Device For Independently Tensioning Lines By Hand

Abstract

A device for independently tensioning lines includes: (a) a housing; (b) a control handle extending from the housing and configured for manual rotation by a hand of a person; (c) a first line extending from the housing; and (d) a second line extending from the housing. The control handle is manually rotatable by hand about an axis in a first rotational direction, whereby at least a portion of the first line is drawn into the housing when the control handle is rotated in the first rotational direction. The handle also is manually rotatable by hand about the axis in a second rotational direction, whereby at least a portion of the second line is drawn into the housing when the control handle is rotated in the second rotational direction. The rotational direction is opposite the first rotational direction.

1 . A device for independently tensioning lines, comprising:
 (a) a housing;   (b) a control handle extending from the housing and configured for manual rotation by a hand of a person;   (c) a first line extending from the housing; and   (d) a second line extending from the housing;   (e) wherein the control handle is manually rotatable by hand about an axis in a first rotational direction, whereby at least a portion of the first line is drawn into the housing when the control handle is rotated in the first rotational direction;   (f) wherein the control handle is manually rotatable by hand about the axis in a second rotational direction, whereby at least a portion of the second line is drawn into the housing when the control handle is rotated in the second rotational direction; and   (g) wherein the second rotational direction is opposite the first rotational direction.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the control handle comprises a dial. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is wearable by a person. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is attached to an article of apparel that is wearable by a person. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the tensioning lines are attached to the article of apparel for tensioning of the article. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the article of apparel comprises a helmet. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the article of apparel comprises body armor. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the article of apparel comprises a ballistic vest. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is constructed solely from injection molded components. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the components forming the housing are secured by a snap-fit connection. 
   
   
       11 . A hand-actuated device for independently tensioning lines, comprising:
 (a) a drive assembly;   (b) two spool assemblies; and   (c) a ratchet assembly;   (d) wherein,
 (i) manual rotation by hand of the drive assembly in a first rotational direction about a drive axis results in rotation of a first spool assembly in a first rotational direction of the first spool assembly, but does not result in rotation of the second spool assembly, and 
 (ii) manual rotation by hand of the dial in a second rotational direction about the drive axis opposite to the first rotational direction of the drive assembly results in rotation of the second spool assembly in a first rotational direction of the second spool assembly, but does not result in rotation of the first spool assembly; and 
   (e) wherein,
 (i) the ratchet assembly precludes rotation of the first spool assembly in a second rotational direction of the first spool assembly that is opposite to the first rotational direction of the first spool assembly; and 
 (ii) the ratchet assembly precludes rotation of the second spool assembly in a second rotational direction of the second spool assembly that is opposite to the first rotational direction of the second spool assembly. 
   
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is wearable by a person. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is attached to an article of apparel that is wearable by a person. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the tensioning lines are attached to the article of apparel for tensioning of the article. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the article of apparel comprises a helmet. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the article of apparel comprises body armor. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the article of apparel comprises a ballistic vest. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the housing is constructed solely from injection molded components. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the components forming the housing are secured by a snap-fit connection. 
   
   
       20 . A device for independently drawing lines into a housing, comprising:
 (a) means for drawing at least a portion of a first line into the housing when a control handle is manually rotated by hand in a first rotational direction;   (b) means for drawing at least a portion of a second line into the housing when the control handle is manually rotated by hand in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction;   (c) means for retaining the portion of the first line within the housing when a portion of the second line is drawn into the housing and for retaining a portion of the second line within the housing when a portion of the first line is drawn into the housing;   (d) means for manually releasing by hand a portion of the first line from the housing without also releasing a portion of the second line from the housing; and   (e) means for manually releasing by hand a portion of the second line from the housing without also releasing a portion of the first line from the housing.