Multi-purpose load winch

Claim 2

An improved load tensioning winch apparatus adapted for tensioning engagement with a wide variety of load binders and comprising: mandrel means comprising a cylindrical tube mounted rotatably on a relatively fixed frame means and including drive engagement means for accommodating selective rotation thereof together with rotation limit means for selectively limiting mandrel rotation to one direction; said cylindrical tube which is so perforated, being nonetheless otherwise substantially continuous and solid along its binder-engaging periphery; and binder coupling means including minor perforate means through said mandrel means, this coupling means being adapted to be loosely engaged with the end of said binders, accommodating both straps and strand binders, and being translateable toward and away from said periphery, whereby, when said binder coupling means is translated toward said binder periphery, said strap is wound about said binder coupling means and said binder periphery, thereby coupling said strap to said binder.

Claim 3

The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said coupling means comprises "slide-bar" means including at least one projecting leg adapted to be slidingly lodged in said perforate means of said mandrel tube so as to be translateable transverse to the tube's axis of rotation, this slide bar means being thus adapted to engage web binders clampingly and engage strand binders ty-ingly on means projecting therefrom.

Claim 4

The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said coupling means comprises a "U-bolt" adapted to engage web binders of varying widths and thicknesses and to also engage strand binders, so that said binders are engaged in a self-tightening mode as the tube is rotated, yet are easily tied to and untied from the mandrel tube.

Claim 5

The combination as recited in claim 3 wherein said mandrel means comprises a hollow tubular metal barrel including aperture means therein adapted to receive leg portions of said U-bolt and being operatively engaged with ratchet/pawl rotation-limit means.

Claim 6

The apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein bracket support means are included for supporting said mandrel means, said bracket means being adapted to be fixedly mounted on a load supporting surface; wherein said mandrel means comprises at least one hollow metal cylinder mounted rotatably within said bracket support means; and wherein is included cylindrical cap means affixed to the end of said cylinder for retention thereof in said support means.

Claim 7

The apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said U-bolt comprises a U-shaped metal rod of relatively uniform diameter and bent symmetrically so as to include a pair of parallel legs projecting symmetrically and orthogonally from the medial section thereof, these legs being sufficiently long to accommodate webs of varying thicknesses when the legs are lodged slidingly in said mandrel bores, yet not so long as to interfere with the frame support when said tube is rotated; the medial section of said U-bolt being adapted to clampingly engage the end of a web-binder against said mandrel tube, and when said U-bolt legs are thrust therethrough and beyond the tube being adapted to be tied to a strand-type binder.

Claim 8

The apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said support bracket means comprises a U-shaped metal bar adapted to be removably attached to a vehicle frame and including a pair of opposed bracket-legs projecting orthogonally from a central bracket section and including bores adapted to receive said mandrel tube journallingly; wherein said mandrel cylinder comprises a hollow metal tube which is substantially continuous, integral and unpierced along its medial, binder-engaging portion except for said apertures adapted to receive said U-bolt legs; and wherein said cap means comprises an over-sized metal cylinder affixed on one end of said mandrel tube so as to retain the tube on the bracket,; said cap means also including coupling means for selective application of rotational cranking action to the tube whereby to controllably wind-up a binder fastened thereon.

Claim 9

The combination as recited in claim 7 wherein said mandrel comprises a suitable length of pipe pierced to receive said U-bolt legs; and wherein said cap comprises a length of similar pipe but of slightly larger diameter affixed on one end of said mandrel pipe and including cranking bore means.

Claim 10

The combination as recited in claim 1 wherein said mandrel means comprises a hollow metal tube with a medial binder-engaging surface which is substantially continuous and unbroken except for binder-slot means formed therein, said slot means being dimensioned, disposed and adapted to receive the end of a web-binder for retention and wrapping thereof on said tube when the tube is rotated.

Claim 11

The apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein said U-bolt comprises a U-shaped metal rod of relatively uniform diameter and bent symmetrically so as to include a pair of parallel legs projecting symmetrically and orthogonally from the medial section thereof, these legs being sufficiently long to accommodate webs of varying thickness when the legs are lodged slidingly in said mandrel bores, yet not so long as to interfere with the frame support when said tube is rotated; the medial section of said U-bolt being adapted to clampingly engage the end of a web-binder against said mandrel tube, and when said U-bolt legs are thrust therethrough and beyond the tube being adapted to be tied to a strand-type binder; wherein said support bracket means comprises a U-shaped metal bar adapted to be removably attached to a vehicle frame and including a pair of opposed bracket-legs projecting orthogonally from a central bracket section and including bores adapted to receive said mandrel tube journallingly; wherein said mandrel cylinder comprises a suitable length of pipe pierced to receive said U-bolt legs; and which is substantially continuous, integral and unpierced along its medial, binder-engaging portion except for said slot means, this comprising a 4 to 6 inch slot; and wherein said cap means comprises an over-sized length of similar pipe but of slightly larger diameter affixed on one end of said mandrel pipe and including cranking bore means, said cap means also including coupling means for selective application of rotational cranking action to the tube whereby to controllably wind-up a binder fastened thereon.