Ratchet buckle with c-shape bar

Abstract

The tie-down provides an adjustable strap under control of a ratchet during retraction and pay-out. The tie-down is provided with a strap issuing rearward from a transverse bar between base sides, the bar being an integral part of the base, three sides having been rolled up from the base bottom into a C-shaped bar opening rearward. A forward strap issues forward from the tie-down secured to a spindle to which ratchet wheels attach. The forward strap wraps the spindle during tie-down strap retraction.

1 . A tie down including a base and a crank mutually pivoting at a spindle by a ratchet action, the base including opposing base sides upstanding from a base bottom, each base side including a ring and having a base spindle hole in each ring for receiving the spindle, which spindle rotates within the base spindle holes between the base sides, the crank including crank sides spaced apart and further including a crank handle extending between crank sides, the crank having a pair of crank holes on respective crank sides that are aligned with the base holes together with ratchet wheels with ratchet teeth at each spindle end such that the spindle passes rotatably through the aligned crank and base holes, the tie down adapted to receive a forward strap in attachment to the spindle to extend forward from the tie down and adapted to receive a rearward strap in attachment to the base to extend rearward from the tie down such that as the crank is rotated forward with the base and crank pivoting apart in cooperation with the ratchet action, the effective length of the combined forward and rearward straps is reduced, the improvement comprising:
 a rearward lug rearward on and projecting outward from said curvilinear outer edge,   a ratchet plate slidable in respective crank side slots directed toward the ratchet wheel, the ratchet plate extending between the crank sides and including a ratchet plate leg portion disposed to releasably engage and disengage from teeth of the ratchet wheels, the ratchet plate leg portion movable between a ratchet condition forward of the lug and a lock condition rearward of the lug, wherein the ratchet plate moves generally along the outer edge during said ratchet action with the ratchet plate in said ratchet condition wherein movement of the ratchet plate between said ratchet and lock conditions is effected by lifting said ratchet plate leg portion over said rearward lug and wherein the crank is prevented from rotating when said ratchet plate is in lock condition,   a lock plate slidable in respective base side slots directed toward teeth of the ratchet wheel, the lock plate extending between the crank sides and including a lock plate leg portion disposed to releasably engage teeth of the ratchet wheels, preventing the ratchet wheel from rotating rearward as the ratchet plate disengages from said teeth and said crank and ratchet plate rotate rearward with the base and crank pivoting together in said ratchet action,   wherein at least one of said crank sides has a notch such that with the lock plate in engagement with the teeth, as the crank with ratchet plate lowers into said lock position, the lock plate is received into said notch, preventing the lock plate from disengaging from the teeth and thus the ratchet wheel from rotating.   a forward lug forward on and projecting outward from said curvilinear outer edge,   a cam on the crank sides moving the lock plate out of engagement with the ratchet teeth when the rotating plate in the crank is rotated over and forward of the forward lug from said ratchet condition to a forward position wherein the ratchet plate is supported out of engagement with the said teeth and wherein movement of the ratchet plate between said ratchet condition and said forward position is effected by lifting said ratchet plate leg portion over said forward lug, wherein with the crank with ratchet plate in forward position the spindle can rotate freely with the ratchet plate and the lock plate out of engagement with the teeth the ratchet wheel,   a rear strap bar attached between the base sides, the rear strap bar being unitary with the base bottom being bent therefrom on a strap bar side that remains integral with the base.   
     
     
         2 . The tie down of  claim 1  wherein the bar comprises ears on each bar side that fit into bar receiving holes sized to receive the ears. 
     
     
         3 . The tie down of  claim 1  wherein the rear strap bar comprises an ear on each rear strap bar side that fits into a rear strap bar receiving hole in each base side, the respective rear strap bar receiving holes being of size to receive the respective ears therein preventing the rear strap bar from moving rearward past the bar receiving holes under pull of the rear strap under load, wherein the rear strap bar is adapted to receive the rear strap in securement thereto by the rear strap entering through a hole in the base bottom and then wrapping around the rear strap bar and back upon the rear strap to which it is affixed therein securing the rear strap against slippage in length under load in its securement to the rear bar. 
     
     
         4 . The tie down of  claim 3  wherein the rear strap bar is formed with three sides of the rear strap bar having been cut and rolled up from the base bottom into a C-shaped bar opening rearward of the tie down. 
     
