Winch and method for using the same

A portable winch system comprising:

• a frame comprising a handle;
• a motor attached to the frame;
• a spool operably connected to the motor and rotatably mounted to the frame;
• a winch cable attached to the spool;
• and
• a winch cable locator assembly comprising:
• a cam bar rotatably mounted to the frame and comprising a guide portion;
• a cam follower rotatably disposed on the cam bar and engaging the guide portion;
• a cable guide coupled to the cam follower and slidably engaged with the winch cable;
• and
• a cam gear slidably disposed on and rotatably engaged with the cam bar and comprising an operating position wherein the cam bar is operably connected to the motor, and a manual position wherein the cam bar is operably disconnected from the motor.

A method for winching an apparatus comprising the steps of:

• providing a winch including a frame, motor, and drum;
• winding a winch cable about the drum by rotating the drum with the motor;
• providing constant pressure on the winch cable that is wrapped on the drum with a pressure plate disposed on the frame;
• driving a cam by:
• attaching a chain at a first end to the motor and at a second end to a cam sprocket;
• slidably attaching a cam gear to the cam;
• moving the cam gear to a first position, wherein the cam gear and the cam sprocket are operably coupled;
• and
• guiding the winch cable by:
• providing a cable guide on a cam follower;
• threading the winch cable through the cable guide;
• operably and slidably attaching the follower to the cam such that a protrusion on the cam follower is disposed within guide grooves on the cam;
• and
• translating rotational movement of the cam to slidable linear motion of the cam follower such that the winch cable is generally uniformly wound onto the drum.