Ratchet mechanism
View Patent ↗A securing mechanism for securing cargo that may include a body, a ratchet, a lever and a release mechanism. The body may be capable of receiving a strap therethrough, wherein the strap may includes opposing ends. The ratchet may include a pair of opposing arms connected to the body and a spool rotatably connected to the arms. The spool may include a slot to receive the strap into a z-fold configuration. The lever may be rotatably attached to the arms and reciprocated between an open position and a closed position, wherein the lever may include at least one pawl to engage the ratchet wheels and may rotate the spool when the lever is reciprocated. The release mechanism may be capable of selectively disengaging the pawl from the ratchet wheel. The securing mechanism may be selectively positionable along the strap when the strap is bi-directionally gathered onto the spool.
1. A securing mechanism for securing cargo, said securing mechanism comprising:
a body capable of receiving a strap therethrough, wherein said strap includes opposing ends;
at least one aperture positioned on said body, said at least one aperture capable of attaching additional devices to said body;
a ratchet comprising:
a pair of opposing arms connected to said body;
a spool rotatably connected to said opposing arms, said spool including a slot to receive said strap;
a pair of ratchet wheels connected to opposing ends of said spool; and
wherein said spool gathers said strap into a z-fold configuration via said slot;
a lever rotatably attached to said arms and reciprocated between a first position and a second position, wherein said lever includes at least one pawl to engage said ratchet wheels and rotates said spool when said lever is reciprocated;
a release mechanism capable of selectively disengaging said pawl from said ratchet wheel; and
wherein said body is selectively positionable along said strap via said slot until said strap is bi-directionally gathered onto said spool.
2. The securing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein said body includes a guide capable of guiding said strap onto said spool.
3. The securing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein said body further includes a cap located on each end of said spool for securing said spool within said mechanism.
4. The securing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein said body has a soft bottom capable of protecting the cargo.
5. The securing mechanism of claim 1 , further including a securing member having a quick tightening feature capable of removing slack from said strap.
6. The securing mechanism of claim 5 , wherein said quick tightening feature is a buckle.
7. The securing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein said body is selectively positionable along a length of said strap via said slot while said lever is in said second position.
8. A securing mechanism comprising:
a body capable of receiving a strap, said body having a periphery;
at least one attachment mechanism positioned on said periphery of said body, said at least one attachment mechanism capable of attaching additional devices to said body; and
a ratchet assembly operatively coupled to said body, wherein said ratchet assembly is operatively positionable when at least one additional device is attached to said body.
9. The securing mechanism of claim 8 , wherein said at least one attachment mechanism comprises at least one aperture, wherein said at least one aperture is capable of attaching additional devices to said body.
10. The securing mechanism of claim 8 , further comprising a strap guide attached to said body, said strap guide capable of facilitating feeding and guiding said strap into said ratchet assembly.
11. The securing mechanism of claim 8 , further comprising a lever operatively coupled to said ratchet assembly and positionable between a first position and a second position wherein said lever includes a first handle and said first handle includes at least one handle attachment mechanism capable of attaching additional devices to said first handle.
12. The securing mechanism of claim 11 , further comprising a second handle attached to said body, wherein said second handle includes at least one second handle attachment mechanism capable of attaching additional devices to said second handle.
13. The securing mechanism of claim 12 , wherein said second handle includes a strap guide, wherein said strap guide is capable of facilitating feeding and guiding said strap into said ratchet assembly.
14. A securing mechanism comprising:
a body capable of receiving a strap, said strap capable of traveling within said body along a path;
at least one aperture positioned on said body and positioned free of said path of said strap, said at least one aperture capable of attaching additional devices to said body;
a ratchet assembly operatively coupled to said body; and
a lever operatively coupled to said ratchet assembly and positionable between a first position and a second position, wherein said lever is positionable between said first and second positions when at least one additional device is attached to said body.
15. The securing mechanism of claim 14 , wherein said ratchet assembly includes a spool wherein said spool gathers said strap into a substantially z-fold configuration.
16. The securing mechanism of claim 15 , wherein said spool includes a slot and wherein said slot allows said body to be selectively positionable along said strap.
17. The securing mechanism of claim 14 , wherein said strap is capable of being tethered in at least two directions relative to said body.
18. The securing mechanism of claim 14 , wherein said lever includes at least one aperture for attaching additional devices to said lever.
19. The securing mechanism of claim 14 , wherein said lever includes a handle and said handle includes at least one aperture for attaching additional devices to said handle.
20. The securing mechanism of claim 14 , further comprising a strap guide facilitating feeding and guiding of said strap into said ratchet mechanism.
21. A securing mechanism comprising:
a body capable of receiving a strap;
at least one aperture positioned on said body, said at least one aperture capable of attaching additional devices to said body;
a ratchet assembly operatively coupled to said body; and
a lever operatively coupled to said ratchet assembly and positionable between a first position and a second position, wherein said lever includes at least one aperture for attaching additional devices to said lever.
22. A securing mechanism comprising:
a body capable of receiving a strap;
at least one aperture positioned on said body, said at least one aperture capable of attaching additional devices to said body;
a ratchet assembly operatively coupled to said body; and
a lever operatively coupled to said ratchet assembly and positionable between a first position and a second position, wherein said lever includes a handle and said handle includes at least one aperture for attaching additional devices to said handle.
23. A securing mechanism comprising:
a body capable of receiving a strap;
a ratchet assembly operatively coupled to said body; and
a lever operatively coupled to said ratchet assembly and positionable between first and second positions; and
a handle attached to said lever, wherein said handle includes at least one gripping aperture and at least one attachment mechanism capable of attaching additional devices to said handle.
24. The securing mechanism of claim 23 , wherein said at least one attachment mechanism includes at least one aperture positioned on said handle.