GB2152003A - Ratchet - Google Patents

Abstract

The ratchet serves for tensioning lashing means and comprises a ratchet body (1), on which a ratchet wheel (4) for the lashing means (35) is mounted to rotate. The ratchet is provided with a suspension part (79) for tensioning members (66,67) of the lashing means (35). The suspension part (79) is constructed as an insertion member and after lashing can be released from the tensioning members (66,67). Thus, a plurality of lashing operations can be carried out with the ratchet. In particular it is suitable for disposable lashings used for bundles of tree trunks, timber or pipes. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ratchet The invention relates to a ratchet for tensioning lashing means, such as belts, ropes or the like, with a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted on a ratchet body and coupled for rotation with at least one notched wheel engaged by an entrainment member of a ratchet lever pivotally mounted on the ratchet body, and a pawl mounted on the ratchet body in engagement with the notched wheel to prevent rotation thereof in a direction contrary to the lashing direction.

Lashing bands are used for lashing bundles of goods, such as for example tree trunks, timber, pipes and the like, which bands are slung around such bundles and lashed or tightened by means of the ratchet. Ratchets as aforesaid have heretofore been securely connected to one end of the lashing band, the other end of which is wound on to the ratchet wheel by means of the ratchet lever. By this means the lashing band is tensioned. The ratchet remains on the lashing band after lashing.

Therefore a separate ratchet is required for each lashing band, which means considerable additional costs.

The object of the invention is to construct a ratchet such that a plurality of lashing operations can be carried out therewith.

The invention provides a ratchet as aforesaid wherein the ratchet comprises at least one suspension part for tensioning members of the lashing means, said suspension part being releasably engageable with said tensioning members.

After lashing, the ratchet according to the invention does not remain on the lashing means. On the contrary, the suspension part is removed from the tensioning members of the lashing means, so that the ratchet is then available for further lashing operations. Therefore, a plurality of lashing operations can be carried out with a single ratchet according to the invention. The tensioning members of the lashing means may be simple annular members or the like, which are economical to produce. During lashing, the suspension part supports the tensioning members, so that the lashing means can be easily tensioned.

The invention will now be described with reference to one embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows the ratchet at the beginning of tensioning a lashing band, which is slung around a bundle of goods, Figure 2 shows the ratchet of Figure 1 in side view, in a position in which the ratchet can be used for releasing the lashing means, Figure 3 is a plan view of the ratchet of Figs. 1 and 2, Figure 4 shows the ratchet during the release operation, in which grippers of a release tool of the ratchet act on tensioning members of the lashing band.

Referring now to the Figures there is shown a ratchet which has a ratchet body 1, comprising two parallel sides 2 and 3 (Figure 3). The sides 2, 3 are connected to each other at one end by a ratchet wheel 4, which passes through the sides 2, 3 and comprises a knob 5, 6 of each end thereof for rotating the ratchet wheel. The two knobs 5, 6 are preferably knurled, so that they can be rotated easily. The diameter of the knobs 5, 6 is preferably greater than the diameter of the ratchet wheel 4, so that a relatively high torque can be exerted on the ratchet wheel. A locking pin 7, 8 respectively passes diametrically through the ratchet wheel 4 on the outer surfaces of the sides 2, 3 remote from each other, so that the ratchet wheel is prevented from shifting in both axial directions.

Furthermore, the ratchet wheel 4 passes through the free ends of two legs 9, 10 of a ratchet lever 11, by which the ratchet wheel can be rotated in a stepwise manner. The legs 9, 10 are connected to each other at their end remote from the ratchet wheel 4 by a crossbar 12, which serves as a handle for swinging the ratchet lever 11 to and fro. The two legs 9, 10 are supported against each other by two substantially C-shaped sectional members 13 and 14.

The two legs 9, 10 each comprise a slot lying obliquely with respect to their longitudinal axis, of which only on slot 15 is illustrated in Figure 2. Engaging respectively in the two slots is a guide member 16, 17 of a bracket 18, which can be shifted relative to the ratchet lever 11 by means of a handle 19 against the force of a compression spring 20. It is seated on a projection 21, which is provided on a crossbar 22 connecting the two guide members 16, 17 extends from the latter in the direction of the handle 19. The projection 21 and two legs 23 and 24 of the bracket 18 pass through openings 25 to 27 in the sectional member 14. The compression spring 20 is supported on the cross bar 22 and on the sectional member 14.

