US20060163549A1 - Winch assembly - Google Patents
Winch assembly Download PDFInfo
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- US20060163549A1 US20060163549A1 US10/917,166 US91716604A US2006163549A1 US 20060163549 A1 US20060163549 A1 US 20060163549A1 US 91716604 A US91716604 A US 91716604A US 2006163549 A1 US2006163549 A1 US 2006163549A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- spool
- set forth
- carrier assembly
- housing
- cable
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D43/00—Spare wheel stowing, holding, or mounting arrangements
- B62D43/02—Spare wheel stowing, holding, or mounting arrangements external to the vehicle body
- B62D43/04—Spare wheel stowing, holding, or mounting arrangements external to the vehicle body attached beneath the vehicle body
- B62D43/045—Spare wheel stowing, holding, or mounting arrangements external to the vehicle body attached beneath the vehicle body the wheel or its cradle being attached to one or more chains or cables for handling
Definitions
- the invention relates to a tire carrying device for raising and lowering a wheel between a storage position and an access position. More specifically, the invention relates to a winch assembly of the tire carrying device.
- Tire carrying devices are commonly used in automotive vehicles for raising and lowering a tire between a storage position disposed against an underside of the vehicle and an access position spaced apart from the underside of the vehicle to facilitate access to the tire.
- a tire carrying device usually includes a winch assembly that includes a spool, a flexible tether wrapped around the spool and having a free end attached to the tire, and a torque limiter operatively coupled to the spool to prevent overloading of the cable during raising of the tire to the storage position.
- a winch assembly for use with a tire carrier having a mounting plate.
- the winch assembly includes a spool, a torque limiter and a housing.
- the housing has a closed end and an open end. The open end is adapted to be fixedly secured to the mounting plate to define a single cavity between the closed end and the mounting plate for substantially enclosing both the spool and the torque limiter therein.
- FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a tire carrying device according to the invention
- FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a housing for a winch assembly in the tire carrying device
- FIG. 3 is a top view of a spool in the winch assembly
- FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the spool as a tether is being assembled to it;
- FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the spool with the tether assembled to it.
- FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the housing.
- FIG. 1 A tire carrying device 10 for carrying a spare tire T of a vehicle is shown in FIG. 1 .
- the tire carrying device 10 includes a tire carrier 12 which is connected to a winch assembly 14 by a tether or cable 16 .
- the tire carrier 12 is a two-part carrier.
- the winch assembly 14 is operable to raise and lower the tire carrier 12 and tire T.
- the winch assembly 14 includes a mounting plate 18 which has a receiver tube 20 extending from a lower side of the mounting plate 18 to receive a top portion of the tire carrier 12 .
- a latch 22 is mounted to the receiver tube to engage a top portion of the tire carrier to support the tire carrier in the event the cable separates.
- the tire carrier 12 and latch 22 may be of any suitable type known by those skilled in the art.
- a winch housing 40 according to the invention is mounted to an upper side of the mounting plate 18 .
- the winch assembly 14 includes a shaft 24 and a sheave or spool 26 .
- the spool 26 is rotatably coupled to the shaft 24 and housing 40 .
- the spool 26 includes a slot or groove 27 formed around the periphery for receiving the cable 16 as the tire carrier 12 is raised.
- the cable 16 extends between a fixed end fixedly secured to the spool 26 and a free end fixedly secured to the carrier 12 . Described in greater detail below, a generally rigid sleeve or end fitting is fixedly secured to the fixed end of the cable 16 . In turn, the end fitting is pivotally coupled to the spool 26 at the bottom of the groove 27 .
- a torque limiter 28 is operatively coupled to the shaft 24 to prevent overloading of the cable 16 . More specifically, the torque limiter 28 includes a pair of friction plates 30 , 32 . An upper friction plate 30 extends from a drive nut portion 34 adapted to interconnect with a crank handle. A lower friction plate 32 is drivingly connected to the spool 26 via a gear reduction mechanism 36 , preferably a taumel-type arrangement. Specifically, the lower friction plate 32 is coupled to the shaft 24 for rotation therewith.
