U.S. patent application number 11/668009 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-31 for cargo tightener and strap collector.
Invention is credited to Frank Joseph Madachy, John Scott Yoder.
Application Number | 20070122247 11/668009 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46327149 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070122247 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Madachy; Frank Joseph ; et
al. |
May 31, 2007 |
CARGO TIGHTENER AND STRAP COLLECTOR
Abstract
A cargo tightener and strap collector is shown having a
rotatable shaft provided on the lever portion of the cargo
tightener and strap collector. A slot is provided in the shaft so
that the free end of a strap may be inserted in the slot and wound
on the shaft to secure the strap and prevent its fluttering in the
wind or trailing on the ground while in use.
Inventors: |
Madachy; Frank Joseph;
(Genoa, OH) ; Yoder; John Scott; (Holland,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL & MELHORN, LLC;Attention: D. Edward Dolgorukov
Four Seagate - 8th Floor
Toledo
OH
43604
US
|
Family ID: |
46327149 |
Appl. No.: |
11/668009 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11227313 |
Sep 15, 2005 |
|
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|
11668009 |
Jan 29, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
410/100 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P 7/0846
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
410/100 |
International
Class: |
B61D 45/00 20060101
B61D045/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for tightening and collecting a strap, comprising:
a) a cargo tightening portion comprising: i) a connecting arm
extending in a longitudinal direction, the connecting arm having a
pair of spaced apart sidewalls; ii) a lever pivotally journaled in
the connecting arm by a first shaft, the first shaft having a first
slot for introducing the end of a strap, the first shaft being
operable for co-rotational movement with the lever for tightening
the strap; and b) a strap collector portion comprising a second
shaft journaled for rotation between the spaced apart sidewalls of
the lever, the second shaft having a second slot therein to accept
the end of the strap after the strap is tightened on the cargo.
2. A strap collector comprising: a) a connecting arm extending in a
longitudinal direction, the connecting arm having a pair of spaced
apart sidewalls; b) a lever pivotally journaled in the connecting
arm by a first shaft, the firs shaft having a first slot for
introducing the end of a strap, the first shaft being operable for
co-rotational movement with the lever for tightening the strap; and
c) a second shaft journaled for rotation between the spaced apart
sidewalls of the connecting arm, the second shaft having a second
slot therein to accept the end of the strap after the strap is
tightened on the cargo.
3. A combination cargo tightener and strap collector comprising: a)
a connecting arm extending in a longitudinal direction, the
connecting arm having a pair of spaced apart sidewalls; b) a lever
pivotally journaled in the connecting arm by a first shaft, the
first shaft having a first slot for introducing the end of a strap,
the first shaft being operable for co-rotational movement with the
lever for tightening the strap, the lever having a second pair of
spaced apart sidewalls; and c) a second shaft journaled for
rotation between the second pair of spaced apart sidewalls of the
lever, the second shaft having a second slot therein to accept the
end of the strap after the strap is tightened on the cargo.
4. The combination cargo tightener and strap collector defined in
claim 3, wherein a first portion of the second shaft extends past
at least one of the second pair of sidewalls of the lever.
5. The combination cargo tightener and strap collector defined in
claim 4, further comprising turning aid means mounted to the first
portion of the second shaft extending past at least one of the
second pair of sidewalls of the lever.
6. The combination cargo tightener and strap collector defined in
claim 5, wherein each one of the second pair of sidewalls of the
lever comprises a straight portion and a portion extending at an
angle to the straight portion.
7. The combination cargo tightener and strap collector defined in
claim 6, further comprising at least one toothed ratchet wheel
fixedly mounted to the first shaft between the first pair of spaced
apart sidewalls and the second pair of spaced apart sidewalls.
8. The combination cargo tightener and strap collector defined in
claim 7, further comprising a pawl mounted to the lever for
reciprocal movement to engage and disengage from the at least one
toothed ratchet wheel.
9. The combination cargo tightener and strap collector defined in
claim 8, wherein each one of the second pair of sidewalls of the
lever comprises a first linearly extending portion and a second
linearly extending portion extending at an angle to the first,
linearly extending, portion.
10. The combination cargo tightener and strap collector defined in
claim 9, wherein each one of the second pair of sidewalls of the
lever comprises a diverging portion between the first linearly
extending portion, and the second linearly extending, portion,
whereby the second linearly extending portion of the second pair of
sidewalls is spaced apart further than the first linearly extending
portion of the second pair of sidewalls.
