Winding assembly with variable ratio

Abstract

A take-up assembly (16) and a pallet lid (1) including the take-up assembly (16) are provided. The take-up assembly (16) includes a rotatable tensioner (37) configured to receive a tension line (10). The take-up assembly (16) further includes a manual control device (19) that rotates the tensioner (37) from a home position of the tensioner (37) to a tension position of the tensioner (37). The take-up assembly (16) provides a variable ratio between movement of the manual control device (19) and tension displacement of the tension line (10) as the tension line (10) is wound around the tensioner (37) by rotation of the tensioner (37) toward the tension position.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention relate to a take-up assembly having a variable ratio, and in particular, the take-up assembly is a pallet lid take-up assembly. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known to load goods onto pallets. A lid may be attached to the load. Such a lid is provided with a strap for tightening the lid against the load when the end of the strap is secured to the pallet. The lid includes a tightening mechanism operated by a lever to tighten the strap, thereby pulling the lid against the load. The lever may be turned multiple times to ratchet the strap tight. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a take-up assembly, a rotatable tensioner configured to receive a tension line (e.g., a strap, a wire, etc.) therethrough; a manual control device for rotating the tensioner from a tensioner home position to a tensioner tension position; Here, the take-up assembly provides a variable ratio between the movement of the manual control device and the tension displacement of the tension line as the tension line is wound around the tensioner by rotation of the tensioner toward the tension position.

[0004] This effect allows for greater control over the force required from the user to wind the tensioner into the tensioned position, since the variable ratio defines a variable mechanical advantage throughout the stroke of the manual control device.

[0005] The variable ratio may decrease the tension displacement of the tension line as the manual control device moves toward the end of the stroke of the manual control device.

[0006] The advantage is that the manual control device is easy to move because the variable ratio compensates for the increasing reaction force from the tension line as the tensioner angle approaches the tension position.

[0007] The tensioner may provide a variable ratio.

[0008] The tensioner may have an axis of rotation. The tensioner may include a winding surface disposed about the axis of rotation of the tensioner. The winding surface may be curved. The tensioner may have a cylindrical or prismatic shape and define the winding surface. The tensioner may be in the form of a spindle.

[0009] The tensioner may have a variable radius about the axis of rotation to provide a variable ratio. The winding surface may define a variable radius. The winding surface may be helical in shape.

[0010] The advantage is that the variable ratio is achieved with a single / existing part by adapting its geometry.

[0011] The tensioner may be rotatable toward the tensioned position in a direction of decreasing radius of rotation, the direction of decreasing radius of rotation being defined by a variable radius of the take-up surface.

[0012] The variable radius of the tensioner may have a variable rate of change about the axis of rotation, for example, the helical shape may be a logarithmic spiral.

[0013] The advantage is that the force required from the user to wind the tensioner into the tensioned position remains approximately constant over the entire stroke of the manual control device.

[0014] The tensioner may include a slot through which the tension line can extend. The tension line may include a strap that can extend through the slot. The slot may have a first aperture and a second aperture. The first aperture and the second aperture may be apertures in the winding surface. The slot may extend through the rotation axis. The tensioner may be in the form of a slotted spindle.

[0015] Rotation of the tensioner rotates the slot and winds the tension line around the tensioner. The tension line may be wound on a winding surface of the tensioner.

[0016] The angular distance from the home position of the tensioner to the tensioned position of the tensioner may be greater than 180 degrees, or at least 235 degrees, or at least about 270 degrees.

[0017] The tensioner may provide a variable ratio by having a first radius proximate a first aperture, the first radius being larger than a second radius proximate a second aperture, the second aperture being opposite the first aperture. The tensioner may be rotatable to a tension position in a direction to wind the tension line around the tensioner at a decreasing winding radius from the first radius to or through the second radius.

[0018] The tensioner may be rotatable toward the tension position in a direction to wind the tension line around the tensioner at decreasing winding radii from a first radius, through a second radius, to a third radius smaller than the second radius, the winding radius being the third radius when the tensioner is in the tension position.

[0019] The third radius may be angularly separated from the first radius by more than 180 degrees, or at least 235 degrees, or at least about 270 degrees.

[0020] The variable radius of the tensioner may decrease continuously from the first radius to the second radius.The variable radius of the tensioner may decrease continuously from the second radius to the third radius.

