Patent ID: 12215006

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

As discussed briefly above, this disclosure is, in various embodiments, directed to devices, systems, and methods for rigging interfaces and rigging devices adapted to protect winch fairleads and connect winch cables to other objects. An exemplary vehicle equipped with a winch, drum, motor, and fairlead is shown inFIG.1as an example of a system to which a rigging interface and/or rigging device such as those described herein may be adapted.

Embodiments of a rigging interface are illustrated byFIGS.2A-2Jwhere the nesting of the rigging interface to a fairlead is depicted, for each embodiment, as a top view along with an accompanying cross-section. For some of the embodiments illustrated byFIGS.2C-2J, the coupling of the surfaces of the rigging interfaces to those of the fairlead are shown for two types of fairleads typically used on vehicles. For example,FIGS.2C-Dand2G-H illustrate embodiments with hawse-type fairleads;FIGS.2E-Fand2I-J illustrate embodiments with roller-type fairleads. It should be appreciated that any rigging interface or rigging device disclosed herein could be implemented with any type of fairlead, including hawse-type, roller-type, or any other type as to be expected.FIGS.3A-3Billustrate embodiments of a rigging device that may function similar to the rigging interface at a first end, with a removable portion at a second end.FIG.3Cillustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of the rigging device, showing the plurality of parts and apertures included in the rigging device.FIG.3Dillustrates an example embodiment of how the rigging device may be used to attached a winch cable to an object at a mounting point.FIG.4Aillustrates an embodiment of a rigging device, configured with removable portions at a first end and a second end.FIG.4B-Cillustrate embodiments of the coupling of the rigging device to a winch cable terminal.

Turning now to the figures,FIG.1illustrates an exemplary vehicle100equipped with a winch system102at a front end104of the vehicle100. The winch system102may be positioned within a front bumper106of the vehicle100so that the winch system does not protrude beyond a front surface of the front bumper106. Alternatively, the winch system102may be positioned in front of the front bumper106.

The winch system102in various embodiments may include a motor108, a drum110, a cable112wound around the drum110, a cable terminal114, and a fairlead116. In one example, as shown inFIG.1, the cable terminal114may be a loop formed of a metal material and may be coupled to a slip hook115. In other examples, the cable terminal114may be coupled to a hook, latch, or shackle.

The fairlead116may comprise a roller-type fairlead frame117, which may be formed from aluminum, anodized aluminum, steel, or other similar materials, with a central opening118through which the cable112may be extended or retracted. The fairlead116may have curved inner surfaces120, surrounding the central opening118, adapted to withstand friction from the rubbing of the cable112against the inner surfaces120when the winch system102is in use. The cable terminal114is typically larger than the central opening118so that the cable terminal cannot pass from the front of the central opening118to the rear of the central opening118of the fairlead116. The cable terminal thus stops further retraction of the cable by contacting the inner surfaces120of the fairlead116.

The motor108may be engaged to rotate the drum110so that the cable112may be unwound and extended from the drum110through the fairlead116or wound up and retracted through the fairlead116. The fairlead116may guide the spooling of the cable112during retraction, ensuring that the cable112is evenly distributed across the drum110as it is wound up while simultaneously preventing the cable112from becoming tangled. The fairlead116may also act as a placeholder for the cable terminal114, preventing the drum110from over-rotating so that cable terminal is positioned away from the front of drum and difficult for an operator to reach.

The cable terminal114may have a shape that prevents it from passing through the fairlead116; nevertheless, these types of terminals are disadvantageous because they often permit movement of the cable terminal114when the vehicle100is in motion. For example, when the vehicle100is navigating uneven terrain, the cable terminal114may bounce, causing the cable terminal114to impact the metal frame of the fairlead116. The impact may dent, crack, or deform the fairlead116, thereby reducing the lifetime of the fairlead116and affecting the functionality of the fairlead116. Thus, cable terminals114that are configured to protect the fairlead116are preferred.

