Abstract: A ratchet buckle for tightening and tensioning straps which include a bifurcated frame member with a pair of oppositely positioned parallel arms between which a reel member and ratchet wheels are rotatably mounted. The reel member is formed from a pair of oppositely positioned curved plates. This reel member is reinforced structurally by means of a spreader bar insert member which is placed between the plates and which has a slot formed in the center thereof through which a strap to be tensioned is reeved. The insert member has a pair of similar ridge portions running along the outer surfaces of the portions thereof forming the walls of the slot and a pair of wing portions at each of the opposite ends thereof, these wing portions extending in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the slot and being fitted between the edges of the curved plates.

Abstract: A ratchet buckle for tightening and tensioning straps includes a bifurcated frame member having a pair of oppositely positioned parallel arms between which a reel member and ratchet wheels are rotatably mounted. A strap to be tensioned is reeved through the reel member. A bifurcated lever member, having a pair of oppositely positioned parallel arms, is rotated on the reel and has a ratchet drive plate which engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel such that when the lever is actuated the reel is rotatably driven. A portion of the load on the frame is transferred to the lever when the buckle is in its closed position, thereby substantially increasing the strength-to-weight ratio of the device by providing tab members and notches which matingly engage each other with the handle in its tensioned or closed position, one of these two engaging members being on the arms of the lever and the other of these members being on the frame.

Abstract: An anchor fitting for removably securing a load to a slotted track member at preselected positions therealong, such as for example for securing cargo, passenger seats, etc. in various positions along the floor of an aircraft. The fitting has flat surface pads with shoulders extending therefrom and a post portion extending along an axis substantially normal to the flat surfaces of the pads. A latching plunger is slidably mounted on the post portion for motion along the longitudinal axis thereof. The fitting is removably retained in the track which has a plurality of notched portions separated by narrow neck portions with the plunger member seated in one of the notched portions of the track and with the surface pad shoulders of the fitting beneath the flanges. A clamp member having a U-shaped portion which slidably fits over the body of the fitting has flanges which extend outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A ratchet buckle for tightening and tensioning straps includes a bifurcated frame member having a pair of oppositely positioned parallel arms, between which a reel member and ratchet wheels are rotatably mounted. A strap to be tensioned is reeved through the reel member. A bifurcated lever member having a pair of oppositely positioned parallel arms is rotatably mounted on the reel and has a ratchet drive plate which engages the teeth of the ratchet wheels such that when the lever is actuated, the reel is rotatably driven. A latching plate is mounted on the frame which engages the ratchet wheels to latch these wheels at times when they are not being rotated by virtue of driving action of the lever. This latching plate is secured in position and prevented from unseating from engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheels by virtue of the engagement of an undercut portion of the latching plate with retaining and camming elements formed on the lever.

Abstract: A buckle assembly includes a main frame which is generally U-shaped and has a pair of parallel opposing side plates and a bottom formed by a plurality of cross-bars. Pivotally mounted on the main frame is a strap-tightening handle which is utilized to tighten a strap and to retain it in the tightened position. This handle includes a tightening cross-bar around which the strap is looped, and the two opposite ends of such strap then run under one of the cross-bars of the main frame. A limit stop member is provided in at least one of the side arms of the frame to limit the downward travel of the handle in its strap-tightening position. This assembly is further adapted to be locked in position in conjunction with a security locking device such as a padlock.

Abstract: An anchor fitting has flat surface pads with shoulders extending therefrom and a post portion extending along an axis substantially normal to the flat surfaces of the pads. A latching plunger is slidably mounted on the post portion for motion along the longitudinal axis thereof. The fitting is removably retained in a selected position along a slotted track having a plurality of notched portions separated by narrow neck portions formed by flanges with the shoulders of the pads in the track slots underneath the flanges and the latching plunger member seated in one of the notched portions of the track. A cam bar member is supported on the anchor fitting in an apertured portion thereof by means of an adjustment screw. This bar member is drawn against the walls of the apertured portion of the anchor fitting such that it drives against the surface of the track drawing the shoulders of the pads tightly against the walls of the track to provide a tight rattle-proof joinder between the fitting and the track.