[0021] The first radius may be the maximum radius of the winding surface. The first radius may be at a first edge of the first aperture. The second radius, smaller than the first radius, may be at an edge of the second aperture. The minimum radius of the winding surface may be at a second edge of the first aperture. The third radius may be between the second radius and the minimum radius.

[0022] The manual control device may have a stroke length associated with it, where actuation of the manual control device by a single stroke length in a first, tension direction rotates the tensioner from a tensioner home position to a tensioner tension position.

[0023] An advantage is intuitive operation, as only a single stroke of the manual control device is required to reach the target tension, rather than a ratcheting action. The variable ratio solves a problem with single-stroke operation, which is that the force required for a single stroke is greater compared to situations where tension can occur over multiple strokes (e.g., via a ratchet). The variable ratio is useful for ensuring that the required user force does not increase significantly toward the end of the stroke when tension is highest.

[0024] Once the tensioned position is reached, a retainer may be engaged to prevent movement of the manual control device and / or the tensioner in the opposite direction. The retainer may be engaged in response to the manual control device reaching a full stroke position corresponding to the tensioned position of the tensioner. The engagement may be automatic. The retainer may prevent the manual control device from returning from the full stroke position to a rest position corresponding to the home position of the tensioner.

[0025] An advantage of the retainer is that operation of the reel assembly is more intuitive because the engagement of the retainer provides clear feedback that the tension line has been tensioned to a predetermined target tension that the manufacturer has determined to be the appropriate amount of tension.

[0026] The manual control device may be in the form of a lever, which may include a fulcrum body and an elongated handle extending from the fulcrum body.

[0027] The take-up assembly may include a drive linkage that couples actuation of the manual control device to movement of the tensioner.

[0028] The take-up assembly may include a return spring. The return spring may be in the tensioner load path between the manual control device and the tensioner. The return spring may exert a biasing force to urge the tensioner from its tensioned position toward its home position. However, the engagement of the retainer as described above may maintain the tensioner in its tensioned position. The biasing force of the return spring may also reach the manual control device through the drive linkage. Thus, the return spring may urge the tensioner toward its home position while simultaneously urging the manual control device toward its rest position.

[0029] The advantage of the return spring is intuitive operation because if the user does not move the manual control device far enough to reach the correct tension, the retainer will not engage. If the user releases the manual control device with the retainer disengaged, the manual control device will return to its rest position. Thus, the manual control device is stable in two binary positions: its rest position and its full-stroke position where the retainer is engaged.

[0030] The take-up assembly may include a releaser. The releaser may provide an input in the form of a release button. The releaser may be push-to-release. The releaser faces outward and is deflectable by a user's finger pressing on the releaser to deflect a retainer (e.g., a spring-loaded catch) out of engagement with the manual control device.

[0031] The releaser may be an external part of the reel assembly. The releaser and the elongated handle of the manual control device may both be external (visible, facing) parts of the reel assembly.

[0032] The advantage of an exposed releaser is intuitiveness, because the user can immediately see what is required to release the manual control device, which reduces the possibility of misuse by a user attempting to release the manual control device in a way other than that intended.

[0033] The drive linkage of the reel assembly may include a driver actuatable by a manual control device, and the tensioner may include a drive input directly or indirectly coupled to the driver and actuated by the driver. The driver and / or tensioner drive input may be a non-slip drive comprising a mesh drive or a cable actuator.

[0034] The advantage of using a non-slip drive linkage, compared to a ratchet or pulley, is more precise control of the tensioner. This means that when the manual control device is actuated until the retainer engages, the total mechanical work done by the manual control device is consistent and predictable, providing a predictable amount of tension so that the tension line is neither too tight nor too loose. The user no longer needs to judge the exact amount of tension.

[0035] The manual control device may be rotatable about a manual control device rotation axis. The manual control device rotation axis may be an upward axis, such as a vertical axis. Thus, the manual control device can rotate laterally.

[0036] The tensioner may be rotatable about a tensioner axis of rotation that is different from the axis of rotation of the manual control device. The tensioner axis may be a transverse axis. The tensioner axis may be perpendicular to the manual control device axis. A drive linkage of the take-up assembly may connect the axis of rotation of the manual control device to the axis of rotation of the tensioner.

[0037] An advantage of the change of direction is that the manual control device rotates laterally, resulting in a low vertical height for the take-up assembly, making it suitable for use as a pallet lid take-up assembly.

