Abstract:
An apparatus and system for improving rope, strap, tie downs, hooks, and nets is provided. Includes a new design whereby the apparatus has a thick walled body made of nylon, aluminum, or stainless steel with a spool and center hub and axle throughout the spool body frame and handle. The apparatus uses multiple coils to automatically retract strap or rope within the spool hub. It also contains a tangential rib opposing the face wheel. The apparatus may have gears on the radius of the wheel, spring loaded slidable pawl plates, or pivotally rotatable pawls or plates which allow the proper engagement of the wheel ratchet. It may also have rope, strap, or belt that is non-cuttable and corrosion, petrol, and chemical resistant used in tie downs and nets. The apparatus may have a lockable body frame, and/or hooks that are lockable to prevent theft.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application includes subject matter disclosed in and claims priority to a provisional application entitled “RATCHET AND NET CONFIGURATIONS” filed Jun. 1, 2015 and assigned Ser. No. 62/169,114 describing an invention made by the present inventor, and which provisional application is herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates a rope or strap apparatus with an automatic winding device. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus such as a ratchet having a compact, durable, repairable design incorporating an optional lockable housing. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Prior Art 
         [0005]    Conventional strapping or rope apparatuses are inconvenient and not capable of winding rope or strap/webbing automatically. One problem involves the operator needing to roll up the rope or strap/webbing by gathering the ends and placing them in storage until future need. This requires the operator to spend valuable time untangling, unknotting, and straightening the rope or webbing before use. This creates a lack of functionality, and wear and tear with conventional strapping devices. 
         [0006]    Another problem with conventional strapping apparatuses involves the handles pivotally rotating upon the mandrel axle or axes, creating wear and rotational drag upon the handle of the wheel spool while operating the handle. When the handle is pivotally rotated to release the ratchet apparatus using the attached handle to the axes through the spool hub, the mandrel on the axle becomes uneven during rotation. This results in excessive pressure on the axle and a detent pawl plate while disengaging. This prevents a smooth rotation of the axle when released, creating damage to moving parts. 
         [0007]    A further problem with conventional automatic reeling apparatuses is the location of the automatic reeling spring on the exterior of the frame. This makes the automatic reeling spring vulnerable to the elements and can sustain damage when dropped on the ground or from a vehicle while in use or after use of the device. This can cause catastrophic failure to the spring and housing. 
         [0008]    Another problem with conventional tie down devices involves the sliding detent pawl plates. The plates traditionally use a center pin or spring, or offset the spring from the frame to the center of the detent pawl plate. This prevents the frame or handle pawl plates from sliding away or engaging the ratchet evenly. The sliding detent pawl plates become angled, offset in movement and create wear and damage to parts, springs, frames, or the handle creating catastrophic failure of the device. 
         [0009]    Yet another problem with conventional tie down devices involves the lack of anti-theft capabilities. There is no function to lock the apparatus when required by the user in order to keep the cargo and tie downs locked for security purposes. 
         [0010]    A further problem with traditional ratchets is that straps do not last long and are not durable, which calls for new technology improve the longevity of straps/webbing used in ratchets. 
         [0011]    Yet another problem with conventional tie down devices, rope, cord, webbing, strap, cables or the like that are sewn, ferruled with fasteners, knots, or the like to connect to one another have a limited longevity. 
