U.S. patent application number 12/705395 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-12 for safety ratchet.
Invention is credited to COLE RENFROE.
Application Number | 20100199474 12/705395 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42539156 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100199474 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
RENFROE; COLE |
August 12, 2010 |
SAFETY RATCHET
Abstract
Safety ratchets provided herein allow for safely releasing
tension in strap ratchets. A safety ratchet can tighten and then
quickly reverse to slowly and controllably release tension, instead
of abruptly releasing tension.
Inventors: |
RENFROE; COLE; (Oroville,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JENSEN & PUNTIGAM, P.S.
2033 SIXTH AVENUE, SUITE 1020
SEATTLE
WA
98121-2527
US
|
Family ID: |
42539156 |
Appl. No.: |
12/705395 |
Filed: |
February 12, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61152091 |
Feb 12, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/68CD |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/2175 20150115;
B60P 7/083 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/68CD |
International
Class: |
A44B 11/02 20060101
A44B011/02 |
Claims
1. A strap ratchet, comprising: an inner frame comprising a base
portion and a hinge portion; an outer frame comprising a handle
portion and a hinge portion; two tooth-edged hinge members; a
cylindrical hinge member disposed perpendicular to the hinge
portions of the inner frame, the outer frame, and the two
tooth-edged hinge members and running through the hinge members to
adjoin the hinge portions of the inner frame, the outer frame, and
the two tooth-edged hinge members to form a hinge structure,
wherein the hinge structure comprises a tooth-edged hinge member
disposed between the inner frame and the outer frame on both sides
of the hinge structure; a first spring-loaded wedge protruding from
the inner frame and configured to slide to engage the two
tooth-edged hinge members, thereby preventing rotation of the two
tooth-edged members from rotating; a lifting frame portion of the
outer frame configured to raise the first spring-loaded wedge,
thereby disengaging the first spring-loaded wedge from the two
tooth-edged hinge members, and configured to lower the first
spring-loaded wedge, thereby engaging the first spring-loaded wedge
with the two tooth-edged hinge members; a second spring-loaded
wedge disposed inside the handle portion of the outer frame and
configured to slide to engage the two tooth-edged hinge members; a
lever on the second spring-loaded wedge configured to allow manual
raising of the second spring-loaded wedge to a raised position in
which the second spring-loaded wedge is disengaged from the two
tooth-edged hinge members; a mechanism on the second spring-loaded
wedge configured to release the second spring-loaded wedge from a
raised position when in release mode; a raised portion disposed on
the inner frame configured to encounter the mechanism on the second
spring-loaded wedge and to cause the mechanism to release the
second spring-loaded wedge from the raised position, thereby
causing the second spring-loaded wedge to engage the two
tooth-edged hinge members.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This non-provisional patent filing claims priority to U.S.
Provisional Application 61/152,091, entitled "SAFETY RATCHET",
filed on Feb. 12, 2009, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Standard strap ratchets have no way to slowly release
tension in a strap. They may automatically open and extend,
releasing tension too quickly for certain applications, and
furthermore allowing a person's fingers to be caught, resulting in
injury. Many may struggle with standard strap ratchet devices in
the field, for example when trying to use standard strap ratchets
in settings where controlled strap tension is preferable.
SUMMARY
[0003] Having a simple way to slowly and safely release the tension
of a strap ratchet may assist individuals in staying safe while
utilizing the instrument in a timely fashion. Safety ratchets
provided herein solve the problem of safely releasing tension in
strap ratchets. In some embodiments, disclosed devices can be
utilized in novel techniques to restring a hunting bow in the
field. A safety ratchet can tighten and then quickly reverse to
slowly release tension, instead of abruptly releasing tension. The
safety ratchet may also be beneficial in any setting in which
traditional strap ratchets may be otherwise deployed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 shows an example safety strap ratchet.
[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates a mechanism as may be configured on the
second spring-loaded wedge which is used to release the second
spring-loaded wedge when in a raised position.
[0006] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrate additional views of the
mechanism from FIG. 2.
[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates a partial view of the outer frame, with
particular attention to aspects of a lifting frame.
[0008] FIG. 5 shows an example safety strap ratchet.
[0009] FIG. 6 shows an example safety strap ratchet.