[0038] The winding assembly may include a drum shaft configured to receive a drum from which the tension line can be unwound and onto which the tension line can be wound. The drum shaft may include a biasing member, such as a spiral spring, for biasing the drum attached to the drum shaft in a winding direction. The biasing member may thus bias the tension line in a winding direction. When the tension line is wound around a tensioner, this may have the effect of pulling the tensioner in a rotational direction toward its home position. The biasing member may or may not exert a tension strong enough to rotate the tensioner to its home position. Therefore, a return spring, as described above, may be provided to ensure that the tensioner returns to its home position.

[0039] According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a pallet lid comprising a take-up assembly as described above.

[0040] For a better understanding of various examples of embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying schematic drawings in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0041] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lid for use on a load. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the take-up assembly used with the lid shown in FIG. 1 before tension is applied to the strap. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the reel assembly prior to tensioning the strap. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the reel assembly of FIG. 3 after tensioning the strap. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the tensioner. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a side cross-sectional view of the tensioner rotated to a different angle. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a side cross-sectional view of the tensioner rotated to a different angle. [Figure 6C] FIG. 6C is a side cross-sectional view of the tensioner rotated to a different angle. [Figure 6D] FIG. 6D is a side cross-sectional view of the tensioner rotated to a different angle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] Figure 1 shows a lid 1 for securing a load 2 on a pallet 3. The lid 1 comprises a body 4 having upstanding sides 5 and a depending skirt 6 for covering the top surface of the load 2 (and allowing multiple lids 1 to be nested with each other or with a pallet).

[0043] The body 4 includes an upper portion 7 shown formed by a plurality of plastic moldings 8, This may be formed as a single moulded piece. The body 4 further includes a lower portion 9 formed by the main plastic mould.

[0044] Lid 1 includes four tension lines in the form of straps 10. Each tension line 10 is movable between a retracted state within top portion 7 and an extended state in which tension line 10 extends from top portion 7. One tension line 10 is provided on each side of lid 1.

[0045] Each tension line 10 has a distal end to which an anchor 14 is attached. The anchor 14 may include a hook, loop, or any other suitable attachment. In the tensioned state of the tension lines 10, the anchor 14 can be secured to the pallet 3. As shown in Figures 3-4, each tension line 10 also has a proximal end attached to a drum 12.

[0046] 1, once the anchors 14 are secured to the pallet 3, tension can be applied to the tension lines 10 by using a respective take-up assembly 16 acting on each tension line 10. Each take-up assembly 16 is provided within the body 4.

[0047] 1, only two of the tension lines 10 are visible, extending from two of the sides of the body 4. Those skilled in the art will recognize that two other tension lines 10 extend from the other two sides. Each tension line 10 may have its own take-up assembly 16.

[0048] 2-4 illustrate an exemplary take-up assembly 16. The take-up assembly 16 may include, for example, a plastic molding that is securable to a take-up assembly aperture in the upstanding side 5 of the body 4 of the lid 1. Alternatively, the take-up assembly 16 may be integrally molded with the body 4 of the lid 1.

[0049] The reeling assembly 16 includes a drum shaft 13 configured to receive the drum 12, allowing the tension line 10 to be unwound from the drum 12 during use and rewound onto the drum 12 when not in use.

[0050] The drum shaft 13 may include a biasing member (not shown), such as a spring, connected at one end to the drum shaft 13 and at the other end to the drum 12. The biasing member rotatably biases the drum 12 in a winding direction to wind the tension line 10 onto the drum 12, moving the tension line 10 to its retracted state. For example, the biasing member may include a spiral spring.

[0051] The tension line 10 extends away from the drum 12 along a tension line channel 22 and through a tension line opening 24 laterally outward of the take-up assembly 16. The tension line channel 22 interconnects the drum cavity / drum 12 with the tension line opening 24. The anchor 14 of the tension line 10 may be oversized relative to the tension line opening 24 so that the distal end of the tension line 10 can be easily retrieved and is not "swallowed" by the take-up assembly 16.

[0052] Each take-up assembly 16 includes a tensioner 37 in the form of a slotted spindle 40. Once the anchor 14 of the tension line 10 is secured to the pallet 3, the tensioner 37 is activated to tension the tension line 10.