The leg 23 and 24 of the bracket 18 are extended in the direction of the ratchet wheel 4 by way of the crossbar 22. The extended ends of the legs form entrainment members 28 and 29, which are intended for engagement in two notched wheels 30 and 31, which are coupled for rotation with the ratchet wheel 4 and lie between the sides 2, 3 of the ratchet body 1 and the legs 9, 10 of the ratchet lever 11 (Figure 3). In the ratchet position (Figure 1), the entrainment members 28, 29 engage in the notched wheels 30, 31 under the force of the compression spring 20. The bracket 18 is able to slide against the force of the compression spring 20. The slots 15 in the legs 9, 10 of the ratchet lever 11 are so long that the bracket 18 can be shifted so far that the entrainment members 28, 29 come out of engagement with the notched wheels 30, 31.

In the region of the ratchet wheel 4, the sides 2, 3 of the ratchet body 1 are constructed in the shape of part of a circle and provided with two stops 32 and 33 arranged radially (Figure 2) which are separated by an angle of approximately 90".

The initial position and final position of the ratchet lever 11 at the time of the ratchet operation are determined by the stops 32 and 33. The ratchet lever 11 can be swung about the axis of the ratchet wheel 4 so far in the direction of arrow 34 until the entrainment members 28, 29 come to bear against the stops 33 of the ends of the sides 2, 3, (Figure 1). This initial position of the ratchet lever 11 is illustrated in Figure 1. It can now be swing back in the opposite direction to that of arrow 34. Then, by means of the entrainment members 28, 29, the notched wheels 30, 31 and thus the ratchet wheel 4 are rotated. As soon as the entrainment members 28, 29 come into abutment with the stops 32, the final position of the ratchet lever 11 is reached during the ratchet operation.Now the ratchet lever is swung back in the direction of arrow 34, in which case the entrainment members 28, 29 which are spring-loaded by way of the compression spring 20 click over the teeth of the notched wheels 30, 31.

By swinging the ratchet lever 11 to and fro, the ratchet wheel 4 is rotated stepwise in this manner and the lashing means 35 (Figure 1) are wound and tensioned on the ratchet wheel.

When the ratchet lever 11 is moved back, in order that the notched wheels 30, 31 are not turned back, a pawl 36 is provided, which under the force of a compression spring 37 engages in the notched wheels 30, 31 and is guided in slots 38 in this ratchet body side, which slots lie obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the side 2, 3. When the ratchet lever 11 is swung in the opposite direction to that indicated by arrow 34, the pawl 36 is shifted against the force of the compression 37, so that during the tensioning operation it clocks over the notched wheels 30, 31. On the other hand, if the ratchet lever 11 is swung in the direction of arrow 34, then the pawl 36 engages in the notched wheels 30, 31 under the force of the compression spring 37 and prevents the notched wheels from being turned when the ratchet lever 11 is swung back.

A prestressing force indication device 39 is attached to the ends of the sides 2, 3 remote from the ratchet wheel 4. It has a U-shaped mounting member 40, whereof the legs 41, 42 bear against the remote outer surfaces of the sides 2, 3 of the ratchet body 1 and are connected to the ratchet body sides 2, 3 by a transverse bolt 43 shifting axially. On its inner side, the crossbar 44 of the mounting member 40 comprises two bearings 45 and 46 for guide members 47 and 48, which are preferably constructed as threaded bolts. Screwed onto the end of the guide members 47, 48 projecting axially beyond the bearings 45 and 46, are nuts 49 and 50, which are supported on the end faces of the bearings 45 and 46. The guide members 47, 48 penetrate the crossbar 44 and one leg 51 of an Lshaped sectional member 52.The crossbar 44 and leg 51 serve as abutments for two compression springs 53 and 54, which are seated on the guide members 47, 48 and which form part of the prestressing force indication device 39. The guide members 47, 48 are supported by a head 55, 56 on the side of the leg 51 remote from the crossbar 44.

The other leg 57 of the sectional part 52 forms an indication part of the prestressing force indication device 39. In the initial position (Figures 2 and 3), the end face 58 of the leg 57 is spaced from the adjacent outer side 59 of the crossbar 44. At the time of lashing, according to the prestressing force applied, a relative displacement between the ratchet body 1 and the sectional part 52 takes place. The compression springs 53, 54, in place of which cup springs may also be provided, are designed so that at a given prestressing force, the end face 58 of the leg 57 for example lies exactly in the plane containing the outer side 59 of the crossbar 44. This registering of the end face 58 and outer side 59 can be easily recognised by the user of the ratchet. He is then certain that the desired prestressing force has been applied with the ratchet.It is also possible to produce different, respectively re-producible prestressing forces with the ratchet. In this case, marks corresponding to the various prestressing forces may be provided on the end face of the legs 41, 42 of the mounting member 40, with which marks the end face 58 must be brought into register, if the desired prestressing force is to be applied.

