Portable winch
AssigneeTT Technologies, Inc.
InventorMichael Tjader
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims14
A portable winch, comprising:
- a winch;
- a boom including one or more boom sections;
- one or more elastomeric inserts coupled between the boom and the winch, wherein the elastomeric inserts provide a limited range of motion between the boom and the winch;
- a top pulley positioned at a top of the boom;
- a flexible line coupled to the winch;
- and
- a boom end unit, including an end unit pulley.
A method, comprising:
- orienting two pulleys at an end unit of a boom in a first orientation such that the two pulleys have a first lateral cross section;
- lowering the end unit of the boom into a first ground opening;
- orienting the two pulleys at the end of the boom within the first ground opening in a second orientation such that the two pulley have a second lateral cross section wider than the first lateral orientation;
- pulling a tool through a pipe to be replaced from a second ground opening into the first ground opening using a cable that passes over the two pulleys at the end unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.