[0010] FIG. 7 shows a strap ratchet tightening a bow.
[0011] FIG. 8 shows a strap ratchet tightening a bow.
[0012] FIG. 9 shows a strap ratchet tightening a bow.
[0013] FIG. 10 shows a bottom cam for use with a strap ratchet and
a bow.
[0014] FIG. 11 shows a top cam for use with a strap ratchet and a
bow.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a safety strap ratchet
according to this disclosure. The example strap ratchet includes:
an inner frame 122 comprising a base portion 122A and a hinge
portion 122B; an outer frame 123 comprising a handle portion 123A
and a hinge portion 123B; two tooth-edged hinge members such as 111
and 112; and a cylindrical strap grip 162 disposed perpendicular to
the hinge portions of the inner frame 122B, the outer frame 123B,
and the two tooth-edged hinge members 111 and 112 and running
through the hinge members to adjoin the hinge portions of the inner
frame 122B, the outer frame 123B, and the two tooth-edged hinge
members 111 and 112 to form a hinge structure. The hinge structure
comprises 122A, 123A, 111, and 112 and the cylindrical strap grip
162. The hinge structure comprises a tooth-edged hinge members 111
and 112 disposed between the inner frame 122 and the outer frame
123 on both sides of the hinge structure.
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a first spring-loaded wedge 171
protruding from the inner frame 122 and configured to slide to
engage the two tooth-edged hinge members 111, thereby preventing
rotation of the tooth-edged hinge members 111 and 112 from
clockwise rotation with respect to the inner frame 122, in at least
one direction. In FIG. 1, the tooth edged hinge members 111 and 112
cannot rotate counter-clockwise with respect to the inner frame 112
when the wedge 171 is engaged.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a lifting frame 191 portion of the outer
frame 123B configured to push away the first spring-loaded wedge
171, thereby disengaging the first spring-loaded wedge 171 from the
two tooth-edged hinge members 111 and 112, and configured to lower
the first spring-loaded wedge 171, thereby engaging the first
spring-loaded wedge 171 with the two tooth-edged hinge members 111
and 112.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a second spring-loaded wedge 131 disposed
inside the handle portion of the outer frame 123 and configured to
slide to engage the two tooth-edged hinge members 111 and 112,
thereby causing 111 and 112 to be rotated along with 123 via 131 as
123 is rotated counterclockwise. A lever 142 on the second
spring-loaded wedge 131 may be configured to allow manual raising
of the second spring-loaded wedge 131 to a raised position in which
the second spring-loaded wedge 131 is disengaged from the two
tooth-edged hinge members 111 and 112. A mechanism 200 (shown in
FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B) on the second spring-loaded wedge 131 may be
configured to release second spring-loaded wedge 131 from catch
(small finger, FIG. 3B) positioned inside of the outer frame 123
right above the shaft guide 210 as depicted in FIG. 3B. A notch
(raised portion of 122B, not shown) is configured to encounter the
mechanism's secondary wedge 212 which is against and behind (in
respect to product) second spring-loaded wedge 131 (as can be seen
in FIG. 2) when outer frame 123A has been rotated approximately 110
to 120 degrees from 122A. Causing mechanism's shaft 211 to lift
catch (small finger. FIG. 3B) out of second spring-loaded wedge 131
resulting in 131 being released from raised position, causing the
second spring-loaded wedge 131 to engage the two tooth-edged hinge
members 111 and 112.
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a mechanism 200 as may be configured on
the second spring-loaded wedge 131.
[0020] FIG. 2 depicts a "back" view of the mechanism 200, as can be
determined by the direction of the teeth on the tooth-edged hinge
member 112. In FIG. 2, mechanism secondary wedge 212 may be just
wide enough to ride along the inner frame 122B. Meanwhile, portions
of the second spring-loaded wedge 131 may ride inside of teeth of a
tooth-edged hinge member such as 111.
[0021] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrate additional views of a
mechanism 200. FIG. 3A is a back view while FIG. 3B is a side view.
