Patents Assigned to Warn Industries
  • ATV Drive Train Energy Absorbing Device
    Publication number: 20120090942
    Abstract: An energy absorbing device limits peak torque and shock loads applied to the drive train components of an all-terrain vehicle. The energy absorbing device may be installed in the differential or drive housing, inboard of the variable shaft or half-shaft or outboard of the constant shaft or half-shaft, and in the interconnecting shaft itself. The energy absorbing device allows excessive drive train energy to be dissipated by friction between components of the energy absorbing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: WARN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Mitchell R. Lawson, Kyle L. Gilham
  • Face Tooth Hydraulic Piston Brake
    Publication number: 20120019050
    Abstract: A braking mechanism is provided for a hydraulic motor driven wheel utilizing a two-piece design of a hub that rotates by means of a drive shaft. A hydraulic chamber is created on the hub in which a piston resides. The piston is grounded (i.e., non-rotatable relative to the motor housing) in the sealed chamber. The piston face inside of the chamber has a radial set of face teeth. These face teeth are similar to the face teeth inside of the hydraulic chamber. When the chamber is pressurized, the piston face teeth are pushed away from the hub face teeth allowing the hub to freely rotate. When pressure is released from the chamber, a spring, or a number of springs, push the piston into the hub causing it to stop rotating relative to the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: WARN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Craig Feusse
  • Integrated overload and low voltage interrupt module
    Patent number: 8076885
    Abstract: A power management module for a winch system comprises an overload and low voltage interrupt module within a housing. The overload interrupt determines operating current for the winch system and provides an interrupt signal when the current is greater than a threshold. The low voltage interrupt determines voltage of a power source and provides an interrupt signal when the voltage is less than a threshold. A method of operating the power management module comprises determining operating current of the winch system with an overload interrupt module and voltage of a vehicle power source with a low voltage interrupt module. The overload and low voltage interrupt modules are located within a housing. The overload interrupt provides an interrupt signal when the operating current is greater than a threshold. The low voltage interrupt provides an interrupt signal when the voltage is less than a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Warn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Heravi, Kip E. Clohessy, Fred L. Ewer
  • Vehicle Winch Side-Mount System
    Publication number: 20110255947
    Abstract: A vehicle winch side-mount system including a platform and a winch mounting structure configured to engage a mount of a winching device. The vehicle winch side-mount system is configured to be retained by the weight a vehicle tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: WARN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: David Scuito, Mitchell R. Lawson, Randy C. Karambelas
  • Roller disk brake for a winch
    Patent number: 8025130
    Abstract: A power device includes a motor, a drive shaft, and a roller brake system including a cam mechanism. The motor may put out a driving torque in a first and a second rotary direction. The cam mechanism includes first and second cam members. The first cam member may be in a driven engagement with the motor and the second cam member may be slidably engaged with the first cam member and coupled to the drive shaft. The first cam member includes a circumferentially disposed ramped surface having a stop member at a first end thereof. The said second cam member is axially and rotatably fixed with the drive shaft and includes an axially extending protrusion disposed about a circumference thereof and slidably engaged with the ramped surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Warn Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald L. Elliott
  • Power Pivot Device for a Plow
    Publication number: 20110186314
    Abstract: A pivot assembly for a plow may include first and second subassemblies. The first subassembly may be adapted to be coupled to a frame member and rotationally fixed relative thereto. The first subassembly may include a latch mechanism displaceable between locked and unlocked positions. The second subassembly may be adapted to be coupled to the frame member and may be rotatable relative thereto. The second subassembly may include a power pivot assembly and a cam member. The power pivot assembly may be drivingly engaged with the cam member and operable to rotate the cam member in a first rotational direction to a first position where the cam member urges the latch mechanism into the unlocked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: WARN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Bryan Yoder
  • Light Weight Winch
    Publication number: 20110180770
    Abstract: A winch includes a rotatable drum. A cable is wound onto the drum in one rotative direction and off the drum in a second rotative direction. A sealed axial flux permanent magnet drive motor includes a drive shaft selectively rotated by the motor in either direction of rotation. A gear train interconnects the drive shaft and the drum for rotatably driving the drum at a reduced rotative speed relative to the motor shaft. The motor can apply regenerative braking. A spring-applied electric release brake is connected to the drive shaft to apply a braking force to prevent rotation of the drum. A connecting shaft connects the gear train to the rotatable drum. The connecting shaft includes axially spaced splines that reduce the disparity in the gear train and drum centerlines to thereby reduce gyration therebetween. The drum can be made partially from carbon fiber to reduce the weight thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: WARN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Randy C. Karambelas, Oliver Heravi, David Scuito, Robert Logston, Fred L. Ewer
  • Power pivot device
    Patent number: 7946942
    Abstract: A pivot assembly may include first and second subassemblies. The first subassembly may be adapted to be coupled to a frame member and rotationally fixed relative thereto. The first subassembly may include a latch mechanism displaceable between locked and unlocked positions. The second subassembly may be adapted to be coupled to the frame member and may be rotatable relative thereto. The second subassembly may include a power pivot assembly and a cam member. The power pivot assembly may be drivingly engaged with the cam member and operable to rotate the cam member in a first rotational direction to a first position where the cam member urges the latch mechanism into the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Warn Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan Yoder
  • Winch Carrier and Grille Guard Mounting System
    Publication number: 20110006553
    Abstract: An accessory mounting system for on-road and off-road passenger vehicles, such as light-duty trucks and SUV's is provided. The system attaches to a vehicle to serve as an extension of the vehicle frame to provide a secure mounting location for vehicle accessories, such as a winch, grille guards, headlamp guards, and lights. The system provides for the attachment of numerous accessory components without modification or replacement of an original equipment bumper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: WARN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Darren G. Fretz, Steven M. Schile
