Abstract: A transmission apparatus is disclosed. The transmission apparatus includes at least a first gearset and a last gearset. Each gearset includes a sun gear, a set of planetary gears, and a ring gear. The ring gears have splined outer surfaces. Each gearset has a rotational speed and a torque. A drum encloses and mates with the gearsets. The drum has splined inner surfaces that mate with the splined outer surfaces. The last splined outer surface transfers the last torque of the last gearset directly to the drum. The drum transfers at least a portion of the last torque to the first splined outer surface of the first gearset. This reduces the first rotational speed of the first gearset and increases the first torque of the first gearset, thereby reducing the last rotational speed of the last gearset and increasing the last torque of the last gearset.

Abstract: A winch is described comprising a guide that includes a fairlead for positioning a cable around a rotatable drum, wherein one or more bristles are positioned within an orifice in the fairlead. The bristles may have an angular orientation such that they provide active cable wiping during winding and passive cable wiping during unwinding of the cable around the drum. Active wiping may reduce the likelihood that dirt, mud, debris, and/or other materials accumulate within the winch during winding.

Abstract: A vehicle winch mechanism includes a drum, a motor and transmission, at least one drum and motor side support, at least one battery, and a motive trickle charge mechanism. The drum pays out and takes in a line. The motor and transmission drive the drum. The side supports couple the drum, the motor, or both to the vehicle. The battery provides power to the motor. The motive trickle charge mechanism charges the battery. In one embodiment, the motive trickle charge mechanism includes a permanent magnet, an enclosure housing the magnet, and two or more sets of conductive coils wrapped around the enclosure and electrically coupled to the battery. The enclosure houses the magnet such that the magnet freely moves and changes orientation within the enclosure. The coils of an individual set of coils are aligned along parallel planes, and the coils of separate sets are aligned along intersecting planes.

Abstract: A winch is described that includes a rotatable drum comprising a winch cable windably connected to the winch drum, and a removable vehicle winch frame. The winch comprises a winch motor, a gear assembly, and a power bar spanning the winch drum, the power bar being connected to an electrical power source and comprising an electrical power connection for powering auxiliary hardware. A winch controller comprising manual and app related software in communication with the motor, allows the controller to receive manual and or app related commands from a user to operate the winch assembly.

Abstract: A method of powering an intermittent-duty cycle winch is disclosed. The method includes identifying a number of amp-hours required to power the winch through one duty cycle, identifying a minimum required rest period between two consecutive duty cycles, and assembling a power supply unit that powers the winch based, at least in part, on the duty cycle and the rest period. The duty cycle is mechanically or thermally limited. The power supply unit includes at least two components: a power storage unit and a charging unit that recharges the power storage unit during the rest periods. The power storage unit powers the winch through at least one duty cycle. The charging unit recharges the power storage unit during the rest period so that the power storage can power the winch through at least a second duty cycle that immediately follows the end of the minimum required rest period.

Abstract: A gear-shifting device is disclosed. The device comprises a first motor having a first rotor. The first rotor turns clockwise and counter-clockwise, creating a wobbling action. The device further comprises a compound planetary transmission, comprising a transmission ring attached to a ring gear. The compound planetary transmission receives power from the first rotor. The device further comprises a second motor having a second rotor. The second rotor turns clockwise and counter-clockwise. The device further comprises a shift assembly, comprising a drum, a cap, and a pinion gear. The pinion gear receives power from the second rotor. The drum locks with the pinion gear such that the drum rotates with the pinion gear. The transmission ring is attached to the drum, such that the transmission ring moves laterally as the drum rotates. The ring gear locks and unlocks with the cap as the drum rotates. The wobbling action enables the locking.

Abstract: A winch is described comprising a rotatable drum for winding and unwinding a first cable therefrom. The winch contains a cable-wiping apparatus with one or more actuators are activated when the drum rotates in a direction for winding the first cable onto the drum. A mechanical force may be transmitted from the actuator to a second cable that is operatively connected to a wiper clamp. The wiper clamp compresses around the first cable when the cable is pulled in.

Abstract: A gear-shifting device is disclosed. The device comprises a first motor having a first stator. The first stator turns clockwise and counter-clockwise, creating a wobbling action. The device further comprises a compound planetary transmission, comprising a transmission ring attached to a ring gear. The compound planetary transmission receives power from the first stator. The device further comprises a second motor having a second stator. The second stator turns clockwise and counter-clockwise. The device further comprises a shift assembly, comprising a drum, a cap, and a pinion gear. The pinion gear receives power from the second stator. The drum locks with the pinion gear such that the drum rotates with the pinion gear. The transmission ring is attached to the drum, such that the transmission ring moves laterally as the drum rotates. The ring gear locks and unlocks with the cap as the drum rotates. The wobbling action enables the locking.

Abstract: A gear-shifting device is disclosed. The device comprises a first motor having a first stator. The first stator turns clockwise and counter-clockwise, creating a wobbling action. The device further comprises a compound planetary transmission, comprising a transmission ring attached to a ring gear. The compound planetary transmission receives power from the first stator. The device further comprises a second motor having a second stator. The second stator turns clockwise and counter-clockwise. The device further comprises a shift assembly, comprising a drum, a cap, and a pinion gear. The pinion gear receives power from the second stator. The drum locks with the pinion gear such that the drum rotates with the pinion gear. The transmission ring is attached to the drum, such that the transmission ring moves laterally as the drum rotates. The ring gear locks and unlocks with the cap as the drum rotates. The wobbling action enables the locking.

