US 12,269,717 B2
Pulley block
Christopher Cole, Tularosa, NM (US); and James K. Geroux, Fort Edward, NY (US)
Filed by Christopher Cole, Tularosa, NM (US); and James K. Geroux, Fort Edward, NY (US)
Filed on Jun. 13, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/838,346.
Application 17/838,346 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2020/064426, filed on Dec. 11, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/947,301, filed on Dec. 12, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0306435 A1, Sep. 29, 2022
Int. Cl. B66D 3/04 (2006.01)
CPC B66D 3/046 (2013.01) [B66D 2700/026 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A pulley block, comprising:
a first side plate;
a second side plate;
an axle received in the first side plate and the second side plate, the axle being fixed with the first side plate and in a floating relationship with the second side plate such that the second side plate is retained on the axle and capable of rotating around the axle, wherein the axle defines a central opening configured for receiving a soft shackle;
a bushing for the axle; and
a pulley supported on the axle between the first side plate and the second side plate in a longitudinal direction of the axle, the pulley being configured for receiving a winch line around an outer perimeter thereof;
wherein the bushing for the axle is configured to support the pulley on the axle between the first side plate and the second side plate in the longitudinal direction of the axle, and
wherein an inner surface of the bushing for the axle defines rifling configured to guide sand, grit, dirt, and other particles caught between the bushing and the axle out of the pulley block as the bushing rotates relative to the axle.