AU2025201662A1 - A ratchet tie-down - Google Patents

Abstract

A ratchet tie-down is described including: a length of webbing having a free end; a ratchet mechanism for tensioning the webbing in use to secure a load; and a wrapping strip is attached in the region of the free end to secure the free end of the webbing in use.

Description

4/8 07 Mar 2025

Fig 4 2025201662

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20a

30a

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Fig 4 passers by. 1 07 Mar 2025 can pose a risk of damage to the cargo or a risk of injury to vehicle occupants and

30 A RATCHET TIE-DOWN free ends can be whipped around by the force of air as the vehicle travels at speed. This

of the webbing. However, all too often the free ends can work loose during transit. The

Technical Field to make the free ends tidy by winding them around the ratchet buckle, or tensioned part

length of webbing used and the particular load being secured. An attempt can be made

which are not under tension and the length of these free ends can vary depending on the

25 5 The present invention relates to ratchet tie-downs of the type which are used to However, after tensioning the load there are loose free ends of webbing 30

secure loads on commercial vehicles. webbing to a desired level to secure the boxes 110 for transit. 2025201662

hand-tight. The ratchet handle of each buckle 20 is then reciprocated to tension the

Background to the Invention of the webbing has been passed through the rotatable core of a buckle 20 and pulled

20 The webbing 12 of each tie down has been looped around the boxes 110 and a free end

110 has been secured to the flat bed of a truck 100 using a pair of ratchet tie-downs 10. 10 In the field of commercial transport it is common to use ratchet tie-downs to Referring to figure 1, a typical arrangement is shown in which a stack of boxes

secure loads, particularly on flat bed trucks. A ratchet tie-down consists of a length of flexible webbing, which is typically formed from a woven polymer material such as the core to tension the load.

15 fixtures on the truck. The ratchet mechanism is then operated to wind the webbing onto nylon or polypropylene and a ratchet mechanism which includes a rotating core. The webbing is looped around an item of cargo and the ends of the webbing are secured to

webbing is looped around an item of cargo and the ends of the webbing are secured to nylon or polypropylene and a ratchet mechanism which includes a rotating core. The

15 fixtures on the truck. The ratchet mechanism is then operated to wind the webbing onto flexible webbing, which is typically formed from a woven polymer material such as

secure loads, particularly on flat bed trucks. A ratchet tie-down consists of a length of

10 the core to tension the load. In the field of commercial transport it is common to use ratchet tie-downs to

Referring to figure 1, a typical arrangement is shown in which a stack of boxes Background to the Invention

110 has been secured to the flat bed of a truck 100 using a pair of ratchet tie-downs 10. secure loads on commercial vehicles.

5 20 The webbing 12 of each tie down has been looped around the boxes 110 and a free end The present invention relates to ratchet tie-downs of the type which are used to

of the webbing has been passed through the rotatable core of a buckle 20 and pulled Technical Field hand-tight. The ratchet handle of each buckle 20 is then reciprocated to tension the webbing to a desired level TIE-DOWN A RATCHET to secure the boxes 110 for transit. 1

25 However, after tensioning the load there are loose free ends of webbing 30 which are not under tension and the length of these free ends can vary depending on the length of webbing used and the particular load being secured. An attempt can be made to make the free ends tidy by winding them around the ratchet buckle, or tensioned part of the webbing. However, all too often the free ends can work loose during transit. The 30 free ends can be whipped around by the force of air as the vehicle travels at speed. This can pose a risk of damage to the cargo or a risk of injury to vehicle occupants and passers by.

stowed; 2 07 Mar 2025

Figure 4 shows the ratchet tie-down of figure 2 with the free end securely

30 There remains a need to provide improved means for stowing the free ends of webbing of ratchet tie-downs. securing the free and of the webbing;

Figure 3 shows the ratchet tie-down of figure 2 part way through the process of

down; Summary of the Invention 25 5 Figure 2 is a detail view of the free end region of the webbing of a ratchet tie-

In a first aspect the present invention provides a ratchet tie-down including: a Figure 1 shows a prior art arrangement for securing a load onto a vehicle; length of webbing having a free end; a ratchet mechanism for tensioning the webbing in 2025201662

use to secure a load; and a wrapping strip is attached in the region of the free end to example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

20 secure the free end of the webbing in use. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of

10 Brief Description of the Drawings

The wrapping strip may be provided with loop fastener material on one face and hook fastener material on the reverse face. The wrapping strip may be formed in a loop from a stretchable elastic material.

15

The wrapping strip may be formed from rope.

The wrapping strip may be formed from rope. 15 and hook fastener material on the reverse face.

The wrapping strip may be provided with loop fastener material on one face

10 The wrapping strip may be formed in a loop from a stretchable elastic material. secure the free end of the webbing in use.

Brief Description of the Drawings use to secure a load; and a wrapping strip is attached in the region of the free end to

length of webbing having a free end; a ratchet mechanism for tensioning the webbing in

In a first aspect the present invention provides a ratchet tie-down including: a

5 20 An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Summary of the Invention

webbing of ratchet tie-downs.

