Strap tensioner or tightener

Abstract

A strap tightener includes a ratchet wheel rotatably attached to a supporting member with an axle, a tension lever rotatably attached to the supporting member with a shaft and having an actuating end for engaging with the ratchet teeth of the ratchet wheel, a strap engaged between the actuating end of the tension lever and the ratchet wheel, and a spring member for biasing the actuating end of the tension lever to engage with the strap and to clamp the strap between the actuating end of the tension lever and the ratchet wheel, the actuating end of the tension lever is forced to engage with the grooves between the ratchet teeth for generating a click sound when the strap has not been tightened or tensioned.

1 . A strap tightener comprising:
 a supporting member,   a ratchet wheel rotatably attached to the supporting member with an axle, and including a plurality of ratchet teeth provided thereon,   a tension lever rotatably attached to said supporting member with a shaft, and including an actuating end for engaging. with said ratchet teeth of said ratchet wheel,   a strap engaged between said actuating end of said tension lever and said ratchet wheel, and   a spring member engaged with said tension lever for biasing said actuating end of said tension lever to engage with said strap and to clamp said strap between said actuating end of said tension lever and said ratchet wheel.   
     
     
         2 . The strap tightener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said ratchet wheel includes a plurality of grooves formed between said ratchet teeth for engaging with said actuating end of said tension lever and for generating a click sound when said actuating end of said tension lever is engaged into said grooves of said ratchet wheel. 
     
     
         3 . The strap tightener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said ratchet wheel includes a plurality of notches formed in each of said ratchet teeth. 
     
     
         4 . The strap tightener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said tension lever includes a hand grip arranged distal to said actuating end for rotating said tension lever relative to said supporting member and for disengaging said actuating end of said tension lever from said ratchet wheel and said strap. 
     
     
         5 . The strap tightener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said supporting member includes a base wall, and two side walls extended upwardly from said base wall for forming a chamber between said base wall and said side walls, said axle and said shaft are mounted and straddled between said side walls. 
     
     
         6 . The strap tightener as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said supporting member includes an opening formed in said base wall and communicative with said chamber of said supporting member for forming two bars and for allowing said opening to be formed between said bars, said strap is engaged through said opening of said supporting member and engaged with said ratchet wheel.