As may be understood with reference to FIG. 3B, the safety ratchet
may be equipped with a catch on the inside of the outer frame 123
right above the shaft guide 210 as depicted in FIG. 3B, and a
coinciding notch in the top of middle shaft of second spring-loaded
wedge 131 (middle shaft is shown behind 211 in FIG. 2). These two
aspects of design interact with one another in that the catch
lowers into notch of middle shaft of second spring-loaded wedge 131
when second spring-loaded wedge 131 is raised up by lever 142, and
therefore temporarily locks second spring-loaded wedge 131 in
raised position away from both tooth-edged hinge members 111 and
112. With reference to FIG. 3A, a spring 301 may be connected to a
shaft and mechanism secondary wedge 212 so that 131 moves
separately from 212 and 211. The secondary wedge 212 is long enough
to touch the inner frame 122B, but not wide enough to ride inside
teeth of 111 and 112. While the wedge 131 is also long enough to
touch inner frame 122B, but is wide enough that it instead rides
inside teeth of tooth-edged hinge members 111 and 112.
[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates a partial view of the outer frame 123,
with particular attention to aspects of a lifting frame 191. The
first spring-loaded wedge 171 may comprise tabs 421 extending
outward to engage the lifting frame 191, allowing the lifting frame
191 to lift 171 off of the tooth-edged hinge members 111 and 112 as
the lifting frame 191 rotates on the pivot point 401. FIG. 4 also
illustrates a member 404 that may engage the tooth-edged hinge
member 111 when the lifting frame 191 rotates on the pivot point
401, and a groove 402 in the lifting frame 191 for engaging
triangular element 141 to allow lifting of the lifting frame. The
various other aspects of FIG. 4 are described with reference to the
various other drawings provided herein, with like identifiers
assigned to like elements.
[0023] A method of operation can be understood with reference to
FIG. 4, as follows:
[0024] 1. An operator pulls up on lever 142 (see FIG. 1), thereby
raising second spring-loaded wedge 131 and triangular element 141.
The raising of triangular element 141 results in the raising of
lifting frame 191 which then in turn results in the pushing away of
first spring-loaded wedge 171 from tooth-edged hinge members 111
and 112. While simultaneously lowering member 404 into tooth-edged
hinge members 111 and 112, so that only the two 404's keep
tooth-edged hinge members 111 and 112 from spinning free.
[0025] 2. In a "normal" operation mode, 212 is brought back along
122B, as 123A rotates away from 122A, to a location comprising
notch (raised portion) on 122B. The notch (raised portion) bumps
212 up so that 211 lifts catch (small finger, FIG. 3B) out of notch
in top of middle shaft of 131 (middle shaft depicted behind 211 in
FIG. 2), which releases 131 back down to engage teeth of 111 and
112.
[0026] 3. In a "quick release" mode, 123A may be rotated all the
way back away from 122A, to bring 131 to an extra high raised
portion of 122B, which lifts 131 out of 111 and 112. Meanwhile,
another extended portion at left section of outer frame 122B (as in
90 degrees left of 122B from 122A) pushes 171 away from 111 and
112. This extension of 122B can be seen in FIG. 1
[0027] In some embodiments, safety ratchets provided herein can be
utilized to safely perform maintenance on compound or crossbows.
Any of a variety of other uses may also be applicable.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 5, this product may utilize two slots on
the sides on the handle and base portions of the outer and inner
frames defined as 123A and 122A, by which the first and second
spring-loaded wedges, 131 and 171, are guided. An example of how
the spring loaded wedges 131 and 171 are guided inside of slots in
123A and 122A via extensions (as shown for 171 by 421 in FIG. 4)
can be seen at references 171 and 131 in FIG. 1. There may be a
spring-loaded wedge 131 in the handle portion 123A that is on a
spring 132. There may also be a catch (a small finger) that lowers
into notch at top of middle shaft of second spring-loaded wedge 131
(as seen behind 211 in FIG. 2) when lever 142 is raised by operator
so as to lock second spring-loaded wedge 131 in raised position,
thus preventing second spring-loaded wedge 131 from grabbing teeth
of tooth-edged hinge members 111 and 112 while in release mode and
handle 123A is being rotated away from base 122A by operator. There
is a certain point when one is bringing back the handle defined by
123A, for example when the angle between 123A and 122A is about
110-120 degrees, at which the mechanism wedge 212 is pushed upward
by small notch (raised portion) of 122B. This causes mechanism
shaft 211 to also rise up, then lift catch (small finger as seen in
FIG. 3B) out of notch in top of middle shaft of second spring
loaded wedge (as seen behind 211 in FIG. 2) releasing second
spring-loaded wedge out of raised position away from tooth-edged
members 111 and 112. The second spring-loaded wedge 131 now lowers
back into the teeth of tooth-edged members 111 and 112 preventing
either them or strap grip 162 from rotating clockwise, this process
brings Safety Ratchet back into normal ratcheting mode.
