Abstract: Described is a ratchet strap with a free end securing system. The ratchet strap has a strap with an attachment end and a free end and a strap winding shaft which is capable of receiving the free end in a wrapped relationship. A ratchet mechanism is included for simultaneously shortening the attachment end and the free end wherein the free end is drawn from the wrapped relationship with the strap winding shaft.

Abstract: The ratchet buckle for tightening a strap under a ratchet action provides a lock to positively prevent the ratchet buckle from inadvertently releasing the strap. The lock requires a removable handle to be installed on the ratchet buckle before the lock can be released. The removable handle extends the ratchet buckle crank arm for increased leverage in exercising the ratchet buckle and when removed reduces the overall size of the ratchet buckle and eliminates a crank arm portion that would otherwise extend beyond the ratchet buckle base.

Abstract: A ratchet tie-down includes a frame, a lever including two cams pivotally connected to the frame, a reeling device rotatably mounted on the frame and lever, and a ratcheting device including two ratchet wheels mounted on the reeling device. The ratchet tie-down further includes a reinforcement assembly including two reinforcement members mounted on the reeling device. Each ratchet wheel includes two lateral sides disposed between one cam and one reinforcement member. Each reinforcement member defines an annular surface in contact with one lateral side of one ratchet wheel, and with the reinforcement member imposing an urging force in a direction perpendicular to a rotation direction of the ratchet wheel.

Abstract: A fastener includes a frame, a handle and a reel inserted through the frame and handle so that a strap can be reeled when the reel is rotated. Two bushings are connected to the frame for protecting the reel from the handle or the frame. Two ratchet wheels are connected to the reel. A first detent is movable on the frame for engagement with the ratchet wheels. A second detent is movable on the handle for engagement with the ratchet wheels.

Abstract: A cargo bracing device includes a base having two side plates for rotatably attaching a reel drum, one or more toothed discs attached to the reel drum and controlled to rotate relative to the base with a stop, an operating arm having two legs rotatably attached to the reel drum, a catch device attached to the operating arm and engaged with the toothed disc, and an anchoring device may detachably anchor the legs of the operating arm to the reel drum, and the legs of the operating arm may be selectively disengaged from the reel drum to prevent the operating arm from being operated by unauthorized persons, and for preventing the cargo from being stolen by the unauthorized persons.

Abstract: A winch used for tightening a strap to retain an article, which may be cargo, on the deck of a vehicle has a ratcheting mechanism which tightens the strap around a cylindrical shaft. A ratchet cap installed on the winch has two sections. One of these sections is fixedly attached to the winch drive shaft This first section has a plurality of spaced recesses running around a surface plate thereof. Spring urged pins with rounded end surfaces are mounted in receptacles formed in the second cap section. The rounded ends of the spring urged pins are urged against the surfaces of the recesses. The pins are prevented from moving out of the recesses in one direction by a right angled end portion of the recess in this one direction and are free to move out of a recess over a slanted recess end portion into an adjoining recess in the opposite direction. At least one aperture is formed in the cap into which a lever for driving the winch is fitted.

Abstract: A tree stand lock apparatus comprises a ratchet buckle part and a wire rope part. The ratchet buckle part comprises a spool with a transaxial bore, a ratcheting lever handle, a locking means and a base affixed to a hook. The wire rope part comprises a wire rope, one end of which is affixed to a hook. The lock may be employed by wrapping the wire rope around a portion of a tree stand, hooking the hook of the rope to the hook of the ratchet buckle and threading the wire rope through the transaxial bore. The ratchet buckle is operated to render the wire rope taut and the buckle is locked in the closed position.

Abstract: A cargo bracing device includes a base having two side plates for rotatably attaching a reel drum, one or more toothed discs attached to the reel drum and controlled to rotate relative to the base with a stop, an operating arm having two legs rotatably attached to the reel drum, a catch device attached to the operating arm and engaged with the toothed disc, and an anchoring device may detachably anchor the legs of the operating arm to the reel drum, and the legs of the operating arm may be selectively disengaged from the reel drum to prevent the operating arm from being operated by unauthorized persons, and for preventing the cargo from being stolen by the unauthorized persons.

Abstract: A fastener includes a frame, a handle and a reel inserted through the frame and handle so that a strap can be reeled when the reel is rotated. Two protective units are formed on the frame or the handle for protecting the reel from the handle or the frame. Two ratchet wheels are connected to the reel. A first detent is movable on the frame for engagement with the ratchet wheels. A second detent is movable on the handle for engagement with the ratchet wheels.

Abstract: A protective pad made of soft materials is joined to a metallic finger-operated element of a winch for a lashing rope. The finger-operated element has a flat main body, and two spaced-apart plate portions, which stick outwards substantially perpendicular to the main body to be pushed for allowing the winch to be moved to a locked position. A portion of the protective pad covers the plate portions. Thus, a user doesn't have to contact the metallic finger-operated element directly in using the winch, eliminating the risk of the fingers getting hurt by sharp edges of the metallic element. Being made of soft materials, the protective pad is to provide the user with more comfortable touch than the relatively hard plate portions of the metallic element in operating the winch.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device fabricating method for fabricating a semiconductor device having a high-density region in which transistors are arranged with a relatively high density, and a low-density region in which transistors are arranged in with a relatively low density, a silicon nitride film of a thickness great enough for the silicon nitride film to serve as a stopper is deposited over the entire surface of the silicon wafer, so that regions between the transfer gates in the high-density region may not be blocked up after removing side walls formed in the entire transistor region. A part of the silicon nitride film in the low-density region, namely, a peripheral circuit region, is removed.