Winch device

A winch device including a spool having a hub rotatable about a hub axis, a first flange at a first end of the hub, a second flange at a second end of the hub, and a plurality of posts including proximal ends and distal ends, wherein each of the posts are offset from the hub axis. The plurality of posts are movable along hub axis such that the spool is selectively configurable back and forth between an open configuration and a closed configuration. When the spool is in the open configuration there is a gap between distal ends of the posts and the second flange. When the spool is in the closed configuration the gap is substantially closed. The spool further includes a biasing member for biasing the spool towards the closed configuration, a first reset motor for effecting movement of the plurality of posts from the closed configuration to the open configuration, and a second motor for effecting axial rotation of the spool about hub axis causing the plurality of posts to rotate radially about hub axis when the spool is in the closed configuration.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to winch devices and, more particularly, to a winch that can selectively attach to a flexible strand at various points along a length thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Winches are commonly-used mechanical devices that can be used to wind up or let out rope, cable, chain, cord, wire, straps, or other flexible members or strands. Such devices can include a spool, hub, or drum and a mechanism for winding up or letting out the flexible strand. Such mechanisms can be manual, such as a crank or reel, or electronically operated, such as with a motor or other electromechanical device.

With winches, the flexible strand is typically connected to the spool at or near an end of the flexible strand. For example, an end of the flexible strand can be tied to itself or otherwise coupled or fixed to structure included in the drum. Such structures can include a bolt on a flange of the drum to which a user can attach an end of the rope, which can include a loop formed directly into (or spliced onto) the rope itself. In other devices, the drum can include a slot extending through the drum, through which an end of the rope can be passed and coupled to the drum. Examples of such attachment mechanisms can be seen, by way of example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,925,687, 6,923,394, 6,719,241, 5,988,095, 5,957,433, 5,779,226, 5,664,766, 5,346,153, 5,312,061, 4,953,829, and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2017/0327355, 2016/0083231, 2014/0124719, and 2013/0334479.

Thus, to connect a rope to conventional winches, a user must have access to and be able to reach the winch hub and rope—typically the end or approximate end of the rope. In situations where a user is unable to get to or access the winch or rope, therefore, the user would not be able to connect the winch to the rope. By way of example only, these situations could include: rope hanging from cliff or tall building or other high, out-of-reach location; rope in a dangerous location or a location that one is not able to reach, such as on a frozen lake with thin ice, around a fire, or an area where hazardous chemicals are present, in hostile environments, or in a place where dangerous animals are located.

There is therefore a need for an improved winch device in which a user can connect to a rope at various points along a length thereof—even when the user is unable to manually access the flexible strand.

SUMMARY

In embodiments, a winch device comprises a spool comprising a hub rotatable about a hub axis, a first flange at a first end of the hub, a second flange at a second end of the hub, a plurality of posts comprising proximal ends and distal ends, wherein each of the posts are offset from the hub axis, and wherein the plurality of posts are movable along hub axis such that the spool is selectively configurable back and forth between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein when the spool is in the open configuration there is a gap between distal ends of the posts and the second flange and wherein when the spool is in the closed configuration the gap is substantially closed, a biasing member for biasing the spool towards the closed configuration, a first reset motor for effecting movement of the plurality of posts from the closed configuration to the open configuration, and a second motor for effecting axial rotation of the spool about hub axis causing the plurality of posts to rotate radially about hub axis when the spool is in the closed configuration.

In embodiments, the plurality of posts can comprise three or more posts.

In embodiments, the plurality of posts can comprise between three and eight posts.

In embodiments, the distal ends of the plurality of posts can be rounded.

In embodiments, the first and second flanges can comprise rounded internal surfaces.

In embodiments, the winch device of claim1can further comprise a guide for guiding a flexible strand through the gap to the hub when the spool is in the first, open configuration.

In embodiments, the guide member can comprise a “v” shape, wherein a point of the “v” shape is positioned substantially proximal the hub.

In embodiments, the posts can comprise a textured outer surface to increase surface friction such that flexible strand does not slide relative to the textured outer surface when the spool is axially rotated.

In embodiments, the first flange can comprise a plurality of post apertures, such that the plurality of posts are movable through the plurality of post apertures as the spool is selectively configurable back and forth between the open configuration and the closed configuration.

In embodiments, the first and second flanges each comprise a plurality of post apertures, such that when the plurality of posts are in the closed configuration, the plurality of posts extend through the post apertures on the first flange and distal ends of the plurality of posts operably engage with the apertures.

In embodiments, the winch device can be operably coupled to a vehicle.

In embodiments, the winch device can be coupled to a remote-controlled vehicle.

In embodiments, the winch device can further comprise a lever operably coupled to the first motor and the spool for resetting spool and selectively moving spool from a closed configuration to an open configuration.

In embodiments, a method of taking up a flexible strand using a winch device of any of the prior embodiments can include, when the spool is in the open configuration, effecting movement of the winch device such that the flexible strand moves through gap to the hub, effecting movement of the plurality of posts to closed configuration, and, with the second motor, effecting axial rotation of the spool about the hub axis causing the plurality of posts to rotate radially about the hub axis such that the flexible strand wraps around the plurality of posts.

In embodiments, in the step of effecting movement of the winch device such that the flexible strand moves through gap to the hub, a portion of flexible strand at an intermediate location thereon moves through gap to the hub.

In embodiments, in the step of effecting movement of the winch device such that the flexible strand moves through gap to the hub, a portion of flexible strand proximate an end thereof moves through gap to the hub.

In embodiments, the winch device is operably coupled to a remote controlled vehicle and wherein the step of effecting movement of the winch device comprises moving the remote controlled vehicle such that the flexible strand moves through gap to the hub.

In embodiments, the winch device is operably coupled to a remote controlled aircraft and wherein the step of effecting movement of the winch device comprises moving the remote controlled aircraft such that the flexible strand moves through gap to the hub.

In embodiments, a method of taking up a flexible strand using a winch device of any of the prior embodiments can include, when the spool is in the open configuration, effecting movement of the winch device a first time such that the flexible strand moves through gap to the hub, effecting movement of the plurality of posts a first time to closed configuration, with the first motor, effecting movement of the plurality of posts to open configuration, effecting movement of the winch device a second time such that the flexible strand moves through gap to the hub, effecting movement of the plurality of posts a second time to closed configuration, and, with the second motor, effect axial rotation of the spool about the hub axis causing the plurality of posts to rotate circumferentially about the hub axis such that the flexible strand wraps around the plurality of posts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In certain situations and locations, a winch user may not be able to access an end of a flexible strand (by way of example, a rope, belt, cable, chain, cord, wire, filament, or straps) and, therefore, is not able to connect the flexible strand to a hub of the winch. By way of example only, a winch user may not be able to access an end of a flexible strand in situations including: a rope hanging from cliff or tall building or otherwise elevated; rope in a dangerous location or a location that one is not able to reach, such as on a frozen lake with thin ice, around a fire or area where hazardous chemicals are present, in hostile environments, or in a place where dangerous animals are located. In these situations, should a user want to use a rope to either pull something towards the user from that location or to use the rope as a lead to take something into or towards the dangerous location, the user would not be able to connect a winch to the rope in the conventional way as described above in the background section, i.e., connecting an end of the rope to the winch. The winch device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure overcomes the deficiencies of prior winches and methods and eliminates an operator's need to have manual access to the end of a flexible strand.

