Patent Publication Number: US-2023138730-A1

Title: Hook for use with a fairlead

Description:
The present invention relates to winching and specifically to winch hooks and fairleads. In particular, a method and apparatus are described for engaging a hook to a fairlead in multiple orientations. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Winches are well known devices with useful vehicle applications. At times, a vehicle may become stuck and unable to move. Common causes of this undesirable situation are ice, mud, sand or water. A vehicle in any of those situations may not have sufficient traction to move. Other times, a vehicle may sink into snow or mud that blocks the vehicle from moving forward or backward. In yet other situations, a vehicle may be in an off-road environment, and obstacles including rocks, trees and/or mud may prevent vehicle movement. 
     A winch may be used when a vehicle is unable to move independently. The winch is attached via a cable to a hook and/or anchor that is in turn attached to an anchor point (such as a tree). The winch&#39;s motor is then engaged to create pulling force on the cable. The pulling force on the cable typically is sufficient to extract the vehicle from its immobilized position. 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective drawing that illustrates a winch mounted in a front bumper of a vehicle in accordance with the prior art. Vehicle  100  is an exemplary off-road vehicle. Bumper  102  is attached to the front of vehicle  100 . Winch  104  is located in bumper  102  and may be, for example, a Stealth winch manufactured by Quadratec, Inc., West Chester, Pa. (Stealth is a registered trademark of Quadratec). 
     Winch  104  includes winch cable  106 , which is typically either steel or synthetic. Winch cable  106  terminates at loop  114 . Attached to loop  114  is winch hook  108 . Hook  108  is coupled to an anchor point, such as a tree, a stump, a rock, another vehicle, or a buried object. When coupled to natural objects, a tree trunk protector may be typically used. When coupled to another vehicle, coupling is typically accomplished by attaching to the other vehicle&#39;s bumper or directly to the vehicle frame. 
       FIG.  2    is a perspective drawing that illustrates a winch mounted to a winch plate of a vehicle in accordance with the prior art. As shown, winch  104  is mounted to winch plate  105  that in turn is attached to vehicle  100 . Hawse fairlead  110  is attached to the front of winch plate  105 . Winch cable  114  extends through opening  112  and is attached to hook  108 . Hook  108  is located in front of fairlead  110 . 
       FIG.  3    is a close-up view of loop  114 . Cable  106  is formed into loop  114  via splice  106 . Loop  114  typically includes thimble  115  for added durability. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A winch hook comprises a hook portion and a loop receiving portion adapted for receiving a loop of a winch line. At least one three-dimensional feature of the winch hook is adapted to engage at least one three-dimensional feature of a fairlead so that the hook engages the fairlead while the hook is in at least four different orientations relative to the fairlead. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective drawing that illustrates a winch mounted in a front bumper of a vehicle in accordance with the prior art. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective drawing that illustrates a winch mounted to a winch plate of a vehicle in accordance with the prior art. 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective drawing that illustrates the loop at the end of a winch cable in accordance with the prior art. 
         FIG.  4    is a front view of a hawse fairlead in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of the front side of a hawse fairlead in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of the rear side of a hawse fairlead in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  7    is a front view of a winch hook in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of the winch hook that is illustrated in  FIG.  7   . 
         FIG.  9    is a further perspective view of the winch hook that is illustrated in  FIG.  7   . 
         FIG.  10    is a further perspective view of the winch hook that is illustrated in  FIG.  7   . 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view of the winch hook that is illustrated in  FIG.  11    with an exemplary pin that closes the hook. 
         FIG.  12    is a further perspective view of the winch hook that is illustrated in  FIG.  11    with the exemplary pin that closes the hook. 
         FIGS.  13 A-D  are front views of an exemplary hook that is mated to an exemplary fairlead in four respectively different orientations. 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective drawing of a roller fairlead. 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective drawing of a hook that is suitable for mating with a roller fairlead. 
         FIGS.  16 A and  16 B  are front views of a hook that is mated to a roller fairlead in two respective orientations. 
