WINCH MOUNTING SYSTEMS

Abstract

A system includes a frame assembly having a first set of bolt holes arranged in a first pattern, a mounting plate having a second set of bolt holes arranged in a second pattern, wherein the second pattern is the same as the first pattern, a bumper having a third set of bolt holes arranged in a third pattern, wherein the third pattern is the same as the first and second patterns, and a winch attached to the bumper.

Description

WINCH MOUNTING SYSTEMS Field of Invention This description refers in general to vehicles that have winches mounted on them, and more specifically to methods and systems for mounting winches reliably and safely on vehicles. Background of the Invention Many vehicles currently in service have a winch mounted on one of their front ends. These vehicles may include mobile construction, forestry, service, and agricultural equipment (including tracked or wheeled machinery, construction equipment, or vehicles, including tractors, log skidders, excavators, loaders, graders, backhoes, harvesters, logging compactors, conveyors, and on-road or off-road trucks). Traditionally, there has been no consistent and reliable method for mounting winches on these vehicles. Specifically, a consumer or end user might purchase a vehicle from one manufacturer and a winch from another, leaving them responsible for mounting the winch on the vehicle themselves. In some cases, this has led to the Ref. 331759 The assembly mechanism is, to some extent, improvised and has ultimately led, in some cases, to disadvantages in terms of the efficiency and reliability of the assembly mechanism and / or process. Brief Description of the Invention A heavy-duty vehicle may be considered to comprise, in summary: a front frame assembly having a first set of bolt holes arranged in a first pattern; a mounting plate having a second set of bolt holes arranged in a second pattern, wherein the second pattern is the same as the first pattern, and wherein the mounting plate is coupled to the front frame assembly; a bumper having a third set of bolt holes arranged in a third pattern, wherein the third pattern is the same as the first and second patterns, and wherein the bumper is coupled to the mounting plate and the front frame assembly; a bolt set coupling the bumper and the mounting plate to the front frame assembly, wherein the bolt set extends through the first, second, and third sets of bolt holes;and a winch attached to the bumper, whereby the winch and bumper combination are fixed to the front frame assembly by means of the bolt set with the mounting plate positioned between the bumper and the front frame assembly. The front frame assembly, mounting plate, and bumper can be attached to each other without welding. Alternatively, the front frame assembly, mounting plate, and bumper can be attached to each other using only the bolt set. The winch can be attached to the bumper using a second set of bolts. The mounting plate may include a fourth set of bolt holes to provide clearance for the second set of bolts. A method may be considered to comprise: attaching a bumper and a bumper-mounted winch to a mounting plate and a front frame assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle, the front frame assembly having a first set of bolt holes arranged in a first pattern, the mounting plate having a second set of bolt holes arranged in a second pattern, the second pattern being the same as the first pattern, and the bumper having a third set of bolt holes arranged in a third pattern, the third pattern being the same as the first and second patterns; wherein attaching the bumper and the bumper-mounted winch to the mounting plate and the front frame assembly includes placing a set of bolts so as to extend through the first, second, and third sets of bolt holes. Attaching the bumper and bumper-mounted winch to the mounting plate and front frame assembly may include not welding the bumper, mounting plate, or front frame assembly to each other. A system can be considered to comprise, in summary: a frame assembly having a first set of bolt holes arranged in a first pattern; a mounting plate having a second set of bolt holes arranged in a second pattern, wherein the second pattern is the same as the first pattern; a bumper having a third set of bolt holes arranged in a third pattern, wherein the third pattern is the same as the first and second patterns; and a winch attached to the bumper. The mounting plate may be adjacent to the frame assembly and bumper, such that the second set of bolt holes is adjacent to the first and third sets of bolt holes. The frame assembly, mounting plate, and bumper may be attached to each other by a set of bolts that pass through the first, second, and third sets of bolt holes. The frame assembly, mounting plate, and bumper may be attached to each other without welding. The frame assembly, mounting plate, and bumper may be attached to each other solely by the set of bolts. The winch may be attached to the bumper solely by a second set of bolts. The mounting plate may include a fourth set of bolt holes that provide clearance for the second set of bolts.The frame assembly may be a front frame assembly from a heavy-duty truck. The system and winch may be rated to pull loads of at least 9071.84 kg or at least 18143.68 kg. The mounting plate may be made of high-strength steel with a yield strength of at least 3515.35 kg / cm² (50 ksi). The first, second, and third patterns may each include a rectangle or a trapezoid. Brief Description of the Figures Figure 1 illustrates a front and top perspective view of a winch and bumper mounted on other components of a first truck. Figure 2 illustrates a portion of Figure 1 on a larger scale. Figure 3 illustrates the same features as Figure 2, but with the winch and bumper removed from the other components of the first truck to depict a mounting plate mounted on other components of the first truck. Figure 4 illustrates the same features as Figure 3, but with the mounting plate removed from the other components of the first truck. Figure 5 illustrates a front and top perspective view of the mounting plate. Figure 6 illustrates a rear and bottom perspective view of the mounting plate. Figure 7 illustrates a front view of the mounting plate. Figure 8 illustrates a rear and top perspective view of the winch, bumper, and mounting plate, with other components of the first truck removed. Figure 9 illustrates the same features as Figure 8, but with the mounting plate removed. Figure 10 illustrates the same features as Figure 9, but with one set of bolts removed. Figure 11 illustrates the same features as Figure 9, but with other components, including bumper components, removed. Figure 12 illustrates the same features as Figure 11, but with other components removed to describe the winch components. Figure 13 illustrates the same features as Figure 11, but from a front and top perspective view. Figure 14 illustrates the same features as Figure 12, but from a front and top perspective view. Figure 15 illustrates the same view as Figure 3 of the homologous components of a second truck, including a mounting plate thereof. Figure 16 illustrates the same view as Figure 4 of the homologous components of the second truck; that is, Figure 16 illustrates the same features as Figure 15, but with the mounting plate removed from the other components of the second truck. Figure 17 illustrates a front and top perspective view of the second truck's mounting plate. Figure 18 illustrates a rear and bottom perspective view of the second truck's mounting plate. Figure 19 illustrates a front view of the second truck's mounting plate. Figure 20 illustrates the same view as Figure 8 of the homologous components of the second truck, i.e., Figure 20 illustrates a rear and top perspective view of the winch, bumper, and mounting plate of the second truck, with other components of the second truck removed. Figure 21 illustrates the same view as Figure 21 of the homologous components of the second truck, i.e., Figure 21 illustrates a rear and top perspective view of the winch and bumper of the second truck, with the mounting plate and one set of bolts removed. Detailed Description of the Invention The following descriptions outline specific details to provide a thorough understanding of the various modalities described. However, those proficient in the relevant techniques will recognize that the modalities can be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other cases, well-known structures associated with the technology have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the descriptions of the modalities. Reference throughout this specification to a modality or modality means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in relation to that modality is included in at least one modality. Therefore, occurrences of the phrases "in a modality" or "in a modality" in various places throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same modality. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any appropriate way in one or more modalities. Also, as used in this specification and in the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term or is generally used in its inclusive and / or sense unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The use of ordinals such as first, second, and third does not necessarily imply a sense of ranked order, but rather may simply distinguish between multiple instances of an act or structure. Geometric alignment terms may be used in this document. Any components of the embodiments illustrated, described, or claimed herein that are aligned, arranged in the same direction, parallel, or have other similar geometric relationships relative to one another possess such relationships in the embodiments illustrated, described, or claimed. However, in alternative embodiments, these components may have any of the other similar geometric properties described herein that indicate alignment with one another. Any components of the embodiments illustrated, described, or claimed herein that are not aligned, arranged in different directions, not parallel, perpendicular, transverse, or have other similar geometric relationships with one another possess such relationships in the embodiments illustrated, described, or claimed.In alternative configurations, however, these components may have any of the other similar geometric properties described in this document, which indicate non-alignment with each other. This document provides several examples of suitable component dimensions and other numerical values. In the embodiments illustrated, described, and claimed, these dimensions are exact within normal manufacturing tolerances unless otherwise stated. Such dimensions are examples, however, and may be modified to produce variants of the components and systems described herein. In several alternative embodiments, such dimensions and any other specific numerical values ​​provided herein may be approximations, with the actual numerical values ​​varying by up to 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, or more percent from the approximate dimensions or other numerical values ​​stated.Figure 1 illustrates a system 100 comprising the components of a vehicle chassis such as a truck, including a first chassis frame member 102, which may be a left chassis frame member or left side member 102, and a second chassis frame member 104, which may be a right chassis frame member or right side member 104. As used herein, the phrases left side and left generally refer to the side of a truck that is on the left from the perspective of an occupant who is facing forward inside the truck, which is generally where the driver's seat and controls are located in a vehicle manufactured for the U.S. market or any other market in which driving is on the right side of the road.Similarly, the phrases right-side and right generally refer to the side of a truck that is on the right from the perspective of an occupant who is looking forward inside the truck, which is generally where a passenger seat is located in a vehicle manufactured for the U.S. market or any other market where driving is on the right side of the road. As used in this document, the phrases front and back and other similar terminology have their common meaning, so that a truck cab and engine are generally at the front of the truck and opposite the rear. As used in this document, the phrases up, down, above, and below, and other similar terminology, have their common meaning, that is, such that gravity pulls objects downward. When used in this document with reference to structural features, the phrases vertically, vertically, horizontally, and horizontally are approximations rather than exact descriptions of orientations. Figure 1 further illustrates that the system 100 comprises a front bumper 106 coupled on its left side to a front portion of the left chassis frame rail 102 and coupled on its right side to a front portion of the right chassis frame rail 104. Figure 2 illustrates a portion of Figure 1 at a larger scale. As more clearly seen in Figure 2, the bumper 106 includes an opening 108 at its front end through which a cable, chain, rope, wire, or other line, such as one from a winch housed within the bumper 106, can be extended to an object outside the bumper 106 to be moved by the truck and / or the winch. Figure 3 illustrates system 100 with the bumper 106 and winch removed to describe additional truck chassis components, including a front frame assembly 112 coupled to the left chassis frame rail 102 and the right chassis frame rail 104. In particular, Figure 3 illustrates that the front frame assembly 112 is coupled directly on its left side to a front portion of the left chassis frame rail 102 and directly coupled on its right side to a front portion of the right chassis frame rail 104. Figure 3 also illustrates a mounting plate 110 that is coupled to a front end of the front frame assembly 112.In particular, Figure 3 illustrates that a rear surface of the mounting plate 110 is flush-mounted and directly coupled to a front surface of the front frame assembly 112, such that the mounting plate 110 and any other components coupled to it are coupled to the left chassis frame rail 102 and the right chassis frame rail 104 indirectly by means of the front frame assembly 112. Figure 4 illustrates the same components from the same perspective as Figure 3, but with mounting plate 110 removed, so that additional features, such as those of the front frame assembly 112, are described and visible. For example, Figure 4 illustrates that the front frame assembly 112 includes four circular bolt holes that extend from front to rear through the components. In particular, Figure 4 illustrates that the front frame assembly 112 includes a first or left pair of bolt holes 114a and 114b on a portion of its left end and a second or right pair of bolt holes 114c and 114d on a portion of its right end.As illustrated in Figure 4, bolt hole 114a is located directly above bolt hole 114b on the left side of the front frame assembly 112, and bolt hole 114c is located directly above bolt hole 114d on the right side of the front frame assembly 112. Bolt holes 114a, 114b, 114c, and 114d have center longitudinal axes that extend forward and backward through the components of the front frame assembly 112 and are therefore configured to receive bolts that engage and secure the mounting plate 110 to the front surface of the front frame assembly 112. Figures 5, 6, and 7 illustrate a front and top perspective view, a rear and bottom perspective view, and a front view of mounting plate 110, respectively. As illustrated in Figures 5-7, mounting plate 110 includes a main body portion 110a, a first or left side portion 110b, and a second or right side portion 110c. The main body portion 110a of mounting plate 110 includes a body or sheet of material, generally rectangular or rectilinear, having a long dimension or length extending from side to side or from left to right, such that the main body portion 110a can extend substantially across the entire width of a truck.The main body part 110a of the mounting plate 110 also has a relatively short dimension or height that extends up and down or from top to bottom, and a smaller dimension or thickness that extends in a dissection from front to back. Figures 5-7 illustrate that the main body part 110a includes a first set of four circular bolt holes 116a, 116b, 116c, and 116d that extend from front to back through the main body part 110a and are arranged to be complementary to bolt holes 114a, 114b, 114c, and 114d. In particular, Figures 5-7 illustrate that the main body part 110a of the mounting plate 110 includes a first or left pair of bolt holes 116a and 116b on a portion of its left end and a second or right pair of bolt holes 116c and 116d on a portion of its right end.As illustrated in Figures 5-7, bolt hole 116a is located directly above bolt hole 116b on the left side of front frame assembly 112, and bolt hole 116c is located directly above bolt hole 116d on the right side of front frame assembly 112. Bolt holes 116a, 116b, 116c, and 116d have longitudinal center axes that extend forward and rearward and are aligned with or coaxial with those of bolt holes 114a, 114b, 114c, and 114d. Therefore, when the 100 system is assembled, bolt hole 114a is adjacent to bolt hole 116a, bolt hole 114b is adjacent to bolt hole 116b, bolt hole 114c is adjacent to bolt hole 116c, and bolt hole 114d is adjacent to bolt hole 116d. As illustrated in Figures 5-7, bolt holes 116a, 116b, 116c, and 116d are arranged at the respective corners of a rectangular shape. In some embodiments, the distance (center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 116a and 116b and bolt holes 116c and 116d may be between 600 and 750 mm, between 650 and 700 mm, between 670 and 680 mm, or approximately 