DC motor tow winch

• US 9,573,665 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2013
• Issued: 02/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MOTOWINCH GROUP, LLC
• Original Assignee: Everett Ogden
• Inventors: Ogden, Everett
• Primary Examiner(s): KUHFUSS, ZACHARY L
• Application Number:
  US13/894,947
• Publication Number:
  US 20130305954A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,378 Days
• Field of Search: 104/173.2
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B61B 11/00 Ski lift, sleigh lift or like trackless systems with guided towing cables only
• CPC Class Codes: B61B 11/002 able to be dismantled or removed
• CPC Class Codes: B61C 17/12 Control gear; Arrangements for controlling locomotives from remote points in the train or when operating in multiple units control from points outside the train B61L3/00; fluid-actuated telemotors, servomotors F15B; control devices in general G05
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/60 Arrangements for towing, e.g. for use with water-skis or wakeboards
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/63 Holding means for the user, e.g. handle bars or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/67 Connection means on the towing watercraft, e.g. pylons, side poles or winches
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 1/46 electric

Abstract

A tow winch powered by a DC motor and a rechargeable battery. A tow rope is wound by the winch spool, the tow rope having a tow handle with one or more wireless throttle control members to start, stop and adjust the speed and acceleration of the retrieval operation. A marker device is incorporated into or attached to the tow rope and a sensor switch is provided on the base, whereby when the marker device is detected by the sensor switch the winch is disengaged. The base and operational components are sized and structured such that straps may be connected to the base and the tow winch carried like a backpack.

Claims

1. A tow winch comprising:

a winch spool;

a tow rope wound upon said winch spool, said tow rope comprising a tow handle;

a DC motor rotating said winch spool;

a rechargeable battery operating said motor;

one or more throttle control members mounted on or in said tow handle;

a wireless transmitter mounted on or in said tow handle in communication with said one or more throttle control members;

a wireless receiver in communication with said transmitter;

whereby operation of said one or more throttle control members causes said transmitter to send a signal to said receiver to control rotation of said winch spool; and

further comprising a marker member attached to said tow rope and a sensor switch, wherein said marker member comprises a magnet, whereby said sensor switch halts rotation of said winch spool upon sensing said marker member.

2. The tow winch of claim 1, further comprising an axle, wherein said winch spool is mounted onto said axle and said motor rotates said axle to rotate said winch spool.

3. The tow winch of claim 1, wherein operation of said one or more throttle control members controls said motor.

4. The tow winch of claim 1, further comprising an axle and a clutch connected to said axle, wherein said winch spool is mounted onto said axle and said motor rotates said clutch to rotate said axle to rotate said winch spool, and whereby operation of said one or more throttle control members causes said transmitter to send a signal to said receiver to engage or disengage said clutch from said axle to control rotation of said winch spool.

5. The tow winch of claim 1, wherein said battery is removable from said tow winch for recharging.

6. The tow winch of claim 1, further comprising a base, walls and handles mounted to said walls.

7. The tow winch of claim 1, further comprising a base, walls and straps mounted to said base or walls, whereby said tow winch may be worn as a backpack.

8. The tow winch of claim 1, further comprising a wireless kill switch mounted in or on said tow handle and in communication with said transmitter, whereby engagement of said kill switch allows rotation of said winch spool, while disengagement of said kill switch precludes rotation of said winch spool.