A winch is described that includes a drum, a motor and transmission, and a tensioner. The motor and transmission apply torque to the drum, thereby enabling the drum to draw in and let out a line. The tensioner is positioned adjacent to the drum, such that when the line passes between the tensioner and drum, the line is in frictional contact with the tensioner and drum. The tensioner rotates with a linear speed exceeding a linear speed of the drum as the line is let out from the drum, and rotates freely as the line is drawn onto the drum. Methods for making and using the winch are also described.

A winch system includes a truck that has a bed and the bed has a pair of spaced lateral walls. A winching unit is coupled to the truck. The winching unit includes a bar that has a telescopically adjustable length and the bar extends between the spaced lateral walls. The winching unit may be coupled to an object. Thus, the winching unit may urge the object into the bed thereby facilitating the truck to transport the object.

An apparatus for providing reliable line spooling for hoists, winches, and other pulling and/or lifting devices is disclosed. In one embodiment, such 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 helical groove formed in an outer surface thereof to accommodate the line. A roller is provided to place pressure on the line against a groove in the drum. In certain embodiments, the drum comprises a groove which widens as it gets closer to the drum. In other embodiments, the groove is formed by sidewalls which are various shapes and dimensions allowing the line to be held in the groove.

A winch for winding and unwinding of a tension line, with a winding drum that is rotational around its central axis so that the tension line is windable and unwindable in windings running around the winding drum, and with a rotating actuator for driving a rotation of the winding drum, wherein the winding drum is arranged in a longitudinally movable manner along its central axis with respect to a base of the winch. It is a threaded rod extending in the central axis and having an external thread, wherein the winding drum is arranged rotationally around the threaded rod by means of a counter-thread that engages in the external thread.

A fairlead assembly includes a frame structure having an opening therein. A pair of rollers are disposed on opposite sides of the opening. The frame structure includes a pair of opposed curved surfaces disposed between the end portions of the pair of rollers and defining a bordering surface of the opening. The frame can be cast as a unitary structure with the pair of rollers each rotatably supported by a support pin having opposite ends received in a first set of corresponding semi-cylindrical recesses in a surface of the cast frame. A clamp structure having a second set of corresponding semi-cylindrical recesses secure the support pins to the cast frame.

A positioning system includes a plurality of sensors, a frame, including a plurality of rollers, and a housing. The housing includes at least one guide rod and a driving module. The at least one guide rod is disposed laterally within the housing. The frame is coupled to the at least one guide rod, such that the frame is configured to translate laterally along the at least one guide rod. The driving module is configured to translate the frame along the at least one guide rod, responsive to a signal received from the plurality of sensors.

A fairlead assembly includes a frame structure having an opening therein. A pair of rollers are disposed on opposite sides of the opening. The frame structure includes a pair of opposed curved surfaces disposed between the end portions of the pair of rollers and defining a bordering surface of the opening. The frame can be cast as a unitary structure with the pair of rollers each rotatably supported by a support pin having opposite ends received in a first set of corresponding semi-cylindrical recesses in a surface of the cast frame. A clamp structure having a second set of corresponding semi-cylindrical recesses secure the support pins to the cast frame.

A reeling device for the controlled coiling and uncoiling of a cable has a first end that is fixed and a second end that is movable relative to the first end. The cable is unbroken between its first and second ends. The reeling device includes first and second reels about which the cable is coiled. The first and second reels are coaxial. The first reel is fixed against rotation and axial movement, and the second reel is rotatable about the axis with such rotation causing axial movement of the second reel relative to the first reel.

The invention is directed to a convertible fairlead assembly system that may be configured as a roller fairlead that has rolling surfaces substantially along the perimeter of the fairlead cable opening, a hawse-roller fairlead, having hawse fixtures on either end a first and second roller, and a combination fairlead having a hawse fixture on one end and an end-roller fixture on the opposing end. A bracket may be configured with attachment apertures to allow fasteners to secure the end fixture to either end and in any combination. The first and second rollers may be configured in a roller extension groove along the roller extensions of the bracket to produce a compact design.

A spooler includes an engine within a housing, an arm extending from the housing and rotated via the engine, a barrel supported by the arm such that the barrel rotates with the arm, the barrel having a first end and a second end facing the housing, and a first retention mechanism disposed along a perimeter of the barrel. A spooler system includes a woundable material having a first end and a second end and a spooler. The spooler includes a battery operated engine within a housing, an arm extending from the housing and rotated via the engine, a barrel supported by the arm such that the barrel rotates with the arm, a first retention mechanism that removably secures the first end of a woundable material to the barrel, and a mounting mechanism for mounting the spooler to a vehicle.