         [0012]    Yet another problem with typical ratchets is the handle levers need to spread the handle over the body frame, axle, or mandrel spool, which causes warping. With no way to straighten the traditional handle, it causes drag, stress, and friction when fixed to the mandrel or spool hub. This prevents free movement of the spool and the handle in a typical device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    According to the present invention, a rope, webbing, or strapping apparatus is a simple structural design to house a wheel spool. The design has defined ratchet plates with a centered aperture to be secured to the tube spool with a channel throughout, and a center hole within the ratchet plates to the center. Additionally, the assembly has one ratcheting wheel spool housing a rope, strap, webbing or the like around the centered axle throughout the spool assembly, and rotationally wraps around the spool for storage until future need. A coil or multiple coil springs include a centered end of the coil that connects to the axle, and a second end connected to the handle within the housing coil spring cavities. The coil is connected in such a way as to apply tension to the spring when manually rotating the wheel spool in a clockwise direction to pull the strap away from the tie down device in the storage spool. The spring will coil around the axle within the handle spring cavity, applying tension automatically to force rotation of the spool hub in a counter-clockwise direction, rewinding the strap or rope around the hub inside the ratchet discs within the frame body. The rope or strap can be comprised of traditional materials such as Dyneema, Vectran, Technora, or non-traditional materials such as steel cables that may or may not be coated in polyurethane, rubber, or the like which makes it chemical and corrosion resistant. This material can also be used to make a cargo net that may or may not include a cinch rope made of the same material or more traditional fibers. The apparatus or cargo net may include lockable plates or hooks for an anti-theft deterrent. 
         [0014]    It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a rope or flat strap tie down device which incorporates a positive traction for tensioning in a stable reverse coil spring for securing a reverse tension on the rope or strap. 
         [0015]    These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The present invention will be described with greater specificity and clarity with reference to the following drawings, in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates a partially cutaway side view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  illustrates a partially cutaway side view of the opposite side of an embodiment of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the present invention including dual straps; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention with specialized hooks; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  shows a close-up cutaway perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  illustrates a partially cutaway side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  demonstrates a partially exploded side perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  demonstrates another partially exploded view of the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9A  demonstrates a partial cutaway view of an embodiment of the present invention in first mode; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9B  illustrates a partial cutaway view of an embodiment of the present invention in second mode; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  demonstrates an exploded view of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11A  demonstrates a side view of a frame of an embodiment of the present invention without over molded material; 
           [0029]      FIG. 11B  shows the opposite side of the frame shown in  FIG. 9A ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 12A  demonstrates a side view of a body of the present invention to complement  FIGS. 9A and 9B ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 12B  illustrates the opposite side of the side view as shown in  FIG. 10A ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 13A  demonstrates an embodiment of the present invention with an engaged lock; 
           [0033]      FIG. 13B  shows the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 11A  wherein the lock is disengaged; 
           [0034]      FIG. 14A  demonstrates a side partial view of the handle of the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 14B  demonstrates the half view of the handle of  FIG. 12A  with the lock in second mode; 
           [0036]      FIG. 14C  demonstrates a top view of the half of the handle as also shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 15  illustrates a ratchet wheel of the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 16  illustrates a ratchet wheel of the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 17  demonstrates a frontal cross-sectional view of a rope spool of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 18  demonstrates a partial cutaway side view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0041]      FIG. 19  demonstrates a rope spool wheel of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 20  demonstrates an exploded view of a rope spool wheel of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 21  demonstrates an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0044]      FIG. 22  demonstrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0045]      FIGS. 23A and 23B  demonstrate a side view of a side of the present invention in first and second directions; 
           [0046]      FIGS. 24A and 24B  demonstrate a locking mechanism isolated view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0047]      FIG. 25  demonstrates a dual ratchet pull mechanism of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0048]      FIGS. 26A-D  demonstrates a swivel hook anchor mechanism to attach to frame of an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0049]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , prior art ratchet device  1  includes handle lever  2  and lateral frame  9 . Handle  2  includes handle detent pawl plate  3  coupled to detent spring  4  and held back by stop  5 . Spring urges detent pawl plate  3  to engage with ratchet teeth  17 . Handle includes ergonomic grip  6  to allow manual activation of rotation around axle  32 . Handle detent pawl plate  3  runs along handle pawl plate slot  16  in handle  2 . Detent engages ratchet spool  7  held within frame guide  8 . Strap is included and wound around axle  32 . A second stop is included. Detent pawl plate  14  is urged by frame detent pawl plate spring  13  against frame spring stop  12  to urge detent pawl plate  14  into engagement with teeth of ratchet spool. A second strap  11 B is attached to rod  10  wherein rod  10  follows through apertures  19  and  20  in frame  9 . 