A rigging interface200coupled to an example of the fairlead116shown inFIG.1according to the instant disclosure is depicted inFIGS.2A-2J, which may be adapted as a cable terminal for a cable, such as the cable terminal114and cable112ofFIG.1. The fairlead116may have a hawse-type fairlead frame210instead of the roller-type fairlead frame117shown inFIG.1. The hawse-type fairlead frame210may include an opening formed by a continuous curved surface, as shown inFIGS.2A,2C, and2Gwhile the roller-type fairlead frame117may include a pair of horizontal rollers and a pair of vertical rollers, as shown inFIGS.2E and2I. A set of reference axes202is provided for comparison between views, indicating a “y” vertical direction204, an “x” horizontal direction206, and a “z” lateral direction208. A first arrow203pointing towards the front of a vehicle, such as vehicle100ofFIG.1, and a second arrow205pointing outwards in a direction away from the vehicle is illustrated inFIGS.2B,2D,2F,2H, and2J. The rigging interface200may have a first curved surface212arranged on an inner side207, adapted to nest to a top and a bottom portion of a front surface214of the hawse-type fairlead frame210, as shown inFIGS.2B,2D, and2H. If the fairlead116has a roller-type fairlead frame117, the rigging interface200is adapted to nest against a pair of horizontal rollers218of the roller-type fairlead frame117, as shown inFIGS.2F and2J. The rigging interface200may also have a second curved surface216, shown inFIGS.2D,2F,2H, and2J, arranged on an outer side209, configured to interface with a cable, such as cable112ofFIG.1, extending outwards from the winch system, such as winch102shown inFIG.1.

The first curved surface212on the inner side207of the rigging interface200may have two side portions220that are spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction204. A vertical extension222may extend across the space separating the two side portions220and may have a curved outer surface224. As shown inFIGS.2D,2F,2H, and2J, the outer side209of the rigging interface200may include the two side portions220as well as two planar surfaces226, aligned with the lateral direction208, each of which may extend between the inner side207and outer side209of one of the two side portions220. A distance228between the two planar surfaces226may form an opening230in the rigging interface200that is adapted to receive the cable from the winch system. The second curved surface216on the outer side209of the rigging interface200may be formed between a corresponding one of the two planar surface226and an outer, curved surface232of one of the two side portions220of the outer side209, as illustrated inFIGS.2D,2F,2H, and2J.

As illustrated byFIG.2A, an embodiment of the rigging interface200may be mirror-symmetric about a first axis211that is coaxial with the horizontal direction206. A cross-section taken along the line213inFIG.2A, is depicted inFIG.2Bwhere the rigging interface200may also be mirror-symmetric about a second central axis215that is coaxial with the vertical direction204. The vertical extension222spanning the distance228separating the two side portions220may also form the opening230adapted to receive the cable from the winch system. The cable may be coupled to a sliphook115.

Another embodiment of the rigging interface200is illustrated byFIGS.2C-2F, adapted to engage with or interface to a hawse-type fairlead frame210(FIGS.2C-2D) and a roller-type fairlead frame117(FIGS.2E-2F). It should be appreciated that the rigging interfaces disclosed herein can be used with any other type of frame for a fairlead. The rigging interface200ofFIGS.2C and2Eare mirror-symmetric about the first central axis211but the cross-sections shown inFIGS.2D and2F, taken along the line213, are not mirror-symmetric about the second central axis215. With reference toFIGS.2D and2F, the outer side209of the rigging interface200may span vertically, along the vertical direction204, across the distance228between the two side portions220of the inner side207. A width of the outer side209of the rigging interface200, as indicated by an arrow234may be smaller than a width of each of the two side portions220of the inner side207, as indicated by an arrow236.

The rigging interface200inFIGS.2C-2Fmay be longer in the lateral direction208, indicated by an arrow238than the widths of the outer side209or inner side207, indicated by arrows234and236. An aperture240may be including in the outer side209, adjacent to and aligned, along the lateral direction208, with the opening230. The aperture240may provide a place to grip the rigging interface more securely, accommodating the fingers of a user's hand or enabling a cable end or a cable adapted with a hook to be looped through the aperture240.

