Patent ID: RE44948

Claim:
A tensioning device for connecting a trailer to a spring bar of a load-compensating apparatus of a towing vehicle, the tensioning device comprising: (a) a body unit having a vertically-oriented base portion secured to a frame member of said trailer; (b) a reel unit including an off-center hub portion, the reel unit being rotatively secured to the base portion about a pivot axis oriented perpendicularly to the base portion; (c) a rotation-limiting element structured wherein rotation of the reel unit is limited to approximately 180° about the pivot axis; (d) a connecting element having a proximal end thereof releasably secured to the off center hub portion and a distal end thereof connected to said spring bar of said load-compensating apparatus of said towing vehicle; (e) a latching element including a latch pin structured to releasably lock the reel portion in a tensioned configuration; and (f) a lug and a handle with a socket portion, the lug being secured to the reel portion and the socket portion being removably securable to the lug; and (g) wherein the reel portion is rotatable to, and releasably lockable by the latching element in, the tensioned configuration.