         [0050]    Coil spring  22  wraps around center coil spring  23  along axle  32 . Coil spring is attached via outer coil spring anchor  24  to frame in order to urge spring. Coil spring  22  and center coil spring  23  are included on the exterior of frame within external coil spring housing  21  along frame wall  26 . Straps  11 A and  11 B may terminate in hooks  18 . Strap  11 A may be attached to coil spring via sharp edge at the slot of hub  15  in order to secure strap. 
         [0051]    The embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  lateral frame detent pawl slot  31  houses detent pawl plate  14  which is urged by pawl plate spring  13  against stop  12  to engage with teeth of spool. Optionally, pawl plate guide pin  34  is included to facilitate pawl engagement and disengagement. Rod  10  extends through apertures in frame walls  26  and  27  to provide an anchor for strap  11 B. Axle  32  runs through apertures in frame wall and extends through strap coil and coil spring. Axle bearing  33  guides axle  32  so that axle bearing  33  does not rotate in the direction of strap rotation, while axle and spool rotates freely to engage the strap. 
         [0052]    One major disadvantage of ratchets of the prior art is the location of the coil spring and the weakness of design wherein the spring is mounted on the outside of frame walls in an external coil spring housing that is not protected by the frame or any other piece aside from the housing which can be detached from the frame easily. 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 , an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is demonstrated. Left body frame  40  mates with right body frame  41 . Straps  42 A and  42 B are attached to ratchet. Strap  42 A is attached to ratchet via coiling around spool  57 . Strap  42 B is attached to frames  40  and  41  via belt pin  52  which extends through apertures in frame walls  40  and  41  in order to anchor strap  42 B. Handle includes left handle body  44  and complementary right handle body  45  for housing the handle to operate the ratchet. Hooks  46  may be included on ends of straps  42 A and  42 B. Left coil spring cover  47  embodies a flat disc which can be mounted within extended rim  62  along frame  40  so as to keep coil spring cover  47  flush or recessed from rim  62 . Handle pawl  49  rotates along pin  63  and is urged by spring  70  into engagement with teeth  71  of spool hub ratchet  50 . Pawl  49  includes bentover end  72 , bentover end  72  engages with teeth  71  of spool hub ratchet  50 . By bending over the handle pawl end, this leads to a rounded feature which prevents wear on spool hub ratchet  50  and teeth  71 . Bending over end of pawl also provides stronger contact with teeth at multiple angles and structural integrity to pawl  49 . Pawl  49  rotates along pin  63  and is activated via pawl finger handle  73  to allow rotation around pin  63  to disengage pawl from ratchet teeth  71 . Referring now to the body and frames, body includes body detent pawl plate  53  for further engagement with teeth  71  of ratchet  50 . Body detent pawl plate  53  can be locked into place via pawl lock  54  which is rotated by pawl lock cam  55 . Strap  42 A enters into body past belt pawl lock channel  59  and into strap guide  56  to provide for a coiled strap around spool  57 . Frame may also include lock guard  58  along frame near hook or belt pin to prevent release of body pawl with ratchet. As can be seen on the end of rope  42 B in  FIG. 5 , strap  42 B may be of any strap or webbing known in the art to provide for a strong hold with much linear strength. Belt or strap  60  may be wrapped around belt pin  52  and welded or otherwise secured at end  61  to belt  60  or strap  42 B. 
