Winch assembly
View Patent ↗A winch assembly ( 50 ) including: a winch shaft ( 12 ) rotatably mounted within a bracket ( 18 ) and adapted for rotation about a first axis ( 68 ); a substantially right-angled drive transferring mechanism having a drive input coupled to a manual tool engagement device and drive output coupled to the winch shaft ( 12 ), the tool engagement device adapted for rotation about a second axis ( 72 ) extending substantially radially from the first axis ( 68 ), wherein manual rotation of the tool engagement device causes rotation of the winch shaft ( 12 ); and an anti-twist bar ( 64 ) attached to the bracket ( 18 ) to reduce twist during rotation of the winch shaft ( 12 ).
1. A winch assembly including:
a winch shaft rotatably mounted within a bracket and adapted for rotation about a first axis;
a substantially right-angled drive transferring mechanism having a drive input coupled to a manual tool engagement device and drive output coupled to the winch shaft, the tool engagement device adapted for rotation about a second axis extending substantially radially from the first axis, wherein manual rotation of the tool engagement device causes rotation of the winch shaft; and
a bi-fold handle for use with the winch assembly, the handle including:
a first portion having a first axis, the first portion configured to engage the drive transferring mechanism;
a second portion having a second axis generally perpendicular to the first axis; and
a third portion pivotably attached at one end to the second portion, wherein
the second portion includes a locking means configured to lock the third portion coaxial to the second portion.
2. The winch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bracket is adapted to be slidably received within complimentary mounting formations on a vehicle or vehicle trailer.
3. The winch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bracket is adapted to be attached directly to a vehicle or vehicle trailer.
4. The winch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the drive transferring mechanism includes a housing that contains a relatively small gear coupled to the tool engagement device that meshes with a relatively large gear coupled to the winch shaft.
5. The winch assembly of claim 4 , wherein the housing includes a projection configured for engagement with a grease gun for injecting grease within the housing.
6. The winch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the drive transferring mechanism includes one or more bearings to reduce friction during rotation of the winch shaft.
7. The winch assembly of claim 6 , wherein the one or more bearings includes at least one bushing disposed on the winch shaft.
8. The winch assembly of claim 7 , wherein the one or more bearings includes at least one bushing disposed on the drive input.
9. The winch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the locking means of the bi-fold handle includes a locking sleeve and biasing means configured to urge the locking sleeve in engagement with the second portion.
10. The winch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the second portion of the bi-fold handle are one piece.
11. The winch assembly of claim 10 , wherein the third portion of the bi-fold handle includes a rotatable sleeve.
12. The winch assembly of claim 1 , including an anti-twist bar attached to the bracket to reduce twist during rotation of the winch shaft.