TODAY’S PATENT – WINCH

The said invention (US10618783B2) was invented by Darren G. Fretz, Bryan M. Averill, Steven W. Shuyler, Bryon M. Borntrager, Kyle A. HARTELT and Glenda M. Steele and patented by USPTO on April 14^th, 2020. Currently, it stands assigned to Warn Industries Inc.

Winches typically consist of a motor attached to one support and a gearbox attached to another support, with a drum in between. Tie rods connect the supports. The appearance and structure of the winch have traditionally been influenced by the motor housing. To address this, there’s a need for a winch design that is aesthetically pleasing, with a low profile, improved sealing, and better assembly options for components like the controller.

This invention focuses on improving how a winch is put together. The winch has a motor with a housing that closes one end and includes a first drum support. A gear reduction unit, connected to the motor, has a housing with a second drum support. A tie plate links these supports. A control unit can be removed and mounted on the tie plate. Finally, a rotating drum is supported by these drum supports.