Abstract: A system and a method for a swivel winch are described for rotating a winch about an axis such that friction is reduced when letting out or pulling in a line. The swivel winch includes a fairlead with an orifice and sensors which sense the pressure from the cable and send the retrieved data to a controller which generates commands for an actuator, causing the swivel mount coupled to the winch to swivel in a direction that will relieve pressure.

Abstract: Embodiments of a two-way output reverse-torque clutch described herein may include a torque input having a segmented race, a pin removably disposed adjacent to, and between, at least two segmented race segments, a torque output rotatably disposed within the segmented race, and an outer race encircling the segmented race. The torque output may include a cam surface with an interference point corresponding to at least one of the one or more pins. The cam surface may have an interference point. The outer race may be in slideable contact with the segmented race. A torque exerted directly on the output may force the interference point against the pin, wedging the pin between the interference point and the outer race and preventing torque from being transmitted to the input from the output. The clutch may prevent torque from being transmitted to the torque input from the torque output with one pin.

Abstract: An overhead mounting system is disclosed. The mounting system includes an overhead channel with a plurality of openings in the base for attaching to a surface, such as a ceiling or trusses, along with a plurality of openings in the channel walls for securing components. The system is configured to accommodate attachment for multiple and diverse components, which have different dimensions, masses, pulling forces, or power requirements.

Abstract: The invention is a mobile winch in a bag system. A motorized winch with an internal battery is mounted on a metal plate that is attached the bottom inner portion of a bag. The metal plate may have attachment points for coupling an anchor component to fix the winch in position during a winching operation. The mobile winch in a bag system provides a way to transport and operate a winch in areas that are otherwise inaccessible by traditional vehicle-mounted winches without the necessity of separately transporting the components of the system and with reduced setup of the components for use.

Abstract: A thimble assembly that includes an arch portion connecting a first leg portion to a second leg portion. The thimble assembly may also include a peripheral groove extending substantially along an outer surface of the first and second leg portions and the arch portion. The thimble assembly may also include a plurality of connectors extending from a first lip of the peripheral groove and connecting to a second lip of the peripheral groove. The connectors may traverse the peripheral groove across the first and second leg portions and the arch portion. The thimble assembly may include a length of cord with a plurality of strands that traverses the peripheral groove. The strands may enclose the connectors such that the strands are woven around the connectors. In one embodiment, the thimble assembly may include a wireless tension detector connected to the thimble that includes a sensor that senses radial expansion and contraction of the cord under tension.

Abstract: A winch is described comprising a rotatable drum for winding and unwinding a first cable therefrom. The winch contains a cable-wiping apparatus with one or more actuators are activated when the drum rotates in a direction for winding the first cable onto the drum. A mechanical force may be transmitted from the actuator to a second cable that is operatively connected to a wiper clamp. The wiper clamp compresses around the first cable when the cable is pulled in.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a motor and a drum rotated by the motor to draw in or let out a line from the drum. The drum includes a groove formed in an outer surface thereof to accommodate the line. In certain embodiments, the motor and drum are quickly and easily detachable from a structure by way of a flange and mounting bracket. The flange and mounting bracket have holes which are coaxially aligned. A pin or other fastener is used to join the flange and mounting bracket together.

Abstract: The invention is a suspended hanger with an adjustable slide that helps to maintain the suspended hanger in a balanced condition. The hanger has a tubular channel with a longitudinal slot. The channel has one or more devices for attaching suspended objects to the channel. Affixed to the channel by means of the slot is a slide that has a frictional breaking mechanism. The braking mechanism uses a lever and compression spring to secure the slide to any position along the channel. When objects are suspended from or removed from the hanger, the slide is adjusted to achieve the balanced condition. The suspended hanger may be suspended overhead by one or more pulleys. The invention is especially suited for holding bicycles, especially three bicycles.

Abstract: A method of powering an intermittent-duty cycle winch is disclosed. The method includes identifying a number of amp-hours required to power the winch through one duty cycle, identifying a minimum required rest period between two consecutive duty cycles, and assembling a power supply unit that powers the winch based, at least in part, on the duty cycle and the rest period. The duty cycle is mechanically or thermally limited. The power supply unit includes at least two components: a power storage unit and a charging unit that recharges the power storage unit during the rest periods. The power storage unit powers the winch through at least one duty cycle. The charging unit recharges the power storage unit during the rest period so that the power storage can power the winch through at least a second duty cycle that immediately follows the end of the minimum required rest period.

Abstract: A winch is described comprising a compressional wiper system activated by a sensor that detects which direction a cable is moving. When the cable is being pulled in, the compressional wiper system tightens a clamp or fastens a rotatable clamping device inside a fairlead. The tightened clamp or fastened clamping device act to decrease the likelihood that dirt, mud, debris, or other materials that adhere to the cable accumulate within the winch, by wiping or scraping off said materials from the cable.

Abstract: A winch is described comprising a guide that includes a fairlead for positioning a cable around a rotatable drum, wherein one or more bristles are positioned within an orifice in the fairlead. The bristles may have an angular orientation such that they provide active cable wiping during winding and passive cable wiping during unwinding of the cable around the drum. Active wiping may reduce the likelihood that dirt, mud, debris, and/or other materials accumulate within the winch during winding.