Power-assisted winch

• US 9,546,081 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2014
• Issued: 01/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anthony J. Kusian
• Original Assignee: Anthony J. Kusian
• Inventors: Kusian, Anthony J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marcelo, Emmanuel M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stefanon, Justin
• Application Number:
  US14/195,915
• Publication Number:
  US 20140246634A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,050 Days
• Field of Search: 242/323, 242/268, 242/269, 242/362, 242/613, 254/323, 254/268, 254/269, 254/362
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 1/7436 drivable by both motor and manually

Abstract

A power-assisted winch includes a rotatable drum for receiving a line thereabout. The power-assisted winch further includes a trigger mechanism configured to be releasably engaged upon a force exerted on the line. The trigger mechanism selectively activates a power source providing power to the winch to assist with hauling the line when engaged.

Claims

1. A power-assisted winch, comprising:

a base having a recess formed therein;

a mounting assembly disposed within the recess of the base, the mounting assembly including a mounting plate and a trigger mechanism disposed adjacent the mounting plate, the mounting plate slideably coupled to the base and positionable in a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the mounting plate engages the trigger mechanism and in the second position the mounting plate disengages the trigger mechanism; and

a drum coupled to the mounting plate to rotate about an axis that is fixed to the mounting assembly, the drum including a cylindrical casing having a gear assembly disposed therein; and

a power source coupled the gear assembly, wherein the power source is configured to rotate the drum when the power source is activated by engagement of the trigger mechanism.

2. The power-assisted winch of claim 1, wherein the trigger mechanism is at least one of a switch, a conductor, a load cell, a torque sensor, and a pressure resistor.

3. The power-assisted winch of claim 1, wherein the mounting assembly comprises an urging mechanism configured to bias the mounting plate towards the second position.

4. The power-assisted winch of claim 3, wherein the urging mechanism is a spring disposed opposite the trigger mechanism with respect to the mounting plate.

5. The power-assisted winch of claim 1, wherein the mounting assembly further includes a mounting base disposed within the recess, and wherein the mounting plate is slideably coupled to the mounting base.

6. The power-assisted winch of claim 5, wherein the mounting plate is slideably coupled to the mounting base by at least one guide rail.

7. The power-assisted winch of claim 1, wherein the casing of the drum includes an upper annular end, a lower annular end forming a drum base, and an intermediate portion formed between the upper annular end and the lower annular end, the intermediate portion having a smaller diameter than each of the upper annular end and the drum base.

8. The power-assisted winch of claim 7, wherein the gear assembly includes a gear housing coupled to the mounting plate, a portion of the gear assembly disposed within the casing.

9. The power-assisted winch of claim 8, wherein the gear assembly includes a cylindrical shank extending from an upper end of the gear housing, the cylindrical shank formed concentric with the axis.

10. The power-assisted winch of claim 9, wherein the gear assembly includes a bearing disposed on the cylindrical shank, the bearing rotatable about the axis and received within the intermediate portion of the casing, wherein the intermediate portion engages the bearing.

11. The power-assisted winch of claim 10, wherein the gear assembly includes a gear train disposed within the gear housing, the gear train engaged with each of the drum base and a shaft of the gear assembly, wherein the gear train is configured to transfer rotational motion from the shaft to the drum.

12. The power-assisted winch of claim 11, wherein the gear train includes a first gear engaged with the shaft and a second gear engaged with the drum.

13. The power-assisted winch of claim 12, wherein the axis comprises a coupling assembly having a socket, the cooperating with each of the power source and the shaft of the gear assembly.

14. The power-assisted winch of claim 9, wherein the gear housing of the gear assembly is received within the drum base.