675.7 mm. Similarly, in some embodiments, the distance (center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 116a and 116c and bolt holes 116b and 116d may be between 100 and 150 mm, between 120 and 130 mm, or approximately 125 mm. In some embodiments, the mounting plate 110 may be made of high-strength steel, such as a steel that has a yield strength of at least 3515.35 kg / cm2 (50 ksi). Furthermore, when system 100 is assembled, a first bolt can be extended through bolt holes 114a and 116a, with a head of the first bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the head of the first bolt close to or seated flush against a front surface of the mounting plate 110, and a threaded nut over the first bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the nut close to or seated flush against a rear surface of the front frame assembly 112. Furthermore, when system 100 is assembled, a second bolt can be extended through bolt holes 114b and 116b, with a head of the second bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the head of the second bolt close to or seated flush against a front surface of the mounting plate 110, and a threaded nut over the second bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the nut close to or seated flush against a rear surface of the front frame assembly 112. Additionally, when system 100 is assembled, a third bolt can be extended through bolt holes 114c and 116c, with the head of the third bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the head of the third bolt seated flush against a front surface of the mounting plate 110, and a threaded nut over the third bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the nut seated flush against a rear surface of the front frame assembly 112. Additionally, when system 100 is assembled, a fourth bolt can be extended through bolt holes 114d and 116d, with the head of the fourth bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the head of the fourth bolt seated flush against a front surface of the mounting plate 110, and a threaded nut over the fourth bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the nut seated flush against a rear surface of the front frame assembly 112.Therefore, the first, second, third, and fourth bolts, and their respective heads, nuts, and washers, can securely attach and mount the mounting plate 110 to the front surface of the front frame assembly 112. In an alternative embodiment, when system 100 is assembled, a first bolt can be extended through bolt holes 114a and 116a, with a first bolt head and / or a washer adjacent to the first bolt head close to or seated flush against a rear surface of the front frame assembly 112, and a threaded nut over the first bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the nut close to or seated flush against a front surface of the mounting plate 110.Additionally, in the alternative embodiment, when system 100 is assembled, a second bolt can be extended through bolt holes 114b and 116b, with a second bolt head and / or a washer adjacent to the second bolt head seated flush against a rear surface of the front frame assembly 112, and a threaded nut over the second bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the nut seated flush against a front surface of the mounting plate 110. Additionally, in the alternative embodiment, when system 100 is assembled, a third bolt can be extended through bolt holes 114c and 116c, with a third bolt head and / or a washer adjacent to the third bolt head seated flush against a rear surface of the front frame assembly 112, and a threaded nut over the third bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the nut seated flush against a front surface of the mounting plate 110.Furthermore, in the alternative embodiment, when system 100 is assembled, a fourth bolt can be extended through bolt holes 114d and 116d, with the head of the fourth bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the head of the fourth bolt seated flush against a rear surface of the front frame assembly 112, and a threaded nut over the fourth bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the nut seated flush against a front surface of the mounting plate 110. Therefore, the first, second, third, and fourth bolts, and their respective heads, nuts, and washers, can securely engage and mount the mounting plate 110 to the front surface of the front frame assembly 112. Figures 5-7 also illustrate that the main body portion 110a of the mounting plate 110 includes a second set of four bolt holes 118a, 118b, 118c, and 118d that extend from front to back through the main body portion 110a. In particular, Figures 5-7 illustrate that the main body portion 110a of the mounting plate 110 includes a first or left pair of bolt holes 118a and 118b on a portion at the left end thereof and a second or right pair of bolt holes 118c and 118d on a portion at the right end thereof.As illustrated in Figures 5-7, bolt hole 118a is located directly to the left of bolt hole 118b on the left side of the main body part 110a of the mounting plate 110, and bolt hole 118c is located directly to the left of bolt hole 118d on the right side of the main body part 110a of the mounting plate 110. As further illustrated in Figures 5-7, bolt holes 118a, 118b, 118c, and 118d are arranged in a single straight line, such that bolt hole 118a is directly to the left of bolt hole 118b, bolt hole 118b is directly to the left of bolt hole 118c, and bolt hole 118c is directly to the left of bolt hole 118d. In addition, a first distance (e.g., a center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 118a and 118b is less than a second distance (e.g., a center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 118b and 118c, but is the same as a third distance (e.g., a center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 118c and 118d. Additionally, bolt holes 118a, 118b, 118c and 118d are collectively located inside bolt holes 116a, 116b, 116c and 116d.That is, the left pair of bolt holes 116a and 116b is located to the left of the left pair of bolt holes 118a and 118b, and the right pair of bolt holes 116c and 116d is located to the right of the right pair of bolt holes 118c and 118d. Furthermore, bolt holes 118a, 118b, 118c, and 118d are each located on a lower portion of the main body part 110a of the mounting plate 110. That is, the center of each of the bolt holes 118a, 118b, 118c, and 118d is located below a central longitudinal axis of the main body part 110a of the mounting plate 110. Additionally, each of the bolt holes 118a, 118b, 118c, and 118d is not circular. Rather, bolt holes 118a, 118b, 118c, and 118d may be slots and may each have a shape that includes an oval or geometric form—that is, a rectangle with semicircles on a pair of opposite sides, which may also be called a disc-rectangle or oblong—with its long axes extending vertically. Such shapes may provide a degree of clearance for the locations of counterparts belonging to bolts, bolt heads, nuts threaded onto bolts, or washers on bolts, such as those of the bolts and related hardware used to attach a rear portion of bumper 106 to the winch mounted and housed thereon.Bolt holes 118a, 118b, 118c, and 118d have central longitudinal axes that extend forward and backward through the main body portion 110a of the mounting plate 110. Figures 5-7 also illustrate that the first or left-side portion 110b of the mounting plate 110 includes a body or sheet of material having a long dimension or length extending from front to back from a front portion thereof attached to a portion of the left end of the main body 110a, directly back to a rear portion of the same. The left-side portion 110b of the mounting plate 110 also has a relatively short dimension or height extending upward and downward or from top to bottom, tapering as it extends backward from the main body portion 110a of the mounting plate 110. The left-side portion 110b of the mounting plate 110 also has a smaller dimension or thickness extending in a side-to-side or left-to-right direction. Figures 5-7 also illustrate that the second or right-side portion 110c of the mounting plate 110 includes a body or sheet of material having a long dimension or length extending from front to back from a front portion thereof attached to a right-end portion of the main body 110a, directly back to a rear portion thereof. The right-side portion 110c of the mounting plate 110 also has a relatively short dimension or height extending upward and downward or from top to bottom, tapering as it extends rearward from the main body portion 110a of the mounting plate 110. The right-side portion 110c of the mounting plate 110 also has a smaller dimension or thickness extending in a side-to-side or left-to-right direction. Figure 8 illustrates a rear and top perspective view of bumper 106 with a winch housed in it, and mounting plate 110 securely mounted to the rear of bumper 106 and