Patent ID: 8539798
Filing Date: 2013-09-24
Classification: E05B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. Restraining apparatus comprising: an elongated strap, said elongated strap having a free first end and an opposed second end, a locking head for said strap, said locking head being integrally attached to said opposed second end of said strap to form a unitary combined locking head and strap, said strap having first and second opposed sides, said first opposed side of said strap having thereon unidirectional ratchet members, said second opposed side of said strap being substantially smooth, said locking head having a first end integrally attached proximally to said opposed second end of said strap, and a second opposed end extending axially and distally with respect to said opposed second end of said strap and said locking head first end, said locking head further having a strap reception channel extending axially through said locking head between said first end to said second end thereof, said strap reception channel having first and second opposed, spaced wall surfaces whereby said free first end of said strap is adapted to be inserted into said strap reception channel and be slidably axially passed therethrough with said second substantially smooth first opposed side of said strap bearing against said first opposed spaced wall surface and said first opposed side of said strap having thereon unidirectional ratchet members facing said second opposed, spaced wall surface of said strap reception channel and being spaced therefrom, said strap reception channel having third and fourth opposed, spaced wall surfaces substantially perpendicular to said first and second opposed, spaced wall surfaces, respectively, to define an axial clearance space for a movable locking member axially movable in said clearance space between a first non-locked condition and a second locked condition, a locking ratchet support member affixed to said second opposed, spaced wall surface and adapted to be urged by wedging action into said clearance space toward said first opposed, spaced wall surface, said support member having thereon a first series of ratchet locking members confronting said first opposed, spaced wall surface, and a movable locking member, said movable locking member having first and second opposed sides, said first opposed side of said movable locking member being substantially smooth, said second opposed side of said movable locking member having a second series of locking ratchets thereon, said movable locking member being affixed in said clearance space in juxtaposed confronting relation to said strap reception channel first opposed, spaced wall surface and adapted to be movable axially within said clearance space between a first non-locked condition and a second locked condition, and at least one cam member located on said strap reception channel second opposed, spaced wall surface between said movable locking member affixed therein and said locking ratchet support member, wherein movement of said movable locking member axially in said clearance space from said un-locked condition to said locked condition is adapted to cause said locking member to engage said cam member and be wedged against said locking ratchet support member sufficiently to urge said first series of locking ratchets into engagement with said unidirectional ratchet members on said first opposed side of said strap and simultaneously to cause said second series of locking ratchets on said second opposed side of said movable locking member to engage corresponding unidirectional ratchet members on said first opposed side of said strap other than the corresponding unidirectional ratchet members engaged by said first series of locking ratchets on said locking ratchet support member when said strap is received within said strap reception channel, said apparatus further including: a third series of locking ratchets, said third series of locking ratchets being located on said movable locking member in a position extending axially beyond said second series on said movable locking member and said first series on said locking ratchet support member.