Multi-functional ratchet and associated method

• US 7,377,484 B1
• Filed: 06/02/2007
• Issued: 05/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: American Harlequin Corporation
• Original Assignee: American Harlequin Corporation
• Inventors: Williams, Marcus
• Primary Examiner(s): MARCELO, EMMANUEL MONSAYAC
• Application Number:
  US11/809,583
• Time in Patent Office: 360 Days
• Field of Search: 254/218, 254/223, 254/239, 24/68.R, 24/71.ST, 24/68.CD
• US Class Current: 254/218
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/0846 winding up or storing of straps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/21 Strap tighteners
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2147 Strap tightener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2175 Cargo tie down

Abstract

A multi-functional ratchet includes first and second bars with left and right axially opposed ends respectively. Each bar is provided with a channel formed therein with a longitudinal length that is less than the longitudinal length of the bar. The apparatus further includes first and second beams with axially opposed proximal and distal ends. The beams are pivotally attached to the bars. Each beam is provided with a channel formed therein with a longitudinal length that is less than a longitudinal length of the beam. A mechanism winds a strap about a central portion of the ratchet when the first and second beams are laterally displaced away from equilibrium. The winding mechanism is connected to the bars and the beams respectively. The strap is freely rotated about the central portion while the first and second beams are maintained at a static position.

Claims

1. A multi-functional ratchet for assisting a user to quickly and easily wind an existing strap housed by said multi-functional ratchet, said multi-functional ratchet comprising:

first and second coextensively shaped rectilinear bars, each of said bars having left and right axially opposed ends respectively, each of said bars being provided with a rectilinear channel formed therein, said channels having respective longitudinal lengths that are less than respective longitudinal lengths of said bars;

first and second coextensively shaped rectilinear beams, each of said beams having axially opposed proximal and distal ends respectively, each of said distal ends of said beams being pivotally attached directly to an associated one of said right ends of said bars, each of said beams being provided with a rectilinear channel formed therein, said channels having respective longitudinal lengths that are less than respective longitudinal lengths of said beams; and

means for winding the existing strap about a central portion of said ratchet when said first and second beams are laterally displaced away from equilibrium;

wherein the existing strap is freely rotated about said central portion while said first and second beams are maintained at a static position.

2. The multi-functional ratchet of claim 1, wherein said right ends of said first and second bars and said distal ends of said first and second beams have openings formed therein respectively, each of said respective openings having equal sized diameters, said openings having a centrally registered axis oriented perpendicularly to respective longitudinal lengths of said first and second bars and said first and second beams.

3. The multi-functional ratchet apparatus of claim 2, wherein a cylindrical post is directly attached to respective inner surfaces of each of said left ends of said first and second bars such that said left ends of said first and second bars are spaced from each other, said post having a longitudinal length registered perpendicular to said longitudinal lengths of said first and second bars.

4. The multi-functional ratchet apparatus of claim 3, wherein a cylindrical shaft is directly attached to respective inner surfaces of each of said proximal ends of said first and second beams such that said proximal ends of said first and second beams are spaced from each other, said shaft having a longitudinal length registered perpendicular to said longitudinal lengths of said first and second beams, said longitudinal length of said shaft being greater than said longitudinal length of said post.

5. The multi-functional ratchet apparatus of claim 4, wherein said winding means comprises:

a centrally disposed spindle connected between said right ends of said first and second bars and said distal ends of said first and second beams respectively, said spindle having axially opposed ends simultaneously penetrating through said openings of said first and second bars and said first and second beams respectively, said opposed ends of said spindle extending beyond respective outer surfaces of said first and second bars and said first and second beams when said spindle is connected between said right ends of said first and second bars and said distal ends of said first and second beams, said spindle having a slot monolithically formed therein and extending along a major longitudinal length thereof such that said spindle is bifurcated into two coextensively shaped halves along said longitudinal length thereof, said slot terminating proximal of said respective opposed ends of said spindle, said spindle being freely rotatable about a centrally registered axis thereof during operating conditions while said first and second beams remain stationary;