  • Portable pulling tool
    Patent number: 7850145
    Abstract: A portable pulling tool is provided including an integrally formed one-piece gear case for positioning all of the gear train components. The gear train includes a combination of helical gears and a differential planetary gear unit in a unique configuration. A motor control system is provided to automatically shut off the motor when a predetermined current load is detected. A multi-segment LED is provided to indicate to the user the amount of load that is being applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Warn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Heravi, Brent Nasset, Ty Hargroder
  • Four-wheel drive center disconnect electric actuator
    Patent number: 7793767
    Abstract: A four-wheel drive center disconnect electric actuator is provided. The actuator includes a one-way motor that actuates a cam mechanism for causing engagement and disengagement of the center disconnect. The actuator achieves improved reliability and efficiency through a less expensive construction than conventional actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Warn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Heravi, Ernest Ozsvath, Elaine Woods, legal representative, Scott Stocker, Kip E. Clohessy, Bryan M. Averill
  • Control arrangement for integrated compressor and winch
    Patent number: 7789374
    Abstract: A control arrangement is provided for an integrated compressor and winch assembly. The integrated assembly includes: a clutch mechanically coupled to an electric motor and selectively engageable with at least one of a compressor or a winch mechanism; an electrical control circuit having an operational mode for controlling the compressor and another operational mode for controlling the winch mechanism; and a mode selector in communication with the clutch and the electrical control circuit, whereby actuating the mode selector actuates the clutch and selects an operational mode for the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Warn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Averill, Richard J. Geisler, Steven W. Shuyler, Oliver Heravi
  • Winch assembly including clutch mechanism
    Patent number: 7703751
    Abstract: A winch assembly includes a housing member, a drum rotatably coupled to the housing member, a drive shaft extending through the drum and into the housing member, a gear train located within the housing member, and an actuation mechanism. The gear train includes a sun gear driven by the drive shaft, a ring gear, and a planetary gear assembly driven by the sun gear and including a planetary gear rotatably coupled to a carrier plate and engaged with the ring gear. The actuation mechanism includes a locking member displaceable between first and second positions and a biasing member having a radially extending arm engaged with the locking member to provide displacement between the first and second positions. The locking member rotationally fixes the ring gear relative to the housing member in the first position and allows relative rotation between the ring gear and the housing member in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Warn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Elliott, Darren K. Johnson, Bryon M. Borntrager
  • Integrated air compressor and winch
    Patent number: 7703749
    Abstract: An integrated air compressor and winch is provided that utilizes a source of rotary motive power for driving both a winch drum and compressor mechanism. The integrated air compressor and winch is preferably provided with a gear case that is operable to provide an appropriate gear reduction for driving the winch drum while providing an appropriate drive speed for operating the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Warn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Giacomini, Bryan M. Averill, Richard J. Geisler, Steven W. Shuyler, Oliver Heravi
  • Weld Breaking Contactor
    Publication number: 20100059352
    Abstract: An electric contactor may include a first plunger member supporting a first contact member thereon, the first plunger member being movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position with respect to a first electrical terminal; a second plunger member supporting a second contact member thereon, the second plunger member being movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position with respect to a second electrical terminal; a first linear actuator selectively causing movement of the first plunger from the disengaged position to the engaged position; and a second linear actuator selectively causing movement of the second plunger from the disengaged position to the engaged position. Actuation of one of the first and second linear actuators will apply a weld breaking force against the plunger associated with the other of the first and second linear actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: WARN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Eric J. Webb, Bryan M. Averill
  • Fan Cooled Winch
    Publication number: 20090309082
    Abstract: A winch may include a drum, a winch motor adapted to rotatably drive the drum in a first direction and a second direction, a cable adapted to be wound off of and onto the drum, and a fan including an impeller selectively driven by a fan motor. The fan is adapted to cool the winch motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Warn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Webb, Bryan M. Averill, Bryon M. Borntrager, Steven W. Shuyler
  • Integrated Overload and Low Voltage Interrupt Module
    Publication number: 20090284877
    Abstract: A power management module for a winch system comprises an overload and low voltage interrupt module within a housing. The overload interrupt determines operating current for the winch system and provides an interrupt signal when the current is greater than a threshold. The low voltage interrupt determines voltage of a power source and provides an interrupt signal when the voltage is less than a threshold. A method of operating the power management module comprises determining operating current of the winch system with an overload interrupt module and voltage of a vehicle power source with a low voltage interrupt module. The overload and low voltage interrupt modules are located within a housing. The overload interrupt provides an interrupt signal when the operating current is greater than a threshold. The low voltage interrupt provides an interrupt signal when the voltage is less than a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: WARN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Oliver Heravi, Kip E. Clohessy, Fred L. Ewer
  • Vehicle brush and grill guard winch mounting unit
    Patent number: D614095
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Warn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren G. Fretz, Steven M. Schile
  • Vehicle brush and grille guard winch mounting unit
    Patent number: D614096
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Warn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren G. Fretz, Steven M. Schile
  • Winch
    Patent number: D640442
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Warn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryon M. Borntrager, Darren G. Fretz, Glenda M. Steele