the winch housed in it, and Figure 9 illustrates the same features as Figure 8, but with mounting plate 110 removed. In particular, Figures 8 and 9 illustrate that the rear of the bumper 106 and the winch housed therein include a set of four bolts 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d that extend from front to back through the rear of the bumper 106 and the winch housed therein to securely mount and rigidly attach the winch to the rear of the bumper 106, and that bolts 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d are arranged in a pattern complementary to that of bolt holes 118a, 118b, 118c, and 118d.In particular, Figures 8 and 9 illustrate that the rear portion of bumper 106 and the winch housed therein include a first or left pair of bolts 120a and 120b on a portion of its left end and a second or right pair of bolts 120c and 120d on a portion of its right end. As illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, bolt 120a is located directly to the left of bolt 120b, and bolt 120c is located directly to the left of bolt 120d. 120d. As further illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, bolts 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d are arranged in a single straight line, such that bolt 120a is directly to the left of bolt 120b, bolt 120b is directly to the left of bolt 120c, and bolt 120c is directly to the left of bolt 120d. Furthermore, a first distance (e.g., a center-to-center distance) between bolts 120a and 120b is less than a second distance (e.g., a center-to-center distance) between bolts 120b and 120c, but is the same as a third distance (e.g., a center-to-center distance) between bolts 120c and 120d.Additionally, the first distance (for example, a center-to-center distance) between bolts 120a and 120b is the same as the first distance (for example, a center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 118a and 118b, the second distance (for example, a center-to-center distance) between bolts 120b and 120c is the same as the second distance (for example, a center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 118b and 118c, and the third distance (for example, a center-to-center distance) between bolts 120c and 120d is the same as the third distance (for example, a center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 118c and 118d. Bolts 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d have central longitudinal axes that extend forward and backward and are aligned or coaxial with those of bolt holes 118a, 118b, 118c, and 118d.Therefore, when the 100 system is assembled, bolt hole 118a is adjacent to and receives bolt 120a, providing clearance for a bolt head of 120a or for a nut threaded onto bolt 120a, and / or for a washer mounted on bolt 120a; bolt hole 118b is adjacent to and receives bolt 120b, providing clearance for a bolt head of 120b or for a nut threaded onto bolt 120b, and / or for a washer mounted on bolt 120b; bolt hole 118c is adjacent to and receives bolt 120c, providing clearance for a bolt head of 120c or for a nut threaded onto bolt 120c, and / or for a washer mounted on bolt 120c; and bolt hole 118d is adjacent to and receives bolt 120d, providing clearance for a bolt head of bolt 120d or for a nut threaded onto bolt 120d, and / or for a washer mounted on bolt 120d. Figures 8 and 9 also illustrate that the rear of bumper 106 includes a set of four circular bolt holes 122a, 122b, 122c, and 122d that extend from front to back across the rear of bumper 106 and are arranged to be complementary to bolt holes 114a, 114b, 114c, and 114d and bolt holes 116a, 116b, 116c, and 116d. In particular, Figures 8 and 9 illustrate that the rear of bumper 106 includes a first or left pair of bolt holes 122a and 122b on a portion of its left end and a second or right pair of bolt holes 122c and 122d on a portion of its right end.As illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, bolt hole 122a is located directly above bolt hole 122b on the left side of the rear of bumper 106, and bolt hole 122c is located directly above bolt hole 122d on the right side of the rear of bumper 106. Bolt holes 122a, 122b, 122c, and 122d have longitudinal center axes that extend forward and rearward and are aligned with or coaxial with those of bolt holes 114a, 114b, 114c, and 114d and bolt holes 116a, 116b, 116c, and 116d. Therefore, when the 100 system is assembled, bolt hole 116a is adjacent to bolt hole 122a, bolt hole 116b is adjacent to bolt hole 122b, bolt hole 116c is adjacent to bolt hole 122c, and bolt hole 116d is adjacent to bolt hole 122d.In addition, when system 100 is assembled, a first bolt extends through bolt holes 114a, 116a, and 122a, with a first bolt head and / or a washer adjacent to the first bolt head seated flush against a front surface of the rear bumper 106, and a threaded nut over the first bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the nut seated flush against a rear surface of the front frame assembly 112.In addition, when system 100 is assembled, a second bolt extends through bolt holes 114b, 116b, and 122b, with a second bolt head and / or a washer adjacent to the second bolt head seated flush against a front surface of the rear bumper 106, and a threaded nut over the second bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the nut seated flush against a rear surface of the front frame assembly 112. Additionally, when system 100 is assembled, a third bolt extends through bolt holes 114c, 116c, and 122c, with the third bolt head and / or a washer adjacent to the third bolt head close to or flush against a front surface of the rear of bumper 106, and a threaded nut over the third bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the nut close to or flush against a rear surface of the front frame assembly 112. Additionally, when system 100 is assembled, a fourth bolt extends through bolt holes 114d, 116d, and 122d, with the fourth bolt head and / or a washer adjacent to the fourth bolt head close to or flush against a front surface of the rear of bumper 106, and a threaded nut over the fourth bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the nut close to or flush against a rear surface of the front frame assembly. front frame 112. Therefore, the first, second, third, and fourth bolts, and their respective heads, nuts, and washers, can securely attach and mount the mounting plate 110 and the bumper 106 to the front surface of the front frame assembly 112. Therefore, when the system is fully assembled, the bumper 106 and the winch 124 housed within it are attached to each other solely by bolts (i.e., without welding), and the bumper 106 and the winch 124 housed within it are collectively attached to the mounting plate 110, the front frame assembly 112, and the truck chassis solely by bolts (i.e., without welding). In this mode, the 100 system and the 124 winch within it can be classified for use in retaining and / or moving loads of up to at least 4535.92 kg, at least 6803.88 kg, or at least 9071.84 kg. In an alternative embodiment, when system 100 is assembled, a first bolt extends through bolt holes 114a, 116a, and 122a, with a first bolt head and / or a washer adjacent to the first bolt head close to or seated flush against a rear surface of the front frame assembly 112, and a threaded nut over the first bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the nut close to or seated flush against a front surface of the rear bumper 106.In addition, in the alternative embodiment, when system 100 is assembled, a second bolt extends through bolt holes 114b, 116b and 122b, with a second bolt head and / or a washer adjacent to the second bolt head close to or seated flush against a rear surface of the front frame assembly 112, and a threaded nut over the second bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the nut close to or seated flush against a front surface of the rear bumper 106. In addition, in the alternative embodiment, when system 100 is assembled, a third bolt extends through bolt holes 114c, 116c and 122c, with a third bolt head and / or a washer adjacent to the third bolt head close to or seated flush against a rear surface of the front frame assembly 112, and a threaded nut over the third bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the nut close to or seated flush against a front surface of the rear bumper 106.In addition, in the alternative embodiment, when system 100 is assembled, a fourth bolt extends through bolt holes 114d, 116d and 122d, with a fourth bolt head and / or a washer adjacent to the fourth bolt head close to or seated flush against a rear surface of the front frame assembly 112, and a threaded nut over the fourth bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the nut close to or seated flush against a front surface of the rear bumper 106. Therefore, the first, second, third, and fourth bolts, and their respective heads, nuts, and washers, can securely attach