Another embodiment of the rigging interface200is illustrated byFIGS.2G-2J, configured to interface with or be nested to a hawse-type fairlead frame210of the fairlead116inFIGS.2G-2Hand to a roller-type fairlead frame117inFIGS.2I-2J. The rigging interface200may be mirror-symmetric about the first central axis211, as shown from the top views provided inFIGS.2G and2I, but not about the second central axis215shown in the cross-sections taken from line213, with reference toFIGS.2G and2I, and illustrated inFIGS.2H and2J. The outer side209of the rigging interface200may span vertically, along the vertical direction204, across the distance228between the two side portions220of the inner side207. A width of the outer side209of the rigging interface200, as indicated by an arrow234may be smaller than a width of each of the two side portions220of the inner side207, as indicated by an arrow236, as shown inFIGS.2H and2J.

The outer side209of the rigging interface200shown inFIGS.2G and2Imay also include two horizontal portions242, extending along the horizontal direction206and aligned with the two side portions220, ofFIGS.2H-2J, of the inner side207. The two horizontal portions242may be spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction204by a same distance as the distance228between the two side portions220of the inner side207. The outer side209may include a vertical portion244that extends vertically, in the vertical direction204, between the two horizontal portions242as well as extending in the horizontal direction206along a portion of a length of the two horizontal portions242, as indicate by an arrow246, the length being defined in the horizontal direction206. The vertical portion244may be spaced apart from a first vertical extension222, shown inFIGS.2H and2J, with the vertical extension222being narrower, as measured in the horizontal direction206, than the vertical portion244.

The vertical portion244may extend between a first set of ends249of the horizontal portions242and a second vertical extension248, shown inFIGS.2G and2I, may extend between a second set of ends250of the horizontal portions242. The second vertical extension248may be cylindrical in shape and may slide into a set of apertures252arranged in the second ends250of the horizontal portions242. The second vertical extension may include a bolt head254for a user to grip so that the second vertical extension may be removed, e.g., slid out of, the apertures252. In an embodiment, a nut256, into which an end of the second vertical extension238may be coupled, may secure the second vertical extension248in the apertures252. In one example, the nut256may have an inner cavity with threaded walls adapted to mate with threading on the outer surface of the end of the second vertical extension248. Alternatively, the nut256and the end of the second vertical extension248may have a twist-and-lock type configuration. In another example, the nut256and the end of the second vertical extension248may be pressure-fitted to one another. In yet another example, the second vertical extension248is secured into the apertures252via snap-fit, interference-fit, or other techniques. As such, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by the coupling of the nut256and the end of the second vertical extension248described herein.

In this way, the rigging interface200, according to the embodiments shown inFIGS.2A-2J, may be configured to nest with the outer surfaces of the fairlead116. The cable extending from the winch system, such as the cable112of the winch system102shown inFIG.1, may interface with the curved outer surface224of the first vertical extension222as well as the inner surfaces of the opening230illustrated inFIGS.2D,2F,2H, and2J. An end of the cable may be coupled to the first vertical extension222so that the rigging interface200acts as a cable termination that is secured to the fairlead116due to the geometry of the inner side207of the rigging interface200, thereby preventing damage to the fairlead116that may result from forceful contact between the cable terminal and the fairlead116.

As another option for safe interfacing between a cable terminal, such as cable terminal114ofFIG.1, and a fairlead, such as fairlead116ofFIGS.1-2J, a rigging device300is illustrated inFIGS.3A-3Dthat may be coupled to the end of a cable, such as cable112ofFIG.1. The rigging device300may also act as a cable terminal adapted to nest against the fairlead. The set of reference axes202is provided inFIGS.3A-3Dfor comparison between views, indicating the “y” vertical direction204, the “x” horizontal direction206, and the “z” lateral direction208. The rigging device300may include a base302with an upper section304and lower section306.

The outer planar surfaces of the upper section304and lower section306, which may also describe a top310and a bottom312of the rigging device300, may be aligned with the planes formed by the horizontal direction206and lateral direction208. The upper section304may also have a first inner planar surface303parallel with the top310of the base302and the lower section306may have a second inner planar surface305parallel with the bottom312of the rigging device300. The upper section304may include side surfaces311with curved surfaces313disposed between the side surfaces311and the first inner planar surface303and between the side surfaces311and the top310. The lower section306of the base302may similarly include side surfaces315with curved surfaces317disposed between the side surface315and the second inner planar surface305and between the side surface315and the bottom312. A gap308may separate the first inner planar surface303from the second inner planar surface305and the presence of the gap308may be a key element in the structure of the rigging device300that enables coupling of the rigging device300to a mounting point. The height of the gap308, as indicated by an arrow309may be optimized to accommodate different sizes and geometries of objects to which the rigging device may be attached.

