According to some embodiments, a winch tightening apparatus comprises a mounting plate; a 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; a 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 winch assembly includes a lower body having a base, first and second sides, first and second upper body sides, a spacer positioned between the first and the upper body second sides, a first shaft extending through the upper body sides, the first shaft supporting first and second gears, a winding bar supported and rotated by the first shaft and attached to a first end of a strap, a second shaft extending through the first and second upper body sides and 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.

A winch assembly includes a lower body having a base, first and second sides, first and second upper body sides, a spacer positioned between the first and the upper body second sides, a first shaft extending through the upper body sides, the first shaft supporting first and second gears, a winding bar supported and rotated by the first shaft and attached to a first end of a strap, a second shaft extending through the first and second upper body sides and 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.

Disclosed is a brake winch with reverse release and self-locking functions. The brake winch has a housing with first and second side walls, an accommodating space, and an auxiliary bracket part. A rotating disk is screwed in the accommodating space. A main shaft is screwed on one side of the rotating disk in an interlocking manner. A screw adapter is screwed on the second side wall, and includes an inner connection end that is assembled with the main shaft, and its external end has a threaded groove. The axial displacement of a driving screw, which is screwed on the auxiliary bracket, is matched with the difference of forward and reverse rotation to form a screwing transmission or release mode between the stud section and the thread groove. A friction driving mechanism must prompt the drive screw, the clamping plate and the screw adapter to be in a tightly synchronized state.

Disclosed is a brake winch with reverse release and self-locking functions. The brake winch has a housing with first and second side walls, an accommodating space, and an auxiliary bracket part. A rotating disk is screwed in the accommodating space. A main shaft is screwed on one side of the rotating disk in an interlocking manner. A screw adapter is screwed on the second side wall, and includes an inner connection end that is assembled with the main shaft, and its external end has a threaded groove. The axial displacement of a driving screw, which is screwed on the auxiliary bracket, is matched with the difference of forward and reverse rotation to form a screwing transmission or release mode between the stud section and the thread groove. A friction driving mechanism must prompt the drive screw, the clamping plate and the screw adapter to be in a tightly synchronized state.

A winch with handheld battery powered tensioning and payout unit provides uniform loading of all winches and allows for safe easy loading and payout. A method and apparatus is provided for retrofitting manual winches, in particular manual marine winches, to be operable with a handheld battery powered tensioning and payout unit.

A tie-down apparatus includes a frame, a reel, a ratcheted wheel, a ratchet detent, a handle and a security device. The reel is rotatable relative to the frame. The ratcheted wheel is rotatable with the reel. The ratchet detent rattles on the ratcheted wheel to allow the ratcheted wheel to rotate when the ratcheted wheel is rotated in a first sense of direction. The ratchet detent is engaged with the ratcheted wheel to prevent the ratcheted wheel from rotation in an attempt to rotate the ratcheted wheel in a second sense of direction. The security device is movable between a reeling position where the security device keeps the handle connected to the reel and a locking position where the security device is supported on the frame and pressed against the ratchet detent so that the ratchet detent is firmly engaged with the ratcheted wheel, thereby keeping the reel in position.

A tie-down apparatus includes a frame, a reel, a ratcheted wheel, a ratchet detent, a handle and a security device. The reel is rotatable relative to the frame. The ratcheted wheel is rotatable with the reel. The ratchet detent rattles on the ratcheted wheel to allow the ratcheted wheel to rotate when the ratcheted wheel is rotated in a first sense of direction. The ratchet detent is engaged with the ratcheted wheel to prevent the ratcheted wheel from rotation in an attempt to rotate the ratcheted wheel in a second sense of direction. The security device is movable between a reeling position where the security device keeps the handle connected to the reel and a locking position where the security device is supported on the frame and pressed against the ratchet detent so that the ratchet detent is firmly engaged with the ratcheted wheel, thereby keeping the reel in position.

A winch assembly includes a lower body having a base, first and second sides, first and second upper body sides, a spacer positioned between the first and the upper body second sides, a first shaft extending through the upper body sides, the first shaft supporting first and second gears, a winding bar supported and rotated by the first shaft and attached to a first end of a strap, a second shaft extending through the first and second upper body sides and 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.