Ratchet mechanism

• US 20090279978A1
• Filed: 03/30/2009
• Published: 11/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Horizon Global Americas Inc. (Horizon Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cequent Consumer Products Incorporated (TriMas Corporation)
• Inventors: Pehar, David M., Carlson, Jess P., Polin, Rene JR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,286,945 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 410/100
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 63/16 Joints using buckles, wedges, or like locking members attached to the end of the element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45969 Hook-shaped projection member passing through cavity

Abstract

A securing mechanism for securing cargo that may include a body, a ratchet, a lever and a release mechanism. The body may be capable of receiving a strap therethrough, wherein the strap may includes opposing ends. The ratchet may include a pair of opposing arms connected to the body and a spool rotatably connected to the arms. The spool may include a slot to receive the strap into a z-fold configuration. The lever may be rotatably attached to the arms and reciprocated between an open position and a closed position, wherein the lever may include at least one pawl to engage the ratchet wheels and may rotate the spool when the lever is reciprocated. The release mechanism may be capable of selectively disengaging the pawl from the ratchet wheel. The securing mechanism may be selectively positionable along the strap when the strap is bi-directionally gathered onto the spool.

Claims

1. A securing mechanism for securing cargo, said securing mechanism comprising:

a body capable of receiving a strap therethrough, wherein said strap includes opposing ends;

a ratchet comprising;

a pair of opposing arms connected to said body;

a spool rotatably connected to said opposing arms, said spool including a slot to receive said strap;

a pair of ratchet wheels connected to opposing ends of said spool; and

wherein said spool gathers said strap into a z-fold configuration via said slot;

a lever rotatably attached to said arms and reciprocated between an open position and a closed position, wherein said lever includes at least one pawl to engage said ratchet wheels and rotates said spool when said lever is reciprocated;

a release mechanism capable of selectively disengaging said pawl from said ratchet wheel; and

wherein said securing mechanism is selectively positionable along said strap via said slot until said strap is bi-directionally gathered onto said spool.

2. The securing mechanism of claim 1, wherein said release mechanism permits said mechanism to unlock from a closed position to an open position.

3. The securing mechanism of claim 1, wherein said body includes a guide capable of guiding said strap onto said spool.

4. The securing mechanism of claim 3, wherein said body includes apertures capable of attaching additional devices.

5. The securing mechanism of claim 1, wherein said body further includes a cap located on each end of said spool for securing said spool within said mechanism.

6. The securing mechanism of claim 1, wherein said body further includes opposing side walls capable of securing said spool within said mechanism.

7. The securing mechanism of claim 1, wherein said lever includes a handle.

8. The securing mechanism of claim 4, wherein said body has a soft bottom capable of protecting the cargo.

9. The securing mechanism of claim 1, further including a securing member.

10. The securing mechanism of claim 9, wherein said securing member is a hook.

11. The securing mechanism of claim 1, wherein said securing member includes a quick tightening feature capable of removing slack from said strap ends.

12. The securing mechanism of claim 11, wherein said quick tightening feature is a buckle.

13. The securing mechanism of claim 11, further including a cover on said ends of said strap.

14. The securing mechanism of claim 1, wherein said mechanism is selectively positionable along a length of said strap via said slot while in a closed position.

15. The securing mechanism of claim 1, wherein said mechanism is capable of bi-directionally gathering said strap about said spool while ratcheting.