and mount the mounting plate 110 and the bumper 106 to the front surface of the front frame assembly 112. Therefore, when the system is fully assembled, the bumper 106 and the winch 124 housed within it are attached to each other solely by bolts (i.e., without welding), and the bumper 106 and the winch 124 housed within it are collectively attached to the mounting plate 110, the front frame assembly 112, and the truck chassis solely by bolts (i.e., without welding). In this configuration, the 100 system and the 124 winch within it can be classified for use in retaining and / or moving loads of up to at least 4535.92 kg, at least 6803.88 kg, or at least 9071.84 kg Figure 10 illustrates a rear and top perspective view of bumper 106 with a winch housed therein, with mounting plate 110 and bolts 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d removed to illustrate additional features. In particular, Figure 10 illustrates that the rear of bumper 106 includes a set of four bolt holes 128a, 128b, 128c, and 128d extending from front to back across the rear of bumper 106, and that bolt holes 128a, 128b, 128c, and 128d are arranged in a pattern complementary to that of bolts 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d, as well as to that of bolt holes 118a, 118b, 118c, and 118d. In particular, Figure 10 illustrates that the rear of bumper 106 includes a first or left pair of bolt holes 128a and 128b on a portion of the left end thereof and a second or right pair of bolt holes 128c and 128d on a portion of the right end thereof.As illustrated in Figure 10, bolt hole 128a is located directly to the left of bolt hole 128b and bolt hole 128c is located directly to the left of bolt hole 128d. As further illustrated in Figure 10, bolt holes 128a, 128b, 128c, and 128d are arranged in a single straight line, such that bolt hole 128a is directly to the left of bolt hole 128b, bolt hole 128b is directly to the left of bolt hole 128c, and bolt hole 128c is directly to the left of bolt hole 128d. Furthermore, a first distance (e.g., a center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 128a and 128b is less than a second distance (e.g., a center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 128b and 128c, but is the same as a third distance (e.g., a center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 128c and 128d.Additionally, the first distance (for example, a center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 128a and 128b is the same as the first distance (for example, a center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 118a and 118b, the second distance (for example, a center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 128b and 128c is the same as the second distance (for example, a center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 118b and 118c, and the third distance (for example, a center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 128c and 128d is the same as the third distance (for example, a center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 118c and 118d. Bolt holes 128a, 128b, 128c, and 128d have center longitudinal axes that extend forward and backward and are aligned with or coaxial with those of bolt holes 118a, 118b, 118c, and 118d. Figures 11 and 13 illustrate the rear and front views, respectively, of the rear portion of bumper 106 and a winch 124 attached to it, with other components removed, and Figures 12 and 14 illustrate the rear and front views, respectively, of the winch 124 with other components removed, to describe additional components and features of system 100. Figures 11-14, and Figure 12 in particular, illustrate features of the winch 124, including a set of four bolt holes 126a, 126b, 126c, and 126d extending from front to rear through the winch mounting components 124. In particular, Figures 11-14 illustrate that the winch 124 includes a first or left pair of bolt holes 126a and 126b on a portion of its left end and a second or right pair of bolt holes 126c and 126d on a portion of the right end thereof.As illustrated in Figures 11-14, bolt hole 126a is located directly to the left of bolt hole 126b on the left side of the winch 124 and bolt hole 126c is located directly to the left of bolt hole 126d on the right side of the winch 124. As further illustrated in Figures 11-14, bolt holes 126a, 126b, 126c, and 126d are arranged in a single straight line, such that bolt hole 126a is directly to the left of bolt hole 126b, bolt hole 126b is directly to the left of bolt hole 126c, and bolt hole 126c is directly to the left of bolt hole 126d. In addition, a first distance (e.g., a center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 126a and 126b is less than a second distance (e.g., a center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 126b and 126c, but is the same as a third distance (e.g., a center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 126c and 126d. Additionally, the first distance (for example, a center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 118a and 118b is the same as the first distance (for example, a center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 126a and 126b, the second distance (for example, a center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 118b and 118c is the same as the second distance (for example, a center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 126b and 126c, and the third distance (for example, a center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 118c and 118d is the same as the third distance (for example, a center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 126c and 126d. Additionally, bolt holes 126a, 126b, 126c and 126d are each located on the top of winch 124.Bolt holes 126a, 126b, 126c, and 126d have central longitudinal axes that extend forward and backward through winch mounting components 124. When system 100 is assembled, the first bolt 120a can be extended through bolt hole 126a and bolt hole 128a, with a head of the first bolt 120a and / or a washer adjacent to the head of the first bolt 120a flush against a rear surface of the rear of the bumper 106, and a threaded nut over the first bolt 120a and / or a washer adjacent to the nut flush against a front surface of the winch mounting components 124, and / or the first bolt 120a can be threaded into threads of such bolt holes.Furthermore, when system 100 is assembled, the second bolt 120b can be extended through bolt hole 126b and bolt hole 128b, with a head of the second bolt 120b and / or a washer adjacent to the head of the second bolt 120b flush against a rear surface of the rear of the bumper 106, and a threaded nut over the second bolt 120b and / or a washer adjacent to the nut flush against a front surface of the winch mounting components 124, and / or the second bolt 120b can be threaded into threads of such bolt holes. Furthermore, when system 100 is assembled, the third bolt 120c can be extended through bolt hole 126c and bolt hole 128c, with a head of the third bolt 120c and / or a washer adjacent to the head of the third bolt 120c flush against a rear surface of the rear of the bumper 106, and a threaded nut over the third bolt 120c and / or a washer adjacent to the nut flush against a front surface of the winch mounting components 124, and / or the third bolt 120c can be threaded into threads of such bolt holes.Furthermore, when the system 100 is assembled, the fourth bolt 120d can be extended through bolt hole 126d and bolt hole 128d, with a head of the fourth bolt 120d and / or a washer adjacent to the head of the fourth bolt 120d flush against a rear surface of the rear of the bumper 106, and a threaded nut over the fourth bolt 120d and / or a washer adjacent to the nut flush against a front surface of the winch mounting components 124, and / or the fourth bolt 120d can be threaded into threads of such bolt holes. In an alternative embodiment, when system 100 is assembled, the first bolt 120a can be extended through bolt hole 126a and bolt hole 128a, with a head of the first bolt 120a and / or a washer adjacent to the head of the first bolt 120a flush against a front surface of the winch mounting components 124, and a threaded nut over the first bolt 120a and / or a washer adjacent to the nut flush against a rear surface of the rear of the bumper 106, and / or the first bolt 120a can be threaded into threads of such bolt holes.Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment of this type, when system 100 is assembled, the second bolt 120b can be extended through bolt hole 126b and bolt hole 128b, with a head of the second bolt 120b and / or a washer adjacent to the head of the second bolt 120b flush against a front surface of the winch mounting components 124, and a threaded nut over the second bolt 120b and / or a washer adjacent to the nut flush against a rear surface of the rear of the bumper 106, and / or the second bolt 120b can be threaded into threads of such bolt holes. Furthermore, when system 100 is assembled, the third bolt 120c can be extended through bolt hole 126c and bolt hole 128c, with a head of the third bolt 120c and / or a washer adjacent to the head of the third bolt 120c flush against a front surface of the winch mounting components 124, and a threaded nut over the third bolt 120c and / or a washer adjacent to the nut flush against a rear surface of the rear of the bumper 106, and / or the third bolt 120c can be threaded into threads of such bolt holes.Furthermore, when system 100 is assembled, the fourth bolt 120d can be extended through bolt hole 126d and bolt hole 128d, with a head of the fourth bolt 120d and / or a washer adjacent to the head of the fourth bolt 120d flush against a front surface of the winch mounting components 124, and a threaded nut over the fourth bolt 120d and / or a washer adjacent to the nut flush against a rear surface of the rear of the bumper 106, and / or the fourth bolt 120d can be threaded into threads of such bolt holes. In some embodiments, one method for assembling the system 100 includes attaching and securing the winch 124 to the rear of the bumper 106, and then attaching and securing the bumper 106 and winch 126 to the mounting plate 110 and the front frame assembly 112. Attaching and securing the winch 124 to the rear of the bumper 106 may include bolting the winch 124 to the rear of the bumper 106 by positioning bolt 120a to extend through bolt holes 126a and 128a, bolt 120b to extend through bolt holes 126b and 128b, bolt 120c to extend through bolt holes 126c and 128c, and bolt 120d to extend through the holes for 126d and 128d bolts. Such coupling and clamping can be achieved without welding. The coupling and securing of the bumper 106 and winch 126 to the mounting plate 110 and the front frame assembly 112 may include bolting the bumper 106 to the mounting plate 110 and the front frame assembly 112 by inserting a bolt through bolt holes 114a, 116a, and 122a, a bolt through bolt holes 114b, 116b, and 122b, a bolt through bolt holes 114c, 116c, and 122c, and a bolt through bolt holes 114d, 116d, and 122d. Such coupling and securing may be achieved without welding. Figures 15-21 illustrate various components of a system similar to System 100. Unless otherwise described herein, the system in Figures 15-21 may include any of the features described herein for System 100. The description of the system in Figures 15-21 herein focuses on features of the system that are not the same as the features of System 100, and any features of the system in Figures 15-21 not described herein in detail may be the same as those described herein for System 100.Figure 15 illustrates that the system comprises components of a chassis of a second vehicle, such as a truck, including a first chassis frame member 202, which may be a left or left side chassis frame member 202, and a second chassis frame member 204, which may be a right or right side chassis frame member 204. Similarly, unless otherwise described herein, system 100 may include any of the features described herein for the system in Figures 15-21. Figures 20 and 21 further illustrate that the system comprises a front bumper 206, which can accommodate a winch, and which can be attached on a left side portion thereof to a front portion of the left chassis frame rail 202 and attached on a right side portion thereof to a front portion of the right chassis frame rail 204. Figures 15 and 16 illustrate the system with the bumper 206 and winch removed to describe additional truck chassis components, including a front frame assembly 212 coupled to the left chassis frame rail 202 and the right chassis frame rail 204. Figure 15 also illustrates a mounting plate 210 that is coupled to a front end of the front frame assembly 212. In particular, Figure 15 illustrates that a rear surface of the mounting plate 210 is mounted flush against, and coupled directly to, a front surface of the front frame assembly 212, such that the mounting plate 210 and any other components coupled to it are indirectly coupled to the left chassis frame rail 202 and the right chassis frame rail 204 by means of the front frame assembly 212. Figure 16 illustrates the same components from the same perspective as Figure 15, but with mounting plate 210 removed, so that additional features, such as those of the front frame assembly 212, are described and visible. For example, Figure 16 illustrates that the front frame assembly 212 includes four circular bolt holes that extend from front to rear through the components. In particular, Figure 16 illustrates that the front frame assembly 212 includes a first or left pair of bolt holes 214a and 214b on a portion of its left end and a second or right pair of bolt holes 214c and 214d on a portion of its right end.As illustrated in Figure 16, bolt hole 214a is located below and to the left (i.e., outside the main body) of bolt hole 214b on the left side of the front frame assembly 212, and bolt hole 214c is located above and to the left (i.e., inside the main body) of bolt hole 214d on the right side of the front frame assembly 212. Bolt holes 214a, 214b, 214c, and 214d have center longitudinal axes that extend forward and aft through the components of the front frame assembly 212 and are therefore configured to receive bolts that engage and secure the mounting plate 210 and bumper 206 to the front surface of the front frame assembly 212. Figures 17, 18, and 19 illustrate a front and top perspective view, a rear and bottom perspective view, and a front view of mounting plate 210, respectively. As illustrated in Figures 17-19, mounting plate 210 includes a main body portion 210a, a first or left side portion 210b, and a second or right side portion 210c. The main body portion 210a of mounting plate 210 includes a body or sheet of material, generally rectangular or rectilinear, having a long dimension or length extending from side to side or from left to right, such that the main body portion 210a can span substantially the entire width of a truck.The main body portion 210a of the mounting plate 210 also has a relatively short dimension or height that extends up and down or top to bottom, and a smaller dimension or thickness that extends in a front-to-back direction. Figures 17-19 illustrate that the main body portion 210a includes a first set of four circular bolt holes 216a, 216b, 216c, and 216d extending from front to back through the main body portion 210a and arranged to be complementary to bolt holes 214a, 214b, 214c, and 214d. In particular, Figures 17-19 illustrate that the main body portion 210a of the mounting plate 210 includes a first or left pair of bolt holes 216a and 216b on a portion of its left end and a second or right pair of bolt holes 216c and 216d on a portion of its right end.As illustrated in Figures 17-19, bolt hole 216a is located below and to the left of bolt hole 216b (i.e., toward the edge) on the left side of front frame assembly 212, and bolt hole 216c is located above and to the left of bolt hole 216d (i.e., toward the inside) on the right side of front frame assembly 212. Bolt holes 216a, 216b, 216c, and 216d have longitudinal center axes that extend forward and rearward and are aligned or coaxial with those of bolt holes 214a, 214b, 214c, and 214d.Therefore, when the system is assembled, bolt hole 214a is adjacent to bolt hole 216a, bolt hole 214b is adjacent to bolt hole 216b, bolt hole 214c is adjacent to bolt hole 216c, and bolt hole 214d is adjacent to bolt hole 216d. As illustrated in Figures 17-19, bolt holes 216a, 216b, 216c, and 216d are arranged at the respective corners of a trapezoidal shape. In some embodiments, the distance (as a center-to-center distance) between bolt hole 216a and bolt hole 216d may be between 600 and 750 mm, between 650 and 700 mm, between 670 and 680 mm, or approximately 675.7 mm. Similarly, in some embodiments, the distance (as a center-to-center distance) between bolt hole 216b and bolt hole 216c may be between 500 and 660 mm, between 550 and 610 mm, between 575 and 585 mm, or approximately 580 mm. Similarly, in some embodiments, a distance (such as a center-to-center distance) between bolt holes 216a and 216d and bolt holes 216b and 216c may be between 100 and 180 mm, between 130 and 140 mm, or approximately 138.8 mm.In some forms, the 210 mounting plate may be made of high-strength steel, such as steel having a yield strength of at least 3515.35 kg / cm2 (50 ksi). Figure 20 illustrates a rear and top perspective view of bumper 206 with a winch housed within it, and mounting plate 210 securely mounted to the rear of bumper 206 and the winch housed within it. Figure 21 illustrates a rear and top perspective view of bumper 206 with a winch housed within it, and with mounting plate 210 and a set of bolts removed from it to describe other features. Bumper 206 and the winch housed within it may be identical to bumper 106 and the winch housed within it of system 100. Figure 21 illustrates that the rear of bumper 206 includes a set of four circular bolt holes 222a, 222b, 222c, and 222d that extend from front to back across the rear of bumper 206 and are arranged to be complementary to bolt holes 214a, 214b, 214c, and 214d and bolt holes 216a, 216b, 216c, and 216d. In particular, Figure 21 illustrates that the rear of bumper 206 includes a first or left pair of bolt holes 222a and 222b on a portion of its left end and a second or right pair of bolt holes 222c and 222d on a portion of its right end.As illustrated in Figure 21, bolt hole 222a is located below and to the left of bolt hole 222b (i.e., outward) on the left side of the front frame assembly 212, and bolt hole 222c is located above and to the left of bolt hole 222d (i.e., inward) on the right side of the front frame assembly 212. Bolt holes 222a, 222b, 222c, and 222d have longitudinal center axes extending forward and aft and aligned or coaxial with those of bolt holes 214a, 214b, 214c, and 214d and bolt holes 216a, 216b, 216c, and 216d, and are therefore configured to receive bolts that engage and secure the mounting plate. 