Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TIE-DOWN APPARATUS
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a tie-down apparatus and, more
particularly, to a tie-down apparatus with a security device.
2. RELATED PRIOR ART
[0002] A tie-down apparatus is often used to tie goods. Atypical
tie-down apparatus includes a frame, a reel, a ratcheted wheel, a ratchet
detent, a handle and two straps. The frame includes two lateral plates and a
middle plate lateral plates and a middle plate. The lateral plates extend
substantially parallel to each other. The middle plate extends between the
lateral plates. The reel is supported on the lateral plates so that the reel
is
rotatable relative to the lateral plates. A middle section of the reel is
located between the lateral plates. The reel includes an end extending
throughout one of the lateral plates and another end extending throughout
the other lateral plate. The ratcheted wheel is connected to an end of the
reel so that the ratcheted wheel is rotatable with the reel. The ratchet
detent is supported on one of the lateral plates so that the former is
rotatable
relative to the later. The handle is connected to another end of the reel so
that they are rotatable together. One of the straps includes an end
connected to the middle plate and another end connected to a hook. The
other strap includes an end connected to the reel and another end connected
to another hook. In use of the tie-down apparatus, the hooks are used to
hook two proper portions of a truck for example after the straps are located
against goods. Then, the handle is operated to rotate the reel rotated in a
sense of direction. The reel reels in one of the straps. Thus, the straps are
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pressed tight on the goods. The ratcheted wheel rotates with the reel while
the ratchet detent rattles on the ratcheted wheel. Whenever the handle is
stopped, the reel and the ratcheted wheel are stopped, and the ratcheted
wheel is engaged with the ratchet detent. That is, the ratchet detent keeps
the ratcheted wheel and the reel in position. Hence, the tension in the
straps is retained, and the goods are tied on the truck. The use of the
tie-down apparatus is not without any problem. Firstly, the handle is not
collapsible, and could easily be entangled with and mistakenly operated by
an eternal object, thereby jeopardizing the reliability of the tie-down
apparatus. Secondly, the ratchet detent could be touched and disengaged
from the ratcheted wheel so that the ratcheted wheel and the reel could be
rotated in an opposite sense of direction to release straps.
[0003] The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at
least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[ 0004] It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a compact
and reliable tie-down apparatus.
To achieve the foregoing, the tie-down apparatus includes a frame, a
reel, a ratcheted wheel, a ratchet detent, a handle and a security device.
The reel is supported on the frame so that the reel is rotatable relative to
the
frame. The ratcheted wheel is connected to the reel so that the ratcheted
wheel is rotatable with the reel. The ratchet detent is supported on the
frame so that the ratchet detent rattles on the ratcheted wheel to allow the
ratcheted wheel to rotate when the ratcheted wheel is rotated in a first sense
of direction. The ratchet detent is engaged with the ratcheted wheel to
prevent the ratcheted wheel from rotation in an attempt to rotate the
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ratcheted wheel in a second sense of direction. The security device is
movable between a reeling position and a locking position. In the reeling
position, the security device keeps the handle connected to the reel. In the
locking position, the security device is supported on the frame and hence
pressed against the ratchet detent so that the ratchet detent is firmly
engaged
with the ratcheted wheel, thereby keeping the reel in position.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide a tie-down apparatus
comprising: a frame; a reel supported on the frame so that the reel is
rotatable relative to the frame; a ratcheted wheel connected to the reel so
that the ratcheted wheel is rotatable with the reel; a ratchet detent
supported
on the frame so that the ratchet detent rattles on the ratcheted wheel to
allow
the ratcheted wheel to rotate when the ratcheted wheel is rotated in a first
sense of direction, and that the ratchet detent is engaged with the ratcheted
wheel to prevent the ratcheted wheel from rotation in an attempt to rotate the
ratcheted wheel in a second sense of direction; a handle; and a security
device movable between a reeling position where the security device
connects the handle to the reel and a locking position where the security
device is supported on the frame to abut against and keep the ratchet detent
firmly engaged with the ratcheted wheel, thereby keeping the reel in position,
wherein in the locking position, the security device is disconnected from the
handle and the reel to allow removal of the handle from the reel.
