Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force – Portable implements or apparatus for tensioning flexible... – Including rotatably driven drum for engaging either material...
Reexamination Certificate
2002-11-08
2003-11-04
Marcelo, Emmanuel M. (Department: 3654)
Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force
Portable implements or apparatus for tensioning flexible...
Including rotatably driven drum for engaging either material...
C254S223000, C254S247000, C024S0680CD, C024S0680AS
Reexamination Certificate
active
06641116
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention is related to a strap fastener and, more particularly, to a strap fastener for use in boats.
2. Related Prior Art
In Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 361404 issued to the applicant of the present application, a strap fastener for use in boats is disclosed. This conventional strap fastener includes a base
10
and a reel
20
rotationally mounted on the base
10
. A strap
21
is secured to and can be wound on the reel
20
. Two ratchet wheels
22
are formed on the reel
20
so that the strap
21
is located between the ratchet wheels
22
. A first lever
40
is pivotally mounted on the base
10
. Movably mounted on the first lever
40
is a first detent
50
for engagement with the ratchet wheels
22
. Two springs
521
are compressed between the first detent
50
and a stop
43
extending from the first lever
40
for biasing the first detent
50
into engagement with the ratchet wheels
22
. Thus, pivotal motion of the first lever
40
in a first direction relative to the base
10
causes rotation of the reel
20
in the first direction relative to the base
10
for tensioning the strap
21
. On the contrary, pivotal motion of the first lever
40
in a second direction (opposite to the first direction) relative to the base
10
does not cause rotation of the reel
20
in the second direction relative to the base
10
. Movably and rotationally mounted on the base
10
is a second detent
60
for engagement with the ratchet wheels
22
. The second detent
60
is connected with the first lever
40
through a spring
421
for biasing the second detent
60
into engagement with the ratchet wheels
22
. Thus, the second detent
60
retains the ratchet wheels
22
in position when the first lever
40
is in pivotal motion in the second direction relative to the base
10
. A second lever
70
is connected with the second detent
60
. Operation of the second lever
70
can disengage the second detent
60
from the ratchet wheels
22
, thus allowing rotation of the reel
20
in the second direction relative to the base
10
and therefore slackening of the strap
21
. In use of this conventional strap fastener, a user can be bothered by two problems. Firstly, the user may suffer from great pain in his fingers due to pressure because he has to press the first lever
40
with his fingers. Secondly, the user may get hurt due to sudden slackening of the strap
21
as a result of operation of the second lever
70
by mistake during operation of the first lever
40
because the second lever
70
is located very closed to the first lever
40
.
The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a strap fastener that a user can easily and comfortably operate.
It is another objective of this invention to provide a strap fastener minimizing the risk of accidental slackening of a strap.
In the present invention, a strap fastener includes a base, a shaft mounted on the base, a reel rotationally mounted on the shaft, two ratchet wheels formed on the reel, a torque spring arranged between the reel and the shaft, a lever pivotally mounted on the base, a first detent movably mounted on the lever for engagement with the ratchet wheels, a second detent movably mounted on the base for engagement with the ratchet wheels, a wedge formed on the second spring-biased detent, a handle including a first end in which a hole is defined, a second end secured to the lever and a control element extending through the handle and the lever and including a first end exposed through the hole defined in the first end of the handle and a second end in engagement with the wedge. The first end of the control element can be pressed so as to move the second end of the control element from a position for engaging the second detent with the ratchet wheels to a second position for disengaging the second detent from the ratchet wheels.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5271606 (1993-12-01), Kamper
patent: 5282296 (1994-02-01), Huang
patent: 5855045 (1999-01-01), Miura
patent: 6007053 (1999-12-01), Huang
Baxley Charles E.
Marcelo Emmanuel M.
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