A manual marine winch includes a winch housing; a rotating drum assembly supported on the housing; a winch line selectively spooled and un-spooled on the drum; a manually actuated control for spooling and un-spooling the winch line including a handle for selectively tensioning the drum and moveable between a position engaged with the drum for winch line tensioning and stowed position wherein the handle is not engaged with the drum; a tension holding mechanism comprising at least one ratchet gear coupled to the drum, at least one pawl selectively engaged with at least one ratchet gear to hold tension on the winch line, and a knockout configured to selectively disengage each of the pawls to allow for release of tension on the winch; and a biasing mechanism selectively engaged by the handle and configured to bias the handle toward the stowed position when the handle is engaged with the drum.

According to some embodiments, a winch tightening apparatus comprises a mounting plate; it first moment arm coupled to the mounting plate and configured to provide leverage for rotating the mounting plate; and a pawl comprising a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally coupled to the mounting plate such that the second end pivots to engage a ratchet gear when the mounting plate is rotated in a first direction and pivots to disengage the ratchet gear when the mounting plate is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction. Some embodiments include a second moment arm coupled to the mounting plate and configured to provide leverage for rotating the mounting plate. Some embodiments include a counterweight coupled to the mounting plate and positioned to rotate the mounting plate in the second direction.

According to some embodiments, a winch tightening apparatus comprises a mounting plate; it first moment arm coupled to the mounting plate and configured to provide leverage for rotating the mounting plate; and a pawl comprising a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally coupled to the mounting plate such that the second end pivots to engage a ratchet gear when the mounting plate is rotated in a first direction and pivots to disengage the ratchet gear when the mounting plate is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction. Some embodiments include a second moment arm coupled to the mounting plate and configured to provide leverage for rotating the mounting plate. Some embodiments include a counterweight coupled to the mounting plate and positioned to rotate the mounting plate in the second direction.

A towable conveyor for transporting and elevating articles and a method and system for towing a conveyor and conveying articles up inclines is provided. The conveyor system has an elevating carriage and a plurality of support elements for conveying articles up the conveyor. Specifically, the towable conveyor system comprises a conveyor having a support frame, a plurality of support elements, a drive end with a motor, and an idle end; an elevating carriage having a first end interconnected to the support frame of the conveyor, a second with two or more wheels, and a support member extending upwardly from the elevating carriage; a cable system for raising the conveyor into a position of use and for lowering the conveyor into a towing position; one or more locking mechanisms; and a hitch for connecting the conveyor to a rear end of a towing vehicle.

A towable conveyor for transporting and elevating articles and a method and system for towing a conveyor and conveying articles up inclines is provided. The conveyor system has an elevating carriage and a plurality of support elements for conveying articles up the conveyor. Specifically, the towable conveyor system comprises a conveyor having a support frame, a plurality of support elements, a drive end with a motor, and an idle end; an elevating carriage having a first end interconnected to the support frame of the conveyor, a second with two or more wheels, and a support member extending upwardly from the elevating carriage; a cable system for raising the conveyor into a position of use and for lowering the conveyor into a towing position; one or more locking mechanisms; and a hitch for connecting the conveyor to a rear end of a towing vehicle.

A manual marine winch includes a safety loading handle and integrated locking dog release. The winch includes a handle for selectively tensioning and selectively releasing tension on winch; a tensioning ratchet gear coupled to the drum assembly for selectively tensioning the winch; a tensioning ratchet pawl mounted on the handle and selectively engaged with the tensioning ratchet gear for tensioning of the winch; at least one tension holding ratchet gear coupled to the drum assembly for holding tension on the winch; at least one locking dog pawl selectively engaged with each tension holding ratchet gear to hold tension on the winch; and a knockout member carried on the handle and configured to selectively disengage the locking dog pawls from the tension holding ratchet gears to allow for release of tension on the winch.

A manual marine winch includes a safety loading handle and integrated locking dog release. The winch includes a handle for selectively tensioning and selectively releasing tension on winch; a tensioning ratchet gear coupled to the drum assembly for selectively tensioning the winch; a tensioning ratchet pawl mounted on the handle and selectively engaged with the tensioning ratchet gear for tensioning of the winch; at least one tension holding ratchet gear coupled to the drum assembly for holding tension on the winch; at least one locking dog pawl selectively engaged with each tension holding ratchet gear to hold tension on the winch; and a knockout member carried on the handle and configured to selectively disengage the locking dog pawls from the tension holding ratchet gears to allow for release of tension on the winch.

Cargo securement device (CSD) for securing cargo includes a top encasement and a bottom encasement; and, a center gear rotatably secured to at least one of the top encasement and the bottom encasement. The device further includes one or more spools, wherein each spool includes a spool gear for cooperatively engaging with the center gear. A retractable strap attaches to each spool.

A winch assembly includes a base having first and second sides, a first shaft supported by the base and supporting a gear and a reel, and a second shaft supported by the base and supporting a ratchet gear. The ratchet gear meshes with the gear and a pawl, and a handle is attached to the second shaft for rotation thereof. The winch includes a cover having a top movable between first and second positions and first and second sides rotatably supporting the top. The first side may include a first arm extending toward and engaging a second arm extending from the second side. The top may include hooks for engaging a shaft extending between the sides of the cover. The sides of the cover may each include at least one retainer clip and the top includes corresponding lugs for engaging the at least one retainer clips.

A winch assembly includes a base having first and second sides, a first shaft supported by the base and supporting a gear and a reel, and a second shaft supported by the base and supporting a ratchet gear. The ratchet gear meshes with the gear and a pawl, and a handle is attached to the second shaft for rotation thereof. The winch includes a cover having a top movable between first and second positions and first and second sides rotatably supporting the top. The first side may include a first arm extending toward and engaging a second arm extending from the second side. The top may include hooks for engaging a shaft extending between the sides of the cover. The sides of the cover may each include at least one retainer clip and the top includes corresponding lugs for engaging the at least one retainer clips.