a rectilinear handle having a distal end pivotally attached directly to a selected one of said opposed ends of said spindle, said handle being located adjacent to said outer surface of said distal end of said first and second beams and further having a proximal end extending away from said distal end of said handle and said selected opposed end during winding procedures, said handle having a longitudinal length registered parallel to said longitudinal lengths of said first and second beams during winding procedures, said handle and said spindle rotating in sync during winding procedures;

first and second planar levers, each of said first and second levers being substantially U-shaped and further having closed proximal ends and open distal ends respectively, each of said open ends of said first and second levers having laterally opposed outside edges slidably interfitted within said channels of said first and second bars and said first and second beams respectively and further extending outwardly and away from said outer surfaces of said first and second bars and said first and second beams respectively;

first and second rectilinear rods, said first rod being provided with axially opposed ends integrally attached to said respective inner surfaces of said first and second bars, said first rod having a longitudinal length registered parallel to said post, said first rod being spaced from said left ends of said first and second bars and said post respectively, said longitudinal length of said first rod being equal to said longitudinal length of said post, said second rod being provided with axially opposed ends integrally attached to said respective inner surfaces of said first and second beams, said second rod having a longitudinal length registered parallel to said shaft, said second rod being spaced from said proximal ends of said first and second beams and said shaft respectively, said longitudinal length of said second rod being equal to said longitudinal length of said shaft; and

a plurality of manually adjustable spring-loaded locking pins provided with first and second axially opposed ends, each of said first ends of said locking pins being directly attached to a medial portion of each of said proximal ends of said first and second levers respectively, each of said first and second locking pins having a longitudinal length oriented parallel to said longitudinal lengths of said first and second bars and said first and second beams respectively, each of said second ends of said locking pins being directly attached to a medial portion of said first and second rods respectively;

wherein said first and second locking pins are independently and simultaneously compressed and extended along linear paths defined by said longitudinal lengths thereof respectively such that said first and second levers are slidably positioned along respective linear paths defined by said channels of said first and second bars and said first and second beams respectively;

wherein said compressed position of said locking pins corresponds to an equilibrium state of said first and second levers respectively while said extended position of said first and second locking pins corresponds to a tensed state respectively.

6. The multi-functional ratchet apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:

means for securing cargo within an existing vehicle, said securing means including

a primary strap provided with axially opposed first and second ends, said primary strap having a lateral width equal to said longitudinal length of said slot of said spindle, said first end of said primary strap being removably penetrated into said slot of said spindle during operating conditions, said first end of said primary strap being wrapped around an outer surface of said spindle and statically affixed thereto, said primary strap having a hook directly attached to said second end thereof, said primary strap being wound about said spindle along a major longitudinal length thereof via said handle during securing procedures;

a secondary strap provided with axially opposed proximal and distal ends, said proximal end of said secondary strap being directly attached to said post, said secondary strap having a hook directly attached to said distal end thereof, said secondary strap having a lateral width equal to said lateral width of said primary strap; and

a plurality of gear wheels directly attached to said opposed ends of said spindle, each of said gear wheels being intercalated between said right ends of said bars and said distal ends of said beams respectively, each of said gear wheels having a saw-tooth pattern of teeth monolithically formed about a circumference thereof;

wherein selected ones of said teeth of said gear wheels are simultaneously and independently engaged by said open ends of said first and second levers respectively when said respective first and second locking pins are in the extended position such that said spindle is rotated about said longitudinal axis thereof when said distal ends of said first and second beams are manually articulated about said longitudinal axis of said spindle thereby tightening said primary and secondary straps respectively about the cargo being secured during tightening procedures;

wherein said first and second beams are alternatively articulated along a first uni-directional path and a second opposite uni-directional path respectively during tightening and loosening procedures respectively.

