Fastener for straps

• US 7,836,560 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2007
• Issued: 11/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Han-Ching Huang
• Original Assignee: Han-Ching Huang
• Inventors: Huang, Han-Ching
• Primary Examiner(s): Lavinder; Jack W.
• Application Number:
  US11/747,326
• Publication Number:
  US 20080148537A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,292 Days
• Field of Search: 24/68.CD, 249/09, 24/68.R, 24/68.B, 24/68.E, 254/217, 254/218, 254/237, 254/238, 254/213, 254/223
• US Class Current: 24/68.0CD
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/083 Tensioning by repetetive movement of an actuating member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 24/909 Winders for flexible material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2175 Cargo tie down
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2187 Rack and pinion and circular tighteners

Abstract

A fastener includes a frame, a handle and a reel inserted through the frame and handle so that a strap can be reeled when the reel is rotated. Two bushings are connected to the frame for protecting the reel from the handle or the frame. Two ratchet wheels are connected to the reel. A first detent is movable on the frame for engagement with the ratchet wheels. A second detent is movable on the handle for engagement with the ratchet wheels.

Claims

1. A fastener comprising:

a frame including first and second walls on a floor;

a handle;

a reel inserted through the first and second walls of the frame and through the handle, wherein the reel includes a proximal end and a distal end;

first and second bushings connected to the first and second walls of the frame, wherein each of the first and second bushings include two bosses formed thereon for preventing the bushing from rotation with respect to the frame, wherein the first and second bushings receive the proximal and distal ends of the reel for preventing the frame and the handle from clamping the reel;

first and second ratchet wheels connected to the proximal and distal ends of the reel respectively, with the first and second ratchet wheels being fixed to and rotatable with the reel, with the handle rotatably mounted upon the reel;

a first detent movable on the frame for engagement with the ratchet wheels;

a second detent movable on the handle for engagement with the ratchet wheels; and

a strap inserted through and wrapped around the reel intermediate the first and second walls of the frame, wherein the strap can be reeled when the reel is rotated.

2. The fastener according to claim 1 wherein each of the first and second bushings includes a retaining surface, with each of the first and second walls defining a first side and a second side, wherein the retaining surface abuts against the first side of one of the first and second walls.

3. The fastener according to claim 1 wherein each of the first and second bushings includes a retaining surface, with each of the first and second walls defining a first side and a second side, wherein the retaining surface abuts against the second side of one of the first and second walls.

4. The fastener according to claim 1 wherein the first and second walls of the frame and the first and second bushings are both intermediate the first and second ratchet wheels.

5. A fastener comprising:

a frame including first and second walls on a floor, wherein each of the first and second walls includes an aperture;

a handle;

a reel inserted through the first and second walls of the frame and through the handle, wherein the reel includes a proximal end and a distal end;

first and second bushings non-rotationally connected to the first and second walls of the frame, wherein each of the first and second bushings includes an annular ridge inserted through the aperture of one of the first and second walls of the frame, wherein the annular ridges of the first and second bushings receive the proximal and distal ends of the reel respectively for preventing the frame and the handle from clamping the reel;

first and second ratchet wheels connected to the proximal and distal ends of the reel respectively, wherein the first and second ratchet wheels are fixed to and rotatable with the reel, wherein the handle is rotationally connected to the reel;

a first detent movable on the frame for engagement with the ratchet wheels;

a second detent movable on the handle for engagement with the ratchet wheels; and

a strap inserted through and wrapped around the reel intermediate the first and second walls of the frame, wherein the strap can be reeled when the reel is rotated.

6. The fastener according to claim 5 wherein each of the first and second bushings includes a retaining surface, with each of the first and second walls defining a first side and a second side, wherein the retaining surface abuts against the second side of one of the first and second walls.

7. The fastener according to claim 5 wherein each of the first and second bushings includes a retaining surface, with each of the first and second walls defining a first side and a second side, wherein the retaining surface abuts against the first side of one of the first and second walls.

8. The fastener according to claim 5 wherein the aperture includes two indentations, wherein each of the first and second bushings includes two bosses inserted in the two indentations.

9. A fastener comprising:

a frame including first and second walls on a floor, wherein each of the first and second walls includes an aperture;

a handle;

a reel inserted through the first and second walls of the frame and through the handle, wherein the reel includes a proximal end and a distal end;

first and second bushings non-rotationally connected to the first and second walls of the frame, wherein each of the first and second bushings includes two circumferentially spaced arched ridges inserted through the aperture of one of the first and second walls of the frame, wherein the arched ridges of the first and second bushings receive the proximal and distal ends of the reel respectively for preventing the frame and the handle from clamping the reel;

first and second ratchet wheels connected to the proximal and distal ends of the reel respectively, wherein the first and second ratchet wheels are fixed to and rotatable with the reel, wherein the handle is rotationally connected to the reel;

a first detent movable on the frame for engagement with the ratchet wheels;

a second detent movable on the handle for engagement with the ratchet wheels; and

a strap inserted through and wrapped around the reel intermediate the first and second walls of the frame, wherein the strap can be reeled when the reel is rotated.

10. The fastener according to claim 9 wherein the aperture includes two indentations, wherein each of the first and second bushings includes two bosses inserted in the two indentations.