11. The combination cargo tightener and strap collector defined in
claim 5, wherein the turning aid means comprises a knob mounted to
them first portion of the shaft extending past the at least one of
the second pair of sidewalls of the lever.
12. The combination cargo tightener and strap collector defined in
claim 11, further comprising a second portion of the second shaft
extending past the other of the second pair of sidewalls of the
lever and a knob mounted to the second portion of the second
shaft.
13. The combination cargo tightener and strap collector defined in
claim 8, wherein the pawl is mounted in a slot in the lever.
14. An apparatus for tightening and collecting a strap, comprising:
a) A cargo tightening portion comprising: i) a connecting arm
extending in a longitudinal direction, the connecting arm having a
pair of spaced apart sidewalls; ii) a lever pivotally journaled in
the connecting arm by a first shaft, the first shaft having a first
slot for introducing the end of a strap, the first shaft being
operable for co-rotational movement with the lever for tightening
the strap and having a second pair of spaced apart sidewalls; and
b) a strap collector portion comprising a threaded shaft journaled
for rotation between the second pair of spaced apart sidewalls of
the lever, the threaded shaft having a slot therein to accept the
end of the strap after the strap is tightened on the cargo, a first
rotatable knob operable to rotate the threaded shaft, and a second
rotatable knob operable to selectively secure the threaded shaft
from further rotation.
15. A strap collector comprising: a) a connecting arm extending in
a longitudinal direction, the connecting arm having a pair of
spaced apart sidewalls; b) a lever pivotally journaled in the
connecting arm by a first shaft, the first shaft having a first
slot for introducing the end of a strap, the first shaft being
operable for co-rotational movement with the lever for tightening
the strap; the lever having a second pair of spaced apart
sidewalls, and c) a threaded shaft journaled for rotation between
the second pair of spaced apart sidewalls of the lever, the
threaded shaft having a second slot therein to accept the end of
the strap, a first portion to accept a first rotation mechanism,
and a second portion to accept a second rotation mechanism, the
first rotation mechanism being operable to rotate the threaded
shaft, and the second rotation mechanism being operable to
selectively restrain or permit rotation of the threaded shaft.
16. A combination cargo tightener and strap collector comprising:
a) a connecting arm extending in a longitudinal direction, the
connecting arm having a pair of spaced apart sidewalls; b) a lever
pivotally journaled in the connecting arm by a first shaft, the
first shaft having a first slot for introducing the end of a strap,
the first shaft being operable for co-rotational movement with the
lever for tightening the strap, the lever having a second pair of
spaced apart sidewalls; and c) a threaded shaft journaled for
rotation between the second pair of spaced apart sidewalls of the
lever, the threaded shaft comprising: i) a second slot therein to
accept the end of the strap after the strap is tightened on the
cargo; ii) a first threaded portion provided at one end thereof;
iii) a second threaded portion provided at the other end thereof;
iv) a first rotation mechanism cooperating with the first threaded
portion to rotate the threaded shaft, thereby causing the strap to
be wound on the second shaft; and v) a second rotation mechanism
cooperating with the second threaded portion to restrain or stop
rotation of the second shaft.
17. The combination cargo tightener and strap collector defined in
claim 16, wherein the first threaded portion of the threaded shaft
comprises: a) a first internal thread axially aligned with the
threaded shaft; and b) a first threaded fastener fixedly restrained
in the first internal thread.
18. The combination cargo tightener and strap collector defined in
claim 17, wherein the first rotation mechanism comprises a first
rotatable knob fixedly connected to the first threaded fastener to
rotate the threaded shaft when the first rotatable knob is
rotated.
19. The combination cargo tightener and strap collector defined in
claim 16, wherein the second threaded portion of the threaded shaft
comprises: a) a second internal thread axially aligned with the
threaded shaft; and b) a second threaded fastener fixedly
restrained in the second internal thread.
20. The combination cargo tightener and strap collector defined in
claim 17, wherein the second rotation mechanism comprises a second
rotatable knob rotatably mounted to the second threaded fastener
for reciprocal lateral movement along the axis of the second
threaded fastener
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
Letters patent application Ser. No. 11/227,313, filed on Sep. 15,
2005, for Cargo Tightener and Strap Collector. application Ser. No.
