Load binder apparatus and method of using

A load binder for securing an elongated binding member at least partially around a load;

• the load binder comprising:
• an elongated threaded contraction expansion assembly including an elongated threaded member and first and second engaging ends engageable with separate portions of the elongated binding member;
• wherein the elongated threaded member is a dual threaded screw shaft having a threaded outer surface and first and second opposing end portions, threading on the outer surface of the respective first and second opposing end portions being opposite of threading on the other opposing end portion;
• wherein the elongated threaded contraction expansion assembly further includes first and second extension nuts having opposite threading so that one of the first and second extension nuts are configured to receive and screw onto one of the opposing end portions and the other extension nut are configured to receive and screw onto the other opposing end portion;
• wherein the respective extension nuts each have a first nut end and a second nut end, the first nut end being an open end that receives one of the first and second opposing end portions of the dual threaded screw shaft, and wherein one of the first and second engaging ends is coupled with the second nut end;
• a driven sheave coupled with the elongated threaded member so that the elongated threaded member rotates with the driven sheave when the driven sheave rotates;
• a primary drive sheave coupled with a drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft is rotatable;
• wherein the drive shaft is perpendicular to the elongated threaded member;
• an elongated threaded member idler sheave coupled with the elongated threaded member, wherein the elongated threaded member idler sheave is proximate the driven sheave;
• a shaft idler sheave;
• a closed loop of a flexible coupler movably engaged with the driven sheave, the primary drive sheave, the elongated threaded member idler sheave, and the shaft idler sheave, wherein the closed loop of the flexible coupler is a chain having a plurality of chain links;
• wherein when the drive shaft rotates, the primary drive sheave rotates and the closed loop of the flexible coupler engaged with the drive sheave moves, and the driven sheave, the elongated threaded member idler sheave, the shaft idler sheave, and the elongated threaded member rotate, and the first and second engaging ends are either drawn closer together or extended further away from one another;
• an external drive coupling securely engaged with the drive shaft, wherein rotation of the external drive coupling rotates the drive shaft;
• wherein the external drive coupling includes an actuation feature selected from a group consisting of an external hex drive feature, an external square drive feature, an internal hex socket, an internal square socket, an internal slot socket, an internal star-shaped socket, and combinations thereof;
• and
• wherein the external drive coupling is rotatable in a first direction to draw the engaging ends closer together, and wherein the external drive coupling is rotatable in a second direction to extend the engaging ends further from one another.

A method of securing an elongated binding member at least partially around a load with a load binder, comprising the steps of:

• engaging first and second engaging ends of the load binder with separate portions of the elongated binding member, the load binder having a drive mechanism including:
• a rotatable drive shaft;
• a rotatable elongated threaded member oriented perpendicular to the drive shaft;
• a driven sheave secured to the elongated threaded member;
• an elongated threaded member idler sheave proximate the driven sheave;
• a primary drive sheave secured to the drive shaft;
• a shaft idler sheave;
• and
• a closed loop of a flexible coupler movably engaged with the driven sheave, the elongated threaded member idler sheave, the primary drive sheave, and the shaft idler sheave;
• the load binder having an external drive coupling securely engaged with the drive shaft, wherein the external drive coupling includes an actuation feature selected from a group consisting of an external hex drive feature, an external square drive feature, an internal hex socket, an internal square socket, an internal slot socket, an internal star-shaped socket, and combinations thereof;
• and
• rotating the external drive coupling in a first direction to draw the first and second engaging ends closer together to tighten the elongated binding member around the load.

A load binder for securing an elongated binding member at least partially around a load, the load binder comprising:

• a drive mechanism, wherein the drive mechanism includes:
• a rotatable drive shaft;
• a rotatable elongated threaded member oriented perpendicular to the drive shaft;
• a driven sheave secured to the rotatable elongated threaded member;
• an elongated threaded member idler sheave proximate the driven sheave;
• a primary drive sheave secured to the drive shaft, wherein the primary drive sheave is configured and arranged to rotate around a first axis;
• a shaft idler sheave configured and arranged to rotate around a second axis, wherein the second axis is parallel to the first axis;
• and
• a closed loop of a flexible coupler movably engaged with the driven sheave, the elongated threaded member idler sheave, the primary drive sheave, and the shaft idler sheave.