The mounting member 40 is attached to a plate 60 (Figures 2 and 3) which extends in the longitudinal direction of the body 1 on both sides beyond the mounting member. The rectangular plate 60 is so wide that seen in plan view (Figure 3), the sides 2, 3 of the ratchet body 1 extend along the edge of the plate. The legs 41, 42 of the mounting member 40 bear against the longitudinal sides of the plate 60 and are preferably welded to the latter. The plate 60 serv es to strengthen the ratchet body, if the ratchet is used for releasing the lashing. Furthermore, the plate 60 serves for the attachment of the ratchet body 1. The two sides 2, 3 of the ratchet body are connected to each other by a cross member 61 (Figure 3), which is attached by screws 62 to the plate 60.The part of the plate 60 projecting beyond the cross bar 44 of the mounting member 40 serves as a support for the prestressing force indication device 39, if the latter is shifted relative to the ratchet body 1 during lashing. Supported on this projecting part of the plate is the leg 51 of the sectional part 52 (Figure 2).

The ratchet is provided with a release tool 63, by means of which the lashing can be released. The release tool 63 has two grippers 64, 65 lying parallel to each other, with which tensioning members 66, 67 of the lashing means 65 can be grasped (Figure 4). Two abutments 68, 69 are provided for supporting the release tool 63 during the release operation.

The grippers 64, 65 are constructed as U-shaped forks, by which, as will be described hereafter with reference to Figure 4, one tensioning member 66 of the lashing means 35 is grasped. As a result of the U-shaped construction, each gripper 64, 65 is provided with a slot 70, in which the tensioning member 66 engages and due to this can be grasped securely. The abutment 68, 69 is advantageously formed by the edge of a fork prong 71 facing the plate 60, so that no additional component is necessary for the abutment. The grippers 64, 65 are provided on a support 72, which is preferably constructed in the one piece with the leg 57 of the sectional part 52, and extends transversely of the latter. The support 72 is constructed in the form of a plate and extends over the entire width of the leg 57.As a result of the one-piece construction of the leg 57 and of the support 72, high stability of the release tool 63 is achieved. The grippprs 64, 65 lie approximately perpendicular to the support 72, which in turn extends at an obtuse angle with respect to the leg 57 of the sectional part 52. Consequently the longitudinal axis 73 of the grippers 64, 65 extends at an abtuse angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ratchet body 1 (Figure 2).

The release tool 63 can consequently be applied easily to the tensioning members 66, 67 of the lashing means 35, so that the latter can be released without effort. Basically a single gripper is sufficient, with which the lashing can be released.

However, in order that lashings with high prestressing forces can be released without difficulty, two grippers are provided, which are secured to support 72 by their edges, so that the rigidity of the grippers and thus of the release tool 63 is increased.

Since the leg 57 of the sectional part 52 and the support 72 are each constructed in the form of a plate, both parts are strengthened by at least one common strengthening rib 74, so that despite the plate-shaped construction, there is no danger that with high prestressing forces, the plate-shaped parts are bent during release of the lashing. The strengthening rib 74 lies half way across the width of the leg 57 and of the support 72 and is constructed so that it has its greatest height in the transition region between the legs 57 and the plate 72. The strengthening rib 74 extends as far as the lower edge 75 of the support 72 or to the height of the leg 51 of the sectional part 52. Appropriately the strengthening rib 74 is provided on the outer surfaces of the leg 57 and of the support 72, so that it partly engages in the region between the two grippers 64, 65.

The leg 51 of the sectional part 52 lying at right angles to the plate 60 passes into sides walls 76 and 77 on both its sides. Provided respectively in the side walls 76, 77 is a recess 78 extending parallel with the support 72, by which the side walls are separated from the support 72.

In order that the ratchet is easy to apply to the lashing means 35 for the purpose of lashing, the ratchet is provided with a suspension part 79 for the tensioning members 66, 67 of the lashing means 35. The suspension part 79 is advantageously formed by an extension of the support 72 and in the embodiment is a rectangular extension whose width is less than the spacing between the two grippers 64, 65 (Figure 3).

