Abstract: A manually operated winch system secures cargo to a transport vehicle. The winch system has a shaft rotationally mounted relative a frame. A ratchet drive mechanism controls rotation of the shaft. A handle received in the drive mechanism can be used both to control rotation of the shaft and to control operation of a pawl. The drive mechanism is configured such that tilting the handle moves a member axially. Sufficient axial movement of the member causes the pawl to disengage mating ratchet teeth and thereby allows the shaft to rotate freely.

Abstract: A winch bar is provided for use in combination with a strap winding winch for flat bed trailers. The winch bar has two stable positions of engagement with the strap winch. The winch bar will reduce accidents commonly caused by slippage of the winch bar relative to the winch during application of high torque.

Abstract: A manually operated winch system secures cargo to a transport vehicle. The winch system has a shaft rotationally mounted relative a frame. A ratchet drive mechanism controls rotation of the shaft. A handle received in the drive mechanism can be used both to control rotation of the shaft and to control operation of a pawl. The drive mechanism is configured such that tilting the handle moves a member axially. Sufficient axial movement of the member causes the pawl to disengage mating ratchet teeth and thereby allows the shaft to rotate freely. In some embodiments, an adjustment mechanism limits the extent to which the member can move axially.

Abstract: In a method and system for tying a tire of a vehicle on a load carrying platform, at least first and second integral winch and chock assemblies are aligned at both ends of at least one of the tires of the vehicle so that a chock surface of the respective assemblies abuts the tire at both ends thereof. Each of the assemblies is providing with a winding mandrel. The winch and chock assemblies are locked to the platform to prevent lateral, longitudinal and vertical movement of the assemblies. A tire harness connects to the two winch and chock assemblies, the tire harness wrapping around a top portion of the tire. At least one or both of the winding mandrels of the winch and chock assemblies are then rotated to tighten the harness on the tire.

Abstract: A system for restraining a wheelchair in a vehicle comprises a barrier having housings for restraining belts thereon. A remote release assembly is mounted on the barrier remote from the housing and is connected to the housing, as by a cable. The wheelchair is secured by first operating the assembly to release the belt from the housing to allow the vehicle operator to withdraw the belt from the housing and attach it to the wheelchair before the wheelchair is fully in the securing area Then, as the wheelchair is moved fully into the wheelchair area the operator again operates the remote assembly to cause the housing to retract the belt into the housing to tension the belt.

Abstract: A tie-down assembly for securing an article by a strap has a frame to which one end of the strap is immovably connected and a winding shaft about which the other end of the strap is wound and unwound. A handle pivoted to the frame engages ratchet teeth on the winding shaft to rotate the winding shaft in a strap take-up direction when the handle moves from a second to a first position while not rotating the winding shaft when the handle moves the first toward the second position. A lock mechanism actuated by a key is provided to positively and selectively lock the handle to the frame when the handle is in the second position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for provisionally connecting a fastening strap, specially a wheel chair strap, to a fixing rail (12) with a longitudinal groove. A securable and removable locking member of the fastening strap can be inserted into said longitudinal groove. A pivoting point for the fastening strap is arranged above a connecting member which can be anchored in the fixing rail (12) adjacent to the latter. A ball-and-socket joint (51) can be mounted on the connecting member. The joint can be connected to the connecting member and the fastening strap.

Abstract: A belt (3) can be pulled out from a spring biased retractor reel (2) when a ratchet mechanism (16) is released. The belt (3) is entrained around a movable shoe (4) before being led to a fastening point. When fastened, the spring bias in the reel (2) takes up the slack. Operation of an actuator, such as by depression of a pedal (10), first causes the ratchet mechanism (16) to engage and then shifts the shoe (4) to stretch and tension the belt between the reel (2) and the fastening point. The pedal (10) is retainable in its fully depressed, belt-tensioning position.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading a motorcycle onto another vehicle. The motorcycle loader comprises a wheel saddle positionable on a bed of the vehicle, a yoke assembly connectable to front forks of the motorcycle, an auxiliary winch mounted on the wheel saddle and having a cable connected to the yoke assembly, and a remote control switch for controlling the winch. The remote control may be temporarily clamped nto the handlebars of the motorcycle, and an operator sitting on the motorcycle may energize the auxiliary winch by alternately pressing and releasing a push-button switch on the remote control. The winch thus gradually pulls the front wheel of the motorcycle into the wheel saddle so that the motorcycle can be subsequently tied down to the bed of the vehicle. A strap retainer for retaining a loose end of a strap in the yoke assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An anchor for securing an end of a vehicle tie-down member to a wire grid floor of a vehicle transporter distributes the tension load from the tiedown member over a plurality of the wires making up the grid. The anchor has a base plate with six integrally formed grid engagement members arranged in three pairs. A fitting is disposed on the upper surface of the base plate for connection with the end of the tie-down member and is rotatable about a vertical axis with respect to the base place. The anchor is placed on the top of the wire grid floor such that the grid engagement members pass through six adjacent openings in the grid and the distal ends of the members project generally in the direction in which the tie-down member is to extend when attached to the vehicle, and the tie-down member is tightened to urge the grid engagement members tightly into engagement with the wires of the grid.

