Strap Fastener

Abstract

A strap 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. A plurality of bushings are inserted to a plurality of grooves defined by the frame respectively 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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a strap fastener.

[0003] 2. Related Prior Art

[0004] Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 225765 discloses a conventional fastener. The fastener includes a reel 4, a first handle 1 connected to the reel 4, a second handle 2 connected to the reel 4, two ratchet wheels 6 connected to the reel 4, a first spring-loaded detent 3 located on the first handle 1 and a second spring-loaded detent 5 located on the second handle 2. A first strap B is connected to the first handle 1 while a second strap B is connected to the reel 4. The first handle 1 includes two walls each including a first arched edge, a second arched edge and a shoulder 12 between the first and second arched edges. The second handle 2 includes two cams. To fasten the straps B, the second handle 2 is pivoted from the first handle 1. The pivoting is limited by the second spring-loaded detent 5 against the shoulders 12 of the first handle 1. To loosen the straps B, the second spring-loaded detent 5 is moved onto the second arched edges of the first handle 1 and therefore kept from the ratchet wheels 6 while the first spring-loaded detent 3 is disengaged from the ratchet wheels 6 by the cams of the second handle 2. However, it is difficult to reel in the second strap B. Referring to FIG. 12 of the drawings of the present application, the second arched edges of the first handle 1 are pushed by the second spring-loaded detent 5 while the cams of the second handle 2 are pushed by the first spring-loaded detent 3 so that the reel 4 is "handcuffed" by the handles 1 and 2.

[0005] The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] According to the present invention, a strap 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. A plurality of bushings are inserted in a plurality of grooves defined by 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.

[0007] In another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of fasteners may be utilized to replace the plurality of bushings and a plurality of orifices may be defined for receiving the plurality of fasteners.

[0008] The primary advantage of the fastener according to the present invention is free reeling of the strap since the protective units keep the reel from the handle or the frame.

[0009] Other advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description referring to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] For the present disclosure to be easily understood and readily practiced, the present disclosure will be described for the purpose of illustration not limitation, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein;

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a strap fastener according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the strap fastener shown in FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the strap fastener taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the strap fastener taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a partial, enlarged view of the strap fastener shown in FIG. 4.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a partial, enlarged view similar to FIG. 5, with the strap fastener in another position.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fastener according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the strap fastener shown in FIG. 7.

[0019] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the strap fastener taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 7.

[0020] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the strap fastener taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 7.

[0021] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a strap fastener according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, side view of a conventional strap fastener.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Referring to the FIGS. 1 through 6, there is shown a strap fastener according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] The strap fastener includes a frame 10, a cross bar 11 for receiving a strap, a reel 12 for receiving another strap, two ratchet wheels 13, a handle 20, a plurality of bushings 30, a first detent 14 and a second detent 22.

[0025] The frame 10 includes two oppositely positioned walls. Each of the walls of the frame 10 includes an aperture 102 defined in an end, two arcuate grooves 104 disposed opposite one another about the periphery of the aperture 102, a first 101 and a second arched edges 106 at the end, a cutout 103 formed at the perimeter of the second arched edge 106, a shoulder 108 between the arched edges 101 and 106.

[0026] The handle 20 includes two oppositely positioned walls and a grip 21 between the walls. Each of the walls of the handle 20 includes a cam 202 formed at an end, a slot 203 therein and a boss 204 which has a portion interconnecting with the perimeter of the slot 203. An aperture 201 is defined in each of the cams 202.

[0027] The plurality of bushings 30 each includes a ridge 301 contoured to compliment the groove 104 and adapted to insert therethrough, a flange 303 integrally formed thereof being abuttable with the frame 10 so as to retain the ridge 301 in the slot 104. In this embodiment, there are two bushings 30 disposed on each wall of the frame 10.

[0028] The reel 12 is rotationally inserted in the apertures 201 of the handle 20, the bushings 30 and the apertures 102 of the frame 10.

[0029] Each of the ratchet wheels 13 includes ratchets 131. The ratchet wheels 13 are non-rotationally connected to the reel 12.

[0030] The first detent 14 includes two fins 141 formed as two extremities and each fin 141 is adapted to insert through a slot 107 defined in each wall of the frame 10 for engagement with the ratchets 131 of the ratchet wheels 13. A spring is compressed between the first detent 14 and a tab raised from the floor of the frame 10 for keeping the fins 141 engaged with the ratchets 131.

[0031] The second detent 22 includes two fins 221 formed as two extremities and each fin 221 is adapted to insert through the slot 203 defined in each wall of the handle 20 for engagement with the ratchets 131 of the ratchet wheels 13. The second detent 22 includes a grip 222 thereon and an aperture 223 therein.