11/227,313 is pending as of the filing date of the present
application. application Ser. No. 11/227,313 is specifically
incorporated herein in its entirety, and priority thereto is
claimed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a device for collection and
storage of the free, non-active, portion of a strap of a manually
operated cargo tightener which is used to secure cargo to be
transported.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] The typical prior art cargo tightener, which is modified to
make the present invention, includes a shaft provided at one end of
a connecting link or arm. The shaft is journaled in one end of the
connecting arm, thus providing for rotatable attachment of a lever
to the connecting arm. A first, or short, strap is firmly secured
to a bolt or pin in the other end of the connecting arm, and has at
its free end, a hook or other device for attachment to a vehicle
transporting the cargo.
[0006] A second strap has a hook or other device at one of its
ends. The hook is attached to the transportation vehicle. The other
end, or free or non-active end, of the second strap is inserted
through a slot in the rotatable shaft. A ratchet arrangement
permits tightening of the strap by back and forth movement of the
lever with respect to the connecting link. Because the connecting
arm or link is held firmly in place by the first strap, the second
strap tightens down over the cargo. The cargo tightener is
conventional and, therefore, will riot be described in any great
detail except with regard to the modification of the lever to
provide the strap collector portion of the present invention.
[0007] A common problem when using the above mentioned cargo
tightener with tensioning straps concerns the handling of the free
end of the strap not used when securing the cargo. This strap
portion has to be thoroughly secured to the cargo in order not to
flutter in the encountering wind, or to trail on the ground, both
cases leading to a hasty soiling and wearing down of the strap.
Further, a freely fluttering strap is a danger to traffic,
particularly in connection with the wider 24 to 30 foot long straps
used professionally by haulage contractors.
[0008] Many attempts to solve these problems are known in the prior
art. US Patent Publication No. US 2004/0094650 A1 to Huang, shows a
strap fastener system including a strap fastener for fastening a
belt, and a winding device for winding the strap. The winding
device includes a housing which is attached to a connecting arm
portion of the typical prior art cargo tightener. A reel is put in
the housing for winding the strap, and a torque spring is arranged
between the reel and the control device for automatically rotating
the reel in the non-rotational position of the control device.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,520 to Soderstrom, shows a strap
collector which is designed to be attached to the connecting arm of
a standard cargo tightener. The strap collector includes a magazine
for the protection and storage of the long tensioning strap of the
cargo tightener when wound to the shaft of the strap collector.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,275 B1 to Lin, shows a strap tightener
with an auto pulling device connected to a seat. The auto pulling
device includes a housing and a reversing device. The reversing
device is rotatably received in the housing. The housing would
correspond to a connecting arm portion of a prior art cargo
tightener.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,371 to Wyers, shows a strap tensioning
and collection device having a variable length strap and a fixed
length strap operatively associated with the strap storage section,
and a strap tensioning section.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,622,721 to Smetz, et al. shows a device for
connecting components to a belt.
[0013] German Offenlegungsschrift DE 36 39 712 A1 to Kinnert, shows
a tensioning ratchet, in particular for belts, which is equipped
with a ratchet body having a retaining bolt for fastening a safety
belt, and having a ratchet lever which is mounted at the other end
of the ratchet body so as to be rotatable about the axle of a
slotted roller for fastening the end of a tensioning belt to be
wound thereon.
[0014] All of the above devices perform generally satisfactorily,
but share the problem of relatively high costs and difficulty of
manufacture. In addition, they are rather bulky. Thus, those
skilled in the art continued their search for a better cargo
tightener and strap collector.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The aim of the present invention is to provide a cargo
tightener and strap collector which is more cost effective compared
with prior art devices, is less bulky, and is easier to
manufacture. This is accomplished by having the strap collector on
the lever portion of the cargo tightener, rather than on the
connecting arm segment, as in the prior art. The advantages of this
will become apparent by a careful reading of the detailed
description, with appropriate reference to the accompanying
drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts in the several
views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The invention is to be described in more detail below using
exemplary embodiments.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art cargo
tightener.
