TIEDOWN STRAP RATCHET WITH TAKE-UP REEL
The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel includes a ratchet mechanism for tightening a cargo or tiedown strap and a reel for securing the free end of the strap. The reel includes at least one take-up crank extending radially from at least one end of the take-up reel shaft, the circular path of the distal end of the take-up crank extending into the arc subtended by the ratchet handle during its operation. When the ratchet handle is placed in its stowed position, the handle interferes with travel of the take-up crank, thus preventing the take-up crank from rotating to allow the free end of the strap to unwind from the reel. The take-up reel may have various take-up crank configurations, e.g., a single crank, cranks extending from the opposite ends of the reel shaft, one or two double-ended cranks, etc.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/454,942, filed Mar. 21, 2011.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to straps used to secure cargo, and particularly to a tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel that includes a lockable take-up reel for securing the free end of the strap that would otherwise extend from the ratchet.
2. Description of the Related Art
Ratcheting load binders for tightening hold-down straps for freight or cargo carried on flatbed trailers and the like have been known for a considerable period of time. These devices may have a number of different configurations, but conventionally include a short length of strap that hooks to an anchor member on the trailer or other structure and a longer strap that passes through or around a rotary shaft turned by a ratcheting handle or lever to tighten the longer strap.
Of course, the working length of the strap required to secure the load will depend upon the dimensions of the load and the dimensions of the carrying vehicle as well. As a result, most such load binders accommodate straps having considerable length in order to secure relatively large loads. However, when smaller loads are carried, the excess strap extends from the load binder and must be dealt with in some manner. Often, several feet of the free end of the strap extend from the tiedown ratchet or load binder, and this lengthy strap extension can do considerable damage to passing vehicles, or perhaps pedestrians, if it is left to flail in the wind. Accordingly, most, if not all, jurisdictions have laws or regulations requiring the free ends of such straps to be secured in some manner.
This is conventionally accomplished by tying and tucking the free end beneath the taut portion of the strap that secures the cargo or freight. However, regardless of the care used in securing the free end, it will often work loose over a period of time as the vehicle travels. Thus, a tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel serves as a device for tightening a tiedown strap, as well as for securing the free end of that strap. The device includes a strap take-up ratchet having a ratchet handle operating therewith for tightening the strap and holding the desired tautness of the strap. The device further includes a reel extending from the distal end of the frame, i.e., opposite the take-up ratchet, for winding the free end of the strap thereon.
The reel for the excess strap length includes at least one crank extending radially therefrom. The reel crank is of sufficient length to extend into the arc subtended by the ratchet handle during its operation. Thus, the ratchet handle interferes with the travel of the reel crank when the ratchet handle is in its stowed position, preventing the reel crank from rotating and allowing the free end or the strap to unwind from the reel. Yet when the ratchet handle is raised, its distal end clears the circular arc described by the reel crank, allowing the reel crank to be rotated to wind the free end of the strap onto the reel.
Various embodiments of the tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel are disclosed herein, primarily differing in the configurations of the reel crank. In one embodiment only a single crank is provided that extends radially from one end of the reel shaft or axis. Another embodiment comprises two such cranks extending from opposite ends of the take-up reel shaft at 180° to one another. This allows either crank end to be retained by the ratchet handle, thereby allowing a maximum rotation of only 180° for the take-up reel. Yet another embodiment comprises a reel crank extending from one end of the reel shaft, the crank being double-ended, i.e., having two distal ends 180° apart. Still another embodiment comprises two such double-ended reel cranks, one crank extending from each end of the reel shaft, and their elongate axes perpendicular to one another. This limits the reel to no more than 90° of rotation when the ratchet handle is in its stowed position to interfere with the reel crank.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSThe tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel secures the free end of the tiedown strap after a load has been secured. The various embodiments of the ratchet differ from one another in the different configurations of their winding cranks or arms for the take-up reels.