- a biasing member 68 preferably a belleville spring, is continuously energized between the housing 40 and the torque limiter 28 for axially compressing the friction plates 30 , 32 together. The biasing member 68 has a predetermined spring rate, such that beyond a predetermined level of torque, the upper 30 and lower 32 friction plates will slip relative to each other to prevent overloading of the cable 16 .
- the gear reduction mechanism 36 includes a ring gear 37 , a planetary gear or actuator 38 and an eccentric cam 39 .
- the ring gear 37 is integrally formed or fixedly secured to the spool 26 .
- the ring gear 37 includes a plurality of teeth.
- the actuator 38 includes a plurality of teeth 38 a, shown in FIG. 6 , for engaging the teeth of the ring gear 37 .
- the actuator 38 has at least one less tooth than the ring gear 37 , thereby defining the reducing function of the gear reduction mechanism 36 .
- the eccentric cam 39 is fixedly secured to the shaft 24 .
- the actuator 38 includes a center bore 41 for receiving the eccentric cam 39 therein.
- the cam 39 drives the actuator 38 in a reciprocating manner about the ring gear 37 in response to rotation of the shaft 24 .
- the actuator 38 includes a step or arm 43 that remains rotatably constrained between opposing and spaced apart walls 45 a, 45 b defined in the housing 40 .
- the walls 45 a, 45 b prevent rotation of the actuator 38 relative to the housing 40 , but at the same time allow the actuator 38 to wobble about the teeth of the ring gear 37 .
- the wobbling actuator 38 causes rotation of the spool 26 relative to the housing 40 . Rotation of the spool 26 causes winding or unwinding of the cable 16 about the spool 26 , thereby raising or lowering the carrier 12 between a storage position and an access position.
- the housing 40 has a side portion 42 which extends from a peripheral edge 44 of a domed portion 46 .
- the housing 40 has an inner surface 48 defining a cavity housing the torque limiter 28 and spool 26 .
- the side portion 42 is generally cylindrical to extend closely about the spool 26 to maintain the cable 16 on the spool 26 .
- the side portion 42 includes a flared portion 42 a.
- An abutment block 49 is nestingly supported in the flared portion 42 a.
- the flared portion 42 a and block 49 have corresponding slots 53 , 55 through which the cable 16 exits the housing 40 .
- the domed portion 46 covers the torque limiter 28 .
- the domed portion 46 has a generally flat center 50 in which a throughbore 52 is formed to receive the drive nut portion 34 .
- Flange 54 extends inwardly from the inner surface 48 of the domed portion 46 .
- Each flange 54 has a radially extending edge 56 formed to position an upper surface of the spool 26 and an axially extending edge 58 to position the friction plates 30 , 32 of the torque limiter 28 .
- at least three flanges 54 extend inwardly from the inner surface 48 for locating and supporting the spool 26 and friction plate 30 , 32 within the cavity of the housing 40 .
- a plurality of tabs 64 extends from an edge of the housing 40 .
- the tabs 64 correspond to a plurality of slots 65 formed in the mounting plate 18 .
- the tabs 64 have an arrowhead-shaped cross section to guide the tabs into the slots 65 in the mounting plate 18 .
- the tabs 64 engage or snap against the edges of the mounting plate 18 defining the slots 65 to fixedly secure the housing 40 to the mounting plate 18 .
- the housing 40 includes seven tabs 64 for lockingly engaging as many slots 65 in mounting plate 18 .
- a pin 67 extends from the edge of the housing 40 to help locate the housing 40 relative to the mounting plate 18 during assembly.
- the housing 40 is advantageously formed in one piece from any suitable rigid material.
- the housing is molded of glass reinforced nylon.
- the mounting plate 18 includes an aperture 60 corresponding with the throughbore 52 in the flat center 50 of the domed portion 46 .
- the throughbore 52 in the flat center 50 and the aperture 60 in the mounting plate 18 are generally aligned along a longitudinal axis 62 .
- the throughbore 52 in the flat center 50 rotatably supports the drive nut portion 34 of the torque limiter 28 .
- the aperture 60 in the mounting plate 40 rotatably supports the shaft 24 .
- a cap 66 is fixedly secured to the flat center 50 of the housing 40 .