[0053] A tensioner 37 is rotatably mounted to the take-up assembly 16. The tensioner 37 extends across the tension line channel 22 and engages the tension line 10. The illustrated tensioner 37 is rotatable about a tensioner axis of rotation 62 that is transverse to the vertical axis of rotation of the drum 12. This reduces the height of the take-up assembly 16.

[0054] The tensioner 37 is rotatable by operation of a drive linkage actuated by a manual control device in the form of a lever 19. The illustrated lever 19 includes a fulcrum body 21 and an elongated handle 20 extending from the fulcrum body 21, which can be turned by a user.

[0055] The lever 19 is operated by pivoting it about a lever axis of rotation 61 from a rest position (FIG. 3) to the end of its stroke length (FIG. 4). The lever axis of rotation 61 may be an upward axis, such as a vertical axis. Thus, the lever 19 can move laterally. This reduces the height of the reel assembly 16.

[0056] The illustrated tensioner 37 is rotatable and includes a slot 38 through which the tension line 10 passes, and is therefore in the form of a slotted spindle 40. The tensioner 37 is rotatably held within the take-up assembly 16 by shaft supports 41, 41B. After securing the tension line 10 to the pallet 3, the tensioner 37 is rotated, winding the tension line 10 onto the tensioner 37, which then pulls on the tension line 10 to apply tension to the tension line 10.

[0057] Movement of lever 19 from the rest position of lever 19 to the end of the stroke length of lever 19 rotates tensioner 37 from the home position of tensioner 37 to the tension position of tensioner 37. This winds tension line 10 around tensioner 37 and applies tension to the fixed tension line 10. Only one stroke of lever 19 is required.

[0058] When tensioner 37 is in its home position, its slot 38 can be aligned with the direction in which tension line 10 is wound and unwound so as not to resist the pull of tension line 10 therethrough. Slot 38 can be parallel to tension line channel 22. Slot 38 can face tension line opening 24.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 4, when tensioner 37 is in the tensioned position, tension line 10 is wound sufficiently around tensioner 37 to tension tension line 10 and frictionally react against further unwinding of tension line 10.

[0060] The angular distance from the home position of the tensioner 37 to the tensioned position of the tensioner 37 may be a reflex angle. The lever 19 may have a stroke length of about 180 degrees (or a different obtuse angle). Only one stroke (e.g., 180°) of the lever 19 is required to rotate the tensioner 37 through a reflex angle (e.g., 300°).

[0061] As shown in detail in Figure 2, a drive linkage is provided in the form of a cable actuator 53 connected at one end to a first seat 18 attached to a lever 19 and at the other end to a second seat 42 attached to a tensioner 37. It will be appreciated that in other examples different forms of drive linkage may be provided.

[0062] 3-4, the reel assembly 16 includes a retainer 70. The retainer 70 is configured to engage following actuation of the lever 19 in a first, tensioning direction (from the rest position of the lever 19 to the end of the stroke length of the lever 19) to prevent the elongated handle 20 of the lever 19 from moving in a second, opposite direction despite a biasing force from a biasing member on the drum shaft 13 that urges the lever 19 back toward its rest position.

[0063] Figure 3 shows the lever 19 in its rest position, with the tensioner 37 in its home position. Figure 4 shows the lever 19 in its full stroke position, with the tensioner 37 in its tensioned position. In Figure 4, the retainer 70 is engaged.

[0064] The retainer 70 includes a single drop helical cam 76 included in the fulcrum body 21 of the lever 19 and a spring-loaded catch 72 configured to engage the helical cam 76. The axis of the helical cam 76 may be coaxial with the lever rotation axis 61. The illustrated helical cam 76 is above the drive linkage, but alternatively, it may be below the drive linkage.

[0065] When the lever 19 is rotated to the full stroke position shown in Figure 4, the rotating helical cam 76 acts against the spring 80 of the catch 72 to bias the catch 72. In Figure 4, the catch 72 drops into a drop in the helical cam 76. Thus, when the user releases the handle 20, the lever 19 remains stationary because the engagement between the catch 72 and the drop in the helical cam 76 prevents the helical cam 76 from rotating back.

[0066] The catch 72 acts like a one-way gate that allows the spiral cam 76 to enter but not exit without first releasing the catch 72. The catch 72 is implemented as a spring-loaded catch 72.