For bundling the goods 80 (Figure 1), the lashing means 35, which is preferably formed by a lashing band, is slung around the goods. Attached to one end of the lashing band 35 are the tensioning members 66 and 67, which in the embodiment are rectangular rings of different size, which are sewn into the end of the band. The two tensioning members 66, 67 are able to swivel with respect to the band. As shown in Figure 1, these tensioning members are sewn into the band so that their parallel sides 81 and 82 lie side by side in the seam. In this case, the smaller tensioning member 67 lies with its side 82 inside the larger tensioning member 66. The other side 83 of the smaller tensioning member 67 lies in the region below the other side 84 of the larger tensioning member 66.The lashing band 35 is first of all guided between the two tensioning members 66, 67, then slung around the side 84 of the larger tensioning member 66 and guided back through the smaller tensioning member 67. At the side 83, the lashing band 35 is again deflected. As shown in Figure 1, the ratchet is inserted by the suspension part 79 in the two tensioning members 66, 67. As a result of the recesses 78, the sides 83 and 84 of the tensioning members have sufficient space.

The end of the lashing band 35 slung around the side 83 is then guided along below the plate 60 and threaded into a diametral slot 85 in the ratchet wheel 4 (Figures 1 and 3). Then the ratchet wheel 4 is rotated manually by the knobs 5 and 6 located at its ends and the lashing band 35 is first of all roughly tensioned. The two knobs 5 and 6 thus form a rough pretensioning device for the lashing band 35, so that the latter can be roughly pretensioned by hand quickly without having to operate the ratchet lever 11. Then the ratchet lever 11 is suing to and fro in the described manner between the two stops 32 and 33, (Figure 2), due to which the ratchet wheel 4 is rotated stepwise in the direction of arrow 86 (Fig. 1) and the lashing band 35 is wound on the ratchet wheel. The lashing band 35 can be drawn in a trouble free manner along the underside of the plate 60.The smooth underside of the plate 60 prevents the band from being damaged during the tensioning operation. The user can simply read off the required prestressing force by means of the prestressing force indication device 39. He is then certain that the lashing band 35 is tensioned in the required manner. As a result of the looping around the sides 83 and 84 which has been described and is illustrated in Figure 1 and as a result of the arrangement of the tensioning members 66, 67 in the aforedescribed manner these tensioning members retain the lashing band 35, even when the ratchet has been removed from the lashing band.

After the desired pretension has been adjusted, the suspension part 79 is withdrawn from the tensioning members 66, 67 which hold the lashing band with the adjusted tension. The ratchet lever 11 is then swung into a free-wheeling position (Figures 2 and 3). For this purpose the bracket 18 is moved by means of the handle 19 against the force of the compression spring 20 so far that the entrainment members 28, 29 of the bracket 18 come free from the stop 32. The ratchet lever 11 can then be swung beyond the stop 32 into the position illustrated in Figure 2. In this position the entrainment members 28, 29 of the bracket 18 engage in a recess 87 at the ends of the ratchet body sides 2, 3 under the force of the spring 20 (Fig. 2). Due to this the ratchet lever 11 is locked with respect to the ratchet body 1.In this free wheeling position, the ratchet wheel 4 can be rotated freely by means of the two knobs 5 and 6, so that the end of the lashing band wound on the ratchet wheel can be would off again. In this way the ratchet can be completely detached from the lashing band.

Moreover, the ratchet lever 11 can be swung into a preservation position. For this purpose, the bracket 18 is moved by means of the handle 19 once more against the force of the compression spring 20 and then the ratchet lever 11 is swung beyond the position according to Figure 1 over the stop 33. The entrainment members 28, 29 in this case arrive behind the stop 33 and engage in a recess 88 (Figure 2). Due to this ratchet lever 11 can no longer be swung back into its ratchet position.

In this preservation position, stops 89, 90 provided on the legs 9, 10 of the ratchet lever 11 also engage behind the pawl 36, so that the latter cannot be shifted into a position releasing the notched wheels 30, 31.

