Patent ID: 8096740

Claim:
A retractable cargo strap mechanism, comprising: a winch assembly, further comprising: an adapter plate comprising a flat plate; a winch shaft inserted through a central aperture of said adapter plate and extending rearwardly from and further comprising a cylindrical body with an elongated strap aperture, a first end, and a second end; a winch lock gear rigidly attached to said first end of said winch shaft and abutting an outside vertical surface of said adapter plate; a load lock lever hingedly attached to said adapter plate via a lever mounting pin subjacent to said winch lock gear; a spring lock lever hingedly attached to said adapter plate via a lever mounting pin superjacent to said winch lock gear; and, a ratchet cap located on said first end of said winch shaft adjacent to said winch lock gear, comprising a plurality of winch bar apertures; a spring assembly attached to said winch assembly; and, a backstop attached to said adapter plate adjacent to said load lock lever; wherein said mechanism is removably attached to an existing trailer winch bracket of a trailer; wherein said mechanism winds a cargo strap between a fully deployed position and a fully retracted position; wherein said mechanism disengages said cargo strap for retracting said cargo strap; wherein said mechanism secures said cargo strap in a desired position when said mechanism winds said cargo strap; wherein said mechanism assists in securing a load on said trailer; wherein said mechanism is mounted to a first portion of said trailer winch bracket with said adapter plate; wherein said winch shaft is freely rotatable in said central aperture of said adapter plate; wherein said elongated aperture of said winch shaft receives a first end of said cargo strap for retention therein; wherein said load lock lever secures said winch lock gear and said winch shaft when said cargo strap is at said desired position; wherein said spring lock lever prevents said winch lock gear and said winch shaft from rotating and retracting due to an exerted force by said spring assembly; wherein said winch bar apertures each receive a standard winch bar for assisting said winding means; and, wherein said backstop prevents said load lock lever from over rotating due to an applied force by said winch lock gear.