Patent ID: 6092791
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: B66D,Y10S

Abstract:
A ratchet, said ratchet comprising in combination:(a) a housing for supporting a cord engageable spool and including a thumb release for selectively limiting rotation of said spool in one direction and for releasing said spool to rotate in either direction;(b) said spool having an axis of rotation and comprising a first wheel and a second wheel, a key and a keyway formed as integral parts of said first and second wheels, respectively, for securing said first and second wheels with one another to prevent relative rotation therebetween, a plurality of first ribs formed on a surface of said first wheel in opposed and interleaved relationship with a plurality of second ribs formed on a surface of said second wheel to grip the cord, each of said first and second ribs including an inner end and in outer end, a first boss formed as part of and extending laterally from said first wheel along the axis of rotation of said spool and a second boss formed as part of and extending laterally from said second wheel along the axis of rotation of said spool; and(c) a first cavity and a second cavity disposed in said housing in opposed relationship for rotatably receiving and supporting said first and second bosses to rotatably support said spool within said housing, each of said first and second cavities including a cylindrical wall and an end surface extending across said cylindrical wall, said housing including laterally oriented first and second protrusions for compensating for the depth of said first and second cavities, respectively, in said housing.