Abstract:
An improved ratchet strapping device is provided, comprising a frame, an axle, and a handle pivotally installed on the axle. Ratchets are mounted on the axle and adjacent to the exterior of the frame. The frame includes a first detent on the outside of the frame which engages the ratchet. A release device is mounted on the handle, wherein the release device includes a second detent on the outside of the handle which engages the ratchets at another location. The frame includes a first cam having a radius greater than the ratchets and on which the second detent slides, and the handle includes a second cam having a radius greater than the ratchets and on which the first detent slides. Placement of the ratchet and detent components on the outside of the device permits spooling of substantially all of the strap for storage or unused portions of the strap during use.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This nonprovisional patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/192,344, filed on Sep. 18, 2008. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to strapping devices used to secure loads for transportation, and more particularly to ratchet strapping devices having the ability to spool unused portions of the strap. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     In the transportation field, it is common to transport loads of equipment and supplies on vehicles where shifting of the load may occur due to normal vibration and motion during the travel. Consequently, such loads are often secured to the vehicle by one or more strapping devices. The most common strapping devices are comprised of a ratcheted locking member having a short hook-equipped strap permanently affixed to the locking member, and a long hook-equipped strap that is urged through the locking member. 
     The strapping device is typically employed by securing one end of the short strap at a first location on the vehicle, passing the long strap over or through the load, and then securing the long strap to a second location. The ratcheted locking member is then operated to pull the long strap through the locking member until the strapping device is tightened against the load. In almost all situations, there is an unused portion of the long strap that must be stored or otherwise secured so that it does not dangle and present a safety hazard, or left exposed to become damaged by surrounding equipment, oil, chemicals, or the elements. 
     The required collection of the unused long strap for its storage or keeping after its use is generally regarded by users as a time-wasting and irritating procedure. Ideally, the unused strap should be manually formed into a roll, but in practice, it is usually wrapped around the tightened portion of the strap or around other equipment. The necessity of securing the unused strap, unraveling it after use, and re-rolling it for storage has proven to be an inconvenient and time-consuming task, as well as an imperfect solution to the problem. 
     Few strapping devices have addressed the problem of how to secure the unused portion of the strap. Some have proposed reeling the unused portion on a separate reeling device or collector, as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,520 to Söderström, U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,371 to Wyers, U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,275 to Lin, U.S. Pat. No. 7,100,901 to Gleinser, U.S. Pat. No. 7,100,902 to Lu, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,296,326 to Madachy. Other have proposed spooling the unused strap around the main axle of the device, as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 7,350,767 to Huang. 
     However, none of the above devices provides a simple and effective solution, because they rely on existing devices and methods to tighten and lock the strap into place, e.g. using detents which are mounted and functional internal to the frame. Achieving the best and most compact solution would require removing critical elements to the outside or exterior of the strapping device, including the detents and ratchets. Placing such components on the outer surfaces of the strapping device would create a “free” area within the device within which the unused strap can be wound, both during actual use and for storage purposes. As will be seen, it is believed that the present invention achieves such objective. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An improved ratchet strapping device is provided, comprising a frame including two lateral members, the lateral members each including a first exterior surface; a first strap connected to the frame; an axle installed on the frame and supported by the lateral members of the frame; a second strap connected to the axle, wherein the axle includes a slot through which the second strap is directed; two ratchets rigidly mounted on the axle and adjacent to the first exterior surface of the frame; a first detent movably installed on the first exterior surface of the frame between an operative position in engagement with the ratchets and an idle position away from the ratchets; a handle including two support members pivotally installed on the axle, the support members each including a second exterior surface; a release device mounted on the second exterior surface of the handle, wherein the release device includes a second detent operable between an operative position in engagement with the ratchets and an idle position away from the ratchets; wherein each of the two lateral members of the frame includes a first cam having a radius greater than the ratchets and on which the second detent slides; and wherein each of the two support members of the handle includes a second cam having a radius greater than the ratchets and on which the first detent slides. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the first cam is positioned on the lateral members of the frame, and the second cam is positioned on the support members of the handle, such that when the second detent is caused to slidably engage the first cam, the first detent is caused to disengage the ratchet and slidably engage the second cam, placing the handle in a release position to permit unspooling of the second strap. 