7. A multi-functional ratchet for assisting a user to quickly and easily wind an existing strap housed by said multi-functional ratchet, said multi-functional ratchet comprising:

first and second coextensively shaped rectilinear bars, each of said bars having left and right axially opposed ends respectively, each of said bars being provided with a rectilinear channel formed therein, said channels having respective longitudinal lengths that are less than respective longitudinal lengths of said bars;

first and second coextensively shaped rectilinear beams, each of said beams having axially opposed proximal and distal ends respectively, each of said distal ends of said beams being pivotally attached directly to an associated one of said right ends of said bars, each of said beams being provided with a rectilinear channel formed therein, said channels having respective longitudinal lengths that are less than respective longitudinal lengths of said beams; and

means for winding the existing strap about a central portion of said ratchet when said first and second beams are laterally displaced away from equilibrium, said winding means being rotatably connected to said right ends of said first and second bars and said distal ends of said first and second beams respectively;

wherein the existing strap is freely rotated about said central portion while said first and second beams are maintained at a static position.

8. The multi-functional ratchet of claim 7, wherein said right ends of said first and second bars and said distal ends of said first and second beams have openings formed therein respectively, each of said respective openings having equal sized diameters, said openings having a centrally registered axis oriented perpendicularly to respective longitudinal lengths of said first and second bars and said first and second beams.

9. The multi-functional ratchet apparatus of claim 8, wherein a cylindrical post is directly attached to respective inner surfaces of each of said left ends of said first and second bars such that said left ends of said first and second bars are spaced from each other, said post having a longitudinal length registered perpendicular to said longitudinal lengths of said first and second bars.

10. The multi-functional ratchet apparatus of claim 9, wherein a cylindrical shaft is directly attached to respective inner surfaces of each of said proximal ends of said first and second beams such that said proximal ends of said first and second beams are spaced from each other, said shaft having a longitudinal length registered perpendicular to said longitudinal lengths of said first and second beams, said longitudinal length of said shaft being greater than said longitudinal length of said post.

11. The multi-functional ratchet apparatus of claim 10, wherein said winding means comprises:

a centrally disposed spindle connected between said right ends of said first and second bars and said distal ends of said first and second beams respectively, said spindle having axially opposed ends simultaneously penetrating through said openings of said first and second bars and said first and second beams respectively, said opposed ends of said spindle extending beyond respective outer surfaces of said first and second bars and said first and second beams when said spindle is connected between said right ends of said first and second bars and said distal ends of said first and second beams, said spindle having a slot monolithically formed therein and extending along a major longitudinal length thereof such that said spindle is bifurcated into two coextensively shaped halves along said longitudinal length thereof, said slot terminating proximal of said respective opposed ends of said spindle, said spindle being freely rotatable about a centrally registered axis thereof during operating conditions while said first and second beams remain stationary;

a rectilinear handle having a distal end pivotally attached directly to a selected one of said opposed ends of said spindle, said handle being located adjacent to said outer surface of said distal end of said first and second beams and further having a proximal end extending away from said distal end of said handle and said selected opposed end during winding procedures, said handle having a longitudinal length registered parallel to said longitudinal lengths of said first and second beams during winding procedures, said handle and said spindle rotating in sync during winding procedures;

first and second planar levers, each of said first and second levers being substantially U-shaped and further having closed proximal ends and open distal ends respectively, each of said open ends of said first and second levers having laterally opposed outside edges slidably interfitted within said channels of said first and second bars and said first and second beams respectively and further extending outwardly and away from said outer surfaces of said first and second bars and said first and second beams respectively;

first and second rectilinear rods, said first rod being provided with axially opposed ends integrally attached to said respective inner surfaces of said first and second bars, said first rod having a longitudinal length registered parallel to said post, said first rod being spaced from said left ends of said first and second bars and said post respectively, said longitudinal length of said first rod being equal to said longitudinal length of said post, said second rod being provided with axially opposed ends integrally attached to said respective inner surfaces of said first and second beams, said second rod having a longitudinal length registered parallel to said shaft, said second rod being spaced from said proximal ends of said first and second beams and said shaft respectively, said longitudinal length of said second rod being equal to said longitudinal length of said shaft; and

a plurality of manually adjustable spring-loaded locking pins provided with first and second axially opposed ends, each of said first ends of said locking pins being directly attached to a medial portion of each of said proximal ends of said first and second levers respectively, each of said first and second locking pins having a longitudinal length oriented parallel to said longitudinal lengths of said first and second bars and said first and second beams respectively, each of said second ends of said locking pins being directly attached to a medial portion of said first and second rods respectively;

wherein said first and second locking pins are independently and simultaneously compressed and extended along linear paths defined by said longitudinal lengths thereof respectively such that said first and second levers are slidably positioned along respective linear paths defined by said channels of said first and second bars and said first and second beams respectively;

wherein said compressed position of said locking pins corresponds to an equilibrium state of said first and second levers respectively while said extended position of said first and second locking pins corresponds to a tensed state respectively.