Referring toFIGS. 1-3, a winch device100according to embodiments of the present disclosure includes first and second side bars102,104and one or more cross bars—as depicted, first and second cross bars106,108. First and second side bars102,104can include shaft apertures (not depicted in the figures) therein for ends of a spool shaft, described below, to extend through first and second side bars102,104. Additional apertures can be included in first and second side bars102,104and first and second cross bars106,108for mounting various mechanical and electromechanical components thereto and/or for mounting winch device100to another structure, such as, by way of example, a vehicle, aircraft, or watercraft. Second side bar104can include a motor mount channel105for mounting a motor, such as an electric spool drive motor134, thereto, as will be described further below. Winch device100further includes a spool112, spool drive mechanism114, spool reset mechanism116, and a guide156that can be mounted to winch device100, such as, by way of example, with a plurality of guide hoops154. In addition to mounting structures, guide hoops154can also act as guards to protect spool114when mounted on winch device100.

Referring toFIGS. 1-3, spool112includes a hub118rotatable about an axis “A” that can be formed of one or more parts (as depicted, hub is formed of first and second portions). Spool112can further include a first flange120, a second flange122, and a plurality of posts or pins128that can be operably mounted on a hub plate126connected to a holder plate124. As will be described further below, plurality of posts128are movable back and forth between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein when the spool is in the open configuration there is a gap between distal ends of the posts (distal relative to hub plate126) and the second flange122and wherein when the spool112is in the closed configuration the gap is substantially closed. As depicted, plurality of posts128includes six posts, but, in other embodiments, other numbers of posts can be included, such as, by way of example, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or more. In embodiments, plurality of posts128include a textured or coated outer surface to increase surface roughness or coefficient of friction of the surface. Such surface texture can include threads, knurling, or other surface texture. Such coatings can include rubber or other polymers with a high coefficients of friction. In embodiments, plurality of posts128include a rounded end135, such that when spool mechanism is closed, rounded end135slides past the flexible strand rather than pinning it against second flange122(later depicted inFIG. 11b).

Spool112further includes a bearing bar131and hub bearings130for axial rotation of hub126about axis “A,” as well as bearing bar posts133extending from bearing bar131operable with spool reset mechanism116, which is described further below. Spool112additionally includes a biasing member127, such as a compression spring, for biasing spool112towards a closed configuration.

Referring toFIG. 2, first flange120can include a plurality of apertures121through which posts128can extend in part or in whole (including when plurality of posts128are moved back and forth between an open configuration and a closed configuration) and second flange122can include a plurality of apertures or recesses123through which posts128can extend in part or in whole when plurality of posts128are moved to a closed configuration. As can be seen inFIG. 5, an interior-facing surface of each of the first flange120and second flange122, i.e., surfaces facing one another, can be convex or curved, such that when a flexible strand is wound up on hub118, the surfaces can help or guide the flexible strand down the surfaces to hub—and not bind up on hub itself.

Referring toFIGS. 1-3, spool drive mechanism114includes a shaft132that can be driven by spool drive motor134mounted to mount channel105on second side bar104. Motor134can comprise a gear head (not depicted). As depicted, shaft132comprises a hexagonal cross section, but, in embodiments, shaft can comprise other cross sectional shapes, such as triangular, square or rectangular, pentagonal, fluted, splined, or the like. Shaft132is rotatable about axis “A,” which is coaxial with axis about which hub118axially rotates. Spool drive mechanism114includes shaft bearings136for axial rotation of shaft about axis “A.” One or more shaft collars138can be included for retention of shaft132on first and second side bars102,104and to inhibit movement of shaft along axis “A” as spool112is opened and closed. Spool drive mechanism114can further include a sprocket140and chain or belt142operably coupled with shaft drive motor134and engageable with shaft132for driving axial rotation about axis “A.”

Referring toFIGS. 1-3, spool reset mechanism116, which can be mounted on first cross bar106, includes a reset mechanism motor144, a crank146having a crank post143extending therefrom operably and pivotably coupled to reset mechanism motor144and extending through an aperture109in first crossbar106, a stud150or other projection extending upwardly from crank146for operable and slidable engagement with a first end145of a lever or yoke148pivotably mounted to second crossbar108with a pivot mount152and in operable engagement with crank146—and in operable engagement with bearing bar posts133extending from bearing bar131, proximate a second end147of lever148. Lever148can include a cutout portion along a length thereof providing clearance and further enabling slidable engagement of stud150with first end145of level148, described further below. Spool reset mechanism116can be used to reset spool112from a closed configuration to an open configuration—or, in embodiments, maintain spool112in open configuration, by offsetting the bias of the biasing member127.