Figure 1 shows a prior art arrangement for securing a load onto a vehicle; There remains a need to provide improved means for stowing the free ends of

2

25 Figure 2 is a detail view of the free end region of the webbing of a ratchet tie- down;

Figure 3 shows the ratchet tie-down of figure 2 part way through the process of securing the free and of the webbing; 30 Figure 4 shows the ratchet tie-down of figure 2 with the free end securely stowed; around the rolled up end 30c of the webbing to secure it in place for transit. 07 Mar 2025 from rope. As shown in figure 8, the rope of the wrapping material 14c has been to tie

30 Figures 5 and 6 show an alternative embodiment of a ratchet tie-down; and Referring to figure 7, in another embodiment the wrapping strip 14c is formed

Figures 7 and 8 show another embodiment of a ratchet tie down. manner as described with reference to figures 3 and 4..

wrapping material is used to secure the rolled up end 30b of the webbing in a similar

from a stretchable band of elastic material. As shown in figure 6, the elastic band of

25 5 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to figure 5, in another embodiment the wrapping strip 14b is formed

snugly in place and is restrained from coming loose during transit. Referring to figure 2, the end portion of a length of webbing 12a used in an 2025201662

the wrapping strip in a wound condition. The free and 30a of the webbing is now held

improved ratchet tie down 10a is shown. A wrapping strip in the form of a length of side of the wrapping strip 14a adheres to the hook material on the reverse face to retain

20 hook and loop material 14a is stitched to the free end 30a of the webbing. The hook rolled up free end 30a and the tensioned part of the webbing. The loop material on one

Referring now to figure 4, the wrapping strip 14a has been wound around the 10 and loop material has loop fastener material on one face and hook fastener material on the reverse face. The free end 30a with wrapping strip 14a attached is able to be passed of the webbing.

through the core of a ratchet buckle (not shown). tightened. The free end 30a has then been rolled up and placed against a tensioned part

15 cargo boxes 110 in a conventional manner and the ratchet buckle 20a has been

Referring to figure 3, ratchet tie-down 10a has been fitted around a stack of

Referring to figure 3, ratchet tie-down 10a has been fitted around a stack of 15 cargo boxes 110 in a conventional manner and the ratchet buckle 20a has been through the core of a ratchet buckle (not shown).

the reverse face. The free end 30a with wrapping strip 14a attached is able to be passed

10 tightened. The free end 30a has then been rolled up and placed against a tensioned part and loop material has loop fastener material on one face and hook fastener material on

of the webbing. hook and loop material 14a is stitched to the free end 30a of the webbing. The hook

improved ratchet tie down 10a is shown. A wrapping strip in the form of a length of

Referring to figure 2, the end portion of a length of webbing 12a used in an Referring now to figure 4, the wrapping strip 14a has been wound around the 5 20 rolled up free end 30a and the tensioned part of the webbing. The loop material on one Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

side of the wrapping strip 14a adheres to the hook material on the reverse face to retain Figures 7 and 8 show another embodiment of a ratchet tie down. the wrapping strip in a wound condition. The free and 30a of the webbing is now held snugly in place and is restrained from coming loose during transit. Figures 5 and 6 show an alternative embodiment of a ratchet tie-down; and

3

25 Referring to figure 5, in another embodiment the wrapping strip 14b is formed from a stretchable band of elastic material. As shown in figure 6, the elastic band of wrapping material is used to secure the rolled up end 30b of the webbing in a similar manner as described with reference to figures 3 and 4..

30 Referring to figure 7, in another embodiment the wrapping strip 14c is formed from rope. As shown in figure 8, the rope of the wrapping material 14c has been to tie around the rolled up end 30c of the webbing to secure it in place for transit.

When the ratchet tie-down 10a, b or c is not in use then the wrapping strip can be used to secure the entire length of webbing and the ratchet buckle together to neatly stow the tie-down and prevent it from becoming tangled when in storage.

5 It can be seen that embodiments of the invention have at least one of the following advantages: 2025201662

 The free end of a ratchet tie-down is securely stowed during transit and 20 is restrained from coming loose and presenting a hazard present invention.

10  Wrapping strip is permanently attached to free and of webbing and is to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the

always available for use Finally, it is to be appreciated that various alterations or additions may be made

 Enables ratchet tie-downs to be stowed neatly to prevent tangling 15 that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated.

Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission

Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission Enables ratchet tie-downs to be stowed neatly to prevent tangling 15 that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated. always available for use

10 Wrapping strip is permanently attached to free and of webbing and is

Finally, it is to be appreciated that various alterations or additions may be made is restrained from coming loose and presenting a hazard

to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the The free end of a ratchet tie-down is securely stowed during transit and

present invention. following advantages:

5 20 It can be seen that embodiments of the invention have at least one of the

stow the tie-down and prevent it from becoming tangled when in storage.

be used to secure the entire length of webbing and the ratchet buckle together to neatly

When the ratchet tie-down 10a, b or C is not in use then the wrapping strip can

Claims (4)

The invention that may be claimed may include the following novel arrangements, either singularly or in any combination thereof:

1. A ratchet tie-down including: a length of webbing having a free end; a ratchet mechanism for tensioning the webbing in use to secure a load; and a wrapping strip is attached in the region of the free end to secure the free end 2025201662

of the webbing in use.

2. A ratchet tie-down according to claim 1 wherein the wrapping strip is provided with loop fastener material on one face and hook fastener material on the reverse face.

3. A ratchet tie-down according to claim 1 wherein the wrapping strip is formed in a loop from a stretchable elastic material. from rope. 4. A ratchet tie-down according to claim 1 wherein the wrapping strip is formed

4. from rope. A ratchet tie-down according to claim 1 wherein the wrapping strip is formed 3. in a loop from a stretchable elastic material. A ratchet tie-down according to claim 1 wherein the wrapping strip is formed

reverse face.

with loop fastener material on one face and hook fastener material on the

2. A ratchet tie-down according to claim 1 wherein the wrapping strip is provided

of the webbing in use.

a wrapping strip is attached in the region of the free end to secure the free end

a ratchet mechanism for tensioning the webbing in use to secure a load; and

a length of webbing having a free end;

1. A ratchet tie-down including:

either singularly or in any combination thereof:

The invention that may be claimed may include the following novel arrangements,