Abstract: A fixed support for voice coil motor comprises a coil, hollow plate, opening, structural reinforcement beam, and a plurality of pins. The pins extruding from the hollow plate allows the coil to wind around them. The opening, which locates on the center of the hollow plate, distributes stress concentration around the center. The structural reinforcement beam, which extrudes from an edge of the hollow plate, improves stiffness of the fixed support, thereby allowing the hollow plate to be made thinner.

Abstract: A wheelchair restraint system which includes a floor mounting track, anchor means slidably mountable in said mounting track, a seat belt retractor means and a rigid bracket means for mounting the retractor means to the anchor means, swivelly mounted at one end thereof to said anchor means so as to hold said retractor means at a selected angle, greater than zero, relative to said floor mounting track. In a preferred embodiment a seat belt anchor pin is also mounted in overlying relationship to the seat belt retractor means.

Abstract: A tie-down system for a vehicle transporter comprises a tie-down apparatus for securing a vehicle to a longitudinally-extending elongate vehicle transporter, comprising a vehicle support assembly, including a front deck and further including a rear deck that is variably positionable with respect to said front deck. At least four variably positionable securement devices are associated with the vehicle support assembly and attachable to the vehicle. A respective flexible tension member portion is interconnected with a respective one of each of the four securement devices to enable nonuniform variations in relative positions of the securement devices, each tension member portion capable of exerting a pull-down force on a respective one of the securement devices.

Abstract: The flexible link is a securing strap (2) which rests on the tire (5) and is tightened with respect to two fixed points on a carrying structure (7) by which the ends of the strap are retained with fixing pieces. The surface in contact with the running tread comprises successive groups (25) of a plurality of transversal support elements (26) in the form of rollers with a central rod and widened ringed tips (28) and (29) forming contiguous rail wheels by which the strap rests on the tire. This invention is applicable in the field of transport when the load consists of road vehicles.

Abstract: A wheel restraint device incorporates a harness that receives first and second elongated straps used to secure a vehicle wheel to a support surface on which the wheel is supported. Each elongated strap is configured to extend over an upper outer surface of the wheel and be secured to the support surface proximate outer and inner sides of the wheel. The harness includes first and second sleeves that are respectively configured to slidably receive the first and second elongated straps. Moreover, the first and second sleeves extend at an angle relative to one another to orient the first and second elongated straps in a crossing relationship along one side of the wheel. With such an arrangement, it has been found that the tendency of the harness and/or the elongated straps to work themselves either over the upper outer surface of a wheel, or along the front or rear ends of the wheel, is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which can be used to fix a wheel to a pallet or truck, as in fastening a seat belt, by way of a wheel side supporting apparatus and a fixing apparatus for fastening, and which can be used in a high-speed transportation system for regular automobiles. The fixing apparatus for fastening has one end similar to the tongue plate device used in an automobile seat belt system and another end connectable to a retractor. The support apparatus has one end connected to the floor of the pallet or truck by a hinge, and the other end equipped with the retractor. The whole body of the support apparatus can be put into the floor of the pallet or truck, and is used to support the side of the wheel. A stopper on one end of the fixing apparatus is installed in the floor of pallet or truck.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a vehicle includes an elongated body, at least two attachment devices in communication with the body at opposite ends thereof, a tensioning device in communication with the body and configured to constantly apply a tightening force between at least two attachment devices, and an adjustment device in communication with the body for selectively applying a tightening force between two attachment devices.