[0018] FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of a cargo loaded on a
platform showing how the prior art cargo tightener of FIG. 1 is
fastened to hold a load in position, and illustrating the free end
or tail of the ratchet strap that is left to be dealt with after
the cargo tightener is tightened to the desired extent.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a view similar in part to FIG. 2, but illustrating
the use of a construction embodying the present invention, and
showing how the problem of the ratchet strap tail is solved by the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a construction embodying the
present invention with the cargo straps attached.
[0021] FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the construction of FIG. 4
in its open position.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the construction of FIG. 4
in its closed position, with one of the ratchet straps removed for
clarity.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a modification of the
present invention.
[0024] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the
construction shown in FIG. 7 illustrating how the ratchet strap is
fed through the device.
[0025] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view, partly in section, of the
construction shown in FIG. 7, illustrating how the ratchet strap
tail may be wound on the handle by turning the right hand knob, as
long as the left hand knob has not been tightened.
[0026] FIG. 10 is a view, similar in part to FIG. 9, illustrating
how the right hand knob can not be turned further once the left
hand knob is tightened against the sidewall, thus securing the
ratchet tail in place during transport of a load.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a prior art cargo
tightener and strap collector, generally designated by the numeral
10. The cargo tightener and strap collector 10 comprises a
connecting arm or link 12, and a lever or arm 14. A strap 15 is
provided with a hook 16 at one end thereof for connection to a
transportation vehicle (not shown). The other end of strap 15 is
firmly held to connecting arm 12 by pin 17. Reciprocal motion of
lever 14 using handle 18 will cause shaft 19 to rotate due to the
ratchet and pawl assembly 13.
[0028] With reference to FIG. 2, there is shown the prior art cargo
tightener and strap collector 10 in a typical use situation,
attached to a cargo platform 11, usually of a movable type, and
tightened about a load L to secure or tighten it in position. While
the cargo platform is usually of the movable type, such as a
trailer which may be pulled by a truck or tractor, cargo tightener
and strap collector 10 may also be used to secure stationary
loads.
[0029] While strap 15 causes no problem in the art, as when
tightened on the load 11, it is always held taught by virtue of the
hook 16 and the pin 17 when under tension, the same is not true of
second strap 15A. Second strap 15A has at one end a second hook 16A
attached to cargo platform 11. The other end of second strap 15A is
threaded through an opening or slot 19A in shaft 19, which is
caused to rotate by reciprocal motion of lever 14 using handle 18.
This will cause shaft 19 to rotate due to the ratchet and pawl
assembly 13. While a portion of second strap 15A intermediate its'
ends will wind around shaft 19, a large portion or tail 15B will
remain loose, and must be secured for safe transit of load 13.
[0030] The securing of ratchet strap tail 15B is a serious problem
in the art as there is no readily available and cost effective
place to store it. Usually the person placing the load 13 on
platform 16 will simply wind the tail 15B around a portion of
second strap 15A. Many times the tail 15B will be tied in a loose
knot around the second strap 15A. No matter what solution is tried,
the tail 15B frequently becomes loose during transit of the load 13
and flaps in the breeze as the load L is transported down the road,
causing a hazard to surrounding drivers and pedestrians. Since many
cargo tighteners are usually needed to secure load 13 to platform
11, many tails 15B may be causing a hazard at the same time.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 3, the present invention relates to a
modification of the prior art lever or arm 14 to solve the problems
of the prior art. For purposes of understanding, new reference
numerals are used when referring to the present invention. It can
be seen that the improved cargo tightener and strap collector 20
now provides for storage of the strap, now referred to by the
numeral 50, on the arm or lever 24. There is provided a ready and
secure place for storage of the tail 50A in the form of roll 52,
eliminating the problems of the prior art in a manner to be fully
described hereinafter.
[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, the present invention relates to
an improved cargo tightener and strap collector, generally
designated by the numeral 20. An improved apparatus for tightening
and collecting a strap, or strap collector, or combination cargo
tightener and strap collector 20, includes a connecting arm or link
22 and a lever 24. Connecting arm 22 extends in a longitudinal
direction, and may be substantially similar to the connecting arm
12 shown in the prior art construction of FIG. 1. It is a
modification to the lever of the prior art construction, identified
by the numeral 24, which provides a novel cargo tightener and strap
collector 20. As with the prior art, there is provided a first
shaft 26 journaled for rotation in one, or first, end 22A of the
connecting arm 22. At the other, or second, end 22B of the
connecting arm 22 is provided a pin 23, to which a first, or short,
strap 25 is attached. A first hook or fastening means or fastening
device 27 is attached to the other end of the strap 25. In use, the
hook 27 will be attached to the transportation vehicle on which the
cargo being tightened is being transported.
