Abstract: A load-decoupling attachment system is configured to secure to a primary structure. The load-decoupling attachment system includes one or more baffle tiers. One or more beams are coupled to the one or more baffle tiers. The one or more beams include a fore end and an aft end. A fore end coupling joint is configured to secure the fore end to a first portion of the primary structure. The fore end coupling joint includes a spherical bearing that allows the fore end to rotate in relation to the first portion of the primary structure. An aft end coupling joint is configured to secure the aft end to a second portion of the primary structure. The aft end coupling joint includes a slot that allows the aft end to linearly translate in relation to the second portion of the primary structure.

Abstract: Winches with dual mode remote controls, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative winch can include a frame, a cable drum rotatably supported by the frame, a drive motor operatively connected to the cable drum, and a winch control module. The winch control module can include an enable/disable circuit having a normally open ground path connection and a controller having wireless capability connected to the enable/disable circuit. The controller can include instructions to disable the wireless capability of the controller when the normally open ground path connection is completed.

Abstract: Winches with integrated lighting, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative winch with integrated lighting can include a frame, a cable drum rotatably supported by the frame, a drive motor operatively connected to the cable drum, and an electrical module. The electrical module can include a housing with first and second end caps coupled to the housing. An elongate light guide can be mounted to the housing between the housing and the cable drum with one or more drum light sources connected to the elongate light guide.

Abstract: Power connectors with integrated fuse support, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative power connector can include a power port and a mating plug. The power port can include a fuse support having first and second fuse receptacles, wherein the first fuse receptacle is connectable to a first supply cable. The power port can include first and second port terminals, wherein the first port terminal is connectable to a second supply cable. A jumper cable can be connected between the second port terminal and the second fuse receptacle. The plug can include a housing configured to enclose the fuse support between the plug and the power port when the plug is mated to the power port. The plug can include first and second plug terminals mateable with the first and second port terminals.

Abstract: Winches with axially aligned, mechanically actuated brakes, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative winch includes a cable drum rotatable in a winding direction and an unwinding direction, a drive motor, a drive shaft coupled to the drive motor and rotatable about a shaft axis, a gear train coupled to the drive shaft and the cable drum, and a mechanically actuated brake. The brake can include a first element coupled to the drive shaft and rotatable about the shaft axis, a second element coupled to the cable drum and rotatable about the shaft axis, and a friction element positioned between the first and second elements and rotatable about the shaft axis. At least one of the first and second elements can be movable toward and away from the other between an engaged position with the friction element clamped between the first and second elements, and a disengaged position with the friction element unclamped.

Abstract: A winch controller with automatic shut-off, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative winch can include a frame, a cable drum carried by the frame, a drive motor connected to the cable drum, and a winch control module. The control module can include an enable/disable circuit having a normally open ground path connection and a controller having wireless capability. The controller can include instructions to start a shut-off timer when the ground path connection is completed for a non-zero period of time less than a threshold time period and instructions to reset the shut-off timer when the controller receives a control signal from a wireless remote control prior to the shut-off timer expiring. The controller can also include instructions to turn off the controller when the shut-off timer expires prior to receiving a control signal from the remote control or when the ground path is subsequently completed.

Abstract: Winches with dual mode remote controls, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative winch can include a frame, a cable drum rotatably supported by the frame, a drive motor operatively connected to the cable drum, and a winch control module. The winch control module can include an enable/disable circuit having a normally open ground path connection and a controller having wireless capability connected to the enable/disable circuit. The controller can include instructions to disable the wireless capability of the controller when the normally open ground path connection is completed.

Abstract: Winches with integrated lighting, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative winch with integrated lighting can include a frame, a cable drum rotatably supported by the frame, a drive motor operatively connected to the cable drum, and an electrical module. The electrical module can include a housing with first and second end caps coupled to the housing. An elongate light guide can be mounted to the housing between the housing and the cable drum with one or more drum light sources connected to the elongate light guide.

Abstract: Motor control modules with multiple potted sub-modules, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative electric motor control module can include a potted contactor module, a potted controller module at least partially nested inside the contactor module and mechanically connected to the contactor module, and one or more connectors positioned between and electrically connecting the contactor module and the controller module.

Abstract: Accessory mounting systems, and methods therefor are disclosed. A representative accessory mounting system can include a winch and one or more accessories coupled to the winch. The winch can include a frame mountable to a vehicle, a cable drum rotatably supported by the frame, a drive motor operatively connected to the cable drum, and one or more mounting elements carried by the frame. The accessories can be removably coupled to the one or more mounting elements.

Abstract: Power connectors with integrated fuse support, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative power connector can include a power port and a mating plug. The power port can include a fuse support having first and second fuse receptacles, wherein the first fuse receptacle is connectable to a first supply cable. The power port can include first and second port terminals, wherein the first port terminal is connectable to a second supply cable. A jumper cable can be connected between the second port terminal and the second fuse receptacle. The plug can include a housing configured to enclose the fuse support between the plug and the power port when the plug is mated to the power port. The plug can include first and second plug terminals mateable with the first and second port terminals.

Abstract: A conveyor such as especially a sorting conveyor having an endless conveyor belt structure comprising a plurality of juxtaposed belt links each constituted by a conveyor element provided with an endless conveyor belt mounted crosswise so as to have an exposed upper run constituting part of the article supporting surface of said conveyor belt structure, means being provided for driving any selected cross conveyor belt in order to effect diversion of an article from said conveyor belt structure at a selected place therealong said driving means such as driving rollers being arranged substantially stationarily at least relatively to said conveyor elements so as to be able to drive the cross conveyor belts without participating in the movement thereof, actuator means being provided for making said driving means operative in response to an article approaching the place in which it is wanted to be diverted from the conveyor.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor made as a train of consecutive, closely juxtaposed article carrier elements capable of carrying articles each resting on the top side of one or more carrier elements, the carrier elements being constituted by rotatably supported discs each arranged so as to partly overlap the preceding or following disc and be partly overlapped by the respective following or preceding disc, whereby when the discs are caused to rotate at a selected discharge station along the conveyor the article resting thereon will be caused to move laterally off the conveyor.