TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to winch assemblies for towing trailers, and more particularly, to a winch assembly having improved functionality, ease of use, and ease of assembly and maintenance.

BACKGROUND

Towing trailers are designed to secure and haul cargo. Trailers may be arranged to haul specific types of cargo such as boats, automobiles, consumer products, and the like. Many such cargo items are large, heavy and difficult to move or maneuver onto the bed or frame of a towing trailer. To assist in moving or maneuvering the cargo onto a towing trailer, such trailers are often equipped with a winch. The winch assembly is commonly attached to the tongue of the trailer. The winch may be connected to a cargo item by, for example, a strap, cable, rope, chain or the like for pulling the cargo item to and onto the trailer. Winch assemblies typically use a handle to rotate a drum to wind the strap or cable around the drum and thus pull the cargo item towards the winch. The winch assembly may also be used to unload a heavy item by rotating the drum in the opposite direction to unwind a strap or chain to allow the cargo item to be slid off the trailer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the purposes and benefits described herein, a winch assembly is provided. The winch assembly may be broadly described as comprising a lower body having a base, and first and second sides, first and second upper body sides, at least one spacer positioned between the first and the upper body second sides, a first shaft extending through the first and second upper body sides, the first shaft supporting first and second gears, a winding bar supported and rotated by the first shaft, the winding bar attached to a first end of a strap, a second shaft extending through the first and second upper body sides, the second shaft supporting first and second ratchet gears, the first ratchet gear meshing with the first gear and the second ratchet gear meshing with the second gear, a pawl for engaging one of the first and second ratchet gears, and a handle attached to the second shaft for rotating the second shaft, wherein rotation of the second shaft imparts rotation of the first and second ratchet gears and the first and second gears.

In another possible embodiment, the winch assembly further includes a cover.

In still another possible embodiment, the first upper body side is attached to the lower body first side, and the second upper body side is attached to the lower body second side. In another, the pawl is configured to allow movement of the first and second ratchet gears in two directions.

In yet another possible embodiment, the winch assembly further includes a hook attached to a second end of the strap, and a protective covering. In another, the strap is looped through a hole in the hook, and further comprising a fastener for securing the protective covering adjacent the hole. In yet another, the first and second upper body sides include interior and exterior surfaces.

In one other possible embodiment, the first gear is positioned adjacent the exterior side of the first upper body side, and the second gear is positioned adjacent the exterior side of the second upper body side. In still another, the first upper body side is attached to the lower body first side, and the second upper body side is attached to the lower body second side.

In yet still another possible embodiment, the cover is attached to the first and second upper body sides. In another, the first and second upper body sides and the first and second gear are positioned within the cover. In still another, the cover includes at least one access door.

In another possible embodiment, the winding bar includes first and second arms, each of the first and second arms including an aperture therein through which the first shaft extends. In another, the winch assembly further includes a first spacer positioned between the first and second winding bar arms and through which the first shaft extends.

In still another possible embodiment, the winch assembly further includes a second spacer extending through the first upper body side, and positioned between the first arm and the first gear, and a third spacer extending through the second upper body side, and positioned between the second arm and the second gear.

In another, the at least a portion of the first shaft extending through the first upper body the first gear includes a flat side and a threaded side, and, in yet another, the at least a portion of the first shaft extending through the second upper body and the second gear includes a flat side and a threaded side.

In yet still another possible embodiment, the at least one of the second and third spacers include an aperture. In another, the winch assembly further includes a lubricant positioned between the first and second and third spacers and the flat sides of the first and second shafts.

In one additional alternate embodiment, the winch assembly further includes a pair of bushings, a first bushing secured within the first upper body side and a second bushing secured within the second upper body side, wherein the second spacer extends through the first bushing and the third spacer extends through the second bushing. In another, the at least a portion of the first shaft extending through the first upper body the first gear includes a flat side and a threaded side. In still another, the at least a portion of the first shaft extending through the second upper body and the second gear includes a flat side and a threaded side.

In another possible embodiment, the handle is removable.

In the following description, there are shown and described several embodiments of winch assemblies. As it should be realized, the methods and systems are capable of other, different embodiments and their several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the methods and assemblies as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

