Tensioning apparatus
First Claim
1. A tensioning device for tensioning a flexible element comprising:
- a pair of substantially spaced parallel rigid members in fixed relation one to another;
an attacher extending transversely between said members and rotatably mounted relative to each of said members;
means for attaching the element to be tensioned to said attacher intermediate of said members to adjust the tensional forces in said material upon rotation of said attacher;
and cooperating ratchet means being formed between interfacing surfaces of said attacher and one of said members for providing one-way stepped rotation of said attacher relative said one member;
said ratchet means comprising a pluralilty of ratchet elements respectively formed on said attacher and on said one member and each element having a holding surface and a cam surface;
the cam surfaces on said attacher ratchet elements and said one member ratchet elements being engageable on rotation in one direction and the holding surfaces on said attacher elements and said one member elements being engageable to prevent rotation in the other direction; and
spring means for applying a spring force to said attacher relative said one member to resiliently urge said ratchet means on said attacher and said one member into holding engagement.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A strap tensioning apparatus having a U-shaped housing with two upstanding walls, each all provided with an opening for rotatably supporting a rigid elongated bolt having a head at one end and threaded at the other end to threadedly engage a nut. A washer is secured on the bolt shank proximal to the head. Radial ratchet protrusions are coined on the washer surface and complementary ratchet engaging surfaces are formed on one wall of the U-shaped housing to provide one-way rotation of the bolt therein. A spring member may be provided between the nut and the other housing wall to exert a longitudinal force on the bolt thereby urging the ratchet members into engagement. A longitudinal slot is provided in the bolt to receive and hold a strap end as it is wound upon the bolt shank intermediate the housing walls. The housing may be resiliently attached to a ground anchor.
41 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A tensioning device for tensioning a flexible element comprising:
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a pair of substantially spaced parallel rigid members in fixed relation one to another; an attacher extending transversely between said members and rotatably mounted relative to each of said members; means for attaching the element to be tensioned to said attacher intermediate of said members to adjust the tensional forces in said material upon rotation of said attacher; and cooperating ratchet means being formed between interfacing surfaces of said attacher and one of said members for providing one-way stepped rotation of said attacher relative said one member; said ratchet means comprising a pluralilty of ratchet elements respectively formed on said attacher and on said one member and each element having a holding surface and a cam surface; the cam surfaces on said attacher ratchet elements and said one member ratchet elements being engageable on rotation in one direction and the holding surfaces on said attacher elements and said one member elements being engageable to prevent rotation in the other direction; and spring means for applying a spring force to said attacher relative said one member to resiliently urge said ratchet means on said attacher and said one member into holding engagement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11)
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8. A tensioning apparatus for tensioning a flexible element comprising:
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a rigid U-shaped housing having a transverse base portion from which extend two upstanding parallel walls; an elongated rigid cylindrical bolt having a head at one end and being threaded at the other end, openings formed in each of said walls, to receive and rotatably support said bolt transversely of said walls; a washer rigidly secured to said bolt proximal to said head; a plurality of washer ratchet elements formed on said washer, each of said elements having a cam surface and a holding surface; ratchet element holding means formed on one of said walls and registrable with said elements for holding said ratchet elements; said threaded end extending through the other of said U-shaped housing walls; a member threadedly engaged with said threaded end; a spring member interposed between said member and said other wall to exert a spring force longitudinally of said bolt to urge said elements into engagement with said element holding means; attaching means for attaching said flexible element to said elongated member intermediate of said walls; and said ratchet elements being engageable with said holding means to restrict rotational movement of said bolt in one direction and said cam surface being operable against said holding means to lift said washer away from said one wall against the longitudinal spring force of said spring member to provide for rotational movement of said bolt in the direction opposite to said one direction. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A tensioning device for tensioning a flexible element comprising:
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a housing; means for attaching the element to be tensioned to said housing; means in operative relation to said housing for applying tensional forces to said element to be tensioned; an anchor member; means for resiliently mounting said housing to said anchor member; said housing having an opening therein; and said last means comprising a rod attached to said anchor member and having an end insertable through said opening, spring means being interposed said rod end and said housing, for exerting a resilient force between said rod end and said housing.
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16. A tensioning device for tensioning a flexible element comprising:
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a housing; means for attaching the element to be tensioned to said housing; means in operative relation to said housing for applying tensional forces to said element to be tensioned; an anchor member; means for resiliently mounting said housing to said anchor member; said housing having an opening therein; said last means comprising a rod attached to said anchor member and having an end insertable through said opening, spring means being interposed said rod end and said housing, for exerting a resilient force between said rod end and said housing; and said rod end having a spring retaining washer member secured to the end thereof, a spring being mounted on said rod between said washer and said housing.
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Specification