Parallel, mutually opposed first and second reel arms 26a and 26b extend from the anchor strap end 16 of the frame 12. A strap take-up shaft 28 extends across or between the distal ends of the two reel arms 26a, 26b. The rotating shaft 28 includes opposite first and second ends 28a, 28b, the first end 28a being shown in
This limitation of the rotation of the take-up reel crank is best explained by reference to
The tiedown strap ratchet and take-up reel 110 of
The strap ratchet and take-up reel 210 has a single crank arm 230, but rather than having one end attached to the take-up shaft, the crank arm 230 has a central portion 230a with symmetrically opposed arm portions 230b and 230c extending radially outwardly from the center 230a. Each arm portion 230b, 230e has an outwardly extending distal end 238b and 238c. The ends 238b and 238c are stopped by the ratchet handle 24 when the handle 24 is in its lower or stowed position. As the crank arm 230 has two opposed arm portions 230b and 230c extending opposite one another, the take-up shaft 28 and the free end 40 of the strap wound thereon will be stopped at no more than 180° of rotation, thus preventing the free end 40 of the strap from unwinding.
Still another embodiment is illustrated in
The various embodiments of the tiedown strap ratchet and take-up reel are all used similarly. Initially, the ratchet mechanism 20 is unlocked, and the working portion 22 of the strap is pulled through the mechanism as necessary to provide sufficient length to secure the cargo. The ratchet mechanism 20 is then actuated to pull the working portion 22 of the strap back through the mechanism as necessary to tighten the strap securely about the cargo. This results in an increasing free end length 40 of the strap, as it trails from the ratchet mechanism 20.
Once the working portion 22 of the strap has been secured tightly about the cargo to the extent desired, the free end portion 40 of the strap may be wound upon the take-up reel 28. To accomplish this, the ratchet handle 24 is left in its raised position, as shown in solid lines in
The two reel take-up anus 26a, 26b may be formed as integral extensions of the frame 12 during manufacture. Alternatively, the take-up reel assembly may be provided as an accessory that may be attached (e.g., welded, riveted, etc.) to the anchor strap end of an existing tiedown strap ratchet mechanism, if desired.
The various embodiments presented herein allow the user of such a device to select the degree of security for the rolled free end of the strap, as desired. Generally, the device 10 of
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel, comprising:
- a frame having a ratchet end and an anchor strap end opposite the ratchet end;
- an anchor strap extending from the anchor strap end of the frame;
- a ratchet mechanism disposed at the ratchet end of the frame;
- a ratchet handle extending radially from the ratchet mechanism, the ratchet handle having a selectively stowed position adjacent the frame;
- first and second take-up reel arms extending from the anchor strap end of the frame;
- a strap take-up shaft disposed between the take-up reel arms, the strap take-up shaft having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and
- a take-up reel crank extending radially from the strap take-up shaft, the ratchet handle it precluding complete rotation of the take-up reel crank when the ratchet handle is in its stowed position.
2. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 1, wherein:
- the frame defines a frame width;
- the ratchet handle defines a ratchet handle width, the ratchet handle width being greater than the frame width;
- the take-up reel aims define a reel width, the reel width being substantially equal to the frame width; and
- the take-up reel crank has a distal end extending beyond the ratchet handle width, the ratchet handle interfering with the distal end of the take-up reel crank and precluding complete rotation of the take-up reel crank when the ratchet handle is in its stowed position.
3. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 1, wherein the take-up reel crank comprises a single arm extending radially outward from one end of the strap take-up shaft.
4. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 1, wherein the take-up reel crank comprises:
- a first arm extending radially outward from the first end of the strap take-up shaft; and
- a second arm extending radially outward from the second end of the strap take-up shaft, the second arm being oriented 180° opposite the first arm.
5. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 1, wherein the take-up reel crank comprises a single arm having a center affixed to one end of the strap take-up shaft, the arm having mutually opposed arm portions oriented 180° opposite one another and extending radially outward from the strap take-up shaft.
6. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 1, wherein the take-up reel crank comprises:
- a first arm having a center affixed to the first end of the strap take-up shaft, the first arm having mutually opposed arm portions oriented 180° opposite one another and extending radially outward from the strap take-up shaft; and
- a second arm having a center affixed to the second end of the strap take-up shaft, the second arm having mutually opposed arm portions oriented 180° opposite one another and extending radially outward from the strap take-up shaft, the second arm being oriented 90° to the first arm.
7. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 1, further including a tiedown strap having a working portion secured to the ratchet mechanism and a free end extending therefrom, the free end being selectively wound about the strap take-up shaft.
