Cable barrier winch system

Abstract

A winch system for tightening and tensioning barrier cables for cable barrier systems includes a fairlead vertically movable with respect to the winch assembly. The winch system is connected to a base frame that can be attached to a vehicle for moving and for providing power to the winch and movement of the fairlead. The vertically movable fairlead allows each barrier cable to be positioned and tensioned while supported by the post of the cable barrier system to avoid damage to the posts and negatively impacting the operational strength of the cable barrier system.

Having described the disclosed subject matter, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: 
     
         1 . A winch system, comprising:
 a winch assembly adapted to connect to a cable; and   a fairlead vertically movable with respect to the winch assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The winch system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a fairlead frame assembly, comprising:
 a vertical trackway with a first end and a second end, comprising:
 a front track section; and 
 a rear track section; and 
 
   wherein the fairlead comprises:
 a bracket with a first end and a second end; and 
 a first roller assembly mounted to the bracket; 
   wherein the bracket is movable within the vertical trackway.   
     
     
         3 . The winch system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 wherein the fairlead frame assembly further comprises:
 a main guard forming a frame; 
 an actuator, wherein the actuator is operably connected to the bracket for moving the bracket within the vertical trackway; and 
 a barrier material connected to the main guard. 
   
     
     
         4 . The winch system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a base frame connected to the fairlead frame assembly, the base frame extending from a front end to a rear end;   wherein the rear end forms a flat main section and a recess proximate an upper end of the main section; and   wherein the recess is adapted to receive a mating plate.   
     
     
         5 . The winch system of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a ground-engaging structure at the base frame front end.   
     
     
         6 . The winch system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first bearing at the bracket first end, wherein the first bearing travels within the vertical trackway; and   a second bearing at the bracket second end, wherein the second bearing travels within the vertical trackway.   
     
     
         7 . The winch system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 wherein the first roller assembly comprises an upper roller spaced from a lower roller forming a vertical opening.   
     
     
         8 . A winch system, comprising:
 a base frame extending from a front end to a rear end, wherein the rear end is adapted for attachment to power equipment;   a winch assembly connected to the base frame;   a fairlead frame assembly at the base frame front end, comprising:
 a vertical trackway with a first end and a second end: 
   a fairlead, comprising:
 an upper roller spaced from a lower roller, with the rollers forming a vertical opening; 
   a bracket extending between a first end and a second end, comprising:
 a first bearing at the bracket first end; 
 a second bearing at the bracket second end; 
 wherein the first bearing travels within the vertical trackway first end; 
 wherein the second bearing travels within the vertical trackway second end; and 
 wherein the bracket is connected to the fairlead. 
   
     
     
         9 . The winch system of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 wherein the fairlead frame assembly further comprises:
 an actuator operably connected to the bracket for moving the bracket vertically within the vertical trackway. 
   
     
     
         10 . The winch system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 wherein the fairlead frame assembly further comprises:
 a main guard with a first side portion and an opposite second side portion; and 
 a barrier material connecting the first side portion and second side portion. 
   
     
     
         11 . The winch system of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 wherein the winch assembly comprises:
 a spool; and 
 a motor operably connected to the spool for rotating the spool. 
   
     
     
         12 . The winch system of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 wherein the base frame rear end is adapted to connect to power equipment.   
     
     
         13 . The winch system of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 wherein the base frame front end forms a ground-engaging structure.   
     
     
         14 . A winch system, comprising:
 a base frame extending from a front end to a rear end;   a winch assembly connected to the base frame, comprising:
 a spool; and 
 a cable attached to the spool; 
   a fairlead frame assembly at the base frame front end, comprising:
 a vertical trackway with a first end and a second end, comprising:
 a front track section; and 
 a rear track section; 
 
 a barrier material connected to the fairlead frame assembly; 
   a fairlead, comprising:
 an upper roller spaced from a lower roller; 
 a first side roller spaced from a second side roller; and 
 wherein the rollers form a rectangular opening through which the cable passes; 
   a bracket extending between a first end and a second end, comprising:
 a pair of bearings at the first end; 
 a pair of bearings at the second end; 
 wherein the bearings travel within the vertical trackway; and 
 wherein the bracket is connected to the fairlead; and 
   an actuator operably connected to the bracket for moving the bracket vertically within the vertical trackway.   
     
     
         15 . The winch system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a mount connected to the main guard and the vertical trackway; and   wherein a first end of the actuator is connected to the mount, and a second end of the actuator is connected to the bracket.   
     
     
         16 . The winch system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a motor operably connected to the spool for rotating the spool.   
     
     
         17 . The winch system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 wherein the base frame rear end is adapted to connect to power equipment.   
     
     
         18 . The winch system of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 wherein the base frame rear end forms a flat main section and a recess proximate an upper end of the main section; and   wherein the recess is adapted to receive a mating plate.   
     
     
         19 . The winch system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 wherein the base frame front end forms a ground-engaging structure.   
     
     
         20 . The winch system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a cable tensioner operably connected to the base frame for tensioning the cable.