[0032] An elastic element 23 is provided between the second detent 22 and a portion of the handle 20 for keeping the fins 221 engaged with the ratchets 131. The elastic element 23 is a torque spring with a helical portion, a first end extending from the helical portion and a second end extending from the helical portion. The helical portion of the spring 23 is mounted on the boss 204 of one of the walls of the handle 20. The first end of the spring 23 is located against the wall of the handle 20. The second end of the spring 23 is inserted through the aperture 223 of the second detent 22. As best seen from FIG. 6, the fins 221 of the second detent 22 are received by the corresponding cutouts 103, the fins 141 of the first detent 14 are pushed away from the corresponding apertures 102. The reel 12 is thus freely rotatable for a user to carry out reeling or unreeling act. In this embodiment, the shear force applied by the fins 141 of the first detent 14 is transmitted to the bushings 30. Thus the reel 12 is not clamped by the handle 20 and the frame 10 and therefore can easily be rotated.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 7 through 10, there is shown a strap fastener according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment but includes four orifices 105 defined on each wall of the frame 10 and disposed about the periphery of the aperture 102. Each orifice 105 is adapted to receive a fastener 31 which includes a pin 311 and a cap 313. In this embodiment, the pin 311 is cylindrical in shape and contoured compliment to the orifice 105 such that the pin can insert therethrough. In addition, the cap 313 is abuttable against the frame 10 such that the pin 311 is retained in the orifice 105 and the fastener 31 is not rotatable relative to the frame 10.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 11, a third embodiment is similar to the second embodiment but the fasteners 31 are replaced with fasteners 32 which include a pin 321 having a polygonal shape and a cap 323. Preferably, the pin 321 is quadrilateral in shape. In addition, the orifice 109 is contoured compliment to the pin 321.

[0035] The strap fastener according to the present invention exhibits advantages. Firstly, the reeling out is easy since the bushings 30 and the fasteners 31, 32 are provided to keep the reel 12 from the handle 20.

[0036] Secondly, the reeling out is easy since the bushing 30 and the fasteners 31, 32 are provided to keep the reel 12 from the frame 10.

[0037] The present invention has been described via the detailed illustration of the embodiments. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A strap fastener comprising: a frame includes a plurality of grooves; a handle; a reel inserted through the frame and the handle so that a strap can be reeled when the reel is rotated; a plurality of bushings, with each of the bushings adapted to insert through one of the grooves, with the bushings connected to the frame for protecting the reel from being clamped by the frame and the handle; two ratchet wheels connected to the reel; a first detent movable on the frame for engagement with the ratchet wheels; and a second detent movable on the handle for engagement with the ratchet wheels.

2. The strap fastener according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of grooves are arcuate, with each of said grooves adapted to receive one of the bushings, with the bushing including a ridge contoured compliment to the groove and adapted to insert therethrough.

3. The strap fastener according to claim 2 wherein the frame includes at least two grooves.

4. The strap fastener according to claim 2 wherein the each of the bushings includes an integrally formed flange adapted to abut against the frame.

5. A strap fastener comprising: a frame includes a plurality of orifices; a handle; a reel inserted through the frame and the handle so that a strap can be reeled when the reel is rotated; a plurality of fasteners, with each of the fasteners adapted to insert through one of the orifices, with the fasteners connected to the frame for protecting the reel from being clamped by the frame and the handle; two ratchet wheels connected to the reel; a first detent movable on the frame for engagement with the ratchet wheels; and a second detent movable on the handle for engagement with the ratchet wheels.

6. The strap fastener according to claim 5 wherein the plurality of orifices are circular, with each of the orifices adapted to receive one of the fasteners, with the fastener including a pin contoured complement to the said orifice and adapted to insert therethrough.

7. The strap fastener according to claim 5 wherein the plurality of orifices are non-circular, with each of the orifices adapted to receive one of the fasteners, with the fastener including a pin contoured complement to the said orifice and adapted to insert therethrough.

8. The strap fastener according to claim 7 wherein the orifices are polygonal.

9. The strap fastener according to claim 7 wherein the orifices are quadrilateral.

10. The strap fastener according to claim 5 wherein the frame includes at least four orifices.

11. The strap fastener according to claim 7 wherein the frame includes at least four orifices.

12. The strap fastener according to claim 5 wherein the each of the pins includes an integrally formed cap adapted to abut against the frame.

13. The strap fastener according to claim 7 wherein the each of the pins includes an integrally formed cap adapted to abut against the frame.