[0033] As in the prior art devices, reciprocal rotation of the
lever 24 will cause co-rotation of the first shaft 26. Journals for
first shaft 26, as well as second shaft 40, are provided by opposed
apertures provided in a first pair of spaced apart sidewalls 36
provided in connecting arm 22, and a second pair of spaced apart
sidewalls 37 in the lever 24. A second shaft 40 has provided
therein second slot 42 (FIG. 4) to accept a free end, i.e., the end
without the second hook 54, of a second belt 50, as hereinafter
described.
[0034] At least a first portion 40A of shaft 40 may extend beyond
at least one of the second pair of sidewalls 37 (FIG. 2) so that a
knob 44 may be attached thereto for rotation of the second shaft
40. In the preferred embodiment, a first portion and a second
portion (40A, 40B) of the second shaft 40 will extend beyond the
second pair of spaced apart sidewalls 37, and a knob 44 will be
attached to each portion of the second shaft.
[0035] Reciprocal rotation of the lever 24 will cause co-rotational
rotation of the first shaft 26 by virtue of a pair of ratchet
wheels 60 which are mounted on the first shaft 26 between the first
pair of sidewalls 36 and the second pair of spaced apart sidewalls
37. It is preferred that two ratchet wheels 60 be used, although
one may possibly be used. Pawl 61 aides in the rotation of the
first shaft 26 by operating on the ratchet wheel 60. The pawl 61 is
spring loaded and slides in a pair of opposed slots 64 (FIG. 4) in
the second pair of opposed sidewalls 37.
[0036] Second, or long, strap 50 is provided having second hook 54
provided at one end thereof. The free or non-active end of strap
50, so referred to because it has no connection to second hook 54,
is first passed through first slot 32 and then inserted in second
slot 42 (FIG. 4). Second shaft 40 is then rotated, with the aid of
knobs 44, to roll up free end of strap 50 into a roll 52.
[0037] In use second hook 54, and second strap 50, are completely
unrolled and removed from second shaft 40. Second hook 54 is
attached to the transportation vehicle on which the cargo is to be
transported, at the appropriate location. The free end of the strap
50 is placed through first slot 32 in first shaft 26, and the lever
24 is reciprocally rotated, causing co-rotational movement of the
first shaft 26. Since the first strap 50 is inserted in the first
slot 32, and the connecting arm 22 is restrained by the first strap
25 and the first hook 27, the cargo tightener and strap collector
20 is tightened down on the cargo. At this point, the free end of
the second strap 50 is inserted in the second slot 42 in the second
shaft 40 and the knobs 44 are rotated to take up any slack in the
strap before the cargo is transported.
[0038] Alternately, the free end of the strap of the second strap
50 may be left inserted in the second slot 42 in the second shaft
40, and the second strap 50 along with second hook 54 may be pulled
out, causing the roll 52 to unwind until the second hook 54 may be
attached to the transportation vehicle in the appropriate spot. The
lever 24 is then reciprocally rotated causing co-rotational
movement of the first shaft 26, and the tightening of the cargo
tightener and strap collector 20 on the cargo (not shown) in the
manner previously described. Any slack in the second strap 50 is
taken up by rotating the knob or knobs 44 until the slack is
removed.
[0039] In order to provide clearance for the roll 52 so that it
does not strike the cargo being transported, the lever 24 is
provided with a first substantially linearly extending portion 70,
and a second linearly extending portion 71 extending at an angle
with respect to the first portion 70, thus elevating the roll 52
away from the cargo by elevating the second shaft 40 away from the
cargo.
[0040] If it is desired to have the linearly and angularly
extending portions 71 of the second pair of sidewalls 37 be further
apart proximate the roll 52, a pair of diverging portions 72 of the
second pair of sidewalls 37 may be interposed between the first
linearly extending portion 70 and the second linearly and angularly
extending portion 71 of each of said second pair of sidewalls
37.
[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 7-10, there is illustrated a
modification of the present invention which locks the roll 52
positively in position on the arm or lever 24 of our cargo
tightener and strap collector, now generally indicated by the
numeral 55 for ease of understanding. This is accomplished by a
modification to shaft 40 and knobs 44 described in regard to FIGS.