         [0054]    As shown on  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the coil is mounted inside the handle body side. Coil spring  66  wraps around axle  69  and is secured thereto on one end. By securing coil spring  66  to axle  69 , axle is urged to spool to rotate against spring  66 . Rim  62  or ridge as shown surrounds, and has a diameter greater than, coil spring  66 . Ridge is part of body frame and is integrated therein. Coil spring cover is included to cover and guard coil spring  66 . Coil spring cover includes at least one flat surface  84  that can be flush or recessed when cover  64  is mounted onto the ratchet. Coil spring cover  64  may be mounted or coupled with the ratchet of an embodiment of the present invention via screws  65 . As can be shown from the alternate view in  FIG. 7 , ratchet includes body stop  67  to prevent overextension of ratchet. Rear body cover  68  further protects the ratchet and teeth of the present invention and provides for security along the region in which ratchet cannot be opened. 
         [0055]    Referring to cutaway  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the left side of the ratchet coil and spring is shown including optional centrifugal clutch. In this embodiment, left body frame  74  is shown and attaches with left handle  75  around the ratcheting spool. Handle pawl  76  rotates around pin  85  to provide for the pawl&#39;s engagement with teeth of the ratchet spool. Slidable body pawl (not shown) can be covered for security by cover detent  77 . Gear  78  can be recessed coil spring as shown. Clutch plate  79  extends next to spring gear  78 . Centrifugal plate engaging brake pawl  80  works with brake pawl spring and stop  82  and brake pawl  81  to engage with interior teeth  86  of gear  78 . As shown in  FIG. 7A , brake pawl  81  is disengaged and shown in  FIG. 7B , brake pawl is engaged with teeth  86 . 
         [0056]    Referring now to the exploded version of  FIG. 10 , right body frame  89  mates with left body frame  90  with complementary features. Hooks  91  attached to straps  99  to provide for the mounting of the embodiment of the present invention against two separate items not shown. Spool hub  93  fits within body frames  89  and  90  and includes ratchet teeth  106 . Spool body frame  93  further includes center connector  107  which may engage with coil springs  94 . Handle is shown in two parts and right handle body  95  and left handle body  96 . Coil spring cover  97  includes extending circular ridge  108  to mate with recessed cavity in left handle body  96 . Covers  97  are attached via screws  105 . Ratchet of this embodiment may include body pawl lock  98 . Body detent pawl plate  100  may also be used to engage ratchet when ratchet is in use. Handle pawl  102  is activated by spring  121  to urge handle pawl to engage with spool hub  93  when ratcheting is necessary. When ratcheting is not necessary, handle pawl  102  can rotate via pressure with a thumb to disengage handle pawl from ratchet teeth. Handle rivet  104  is included at the holding end of handle through bosses  105  to provide additional support given the dual piece nature of handle. 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIGS. 11A and 11B , sheet metal body frame A includes no over molding. Body frame B includes over molding for demonstration of the body frame of an embodiment of the present invention. Body stop  109  is shown along frame to prevent ratchet from extending too far. Handle pawl lock  111  is shown along frame latch  110  as is known in the art for ratchet use. Handle pawl frame latch  110  and pawl lock  111  are included to provide for handle pawl trigger to rest in a locked or neutral position. Body frame A includes body slot  112  for pawl plate  114 . Frame includes flared axle boss  113  to allow for axle to extend past a plane within the frame. Body detent pawl plate  114  includes molded torsion spring cavity pawl spring  115 . Raised pin boss  116  provides location for pin (not shown) through pin hole  117 , pin being included to attach to a strap. Body lock guard  118  is provided to protect the body lock. Strap guide  119  and strap lock  120  allow for access of a strap between body cam and into spool. Lock  120  is provided to lock strap in place in ratchet of the present invention. 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIGS. 12A and 12B , side view of the body with and without over molding. Rope stripper  125  is included for engagement with rope in an embodiment of the present invention. Rope may be locked via strap lock pawl  126  along with flared bent body end  127 . Referring to the handle pawl, handle second stop  129  is provided along with handle first stop  128  to engage handle pawl and lock it into place for use of the ratchet. Body guide cavity  130  is provided within body. Body detent pawl  131  forces engagement with ratchet spool (not shown). Body detent pawl is urged via pawl spring  133  to push into spool along body pawl slot  132 . Body pawl is included in body pawl spring holder  134 . As in other embodiments, a raised boss is included around pin as shown here raised boss  135  around aperture  138 . Body screw boss holes  137  is also included. 
