Variable strap location on wheel restraint system

Abstract

According to some embodiments, a wheel, restraint system comprises a chock track coupled to a vehicle transport, an anchor mandrel, a ratchet mandrel, and a strap. The anchor mandrel is coupled to the chock track on a first side of a vehicle tire and comprises a pair of strap guides. The distance between the pair of strap guides is wider than the strap. The ratchet mandrel is coupled to the chock track on a second side of the tire. The ratchet mandrel comprises a ratchet for applying a rotational force and a slot for receiving the strap. The slot is wider than the strap. One end of the strap is coupled to the anchor mandrel and the other is inserted into the ratchet mandrel slot. Applying a rotational force to the ratchet mandrel produces a tightening force that tightens the strap around a portion of the vehicle tire.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A wheel restraint system comprising:
 a chock track coupled to a deck of a vehicle transport;   an anchor mandrel coupled to the chock track on a first side of a vehicle tire and extending from the chock track towards a center of the vehicle transport, the anchor mandrel comprising a pair of strap guides;   a ratchet mandrel coupled to the chock track on a second side of the vehicle tire and extending from the chock track towards the center of the vehicle transport, the ratchet mandrel comprising a ratchet for applying a rotational force to the ratchet mandrel and a slot for receiving a strap;   a strap comprising a first end coupled to the anchor mandrel between the pair of strap guides and comprising a second end configured to be inserted into the slot of the ratchet mandrel, wherein applying a rotational force to the ratchet mandrel produces a tightening force that tightens the strap around a portion of the vehicle tire; and   wherein a distance between the pair of strap guides of the anchor mandrel and a width of the slot of the ratchet mandrel are greater than 1.5 times a width of the strap, facilitating side-to-side movement of the strap with respect to the vehicle tire before the strap is tightened around the portion of the vehicle tire.   
     
     
         15 . The wheel restraint system of  claim 14 , further comprising a cleat coupled to the strap, the cleat configured to engage with a tread of the vehicle tire when the strap is tightened around the portion of the vehicle tire. 
     
     
         16 . The wheel restraint system of  claim 14 , wherein the width of the slot of the ratchet mandrel is twice as wide as the width of the strap. 
     
     
         17 . The wheel restraint system of claim  1 , wherein when the strap is tightened around the portion of the vehicle tire, side-to-side movement of the strap is restricted. 
     
     
         18 . A wheel restraint system comprising:
 a chock track;   an anchor mandrel coupled to the chock track at a first position, the anchor mandrel comprising a pair of strap guides;   a ratchet mandrel coupled to the chock track at a second position, the ratchet mandrel comprising a ratchet for applying a rotational force to the ratchet mandrel and a slot for receiving a strap;   a strap comprising a first end coupled to the anchor mandrel between the pair of strap guides and comprising a second end configured to be inserted into the slot of the ratchet mandrel, wherein applying a rotational force to the ratchet mandrel produces a tightening force that tightens the strap around a portion of a vehicle tire; and   wherein a distance between the pair of strap guides of the anchor mandrel and a width of the slot of the ratchet mandrel are greater than 1.5 times a width of the strap, facilitating side-to-side movement of the strap with respect to the vehicle tire before the strap is tightened around the portion of the vehicle tire.   
     
     
         19 . The wheel restraint system of  claim 18 , further comprising a cleat coupled to the strap, the cleat configured to engage with a tread of the vehicle tire when the strap is tightened around the portion of the vehicle tire. 
     
     
         20 . The wheel restraint system of  claim 18 , wherein the width of the slot of the ratchet mandrel is twice as wide as the width of the strap. 
     
     
         21 . The wheel restraint system of  claim 18 , wherein when the strap is tightened around the portion of the vehicle tire, side-to-side movement of the strap is restricted. 
     
     
         22 . A method for securing a vehicle to a vehicle transport, the method comprising:
 providing a wheel restraint system comprising:
 a chock track coupled to a deck of a vehicle transport; 
 an anchor mandrel coupled to the chock track at a first position, the anchor mandrel comprising a pair of strap guides; 
 a ratchet mandrel coupled to the chock track at a second position, the ratchet mandrel comprising a ratchet for applying a rotational force to the ratchet mandrel and a slot for receiving a strap; 
 a strap comprising a first end for coupling to the anchor mandrel between the pair of strap guides and comprising a second end configured to be inserted into the slot of the ratchet mandrel, wherein applying a rotational force to the ratchet mandrel produces a tightening force that tightens the strap around a portion of a vehicle tire; and 
 wherein a distance between the pair of strap guides of the anchor mandrel and a width of the slot of the ratchet mandrel are greater than 1.5 times a width of the strap, facilitating side-to-side movement of the strap with respect to the vehicle tire before the strap is tightened around the portion of the vehicle tire; 
   positioning the anchor mandrel proximate a first side of the vehicle tire;   positioning the ratchet mandrel proximate a second side of the vehicle tire, the second side opposite the first side;   coupling the strap between the pair of strap guides of the anchor mandrel;   extending the strap over the vehicle tire towards the second side of the vehicle tire;   coupling the strap to the slot of the ratchet mandrel;   positioning the strap within the slot of the ratchet mandrel and between the pair of strap guides of the anchor mandrel to position the strap at the center of the vehicle tire; and   tightening the strap against the vehicle tire via the ratchet mandrel.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein a cleat is coupled to the strap, and positioning the strap within the slot of the ratchet mandrel and between the pair of strap guides of the anchor mandrel comprises positioning the strap where the cleat engages with a tread of the vehicle tire when the strap is tightened around the portion of the vehicle tire. 
     
     
         24 . The wheel restraint system of  claim 22 , wherein the width of the slot of the ratchet mandrel is twice as wide as the width of the strap. 
     
     
         25 . The wheel restraint system of  claim 22 , wherein when the strap is tightened around the portion of the vehicle tire, side-to-side movement of the strap is restricted.