8. A tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel, comprising:
- a frame having a ratchet end and an anchor strap end opposite the ratchet end, the frame defining a frame width;
- an anchor strap extending from the anchor strap end of the frame;
- a ratchet mechanism disposed at the ratchet end of the frame;
- a ratchet handle extending radially from the ratchet mechanism, the ratchet handle defining a ratchet handle width, the ratchet handle width being greater than the frame width, the ratchet handle having a selectively stowed position adjacent the frame;
- first and second take-up reel arms extending from the anchor strap end of the frame, the take-up reel arms defining a reel width, the reel width being substantially equal to the frame width;
- a strap take-up shaft disposed between the take-up reel arms, the strap take-up shaft having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and
- a take-up reel crank extending radially from the strap take-up shaft, the crank having a distal end extending beyond the ratchet handle width, the ratchet handle interfering with the distal end of the crank and precluding complete rotation of the take-up reel crank when the ratchet handle is in its stowed position.
9. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 8, wherein the take-up reel crank comprises a single arm extending radially outward from one end of the strap take-up shaft.
10. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 8, wherein the take-up reel crank comprises:
- a first aim extending radially outward from the first end of the strap take-up shaft; and
- a second arm extending radially outward from the second end of the strap take-up shaft, the second arm being oriented 180° opposite the first arm.
11. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 8, wherein the take-up reel crank comprises a single arm having a center affixed to one end of the strap take-up shaft, the aim having mutually opposed arm portions oriented 180° opposite one another and extending radially outward from the strap take-up shaft.
12. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 8, wherein the take-up reel crank comprises:
- a first arm having a center affixed to the first end of the strap take-up shaft, the first arm having mutually opposed arm portions oriented 180° opposite one another and extending radially outward from the strap take-up shaft; and
- a second arm having a center affixed to the second end of the strap take-up shaft, the second arm having mutually opposed arm portions oriented 180° opposite one another and extending radially outward from the strap take-up shaft, the second arm being oriented 90 degrees to the first arm.
13. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 8, further including a tiedown strap having a working portion secured to the ratchet mechanism and a free end extending therefrom, the free end being selectively wound about the strap take-up shaft.
14. A take-up reel for a tiedown strap ratchet, the tiedown strap ratchet having a frame defining a ratchet end and an anchor strap end opposite the ratchet end, an anchor strap extending from the anchor strap end of the frame, a ratchet mechanism disposed at the ratchet end of the frame, a ratchet handle extending radially from the ratchet mechanism, the ratchet handle having a selectively stowed position adjacent the frame, the take-up reel comprising:
- first and second take-up reel arms extending from the anchor strap end of the frame;
- a strap take-up shaft disposed between the take-up reel arms, the strap take-up shaft having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and
- a take-up reel crank extending radially from the strap take-up shaft, the ratchet handle precluding complete rotation of the take-up reel crank when the ratchet handle is in its stowed position.
15. The take-up reel for a tiedown strap ratchet according to claim 14, wherein:
- the take-up reel arms define a reel width, the reel width being substantially equal to a width of the frame; and
- the take-up reel crank has a distal end extending beyond the ratchet handle, the ratchet handle interfering with the distal end of the take-up reel crank and precluding complete rotation of the take-up reel crank when the ratchet handle is in its stowed position.
16. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 14, wherein the take-up reel crank comprises a single aim extending radially outward from one end of the strap take-up shaft.
17. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 14, wherein the take-up reel crank comprises:
- a first arm extending radially outward from the first end of the strap take-up shaft; and
- a second arm extending radially outward from the second end of the strap take-up shaft, the second arm being oriented 180° opposite the first arm.
18. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 14, wherein the take-up reel crank comprises a single arm having a center affixed to one end of the strap take-up shaft, the arm having mutually opposed arm portions oriented 180° opposite one another and extending radially outward from the strap take-up shaft.
19. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 14, wherein the take-up reel crank comprises;
- a first arm having a center affixed to the first end of the strap take-up shaft, the first arm having mutually opposed arm portions oriented 180″ opposite one another and extending radially outward from the strap take-up shaft; and
- a second arm having a center affixed to the second end of the strap take-up shaft, the second arm having mutually opposed arm portions oriented 180° opposite one another and extending radially outward from the strap take-up shaft, the second arm being oriented 90° to the first arm.
20. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 14, further including a tiedown strap having a working portion secured to the ratchet mechanism and a free end extending therefrom, the free end being selectively wound about the strap take-up shaft.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 20, 2012
Publication Date: Sep 27, 2012
Inventor: JAMES BORNTRAGER (Carrier Mills, IL)
Application Number: 13/425,263
International Classification: B65H 75/30 (20060101);