Abstract:
A strap winding tool includes a bent metal bar with a short elbow which can fit into a borehole opening in a ratchet extension on a strap winder on a flat bed trailer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/053,732, filed Jul. 25 1997, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to straps for flat bed trailers of 18 wheelers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tool for assisting in winding of such straps. 
     2. General Background of the Invention 
     Straps for flat bed trailers of 18 wheelers are usually wound up by hand when they are not needed. This takes a fair amount of time. Also, the ratchets on which the straps are wound get hot in the summer and cold in the winter, and are thus often uncomfortable to handle. Further, sometimes the straps can freeze, which makes it really difficult to wind the ratchet by hand. 
     The following U.S. Patents are incorporated herein by reference: 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,390,141; 4,693,432; 4,913,608; 5,295,664; 5,426,826. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The apparatus of the present invention solves the problems confronted in the art in a simple and straightforward manner. What is provided is apparatus including a strap winding tool which includes a bent metal bar with a short elbow which can fit into a bore hole opening in a ratchet extension on a strap winder on a flat bed truck. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS 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 and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a close-up of a trailer showing a strap winding ratchet; and 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a tractor and trailer, the trailer having strap winding ratchets thereon. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,608 discloses a strap tightening device for straps for flat bed trailers of 18 wheelers. This is an example of a strap tightening device with which the present invention could be used. 
     The present invention was developed for the purpose of winding up 4″ or 2″ straps on a flat bed trailer. The primary reason for development of the present invention was to cut the time spent winding up straps after unloading by up to 80%. The present invention can also help to prevent muscle strain in arms and back. It can also help to prevent hand injuries that could occur when rolling straps manually. The tool of the present invention can help to give leverage when the strap may be difficult to wind, for example when the strap may be frozen or covered with ice or snow. 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 show the strap winding tool  10  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Tool  10  could be made of any suitably strong material, such as steel. It can advantageously be painted silver, for example. Preferably, however, it is made of cold-rolled steel to eliminate the painting step. 
     Tool  10  includes a first handle  20  (preferably covered with a red plastic cover  60 ). Both the handle  20  and the red plastic cover  60  preferably include a hole  21  to allow a string or other strap means to pass therethrough. The strap means could be, for example, made of leather or it could preferably be of shoe string material for work boots. A second red plastic cover  61  can cover projection  50 . This second cover  61  is preferably removed when the tool  10  is used. The covers  60  and  61  need not be red and could be made of material other than plastic. 
     A bend  25  connects handle  20  to spacer  30 , which is connected to a second handle  40  with a second bend  35 . A third bend  45  connects the second handle  40  and the projection  50 . 
     The tool  10  of the present invention is used by inserting the projection  50  into a borehole opening  71  in a ratchet extension  72  of a strap winding ratchet  73  on a flat bed trailer  74  pulled by a tractor  75 . One hand of the operator is placed on the first handle  20  and the other hand of the operator is placed on the second handle  40 . The tool  10  is then rotated about the longitudinal axis of handle  40  until the strap  76  is completely wound about the ratchet  73 . 
     The tool  10  of the present invention could be used to wind up any straps which are connected to an appropriated sized and shaped ratchet. 
     The first handle  20  can have a length of, for example, 2″ to 10″, preferably 3″ to 8½″, more preferably 3½″ to 6½″, and most preferably 4½″. The hole  21  has a diameter of, for example, {fraction (1/16)}″ to ¼″, and preferably {fraction (3/16)}″. The spacer  30  can have a length of, for example, 2″ to 10″, preferably 3″ to 8½″, more preferably 3½″ to 6½″, and most preferably 4½″. The second handle  40  can have a length of, for example, 3″ to 36″, preferably 8″ to 24″, more preferably 10″ to 18″, and most preferably 13″. 
     The bends  25 ,  35 , and  45  could be 30 degrees to 150 degrees, but are preferably 50 degrees to 130 degrees, more preferably 75 degrees to 105 degrees, and most preferably 90 degrees. 
     Exemplary dimensions for the diameter of the tool  10  are {fraction (3/16)}″ to 1″, preferably ¼″ to ¾″, more preferably {fraction (5/16)}″ to ⅝″, and most preferably ½ inch. 
     The projection  50  can have a length of, for example, 1″ to 3″, preferably 1½ to 2½″, more preferably 1⅝″ to 2″, and most preferably 1¾″. 
     PARTS LIST: 
     The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention: 
       10  strap winding tool of the preferred embodiment of the present invention (any suitably strong steel, for example, preferably painted silver, for example) 
       20  handle 
       21  hole in handle  20  and cover  60   
       25  bend connecting handle  20  to spacer  30   
       30  spacer 
       35  bend connecting spacer  30  and handle  40   
       40  handle 
       45  bend connecting handle  40  and projection  50   
       50  projection 
       60  handle cover (red plastic, for example) 
       61  tip cover (red plastic, for example) 
     All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise. 
     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.