     The first cam includes a notch engageable with the second detent of the release device when the handle is in a release position, allowing the second strap to be unspooled. 
     The first detent comprises a resiliently biased pawl mounted on each of the first exterior surfaces of the lateral members of the frame. In a more preferred embodiment, the pawl includes a rod slidably disposed within a closed channel on the first exterior surface of the lateral member, and wherein a compression spring resides between the channel and the pawl. Optionally, the pawl is slidably disposed within a slot formed in the lateral member. 
     The second detent comprises a resiliently biased pawl mounted on each of the second exterior surfaces of the support members of the handle. In a more preferred embodiment, the pawl includes a rod slidably disposed within a closed channel on the second exterior surface of the support member, and wherein a compression spring resides between the channel and the pawl. Optionally, the pawl is slidably disposed within a slot formed in the support member. 
     For convenience of operation, the rod of each pawl extends beyond the closed channel, and the rods may be connected by a grip adjacent to the handle. 
     For storage or carrying purposes, each of the lateral members of the frame includes a notch engageable with the second detent of the release device when the handle is in a locked position. 
     In a more preferred embodiment, the ratchets are positioned along the axle between the lateral members and the support members. 
     For ease of manufacturing and assembly, the axle includes end portions which protrude past the first exterior surfaces of the lateral members, and wherein the axle is retained between the lateral members by pins inserted through the end portions. 
     Based on the foregoing features, and because the operative mechanical elements of the device are positioned on the outside of the frame and handle, substantially all of the second strap is spoolable around the axle without reliance on a separate reeling device or other internal components. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements. 
         FIG. 1  shows an improved ratchet strapping device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in an open position. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with suitable straps in a spooled configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Before the subject invention is further described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments of the invention described below, as variations of the particular embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments, and is not intended to be limiting. Instead, the scope of the present invention will be established by the appended claims. 
     In this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. 
     Referring to the drawings, and initially to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , an improved ratchet strapping device is shown in  FIG. 1  with no straps for clarity, and in  FIG. 3  with suitable straps shown in phantom lines to depict the device in a spooled and open configuration. In accordance with the present invention, the ratchet strapping device comprises a frame  10  including two lateral members  11 ,  12 , connected by a cross bar  18 , the lateral members  11 ,  12  each including a first exterior surface  13 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , a first hook-ended strap  20  is connected to the cross bar  18  of the frame  10 . An axle  40  is installed on the frame  10  and supported by the lateral members  11 ,  12  of the frame  10 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , a second strap  50  is connected to the axle  40 , wherein the axle  40  includes a slot  41  through which the second strap  50  is directed. 
     Two ratchets  61 ,  62  are rigidly mounted on the axle  40  and adjacent to the first exterior surface  13  of the frame  10 . A first detent  70  is movably installed on the first exterior surface  13  of the frame  10  between an operative position in engagement with the ratchets  61 ,  62  and an idle position away from the ratchets  61 , 62 . In this embodiment, the first detent  70  always operates passively, simply responding to the turn of the ratchets  61 ,  62  to keep the axle  40  from reversing direction while in operation. 
     The device further includes a handle  80  having two support members  81 ,  82  connected by a grip  86 , and pivotally installed on the axle  40 , the support members  81 ,  82  each including a second exterior surface  83 . A release device  85  is mounted on the second exterior surface  83  of the handle  80 , wherein the release device  84  includes a second detent  90  operable between an operative position in engagement with the ratchets  61 ,  62  and an idle position away from the ratchets  61 ,  62 . In this embodiment, the second detent  90  is usually operated passively when moving the handle  80  toward a closed position, i.e. when one is spooling the strap  50  or tightening the device. However, it can also be operated by the grip  96  as further explained herein. 
     Each of the two lateral members  11 ,  12  of the frame  10  includes a first cam  15  having a radius greater than the ratchets  61 ,  62  and on which the second detent  90  slides. Likewise, each of the two support members  81 ,  82  of the handle  80  includes a second cam  85  having a radius greater than the ratchets  61 ,  62  and on which the first detent  70  slides. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , in a preferred embodiment, the first cam  15  is positioned on the lateral members  11 ,  12  of the frame  10 , and the second cam  85  is positioned on the support members  81 ,  82  of the handle  80 , such that when the second detent  90  is caused to slidably engage the first cam  15 , the first detent  70  is caused to disengage the ratchets  61 ,  62  and slidably engage the second cam  85 , placing the handle  80  in a release position to permit unspooling of the second strap  50 . In other words, when both first cam  15  and second cam  85  are enagaged, the ratchets  61 ,  62  and axle  40  are free to rotate. 