         FIG.  17    is a front view of an exemplary hook in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  18    is front view that illustrates a further exemplary structure for mating a hook with a fairlead in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG.  4    is a front view of hawse fairlead  110  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fairlead  110  includes attachment locations  124  to attaching fairlead  110  to a vehicle. Attachment may be accomplished by attaching fairlead  110  to a bumper, attaching fairlead  110  to a winch plate, or attaching fairlead  110  via another structural item. Attachment locations  124  may be openings that accept bolts, welded bolts that engage openings in a structural member included or attached to a vehicle, tabs, or some other attachment mechanism. Fairlead  110  includes opening  112  through which winch cable  106  extends. Opening  112  is surrounded by exit surface  120  that is typically flat. Edge  122  may be a curved surface to facilitate movement of cable  106  through opening  112 . Fairlead  110  may also include feature  180 . Feature  180  is a three-dimensional feature that is adapted for receiving a corresponding surface of a winch hook. As an example, feature  180  may be an area that is not flat. Examples of an area that is not flat may include an area that is curved, an area that includes surfaces that are parallel to more than one plane, an area with a surface in a plane that is different than the front surface of fairlead  110 , an area that opposes a downward force of a hook when the hook is placed adjacent to fairlead  110 , etc. In another embodiment, the entire front facing surface of fairlead  110  is not flat. In another embodiment, the front of fairlead  110  is comprised of more than one surface that are not in the same plane. In another embodiment, the front surface of fairlead  110  forms a physical pattern, and at least a portion of a hook is able to engage at least a portion of the physical pattern. 
     Fairlead  110  is typically composed of a strong material. Exemplary materials include metals such as steel and aluminum. Other materials with sufficient strength to be included in a winching system may also be used. 
       FIG.  5    is a perspective view of the front side of a hawse fairlead in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Feature  180  is shown as forming a three-dimensional pattern. 
       FIG.  6    is a perspective view of the rear side of a hawse fairlead in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Rear  140  may be a surface that engages a surface situated on or near a front of vehicle  100 . Rear  140  may be flat, for example. Rear  140  may touch the front of a vehicle bumper, the front of a vehicle winch plate, or another part included in or attached to a vehicle. 
       FIG.  7    is a front view of winch hook  200  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Hook  200  is composed of a strong material. Exemplary materials include metals such as steel and aluminum. Other materials with sufficient strength to be included in a winching system may also be used. 
     Hook  200  includes two sections: first member  226  that extends along the top of  FIG.  7    and second member  228  that extends along the bottom of  FIG.  7   . First member  226  includes prong  206  and prong  236 . Second member  228  includes prong  208  and prong  238 . Prong  206  and prong  208  define opening  202 . Prong  236  and prong  238  may, in one embodiment, define opening  204 . Middle member  290  attaches first member  226  and second member  228  to each other. In one embodiment, middle member  290  includes full member  291 , and partial members  292  are excluded. In that embodiment, prong  236  and prong  238  define opening  204 . In another embodiment, middle member  290  includes full member  291  as well as partial members  292 . In that embodiment, partial members  292  define opening  204 . Pin  318  (which appears in  FIGS.  13 A-D  but is omitted from  FIG.  7   ) extends between prong  206  and prong  208 . Pin  320  (which appears in  FIGS.  13 A-D  but is omitted from  FIG.  7   ) extends between prong  236  and prong  238 . 
     First member  226  and second member  228  each include surfaces on opposite sides thereof. In the figures, when one surface of first member  226  and second member  228  are “face-up” and hence visible, the other surface of first member  226  and second member  228  are “face-down” and not visible. For example, if  FIG.  7   , first surface  240  and second surface  242  are “face-up” and hence visible. By contrast, third surface  250  and fourth surface  252  are visible in  FIG.  13 B  because they are “face-up” in  FIG.  13 B , but they are not visible in  FIG.  7    because they are “face-down” in  FIG.  7   . 
     Prong  206  includes opening  280 . In an exemplary embodiment, opening  280  extends completely through prong  206 . Prong  208  includes opening  210 . In an exemplary embodiment, opening  210  extends completely through prong  208 . Pin  318  (shown in  FIGS.  13 A- 13 D ) extends between opening  280  and opening  210 . 
     Prong  236  includes opening  213 . In an exemplary embodiment, opening  213  extends partially through prong  236  without extending completely through prong  236 . Prong  238  includes opening  212 . In an exemplary embodiment, opening  212  extends completely through prong  238 . Pin  320  (shown in  FIGS.  9  and  13 A- 13 D ) extends between opening  212  and opening  213 . 
