BASE IS SEATED ON THE CHANNEL WEB AND THE SAID BASE AND WINCH ARE LONGITUDINALLY ALIGNED, AND SAID WINCH INCLUDING A DRUM SUPPORTED FOR ROTATION ABOUT AN AXIS EXTENDING ACROSS THE WINCH.

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