Patent ID: 7455080

Claim:
A tensioner for applying an associated non-metallic strap around an associated load, the tensioner comprising: a base; a lever supported by the base and configured to pivot in a clockwise direction, the lever having a distal end near a distal end of the tensioner; a drive gear rotatively mounted to the lever and configured to rotate clockwise when the lever is rotated in the clockwise direction; a tension gear engaging the drive gear and configured to rotate counter-clockwise when the drive gear rotates in a clockwise direction; a feed wheel coupled to the tension gear and configured to rotate counter-clockwise when the tension gear rotates in a counter-clockwise direction; a gripper attached to the base, wherein a portion of the associated strap is positioned on and held stationary by the gripper to form a bottom layer, a downstream portion of the associated strap being wrapped around the associated load and fed underneath the feed wheel until it overlies the bottom layer and forms a top layer that is in contact with the feed wheel, wherein, when the lever is rotated in the clockwise direction and the feed wheel rotates counter-clockwise, the top layer is pulled toward a distal end of the tensioner and the associated strap is tensioned in a clockwise direction around the associated load.