# US 12,215,548 B2 · Winch utility > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,215,548 B2 - Document ID: US12215548B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/507,893 - Filed: 2021-10-22 - Published: 2022-02-10 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2019-02-14 - Assignees: Tie Down, Inc. - Applicants: Tie Down, Inc. - Inventors: Benjamin Miller Horst; Warren van Nus - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12215548B2 ## CPC - E06C 7/12: Lifts or other hoisting devices on ladders - B66D 1/12: incorporating electric motors - B66D 1/42: non-automatic - B66D 1/46: electric - B66D 1/60: adapted for special purposes - E06C: LADDERS (E04F11/00 takes precedence; step-stools A47C12/00; adaptation of ladders to use on ships B63B, to use on aircraft B64; scaffolding E04G) - 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) ## Abstract A winch utility includes a main body, the main body including a shell, the shell defining an enclosure; an electric motor mounted to and contained within at least a portion of the shell; a controller attached to an inner part of the shell and in electronic communication with the electric motor; and a bobbin coupled to the electric motor; and a cable coupled to the bobbin at a bobbin end, the cable defining a terminal end distal to the bobbin end, the cable arranged to be coiled around the bobbin by rotation of the electric motor, wherein the terminal end of the cable is arranged outside of the shell, wherein the controller is configured to instruct the electric motor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A winch utility comprising: a main body comprising a shell, the shell defining an enclosure; an electric motor mounted to and contained within at least a portion of the shell; a controller attached to an inner part of the shell and in electronic communication with the electric motor; and a bobbin coupled to the electric motor, the bobbin comprising a spindle and a flange, the flange extending outward from a back side of the shell; and a cable coupled to the bobbin at a bobbin end, the cable defining a terminal end distal to the bobbin end, the cable arranged to be coiled around the bobbin by rotation of the electric motor wherein the terminal end of the cable is arranged outside of the shell, the flange configured to guide the cable on the bobbin; wherein the controller is configured to instruct the electric motor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The winch utility of claim 1, wherein motion of the electric motor causes the main body to move with respect to the terminal end, wherein the motion of the main body is one of: motion of the main body closer to the terminal end; and motion of the main body further from the terminal end. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The winch utility of claim 2, wherein motion of the electric motor causes the main body to move with respect to the terminal end by the cable becoming one of: coiled around the bobbin; and uncoiled from the bobbin. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The winch utility of claim 1, wherein the shell defines a cable port and wherein at least a portion of the cable is arranged within the cable port. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The winch utility of claim 1, wherein at least one shelf is hingedly connected to the main body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The winch utility of claim 5, further comprising a hinge arm assembly, the hinge arm assembly comprising an upper arm hingedly connected to the at least one shelf, the upper arm hingedly connected to a lower arm, and the lower arm hingedly connected to the main body, wherein the hinged connection of the at least one shelf to the main body comprises the hinge arm assembly. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The winch utility of claim 1, wherein the terminal end of the cable is fixed to a track section, and wherein the electric motor is configured to move the winch utility relative to the track section. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The winch utility of claim 7, wherein the controller comprises logic to enable single push operation of the winch utility. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The winch utility of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises logic to auto-hone the winch utility, wherein the auto-hone logic comprises monitoring the electric current in the electric motor and recording a software stop position when the current increases substantially. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The winch utility of claim 1, wherein the electric motor is one of a brushless motor or a stepper motor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The winch utility of claim 1, wherein an electromagnetic brake is attached to the electric motor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The winch utility of claim 11, wherein the electromagnetic brake is arranged in a normally-braking position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The winch utility of claim 1, wherein the flange extends through a guide port formed through the back side of the shell. ### Claim 14 A winch utility for use with a linear guide, the winch utility comprising: a main body, the main body comprising: a shell, the shell defining an enclosure; an electric motor mounted to and contained within at least a portion of the shell; a controller in electronic communication with the electric motor; a bobbin coupled to the electric motor, the bobbin comprising a spindle and a flange, the flange extending outward from a back side of the shell; and a cable coupled to the bobbin at a bobbin end, the cable defining a terminal end distal to the bobbin end attached to the linear guide, the cable configured to be coiled around the bobbin by rotation of the electric motor, the flange configured to guide the cable on the bobbin; and a remote control in electronic communication with the controller, the remote control comprising at least one operation button; wherein motion of the electric motor causes the main body to move with respect to the terminal end, wherein the motion of the main body is one of: motion of the main body closer to the terminal end; and motion of the main body further from the terminal end. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The winch utility of claim 14, wherein motion of the electric motor causes the main body to move with respect to the terminal end by the cable becoming one of: coiled around the bobbin; and uncoiled from the bobbin. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The winch utility of claim 14, wherein the controller comprises logic enabling single push operation of the winch utility. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The winch utility of claim 14, wherein the controller comprises logic configured to auto-hone the winch utility. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The winch utility of claim 14, wherein the electric motor drives the winch utility at varying speeds depending on a weight of a load carried by the winch utility. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The winch utility of claim 14, further comprising at least one shelf hingedly attached to the main body. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The winch utility of claim 14, wherein the remote control is an RF remote. ### Claim 21 (depends on 14) The winch utility of claim 14, wherein an electromagnetic brake is attached to the electric motor. ### Claim 22 (depends on 14) The winch utility of claim 14, wherein the flange extends through a guide port formed through the back side of the shell.