4-6. In this modification of the invention, threaded shaft 80 is
used in place of the second shaft 40. Threaded shaft 80 may be
hollow, or at least partially hollow, and may have internal or
external threads for the purposes described below. In the preferred
embodiment, threaded shaft 80 is hollow, and has an aperture,
opening, or hollow portion 82. Aperture 82 may include first
portion or first threaded portion 84, and second portion or second
threaded portion 86, of threaded shaft 80. Threaded shaft 80 will
still have slot 42 provided therein to receive ratchet tail 50A in
the manner described above.
[0042] First threaded portion 84 and second threaded portion 86 of
threaded shaft 80 may be of the same or different diameters, as
desired. It is preferable that the apertures in the second pair of
sidewalls 37 be slightly larger than the diameter of the adjacent
threaded portions (84,86) of the threaded shaft 80 to accept a
first threaded fastener 88 and a second threaded fastener 90. In
the illustrated embodiment, the first threaded fastener 88 is of a
smaller diameter than the second threaded fastener 90, so the first
sidewall aperture 37A is of a smaller diameter that the second
sidewall aperture 37B, and both are larger than their respective
fasteners to allow free rotation of first threaded fastener 88 and
a second threaded fastener 90 with respect to the associated
aperture.
[0043] First threaded fastener 88, which may be of any type well
known in the art, is secured for non-rotation with respect to first
rotatable knob 92 by any known means. In other words, when first
rotatable knob 92 is rotated, first threaded fastener 88 rotates.
First threaded fastener 88 is also fixed with regard to first
threaded portion 84 of threaded shaft 80. Since first sidewall
aperture 37A is larger than first threaded fastener 88, and first
threaded fastener 88 is fixed with regard to first rotatable knob
92 and first threaded portion 84, when first rotatable knob 92 is
rotated, threaded shaft 80 will rotate as long as second rotatable
knob 94 is not tightened against a sidewall 37.
[0044] Second threaded fastener 90 is also fixed with regard to
its' respective threaded portion (second threaded portion 86) of
aperture 82. However, second rotatable knob 94 is not fixed with
respect second threaded fastener 90 but, instead, is able to rotate
with respect thereto because second rotatable knob 94 has a
threaded aperture 96 with threads complementary to those found on
second threaded fastener 90. Thus, rotation of second rotatable
knob 94 will move it toward and away from respective sidewall 37.
In operation, second rotatable knob 94 is positioned in its
loosened position, as shown in FIG. 9. Ratchet tail 50A is inserted
in slot 42, and first rotatable knob 92 is rotated, which rotates
threaded shaft 80, which causes ratchet tail 50A to be wound on
threaded shaft 80 until it is wound up to form roll 52. At this
point, second rotatable knob 94 is rotated until it is tight
against sidewall 37, and sidewall 37 is tight against hollow shaft
80, thus preventing any further rotation of the threaded shaft 80
by the first rotatable knob 92. Since the free end of strap 50
(ratchet tail 50A) was inserted into slot 42, and the remainder of
strap 50 was wound on top of ratchet tail 50A before second
rotatable knob 94 was tightened, there is no loose portion of the
strap 50 to come undone and cause the dangers posed by the prior
art cargo tighteners.
[0045] The scope of the present invention is not limited to the use
of threaded fasteners and knobs, as any rotation mechanism by which
the threaded shaft 80 can be rotated, and then selectively be
prevented from rotation, is well within the scope of the present
invention. Many rotation mechanisms and/or rotation means are known
in the art which are suitable for use in the present invention.
[0046] For example, the threaded shaft 80 journaled for rotation
between the second pair of spaced apart sidewalls 37 of the lever
24 may have a first threaded portion 84 to accept a first rotation
mechanism 98, and a second threaded portion 86 to accept a second
rotation mechanism 100. The first means of rotation 98 is operable
to rotate the threaded shaft 80, and the second means of rotation
100 is operable to restrain or permit rotation of the threaded
shaft 80. The use of any motion transfer means whereby rotary
motion is transformed into axial motion is well within the skill of
the art.
[0047] Thus, by carefully considering the problems in the prior art
devices, we have provided a novel cargo tightener and strap
collector which is simpler in construction, easier to manufacture
and less costly than prior art devices.
* * * * *