210 and the bumper 206 to the front surface of the front frame assembly 212. Therefore, when the system is assembled, bolt holes 214a and 216a are adjacent to bolt hole 222a, bolt holes 214b and 216b are adjacent to bolt hole 222b, bolt holes 214c and 216c are adjacent to bolt hole 222c, and bolt holes 214d and 216d are adjacent to bolt hole 222d. Additionally, when the system is assembled, a first bolt extends through bolt hole 214a, bolt hole 216a, and bolt hole 222a, with a first bolt head and / or a washer adjacent to the first bolt head close to or seated flush against a front surface of the rear bumper 206, and a threaded nut over the first bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the nut close to or seated flush against a rear surface of the front frame assembly 212.Additionally, when the system is assembled, a second bolt extends through bolt hole 214b, bolt hole 216b, and bolt hole 222b, with a second bolt head and / or a washer adjacent to the second bolt head seated flush against a front surface of the rear bumper 206, and a threaded nut over the second bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the nut seated flush against a rear surface of the front frame assembly 212. Additionally, when the system is assembled, a third bolt extends through bolt hole 214c, bolt hole 216c, and bolt hole 222c, with a third bolt head and / or a washer adjacent to the third bolt head seated flush against a front surface of the rear bumper 206, and a threaded nut over the third bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the nut seated flush against a rear surface of the front frame assembly 212.Additionally, when the system is assembled, a fourth bolt extends through bolt hole 214d, bolt hole 216d, and bolt hole 222d, with a fourth bolt head and / or a washer adjacent to the fourth bolt head seated flush against a front surface of the rear bumper 206, and a threaded nut over the fourth bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the nut seated flush against a rear surface of the front frame assembly 212. Therefore, the first, second, third, and fourth bolts, and their respective heads, nuts, and washers, can securely attach and mount the mounting plate 210 and the bumper 206 to the front surface of the front frame assembly 212. Thus, when the system is fully assembled, the bumper 206 and the winch housed therein are attached to each other solely by bolts (i.e., without welding), and the bumper 206 and the winch housed therein are collectively attached to the mounting plate 210, the front frame assembly 212, and the truck chassis solely by bolts (i.e., without welding). In this configuration, the system and the winch therein can be rated for use in securing and / or moving loads of at least 4535.92 kg, at least 6803.88 kg, or at least 9071.84 kg. In an alternative embodiment, when the system is assembled, a first bolt extends through bolt hole 214a, bolt hole 216a, and bolt hole 222a, with a first bolt head and / or a washer adjacent to the first bolt head close to or seated flush against a rear surface of the front frame assembly 212, and a threaded nut over the first bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the nut close to or seated flush against a front surface of the rear bumper 206.Additionally, in the alternative embodiment, when the system is assembled, a second bolt extends through bolt hole 214b, bolt hole 216b and bolt hole 222b, with a second bolt head and / or a washer adjacent to the second bolt head close to or seated flush against a rear surface of the front frame assembly 212, and a threaded nut over the second bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the nut close to or seated flush against a front surface of the rear bumper 206. Additionally, in the alternative embodiment, when the system is assembled, a third bolt extends through bolt hole 214c, bolt hole 216c, and bolt hole 222c, with a third bolt head and / or a washer adjacent to the third bolt head seated flush against a rear surface of the front frame assembly 212, and a threaded nut over the third bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the nut seated flush against a front surface of the rear bumper 206.Additionally, in the alternative embodiment, when the system is assembled, a fourth bolt extends through bolt hole 214d, bolt hole 216d, and bolt hole 222d, with a fourth bolt head and / or a washer adjacent to the fourth bolt head seated flush against a rear surface of the front frame assembly 212, and a threaded nut over the fourth bolt and / or a washer adjacent to the nut seated flush against a front surface of the rear bumper 206. bbocnn / zznz / e / YiAi Therefore, the first, second, third, and fourth bolts, and their respective heads, nuts, and washers, can securely attach and mount the mounting plate 210 and the bumper 206 to the front surface of the front frame assembly 212. Thus, when the system is fully assembled, the bumper 206 and the winch housed therein are attached to each other solely by bolts (i.e., without welding), and the bumper 206 and the winch housed therein are collectively attached to the mounting plate 210, the front frame assembly 212, and the truck chassis solely by bolts (i.e., without welding). In this configuration, the system 100 and the winch 124 therein can be rated for use in securing and / or moving loads up to at least 4535.92 kg, at least 6803.88 kg, or at least 9071.84 kg. In some embodiments, a method for assembling the system of Figures 15-21 includes attaching and securing the winch to the rear of bumper 106, and then attaching and securing bumper 106 and the winch to mounting plate 110 and front frame assembly 112. Attaching and securing bumper 206 and the winch housed therein to mounting plate 210 and front frame assembly 212 may include bolting bumper 206 to mounting plate 210 and front frame assembly 212 by inserting a bolt to extend through bolt holes 214a, 216a, and 222a, a bolt to extend through bolt holes 214b, 216b, and 222b, and a bolt to extend through bolt holes 214c, 216c, and 212. 222c, and a bolt to extend through bolt holes 214d, 216d, and 222d. Such coupling and fastening can be achieved without welding. The use of a mounting plate, as described in this document, physically located between a truck chassis' front frame assembly and a truck bumper, can provide efficiencies. For example, a truck manufacturer might produce and sell a truck designed for use with or without a winch. Attaching a winch to the front of a truck often requires parts of the truck to be stronger, more rigid, and / or more robust than would otherwise be necessary. Therefore, the manufacturer might have a single model with a single common front frame assembly that is designed for use with or without a winch, where the mounting plate is included on trucks for customers who intend to add a winch, and excluded for customers who do not.This leads to cost and weight savings for customers who do not need the additional strength, rigidity, or solidity associated with using a winch, while leaving the option open for customers who do need the additional strength, rigidity, or solidity. Aspects of the various embodiments described above may be combined to provide additional embodiments. These and other changes may be made to the embodiments in light of the preceding detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed as limiting the claims to the specific embodiments described in the specification and the claims, but rather as including all possible embodiments along with the full scope of the equivalents to which these claims are entitled. It is hereby stated that, as of this date, the best method known to the applicant for putting the aforementioned invention into practice is the one that is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

