Patent ID: 7296326

Claim:
An apparatus for tightening and collecting a strap, comprising: a) a cargo tightening portion comprising: i) a connecting arm extending in a longitudinal direction, the connecting arm having a first pair of spaced apart sidewalls; ii) a lever pivotally journaled in the connecting arm by a first shaft, the lever having a second pair of spaced apart sidewalls, the first shaft having a first slot for introducing an end of a strap, the first shaft being operable for co-rotational movement with the lever for tightening the strap; and b) a strap collector portion comprising a second shaft rotatably mounted to the second pair of spaced apart sidewalls of the lever, the second shaft having a second slot therein to accept the end of the strap after the strap is tightened on the cargo c) at least one toothed ratchet wheel fixedly mounted to the first shaft between the first pair of spaced apart sidewalls and the second pair of spaced apart sidewalls; and d) a pawl mounted to the lever for reciprocal movement to engage and disengage from the at least one toothed ratchet wheel and cause the rotation of the first shaft.