Patent ID: 8141212

Claim:
A method of using a tie down tensioning device, the method comprising: (a) providing the tie down tensioning device, the tie down tensioning device having a housing that includes: (i) first and second opposed sidewalls defining a jamming cleat feature that has two opposed interior side surfaces that (A) extend from an elongated base that runs in a substantially axial direction between an input and an output and (B) include a plurality of ridges inclined from near the elongated base away from the elongated base along the side surfaces toward the output of the jamming cleat feature, (ii) ingress and egress holes, with a channel extending therebetween, the channel (A) extending in a first direction generally parallel to the elongated base, (B) turning approximately 180 degrees, and (C) extending in a second direction to the input of the jamming cleat feature, (iii) a distal aperture defined in the housing, and (iv) a locking feature proximate the output of the jamming cleat feature; (b) securing the housing to a substantially fixed object via the distal aperture; (c) inserting a tail end of a flexible elongated member into the ingress hole of the housing; (d) passing the tail end of the flexible elongated member through the channel around the distal aperture; (e) pulling the tail end of the flexible elongated member through the channel until a desired tension is achieved; (f) moving the flexible elongated member into contact with the jamming cleat feature; (g) releasing the flexible elongated member until the jamming cleat feature grips the flexible elongated member, thereby maintaining the desired tension in a load end of the flexible elongated member; and (h) moving the flexible elongated member under the locking feature to prevent the flexible elongated member from lifting out of the jamming cleat feature.