Referring toFIGS. 1-3, and as described above, winch device100includes guide156that can be mounted to winch device100, such as, by way of example, with guide hoops154that can be mounted to second cross bar108. As depicted, in embodiments, guide156can be “v” shaped and have an interior surface158and be coupled to winch device100such that the point of the “v”157is positioned substantially over hub118(seeFIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 9). In embodiments, guide156and guide hoops154can be constructed of a material with high strength and toughness—yet a low coefficient of friction, such as, by way of example, polytetrafluoroethylene. Such material enables a flexible strand to easily move along interior surfaces158and also provides high durability should winch device impact any structures when being moved to flexible strand. In other embodiments, interior surfaces158can be coated of a material comprising a low coefficient of friction, such as, by way of example, polytetrafluoroethylene, and guide156can be constructed of a different material.

In embodiments, winch device100can be mounted on or coupled to a number of different devices, including remotely controlled vehicles, such as, by way of example, helicopters or other aircraft, boats, submarine, or other watercraft, cars or other vehicles, drones, and robots. By way of example, as depicted schematically inFIG. 12, winch device100can be mounted on a remote-controlled aircraft200. In other embodiments, winch device100can be mounted on or coupled to actual helicopters or other aircraft, boats, submarine, or other watercraft, cars or other vehicles. WhileFIG. 12depicts winch device100can be mounted on a remote-controlled aircraft200, in other embodiments, remote-controlled aircraft200can be any of, by way of example, helicopters or other aircraft, boats, submarine, or other watercraft, cars or other vehicles, drones, and robots, whether remote-controlled or not.

In embodiments, winch device100is not mounted to a device, vehicle, or remote control vehicle, but rather is carried directly by a user or operably coupled to a user, such as, by way of example, on a user's back or chest. This enables a user that otherwise might not be able to use both hands to attach a flexible strand to a winch assembly to do so. In such embodiments, controls for winch device100can be included directly on winch device100and not on a remote controller.

Referring toFIG. 4, to use winch device100, winch device100is moved towards and to a flexible strand “R” (such as a rope, for example), such as along direction of travel “D,” such that rope R is positioned in between interior surfaces158of guide156. Referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, winch device100is continued to be moved until flexible strand R is either at the “v” in guide and/or in contact with or near hub118. Referring toFIG. 7, once in this position, plurality of posts128are moved to their closed configuration such that at least a portion of flexible strand R is intermediate hub118and one or more of plurality of posts128. Referring toFIGS. 10a-cand 11a-c, to move plurality of posts128to their closed configuration, shaft132is rotated such that holder plate124rotates as well. A holding pawl149is coupled to second cross bar108by a mount151prevents plurality of posts128from moving to their closed configuration, which they are inclined to do based on bias of biasing member127. Holding pawl149can include a torque spring153that can bias holding pawl149to a first position, such as depicted inFIG. 11a. As holder plate124continues to rotate, eventually holding pawl149rotates to a position where it is lined up with clearance notch125, as depicted inFIGS. 10band 11b. When this happens, holder plate124no longer prevents plurality of posts128from moving to their closed configuration, such that braising member127causes plurality of posts128to move to their closed configuration, as depicted inFIGS. 10cand 11c, thus at least a portion of flexible strand R is intermediate hub118and one or more of plurality of posts128.