     Prong  206  and prong  208  include feature  281 . Feature  281  is a physical feature that enables prong  226  and prong  228  to mate with feature  180  of fairlead  110 . Feature  281  is included on both sides of hook  200 , namely the “face-up” side of hook  200  that appears in each of the figures and the “face-down” side of hook  200  that is obscured in each of the figures. Feature  281  may also be an area that is adapted for receiving a corresponding surface of fairlead  110 . As an example, feature  281  may be an area that is not flat. Examples of an area this is not flat may include an area that is curved, an area that includes surfaces that are parallel to more than one plane, an area with a surface in a plane that is different than the front surface of fairlead  110 , an area that opposes an upward force of a fair lead  110  when the hook is placed adjacent to fairlead  110 , etc. In another embodiment, the entire front facing surface and rear facing surface of hook  200  is not flat. In another embodiment, the front facing surface and rear facing surface of hook  200  is comprised of more than one surface that is not in the same plane. In another embodiment, the front facing surface and rear facing surface of hook forms a physical pattern, and at least a portion of fairlead  110  is able to engage at least a portion of the physical pattern. 
     The above paragraphs include the terms front facing, rear facing, face-up and face-down. A surface transitions between front facing and rear facing by (vitually) rotating hook  200  into various configurations as illustrated in  FIGS.  13 A-D . A surface transitions between front facing and rear facing by (virtually) rotating hook  200  as illustrated in  FIGS.  13 A-D . 
     In another embodiment feature  180  and feature  281  are two parallel surfaces that engage each other. 
       FIG.  8    is a perspective view of the winch hook that is illustrated in  FIG.  7   . 
       FIG.  9    is a further perspective view of the winch hook that is illustrated in  FIG.  7   .  FIG.  9    includes pin  320  that extends between opening  212  and opening  213 . As opening  213  extends partially through prong  236  (without extending completely through prong  236 ), pin  320  makes contact with a bottom surface of opening  213  within prong  236 . Snap ring  321  holds pin  320  stationary within opening  212 . As one end of pin  320  is held in place with snap ring  321  and another end of pin  320  is held in place with the bottom surface of opening  213  within prong  236 , pin  320  is held stationary between prong  236  and prong  238 . 
       FIG.  10    is a further perspective view of the winch hook that is illustrated in  FIG.  7   . 
       FIG.  11    is a perspective view of the winch hook that is illustrated in  FIG.  11    with pin  318  that closes hook  200 . Pin  318  includes end  300  with tab  310  that projects therefrom and that slides through channel  314  of prong  208 . Prong  208  includes indent  316  in which tab  310  resides. During use of hook  200 , pin  318  slides through prong  208  to form an opening between prong  206  and prong  208 . By creating an opening between prong  206  and prong  208  a tree saver can be slide therebetween. Pin  318  is then slid through opening  210  and is rotated so that tab  310  seats in channel  314 . In this manner, the opening between prong  206  and  208  is closed, and a tree saver (or other belt/rope type member) may be maintained therein. 
       FIG.  12    further illustrates pin  318  retracted from opening  210  to enable a tree saver to be inserted between prong  206  and prong  208 . After pin  318  is inserted through opening  210 , knob  340  may be rotated about threads included in pin  318  to seat knob  340  against prong  206 . In this manner, tab  310  is pulled towards prong  208  in order to maintain pin  318  stationary relative to prong  206  and prong  208 . While the use of threads is an example of how to seat knob  340  against prong  206 , knob  340  may be seated against prong  206  using other mechanical mechanisms as well including clamps, friction holds, telescoping male/female shafts with internal spring loaded pins to maintain final position, etc. 
     When pin  318  is fully inserted into opening  210 , an internal space is created through which a tree saver or other line extends. The internal space defined by fully inserting pin  318  into opening  210  may be referred to as a closed hook internal space. When pin  320  is fully inserted into openings  212  and  213 , an internal space is created through which a loop (or other hook) at the end of a winch line may extend. The internal space defined by fully inserting pin  320  into openings  212  and  213  may be referred to as a further closed hook internal space. 
       FIG.  12    illustrates optional spring  243 . By placing a pushing force against knob  340  (with a downward force from a hand), spring  243  is compressed. When pushing force against knob  340  is removed, spring  243  applies force in the direction opposite to the direction of the pushing force. When tab  310  is seated within indent  316 , spring force from compressed spring  243  holds pin  318  in place within opening  210  and opening  280 . 
       FIGS.  13 A- 13 D  illustrate that hook  200  may be mated with fairlead  110  in at least four orientations. In each orientation, feature  281  and feature  180  face each other. The physical shape of feature  281  and feature  180  allows hook  200  to engage fairlead  110  in at least four orientations. When fairlead  110  and hook  200  engage each other, hook  200  remains stationary relative to fairlead  110 . For example, fairlead  110  is typically located at the front end of a vehicle. When fairlead  110  and hook  200  are stationary relative to each other on a vehicle, the vehicle may be driven and fairlead  110  and hook  200  remain stationary relative to each other. In one example, the winch cable is attached to pin  320 . The winch cable may be retracted so that the winch cable applies pulling force on hook  200  so that hook  200  is pulled towards fairlead  110 . In this manner, fairlead  110  and hook  200  mate and fairlead  110  and hook  200  remain stationary relative to each other as the vehicle to which fairlead  110  is attached is driven. 
     In one embodiment, the force that holds hook  200  against fairlead  110  is obtained from the winch cable that is attached to pin  320 . Thus, unspooling the winch cable enables hook  200  to be separated from fairlead  110 . 
       FIGS.  13 A- 13 D  illustrate hook  200  mated with fairlead  110  in four respectively different ways. As shown, hook  200  includes first surface  240  and second surface  242  on one side of hook  200 . As shown, hook  200  also includes third surface  250  and fourth surface  252  on another side of hook  200 . In  FIGS.  13 A- 13 D , first surface  240  and second surface  242  are visible in two orientations (the orientations illustrated in  FIG.  13 A  and  FIG.  13 C ), while in those two orientations third surface  250  and fourth surface  252  are not visible because they are facing fairlead  110 . Conversely, in  FIGS.  13 A- 13 D , third surface  250  and fourth surface  252  are visible in two orientations (the orientations illustrated in  FIG.  13 B  and  FIG.  13 D ), while in those two orientations first surface  240  and second surface  242  are not visible because they are facing fairlead  110 . Each of the four respectively different orientations will now be described. 
     In  FIG.  13 A , pin  318  is illustrated towards the left of the figure and pin  320  is illustrated towards the right of the figure. Pin  318  is adapted to retain a tree hugger (or other cable/belt) and pin  320  is adapted to retain a loop (or other terminating member) at the end of a winch cable. Prong  206  is located towards the top left of the figure and prong  208  is located towards the bottom left of the figure. Prong  236  is located towards the top right of the figure and prong  238  is located towards the bottom right of the figure. Third surface  250  and fourth surface  252  are not visible in  FIG.  13 A  because they are facing towards fairlead  110 . First surface  240  and second surface  242  are visible because they are on the side of hook  200  opposite the side that is facing fairlead  110 . 
       FIG.  13 B  illustrates hook  200  rotated about the Y-axis relative to the orientation of hook  200  in  FIG.  13 A . In  FIG.  13 B , pin  318  is illustrated towards the right of the figure and pin  320  is illustrated towards the left of the figure. Pin  318  is adapted to retain a tree hugger (or other cable/belt) and pin  320  is adapted to retain a loop (or other terminating member) at the end of a winch cable. Prong  206  is located towards the top right of the figure and prong  208  is located towards the bottom right of the figure. Prong  236  is located towards the top left of the figure and prong  238  is located towards the bottom left of the figure. First surface  240  and second surface  242  are not visible in  FIG.  13 B  because they are facing towards fairlead  110 . Third surface  250  and fourth surface  252  are visible because they are on the side of hook  200  opposite the side that is facing fairlead  110 . 
       FIG.  13 C  illustrates hook  200  rotated about the X-axis relative to the orientation of hook  200  in  FIG.  13 B . In  FIG.  13 C , pin  318  is illustrated towards the right of the figure and pin  320  is illustrated towards the left of the figure. Pin  318  is adapted to retain a tree hugger (or other cable/belt) and pin  320  is adapted to retain a loop (or other terminating member) at the end of a winch cable. Prong  206  is located towards the bottom right of the figure and prong  208  is located towards the top right of the figure. Prong  236  is located towards the bottom left of the figure and prong  238  is located towards the top left of the figure. Third surface  250  and fourth surface  252  are not visible in  FIG.  13 C  because they are facing towards fairlead  110 . First surface  240  and second surface  242  are visible because they are on the side of hook  200  opposite the side that is facing fairlead  110 . 
       FIG.  13 D  illustrates hook  200  rotated about the Y-axis relative to the orientation of hook  200  in  FIG.  13 C . In  FIG.  13 D , pin  318  is illustrated towards the left of the figure and pin  320  is illustrated towards the right of the figure. Pin  318  is adapted to retain a tree hugger (or other cable/belt) and pin  320  is adapted to retain a loop (or other terminating member) at the end of a winch cable. Prong  206  is located towards the bottom left of the figure and prong  208  is located towards the top left of the figure. Prong  236  is located towards the bottom right of the figure and prong  238  is located towards the top right of the figure. First surface  240  and second surface  242  are not visible in  FIG.  13 B  because they are facing towards fairlead  110 . Third surface  250  and fourth surface  252  are visible because they are on the side of hook  200  opposite the side that is facing fairlead  110 . 
     In each of  FIGS.  13 A- 13 D , hook  200  is mated with fairlead  110 . In particular, each of  FIGS.  13 A- 13 D  illustrate hook  200  stored adjacent to fairlead  110  in four different orientations. The ability to store hook  200  relative to fairlead  110  in four different orientations allows flexibility with regard to storage of hook  200 . Other fairlead/hook combinations place limitations on the number of orientations in which a winch hook may be stored. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 10,519,012 in which the hook may only be stored relative to the fairlead “in one orientation only.” In accordance with the present invention, flexibility is provided to enable the hook to be stored relative to the fairlead in four different orientations. 
     As previously described, fairlead  110  and hook  200  have structures that enable hook  200  to engage fairlead for storage in the manner shown by the present figures. Furthermore, the winch cable that is attached to hook  200  may be retracted by the winch so that hook  200  presses against fairlead  110 . In this manner, hook  200  may be stored in the any of the positions illustrated in  FIGS.  13 A- 13 D  while the vehicle to which fairlead  110  and hook  200  are attached is driven. 
       FIG.  14    is a perspective view of a roller fairlead. Roller fairlead  410  includes vertical rollers  402  and horizontal rollers  404 . Opening  112  is situated between both vertical rollers  402  and horizontal rollers  404 . Vertical rollers  402  and horizontal rollers  404  are mounted on frame  406 . 
       FIG.  15    is a perspective drawing of a winch hook that is suitable for mating with a roller fairlead. Hook  400  may include many similarities with hook  200 . However, hook  400  includes features that enable hook  400  to mate with roller fairlead  410 . For example, hook  400  includes notches  420  and notches  430  (illustrated in  FIG.  16 B ) that enable hook  400  to mate with fairlead  410 . Notches  420  and notches  430  are situated so that they correspond with the locations of vertical rollers  402 . Furthermore, notches  420 ,  430  have a semicircular shape that corresponds to the shape of vertical rollers  402 . Notches  420 ,  430  enable hook  400  to mate with fairlead  410  in (at least) four different orientations, similar to the four orientations of hook  200  that are illustrated in  FIGS.  13 A- 13 D . Additional features/included in hook  400  allows hook  400  to engage fairlead  410  for retention while driving. The geometry may engage a top of fairlead  410 , the space between horizontal rollers  404 , or other 
       FIG.  16 A  and  FIG.  16 B  illustrate two examples of different orientations of hook  400  when mated with fairlead  410 . As in the earlier examples, hook  400  may be in at least four different orientations relative to fair lead  410 . 
     As a result of the corresponding “fit” between notches  420 ,  430  and vertical rollers  402 , hook  400  may be stored adjacent (or on) roller fairlead  410  while the vehicle to which roller fairlead  410  is attached is driven. A winch cable that is attached to hook  400  is retracted by a winch until hook  400  is pressing against fairlead  410 . Hook  400  may include additional structure to maintain hook  400  stationary relative to fairlead  410 . For example, hook  400  may include physical features that extend towards and make contact with the top surface of frame  406 . As another example, a projection may extend from middle member  291  and into opening  112 . As a result of the projection resting on horizontal roller  404 , in combination with tension from a retracted winch cable holding hook  400  against fairlead  410 , hook  400  remains stationary relative to fairlead  410  while the vehicle to which fairlead  410  is installed is driven. Other projections may also extend from hook  400  and rest on one or more surfaces of fairlead  410  in order to maintain hook  400  stationary (i.e. stored) relative to fairlead  410  while the vehicle to which fairlead  410  is installed is driven. 
     The above description has referred to a hook with a fixed pin for creating an opening in which a tree saver (or other cable) may be retained. It is understood, however, that the above concepts may also be applied to a hook with a spring loaded retaining member.  FIG.  17    illustrates spring loaded hook  500 . Spring loaded hook  500  may have geometry  502  on both sides thereof (the side visible in  FIG.  17    and the side of hook  500  opposite to the side visible in  FIG.  17   ) in order to maintain hook  500  stationary relative to fairlead  110 . Geometry  502  engages complementary geometry  180  included with fairlead  110 . Exemplary orientations of hook  500  relative to fairlead  110  include clasp  506  down and pin  504  to the right, clasp  506  down and pin  504  to the left, clasp  506  up and pin  504  to the right, clasp  506  up and pin  504  to the left. 
     The above explanations have included geometry on the fairlead and complementary geometry on the hook for engaging the hook with the fairlead. The exemplary geometry shown has included geometry extending along a width and exemplary geometry for engaging vertical (or horizontal) rollers, but other forms of engagement between the hook and the fairlead may be used. For example, fairlead  210  (or any other fairlead) may include an exemplary registration opening and hook  400  (or any other hook) may include an exemplary registration projection. The opening and projection may engage each other for enabling the hook to be stored stationary relative to the fairlead. As would be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art female/male configurations may be substituted for illustrated male/female configurations. See for example  FIG.  18    in which a hook is shown in multiple exemplary orientations, wherein in each of those orientations a registration projection engages a registration opening included in the fairlead. As in other embodiments disclosed herein, the registration projection may be located on multiple sides and/or edges of the hook to enable the hook to engage the fairlead in at least four orientations. 
     The above description includes details regarding the hook being stored relative to a fairlead in four orientations, but it is understood that the hook may also be stored in additional orientations. Also, the hook may be stored in more than four orientations. Additional orientations include rotation of the hook an amount other than 180 degrees than what is illustrated. For example, the hook and fairlead may have matching physical shapes to enable the hook to be stored 90 degrees relative to the orientations illustrated and described herein. As another example, the hook and fairlead may have matching physical shapes to enable the hook to be stored along one of its edges (e.g. edges along the top, bottom, or sides of the hook illustrated in  FIGS.  13 A- 13 D ) relative to the fairlead. 
     While various exemplary embodiments have been described, it is understood that embodiments may be combined. Also, aspects of one embodiment may be combined with aspects of another embodiment. 
     Whereas many alterations and modifications of the disclosure will no doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after having read the foregoing description, it is to be understood that any particular implementation shown and described by way of illustration is in no way intended to be considered limiting. Therefore, references to details of various implementations are not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which in themselves recite only those features regarded as the disclosure. 
     PARTS LIST 
     
         
           100  vehicle 
           102  bumper 
           104  winch 
           105  winch plate 
           106  cable 
           108  hook 
           110  fairlead 
           112  opening 
           114  loop 
           115  thimble 
           120  exit surface 
           122  edge 
           124  attachment location 
           140  rear 
           180  feature 
           200  hook 
           202  opening 
           204  opening 
           206  prong 
           208  prong 
           210  opening 
           212  opening 
           213  opening 
           226  first member 
           228  second member 
           236  prong 
           238  prong 
           240  first surface 
           242  second surface 
           280  opening 
           281  feature 
           291  middle member 
           213  opening 
           250  third surface 
           252  fourth surface 
           290  middle member 
           291  full member 
           292  partial member 
           300  end 
           310  tab 
           314  channel 
           316  indent 
           318  pin 
           340  knob