Abstract: A hold down system (100) for securing a vehicle (10) to a transporter (11) includes at least one hold down device (12) for each wheel (13) of the vehicle (10). The hold down device (12) includes a short strap (15) having two end loops (16) and a long strap (14). The extremities (18, 19) of the long strap (14) pass through the end loops (16) of the short strap (15) and the ends (20, 21) of the long strap (14) are attached and tightened to the transporter (11) so that the harness loop (29) formed by the central portion (17) of the long strap (14) and the short strap (15) encircles a portion of the wheel (13) and secures such to the transporter (11). Each wheel (13) of the vehicle (10) may be individually secured to the transporter to stably maintain the position of the vehicle on the transporter (11) while it is in transit.

Abstract: A restraint assembly for securing an automotive vehicle to a flat-bed transport vehicle is adapted for use along with wheel chocks. The restraint assembly includes a synthetic, woven webbing strap having ends which are cut cold rather than by a heated blade; a standard, off-the-shelf ratchet mechanism with which the strap is engaged; a vehicle attachment hook attached to a second end of the strap; and a J-shaped hook for engaging a hole on the transport vehicle, the J-hook having a return bend that is approximately 180.degree. in arc length and an extended free end. The geometry of the J-hook serves to substantially prevent the ratchet mechanism from becoming disengaged from the transport vehicle due to bouncing of the restrained automotive vehicle on its suspension.

Abstract: A device for tying down vehicles on a transport loading surface includes a tie-down strap that acts on a vehicle wheel via a guide disposed between the strap and the wheel, wherein the tie-down strap is prestressed.

Abstract: A tie-down apparatus for securing a vehicle to a longitudinally-extending elongate vehicle transporter comprises a vehicle support assembly and at least four securement devices associated with the vehicle support assembly and attachable to the vehicle. A respective tension member portion is interconnected with a respective one of each of the four securement devices. Each tension member portion is capable of exerting a pull-down force on a respective one of the securement devices. A tension-applying mechanism is interconnected with each tension member portion to adjust the pull-down force on each of the securement devices. A tension-equalizing mechanism is interconnected with each tension member portion and is capable of automatically substantially equally distributing tension applied by the tension-applying mechanism among each tension member portion, to substantially equalize the pull-down force automatically with respect to the four securement devices.

Abstract: A device for releasably holding down the skis of a snowmobile onto the floor of a flatbed trailer comprising a U-shaped channel, with a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings formed therein for adjustably receiving longitudinally spaced members, a handle pivotally connected to the channel for drawing tight in an over-center manner a strap entrained over and under the members, and an elongated tube placeable over the channel and under the strap, the tube ends of which engage and hold skis upon pivotal rotation of the handle in one direction effecting a tightening of the strap over the tube, opposite rotation of the handle loosening the strap such that the tube can be removed from over the skis.

Abstract: A tie-down method for securing a vehicle to a longitudinally-extending elongate vehicle transporter utilizes a vehicle support assembly and at least four securement devices associated with the vehicle support assembly and attachable to the vehicle. A respective tension member portion is interconnected with a respective one of each of the four securement devices. Each tension member portion is capable of exerting a pull-down force on a respective one of the securement devices. A tension-applying mechanism is interconnected with each tension member portion to adjust the pull-down force on each of the securement devices. A tension-equalizing mechanism is interconnected with each tension member portion and is capable of automatically substantially equally distributing tension applied by the tension-applying mechanism among each tension member portion, to substantially equalize the pull-down force automatically with respect to the four securement devices.

Abstract: A system for securing a vehicle of the type having a plurality of wheels from rolling or sliding along the floor of a refrigerated-type cargo container, employs lashing point anchors which couple to the floor of the cargo container without damaging same. Generally, the floors of refrigerated-type cargo containers are delicate, as they are formed of a plurality of elongated floor sections formed of extruded aluminum. The floor sections are arranged parallel to, and at a predetermined inter-sectional distance from, one another, each elongated floor section having a horizontal top portion and a vertical portion arranged orthogonal to one another to form a T-shaped cross-sectional configuration. A plurality of lashing straps, each having first and second ends, are coupled between the vehicle and respective ones of the lashing point anchors. Each lashing strap has an associated length adjustment arrangement.