[0029] The triangular members 141 and the lifting frame may be
raised via a lever 142 at the top of the handle portion 123A. This
may be used to raise the lifting frame and push the wedge 171 away
from the teeth 111, 112, releasing the ratchet and allowing the
person to slowly release the tension on the strap while 404 is now
engaged.
[0030] This device may keep tension between the bow arms when
restringing a bow in the field. One end of the strap 150 may
comprise a pin (not shown) that goes into the bow structure as
shown in FIG. 10, and the other side of the strap 150 is
permanently affixed to position 161 in FIG. 1. Another strap 151
(not shown) also comprises a pin that goes into the bow as shown in
FIG. 11, and other side of 151 is fed into strap grip 160 so as to
be ratcheted by Safety Ratchet. Strap 150 is appropriately sized so
as to position Safety Ratchet in middle of bow when it has been
tightened.
[0031] In some embodiments, safety ratchet works by turning the
cylinder 162, which tightens a nylon strap 150 over what is being
pulled in or secured. A safety ratchet may then release tension by
the operator pulling up a lever 142 in the handle 123A, which
releases the tooth-edged hinge members 111, 112 and cylinder 162
from the first and second spring-loaded wedges 131 and 171 and
locks members 111, 112 and cylinder 162 by member 404 (FIG. 4). It
then gradually lets the operator release the tension of strap grip
162 (rotate strap grip 162 clockwise) at his preferred rate via the
rotation of the handle portion 123A which is controlling strap grip
162 by tooth-edged members 111 and 112 through member 404. The
operator then releases the lever 142 and pulls back the handle
123A. At this stage, the safety ratchet does not tighten the strap
any more, as the handle 123A is pulled back away from 122A, because
the ratchet is still in release mode, where the catch (small
finger, FIG. 3B) keeps wedge 131 in a raised position that is
disengaged from the tooth members 111 and 112, meanwhile the wedge
171 is lowered back into teeth of 111 and 112 when lever 142 is
released and is now engaged with teeth of 111 and 112 so as to
prevent them from moving clockwise further as operator is rotating
back handle portion 123A.
[0032] When the operator has pulled the handle 123A back away from
122A to where he wants, he then repeats the process. Once all the
tension is released, the operator then pulls the handle back to a
position that was impossible to reach when there was tension in the
strap. In this position the gear is totally released and the strap
can be pulled out of the ratchet device by hand as described with
reference to the quick release techniques described herein.
[0033] Safety Ratchet automatically switches from release mode to
normal ratcheting mode by means of described mechanism 120 (FIG. 2)
lifting catch (small finger, FIG. 3B) out of notch at the top of
middle shaft of second spring-loaded wedge 131 (as seen behind 211
in FIG. 2). This process is initiated by a small notch (raised
portion) in inner frame 122B at selected rotational angle in
respect to a closed ratchet position (when 123A is brought all the
way down to 122A), which is selected on basis of the most efficient
amount of angular distance to allow operator to release tension in
release mode. This is a design to not require the operator to do
anything but bring the handle portion of the outer frame 123A back
to a certain point to change modes.
[0034] FIG. 6 shows another view of an example safety strap
ratchet.
[0035] FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9 show various views of a strap
ratchet tightening a bow. FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show bottom and top
cams, respectively, for use with a strap ratchet and a bow.
[0036] This item may be produced from metal or another similar,
durable material. The exact dimensions, materials used for
construction and method of operation of Safety Ratchet may vary
upon manufacturing.
[0037] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been
presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are
not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the precise forms
disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in
light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen
and described in order to best explain the principles of the
disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others
skilled in the art to utilize the disclosure with various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
* * * * *