12. The multi-functional ratchet apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

means for securing cargo within an existing vehicle, said securing means including

a primary strap provided with axially opposed first and second ends, said primary strap having a lateral width equal to said longitudinal length of said slot of said spindle, said first end of said primary strap being removably penetrated into said slot of said spindle during operating conditions, said first end of said primary strap being wrapped around an outer surface of said spindle and statically affixed thereto, said primary strap having a hook directly attached to said second end thereof, said primary strap being wound about said spindle along a major longitudinal length thereof via said handle during securing procedures;

a secondary strap provided with axially opposed proximal and distal ends, said proximal end of said secondary strap being directly attached to said post, said secondary strap having a hook directly attached to said distal end thereof, said secondary strap having a lateral width equal to said lateral width of said primary strap; and

a plurality of gear wheels directly attached to said opposed ends of said spindle, each of said gear wheels being intercalated between said right ends of said bars and said distal ends of said beams respectively, each of said gear wheels having a saw-tooth pattern of teeth monolithically formed about a circumference thereof;

wherein selected ones of said teeth of said gear wheels are simultaneously and independently engaged by said open ends of said first and second levers respectively when said respective first and second locking pins are in the extended position such that said spindle is rotated about said longitudinal axis thereof when said distal ends of said first and second beams are manually articulated about said longitudinal axis of said spindle thereby tightening said primary and secondary straps respectively about the cargo being secured during tightening procedures;

wherein said first and second beams are alternatively articulated along a first uni-directional path and a second opposite uni-directional path respectively during tightening and loosening procedures respectively.

13. A method for winding an existing strap housed by a multi-functional ratchet, said method comprising the steps of:

a. providing first and second pairs of coextensively shaped rectilinear bars, each of said bars having left and right axially opposed ends respectively, each of said bars being provided with a rectilinear channel formed therein, said channels having respective longitudinal lengths that are less than respective longitudinal lengths of said bars;

b. providing first and second coextensively shaped rectilinear beams, each of said beams having axially opposed proximal and distal ends respectively, each of said distal ends of said beams being pivotally attached directly to an associated one of said right ends of said bars, each of said beams being provided with a rectilinear channel formed therein, said channels having respective longitudinal lengths that are less than respective longitudinal lengths of said beams; and

c. winding the existing strap about a central portion of said ratchet when said first and second beams are laterally displaced away from equilibrium;

wherein the existing strap is freely rotated about said central portion while said first and second beams are maintained at a static position.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said right ends of said first and second bars and said distal ends of said first and second beams have openings formed therein respectively, each of said respective openings having equal sized diameters, said openings having a centrally registered axis oriented perpendicularly to respective longitudinal lengths of said first and second bars and said first and second beams.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of:

d. directly attaching a cylindrical post to respective inner surfaces of each of said left ends of said first and second bars such that said left ends of said first and second bars are spaced from each other, said post having a longitudinal length registered perpendicular to said longitudinal lengths of said first and second bars.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

e. directly attaching a cylindrical shaft to respective inner surfaces of each of said proximal ends of said first and second beams such that said proximal ends of said first and second beams are spaced from each other, said shaft having a longitudinal length registered perpendicular to said longitudinal lengths of said first and second beams, said longitudinal length of said shaft being greater than said longitudinal length of said post.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein step c. comprises the steps of:

