Cable tightening device operated conveniently

• US 7,293,760 B1
• Filed: 01/10/2007
• Issued: 11/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vincent Chang
• Original Assignee: Vincent Chang
• Inventors: Chang, Vincent
• Primary Examiner(s): MARCELO, EMMANUEL MONSAYAC
• Application Number:
  US11/651,883
• Time in Patent Office: 307 Days
• Field of Search: 254/217, 254/218, 254/222, 254/223, 24/70.ST, 24/69.CT, 24/71.ST
• US Class Current: 254/218
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/083 Tensioning by repetetive movement of an actuating member
• CPC Class Codes: F16G 11/12 Connections or attachments, e.g. turnbuckles, adapted for straining of cables, ropes, or wire straining wire in general B21F9/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2113 Strap tighteners
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2121 Cargo tie down
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2147 Strap tightener

Abstract

A cable tightening device includes a fixed unit, a rotation member, two opposite ratchet wheels, and a movable unit. The movable unit includes a movable member, a drive handle and two opposite torsion springs. Thus, the torsion springs are arranged on the movable member symmetrically to provide a predetermined elastic force to the drive handle to eliminate an oblique force produced during the movement of the drive handle, so that the push plates of the drive handle are slidable in the guide slots of the movable member smoothly and exactly without incurring deflection.

Claims

1. A cable tightening device, comprising:

a fixed unit including a base member;

a rotation member rotatably mounted on the base member of the fixed unit;

two opposite ratchet wheels secured on two opposite ends of the rotation member to rotate the rotation member;

a movable unit including a movable member rotatably mounted on the rotation member and rotatable relative to the base member of the fixed unit, a drive handle mounted on and movable with the movable member and releasably engaged with the ratchet wheels to push the ratchet wheels to rotate in a oneway direction when the movable member of the movable unit is rotatable relative to the base member of the fixed unit, and two opposite torsion springs each biased between the movable member and the drive handle to push the drive handle toward the ratchet wheels.

2. The cable tightening device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the torsion springs of the movable unit are arranged on the movable member symmetrically to provide a predetermined elastic force to the drive handle.

3. The cable tightening device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the drive handle of the movable unit has a first end formed with two outwardly protruding push plates releasably engaged with the respective ratchet wheels to push the ratchet wheels to rotate in the oneway direction when the movable member of the movable unit is rotatable outwardly relative to the base member of the fixed unit.

4. The cable tightening device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the movable member of the movable unit has two opposite sidewalls each formed with an elongated guide slot to guide movement of the respective push plate.

5. The cable tightening device in accordance with claim 4, wherein the guide slot of the movable member has a side formed with a receiving recess to receive a respective torsion spring.

6. The cable tightening device in accordance with claim 5, wherein the receiving recess of the movable member has a middle portion formed with a protruding mounting stud, and each of the torsion springs of the movable unit is mounted on the mounting stud of the receiving recess of the movable member.

7. The cable tightening device in accordance with claim 5, wherein the drive handle of the movable unit has two spaced locking grooves, and each of the torsion springs of the movable unit has a first end formed with a first leg rested on a side of the receiving recess of the movable member and a second end formed with a second leg locked in a respective locking groove of the drive handle.

8. The cable tightening device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the second legs of the torsion springs are located symmetrically at the drive handle to provide an evenly distributed elastic force on the drive handle to drive the drive handle to engage the ratchet wheels.

9. The cable tightening device in accordance with claim 4, wherein each of the push plates of the drive handle is provided with a protruding limit block rested on a side of the respective guide slot of the movable member.

10. The cable tightening device in accordance with claim 4, wherein the torsion springs of the movable unit are mounted symmetrically on the two opposite sidewalls of the movable member of the movable unit.

11. The cable tightening device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the drive handle of the movable unit has a second end formed with a penetrated grip portion to facilitate a user holding the drive handle.

12. The cable tightening device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the drive handle of the movable unit is movably mounted on the movable member.

13. The cable tightening device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the fixed unit further includes a stop plate movably mounted on the base member and releasably engaged with the ratchet wheels to limit the ratchet wheels to rotate in the oneway direction.

14. The cable tightening device in accordance with claim 13, wherein the fixed unit further includes a fixing seat secured on the base member, and an elastic member biased between the stop plate and the fixing seat to push the stop plate toward the ratchet wheels so that the stop plate is engaged with the ratchet wheels at a normal state.

15. The cable tightening device in accordance with claim 14, wherein the base member of the fixed unit has two opposite sidewalls each formed with a guide track to guide movement of the stop plate.