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US 2004/0069981 A1Published application
Level wind apparatus for use on a snow grooming vehicle
AssigneeBombardier Inc.
InventorsMichel Pelletier, Claude Trahan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A level winder is provided for winding cable in a winch system. The winch is suitable for use on a tracked vehicle, such as a snow grooming vehicle, to assist the vehicle in maneuvering on steep inclines. The level winder uses a pivoting pulley assembly to feed cable onto and off of a drum.
Claims22
A winch assembly comprising:
- a drum that carries a length of cable, the drum having an axis of rotation;
- a driver coupled to the drum for rotating the drum to wind and unwind the cable;
- and
- a level winder disposed adjacent to the drum to guide the cable with respect to the drum, wherein the level winder is supported to move in an arc-shaped path.
1 more element
A winch assembly comprising:
- a drum that carries a length of cable;
- a driver coupled to the drum for rotating the drum about a first axis to wind and unwind the cable;
- and
- a level winder disposed adjacent to the drum to guide the cable with respect to the drum, wherein the level winder is supported to pivot about a second, the second axis being perpendicular to the first axis.
1 more element
A vehicle, comprising
- a frame, an engine supported by the frame, and a drive mechanism operatively connected to the engine;
- a winch assembly supported by the frame including a drum that carries a length of cable, a driver coupled to the drum for rotating the drum to wind and unwind the cable, and a level winder disposed adjacent to the drum to guide the cable with respect to the drum,
- wherein the level winder is supported to move in an arc-shaped path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.