Patent ID: 6929438
Filing Date: 2005-08-16
Classification: B60P,B61D

Abstract:
1. A cargo restraint apparatus for cargo comprising: (a) a pallet with a reel mounting surface; (b) a reel comprising a housing affixed to the mounting surface of the pallet, a spool rotatably mounted upon an axle attached to the housing, a ratchet wheel having a plurality of teeth coaxially linked to the spool, and a pawl pivotally mounted within the housing which releasably engages the teeth of the ratchet with a pawl blade on the pawl, thereby forming a reel locking mechanism; (c) a strap retractably wound around the spool of the reel for holding the cargo on the pallet, so that the strap can be unwound from the spool to wrap over the cargo whereupon release of the tension and retraction of the strap locks the pawl blade into the teeth of the ratchet thereby locking the spool in place and preventing further extension of the strap to securely hold the cargo to the pallet; and (d) a lock release comprising a pressure plate and a release shaft having a rotation restricting widthwise cross-section slidably mounted on the pallet adjacent to the reel and projecting from the pressure plate and extending towards the pawl, whereby upon application of a force to the pressure plate the force is transmitted to strike and pivot the pawl thereby removing the pawl blade from the teeth of the ratchet to allow the spool to turn and the strap to extend, thereby releasing the tension holding the cargo to the pallet.