Winch for a Vehicle having Damage Protection

• US 20200131010A1
• Filed: 10/30/2018
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TAP Worldwide LLC (Polaris Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Polaris Industries Incorporated (Polaris Inc.)
• Inventors: KUKULA, Glen L., PATEL, Hitesh R.
• Granted Patent: US 10,899,590 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 1/00 Rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms; Capstans portable or mobile lifting or hauling appliances B66D3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 1/12 incorporating electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 1/16 the drums or barrels being freely rotatable , e.g. having a clutch activated independently of a brake B66D1/20, B66D1/22, B66D1/24 take precedence; clutches activated alternately with brakes B66D1/14, slip couplings B66D1/14
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 1/28 Other constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 1/40 Control devices
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 1/46 electric
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 2700/0183 Details, e.g. winch drums, cooling, bearings, mounting, base structures, cable guiding or attachment of the cable to the drum
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 3/26 Other details, e.g. housings

Abstract

A winch and method for operating the winch includes a winch body having a first drum support, a second drum support and a drum rotatably coupled to the first drum support and the second drum support. The winch further comprises a plurality of gears coupled to the second drum support and the drum. A motor is coupled to the drum through the plurality of gears. A motor cover is coupled to the first drum support. A gear cover is coupled to the second drum support and houses the plurality of gears therein. A supplemental cover covers at least a portion of the motor cover or a portion of the gear cover or both.

Claims

1. A winch comprising:

a winch body having,

a first drum support;

a second drum support;

a drum rotatably coupled to the first drum support and the second drum support;

a plurality of gears coupled to the second drum support and the drum;

a motor coupled to the drum through the plurality of gears;

a motor cover coupled to the first drum support;

a gear cover coupled to the second drum support and houses the plurality of gears therein; and

a supplemental cover covering at least a portion of the motor cover or a portion of the gear cover or both.

2. The winch as recited in claim 1 wherein the supplemental cover covers at least a forward facing portion of the gear cover and motor cover relative to a vehicle.

3. The winch as recited in claim 1 wherein the supplemental cover covers at least a forward facing portion and a top facing portion of the gear cover and motor relative to a vehicle.

4. The winch as recited in claim 1 wherein the supplemental cover comprises a first cover and a second cover.

5. The winch as recited in claim 4 wherein the first cover is directly coupled to the first drum support and the second cover is directly coupled to the second drum support.

6. The winch as recited in claim 5 wherein the first cover is directly coupled to the first drum support and the motor cover using fasteners and wherein the second cover is directly coupled to the second drum support using and the gear cover using fasteners.

7. The winch as recited in claim 1 further comprising a gear release handle decoupling the drum from the gears or motor, said gear release handle having a first side and a second side, said first side having first indicia corresponding to the drum engaged with the gears and a second indicia corresponding to the drum disengaged with the gears.

8. The winch as recited in claim 7 wherein the first side and the second side are disposed in a first plane that is forward facing relative to a vehicle such that the first side is forward facing when the gear release handle is in a first position engaging the gears and the second side is forward facing when the gear release handle is in a second position disengaging the gears.

9. The winch as recited in claim 8 wherein the first plane is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the winch in the first position and the second position.

10. The winch as recited in claim 1 further comprising a contactor box comprising a controller therein, said controller coupled to the winch body and providing power to the motor.

11. The winch as recited in claim 10 wherein the controller within a contactor box is coupled to daytime running lights.

12. The winch as recited in claim 10 wherein the contactor box is coupled to a drum light illuminating the drum.

13. The winch as recited in claim 12 wherein the contactor box is mounted to a first crossbar and a second crossbar, said first crossbar and said second crossbar are mounted to the first drum support and the second drum support.

14. The winch as recited in claim 13 further comprising at least one drum illuminating light coupled to the first crossbar or the second crossbar.

15. A remote control for controlling a winch having a drum comprising:

a body having a closed shape defining an inside and outside;

first switch enabling operation of the drum;

a second switch changing an operating direction of the drum, said first switch discrete from the second switch.

16. The remote control as recited in claim 15 wherein the remote control comprises a plurality of sides forming a closed polygon and wherein the first switch is disposed on a first side of the closed polygon of the remote control and the second switch is disposed on a second side of the closed polygon of the remote control.

17. The remote control of claim 16 wherein the first switch comprises a trigger switch within an interior of the closed polygon and the second switch is disposed on an exterior surface of the closed polygon.

18. The remote control as recited in claim 15 wherein said remote control comprises a flashlight.

19. The remote control as recited in claim 15 wherein the remote control comprises a magnet.

20. The remote control as recited in claim 15 wherein the remote control comprises a plurality of sides forming a closed polygon and wherein the first switch is disposed on a first side of the closed polygon of the remote control and the second switch is disposed on a second side of the closed polygon of the remote control, a flashlight disposed on a third side of the closed polygon and a magnet disposed on a fourth side of the closed polygon.