Now if it is intended to release the lashing band 35, then the ratchet lever 11 is first of all swung into its free-wheeling position, in which it forms an approximate continuation of the ratchet body 1 (Figure 4). The grippers 64, 65 are then applied to the tensioning members 66, 67 so that the larger tensioning member 66 engages in the slots 780 of the grippers 64, 65 with its two legs 81, 84. Since it is shorter than the tensioning member 66 the smaller tensioning member 67 lies in the region between the two grippers 64, 65. The latter are supported by their abutment 69 on the bundle of goods 80. The ratchet 11 can now be swung in the direction of arrow 91, in which case it is supported on the bundle of goods 80 by way of the abutment 69.The ratchet is then swung through approximately 90 , in which case the tensioning member 66 is entrained by the same angle. The lashing band 35 is released and thus opened by this swinging operation. Since the ratchet lever 11 lies approximately in the extension of the ratchet body 1, a large lever arm is available in order to be able to open even highly tensioned lashing bands reliably.

Goods can be bundled up without problems with the ratchet. In this case the ratchet serves as a multiple tool, in that it is used both for tensioning as well as for releasing the lashing band 35. Since the ratchet can be released from the lashing band, it is particularly suitable for disposable lashings, i.e. for lashing bands which are used only once.

These lashing bands require solely the tensioning members 66, 67 which are parts which are simple and economical to produce. The operator may carry out any number of lashing operations with the ratchet. After lashing, the two tensioning members 66, 67 preserve the lashing tension, so that the ratchet together with the suspension part 79 can be removed from the tensioning members.

The strengthening rib 74 ensures that the support 72 with the suspension part 79 cannot be bent away when applying high prestressing forces. The plate 60 on the underside of the ratchet likewise serves for strengthening. It ensures that during the ratchet operation, the ratchet is not rotated away from the support on which it lies during the operation. Since all the parts required for the lashing and unlashing operation are provided on the ratchet, no additional tools are required. In particular, the operator always has the required tools at hand.

Claims (23)

1. A ratchet for tensioning lashing means, comprising a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted on a ratchet body and coupled for rotation with at least one notched wheel, with which at least one entrainment member of the ratchet lever engages, said lever being mounted on the ratchet body to pivot between an initial position and a final position, at least one pawl being mounted on said body in engagement with said notched wheel and operable to prevent said notched wheel from rotating contrary to the lashing direction, wherein the ratchet comprises at least one suspension part for tensioning members of the lashing means, said suspension. part being releasably engageable with said tensioning members.

2. A ratchet according to claim 1, wherein the suspension part is provided on a support, which is located in the ratchet body.

3. A ratchet according to claim 2, wherein the suspension part is an extension of the support.

4. A ratchet according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein for releasing the lashing, the ratchet is provided with a release tool.

5. A ratchet according to claim 4, wherein said release tool comprises at least one gripper, which can be applied to the tensioning members of the lashing means and at least one abutment for supporting the release tool during the release operation.

6. A ratchet according to claim 5, wherein the gripper is constructed as a U-shaped pronged fork.

7. A ratchet according to claim 6, wherein the abutment is formed by one edge of one of the fork prongs.

8. A ratchet according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the gripper is provided on a prestressing force indication device.

9. A ratchet according to claim 8, wherein the prestressing force indication device is able to move on at least one guide against a spring force.

10. A ratchet according to claim 9, wherein the prestressing force indication device comprises an L-shaped sectional part, whereof one leg serves as an abutment for springs which provide said spring force.

11. A ratchet according to claim 10, wherein the other leg of the sectional part forms an indication part.

12. A ratchet according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the sectional part is connected to the support.

13. A ratchet according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the support is a plate-shaped web lying at right angles to the other leg of the sectional part.

14. A ratchet according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein a gripper is respectively provided on each side of the support.

15. A ratchet according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the sectional part is constructed in one piece with the support.

16. A ratchet according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the other leg of the sectional part and the support are strengthened by at least one common strengthening rib.

17. A ratchet according to claim 16 wherein said strengthening rib is provided on the outer sides of said other leg and support.

18. A ratchet according to any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein the prestressing force indication device is provided with a plate bearing against the underside of the ratchet body.

19. A ratchet according to any one of claims 5 to 18, wherein the ratchet wheel projects beyond at least one side of the ratchet body.

20. A ratchet according to claim 19, wherein at least one end of said ratchet wheel comprises a knob for rotation in a freewheeling position of said ratchet.

21. A ratchet according to any one of claims 5 to 20, wherein the longitudinal axis of the gripper lies at an obtuse angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ratchet body.

22. A ratchet according to any one of claims 5 to 21, wherein the or each gripper is secured to said support by its edge.

23. A ratchet for tensioning lashing means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.