A pawl is a movable lever that engages a fixed component to either prevent movement in one direction or restrain it altogether. As such, it is a type of
latch and can also be considered a type of
dog. It typically consists of a
spring-loaded lever that engages a mating component at a steep enough angle to restrain it. Pawls are often tapered, being widened at their pivot for anchoring and narrow at their tip.
Applications
Anchor windlass
A pawl is used in an
anchor windlass to prevent a free-spooling chain by grabbing and snubbing an individual link. Similar mechanisms include a
Devil's claw, or a claw and dog.
A pawl is a movable lever that engages a fixed component to either prevent movement in one direction or restrain it altogether. As such, it is a type of
latch and can also be considered a type of
dog. It typically consists of a
spring-loaded lever that engages a mating component at a steep enough angle to restrain it. Pawls are often tapered, being widened at their pivot for anchoring and narrow at their tip.
Applications
Anchor windlass
A pawl is used in an
anchor windlass to prevent a free-spooling chain by grabbing and snubbing an individual link. Similar mechanisms include a
Devil's claw, or a claw and dog.