The base302of the rigging device300may also have a rear-facing surface314that is curved and adapted to nest against the front surface of the fairlead, as shown inFIG.3B. A front-facing surface316may be arranged on an opposite side of the rigging device300from the rear-facing surface314with both the front-facing surface316and rear-facing surface314aligned with the vertical direction204. The upper section304and lower section306may extend between the front-facing surface316and rear-facing surface314of the base302. The front-facing surface316may include a vertical wall318that extends, in the vertical direction204, between the upper section304and lower section306across the gap308. The vertical wall318may extend across a portion of the front-facing surface318, arranged closer to a first end320of the rigging device300than a second end322. In contrast, the first and second inner planar surfaces303and305extend fully across the base302of the rigging device300from the first end320to the second end322.

The base302of the rigging device300, including the upper section304, lower section306, front-facing and rear-facing surfaces316and314, and the vertical wall318, may serve as a rigid and durable framework for the rigging device300. Within this framework, a first vertical extension324and a second vertical extension326may be disposed, acting as connection points to other objects. The first vertical extension324may be cylindrical, positioned at the first end320of the rigging device300, adjacent to the vertical wall318. The second vertical extension326, also cylindrical in shape, may be positioned at the second end322of the rigging device300that does not include the vertical wall318.

The arrangement of the first and second vertical extensions324and326within the base302of the rigging device300are illustrated more explicitly inFIG.3C. The exploded view of the rigging device300inFIG.3Cshows that a first end324aof the first vertical extension324may be mated to one of a first set of apertures328in the first inner planar surface303(not shown) of the upper section304of the base302and a second end324bof the first vertical extension324may be mated to one of the first set of apertures328in the second inner planar surface305of the bottom section306of the base302. One aperture of the first set of apertures328that is disposed in the upper section304of the base302may extend into the first inner planar surface but not entirely through the upper section304of the base302. The other aperture of the first set of apertures328, disposed in the lower section306of the base302, may extend entirely through the lower section306as a through hole. The diameters of the first set of apertures328may be very similar to the diameter of the first vertical extension324so that the first vertical extension324may be slid through the through hole aperture of the first set of apertures328in the lower section306of the base302until the first end324ais inserted into one of the apertures of the first set of apertures328positioned in the upper section304of the base302. The first end324aof the first vertical extension324may fit snugly into one of the apertures of the first set of apertures328so that the vertical extension324is held securely within the first set of apertures328. The rigging device302may further include a retaining ring, configured to secure the second end324bof the first vertical extension324to the aperture328.

A second set of apertures330may be disposed in the second end322of the rigging device300, including a first aperture330athat is arranged as a through hole in the upper section304of the base302and a second aperture330bthat is also a through hole but positioned in the lower section306of the base302. The diameters of the second set of apertures330may be similar to or slightly larger than the diameter of the second vertical extension326, allowing the second vertical extension326to easily slide in and out of the second set of apertures330. In an example, the second vertical extension326is secured to the apertures330similar to how the vertical extension324is secured to the apertures328.

In a different example, the second vertical extension326may be secured differently to the base302of the rigging device300in comparison to the first vertical extension324. For example, an end cap332with a threaded inner wall334and an attachment plate336may be configured to fit into the second aperture330bso that a top planar surface335of the attachment plate336is flush and in face-sharing contact with the bottom312of the rigging device300. The end cap332may then be attached to the bottom312of the rigging device via a pair of apertures338and a pair of bolts340. The pair of apertures338may match a set of apertures disposed in the bottom312and extending into the lower section306of the base302of the rigging device300, thereby allowing the bolts340to slide into the pair of apertures338in the end cap332and into the set of apertures in the bottom312to secure the end cap to an outlet of the second aperture330b.

