Strap winding apparatus for load securing straps and methods of use

An apparatus for winding a strap, the apparatus comprising:

• a closed rectangular frame defining a frame opening and having a pair of frame holes formed in opposite walls thereof;
• a shaft extending across the frame opening and received in the pair of frame holes, the shaft being configured to receive a strap;
• a crank extending from one end of the shaft, the crank being configured to rotate the shaft to wind the strap about the shaft, the crank being positioned outside of the closed rectangular frame when the shaft is received in the pair of frame holes;
• and
• a plate member attached to an inner side of the closed rectangular frame, the plate member including a circular opening aligned to receive a portion of the shaft when the apparatus is in a storage configuration, such that the shaft is retained within the closed rectangular frame when in the storage configuration.

A method of winding and storing a strap, the method comprising:

• winding the strap about a shaft, wherein the shaft extends across a frame opening of a closed rectangular frame and is received in shaft-receiving openings formed in opposite walls of the closed rectangular frame;
• removing the shaft from the closed rectangular frame through the shaft-receiving openings while the strap wound about the shaft remains positioned within the frame opening;
• and
• storing the strap within the frame opening of the closed rectangular frame independent of the shaft.