Tensioning ratchet for tautening and holding tensioning means

• US 7,950,629 B2
• Filed: 07/04/2006
• Issued: 05/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spanset Inter AG
• Original Assignee: Spanset Inter AG
• Inventors: Mamié, André
• Primary Examiner(s): Marcelo; Emmanuel M
• Application Number:
  US11/994,773
• Publication Number:
  US 20080216294A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,792 Days
• Field of Search: 254/214, 254/215, 254/217, 254/218, 254/221, 254/225, 24/69.ST, 24/69.CT, 24/70.ST, 24/71.ST
• US Class Current: 254/225
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/083 Tensioning by repetetive movement of an actuating member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2113 Strap tighteners
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2117 Strap tighteners
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2121 Cargo tie down
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2147 Strap tightener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2175 Cargo tie down

Abstract

A tensioning ratchet for tautening and holding tensioning means, such as webbings, extruded straps, ropes, chains and the like, includes a console, with a winding-on shaft, rotatably mounted in the console, which is formed by at least two direction reversal bars, delimiting a distance between one another, and with a tensioning lever for turning the winding-on shaft about an axis of rotation. The tensioning ratchet according to the invention withstands a higher load and enables high pre-tensioning forces to be applied while preventing inadmissible stress on the user. This is achieved by the fact that the position at least of the outer circumferential face of the direction reversal bars coming into contact with the tensioning means, is variable.

Claims

1. Tensioning ratchet for tautening and holding tensioning means comprising a console, with a winding-on shaft rotatably mounted in the console, which is formed by at least two direction reversal bars, delimiting a distance between one another, and with a tensioning lever for turning the winding-on shaft about an axis of rotation, wherein a relative position at least of an outer circumferential face of the direction reversal bars, coming into contact with the tensioning means can change under the influence of forces absorbed by the tensioning means or imposed from outside.

2. Tensioning ratchet according to claim 1, wherein the direction reversal bars are adjustably mounted relative to the axis of rotation in the radial direction for enlarging their axial distance.

3. Tensioning ratchet according to claim 2, wherein the direction reversal bars at their lateral ends move in a guide.

4. Tensioning ratchet according to claim 3, wherein the guide defines a curved track.

5. Tensioning ratchet according to claim 1, wherein the direction reversal bars are rotatably mounted about a pivot axis, aligned parallel to their longitudinal axis.

6. Tensioning ratchet according to claim 5, wherein the pivot axis of the direction reversal bars is arranged eccentrically to the cross section of the direction reversal bars.

7. Tensioning ratchet according to claim 1, wherein the direction reversal bars have a cross-sectional shape approximate to a circle.

8. Tensioning ratchet according to claim 1, wherein the direction reversal bars have a cross-sectional shape approximate to a circular sector.

9. Tensioning ratchet according to claim 1, wherein the direction reversal bars have a cross-sectional shape approximate to the shape of a cam.

10. Tensioning ratchet according to claim 1, wherein the direction reversal bars at their lateral ends have a bearing section in each case, with which they are mounted in the console.

11. Tensioning ratchet according to claim 10, wherein the direction reversal bars are variably mounted in the console by means of their bearing sections.

12. Tensioning ratchet according to claim 1, wherein the direction reversal bars are formed at least from a circumferential face element, which supports the circumferential face, coming into contact with the tensioning means, and from a bearing element , by means of which and/or about which the change in position of the circumferential face takes place.

13. Tensioning ratchet according to claim 12, wherein the bearing element is a pin mounted with its bearing sections in the console and the circumferential face element comprises a sheet metal part curved around the pin.

14. Tensioning ratchet according to claim 13, wherein the circumferential face element is rotatably mounted on the bearing element.

15. Tensioning ratchet according to claim 12, wherein the circumferential face element is rotatably mounted on the bearing element.

16. Tensioning ratchet according to claim 1, wherein the direction reversal bars are jointly fitted in one bearing part, which is rotatably mounted in the console.

17. Tensioning ratchet according to claim 1, wherein a lock mechanism is provided to lock the winding-on shaft in a turning position.

18. Tensioning ratchet according to claim 1, wherein a shoulder is allocated at least to one of the direction reversal surfaces, which limits the distance over which the direction reversal surface can be varied.

19. Tensioning ratchet according to claim 1, wherein the tautening and holding tensioning means comprise webbings, extruded straps, ropes, or chains.