As described previously, the second vertical extension326is configured in some embodiments to slide into the second set of apertures330and thus may have a length, as defined in the vertical direction204, that is sufficiently long for the second vertical extension to span across the thickness, as measured in the vertical direction204, of the upper section304of the base302, the gap308, and the thickness, again measured along the vertical direction204, of the lower section306of the base302. A first end326aof the second vertical extension326may be have a slightly smaller diameter than the body of the second vertical extension326, and may be adapted with threading338that mates with the threaded inner walls334of the end cap332. A second end326bof the second vertical extension326may include a bolt head341so that the second vertical extension326may be easily rotated as well as a flange342. The flange342of the second end326bmay be wider in diameter than the body of the second vertical extension326and may be accommodated by a lip344in an inlet of the first aperture330aof the second set of apertures330. Thus, the second vertical extension326may be removed from the base302via the first aperture330a. The second vertical extension326may also be secured to the base by inserting the second vertical extension326into both the first aperture330aand second aperture330band rotating the second vertical extension (via the bolt head341) until the threading338at the first end326ais fully mated with the threaded inner walls334of the end cap332. Alternatively, the second vertical extension326is secured into the apertures330via snap-fit, interference-fit, or other techniques.

The descriptions provided forFIGS.3A-3Cshow that the first and second vertical extensions, along with the other elements of the rigging device300, may be configured for different roles in some embodiments. The first vertical extension324may be a relatively permanent structure in the rigging device. An end of a cable, for example, cable112ofFIG.1, may be coupled to the first vertical extension324, which, upon insertion into the first set of apertures328may be held tightly in place by friction between the outer surface of the first vertical extension and the inner surfaces of the first set of apertures328. As such, the rigging device300may act as a cable terminal, similar to the cable terminal114ofFIG.1with the curved rear-facing surface314enabling nesting of the rigging device300against a hawse-type fairlead frame or a roller-type fairlead frame of a fairlead, with reference to the hawse-type fairlead frame210, roller-type fairlead frame117, and fairlead116ofFIGS.2A-2J. Rear-facing surface314may further include protrusions, such as plastic or rubber protrusions, configured to reduce impact forces, decrease vibration, and generally improve contact between the rigging device300and the frame or fairlead.

In addition to acting as the cable terminal, similar to the rigging interfaces200ofFIGS.2A-2J, the removable second vertical extension326may enable the attachment of the rigging device300to a mounting point, further illustrated inFIG.3D. An exemplary bumper346of a vehicle, similar to the bumper106of vehicle100ofFIG.1, is depicted with a winch system348, a hawse fairlead350, a cable352with a thimble354and a mounting point358that is spaced away from the hawse fairlead350. The elements of the rigging device300are shown in greater detail in the expanded insert ofFIG.3D. The rigging device300is oriented so that the rear-facing surface314is facing down and the front-facing surface316is facing up. The thimble354is connected to the first vertical extension324, with reference to the first vertical extension324ofFIGS.3A-3C, at the first end320of the rigging device300. The rigging device300is thus securely coupled to the cable352via the first vertical extension324once the first vertical extension324is inserted into the first set of apertures328, as shown inFIGS.3A-3C.

The rigging device300may be attached to the mounting point358on the bumper346of the vehicle by threading the second vertical extension326, as shown inFIGS.3A-3C, through the second set of apertures330and an aperture of the mounting point358. The mounting point358is inserted in the gap308of the rigging device300between the upper section304and the lower section306of the base302. When configured as shown inFIG.3D, the second end322of the rigging device300may act as a double shear joint and enable the vehicle to be pulled forwards via the winch system348and rigging device300mounted on the bumper346of the vehicle, in conjunction with a pulley360.

As such, the configuration of the rigging device300may enable three modes of use. A first mode for using the rigging device300includes nesting the curved, rear-facing surface314, also described as an inner surface, against a front surface of a fairlead coupled to a winch system, such as the hawse fairlead350and winch system348ofFIG.3D, thereby preventing damage to the fairlead resulting from contact between a cable terminal, such as the cable terminal114ofFIG.1, and the fairlead. A second mode for using the rigging device300includes coupling the first end320of the rigging device300, via the first vertical extension324, to a cable352of the winch system348, as shown inFIG.3D, and connecting the removable second vertical extension326at the second end322to a mounting point on a second vehicle. The vehicle, such as vehicle100ofFIG.1to which the winch system348is adapted, may then pull the second vehicle by way of the combined winch system348and rigging device300. A third mode for using the rigging device300includes coupling the first end320and first vertical extension324to the cable352of the winch system348, but attaching the second end322and the second vertical extension326to a mounting point358on the bumper346of the same vehicle in which the winch system328is included. In this way, the vehicle may pull itself with the additional assistance of a device such as the pulley360ofFIG.3D.

