Cable take up load binder

Abstract

A mechanism for tensioning a cable or chain over a load and for maintaining such tension even though the load may shift and settle. The mechanism includes a "U" shaped base that rotatably mounts an elongated cylindrical hollow spool. The spool is connected at opposite ends to a spaced pair of ratchet wheels. Pawls are located on the base member for operatively engaging each of the ratchet wheels. Inside the hollow spool is a torsion spring that is directly connected at one end to the spool. The remaining spring end is connected to one of the ratchet wheels. The spool and this particular ratchet wheel are relatively movable about the longitudinal spool axis since they are interconnected only through the torsion spring. The remaining ratchet wheel is affixed directly to the spool for rotation therewith. Turning the spool through this ratchet assembly does not wind the spring but instead serves only to wrap the cable or chain about the spool circumference. Once the desired tension has been applied to the cable or chain, the spring may be tightened by turning the other ratchet wheel. Thus, tensioning or winding of the spring may be accomplished as a function separate from the initial cable tightening function.

What I claim is: 
     
       1. A cable take up load binder, comprising: a "U" shaped base having two upstanding spaced ears;   a hollow winding spool rotatably mounted between the ears;   a first ratchet wheel affixed to the spool at one end thereof adjacent one of the ears;   a first pawl operatively engaging the first ratchet wheel and pivotably mounted to the one ear;   a second ratchet wheel rotatably mounted to the remaining ear and rotatably journaling the remaining end of the spool;   a second pawl operatively engaging the second ratchet wheel and pivotably mounted to the remaining ear;   a first plate affixed to the spool at the one end;   a torsion spring received coaxially within the spool and having one end thereof connected to the first plate;   a second plate affixed to the second ratchet wheel and receiving the remaining end of the spring;   first hub means on the first ratchet wheel for receiving a turning element for applying direct torsional force to the spool; and   second hub means on the second ratchet wheel for receiving a turning element for selectively applying torsional spring force against the spool independent of the forces applied through the first hub means.   
     
     
       2. The load binder as set out by claim 1 wherein the torsion spring is an expanded coil spring and an elongated shaft extends through the length of the spring and is .[.rotatably.]. mounted at opposite ends to the first and second plates. 
     
     
       3. The load binder as set out by claim 1 wherein the first and second ratchet wheels are located adjacent outwardly facing surfaces of the ears and wherein the spool includes .[.flanges.]. .Iadd.a flange .Iaddend.adjacent .Iadd.an .Iaddend.inwardly facing .[.surfaces.]. .Iadd.surface .Iaddend.of .[.the ears.]. .Iadd.one ear. .Iaddend. 
     
     
       4. The load binder as set out by claim 1 further comprising means on the spool for attaching the free end of .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.load binder cable or chain. 
     
     
       5. The load binder as set out by claim 1 wherein the first and second ratchet wheels are located adjacent outwardly facing surfaces of the ears and wherein a first flange is mounted to the spool adjacent an inward facing surface of the one ear and .Iadd.a .Iaddend.second flange is operatively mounted to the second ratchet wheel and is located adjacent an inwardly facing surface of the remaining ear and freely rotatably receives the remaining end of the spool. 
     
     
       6. The load binder as set out by claim 5 wherein the second ratchet wheel and second flange are interconnected by a cylindrical sleeve .[.carried for free rotation about its central axis.]. .Iadd.mounted .Iaddend.within an aperture in the remaining ear .Iadd.for free rotation about its central axis.Iaddend.; wherein the second plate is affixed to the sleeve; and   wherein the sleeve receives the remaining end of the spool for free coaxial rotation therein.   
     
     
       7. The load binder as set out by claim 1 wherein the torsion spring is an expanded coil spring and an elongated shaft extends through the length of the spring and is .[.rotatably.]. mounted at opposite ends to the first and second plates. 
     
     
       8. A cable take up load binder, comprising: a "U" shaped base having two upstanding spaced ears;   a hollow winding spool rotatably mounted between the ears;   a first ratchet wheel affixed to the spool at one end thereof adjacent one of the ears;   a first pawl operatively engaging the first ratchet wheel and pivotably mounted to the one ear;   a second ratchet wheel rotatably mounted to the remaining ear and rotatably journaling the remaining end of the spool;   a second pawl operatively engaging the second ratchet wheel and pivotably mounted to the remaining ear;   a first plate affixed to the spool spanning the hollow interior thereof at the one spool end;   a torsion spring received coaxially within the spool and having one end thereof connected to the first plate;   a second plate affixed to the second ratchet wheel and receiving the remaining end of the spring;   means on the first and second ratchet wheels for receiving a turning element; and   wherein the first and second ratchet wheels are located adjacent outwardly facing surfaces of the ears and wherein the spool includes .[.flanges.]. .Iadd.a flange .Iaddend.adjacent .Iadd.an .Iaddend.inwardly facing .[.surfaces.]. .Iadd.surface .Iaddend.of .[.the ears.]. .Iadd.one ear. .Iaddend.   
     
     
       9. The load binder as set out by claim 8 further comprising means on the spool for attaching the free end of .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.load binder cable or chain. 
     
     
       10. The load binder as set out by claim 8 wherein the first and second ratchet wheels are located outwardly facing surfaces of the ears and wherein a first flange is mounted to the spool adjacent an inward facing surface of the one ear and .Iadd.a .Iaddend.second flange is operatively mounted to the second ratchet wheel and is located adjacent an inwardly facing surface of the remaining ear and freely rotatably receives the remaining end of the spool. 
     
     
       11. The load binder as set out by claim 10 wherein the second ratchet wheel and second flange are interconnected by a cylindrical sleeve .[.carried for free rotation about its central axis.]. .Iadd.mounted .Iaddend.within an aperture in the remaining ear .Iadd.for free rotation about its central axis.Iaddend.; wherein the second plate is affixed to the sleeve; and   wherein the sleeve receives the remaining end of the spool for free coaxial rotation therein. .Iadd.12. A cable take up load binder, comprising:   a base;   a hollow winding spool rotatably mounted to the base;   a first ratchet wheel affixed to the spool;   a first pawl operatively engaging the first ratchet wheel and pivotably mounted to the base;   a second ratchet wheel rotatably mounted to the base and rotatably journaling the remaining end of the spool;   a second pawl operatively engaging the second ratchet wheel and pivotably mounted to the base;   a torsion spring received coaxially within the spool and having one end thereof operatively connected to the spool and a remaining end operatively connected to the second ratchet wheel;   first hub means on the first ratchet wheel for receiving a turning element for applying direct torsional force to the spool; and   second hub means on the second ratchet wheel for receiving a turning element for selectively applying torsional spring force against the spool independent of the forces applied through the first hub means. .Iaddend.