Abstract: A method for using a tie down device (10) for securing an automotive vehicle (100) by its wheels (104) and tires (102) into a transport vehicle (200), is described. The tie down device includes a first strap (12) and a second strap (16) with the second strap connected at its first end (16A) to the first strap near the first end (12A) of the first strap. The first end of the first strap has a first loop (14) which forms the first end (10A) of the device. The second end (16B) of the second strap has a second loop (18) which forms the intermediate end (10C) of the device. To configure the device, the second end (10B) of the device is passed first through the second loop and then through the first loop. The device is then positioned on the tire such that the second strap extends over the top of the tire on the wheel and the first strap extends around the tire.

Abstract: A tie down device (10) for securing an automotive vehicle (100) by its wheels (104) and tires (102) into a transport vehicle (200), is described. The tie down device includes a first strap (12) and a second strap (16) with the second strap connected at its first end (16A) to the first strap near the first end (12A) of the first strap. The first end of the first strap has a first loop (14) which forms the first end (10A) of the device. The second end (16B) of the second strap has a second loop (18) which forms the intermediate end (10C) of the device. To configure the device, the second end (10B) of the device is passed first through the second loop and then through the first loop. The device is then positioned on the tire such that the second strap extends over the top of the tire on the wheel and the first strap extends around the tire.

Abstract: A short wheelchair restraining strap formed from webbing is formed with a small loop at one end and a large loop at the other end. The small loop is passed around a portion of the wheelchair frame, and the large loop is then passed through the small loop. The short strap so attached then leaves the large loop end protruding from the wheelchair frame which provides an easy point of attachment for a tie-down strap. The tie-down strap is a length of webbing having two ends held to a fitting affixed to the floor of a vehicle. A length adjusting buckle is positioned in the length of webbing. The tie-down strap is looped through the large loop of the short wheelchair restraining strap.

Abstract: A wheel chock for restraining a motor vehicle in a transportable carrier such as a railway car, which is adapted to be selectively connected to a rail fastened to the floor of the carrier and which is made of a flexible copolymer material capable of withstanding the loads incurred by chock restrained vehicles, and further which is user friendly in that it can be maintained in a wheel-restraining position together with a wheel harness and removed from that position without the use of any tools. The wheel chock includes a torque tube for winding up a wheel harness strap to tighten the wheel harness on a vehicle wheel, a strap take-up device for quickly removing the slack in the strap, and a foot-operated actuating lever for rotating the torque tube and operating a pawl and ratchet mechanism controlling rotation of the torque tube.

Abstract: A safety tie-down roller (1) has a spring laden ratchet pawl (9) positioned at an opposite side of structural framework (11) from a ratchet gear (8) and its related working conditions. A handle (33, 34, 35) is provided to release the ratchet pawl (9) against pressure of a spring (20, 37, 40, 42) for unloading cars and for straightening out chain to prevent loosening hazards. A wrench socket (45, 46, 51) is provided in addition to bar wrench apertures (15) for fast ratchet wrench rotation or optionally for motorized wrench rotation of the tie-down ratchet gear (8). Accurate torque control is made possible by the wrench sockets with either a hand torque wrench or a motorized torque wrench. Adapter plates (47, 49) are provided in addition to convenient forms of special hand wrenches (57, 58, 60).

Abstract: A tie-down system for securing vehicles to the ramps of a vehicle-hauling trailer includes a hollow winch axle extending transversely across the ramp and a chain extending through the winch axle. The winch axle has a chain-engaging end on one side of the ramp for selectively engaging the chain, and a gear-supporting end with a two-way gear/pawl arrangement for selectively locking the winch axle with respect to the ramp. An elastomeric bushing is disposed on the winch axle between the winch axle and the ramp structure to absorb peak chain loads during use. A novel ladder arrangement formed on the ramp adjacent the chain-engaging end of the winch axle permits the chain to be threaded therethrough laterally with respect to the ramp to position the chain at a desired angle with respect to the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing four vehicles inside a maritime container using a platform (20) with locking mechanisms (40) for suspending it at a pre-determined distance from the floor of the container. Jack assemblies (60) are used to lower or raise the platform depending on the characteristics of the vehicle being loaded. Leaking fluid pans (32) are cooperatively and removably mounted to the platform (20) in order to prevent any damage to the vehicles on the lower level. The platform assembly (20) extends the entire span of the container where it is housed with the two parallel structural lateral members (24 and 24') kept in a spaced apart relationship by girder members (25) and spacer members (26). The vehicles are tied down during transportation to minimize movement.

