Tie down with automatic strap tension adjustment

A tie down apparatus comprising:

• a drum comprising first and second drum pins separated by a space, the space being shaped to receive a tie down strap, the drum having first and second ratchet wheels rotatably mounted thereon at opposite ends thereof, the first and second ratchet wheels each comprising a plurality of ratchet teeth;
• first and second spiral load springs, each mounted adjacent a respective one of the first and second ratchet wheels, each spiral load spring having a center leg and a tab at an outer end thereof, each tab having a first end and a second end;
• first and second plates, each mounted adjacent a respective one of said first and second spiral load springs, each of the first and second plates having first and second openings shaped to respectively receive said first and second drum pins, each of the first and second plates further having an arcuate slot formed therein;
• wherein the center leg of each spiral load spring is inserted in the space between the first and second drum pins, wherein one of the first and second ends of the tab of each spiral load spring is fixedly attached to a respective one of the first and second ratchet wheels, and wherein the other of the first and second ends of the tab of each spiral load spring is respectively positioned in a respective arcuate slot of the first and second plates.