- the cap 66 is adapted for sealing the opening to prevent exhaust gases and moisture from entering the vehicle compartment.
- the cap 66 is made from foam material or other flexible materials having similar sealing properties known by those skilled in the art.
- the sheave assembly or spool 26 is shown in detail in FIGS. 3-5 .
- the spool 26 is disc-shaped and is preferably formed from plastic in an injection mold.
- the spool 26 includes opposite first 70 and second 72 sides.
- a gear ring 74 is integrally molded in the first side 70 .
- the gear ring 74 includes an inner circumerence that defines a void for receiving a portion of the actuator 38 .
- a circumferential surface is formed along the inner circumference of the gear ring 74 . More specifically, the ring gear 37 from the gear reduction mechanism 36 described above is defined along the circumferential surface for drivingly engaging the actuator 38 .
- the gear ring 74 also includes an outer edge.
- a plurality of projections 76 extends radially outwardly from the outer edge.
- a plurality of voids 78 are defined between adjacent pairs of projections 76 .
- the gear ring 74 is suspended within a cavity in the mold. Molten plastic is injected into the mold and fills the voids 78 between the projections 76 . The plastic hardens to form a holding portion that fixedly secures the gear ring 74 to the spool 26 .
- a generally cylindrical center 81 defines the bottom of the groove 27 .
- the center 81 of the spool 26 includes a cut-away portion 83 .
- a slot 82 extends generally radially inwardly from an outer edge of the second side 72 toward a center of the spool 26 .
- the slot 82 extends through the groove 27 to accept the end fitting 90 of the cable 16 .
- the end fitting 90 has a pin 92 which extends axially outwardly from a curved sleeve 94 .
- the end fitting 90 is inserted into the slot 82 as shown in FIG. 5 , until the pin 92 rests in the end of the slot 82 . As shown in FIG.
- the pin 92 is pivotally supported and retained at the end of the slot 82 to allow the sleeve 94 to rest against the cut-away portion 83 as the cable 16 is wound about the center 81 of the spool 26 .
- the cable 16 extends from the sleeve 94 and exits the housing 40 through the slots 53 , 55 of the flared portion 42 a and block 49 , as best shown in FIG. 6 .
- the sleeve 94 abuts the block 49 to relieve stress on the interconnection between the pin 92 and the edges of the spool 26 defining the slot 82 when the cable 16 has been uncoiled from the spool 26 .
- Block 49 also prevents winch mechanism from back-winding and provides a bumper to the sleeve from breaking through the wall of the housing.
- a plurality of apertures 98 are formed radially about the central portion the spool 26 to promote an even cooling of the spool 26 after formation in the injection mold.
Abstract
A winch assembly is provided for use with a tire carrier having a mounting plate. The winch assembly includes a spool, a torque limiter and a housing. The housing has a closed end and an open end. The open end is adapted to be fixedly secured to the mounting plate to define a single cavity between the closed end and the mounting plate for substantially enclosing both the spool and the torque limiter therein.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The invention relates to a tire carrying device for raising and lowering a wheel between a storage position and an access position. More specifically, the invention relates to a winch assembly of the tire carrying device.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Tire carrying devices are commonly used in automotive vehicles for raising and lowering a tire between a storage position disposed against an underside of the vehicle and an access position spaced apart from the underside of the vehicle to facilitate access to the tire. A tire carrying device usually includes a winch assembly that includes a spool, a flexible tether wrapped around the spool and having a free end attached to the tire, and a torque limiter operatively coupled to the spool to prevent overloading of the cable during raising of the tire to the storage position.
- An example of a tire carrying device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,253 (“the '253 reference”) issued to Dobmeier et al. on Apr. 29, 2003. The '253 reference discloses first and second chambers or housings for separately enclosing the spool and torque limiter, respectively. Another tire carrying device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,870 issued to Tallent et al. on Jun. 11, 1996. The Tallent reference discloses first and second housing components for separately housing the clutch and spool, respectively.
- It remains desirable to provide a winch assembly for a tire carrying device that is less expensive and easier to manufacture than previously known tire carrying devices.