Abstract: An improved wheelchair (100) tie down apparatus for use in a vehicle is described. Front attachment (A) and rear attachment (B) hold the wheelchair in the vehicle. The rear attachment is secured to the floor (200) by joined fixed length link (3), hinges (24 and 27) and tange (22), cross member (20c) between upright members (20), rear bar (26) and arms (28) secured to the rear axle (106) of the wheelchair. The tie down provides a rigid connection of the wheelchair to the floor of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for tying down wheeled vehicles such as automobiles, to a flat bed or other base support by which the vehicles are to be transported. Two wheels which are positioned in fore and aft tandem are each secured to the base support by respective harnesses while a centrally positioned tensioning unit receives chains connected to the harnesses for application of tie-down tension to the chains by simple back and forth motion of a pivotally mounted handle. Between each wheel harness and the chain tensioning unit is provided a chain pocket wheel and ratchet and pawl arrangement in a housing, with means to attach the entire housing and arrangement to the base support so as to transfer the actual chain tension to the ratchet/pawl arrangement and the base support.

Abstract: A double-decked apparatus has a base (4), and a movable deck (6) is rotatably connected, at one end, to one end of the base. Automobiles can be positioned on the base (4) and on the movable deck (6). The movable deck can rotate between a first position, where it is laid upon the base and positioned substantially parallel thereto, and a second position, where it is inclined upwardly. The apparatus is also provided with support rods (8, 9) which can hold the movable deck in the second position. Two automobiles can be mounted on this apparatus, one above the other. The apparatus can, therefore, help to achieve an efficient use of the space within a transport container.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a wheelchair (100) to the floor (200) of a vehicle is described. The apparatus includes a front attachment (A) and a rear attachment (B). The front attachment (A) includes a bar (15), buckle (14), belt (13) and hook (12) secured to a vehicle mounted plate (10). The rear attachment (B) includes a rear bar (26) with arms (28) mounted on the wheelchair and a rigid connection link (22) between the bar and a rear plate (20). The apparatus allows a greater number of wheelchairs to be positioned in the vehicle.

Abstract: An article carrier for a motor vehicle comprising at least one generally horizontally arranged molded plastic article supporting slat capable of being fixedly secured to the vehicle and having an end cap mechanism and/or a bracket for supporting a cross rail or the like integrally formed into the slat. The end cap mechanism may include a tie down for securing articles to be supported by the slat. The slat may have a channel and an insert may be placed in the channel for resilient but sturdy support of articles placed on the slat. The slat and the article carrier may be of various forms.

Abstract: An articulated heliport pad in which the pilot controls the rotation of a central disk for last minute changes in wind direction as well as the operation of a unique hold-down device.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a vehicle includes a telescoping arm member extending the length of the vehicle, inversed v-shaped wheel supports positioned fore and aft of two wheels on a side of the vehicle, attachments to retain the assembly to the vehicle, and support receiving members for supporting the apparatus and vehicle, such as in a semitrailer. The attachments may include a ratchet and a hook.

Abstract: A railroad car having at least one deck for supporting and transporting four-wheel vehicles such as automobiles and trucks including a track secured to the deck longitudinally of the railroad car; a pair of movable chock blocks for each vehicle transported on the deck to secure the vehicle against longitudinal movement; each chock block including a bar with a first end and a second end; and pins on the bar first end for removably and releasably engaging holes in the track when the bar is substantially lateral to the track and spaced above the deck to prevent the bar first end from moving lateral to and longitudinally along the track and from being displaced out of lateral position to the track by pivoting, relative to the track, about a vertical axis, said means permitting ready release of the bar first end from the track so that the bar first end can be moved along the track.

Abstract: A structure for supporting motor vehicles which can be mounted at various positions along the bed of a transport vehicle to accommodate vehicle and vehicle chassis of different lengths and sizes. The structure generally comprises a dismountable channel member which retains a support post in an upright position and can be secured to the truck bed at different locations. Slidably attached to the upper portion of the support post is an arm which extends outwardly from the post. Similarly, a platform which supports one wheel of the vehicle being transported is removably secured to the arm of the structure. All the components may be lockingly engaged during transport and the structure may be disassembled and stored within the bed of the transport vehicle. Furthermore, all of the components are adjustable relative to one another and the bed of the truck in order accommodate different vehicles.