[ 0005] Other advantages and features of the present invention will be
apparent from the following description referring to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0006] The present invention will be described via detailed illustration
of the preferred embodiment referring to the drawings wherein:
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tie-down apparatus according to the
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the tic-down apparatus taken in another
sense of direction than shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a security device the tie-down apparatus
taken in another sense of direction than shown in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the security device taken in another sense
of direction than shown in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
3.0 [0007] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a tie-down apparatus includes
a
frame 10, a reel 12, a ratcheted wheel 14, a ratchet detent 16, a handle 18, a
security device 20 and two straps (not numbered) according to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention. The frame 10 includes two lateral
plates (not numbered) and a middle plate (not numbered). The lateral
plates extend substantially parallel to each other. The middle plate extends
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between the lateral plates. Each of the lateral plates includes a circular
opening (not numbered). The circular bores are coaxial. One of the
lateral plates further includes an aperture 11.
[ 0008] The reel 12 is supported on the lateral plates of the frame 10 so
that the reel 12 is rotatable relative to the lateral plates of the frame 10.
A
middle section of the reel 12 is located between the lateral plates of the
frame 10. An end (the "first end") of the reel 12 extends throughout the
circular opening of one of the lateral plates of the frame 10. Another end
(the "second end") of the reel 12 extends throughout the circular opening of
the other lateral plate of the frame 10. The reel 12 includes a slot 22 in the
middle section. The slot 22 includes two closed ends along a length of the
reel 12. The slot 22 includes two open ends along a diameter of the reel
12, i.e., the slot 22 extends throughout the reel 12 along the diameter of the
reel 12. The reel 12 includes a reduced portion 23 at the first end and an
enlarged portion 24 at the second end. The enlarged portion 24 includes
several bores 26. Each of the bores 26 extends throughout the enlarged
portion 24 along a diameter of the enlarged portion 24.
[ 0009] The ratcheted wheel 14 is located on and around the reduced
portion 23 of the reel 12, and the ratcheted wheel 14 is connected to the reel
12 in a proper manner so that they are rotatable together. The ratcheted
wheel 14 includes several ratchets 15 formed on the periphery.
[ 0010] The ratchet detent 16 is supported on one of the lateral plates
of the frame 10, thereby rendering the ratchet detent 16 rotatable relative to
the lateral plates. The ratchet detent 16 is located in the vicinity of the
ratcheted wheel 14. The ratchet detent 16 includes an obtuse end, a sharp
end and a tooth 17. The tooth 17 extends from a side (the "first side") of
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the ratchet detent 16 between the obtuse end and sharp end. The ratchet
detent 16 is pivotally connected to the lateral plate of the frame 10 near the
obtuse end. The tooth 17 of the ratchet detent 16 can be engaged with any
one of the ratchets 15 of the ratcheted wheel 14. The tooth 17 of the
ratchet detent 16 rattles on the ratchets 15 of the ratcheted wheel 14, and
the
ratchet detent 16 pivots to and fro when the ratcheted wheel 14 is rotated in
a first sense of direction. In an attempt to rotate the ratcheted wheel 14 in
a
second sense of direction, the tooth 17 of the ratchet detent 16 is engaged
with one of the ratchets 15 of the ratcheted wheel 14 so that the ratchet
detent 16 hence prevents the ratcheted wheel 14 from rotation in the second
sense of direction.
[ 0011] The handle 18 includes a shaft 28 and a knob 30. The shaft
28 transversely extends from a side of the handle 18 near an end. In the
preferred embodiment, the shaft 28 is a tubular element made with two
bores 29. However, in another embodiment, the shaft 28 can be a solid
element made with a bore 29. The knob 30 is connected to another side of
the handle 18, near another end. The knob 30 is rotatable relative to the
handle 18. The knob 30 is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a length
of the handle 18. The knob 30 is arranged to render it easy to operate the
handle 18. The shaft 28 of the handle 18 can be inserted in the enlarged
portion 24 of the reel 12.
[ 0012] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the security device 20 includes a
pin 32 and a clip 34. The pin 32 includes an enlarged portion 36 at an end
(the "first end"). The enlarged portion 36 includes a circular bore 38 that
extends throughout the enlarged portion 36 along a diameter. The clip 34
is made of an elastic metal strip. Firstly, the metal strip is folded so that
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two ends thereof are located at an end of the clip 34 while a middle section
of the metal strip is located at another end of the clip 34. Secondly, the
folded metal wire is bent so that it becomes a U-shaped element that
includes a middle section and two lateral sections. The lateral sections of
the clip 34 extend parallel to each other. The middle section of the clip 34
extends substantially perpendicular to the lateral sections. Then, the ends
of the metal strip are bent outwards and then inwards so that each of the
ends of the metal strip becomes an insert 40. The ends of the metal strip
together form a triangular configuration. The inserts 40 are inserted in the
circular bores 38, thereby rendering the clip 34 rotatable relative to the pin
32. Finally, the middle section of the metal strip is turned into a loop
42.
