Patent ID: 7086122

Claim:
A strap assembly comprising: a ladder strap having a plurality of transverse ridges; a base having a pair of oppositely disposed walls defining a channel, the channel adapted to slidably receive the ladder strap; a rotatable barrel mounted along a central axis to the pair of walls, wherein the barrel includes a plurality of teeth oriented parallel to the barrel axis, wherein the teeth are spaced to drivably engage the ladder strap transverse ridges, the barrel being movable between a first position relatively close to the base such that the barrel teeth are disposed to engage the ladder strap transverse ridges, and a second position displaced away from the base such that the barrel teeth do not engage the ladder strap transverse ridges; a lever pivotally mounted to the pair of walls, the lever including a transverse member that drivably engages the barrel teeth for rotation of the barrel in a forward direction and slidably accommodates the barrel teeth without rotating the barrel in the direction opposite the forward direction; a release tab extending away from the barrel, the release tab being sized and positioned to provide a grippable member to facilitate moving the barrel from the first position to the second position and a locking mechanism that prevents rotation of the barrel in the direction opposite the forward direction such that the rotatable barrel does not rotate opposite the first direction when the lever is moved, and the barrel does not rotate opposite the first direction when the ladder strap is loosened.