Abstract: A resilient tie-down device interposed between a hook connected to a vehicle frame and a chain connected to a transporter and characterized in that the resilient tie-down device includes a strap which is pretensioned and encapsulated in a rubber jacket.

Abstract: A cargo restraining device having a plate with side walls and end walls and spaced-apart strap-receiving openings with an intermediate strap-supporting web between the openings for cooperatively receiving and supporting a strap threaded through the strap-receiving openings and supporting a removable fixture having strap tightening ratchet means on the plate for tightening a strap threaded through the plate by inserting fastening means through the strap and the strap receiving openings before removal of the fixture from cooperation with the tensioner plate.

Abstract: A vehicle roof rack having two separate members which are securable on the roof. Each support member has a reel with belt secured thereto. A plurality of belt engaging pegs extend horizontally from a side of each support member for the belt to pass under a peg and over the load to secure the load thereto.

Abstract: An automobile tie down assembly for use on vehicle supporting track assemblies in vehicle carriers to secure the vehicle being carried on the track assemblies including a guide assembly to guide the flexible tie down member attached to the vehicle and a tie down mechanism for winding the flexible tie down member thereon to tie down the vehicle where the tie down mechanism includes a tie down winding shaft onto which the flexible tie down member is wound, an input drive member adapted to be engaged and rotated, and gearing means interconnecting the tie down winding shaft and the input drive member so that rotation of said input member rotates the tie down winding shaft, the gearing means constructed and arranged so that said gearing means is substantially irreversible whereby the input shaft can be rotated to drive the tie down winding shaft while rotation of the tie down winding shaft to drive the input shaft is substantially precluded.

Abstract: A quick release winch tie down assembly is mounted in the tracks of a ramp of a car hauler vehicle and includes a crank shaft extending from one end through a segmented bearing sleeve, a release shaft connected to said crank shaft in nonrotatable telescopic arrangement, and a tie down sleeve extending about both the release shaft and crank shaft in a space between the bearing sleeve segments. A spring urges lock elements of the tie down sleeve and the release shaft in locking relationship. A tie down chain is connected at one end portion to the tie down sleeve, and a rachet and pawl means limits the rotation of crank shaft to one direction, so that when the crank shaft is rotated it also rotates the release shaft and tie down sleeve and winds the tie down chain about the tie down sleeve, and when the lock elements are disengaged, the tie down sleeve is free to rotate and unreel the tie down chain.

Abstract: Low-height reversible ratchet tie-down winch for flat decked vehicles. The tie-down winches are adjustably mounted in retainer channels extending along each side of the deck of the vehicle. Each winch is rotatably mounted between the top and bottom walls of its base and tension of the tie-down chain is maintained by a pawl and ratchet. The winch block has a chain pocket to lock a horizontal link of the chain to the chain pocket and a recessed portion engaging a next adjacent vertical link of the chain. The ratchet has a cooperating pocket engageable with a next adjacent vertical link of the chain and completing the chain pocket in the winch block. The chain may be trained through one end or the other of the base for the winch.

Abstract: A wheelchair tie-down apparatus is provided for use on buses, vans, and other vehicles with emphasis in the public transportation area. The tie-down apparatus comprises three elongated coffers arranged to define a wheelchair bay, each of these coffers having hinged lids which open to expose an extendable, length-adjustable, flexible strap which is connected to a structural member of the wheelchair and then all three straps are cinched down through use of the length adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: A tiedown winch for securing a load such as an automobile to a transporting vehicle such as a railroad car includes a housing slidable in a track carried by the transporting vehicle. A chain for securing the load is wound on a drum journalled in the top and bottom walls of the housing for rotation around a vertical axis. The housing includes end walls, each of which is provided with an opening so that the chain can extend from the housing in either direction. The openings are arranged tangentially with respect to the drum and are located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the housing so that rotation of the drum in a single direction can wind the chain along a direct path through either opening. A locking bolt substantially shorter than the width of the housing is carried by one end wall to engage the track for retaining the winch at a selected position along the track.

Abstract: A car haul trailer for transporting vehicles which includes a trailer frame with a base frame and a pair of spaced apart upstanding side frames between which are mounted a plurality of fixed and movable track assemblies so that the track assemblies can be positioned in a plurality of positions to accommodate different loads of vehicles to be transported.