Patent ID: 8408521

Claim:
A tensioning apparatus comprising: a frame; a first shaft rotatably mounted on the frame; a lever connected with the first shaft and operably pivoting with respect to the frame to rotate the first shaft, the lever having a gripping portion mounted thereon and used for pivoting the lever; a reeling device having a second shaft rotatably mounted on the lever; a ratcheting mechanism having a ratchet member mounted on the second shaft and rotated with the second shaft, a pawl, and an elastic element biasably engaging the pawl with the ratchet member; a strap inserted through the first shaft and having a first portion and a second portion, both of which extend in opposite directions, the first shaft being rotatable to collect the first portion of the strap, the reeling device being rotatable to collect the second portion of the strap; and a ratchet wheel mounted on the first shaft, and a detent movably installed on the lever between an operative position, in which the detent engages the ratchet wheel in order to rotate the shaft, and an idle position, in which the detent is away from the first ratchet; wherein engaging between the ratchet member and the pawl provides a step-by-step effect and facilitates collection of the second portion of the strap by preventing the second shaft from turning in a direction to unreel the strap; wherein the detent comprises a retaining portion for engaging the ratchet wheel, two lateral strips extending toward the gripping portion from two sides of the retaining portion, and an operation portion located between the gripping portion and the second shaft and having two sides each connected with a distal end of one of the two lateral strips.