- According to one aspect of the invention, a winch assembly is provided for use with a tire carrier having a mounting plate. The winch assembly includes a spool, a torque limiter and a housing. The housing has a closed end and an open end. The open end is adapted to be fixedly secured to the mounting plate to define a single cavity between the closed end and the mounting plate for substantially enclosing both the spool and the torque limiter therein.
- Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a tire carrying device according to the invention; -
FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a housing for a winch assembly in the tire carrying device; -
FIG. 3 is a top view of a spool in the winch assembly; -
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the spool as a tether is being assembled to it; -
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the spool with the tether assembled to it; and -
FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the housing. - A
tire carrying device 10 for carrying a spare tire T of a vehicle is shown inFIG. 1 . The tire carryingdevice 10 includes atire carrier 12 which is connected to awinch assembly 14 by a tether orcable 16. Preferably, thetire carrier 12 is a two-part carrier. Thewinch assembly 14 is operable to raise and lower thetire carrier 12 and tire T. Thewinch assembly 14 includes amounting plate 18 which has areceiver tube 20 extending from a lower side of themounting plate 18 to receive a top portion of thetire carrier 12. Alatch 22 is mounted to the receiver tube to engage a top portion of the tire carrier to support the tire carrier in the event the cable separates. Thetire carrier 12 andlatch 22 may be of any suitable type known by those skilled in the art. Examples of thetire carrier 12 and thelatch 22 are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,253 issued to Dobmeier et al. on Apr. 29, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Awinch housing 40 according to the invention is mounted to an upper side of themounting plate 18. - The
winch assembly 14 includes ashaft 24 and a sheave orspool 26. Thespool 26 is rotatably coupled to theshaft 24 andhousing 40. Thespool 26 includes a slot orgroove 27 formed around the periphery for receiving thecable 16 as thetire carrier 12 is raised. Thecable 16 extends between a fixed end fixedly secured to thespool 26 and a free end fixedly secured to thecarrier 12. Described in greater detail below, a generally rigid sleeve or end fitting is fixedly secured to the fixed end of thecable 16. In turn, the end fitting is pivotally coupled to thespool 26 at the bottom of thegroove 27. - A
torque limiter 28 is operatively coupled to theshaft 24 to prevent overloading of thecable 16. More specifically, thetorque limiter 28 includes a pair offriction plates upper friction plate 30 extends from adrive nut portion 34 adapted to interconnect with a crank handle. Alower friction plate 32 is drivingly connected to thespool 26 via agear reduction mechanism 36, preferably a taumel-type arrangement. Specifically, thelower friction plate 32 is coupled to theshaft 24 for rotation therewith. Abiasing member 68, preferably a belleville spring, is continuously energized between thehousing 40 and thetorque limiter 28 for axially compressing thefriction plates biasing member 68 has a predetermined spring rate, such that beyond a predetermined level of torque, the upper 30 and lower 32 friction plates will slip relative to each other to prevent overloading of thecable 16. - The
gear reduction mechanism 36 includes aring gear 37, a planetary gear oractuator 38 and aneccentric cam 39. Thering gear 37 is integrally formed or fixedly secured to thespool 26. Thering gear 37 includes a plurality of teeth. Theactuator 38 includes a plurality ofteeth 38a, shown inFIG. 6 , for engaging the teeth of thering gear 37. Theactuator 38 has at least one less tooth than thering gear 37, thereby defining the reducing function of thegear reduction mechanism 36. Theeccentric cam 39 is fixedly secured to theshaft 24. Theactuator 38 includes acenter bore 41 for receiving theeccentric cam 39 therein. Thecam 39 drives theactuator 38 in a reciprocating manner about thering gear 37 in response to rotation of theshaft 24. As best shown inFIG. 6 , theactuator 38 includes a step orarm 43 that remains rotatably constrained between opposing and spaced apartwalls housing 40. Thewalls actuator 38 relative to thehousing 40, but at the same time allow theactuator 38 to wobble about the teeth of thering gear 37. Thewobbling actuator 38 causes rotation of thespool 26 relative to thehousing 40. Rotation of thespool 26 causes winding or unwinding of thecable 16 about thespool 26, thereby raising or lowering thecarrier 12 between a storage position and an access position. - As shown in
FIGS. 2 and 6 , thehousing 40 has aside portion 42 which extends from aperipheral edge 44 of adomed portion 46. Thehousing 40 has aninner surface 48 defining a cavity housing thetorque limiter 28 andspool 26. Theside portion 42 is generally cylindrical to extend closely about thespool 26 to maintain thecable 16 on thespool 26. Theside portion 42 includes a flaredportion 42 a. Anabutment block 49 is nestingly supported in the flaredportion 42 a. The flaredportion 42 a andblock 49 have correspondingslots cable 16 exits thehousing 40. - The