         [0059]    Referring now to the locking mechanism of an embodiment of the present invention, lock works with a preferred rope or cylindrical type strap and/or webbing of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 13A , handle is down and in a locked position and in  FIG. 13B  handle is in an up unlocked position. Handle lock cam  141  is provided near body lock pawl plate tab  142  of body lock  143 . Handle lock cam  141  is urged upwards from its position in  FIG. 13B  to its position in  FIG. 13A  via tab  142  to close body lock  143  in aperture  148 . In such an embodiment of the present invention rope ends extend from apertures  148  and  149  into and out of ratchet. Axle  144  includes extended bosses to receive external tools to apply rotation to the spool within box recess  150  of handle as known in the art can be used within extended bosses  144 . Right handle  145  and left handle  146  mate together. Handle pawl  147  is shown to rotate to urge handle pawl to engage and disengage with a ratchet spool not shown. 
         [0060]    Referring now to  FIGS. 14A-C  handle is shown.  FIG. 14A  handle is shown with the pawl depressed. In  FIG. 14B , handle is shown with pawl is recessed support guide. And, finally, in  FIG. 14C , the angled view is shown to illustrate the recessed pawl guide supporting the pawl while handle is rotated and engaged with the spool ratchet gear. Handle pawl  151  rotates around pin  160  and engages in handle recess cavity support for pawl  142  in a first clockwise direction and is stopped via stop  161  in counterclockwise direction. Handle pawl is disengaged from spool via depressing in the counterclockwise direction such as with a finger or thumb on the handle pawl to rotate and out of engagement with ratchet. As can be seen in handle, top handle cam  153  extends along to top cam stop to control ratcheting of the device. First arched edge cam  155  meets second arched edge cam  156  and extends further to recessed cam stop  157 . This view of the handle includes female cavity  158  to receive a male portion (not shown). Handle aperture  158  provides for mounting onto frame (not shown). Handle grip hole  159  further allows handle to be supported by boss or rivet. Female cavity to receive male portion  158  and handle grip screw hole  159  both allow for mating of this one side of handle with a complementary handle side for the other side. 
         [0061]    Referring now to  FIG. 15 , a rope spool and hub rope guide of an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Half spool disc with ratchet gears of the preferred embodiment is further illustrated in  FIG. 15 . Stamped tangential ribs opposing the face wheel  165  are included. Stamped disc gear ratchet  166  includes an additional embodiment of the gear ratchet. Assembly guide  179  may be included to facilitate assembly of the ratchet gear. It is preferred that there are six tangential ribs extending from a hex nut in the present invention, as can be more clearly shown in  FIG. 17 .  FIG. 16  shows an alternative embodiment of the hex nut with more than six tangential ribs. As shown in  FIG. 17 , the assembled spool hub with the cross-sectional view. Right wheel boss  170  includes recessed shaped cavity to receive external tools to apply rotation to spool wheel. For instance, through access on wheel screw  174 . Tangential wheel discs right  171  and left  172  provide for better grip of a rope in the present embodiment. Right wheel boss  169  includes recessed shaped cavity to receive external tools to apply rotation to spool wheel. 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIG. 20 , handle  176  includes handle pawl  175  which may rotatably engage with the ratchet wheel. In this embodiment a  3 / 4  inch diameter rope may follow through rope guide  178 , along body frame  177 . The rope spool wheel of this embodiment of the present invention for a rope ratchet assembly is further demonstrated in embodiments of  FIG. 19  and exploded in  FIG. 20 . Right stamped tangential wheel disc  185  mates with left stamped tangential wheel disc  186 . Male and female wheel boss hubs with hexed ends  187  and  188 , respectively, are outside of tangential wheel discs. Cavity  191  is shaped to receive an external tool, and may be of any shape as is known in the art to provide for rotation of a spool through external tool, example such as a wrench. 
