# US 10,865,081 B2 · Portable winch > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,865,081 B2 - Document ID: US10865081B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/426,925 - Filed: 2019-05-30 - Published: 2019-09-12 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2006-05-18 - Assignees: TT Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: TT Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Michael Tjader - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10865081B2 ## CPC - F16L 55/18: Appliances for use in repairing pipes (F16L55/10 takes precedence) - B66C 23/66: Outer or upper end constructions - B66C 23/70: constructed of sections adapted to be assembled to form jibs or various lengths - B66D 1/36: Guiding, or otherwise ensuring winding in an orderly manner, of ropes, cables, or chains - B66D 1/38: by means of guides movable relative to drum or barrel - B66D 1/74: Capstans - B66D 3/04: Pulley blocks or like devices in which force is applied to a rope, cable, or chain which passes over one or more pulleys, e.g. to obtain mechanical advantage (sheaves F16H55/00) - B66D 3/06: with more than one pulley - E21B 7/30: without earth removal - E21B 19/084: with flexible drawing means, e.g. cables - F16L 55/1658: {the old pipe being ruptured prior to insertion of a new pipe} - F16L 2101/50: Pulling cables or the like - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - B66C: CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES ({specially adapted for lifting invalids A61G7/10;} rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms, braking or detent devices therefor B66D; specially adapted for nuclear reactors G21) - B66D: CAPSTANS; WINCHES; TACKLES, e.g. PULLEY BLOCKS; HOISTS (winding or unwinding ropes or cables for feeding or storage purposes B65H; rope or cable winding or unwinding mechanisms for lifts B66B) - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A portable winch and method of use is shown. One advantage of winches shown includes an ability to lower a boom or boom sections into limited access exit pit for winching operations such as pipe bursting. Sectional boom designs shown provide the ability to easily raise and lower a boom large distances without the need for a single long boom. Selected winch designs shown include flexible inserts between the boom and the winch frame that help resist damage from unforeseen shifting of the device during operation. Designs and methods shown also include multiple pulleys on a boom end unit. Fasteners are shown that reduce build up of debris. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A winch system, comprising: a winch; a boom assembly, including: at least a pair of boom sections; a pulley located at a distal end of the boom sections; and an uninterrupted side slot along an entire length of the boom sections for lateral insertion of a flexible line. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The winch system of claim 1, further including a boom driver that mechanically engages a lateral side of the boom assembly to raise and lower the boom sections. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The winch system of claim 1, further including a boom lock to selectively engage one or more of a number of spaced structures located on a side of the boom assembly to secure the boom assembly at a selected length. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The winch system of claim 1, further including at least two pulleys mounted to a boom end unit, including: a first pulley with a tangent substantially in line with the boom assembly; and a second pulley more distal on the boom end unit than the first pulley. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The winch system of claim 4, wherein the second pulley is adapted to be positioned in both a first position spaced laterally apart from the first pulley and a second position substantially in line with the boom assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The winch system of claim 5, further including a joint between the first pulley and the second pulley, wherein a relative position of the first pulley with respect to the second pulley is selectable within a range of motion. ### Claim 7 A winch system, comprising: a winch; a boom assembly, including: at least a pair of boom sections; a pulley located at a distal end of the boom sections; an engagement system to couple between one or more boom sections, wherein the engagement system includes a slot and a tab; and an uninterrupted side slot along all of the boom sections and the engagement system for lateral insertion of a flexible line. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The winch system of claim 7, further including a threaded member configured to push the tab against the slot to secure and stiffen sections within the boom assembly. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The winch system of claim 8, wherein the threaded member includes a bolt. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The winch system of claim 8, wherein the threaded member is configured to push against a depression. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The winch system of claim 7, wherein the engagement system includes a pair of slots and tabs between each boom section. ### Claim 12 A winch system, comprising: a winch; a boom assembly, including: at least a pair of boom sections wherein the boom sections include the same cross sectional dimensions, and are coupled end to end; a pulley located at a distal end of the boom sections; and an uninterrupted side slot along an entire length of the boom sections for lateral insertion of a flexible line. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The winch system of claim 12, further including a boom driver that mechanically engages a lateral side of the boom assembly to raise and lower the boom sections. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The winch system of claim 12, further including a boom lock to selectively engage one or more of a number of spaced structures located on a side of the boom assembly to secure the boom assembly at a selected length. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The winch system of claim 12, wherein the flexible line is wire rope. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The winch system of claim 12, wherein the winch includes a dual capstan winch. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The winch system of claim 12, further including at least two pulleys mounted to a boom end unit, including: a first pulley with a tangent substantially in line with the boom assembly; and a second pulley more distal on the boom end unit than the first pulley. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The winch system of claim 17, wherein the second pulley is adapted to be positioned in both a first position spaced laterally apart from the first pulley and a second position substantially in line with the boom assembly. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The winch system of claim 18, further including a joint between the first pulley and the second pulley, wherein a relative position of the first pulley with respect to the second pulley is selectable within a range of motion.