domed portion 46 covers thetorque limiter 28. Thedomed portion 46 has a generallyflat center 50 in which athroughbore 52 is formed to receive thedrive nut portion 34.Flange 54 extends inwardly from theinner surface 48 of thedomed portion 46. Eachflange 54 has aradially extending edge 56 formed to position an upper surface of thespool 26 and anaxially extending edge 58 to position thefriction plates torque limiter 28. Preferably, at least threeflanges 54 extend inwardly from theinner surface 48 for locating and supporting thespool 26 andfriction plate housing 40. - A plurality of
tabs 64 extends from an edge of thehousing 40. Thetabs 64 correspond to a plurality ofslots 65 formed in the mountingplate 18. Thetabs 64 have an arrowhead-shaped cross section to guide the tabs into theslots 65 in the mountingplate 18. Thetabs 64 engage or snap against the edges of the mountingplate 18 defining theslots 65 to fixedly secure thehousing 40 to the mountingplate 18. Preferably, thehousing 40 includes seventabs 64 for lockingly engaging asmany slots 65 in mountingplate 18. Most preferably, apin 67 extends from the edge of thehousing 40 to help locate thehousing 40 relative to the mountingplate 18 during assembly. Thehousing 40 is advantageously formed in one piece from any suitable rigid material. In the preferred embodiment, the housing is molded of glass reinforced nylon. - The mounting
plate 18 includes anaperture 60 corresponding with thethroughbore 52 in theflat center 50 of thedomed portion 46. Thethroughbore 52 in theflat center 50 and theaperture 60 in the mountingplate 18 are generally aligned along alongitudinal axis 62. Thethroughbore 52 in theflat center 50 rotatably supports thedrive nut portion 34 of thetorque limiter 28. Theaperture 60 in the mountingplate 40 rotatably supports theshaft 24. - It may be necessary to provide an opening in a compartment wall of the vehicle to accommodate the
winch assembly 12. In that case, acap 66 is fixedly secured to theflat center 50 of thehousing 40. Thecap 66 is adapted for sealing the opening to prevent exhaust gases and moisture from entering the vehicle compartment. Preferably, thecap 66 is made from foam material or other flexible materials having similar sealing properties known by those skilled in the art. - The sheave assembly or
spool 26 is shown in detail inFIGS. 3-5 . Thespool 26 is disc-shaped and is preferably formed from plastic in an injection mold. Thespool 26 includes opposite first 70 and second 72 sides. Agear ring 74 is integrally molded in thefirst side 70. Thegear ring 74 includes an inner circumerence that defines a void for receiving a portion of theactuator 38. A circumferential surface is formed along the inner circumference of thegear ring 74. More specifically, thering gear 37 from thegear reduction mechanism 36 described above is defined along the circumferential surface for drivingly engaging theactuator 38. Thegear ring 74 also includes an outer edge. A plurality ofprojections 76 extends radially outwardly from the outer edge. A plurality ofvoids 78 are defined between adjacent pairs ofprojections 76. During formation of thespool 26, thegear ring 74 is suspended within a cavity in the mold. Molten plastic is injected into the mold and fills thevoids 78 between theprojections 76. The plastic hardens to form a holding portion that fixedly secures thegear ring 74 to thespool 26. - A generally
cylindrical center 81 defines the bottom of thegroove 27. Thecenter 81 of thespool 26 includes a cut-awayportion 83. Aslot 82 extends generally radially inwardly from an outer edge of thesecond side 72 toward a center of thespool 26. Theslot 82 extends through thegroove 27 to accept the end fitting 90 of thecable 16. The end fitting 90 has apin 92 which extends axially outwardly from acurved sleeve 94. The end fitting 90 is inserted into theslot 82 as shown inFIG. 5 , until thepin 92 rests in the end of theslot 82. As shown inFIG. 4 , thepin 92 is pivotally supported and retained at the end of theslot 82 to allow thesleeve 94 to rest against the cut-awayportion 83 as thecable 16 is wound about thecenter 81 of thespool 26. Thecable 16 extends from thesleeve 94 and exits thehousing 40 through theslots portion 42 a andblock 49, as best shown inFIG. 6 . Thesleeve 94 abuts theblock 49 to relieve stress on the interconnection between thepin 92 and the edges of thespool 26 defining theslot 82 when thecable 16 has been uncoiled from thespool 26.Block 49 also prevents winch mechanism from back-winding and provides a bumper to the sleeve from breaking through the wall of the housing. A plurality ofapertures 98 are formed radially about the central portion thespool 26 to promote an even cooling of thespool 26 after formation in the injection mold. - The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is, therefore, to be understood that the terminology used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.