i. connecting a centrally disposed spindle between said right ends of said first and second bars and said distal ends of said first and second beams respectively, said spindle having axially opposed ends simultaneously penetrating through said openings of said first and second bars and said first and second beams respectively, said opposed ends of said spindle extending beyond respective outer surfaces of said first and second bars and said first and second beams when said spindle is connected between said right ends of said first and second bars and said distal ends of said first and second beams, said spindle having a slot monolithically formed therein and extending along a major longitudinal length thereof such that said spindle is bifurcated into two coextensively shaped halves along said longitudinal length thereof, said slot terminating proximal of said respective opposed ends of said spindle, said spindle being freely rotatable about a centrally registered axis thereof during operating conditions while said first and second beams remain stationary;

ii. pivotally attaching a distal end of a rectilinear handle directly to a selected one of said opposed ends of said spindle, said handle being located adjacent to said outer surface of said distal end of said first and second beams and further having a proximal end extending away from said distal end of said handle and said selected opposed end during winding procedures, said handle having a longitudinal length registered parallel to said longitudinal lengths of said first and second beams during winding procedures, said handle and said spindle rotating in sync during winding procedures;

iii. slidably interfitting first and second planar levers within said channels and said first and second beams respectively and further extending outwardly and away from said outer surfaces of said first and second bars and said first and second beams respectively, each of said first and second levers being substantially U-shaped and further having closed proximal ends and open distal ends respectively;

iv. providing first and second rectilinear rods, said first rod being provided with axially opposed ends integrally attached to said respective inner surfaces of said first and second bars, said first rod having a longitudinal length registered parallel to said post, said first rod being spaced from said left ends of said first and second bars and said post respectively, said longitudinal length of said first rod being equal to said longitudinal length of said post, said second rod being provided with axially opposed ends integrally attached to said respective inner surfaces of said first and second beams, said second rod having a longitudinal length registered parallel to said shaft, said second rod being spaced from said proximal ends of said first and second beams and said shaft respectively, said longitudinal length of said second rod being equal to said longitudinal length of said shaft;

v. providing a plurality of manually adjustable spring-loaded locking pins having first and second axially opposed ends, each of said first ends of said locking pins being directly attached to a medial portion of each of said proximal ends of said first and second levers respectively, each of said first and second locking pins having a longitudinal length oriented parallel to said longitudinal lengths of said first and second bars and said first and second beams respectively, each of said second ends of said locking pins being directly attached to a medial portion of said first and second rods respectively; and

vi. independently and simultaneously compressing and extending said first and second locking pins along linear paths defined by said longitudinal lengths thereof respectively such that said first and second levers are slidably positioned along respective linear paths defined by said channels of said first and second bars and said first and second beams respectively;

wherein said compressed position of said locking pins corresponds to an equilibrium state of said first and second levers respectively while said extended position of said first and second locking pins corresponds to a tensed state respectively.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of:

f. securing cargo within an existing vehicle by providing a primary strap provided with axially opposed first and second ends, said primary strap having a lateral width equal to said longitudinal length of said slot of said spindle, said first end of said primary strap being removably penetrated into said slot of said spindle during operating conditions, said first end of said primary strap being wrapped around an outer surface of said spindle and statically affixed thereto, said primary strap having a hook directly attached to said second end thereof, said primary strap being wound about said spindle along a major longitudinal length thereof via said handle during securing procedures;

g. providing a secondary strap provided with axially opposed proximal and distal ends, said proximal end of said secondary strap being directly attached to said post, said secondary strap having a hook directly attached to said distal end thereof, said secondary strap having a lateral width equal to said lateral width of said primary strap;

h. directly attaching a plurality of gear wheels to said opposed ends of said spindle, each of said gear wheels being intercalated between said right ends of said bars and said distal ends of said beams respectively, each of said gear wheels having a saw-tooth pattern of teeth monolithically formed about a circumference thereof;

i. simultaneously and independently engaging selected ones of said teeth of said gear wheels by said open ends of said first and second levers respectively when said respective first and second locking pins are in the extended position such that said spindle is rotated about said longitudinal axis thereof when said distal ends of said first and second beams are manually articulated about said longitudinal axis of said spindle thereby tightening said primary and secondary straps respectively about the cargo being secured during tightening procedures; and

j. alternatively articulating said first and second beams along a first uni-directional path and a second opposite uni-directional path respectively during tightening and loosening procedures respectively.