Grab-activated self-locking winch handle
OwnerDonald J. Steinerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A lock/release mechanism for the crank handle of a winch consists of a set of one or more pins that are captured within the drive head of the handle. Within the drive head is an actuation rod, which acts on these pins. Depending on the position of the rod, the pins are either moved or pushed outward (lock position), or retracted into the drive head (unlock position). The actuation rod is moved by means of a lever that enables removal of the crank handle with one hand.
Claims14
A cranking device for operating a winch, said winch having a drive socket constructed therein, said cranking device comprising:
- an elongated crank arm having a drive head constructed at one end and a handle constructed at the other;
- wherein said drive head further comprises:
- a male portion extending outward from said crank arm to a distal end, said male portion having a cross section that mates with the drive socket of the winch for driving engagement therewith when the distal end is inserted in the drive socket;
- an axially extending bore constructed in said drive head;
- at least one, pin bore constructed in said male portion transverse to and in communication with said axially extending bore;
- at least one locking pin mounted in said at least one pin bore for sliding motion between a release position and a locking position, said pin extending outward from said male portion when in the locking position;
- and
- an actuating rod mounted for movement in said axial bore and operatively associated with said at least one locking pin for moving said at least one locking pin between the release position and the locking position;
- and
- a grip lever mounted for pivot movement on said crank arm, said grip lever operatively connected to said actuating rod to cause the actuating rod to move said at least one locking pin between the release position and the locking position.
A cranking device for operating a winch, said winch having a drive socket constructed therein, said cranking device comprising:
- an elongated crank arm having a drive head constructed at one end;
- a grip lever mounted for pivot movement on said crank arm,
- wherein said drive head further comprises:
- a male portion extending outward from said crank arm, said male portion having a cross section that mates with the drive socket of the winch for driving engagement therewith;
- and
- a locking mechanism operatively associated with the grip lever, wherein pivot motion of the grip lever causes the locking mechanism to move between a lock position in which the drive head is locked within the drive socket and a release position, wherein said drive head is removable from said drive socket.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.