Ratchet buckle having reinforcing spreader bar insert

In a ratchet buckle for tightening and tensioning a strap, said buckle including a frame member having a pair of oppositely positioned arms, a reel member and a pair of ratchet wheels rotatably mounted between said arms;

• a lever member having a pair of oppositely positioned arms rotatably mounted on said reel member and a ratchet drive plate which engages the ratchet wheels such that when the lever member is actuated, the reel member is rotatably driven;
• the improvement wherein said reel member comprises a pair of oppositely positioned inwardly curving plates with their opposite edges spaced apart from each other and reinforcement means for reinforcing said plates comprising
• a spreader bar member having an elongated longitudinal slot formed therethrough, a pair of end wall portions running substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the slot, and a pair of wing portions extending outwardly from the opposite ends of each of said end wall portions in directions substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of said slot,
• said spreader bar member being fitted between the oppositely positioned curving plates with the wing portions extending into the spaces between the opposite edges of the plates, the slot in said spreader bar member being aligned with the spaces between the edges of said plates, thereby permitting the strap to be reeved therethrough.