The rigging device300described above may have one end adapted with a removable vertical extension and the other end with a more permanent vertical extension for long-term coupling with a cable, with reference to the first and second vertical extensions324,326, and the cable352ofFIG.3D. In another embodiment of a rigging device, the rigging device400illustrated inFIGS.4A-4Cmay include openings at opposite ends both adapted with removable vertical extensions for more transient connections between different objects and mounting points.

The set of references axes202is provided inFIGS.4A-4Cto compare the views shown, indicating the “y” vertical direction204, the “x” horizontal direction206, and the “z” lateral direction208. The rigging device400ofFIGS.4A-4Chas a base402that may be “H”-shaped and comprise a plurality of curved surfaces and edges. The base402may be mirror-symmetric about a first central axis404, coaxial with the vertical direction204, and about a second central axis406, coaxial with the horizontal direction206, as shown inFIG.4A. The rigging device400, however, may not be mirror-symmetric about the first central axis404or the second central axis406due to other features of the rigging device400further discussed below.

The outer geometry of the base402of the rigging device400may be optimally configured to provide a desired level of durability, strength and adaptability for the intended use of the rigging device400. The base402, in conforming to the shape of an “H”, may have a first leg408aand a second leg408bof a pair of legs408extending along the horizontal direction206and spaced apart by a gap410. The pair of legs408are joined at a central region of the base by a mid-section412extending across the gap410in the vertical direction204. The mid-section412may be formed at an outer surface414of the base402that also covers the front surfaces of the pair of legs408.

In addition to the pair of legs408and mid-section412, the base402may have a first end416and a second end418that are identical and positioned at opposite ends of the base402across the horizontal length, along the horizontal direction206, of the base402. As such, it will be appreciated that while the aspects of the first end416will be discussed in detail, the description provided may be applied to the second end418as well. At the first end416, the base may include a first set of apertures420, with a first aperture420aand a second aperture420b, which extend entirely through the pair of legs408. A first vertical extension422may be inserted into the first set of apertures420so that the first vertical extension422spans the thicknesses of the pair of legs408, measured along the vertical direction204, and the gap410between the first leg408aand the second leg408b. The first vertical extension422may be cylindrical and includes a first bolt head424at one end. The first bolt head424may extend out from a surface of the base402in the vertical direction204, enabling a user to move the first vertical extension in and out of the first set of apertures420by holding the first bolt head424.

At the second end418of the base402, a second set of apertures426and a second vertical extension428with a second bolt head430may be similarly arranged as the elements of the first end416. The second vertical extension428may be disposed in the second set of apertures426so that the second bolt head430is on a same side or on an opposite side as the first bolt head424. Both the first and second vertical extensions422may be configured to removably couple with the first and second ends416and418of the base402through the pair of legs408.

In one example of the rigging device400, the first and second vertical extensions422and428may be secured within the first and second sets of apertures420and426, respectively, via threading at an end of each of the first and second vertical extensions422and428that is opposite from the respective first and second bolt heads424and430. The threaded ends may mate to threading disposed in the inner surfaces of the first and second sets of apertures420and426. Alternatively, the first and second vertical extensions422and428may be adapted to fit snugly with the first and second sets of apertures420and426so that the vertical extensions may only slide in and out of the respective sets of apertures when force is applied. In yet another example, the first and second vertical extensions422and428and first and second sets of apertures420and430may be adapted with a twist-and-lock type mechanism or some other mechanism that enables efficient securing and release of the first and second vertical extensions422and428to and from the base402of the rigging device400. In other examples, the first and second vertical extensions422and428may be secured into the apertures via snap-fit, interference-fit, or other techniques. As such, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present disclosure should not by limited by the mechanism of securing the first and second vertical extensions422and428to the base402disclosed herein.