1. Heavy-duty vehicle, characterized in that it comprises: a front frame assembly having a first set of bolt holes arranged in a first pattern; a mounting plate having a second set of bolt holes arranged in a second pattern, wherein the second pattern is the same as the first pattern, and wherein the mounting plate is coupled to the front frame assembly; a bumper having a third set of bolt holes arranged in a third pattern, wherein the third pattern is the same as the first and second patterns, and wherein the bumper is coupled to the mounting plate and the front frame assembly; a set of bolts coupler to the bumper and the mounting plate to the front frame assembly, wherein the set of bolts extends through the first, second, and third sets of bolt holes;and a winch attached to the bumper, whereby the winch and bumper combination are fixed to the front frame assembly by way of the bolt set with the mounting plate positioned between the bumper and the front frame assembly 56.; 2. Heavy-duty work vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the front frame assembly, mounting plate and bumper are coupled together without welding.

3. Heavy-duty work vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the front frame assembly, mounting plate and bumper are coupled together solely by means of the bolt set 4. Heavy work vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the winch is attached to the bumper only by means of a second set of bolts.

5. Heavy-duty vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that the mounting plate includes a fourth set of bolt holes providing clearance for the second set of bolts.

6. A method, characterized in that it comprises: attaching a bumper and a winch attached to the bumper to a mounting plate and a front frame assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle, wherein the front frame assembly has a first set of bolt holes arranged in a first pattern, the mounting plate has a second set of bolt holes arranged in a second pattern, the second pattern being the same as the first pattern, and the bumper has a third set of bolt holes arranged in a third pattern, the third pattern being the same as the first and second patterns; wherein attaching the bumper and the winch attached to the bumper to the mounting plate and the front frame assembly includes placing a set of bolts so as to extend through the first, second, and third sets of bolt holes.

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that attaching the bumper and the winch attached to the bumper to the mounting plate and to the front frame assembly includes not welding the bumper, the mounting plate or the front frame assembly to each other.

8. A system, characterized in that it comprises: a frame assembly having a first set of bolt holes arranged in a first pattern; a mounting plate having a second set of bolt holes arranged in a second pattern, wherein the second pattern is the same as the first pattern; a bumper having a third set of bolt holes arranged in a third pattern, wherein the third pattern is the same as the first and second patterns; and a winch attached to the bumper.

9. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the mounting plate is adjacent to the frame assembly and the bumper, such that the second set of bolt holes is adjacent to the first set of bolt holes and the third set of bolt holes.

10. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the frame assembly, mounting plate and bumper are coupled to each other by means of a set of bolts extending through the first, second and third sets of bolt holes.

11. System in accordance with claim 10, characterized in that the frame assembly, the mounting plate and the bumper are coupled together without welding.

12. System according to claim 11, characterized in that the frame assembly, the mounting plate and the bumper are coupled together only by means of the bolt set.

13. System in accordance with claim 12, characterized in that the winch is attached to the bumper only by means of a second set of bolts.

14. A system according to claim 13, characterized in that the mounting plate includes a fourth set of bolt holes providing clearance for the second set of bolts. bbocnn / zznz / e / YiAi 15. System in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that the frame assembly is a front frame assembly of a heavy-duty truck.

16. System in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that the system and the winch are rated to pull loads of at least 9071.84 kg.

17. System in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that the system and the winch are rated to pull loads of at least 18143.68 kg.

18. System in accordance with claim 8 characterized in that the mounting plate is made of high-strength steel having a yield strength of at least 3515.35 kg / cm2 (50 ksi).

19. System in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that the first, second and third patterns each include a rectangle.

20. System in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that the first, second and third patterns each include a trapezoid.

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