Ratchet strap binder and method of adjusting a strap in length

Abstract

The ratchet strap binder includes a main frame and a spool mounted for rotation inside the main frame. In one possible implementation, the spool has an outer surface and includes a first strap-receiving passageway extending inside the spool between opposite first and second openings located on the outer surface of the spool, and a second strap-receiving passageway extending inside the spool from a third opening located on the outer surface of the spool to at least the first passageway. Also disclosed is a method of adjusting a strap in length and a ratchet strap binder including an elongated strap passing inside the at least one strap-receiving passageway, the strap forming a loop to adjust the strap in length. The loop can be pulled using a finger-actuated pull tab attached to the loop or be pulled directly by the user's fingers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ratchet strap binder including:
 a main frame; and   a spool mounted for rotation inside the main frame, the spool having an outer surface and including:
 a first strap-receiving passageway extending inside the spool between opposite first and second openings located on the outer surface of the spool; 
 a second strap-receiving passageway extending inside the spool from a third opening located on the outer surface of the spool to at least the first passageway; 
   a handle pivotally mounted to the main frame, the handle supporting a first pawl for engaging a rotation of the spool when the handle is rotated in a forward direction; and   a second pawl mounted to the main frame and configured to prevent rotation of the spool when the handle is rotated in a reverse direction.   
     
     
         2 . The ratchet strap binder as defined in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the spool includes two spaced-apart portions facing one another;   the first strap-receiving passageway is located within a space between the two spaced-apart portions; and   the second strap receiving-passageway extends is located within one of the spaced-apart portions of the spool.   
     
     
         3 . The ratchet strap binder as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first pawl is spring loaded and configured to become disengaged from the spool when a force is applied to remove the load of the spring from the first pawl. 
     
     
         4 . The ratchet strap binder as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the two spaced-apart portions of the spool form a split-shaft construction. 
     
     
         5 . The ratchet strap binder as defined in  claim 1 , further including:
 an elongated strap extending uninterruptedly between two opposite ends of the strap.   
     
     
         6 . The ratchet strap binder as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the strap passes twice through the third opening and once through each of the first and the second opening, the strap having a strap loop running above the outer surface of the spool in-between the first and the second opening, the strap loop being adjustable in length upon pulling the loop away from the spool. 
     
     
         7 . The ratchet strap binder as defined in  claim 6 , further including:
 a pull tab attached to the loop.   
     
     
         8 . A ratchet strap binder including:
 a main frame;   a spool mounted for rotation inside the main frame, the spool having an outer surface and including:
 a first strap-receiving passageway extending inside the spool between opposite first and second openings located on the outer surface of the spool; and 
 a second strap-receiving passageway extending inside the spool from a third opening located on the outer surface of the spool to at least the first passageway; 
   an elongated strap extending uninterruptedly between two opposite ends, the strap running through the first passageway from the first opening to the second opening; and   a pull tab having a first portion in which passes the strap, the pull tab being movable between a proximal position and a distal position, whereby when in the proximal position, the first portion of the pull tab extends inside the second passageway and a second portion of the pull tab extends out the third opening, and whereby when in the distal position, the first portion of the pull tab is out of the second passageway and a strap loop is formed to adjust the strap in length, the strap loop extending out through the third opening.   
     
     
         9 . The ratchet strap binder as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the spool has a split-shaft construction, the spool including two spaced-apart portions facing one another and being removably connected together at corresponding ends. 
     
     
         10 . The ratchet strap binder as defined in  claim 8 , further including:
 a ratchet mechanism operatively connected to the main frame, the ratchet mechanism cooperating with the spool.   
     
     
         11 . A method of adjusting a strap in length within a ratchet strap binder, the ratchet strap binder having a spool mounted for rotation inside the ratchet strap binder, the method including:
 (A) passing the strap through two openings formed on an outer surface of the spool, the strap running inside the spool and passing through an end of a pull tab inserted in a third opening formed on the outer surface of the spool; and   (B) adjusting the strap in length by pulling the pull tab away from the spool, the strap passing at least once through each of the three openings when the strap is being adjusted in length.   
     
     
         12 . The method as defined in  claim 11 , further including, between (A) and (B):
 preventing the strap from being completely removed from the ratchet strap binder.   
     
     
         13 . The method as defined in  claim 12 , wherein preventing the strap from being completely removed from the ratchet strap binder includes stitching a connector at each end of the strap. 
     
     
         14 . The method as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the connectors are hooks. 
     
     
         15 . The method as defined in  claim 10 , wherein adjusting the strap in length by pulling the pull tab away from the spool comprises forming a loop having a length that is proportional to a slack taken from the strap when the strap is adjusted. 
     
     
         16 . A ratchet strap binder including:
 a main frame;   a spool mounted for rotation inside the main frame, the spool having at least one strap-receiving passageway extending inside the spool;   an elongated strap passing twice through the passageway to form a loop, the loop coming out of the passageway inside the spool being extendable to a length that is proportional to a slack taken from the strap when the strap is adjusted in length; and   a pull tab in which passes the strap, the pull tab being attached to the strap on the loop coming out of the passageway, the pull tab ensuring that the loop is permanently maintained in the ratchet strap binder.   
     
     
         17 . The ratchet strap binder as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the loop goes around a transversal pin extending between two spaced-apart plates of the main frame. 
     
     
         18 . The ratchet strap binder as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the transversal pin is rigidly attached to the two spaced-apart plates of the main frame. 
     
     
         19 . The ratchet strap binder as defined in  claim 16 , further including:
 a ratchet mechanism operatively connected to the main frame, the ratchet mechanism cooperating with the spool.