In certain circumstances, when plurality of posts128are moved to their closed configuration, at least a portion of flexible strand R is captured between hub118and one or more of plurality of posts128. In certain circumstances, when plurality of posts128are moved to their closed configuration, at least a portion of flexible strand R is pinned or otherwise pressed against second flange122by one or more of plurality of posts128. Then, in each of these circumstances, axial rotation of the spool112about axis A is effected, such as with spool drive motor134, causing plurality of posts128to rotate radially about axis A. Due to the flexible strand R being located intermediate or captured between hub118and one or more of plurality of posts128—and/or pinned or otherwise pressed against second flange122by one or more of plurality of posts128—in combination with the friction between flexible strand R and the one or more of plurality of posts128when spool112is axially rotated, flexible strand R wraps around the plurality of posts128between first and second flanges120,122of spool112. This enables a user to either bring in what is along the length of flexible strand R (or at an end of flexible strand R) or otherwise to use flexible strand R to move or “walk” winch device100or whatever is connected to winch device100toward a point along flexible strand R (or to an end of flexible strand R).

In embodiments, first and second flanges120,122can comprise an angled or rounded shape (as depicted, first and second flanges120,122have a rounded shape) such that flexible strand R is wrapped around plurality of posts128without riding up and over first and second flanges120,122. When spool drive motor134causes shaft132, spool112, and plurality of posts128to rotate radially, in embodiments, spool112can move back and forth, axially, along axis A by a distance that is about the length of plurality of posts128between first and second flanges120,122such that flexible strand R is distributed substantially evenly on plurality of posts128between first and second flanges120,122.

In some situations, despite a user attempting to position winch device100such that the flexible strand R is located intermediate or captured between hub118and one or more of plurality of posts128—and/or pinned or otherwise pressed against second flange122by one or more of plurality of posts128—that positioning may not occur. And, in some situations, this may not be realized until after plurality of posts128are moved to their closed configuration. Rather than having to return a winch device100to an operator to manually reset, spool reset mechanism116can be used to remotely reset spool112to its open configuration to enable a user to reposition winch device100to a desired position such that flexible strand R is located intermediate or captured between hub118and one or more of plurality of posts128—and/or pinned or otherwise pressed against second flange122by one or more of plurality of posts128. This can be repeated until an operator has achieved a desired positioning of winch device100relative to flexible strand R.

Referring toFIGS. 7 and 8, to operate reset mechanism116, when spool112is in closed configuration, second end147of lever is in a distal position relative to first side bar102(away from first side bar102, towards second side bar104). Reset motor144(seeFIG. 1) causes crank146to rotate about crank post axis “C” in a counter clockwise direction (although, in embodiments, it could be in a clockwise direction) such that stud150(seeFIGS. 8-9) slidably engages second end145of lever148and causes lever148to pivot about pivot mount axis “P” (seeFIG. 2) and second end147of lever moves directionally towards a proximal position relative to first side bar102(towards first side bar102, away from second side bar104). As this happens, spool112and plurality of posts128are moved from closed configuration (FIGS. 7 and 9) towards open configuration (FIG. 9).FIGS. 1 and 2depict spool112and plurality of posts128in a position in between open and closed. Reset motor continues to cause crank to rotate about crank post axis C in a counter clockwise direction until holding pawl149engages holder plate124and retains spool112and plurality of posts128in its reset or ready to operate position (FIGS. 5 and 6). Once winch device100is in this reset configuration, a user can then again make an attempt to reposition winch device100to a desired position such that flexible strand R is located intermediate or captured between hub118and one or more of plurality of posts128—and/or pinned or otherwise pressed against second flange122by one or more of plurality of posts128.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including references incorporated by reference, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. Additionally, the term “flexible strand” as used herein can include a number of different types of flexible members or strands, including, by way of example, rope, belt, cable, chain, cord, wire, filament, or straps. Similarly, when an example of one or more types of strands is used, e.g., rope or cable, it should be understood that such reference is not limiting, unless explicitly so, and one or more of the other type or types of flexible strands can similarly be used in the described devices or methods.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any incorporated by reference references, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed The above references in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes.

Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose could be substituted for the specific examples shown. This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be defined by the attached claims and their legal equivalents, as well as the following illustrative aspects. The above described aspects embodiments of the invention are merely descriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting. Further modifications of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention.