Strap Tensioning Assembly

Abstract

A strap tensioning assembly includes a frame having two lateral walls and each of which includes a perimeter defining a first, a second, and a third engaging sections, an axle, and an automatic reeling device. A ratcheting device is mounted on and is rotatable with the axle and includes a ratchet wheel selectively engaged with a first detent as well as a brake mechanism. An operating device includes a pivotal end mounted on the axle and including a first, a second, and a third cams, and a locking member selectively engagable with the first, second and third engaging sections. The operating device is pivoted in the first engaging section in order to tension a strap, and is pivoted in the second engaging section in order to release a strap, and is adapted to be rotated by the automatic reeling device, and under or without resistance imposed by the braking mechanism.

1 . A strap tensioning assembly comprising:
 a frame including two lateral walls spaced from and parallel with each other, with each lateral wall including a perimeter defining a first, a second, and a third engaging sections, an axle having two ends mounted on the two lateral walls respectively and being rotatable, an automatic reeling device mounted on the axle, a first detent having two lateral sides biasably mounted on the two lateral walls respectively, and a brake mechanism biasably mounted between the two lateral walls;   a ratcheting device including a spool mounted on the axle and rotatable with the axle, a ratchet wheel mounted on the spool, with the ratchet wheel selectively engaged with the first detent, and with ratchet wheel selectively engaged with the brake mechanism; and   an operating device includes a pivotal end pivotally mounted on the axle, with the pivotal end including a perimeter defining a first, a second, and a third cams, with the first cam selectively urging the first detent away from the ratchet wheel, and with the second and third cams selectively urging the braking mechanism away from the ratchet wheel, a locking member selectively engagable with the first, second and third engaging sections of each lateral wall, and with the locking member selectively engaged with the ratchet wheel; and   wherein the locking member is engaged in the first engaging section, the ratchet wheel is engaged by the locking member, the brake mechanism is urged away and disengaged from the ratchet wheel by the second cam, and the ratchet wheel is rotated in a first direction upon reciprocal pivoting of the operating device in the first engaging section in order to tension and collect a strap; and   wherein the locking member is disengaged from the ratchet wheel and engaged in the second engaging section, the brake mechanism is urged away and disengaged from the ratchet wheel by the second cam, and the first detent is selectively disengaged from the ratchet wheel upon pivoting of the operating device in the second engaging section in order to release a strap; and   wherein the locking member is disengaged from the ratchet wheel and is engaged in a first position of the third engaging section, the first detent is urged to disengage from the ratchet wheel by the first cam, the brake mechanism is engaged with the ratchet wheel, the ratchet wheel is rotated in the first direction by the automatic reeling device without maneuvering the operating device, and the brake mechanism provides resistance to slow down rotation speed of the ratchet wheel; and   wherein the locking member is engaged in a second position of the third engaging section, the first detent is urged to disengage from the ratchet wheel by the first cam, the brake mechanism is urged away and disengaged from the ratchet wheel by the third cam, and the ratchet wheel is rotated without resistance from the brake mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The strap tensioning assembly as claimed in  claim 1  further including a second detent having two lateral sides biasably mounted on the two lateral walls respectively and selectively engaging with the ratcheting device and the operating device, and wherein the first and second detents are alternately disengaged from the ratchet wheel upon pivoting of the operating device in the second engaging section, and wherein the second detent is urged to disengage from the ratchet wheel by the second cam as the locking member is engaged in the third engaging section. 
     
     
         3 . The strap tensioning assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the axle is spaced from the first engaging section at a first distance, the second engaging section at a second distance, and the third engaging section at a third distance, with the first distance smaller than the second and third distances. 
     
     
         4 . The strap tensioning assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the brake mechanism includes a braking member including a compartment for receiving a resilient member in order to enable the brake mechanism biasably moved, an engaging portion and a braking portion extended therefrom, with the engaging portion adapted to be depressed by the operating device and cause the braking portion to disengage from the ratcheting device. 
     
     
         5 . The strap tensioning assembly as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the engaging portion and the braking portion are at a different level of height with respect to the frame. 
     
     
         6 . The strap tensioning assembly as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the braking mechanism includes a fastener inserted through the resilient member and the compartment and mounted on one of the lateral wall to fix the braking mechanism. 
     
     
         7 . The strap tensioning assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the axle includes a slot formed thereon, wherein the automatic reeling device includes a first end engaged in the slot, wherein the frame includes a cap mounted thereon, with the cap includes a retaining section formed thereon, and wherein the reeling device includes a second end engaged in the retaining section. 
     