         [0063]    Referring to  FIG. 20 , right and left stamped tangential wheel discs  185  and  186  mate and expose hexed cavity  192  to receive boss hubs. Right male wheel boss hub  187  passes through rope spool wheel to mate with left female wheel boss hub. Female hex keyway  195  fits within large hexed ends  194  of the bosses. Nut  190  may be included to secure screw fitting through both bosses and the rope spool wheel. 
         [0064]    Referring to  FIGS. 21-23 , an exploded version of an alternative embodiment of the present ratchet invention is provided. Hook  91  attaches directly to pin  92  along frame, through frame body sides  89  and  90 . Handle sides  95  and  96  mate with frame along aperture  124  in handle and frames to mate with boss  224  off of spool hub  93 . Spool hub  93 , includes bosses  224  to allow access to spool hub  93  rotation when ratchet is assembled. Spool hub includes teeth  106  to interact with pawls along handle pawl  102  and body detent pawl plate  100 . Handle pawl  102  rotatably engages with spool hub and is suspended by a pin and biased towards spool hub via spring  121 . Lock  143  is provided to capture a portion of cord (not shown) when extending from back of frame through guide  225 . Cord wraps around spool hub  93  between spool plates  197  and  198 . Indented arms  196  (preferably six) engage cord to secure rope along spool. 
         [0065]    Referring to  FIGS. 24A and 24B , centrifugal plate  80  is shown. Plate  80  includes aperture  204  with extended hubs  203  for accepted nubs  200  in stationary key  200 . Key includes inlets  201  for engaging with a key or other item (not shown) and may be linked to the spool hub of the ratchet. Plate rotated from position  80  to position  80 A and forces brake pawl  81  to extend outwardly from plate. Brake pawl  81  is biased via spring/stop  82 . Brake pawl  81  slides along with the rotation of plate  80 . Plate  80 A rotates counterclockwise to meet with stop  82 , and clockwise to meet with clutch stop  83 . As such clutch allows for engagement with the auto-retraction spring of the present ratchet when pawl  81  is extended to engage spring and cause auto-retraction or pawl is not extended (shown in  FIG. 24B ) spring is not engaged for auto-retraction. 
         [0066]    Another embodiment of the ratchet with clutch is to act as a brake when the auto-retraction of the cord/strap is happening too quickly. If spool auto-retracts too quickly, plate  80  is drawn into position  80 A to force pawl  81  to extend out and brake the rotation of the spool against recessed coil spring gear. Clutch acts similar to a seat belt apparatus to prevent extension of the belt upon immediate draw (i.e. in a short stop or collision) and prevent cord movement via brake. When the auto-retraction spring is engaged on spool in the present ratchet invention, a strong spring force could cause a retraction at speeds unwanted and potentially cause danger with a connected hook flying towards ratchet and user. Centrifugal clutch along the side of auto-retracting ratchet solves this issue. Key can be used to hold open clutch brake to manually override clutch. 
         [0067]    One aspect of the present invention is the internal spring housing, particularly shown in an embodiment of  FIGS. 4-10 . Handles  95  and  96  mate to actuate spool, which is in turn housed in frame. Spring forms around aperture in frame. Frame includes groove to allow for spring location at a point flush with frame exterior. A rim may also be provided to further protect spring from contact or exterior issues. This is an improvement of those auto-retracting ratchets of the prior art in that the spring is located to allow for optimal auto-retraction, but also housed within frame recess to prevent accidental destruction or wear on spring. Spring being under high pressure contains much stored energy and a rupture can cause major damage to ratchet frame housing and users. 
