Patent ID: 6241174
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: B60N,B60P,B60R,B65H,Y10T

Abstract:
A belt shortening device comprising:a tubular housing having open and closed ends and a continuous side wall extending between said open and closed ends, said side wall including a pair of longitudinally extending slits symmetrically arranged in opposed relation along a transverse centerline of said housing, said slits extending inwardly from said open end so as to define a transverse slot in said housing for receiving a belt therein;a ratchet pawl movably mounted in the side wall of the housing adjacent said open end thereof; anda spindle having a body portion and two spaced arms extending perpendicularly outwardly from an inner side of said body portion, said spaced arms defining a slot for transversely receiving a belt therein, an outer side of said body portion including a grasping formation adapted to facilitate rotation of said spindle relative to said housing, said body portion having a peripheral edge, said peripheral edge including a plurality of ratchet teeth,said spindle being removably received in assembled relation with said housing and said belt such that a central portion of said belt is transversely received between said arms of said spindle and within said slits of said housing and further such that said body portion of said spindle is positioned within the open end of said housing with said ratchet teeth slidably engaged with said pawl to provide rotational control of said spindle, said spindle being rotatable relative to housing to wind said belt around said spindle, said pawl being movable between a locking position and a release position.