Claims (20)
1. A tire carrier assembly for use with a vehicle, said carrier assembly comprising:
a mounting plate mounted to said vehicle, said mounting plate including a plurality of apertures;
a winch mechanism mounted to said mounting plate, said winch mechanism including a spool and a torque limiter, said torque limiter axially adjacent to said spool to deliver torque when said spool is turned and to limit the minimum amount of torque delivered to said spool;
a cable having one end attached to said spool and having a tire carrier attached to an opposite end; and
a housing having a plurality of tabs releasably engaging said plurality of apertures to mount said housing to said mounting plate, said housing having an inner surface defining a single cavity for substantially enclosing both said spool and said torque limiter therein, said housing having at least one flange extending inwardly from said inner surface for positioning said torque limiter and said spool within said cavity.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. A carrier assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said flange of said housing includes a radially extending edge for positioning said spool within said cavity.
7. A carrier assembly as set forth in claim 6 , wherein said flange of said housing includes an axially extending edge to position said torque limiter within said cavity.
8. A carrier assembly as set forth in claim 7 , wherein said housing includes a substantially flat center, said flat center having a bore formed therethrough.
9. A carrier assembly as set forth in claim 8 , wherein said housing is molded in one piece from a moldable material.
10. A carrier assembly as set forth in claim 9 , wherein said moldable material is glass reinforced nylon.
11. A carrier assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said torque limiter includes an upper plate having a drive nut portion, said drive nut portion being adapted to interconnect with a crank handle to facilitate manual actuation of said carrier assembly.
12. A carrier assembly as set forth in claim 11 , wherein said torque limiter includes a lower plate axially engaged with said upper plate for transferring torque between said upper plate and said spool.
13. A carrier assembly as set forth in claim 12 including a biasing member for continuously biasing said upper and lower plates toward each other to allow torque to be transferred between said upper plate and said lower plate, said biasing member having a predetermined spring rate to allow said upper and lower plates to slip to prevent overloading of said cable.
14. A carrier assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a gear reduction mechanism operatively coupled between said lower plate and said spool.
15. A carrier assembly as set forth in claim 14 , wherein said gear reduction mechanism includes a ring gear integrally formed with said spool.
16. A spool for use in a winch assembly, the winch assembly including a drive mechanism, and a cable having end fitting, said spool comprising:
a body having a notch for receiving the end fitting of the cable, said body further having a circumferential groove to receive said cable when said winch is being wound to coil said cable; and
a gear ring integrally molded into said body, said gear having a circumferential surface, said body forming a void adjacent said circumferential surface adapted to receive a portion of the drive mechanism, said circumferential surface being operably connected to the drive mechanism, said gear ring having a plurality of projections extending radially from an outer edge thereof, wherein a plurality of voids are each defined between adjacent pairs of said plurality of projections, said voids being filled with moldable material during formation of said spool such that said spool is integrally formed with said spool when said moldable material has hardened.
17. A spool as set forth in claim 16 wherein said circumferential surface is along an inner circumference of said gear ring.
