US3863298A

US3863298A - Web lock and tightener

Info

Publication number: US3863298A
Application number: US416842A
Authority: US
Inventors: Olaf C Sohn; Adolph M Sohn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-11-19
Filing date: 1973-11-19
Publication date: 1975-02-04
Anticipated expiration: 1992-02-04

Abstract

A pivotally mounted strap grip including a pair of laterally spaced crossbars about which the free end of a strap is passed and reversely bent. The grip pivots between a first strap loading position and a second outwardly swung position wherein the grip mounted strap is bent on itself in a strap locking position relative to the grip. A spring-biased keeper releasably engages the pivoted grip for a retention thereof in the second position.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Sohn et a1.

[ 1 Feb.4, 1975 WEB LOCK AND TlGl-ITENER [76] Inventors: Olaf C. Sohn, 755 Lincoln Ave.;

Adolph M. Sohn, 619 Second Ave., both of Zumbrota, Minn. 55992 22 Filed: Nov. 19, 1973 211 App]. No.: 416,842

[52] US. Cl 24/68 E [51] Int. Cl. A43c 11/00 {58] Field of Search 280/35; 24/170, 193, 71 A, 24/71 R, 71.3, 71 SB, 71.], 71 TD, 71 ST, 68

R, 68 SB, 68 E, 68 CD [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 478,120 7/1892 Mead 24/71 ST 696,574 4/1902 Laros 24/71 ST Venditty 24/71 ST 2,997,761 3/1961 Davis 24/68 E FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 546,103 6/1942 Great Britain 24/68 E Primary Examiner-Donald A. Griffin Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clarence A. O'Brien; Harvey B. Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT A pivotally mounted strap grip including a pair of laterally spaced crossbars about which the free end of a strap is passed and reversely bent. The grip pivots between a first strap loading position and a second outwardly swung position wherein the grip mounted strap is bent on itself in a strap locking position relative to the grip. A spring-biased keeper releasably engages the pivoted grip for a retention thereof in the second position.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 WEB LOCK AND TIGHTENER The present invention generally relates to a tightener and lock means for strap ends, and is more particularly concerned with such a device for utilization in securing and properly tightening load retaining straps of the type disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,258,8l9.

Among the objects of the invention are the provision of a strap or web lock which effects a positive retention of the strap end, automatically tensions the strap, and positively locks the tensioned strap until manually released.

in conjunction with the above objects, it is also significant that the device of the present invention be so constructed as to enable a rapid and relatively simple engagement of a strap end therewith.

Other objects of the invention include the provision of a device wherein substantially any desired degree of tension can be introduced into the strap with the strap being smoothly engaged with the combined lock and tightener in a manner which provides little or no wear on the strap and does not require any damaging piercing of the strap.

in addition, when used in the environment of the above noted patent, it is particularly significant that no portion of the metal strap grip and keeper is exposed to an article being carried.

Basically, the objects of the invention are achieved by pivotally mounting a strap grip to a support member for swinging movement between a first position wherein the strap is threaded over and under a pair of laterally spaced crossbars and a second position wherein the crossbars effect a reverse bending of the bar threaded strap and a gripped locking thereof. in the second position, a spring-loaded keeper automatically engages the grip for a positive locking thereof in the second belt tensioning position until the keeper is manually released.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the web lock and tightener of the present invention with the web or strap being initially introduced thereto;

FIGS. 2 and 3 sequentially illustrate the steps in mounting and locking the strap;

FIG. 4 is an elevational detail illustrating the general operation and release of the grip keeper; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the device taken substantially on a plane passing along line 5-5 in FIG. 3.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, it will be noted that the web lock and tightener consists basically of two units, the web or strap grip l0 and the keeper 12.

The grip 12 includes a pair of elongated laterally spaced side bars 14 interconnected at their outer end by a transverse end bar 16 and at their inner end by an elongated transverse pivot bar 18, the opposed ends of which project beyond the two side bars 14 and are rotatably received within a pair of eye screws 20. The eye screws 20 are in turn affixed to a support post or rail 22. Finally, the grip includes a crossbar 24 parallel to and laterally spaced from the pivot bar 18. The crossbar 24 is orientated substantially closer to the pivot bar 18 than the end bar 16 and is of course rigidly affixed to the two side bars 14.

As will be appreciated from H08. 1 and 3, the grip 10 is mounted for pivotal movement between a first inwardly directed loading position extending along or toward a strap 26 to be gripped thereby and a second outwardly swung position orientated at approximately to the first position.

With reference sequentially to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, it will be noted that the strap 26 is engaged with the grip by initially passing the end of the strap 26 under the end bar 16, over the crossbar 24, over and then reversely under the pivot bar 18 and finally over the crossbar 24 and under the overlying portion of the strap 26. The extreme end portion of the strap 26 is then pulled as required so as to achieve approximately the desired tension or tightening of the strap 26. Once this is effected, the grip 10 is swung or pivoted to its outwardly directed position as in FIG. 3 so as to effect a final tensioning of the strap 26 and a reverse bending of the overlying portions of the strap 26 into a positive gripped or locked position. The reverse bend defined in the overlying strap portions as in FIG. 3 precludes any slippage of the strap as will be readily appreciated in that any tensioning of the main portion of the strap merely effects a greater clamping of the underlying portion thereof as it passes over the crossbar 24.

