1. Field of the Invention
This application relates generally to a bi-directional winch system. More specifically, this application relates to a bi-directional winch system suitable for mounting on a mobile device, for example, on a truck bed.
2. Description of Related Art
Vehicle mounted winch systems, for example, winch systems for mounting to the front of a vehicle, are known to the art. However, such systems may not be easily employed to provide a pulling force at the rear of a vehicle. Likewise, a rear mounted winch system may not be easily employed to provide a pulling force at the front of a vehicle. The need exists for an easy-to-use vehicle mounted winch system that is capable of providing a pulling force at either the front and/or rear of a vehicle.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, provided is a winch system, which includes a first cable reel and a second cable reel. A driveshaft rotates the first cable reel and the second cable reel. The driveshaft is moveable along an axis of rotation between a first position and a second position. The driveshaft operationally engages the first cable reel when in the first position and operationally engages the second cable reel when in the second position.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, provided is a winch system, which includes a first cable reel and a second cable reel. A first cable reel bracket supports the first cable reel and a second cable reel bracket supports the second cable reel. A first gearbox operationally engages the first cable reel. A second gearbox operationally engages the second cable reel. A winch motor powers the first gearbox and the second gearbox.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, provided is a vehicle-mounted winch system, which includes a gearbox and a motor for powering the gearbox. A driveshaft is driven by an output of the gearbox. The driveshaft is moveable along an axis of rotation between a first position and a second position. A shift lever moves the driveshaft between the first position and the second position. An extension collar connects the output of the gearbox to the driveshaft. The driveshaft is movable within the extension collar along the axis of rotation. The winch system also includes a first cable reel, a second cable reel, a first cable reel bracket for supporting the first cable reel, and a second cable reel bracket for supporting the second cable reel. A gear, which is mounted on the driveshaft between the first cable reel and the second cable reel, engages the first cable reel when the driveshaft is in the first position and engages the second cable reel when the driveshaft is in the second position. A first windable support extends from the first cable reel and a second windable support extends from the second cable reel. Rotating the first cable reel in a first direction causes the first windable support to wind around the first cable reel and rotating the second cable reel in the first direction causes the second windable support to wind around the second cable reel. The winch system also includes an enclosure, wherein the bi-directional winch system is located at least partially within the enclosure.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, provided is a winch system, which includes a first spool including a first windable support, a second spool including a second windable support, and a motor The winch system further includes means for operationally engaging and disengaging the first spool with the motor and means for operationally engaging the second spool with the motor.
The invention described herein is a winch system, for example, a bi-directional winch system for providing pulling forces in two directions, such as in a forward and/or rear direction. If desired, the bi-directional winch system can be mounted to a base, which could provide for easy installation of the system. For example, the system components could be pre-installed on the base and the base could be installed at a desired location, rather than individual system components. The system can be installed within a building or it can be installed on a mobile device. For example, the system can be mounted to a truck bed, or behind the seats in a truck cab, or between the frame rails beneath the truck bed or cab.
Generally, the winch system includes a driveshaft and first and second cable reels or spools that are turned by the driveshaft. The first and second cable reels are configured to provide forward and rear pulling forces, respectively, when turned by the drive shaft. When the driveshaft is shifted from engaging one cable reel to another, a pulling force in the opposite direction can be achieved. Alternatively, both cable reels could be engaged simultaneously, providing pulling forces in two directions at once.
The system further includes a winch motor 2 and a gearbox 3. The winch motor 2 could employ, for example, an electric motor. Alternatively, the winch motor 2 could employ an internal combustion engine, or could include a pneumatic or hydraulic device, for example. The gearbox 3 is driven by the winch motor 2. Alternatively, the gearbox 3 could be directly driven by, for example, a hand crank, a ratcheting wrench, or a drill, such as a cordless drill.
An extension collar 4 connects the gearbox 3 to a driveshaft 5. The driveshaft 5 has splines that fit into corresponding slots within the extension collar 4. The winch motor 2 turns the gearbox 3, which causes the extension collar 4 to turn. The extension collar 4 causes the driveshaft 5 to rotate by engaging the driveshaft's 5 splines. The driveshaft 5 is able to slide laterally within the extension collar 4, generally along the driveshaft's axis of rotation. As will be described further below, by sliding the driveshaft 5 laterally within the extension collar 4, either of two cable reels can be engaged and driven.