18. (canceled)
19. (canceled)
20. A spool as set forth in claim 16 , wherein said circumferential surface defines a ring gear.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US10/917,166 US7073779B1 (en) | 2004-08-12 | 2004-08-12 | Winch assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US10/917,166 US7073779B1 (en) | 2004-08-12 | 2004-08-12 | Winch assembly |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US7073779B1 US7073779B1 (en) | 2006-07-11 |
US20060163549A1 true US20060163549A1 (en) | 2006-07-27 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/917,166 Expired - Fee Related US7073779B1 (en) | 2004-08-12 | 2004-08-12 | Winch assembly |
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US (1) | US7073779B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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ES2531206B1 (en) * | 2013-09-11 | 2016-01-22 | Batz, S.Coop. | Spare wheel collection unit |
US10329128B2 (en) | 2016-11-29 | 2019-06-25 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Spare wheel assembly winch with force dependent cable release mechanism |
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US4228488A (en) * | 1978-09-18 | 1980-10-14 | Gar Design Research, Inc. | Luminaire raising and lowering system |
US5188341A (en) * | 1991-01-10 | 1993-02-23 | Fabricated Steel Products, Division Of Indal Limited | Safety latch for a tire carrier |
US5314288A (en) * | 1991-06-10 | 1994-05-24 | Build-A-Mold Limited | Wheel-lift mechanism |
US5368280A (en) * | 1990-09-04 | 1994-11-29 | Multimatic Inc. | Tire lifting device |
US5524870A (en) * | 1993-12-15 | 1996-06-11 | Stant Manufacturing Inc. | Torque-override winch |
US6092790A (en) * | 1992-10-06 | 2000-07-25 | Fabricated Steel Products Inc. | Safety latch for a tire carrier and improvements therefor |
US6132162A (en) * | 1998-12-28 | 2000-10-17 | Mannoh Kogoy Co., Ltd. | Storage construction for spare tire of motor vehicle |
US6293522B2 (en) * | 1991-01-10 | 2001-09-25 | Tka Fabco Corp. | Safety latch for a tire carrier and improvements therefor |
US6390452B1 (en) * | 1991-01-10 | 2002-05-21 | Tka Fabco Corp. | Safety latch for a tire carrier and improvements therefor |
US6554253B1 (en) * | 1991-01-10 | 2003-04-29 | Tka Fabco Corp. | Safety latch for a tire carrier and improvements therefor |
-
2004
- 2004-08-12 US US10/917,166 patent/US7073779B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4228488A (en) * | 1978-09-18 | 1980-10-14 | Gar Design Research, Inc. | Luminaire raising and lowering system |
US5368280A (en) * | 1990-09-04 | 1994-11-29 | Multimatic Inc. | Tire lifting device |
US5188341A (en) * | 1991-01-10 | 1993-02-23 | Fabricated Steel Products, Division Of Indal Limited | Safety latch for a tire carrier |
US6293522B2 (en) * | 1991-01-10 | 2001-09-25 | Tka Fabco Corp. | Safety latch for a tire carrier and improvements therefor |
US6390452B1 (en) * | 1991-01-10 | 2002-05-21 | Tka Fabco Corp. | Safety latch for a tire carrier and improvements therefor |
US6554253B1 (en) * | 1991-01-10 | 2003-04-29 | Tka Fabco Corp. | Safety latch for a tire carrier and improvements therefor |
US5314288A (en) * | 1991-06-10 | 1994-05-24 | Build-A-Mold Limited | Wheel-lift mechanism |
US6092790A (en) * | 1992-10-06 | 2000-07-25 | Fabricated Steel Products Inc. | Safety latch for a tire carrier and improvements therefor |
US5524870A (en) * | 1993-12-15 | 1996-06-11 | Stant Manufacturing Inc. | Torque-override winch |
US6499724B1 (en) * | 1994-07-18 | 2002-12-31 | Tka Fabco Corp. | Safety latch for a tire carrier |
US6132162A (en) * | 1998-12-28 | 2000-10-17 | Mannoh Kogoy Co., Ltd. | Storage construction for spare tire of motor vehicle |
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US7073779B1 (en) | 2006-07-11 |
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