     The first cam  15  further includes a notch  16  engageable with the second detent  90  of the release device  84  when the handle  80  is in a release position. Placing the second detent  90  in the notch  16  conveniently locks the device in a “free rotation” state, thus allowing the second strap  50  to be unspooled quickly, or spooled by a cranking handle  98  as explained below. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the first detent  70  comprises a resiliently biased pawl  71  mounted on each of the first exterior surfaces  13  of the lateral members  11 ,  12  of the frame  10 . In a more preferred embodiment, each pawl  71  includes a rod  72  slidably disposed within a closed channel  73  on the first exterior surface  13  of each of the lateral members  11 ,  12 , and wherein a compression spring  74  resides between the channel  73  and the pawl  71 . The closed channel  73  is preferably welded to the lateral members  11 ,  12 , but other methods of attachment may be suitable. Preferably, the compression spring  74  is installed such that the rod  72  resides within the compression spring  74 , as depicted in  FIG. 1 . Optionally, the pawls  71  are slidably disposed within slots  75  formed in the lateral members  11 ,  12 , such slots acting as a reinforcing guide as the pawls  71  are moved during operation. The rod  72  and closed channel  73  are preferably fabricated with a non-round cross section to resist undesirably bending when subjected to the normal forces during operation. 
     The second detent  90  comprises a resiliently biased pawl  91  mounted on each of the second exterior surfaces  83  of the support members  81 ,  82  of the handle  80 . In a more preferred embodiment, each pawl  91  includes a rod  92  slidably disposed within a closed channel  93  on the second exterior surface  83  of each of the support members  81 ,  82 , and wherein a compression spring  94  resides between the channel  93  and the pawl  91 . The closed channel  93  is preferably welded to the support members  81 ,  82 , but other methods of attachment may be suitable. Preferably, the compression spring  94  is installed such that the rod  92  resides within the compression spring  94 , as depicted in  FIG. 1 . Optionally, the pawls  91  are slidably disposed within slots  95  formed in the support members  81 ,  82 , such slots acting as a reinforcing guide as the pawls  91  are moved during operation. The rod  92  and closed channel  93  are preferably fabricated with a non-round cross section to resist undesirably bending when subjected to the normal forces during operation. 
     For convenience of operation, the rod  92  of each pawl  91  extends beyond the closed channel  93 , and the rods  92  may be connected by a grip  96  adjacent to the handle  80 . Thus, the release device  84  may be easily operated by grip  96  while the user holds on to the handle grip  86 . 
     For storage or carrying purposes, each of the lateral members  11 ,  12  of the frame  10  includes a locking notch  17  engageable with the second detent  90  of the release device  84  when the handle  80  is in a locked position. 
     In a more preferred embodiment, the ratchets  61 ,  62  are positioned along the axle  40  between the lateral members  11 ,  12  and the support members  81 ,  82 . 
     For ease of manufacturing and assembly, the axle  40  includes end portions  41 ,  42  which protrude past the first exterior surfaces  13  of the lateral members  11 ,  12 , and wherein the axle  40  is retained between the lateral members  11 ,  12  by pins  43  inserted through the end portions  41 ,  42 . 
     Optionally, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the device may further include a cranking handle  98  having a hooked end  99  which can be inserted within the slot  41  of the axle  40  to engage the pin  43 . When engaged, and when the axle  40  is placed in a released position or “free rotation” state by first cam  15  and second cam  85 , the cranking handle  98  can be conveniently used to quickly spool the strap  50  for storage. 
     Generally, it can be seen that the aforementioned design places most of the mechanical elements of the device on the outside of the frame  10  and handle  80 , thus establishing a free and unrestricted volume for spooling of the strap  50 . Moreover, the design requires no special components, such as coil springs or other internal parts, to perform all its intended functions. 
     All references cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as though each reference was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. The citation of any reference is for its disclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such reference by virtue of prior invention. 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention set forth in the appended claims. The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.