Strap tightener

A strap tightener comprising an element for fixedly anchoring the strap tightener, an operating lever pivoted to the anchoring element, a strap reel mounted coaxially with the pivot axis, at least one ratchet wheel non-rotatably connected to the strap reel, a holding pawl displaceably mounted to the anchoring element, which is spring-biased to engage the ratchet wheel, a driving pawl displaceably mounted to the operating lever, which is spring-biased to engage the ratchet wheel, the operating lever being drivingly connected to the strap reel by means of the driving pawl and the ratchet wheel when being swung in one direction, and being disengaged from the strap reel when being swung in the opposite direction, and means operatively connected to the driving pawl to lock the operating lever in a rest position adjacent to the anchoring element with the holding pawl locked in engagement with the ratchet wheel, said means including a hook projecting from the driving pawl transversely of the path of movement thereof and open towards the pivot axis of the operating lever to receive, in the rest position of the operating lever, the holding pawl at the end thereof which is remote from the ratchet wheel said hook providing a force component transversely of the path of movement of the driving pawl by pressure applied to the holding pawl in a direction away from the ratchet wheel said force component acting towards the rest position of the operating lever.