         [0068]    Another aspect of the present invention includes the spring for auto-rotation being connected directly to the handle, and not the frame. Spring is biased by a stop in the handle. As handle is rotated to retract strap, handle is pulled back (ratcheted) while running along smooth part of teeth of ratchet (during pawl disengagement with spool) and loads spring with tension on each stroke. 
         [0069]    Another aspect of the present invention includes the use of a frame that is formed of two separate pieces. As shown in  FIG. 11 , frame body includes right and left  89  and  90  that are held together by bolts  103 . This is an improvement on the prior art stamped and folded frames that are commonly used in the art of ratchets. The use of dual frame bodies provides for significant increase in durability, at some additional cost. 
         [0070]    Another aspect of the present invention is the locking mechanism. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 11 , internal lock  98  provides for access of a key on the exterior of the ratchet to rotate lock into engagement with stop on ratchet to prevent rotation of spool and movement of strap. Lock  98  locks with center plate  100  to prevent movement of strap  99 . Strap can be of any mode used in the art for holding down items. It is contemplate that the strap can be rubber, nylon, or metal cable over-molded with rubber or plastic. Straps useful in the present invention are on the order of 1″ wide and ⅛-¼″ thick, but may be ropes, larger or smaller sized webbing or straps, etc. A rope useful in the present invention might be  8  feet long to allow for tie down. Spool may include a diameter of 1.25-3 inches. For the rope embodiment of spool as shown in  FIG. 19  et al. Rope can be welded into spool and wind around. 
         [0071]    Another aspect of the present invention includes the rotatably engaged trigger assembly, as shown in  FIGS. 14 , et al. Trigger  151  rotates around pin  160  so that end  260  engages into space  152 , or a pocket in the frame wall, to lock the arrangement of handles and frames. Trigger is depressed with finger tab  261 . Trigger may be biased to engage with an aspect of the frame or the spool, as shown in more detail in  FIG. 18 . Trigger  175  may engage with frame lock  275  to prevent ratchet from opening. Depressing trigger  175  allows the trigger to rotate out of lock. When ratchet handles are raised, trigger can be released and spring biases trigger plate to engage with teeth of spool for ratcheting. 
         [0072]    Another aspect of the present invention can be seen in  FIGS. 14 , et al. Top handle cam  153  is built into the main wall of handle, rather than added as a separate feature piece. This can also provide room for recess and rim to provide room for housing in the handle. The cam is hidden inside the handle to protect the wheel and narrow the device. This also prevent unwanted release if the cam is easily accessible as it is in prior art ratchets. The bent trigger, shown more in detail in  FIG. 11A  as end  114 , provides advantages. The rounded aspect of the exterior of the end allows it to move more easily to engage teeth (not shown). Lock, as shown particularly in  FIG. 13  et al. Provides for an additional level of security to lock the rope in place. Lock floats in body and provides a back up to trigger lock. 
         [0073]    As shown in  FIG. 25 , handle  300 , with right handle  345 , is lengthened to provide for additional torque around axis  332 . Straps  311  and  312  both wrap around axis to provide for dual tightening upon ratchet rotation. Frame  340  may remain the same size, or include reinforcement to allow for greater pressures as torque on spool and frame increases with the dual shortening embodiment. Frame preferably is open and includes walls separated enough to allow spool to wind and expand in radius beyond the height of the frame walls. Frame may also be closed. 
         [0074]    As shown in  FIGS. 26A-D , swivel hook  399  may be used directly on the frame to allow for a stationary strap to be mounted to frame, such as that shown in the prior art  FIG. 1  along rod  10 . Swivel hook  399  includes hook  319  attached to swivel pin  320 . Swivel pin  320  is mounted within housing  321 . Hook  319  may be coupled with pin  320  via bolt  350 . Hook is free to rotate along the axis of bolt  350  and pin swivels within housing. This allows the hook to rotate freely in two dimensions to accommodate the rotation of the strap or rope affixed thereon. Housing  321  can also be mounted via apertures  351  to complimentary rod in frame to allow an additional dimension of rotation along rod axis.