     
         8 . The strap tensioning assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the axle has a non-circular peripheral wall which defines a flat retaining side, and wherein the ratchet wheel includes a connecting hole which is non-circular and is engaged with the retaining side. 
     
     
         9 . A strap tensioning assembly comprising:
 a frame including two lateral walls spaced from and parallel with each other, with each lateral wall including a perimeter defining a first, a second, and a third engaging sections, an axle having two ends mounted on the two lateral walls respectively and being rotatable, an automatic reeling device mounted on the axle, a first detent having two lateral sides biasably mounted on the two lateral walls respectively, and a brake mechanism biasably mounted between the two lateral walls;   a ratcheting device including a spool mounted on the axle and rotatable with the axle, a ratchet wheel mounted on the spool, with the ratchet wheel selectively engaged with the first detent, and with ratchet wheel selectively engaged with the brake mechanism; and   an operating device includes a pivotal end pivotally mounted on the axle, with the pivotal end including a perimeter defining a first, a second, and a third cams, with the first cam selectively urging the first detent away from the ratchet wheel, and with the second and third cams selectively urging the braking mechanism away from the ratchet wheel, a locking member selectively engagable with the first, second and third engaging sections of each lateral wall, and with the locking member selectively engaged with the ratchet wheel; and   wherein the locking member is engaged in the first engaging section, the ratchet wheel is engaged by the locking member, the brake mechanism is urged away and disengaged from the ratchet wheel by the second cam, and the ratchet wheel is rotated in a first direction upon reciprocal pivoting of the operating device in the first engaging section in order to tension and collect a strap; and   wherein the locking member is disengaged from the ratchet wheel and engaged in the second engaging section, the brake mechanism is urged away and disengaged from the ratchet wheel by the second cam, and the first detent is selectively disengaged from the ratchet wheel upon pivoting of the operating device in the second engaging section in order to release a strap; and   wherein the locking member is disengaged from the ratchet wheel and is engaged in the third engaging section, the first detent is urged to disengage from the ratchet wheel by the first cam, and the ratchet wheel is selectively engaged by the brake mechanism, and the ratchet wheel is rotated in the first direction by the automatic reeling device without maneuvering the operating device.   
     
     
         10 . The strap tensioning assembly as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the third engaging section includes a first position and a second position, and wherein the locking member is disengaged from the ratchet wheel and is engaged in the first position, the first detent is urged to disengage from the ratchet wheel by the first cam, the brake mechanism is engaged with the ratchet wheel, the ratchet wheel is rotated in the first direction by the automatic reeling device without maneuvering the operating device, and the brake mechanism provides resistance to slow down rotation speed of the ratchet wheel, and wherein the locking member is engaged in the second position, the first detent is urged to disengage from the ratchet wheel by the first cam, the brake mechanism is urged away and disengaged from the ratchet wheel by the third cam, and the ratchet wheel is rotated without resistance from the brake mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . The strap tensioning assembly as claimed in  claim 10  further including a second detent having two lateral sides biasably mounted on the two lateral walls respectively and selectively engaging with the ratcheting device and the operating device, and wherein the first and second detents are alternately disengaged from the ratchet wheel upon pivoting of the operating device in the second engaging section, and wherein the second detent is urged to disengage from the ratchet wheel by the second cam as the locking member is engaged in the third engaging section. 
     
     
         12 . The strap tensioning assembly as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the axle is spaced from the first engaging section at a first distance, the second engaging section at a second distance, and the third engaging section at a third distance, with the first distance smaller than the second and third distances. 
     
     
         13 . The strap tensioning assembly as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the brake mechanism includes a braking member including a compartment for receiving a resilient member in order to enable the brake mechanism biasably moved, an engaging portion and a braking portion extended therefrom, with the engaging portion adapted to be depressed by the operating device and cause the braking portion to disengage from the ratcheting device. 
     
     
         14 . The strap tensioning assembly as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the engaging portion and the braking portion are at a different level of height with respect to the frame. 
     
     
         15 . The strap tensioning assembly as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the braking mechanism includes a fastener inserted through the resilient member and the compartment and mounted on one of the lateral wall to fix the braking mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . The strap tensioning assembly as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the axle includes a slot formed thereon, wherein the automatic reeling device includes a first end engaged in the slot, wherein the frame includes a cap mounted thereon, with the cap includes a retaining section formed thereon, and wherein the reeling device includes a second end engaged in the retaining section. 
     
     
         17 . The strap tensioning assembly as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the axle has a non-circular peripheral wall which defines a flat retaining side, and wherein the ratchet wheel includes a connecting hole which is non-circular and is engaged with the retaining side.