SIDE LOADING RATCHET FOR MAINTAINING STRAP TENSION
A system for maintaining tension in a strap includes a spooling mechanism, a ratchet release, and a safety release. The spooling mechanism includes a first side loading slot configured to receive a first strap, and a second side loading slot configured to receive a tourniquet strap. The ratchet release disengages a ratchet gear from a pawl. The safety release prevents the ratchet gear from disengaging with the pawl when the safety release is active.
1 . A system for maintaining tension on a strap comprising:
a spooling mechanism having:
a rotating barrel twisting a strap at least partially around the barrel, the barrel including:
a first side loading slot and a second side loading slot receiving a first strap;
a third side loading slot and a fourth side loading slot configured to receive a second strap;
a ratchet release to disengage a ratchet gear from a pawl; and
a safety release to prevent the ratchet gear from disengaging with the pawl when the safety release is active.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a fixed end of webbing.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the spooling mechanism gathers the webbing.
4 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a button to actuate the ratchet release.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the button moves the ratchet gear from the pawl.
6 . A system for maintaining tension on a strap comprising:
a spooling mechanism having a barrel including a first side loading slot and a second side loading slot receiving a strap;
a ratchet release disengaging a pawl from a ratchet gear; and
a safety release to prevent the pawl from disengaging with the ratchet gear when the safety release is active.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the system further comprises a fixed end of webbing.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the spooling mechanism gathers the webbing.
9 . The system of claim 6 , further comprising a button to actuate the ratchet release.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the button moves the ratchet gear from the pawl.
11 . A method for maintaining tension on a strap comprising:
providing a spooling mechanism having a barrel including a first side loading slot and a second side loading slot;
loading a webbing into the first side loading slot of the spooling mechanism; and
rotating the barrel to twist the webbing around the barrel and increase tension of the webbing.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein providing the spooling mechanism comprises:
providing a spooling mechanism having:
a rotating barrel twisting a strap at least partially around the barrel, the barrel including:
a first side loading slot and a second side loading slot receiving a first strap;
a third side loading slot and a fourth side loading slot configured to receive a second strap;
a ratchet release to disengage a ratchet gear from a pawl; and
a safety release to prevent the ratchet gear from disengaging with the pawl when the safety release is active.
13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising loading the webbing into the second side loading slot of the spooling mechanism.
14 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising relieving tension in the strap by disengaging the ratchet gear from the pawl.
15 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising tightening the webbing by lifting up and down on a ratchet handle.