The keeper 12 is significant in that it effects a positive means for releasably retaining the grip 10 in the second position thereof. This keeper 12 includes a plate-like body 28 pivotally mounted on the support 22 by an appropriate mounting pivot pin, screw or bolt 30 with the keeper l2 normally being orientated on a face of the support 22 at right angles to and outward of the face of the support which mounts the grip 10. The keeper body 28 includes an outwardly projecting hook or hook portion 32 which extends outwardly of the support 22 into the path of the pivotally swinging grip 10 as it moves to its extreme second position. The hook is fully exposed beyond the support and includes a camming face 34 which is engaged by the upper side bar 14 of the grip whereby a continued swinging of the grip causes an upward camming of the keeper 12 until the side bar 14 moves beyond the face 34, at which point the hook 32 drops over and locks to this upper rail or bar 14.

In order to effect a positive engagement with the grip, the keeper 12 is spring-biased with a torsion spring 36 wound about the mounting pin 30 and having a first end engaging the body 28 immediately inward of the book 32 and the second end fixed to the support 22, as by a pin 38. The torsion spring 36 is so orientated as to effect a downward biasing of the outwardly projecting hook or hook portion 32 with the swinging movement of the grip l0 effecting, upon engagement with the camming face 34, an upward forcing of the keeper 12 until such time as the upper bar 14 passes beyond the face 34 at which time the spring forcibly brings the hooked portion 32 downward into locking engagement with this bar 14.

It will be noted that the keeper is provided with limit means controlling the movement thereof. This limit means is formed by a cutout or notch 40 within the upper edge portion of the body 28. The spring and mounting pin 38 is orientated within this recess with the opposed sides of the recess being so orientated relative to each other and the received pin 38 as to define limits to the pivotal swinging of the keeper 12 so as to always retain the keeper for automatic engagement with the grip l notwithstanding the constant biasing force of the torsion spring 36.

With reference to FIG. 4, it will be appreciated that the hook or hooked portion 32 includes a slightly elongated head or outer end whereby a manual manipulation thereof so as to simply and rapidly release the grip is provided for.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a unique strap gripping and tightening device has been defined. The device provides for a slip free gripping of a strap end and means for a substantial tensioning of the gripped strap through merely a pivotal swinging of a strap engaged member between a first strap loading position and a second locked position. Incidentally, it will be noted that the grip is relatively long with the end bar 16 located substantially outward of the two strap-

engaging bars

18 and 24. This length facilitates and simplifies a manual grasping and pivoting of the grip 10 for movement thereof between the loading and locked position Once the device is locked and the strap tensioned, accidental release thereof is specifically precluded with release of the device only being effected by a positive manual manipulation of the keeper. As such, the web lock and tightener finds particular utility in heavy article carriers as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,258,819.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

I. A web lock and tightener for a strap length comprising a strap grip, a keeper, means pivotally mounting said grip for movement between a first inwardly directed loading position along a strap to be gripped thereby and a second outwardly directed position, said grip including first and second laterally spaced parallel bars, said first bar being located inward of said second bar in the first position of the grip for engagement of a strap over the first bar, around the second bar and back over the first bar, said second bar, upon movement of the grip to the second position, moving outward of the first bar in a manner so as to effect a bending of a bar overlying strap on itself and a corresponding clamping of the strap. said keeper being releasably engageable with said grip in the second position thereof for a retention ofthe grip in said second position. resilient spring means biasing said keeper toward engagement with the grip in the second position thereof, said keeper being manuually releasable from engagement with the grip, a cam surface on said keeper directed toward said grip and orientated for engagement by said grip upon movement ofthe grip from the first to second position thereof for an upward camming of the keeper into retaining engagement with said grip, said grip also including an elongated side bar interconnecting said first and second bars, and a rigid support, said support including a pair of generally right angularly related faces, said grip being pivotally mounted to one face of said support in a manner so as to, in the second position of the grip, project beyond said second face, said keeper being mounted on the second face of the sup port and projecting beyond the first face thereof into the path of movement of the grip from the first to the second position thereof.

2. The device of claim 1 including a second side bar parallel to and laterally spaced from the first side bar, said second side bar also interconnecting said first and second bars, said side bars projecting outwardly beyond said first bar and an end bar paralleling said first bar and interconnecting the outer ends of said side bars.

3. The device of claim 2 including limit means for limiting movement of the keeper between a first grip engaging position and a second grip releasing position.

Claims

2. The device of claim 1 including a second side bar parallel to and laterally spaced from the first side bar, said second side bar also interconnecting said first and second bars, said side bars projecting outwardly beyond said first bar and an end bar paralleling said first bar and interconnecting the outer ends of said side bars.
3. The device of claim 2 including limit means for limiting movement of the keeper between a first grip engaging position and a second grip Releasing position.