Ratchet load binder with removable lever

A ratchet assembly comprising:

• a housing, a gear, teeth on said gear and a pawl rotatably mounted for reciprocating engagement between said teeth of said gear;
• a pawl bearing assembly extending between a surface of said pawl and a biased movable element whose movement is actuated by the connection or removal of a lever from said housing, said pawl bearing assembly being biased toward exerting a bearing pressure on said surface of said pawl;
• said movable element having a first position in relation to said housing in which a contact surface of said movable element abuts said pawl bearing assembly at a first radial distance from a longitudinal axis of said movable element, and a second position in relation to said housing in which said contact surface of said movable element abuts said pawl bearing assembly at a second radial distance from said longitudinal axis whereby to exert less pressure against said bearing assembly than in said first position;
• and,
• said first position of said movable element being actuated by removal of said lever from said housing thereby causing greater bearing pressure on said bearing assembly and thus on said pawl thereby restraining said pawl against movement, and said second position of said movable element being actuated by connection of said lever to said housing thereby causing a reduction in bearing pressure on said bearing assembly and thereby releasing said pawl for reciprocation and movement about said gear teeth.