Abstract: A winch used for tightening a strap to retain an article, which may be cargo, on the deck of a vehicle has a ratcheting mechanism which tightens the strap around a cylindrical shaft. A ratchet cap installed on the winch has two sections. One of these sections is fixedly attached to the winch drive shaft This first section has a plurality of spaced recesses running around a surface plate thereof. Spring urged pins with rounded end surfaces are mounted in receptacles formed in the second cap section. The rounded ends of the spring urged pins are urged against the surfaces of the recesses. The pins are prevented from moving out of the recesses in one direction by a right angled end portion of the recess in this one direction and are free to move out of a recess over a slanted recess end portion into an adjoining recess in the opposite direction. At least one aperture is formed in the cap into which a lever for driving the winch is fitted.

Abstract: A protective sleeve for protecting a ratchet cap or winch from damage or deterioration due to dirt of moisture is fabricated of a sturdy yet elastic material, which may be rubber. The sleeve is cylindrical in form and has circular grooves, which run parallel to each other formed on the inner surface of the sleeve. Cylindrical bars separate the grooves from each other. Mating grooves to those formed on the sleeve are formed on the ratchet cap or winch. The sleeve is installed in position on the cap or winch by forcing it into position over the cap or winch with the bars of the sleeve installed in the grooves of the cap or winch and the bars of the cap or winch installed in the grooves of the sleeve. This provides for firm retention of the sleeve in its installed position and permits relative rotation between the elements of the ratcheting member, yet the sleeve can readily be removed from its installed position without damage thereto.