The system includes a first cable reel bracket 6a and a second cable reel bracket 6b for supporting a first cable reel 7a and a second cable reel 7b, respectively. Additionally, the cable reel brackets 6a, 6b can include bearings for supporting the driveshaft 5. The driveshaft 5 passes through the center of the cable reel brackets 6a, 6b and cable reels 7a, 7b. The driveshaft includes an engagement gear 8 located between the cable reels 7a, 7b and brackets 6a, 6b. When the driveshaft 5 is slid laterally within the extension collar 4, the engagement gear moves laterally between the cable reel brackets 6a, 6b and cable reels 7a, 7b and is capable of engaging either of the cable reels 7a, 7b. When the driveshaft 5 turns and the engagement gear 8 is engaged with a cable reel 7a, 7b, it causes the cable reel 7a, 7b to turn. When turned in one direction, for example, clockwise, a cable reel 7a, 7b either provides a forward or rear pull by winding a cable. When the cable reels 7a, 7b are configured to provide pulls in opposite directions when turned in one direction, forward and rear pulling force can be achieved by merely moving the engagement gear 8 between the cable reel brackets 6a, 6b.
In an embodiment, the engagement gear 8 is capable of engaging either one of the cable reels 7a, 7b individually or simultaneously. When the driveshaft 5 is in a first position, the engagement gear 8 engages the first cable reel 7a and not the second cable reel 7b. When the driveshaft 5 is in a second, laterally extended position, the engagement gear 8 engages both of the first cable reel 7aand the second cable reel 7b simultaneously. When the driveshaft 5 is in a third, further laterally extended position, the engagement gear 8 engages the second cable reel 7b and not the first cable reel 7a.
Sliding of the driveshaft 5 within the extension collar 4 and the corresponding movement of the engagement gear 8 could be achieved through a manual shifting lever 9 which engages the driveshaft 5. Alternatively, a powered shifting device 10, for example, an electric motor, solenoid or other driven piston, could be employed. Use of a powered shifting device 10 could allow for push-button shifting by an operator. Still alternatively, the manual shifting lever 9 could be used in combination with the powered shifting device 10, providing manual operation should the powered shifting device 10 fail. The manual shifting lever 9 or powered shifting device 10 can include a fork for engaging a groove on the driveshaft or extension on the driveshaft having a groove.
The bi-directional winch system could be enclosed by a cover 11 which connects to the base plate. The cover 11 would include openings for winch cables and, if necessary, electrical wires and the manual shifting lever 9.
In a further embodiment, each gearbox 40a, 40b does not have a hollow gear cavity 15, for engaging the splined extension 12. Instead, each gearbox 40a, 40b has an extension collar for achieving the same purpose. Still further, the gearboxes 40a, 40b could be mounted to and moveable with the motor for engaging the cable reel brackets.
In an embodiment in which the motor 2 is slidable between gearboxes connected to the cable reel brackets, a motor base plate 14 having an engaging portion, for example, a tongue, tenon, or dowel, can be used to engage a corresponding base plate 13 beneath the gearbox having a receiving portion, for example, a groove, mortise, or drilled hole.
A cable reel bracket 6b can be seen in
A cable reel 7b can be seen in
The truck shown in
Windable supports could be routed along the vehicle through tubes 25. If desired, pulleys 26 could be attached to the vehicle to facilitate routing of the windable supports. The pulleys 26 could be either open or covered. In addition to facilitating the routing of the windable supports, the pulleys 26 could provide for the generation of pulling forces in a variety of directions. For example, pulleys 26 could be mounted along the vehicle to change a pulling force directed toward the rear of a vehicle to a pulling force directed toward the side of a vehicle.
Mounting the bi-directional winch within an enclosure or beneath a cover could provide for an aesthetically pleasing system and deter or secure against theft. An enclosure or cover could help keep dirt and other foreign matter from coating the system and possibly affecting its operation.
A locking bar 29 is shown in
The bi-directional winch system shown in
An embodiment of the bi-directional winch system can be seen in
It is desirable that bearings through which the driveshaft 5 passes engage the driveshaft loosely enough to allow the driveshaft 5 to slide back and forth through them. Examples of suitable bearings include, for example, ball bearings, roller bearings, and solid sleeve bearings.
Travel limiting devices, such as limit switches, torque switches, or the like can be included in an embodiment of the invention, to limit winding of a windable support around a cable reel. For example, a travel limiting device can prevent a windable support from completely winding around a cable reel. The travel limiting device could cause the winch motor to automatically stop rotating the cable reels when, for example, a predetermined amount of the windable support has been wound around a cable reel, a predetermined amount of windable support remains extended from a cable reel, or a predetermined torque is reached or exceeded. In the embodiment of
The invention has been described hereinabove using specific examples; however, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives may be used and equivalents may be substituted for elements or steps described herein, without deviating from the scope of the invention. Modifications may be necessary to adapt the invention to a particular situation or to particular needs without departing from the scope of the invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular implementation described herein, but that the claims be given their broadest interpretation to cover all embodiments, literal or equivalent, covered thereby.
Benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/657,899, filed Mar. 2, 2005, is hereby claimed and the disclosure incorporated herein by reference. The disclosures of U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/036,681 and 11/079,430 are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60657899 | Mar 2005 | US |