Tensioning assembly
First Claim
1. A ratchet mechanism, comprising:
- a wheel rotatable about an axis of rotation; and
a pawl positioned and configured to engage the wheel to permit rotation of the wheel in a single direction, and to laterally disengage from the wheel when lateral pressure is applied to the pawl,wherein the pawl is laterally biased to laterally engage the wheel by a first tension spring, and rotatably biased to rotatably engage the wheel by a second tension spring.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tensioning assembly comprising a housing having a first sidewall and a second sidewall, and a ratchet mechanism disposed between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The ratchet mechanism includes a tension release assembly biased in a first direction for lateral engagement with the ratchet mechanism, and lateral disengagement of the ratchet mechanism when pressure is applied to the tension release assembly in a second direction opposite to the first direction, is described herein. The assembly may include a force generating mechanism configured to provide a mechanical advantage when tensioning the device, and a guide roller for promoting line contact with a rotatable gripping wheel assembly.
54 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A ratchet mechanism, comprising:
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a wheel rotatable about an axis of rotation; and a pawl positioned and configured to engage the wheel to permit rotation of the wheel in a single direction, and to laterally disengage from the wheel when lateral pressure is applied to the pawl, wherein the pawl is laterally biased to laterally engage the wheel by a first tension spring, and rotatably biased to rotatably engage the wheel by a second tension spring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A tensioning assembly, comprising:
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a housing having a first sidewall and a second sidewall; and a ratchet mechanism disposed between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, the ratchet mechanism includes a tension release assembly biased in a first direction for lateral engagement with the ratchet mechanism and lateral disengagement of the ratchet mechanism when pressure is applied to the tension release assembly in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A tensioning assembly, comprising:
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a housing having a first sidewall and a second sidewall; and a ratchet mechanism disposed between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, the ratchet mechanism includes a tension release assembly biased in a first direction for lateral engagement with the ratchet mechanism and lateral disengagement of the ratchet mechanism when pressure is applied to the tension release assembly in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, wherein the tension release assembly includes a pawl rotatably biased to engage a rotatable wheel of the ratchet mechanism to permit rotation of the wheel in a single direction, and is laterally biased in the first direction to engage the wheel and disengage from the wheel when pressure is applied in the second direction. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification