Patent ID: 8037580

Claim:
A tensioning apparatus comprising: a frame; a shaft rotatably installed on the frame; two ratchet wheels connected to proximal and distal ends of the shaft respectively and rotatable with the shaft concurrently; a handle including two cams each having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, with the second ends of the two cams connected to the proximal and distal ends of the shaft respectively, the handle further including a gripping portion connected between the first ends of the two cams; a detent movably installed on the handle between an operative position in engagement with the ratchet wheels in order to rotate the shaft and an idle position away from the ratchet wheels; a reeling device rotatably installed on the handle and disposed between the gripping portion and the detent; and a strap inserted through the shaft and including first and second portions extending in opposite directions, with the first portion adapted to be wound onto the shaft and the second portion adapted to be wound onto the reeling device.