Retractable ratcheting tie down

1. A retractable ratcheting tie down apparatus including:

a frame;

a hub rotatably mounted within the frame;

a ratchet wheel mounted to the hub;

a pawl, wherein the pawl interfaces with the ratchet wheel to selectably prevent motion of the hub relative to the frame;

a single tie down strap extending between two attachment members, the single tie down strap extending through the hub between the two attachment members, the single tie down strap configured to permit winding of the single tie down strap around the hub;

an operable means for applying a tension force to the single tie down strap and for rotating the hub and ratchet wheel to wind the single tie down strap around the hub such that tension between the two attachment members is transmitted directly through the single tie down strap and transitions between segments of the single tie down strap at the windings of the single tie down strap about the hub; and

a means of urging the hub in order to move the single tie down strap to a fully retracted position.

2. The retractable ratcheting tie down apparatus of claim 1 , further including a release handle, wherein the release handle is configured to remove the interface between the pawl and the reel.

3. The retractable ratcheting tie down apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the means of applying a tension force to the single tie down strap is a tension handle configured to apply a rotational force to the hub.

4. The retractable ratcheting tie down apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the tension handle further includes a ratchet.

5. The retractable ratcheting tie down apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the frame defines at least two frame apertures configured to prevent rotation of the frame relative to the single tie down strap during an operation to apply tension force to the single tie down strap.

6. A retractable ratcheting tie down apparatus including:

a frame;

a hub rotatably mounted within the frame;

a ratchet wheel mounted to the hub;

a pawl, wherein the pawl interfaces with the ratchet wheel to selectably prevent motion of the hub relative to the frame;

a single tie down strap extending between two attachment members, the single tie down strap extending through the hub between the two attachment members, the single tie down strap configured to permit winding of the single tie down strap around the hub;

an operable means for applying a tension force to the single tie down strap and for rotating the hub and ratchet wheel to wind the single tie down strap around the hub such that tension between the two attachment members is transmitted directly through the single tie down strap and transitions between segments of the single tie down strap at the windings of the single tie down strap about the hub, wherein the operable means for rotating the hub and ratchet wheel is removable from the retractable ratcheting tie down apparatus; and

a means of urging the hub in order to move the single tie down strap to a fully retracted position.

7. The retractable ratcheting tie down apparatus of claim 6 , further including a release handle, wherein the release handle is configured to remove the interface between the pawl and the reel.

8. The retractable ratcheting tie down apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the means of applying a tension force to the single tie down strap is a tension handle configured to apply a rotational force to the hub.

9. The retractable ratcheting tie down apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the tension handle further includes a ratchet.

10. The retractable ratcheting tie down apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the frame defines at least two frame apertures configured to prevent rotation of the frame relative to the single tie down strap during an operation to apply tension force to the single tie down strap.

11. A retractable ratcheting tie down apparatus including:

a frame;

a hub rotatably mounted within the frame;

a ratchet wheel mounted to the hub;

a pawl, wherein the pawl interfaces with the ratchet wheel to selectably prevent motion of the hub relative to the frame;

a single tie down strap extending between two attachment members, the single tie down strap extending through the hub between the two attachment members, the single tie down strap configured to permit winding of the single tie down strap around the hub, wherein the single tie down strap extends through the hub such that the frame can freely move along the single tie down strap when the single tie down strap is in the a fully extended position;

an operable means for applying a tension force to the single tie down strap and for rotating the hub and ratchet wheel to wind the single tie down strap around the hub such that tension between the two attachment members is transmitted directly through the single tie down strap and transitions between segments of the single tie down strap at the windings of the single tie down strap about the hub; and

a release handle, wherein the release handle is configured to remove the interface between the pawl and the reel.

12. The retractable ratcheting tie down apparatus of claim 11 , further including a means of urging the hub in order to move the single tie down strap to a fully retracted position.

13. The retractable ratcheting tie down apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the means of applying a tension force to the single tie down strap is a tension handle configured to apply a rotational force to the hub.

14. The retractable ratcheting tie down apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the tension handle further includes a ratchet.

15. The retractable ratcheting tie down apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the frame defines at least two frame apertures configured to prevent rotation of the frame relative to the single tie down strap during an operation to apply tension force to the single tie down strap.

16. A retractable ratcheting tie down apparatus including:

a frame;

a hub rotatably mounted within the frame;

a ratchet wheel mounted to the hub;

a pawl, wherein the pawl interfaces with the ratchet wheel to selectably prevent motion of the hub relative to the frame;

a single tie down strap extending between two attachment members, the single tie down strap extending through the hub between the two attachment members, the single tie down strap configured to permit winding of the single tie down strap around the hub;

an operable means for applying a tension force to the single tie down strap and for rotating the hub and ratchet wheel to wind the single tie down strap around the hub such that tension between the two attachment members is transmitted directly through the single tie down strap and transitions between segments of the single tie down strap at the windings of the single tie down strap about the hub; and

a release handle, wherein the release handle is configured to remove the interface between the pawl and the reel.

17. The retractable ratcheting tie down apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the means of applying a tension force to the single tie down strap is a tension handle configured to apply a rotational force to the hub.

18. The retractable ratcheting tie down apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the tension handle further includes a ratchet.

19. The retractable ratcheting tie down apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the frame defines at least two frame apertures configured to prevent rotation of the frame relative to the single tie down strap during an operation to apply tension force to the single tie down strap.