Reversible ratchet loadbinder

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates to loadbinders and turnbuckles, and more specifically relates to ratchet loadbinders of the type having toothed ratchet wheels and resiliently biased pawl members.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

#The means by which the foregoing and other objects of the present invention are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment will be readily understood from the following specification with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the type ratchet loadbinder with which the present invention is utilized;

#FIG. 2 is a fragmented side sectional view of the ratcheting components of the loadbinder depicted in FIG. 1, taken substantially along vantage line 2--2 in FIG. 4 showing the preferred form of the handle, ratchet mechanism, and screw-threaded barrel of the invention disclosed herein, and further showing the pawl member (in solid lines) in an indexing position;

#Having reference to the drawings, wherein like characters of reference indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, there is shown a form of the invention which is presently preferred, it being understood, however, that this invention is not necessarily limited to the precise arrangements that are there shown. Reference numbers bearing prime marks indicate elements of similar construction, but separate location, from those elements referenced by corresponding unprimed numerals.

#Illustrated in FIG. 1 is a ratchet loadbinder, denoted generally by reference numeral 20, generally comprising a flexible or articulated tie member -- here shown as a chain 22 -- wrapped about a load to be secured (not shown); a pair of grab hooks 24, 24' respectively connected by links 26, 26' to right and left-hand threaded eye hooks 28, 30 which, in turn, are respectively threaded into the threaded ends 32, 34 of a sleeve or barrel 36; a toothed ratchet wheel or gear 38 rigidly connected by pin 40 to the barrel 36 at a point intermediate its ends 32, 34; a pawl member generally denoted by reference numeral 42; a spring 43; and a handle 44 having a grip portion 46 and a relatively thick portion 48 which terminates in two bifurcated end portions 50, 50' through which the handle 44 is rotatably connected to barrel 36, as will be more fully explained later herein.

#Turning to FIG. 2 there is seen a fragmented side view of the ratchet mechanism, generally denoted by reference numeral 52, of loadbearing 20. Formed integrally through the thick handle portion 48 and also through each of handle end portions 50, 50' is a slotted cam 54 having bearing recesses 56, 56' formed on an outer wall 58 of the slotted cam 54, and a raised cam surface 60 formed centrally of an inner wall 62 of slotted cam 54. The raised cam surface 60, which protrudes upwardly into slotted cam 54, is formed with a special curvature the purpose of which will be described later herein. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the spring 43 -- itself shown in FIG. 5 in its unbiased natural configuration -- is loosely carried by the handle 44 in an operating position adjacent, but slightly inwardly of, slotted cam 54 by pins 64, 64' which respectively pass through spring retainer flanges 66, 66' the latter being formed on each end of the spring 43. The pins 64, 64' are secured to the handle 44 by an interference fit with mating holes (not shown) formed in each handle end portion 50, 50'.