FIGS.4B and4Cshow examples of how the rigging device400may be used as a connector to other objects. The rigging device400is illustrated inFIG.4Bwith a slip hook432connected to the second vertical extension428at the second end418of the base402. In other examples, the second vertical extension428may be coupled to a shackle, a D-ring, or some other connecting device. The arrangement of the slip hook432between the pair of legs408of the base402at the second end418and around the second vertical extension428allows the second end418to act as a double shear joint. The first end416of the rigging device400may be connected to another object via the first vertical extension422such as a mounting point434on a bumper436of a vehicle, as shown inFIG.4C. In the example illustrated byFIG.4C, the second end428of the base402may be coupled to a cable terminal438of a cable440adapted with a coupling device, similar to the cable terminal114and cable112ofFIG.1. The coupling device may be a thimble433to which the slip hook432may be attached, as shown inFIG.4B, or a crocodile clip435, as shown inFIG.4C.

FIGS.1-4Cillustrate example configurations with relative positioning of the various components. If shown directly contacting each other, or directly coupled, then such elements may be referred to as directly contacting or directly coupled, respectively, at least in one example. Similarly, elements shown contiguous or adjacent to one another may be contiguous or adjacent to each other, respectively, at least in one example. As an example, components laying in face-sharing contact with each other may be referred to as in face-sharing contact. As another example, elements positioned apart from each other with only a space there-between and no other components may be referred to as such, in at least one example. As yet another example, elements shown above/below one another, at opposite sides to one another, or to the left/right of one another may be referred to as such, relative to one another. Further, as shown in the figures, a topmost element or point of element may be referred to as a “top” of the component and a bottommost element or point of the element may be referred to as a “bottom” of the component, in at least one example. As used herein, top/bottom, upper/lower, above/below, may be relative to a vertical axis of the figures and used to describe positioning of elements of the figures relative to one another. As such, elements shown above other elements are positioned vertically above the other elements, in one example. As yet another example, shapes of the elements depicted within the figures may be referred to as having those shapes (e.g., such as being circular, straight, planar, curved, rounded, chamfered, angled, or the like). Further, elements shown intersecting one another may be referred to as intersecting elements or intersecting one another, in at least one example. Further still, an element shown within another element or shown outside of another element may be referred as such, in one example.

In this way, a rigging interface may be adapted with curved surfaces that match the outer surfaces of a fairlead mounted to a winch system of a vehicle. The rigging interface, coupled to a cable terminal of a winch cable, may nest against the fairlead so that the cable terminal remains stationary during vehicle navigation, preventing the cable terminal from bouncing and contacting the fairlead with force. The rigging interface may also maintain the cable terminal at a position in front of the fairlead so that the cable terminal is readily accessible. As a modified alternative to the rigging interface, a rigging device, in one example, may act similarly as the rigging interface but include two ends, the first of which may be coupled to the cable terminal so that the rigging device may act as a cable terminal that nests to the outer surfaces of the fairlead. The second end may comprise a removable vertical extension, enabling the attachment of the second end to a mounting point on the same or another vehicle. In another example, a rigging device may have a removable vertical extension at both a first and a second end of the rigging device, allowing the rigging device act as a connector between a variety of objects and/or mounting points.

Using the rigging interface protects the fairlead of a winch system from damage due to impact from the cable terminal. Using the rigging device efficiently and securely connects objects and/or mounting points via the removable elements of the rigging device.

As used in this specification, including the claims, the term “and/or” is a conjunction that is either inclusive or exclusive. Accordingly, the term “and/or” either signifies the presence of two or more things in a group or signifies that one selection may be made from a group of alternatives.

The many features and advantages of the present disclosure are apparent from the written description, and thus, the appended claims are intended to cover all such features and advantages of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the present disclosure is not limited to the exact construction and operation as illustrated and described. Therefore, the described embodiments should be taken as illustrative and not restrictive, and the disclosure should not be limited to the details given herein but should be defined by the following claims and their full scope of equivalents, whether foreseeable or unforeseeable now or in the future.