The loop 42 is triangular.
[ 0013] The first strap includes an end connected to the middle plate of
the frame 10 and anbther end connected to a hook (not shown). The
second strap includes an end extending throughout the slot 22 of the reel 12
and another end connected to another hook (not shown).
[ 0014] The tie-down apparatus is movable at least one reeling position
and a locking position. Referring to FIG. 1, in the reeling position, the
shaft 28 of the handle 18 is inserted in the enlarged portion 24 of the reel
12.
The bores 29 of the shaft 28 are aligned with two of the bores 26 of the
enlarged portion 24 before the pin 32 is inserted in the aligned bores 29 and
26. The enlarged portion 36 of the pin 32 and another end (the second
end ) of the pin 32 are located out of the enlarged portion 24 of the reel 12.
The loop 42 is engaged with the second end of the pin 32. Thus, the clip
34 keeps the pin 32 in the shaft 28 and the enlarged portion 24 of the reel
12.
That is, the security device 20 retains the connection of the handle 18 to the
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reel 12. Then, the hooks are used to hook two portions of a truck for
example. The straps are located around goods. The handle 18 is pivoted
in a first sense of direction to rotate the reel 12. The reel 12 reels in one
of
the straps. Thus, the straps tightly tie the goods to the truck. The
ratcheted wheel 14 is rotated with the reel 12, and the tooth 17 of the
ratchet
detent 16 rattles on the ratchets 15 of the ratcheted wheel 14. Whenever
the handle 18 is stopped, the reel 12 and the ratcheted wheel 14 are stopped,
and the tooth 17 of the ratchet detent 16 is engaged with one of the ratchets
of the ratcheted wheel 14. That is, the ratchet detent 16 keeps the
10 ratcheted wheel 14 and the reel 12 in position. Hence, the tension in
the
straps is kept, and the goods are kept in position on the truck.
[ 0015] To move the tie-down apparatus to the locking position from
the reeling position, the loop 42 is removed from the second end of the pin
32. Then, the pin 32 is removed from the aligned bores 29 and 26. The
15 shaft 28 is removed from the enlarged portion 24.
[ 0016] Referring to FIG. 2, in the locking position, the pin 32 is
inserted in the aperture 11 so that the enlarged portion 36 at the first end
of
the pin 32 is located out of the frame 10 while the second end of the pin 32
is inserted in the frame 10. The loop 42 is engaged with the second end of
the pin 32. Thus, the clip 34 keeps the pin 32 in one of the lateral plates of
the frame 10. The pin 32 abuts against another side (the "second side") of
the ratchet detent 16 so that the ratchet detent 16 cannot be pivoted from the
ratcheted wheel 14. That is, the tooth 17 on the first side of the pin 32
cannot be disengaged from the ratchets 15 of the ratcheted wheel 14.
Hence, the reel 12 cannot be rotated in the second sense of direction. The
tension in the straps' cannot be reduced. The goods cannot be released from
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the truck.
[0017] Notably, the location of the aperture 11 is matched with the
length of the lateral sections of the clip 34. Thus, the middle section of the
clip 34 is pressed against the corresponding lateral plate of the frame 10 so
that the clip 34 cannot be pivoted relative to the corresponding lateral plate
of the frame 10.
[ 0018] As discussed above, the handle 18 can be detached from the
reel 12 so that the handle 18 would not be tangled with an external object
and mistakenly operated to jeopardize the reliability of the tie-down
apparatus. Moreover, the security device 20 keeps the ratchet detent 16
engaged with the ratcheted wheel 14, thereby keeping the reel 12 in position.
Hence, the tension in the straps is retained, and the goods are tightly tied
to
the truck.
[ 0019] The present invention has been described via the illustration of
the preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art can derive variations
from the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the
present invention. Therefore, the preferred embodiment shall not limit the
scope of the present invention defined in the claims.
