Patent ID: 7249727
Filing Date: 2007-07-31
Classification: A41D,F16G,F41H

Abstract:
1. A device for independently tensioning lines, comprising: (a) a dial including a drive shaft that extends from the dial, the dial and drive shaft rotatable about a drive axis; (b) a drive gear fixed on drive shaft for rotation with the drive shaft about the drive axis during rotation of the dial; (c) a pinion mounted on a pivot arm and rotatable relative to the pivot arm about a pinion axis, wherein teeth of the pinion are engaged with teeth of the drive gear, and wherein the pivot arm is mounted on the drive shaft and rotatable relative to the drive shaft about the drive axis to different positions including, (d) a first spool fixed on a first spindle for rotation with the first spindle about a first spindle axis, the first spindle being coaxial with, and fixedly connected to, the first gear for rotation therewith about the first spindle axis, the fist spool including a first ratchet wheel coaxial with the first gear; (e) a second spool fixed on a second spindle for rotation with the second spindle about a second spindle axis, the second spindle being coaxial with, and fixedly connected to, the second gear for rotation therewith about the second spindle axis, the second spool including a second ratchet wheel coaxial with the second gear; (f) a first pawl configured to engage ratchet teeth of the first ratchet wheel thereby preventing rotation of the first spool in a first rotational direction of the first spool, but permitting rotation of the first spool in a second rotational direction of the first spool; (g) a second pawl configured to engage ratchet teeth of the second ratchet wheel thereby preventing rotation of the second spool in a first rotational direction of the second spool, but permitting rotation of the second spool in a second rotational direction of the second spool; (h) a first release member configured to selectively displace the first pawl from engagement with the ratchet teeth of the first spool, thereby permitting rotation of the first spool in the first rotational direction of the first spool; and (i) a second release member configured to selectively displace the second pawl from engagement with the ratchet teeth of the second spool, thereby permitting rotation of the second spool in the first rotational direction of the second spool; (j) wherein,