Warn Industries, Inc.

Jeffrey E Paulson

Jon A Bigley

Richard S Herndon

Ronald E Began

Robert C Proebstel

A hub locking system for a part-time four-wheel drive vehicle including a wheel hub, drive axle, and clutch meaner and an automatic actuator remotely operable by an operator to induce movement of the clutch member axially inwardly and a biasing means acting against the clutch member opposing operation of the automatic actuator to urge movement of the clutch member outwardly. A manual override allows manual operation when the automatic actuator is not actuated and includes a first member mounted for shifting axially inwardly and outwardly in the system and when shifted inwardly urges the clutch member against the force of the biasing means. A second member is mounted contiguous the first member and is manually rotatable. A ramp shaped cam is interposed between the first and second members and when the second member is rotated, it directly urges the first member to shift axially to actuate the clutch member.

Automatic-manual hub lock system

A winch system including an electric motor is protected against an overload condition by use of a current sense device and a current limiting device. The current limiting device employs multiple current thresholds to account for normal current usage by the motor during an initial current inrush period and during subsequent normal operation. The current limiting device also references battery voltage to establish current thresholds as a function thereof and thereby establish shutdown conditions corresponding to consistent motor load conditions. Overall, the current limiting device is responsive to multiple winch device states of operation and more fully protects the winch system against damage due to an overload condition.

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Portland, OR, United States of America

Jeffrey E Paulson