     
         5 . The tie down of  claim 1  wherein the rear strap bar is formed with three sides of the rear strap bar having been cut and rolled up from the base bottom into a C-shaped bar opening rearward of the tie down. 
     
     
         6 . A tie down including a base and a crank mutually pivoting at a spindle by a ratchet action, the base including opposing base sides upstanding from a base bottom, each base side including a ring and having a base spindle hole in each ring for receiving the spindle, which spindle rotates within the base spindle holes between the base sides, the crank including crank sides spaced apart and further including a crank handle extending between crank sides, the crank having a pair of crank holes on respective crank sides that are aligned with the base holes together with ratchet wheels with ratchet teeth at each spindle end such that the spindle passes rotatably through the aligned crank and base holes, the tie down adapted to receive a forward strap in attachment to the spindle to extend forward from the tie down and adapted to receive a rearward strap in attachment to the base to extend rearward from the tie down such that as the crank is rotated forward with the base and crank pivoting apart in cooperation with the ratchet action, the effective length of the combined forward and rearward straps is reduced, the improvement comprising a rear strap bar attached between the base sides, the rear strap bar being unitary with the base bottom being bent therefrom on a strap bar side that remains integral with the base. 
     
     
         7 . The tie down of  claim 6  wherein the rear strap bar is formed with three sides of the rear strap bar having been cut and rolled up from the base bottom into a C-shaped bar opening rearward of the tie down. 
     
     
         8 . The tie down of  claim 6  wherein the rear strap bar comprises ears on each rear strap bar side that fit into rear strap bar receiving holes sized to receive the ears therein preventing the rear strap bar from moving rearward past the bar receiving holes under pull of the rear strap under load. 
     
     
         9 . The tie down of  claim 6  wherein the rear strap bar is adapted to receive the rear strap in securement thereto by the rear strap entering through a hole in the base bottom and then wrapping around the rear strap bar and back upon the rear strap to which it is affixed therein securing the rear strap against slippage in length under load in its securement to the rear bar. 
     
     
         10 . The tie down of  claim 6  wherein the rear strap bar comprises an ear on each rear strap bar side that fits into a rear strap bar receiving hole in each base side, the respective rear strap bar receiving holes being of size to receive the respective ears therein preventing the rear strap bar from moving rearward past the bar receiving holes under pull of the rear strap under load, wherein the rear strap bar is adapted to receive the rear strap in securement thereto by the rear strap entering through a hole in the base bottom and then wrapping around the rear strap bar and back upon the rear strap to which it is affixed therein securing the rear strap against slippage in length under load in its securement to the rear bar. 
     
     
         11 . The tie down of  claim 6  wherein said hole in the base bottom is formed as the rear strap bar is cut and bent out of the base bottom. 
     
     
         12 . A tie down including a base and a crank mutually pivoting at a spindle by a ratchet action, the base including opposing base sides upstanding from a base bottom, the tie down adapted to receive a forward strap in attachment to the spindle to extend forward from the tie down and adapted to receive a rearward strap in attachment to the base to extend rearward from the tie down such that as the crank is rotated forward with the base and crank pivoting apart in cooperation with the ratchet action, the effective length of the combined forward and rearward straps is reduced, the improvement comprising a rear strap bar attached between the base sides, the rear strap bar being unitary with the base bottom with three sides of the rear strap bar having been cut and rolled up from the base bottom into a C-shaped bar opening rearward of the tie down having been bent therefrom on a strap bar side that remains integral with the base bottom wherein the rear strap bar includes an ear on each rear strap bar side that fits into a rear strap bar receiving hole in each base side, the respective rear strap bar receiving holes being of size to receive the respective ears therein preventing the rear strap bar from moving rearward past the bar receiving holes under pull of the rear strap under load, wherein the rear strap bar is adapted to receive the rear strap in securement thereto by entering through a hole in the base bottom and then wrapping around the rear strap bar and back upon the rear strap to which it is affixed therein securing the rear strap against slippage in length under load in its securement to the rear bar, which hole in the base bottom is formed as the rear strap bar is cut and bent out of the base bottom into a C-shaped bar opening rearward of the tie down.