[0067] 3-4, the elongated handle 20 and tension line opening 24 are external parts of the reel assembly 16. They are located on the upstanding side 5 of the lid 1 in FIG. Thus, a user can grasp the elongated handle 20 , rotate the lever 19 , and feel the elongated handle 20 being engaged by the retainer 70 . The engagement of the retainer 70 provides positive tactile feedback that the tension line 10 is now sufficiently tensioned.

[0068] To release the elongated handle 20 from the retainer 70 , a user presses a releaser in the form of a release button 78 with their finger to separate the catch 72 from the drop in the helical cam 76 . Release button 78 is sized to receive the tip of a user's finger.

[0069] This disengagement of the retainer 70 by the release button 78 is sufficient to allow the biasing member on the drum shaft 13 to pull the line 10 hard enough to rotate the tensioner 37 back to its home position, and the reverse rotation of the tensioner 37 rotates the lever 19 back to its rest position. At this point, the tension line 10 is slack, allowing the user to separate the anchor 14 from the pallet 3 and retract the tension line 10.

[0070] The release button 78, catch 72 and optionally spring 80 may be a unitary part, such as a one-piece moulded part. This eliminates the need for a mechanism connecting the release button 78 to the catch 72 or multiple parts during manufacture.

[0071] For intuitive use, release button 78 is an external part of the winding assembly. Release button 78 is adjacent to lever 19. Release button 78 is exposed on upright side 5 of lid 1, Figure 1. Spring 80 is internal to and may be fixed to a portion of lid 1, Figure 1.

[0072] It will be appreciated that different types of retainers and / or releasers than those shown may be implemented, such as manually operated latching devices.

[0073] 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a cylindrical section of tensioner 37 with slot 38. Slot 38 has a first aperture 92 and a second aperture 94, which are apertures in the winding surface 90 of tensioner 37 through which strap 10 can be wound.

[0074] The strap 10 extends through the apertures 92, 94 and the slot 38, as shown in Figures 6A-6D. As the tensioner 37 rotates, the strap 10 is wound onto the winding surface 90 and begins to wind up, as shown in Figures 6A-6D.

[0075] The winding surface 90 of the tensioner 37 has a helical shape, in this case a logarithmic helical shape, to change the ratio between the movement of the lever 19 and the tension displacement of the strap 10 as the strap 10 is wound around the tensioner 37 by rotation of the tensioner towards the tension position.

[0076] The term "helix" is understood to encompass a continuously curved helix with no vertices, a helix formed from segments connected by vertices, or a combination thereof. The figure shows a continuously curved helix.

[0077] The winding surface 90 defines a winding radius, which is defined as follows: if a radial line is drawn from the axis of rotation 62 to the point where the strap 10 makes winding contact with the tensioner 37, the winding radius is defined as the radius of the winding surface 90 along that radial line. This ignores the winding effect of the strap 10. A circular winding surface 90 has a constant winding radius.

[0078] As a result of the spiral-shaped decreasing radius of the winding surface 90, the tension displacement of the strap 10 decreases with each equal incremental movement of the lever 19 from its rest position toward its full-stroke position, and with each corresponding equal incremental rotation of the tensioner 37 from its home position to its tension position. This minimizes or prevents the increase in user force required toward the end of the lever 19 travel, when maximum tension in the wire 10 is reached.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 5, the radius of the helical winding surface 90 from the axis 62 decreases from a first maximum radius r1, through a second smaller radius r2, to or through an even smaller third radius r3.

[0080] As shown in Figure 5, a first radius r1 is from the tensioner axis of rotation 62 to a first edge of the first aperture 92. When the tensioner 37 begins to rotate from the home position, the take-up radius is equal to the first radius r1. As shown in Figure 6A, the first edge of the first aperture 92 pulls the strap 10 as the tensioner 37 rotates its first 90 degrees from Figure 5 to Figure 6A.

[0081] Next, as shown in Figure 6B, as the tensioner 37 rotates from 90 degrees to 180 degrees, the strap 10 wraps around a winding surface 90 having a radius that decreases continuously from a first radius r1 to a second radius r2. Thus, this 90-degree rotation from Figure 6A to Figure 6B is easier than the previous 90-degree rotation from Figure 5 to Figure 6A.

[0082] Next, as shown in FIG. 6C, as the tensioner 37 rotates from 180° to 270°, the strap 10 wraps around the second aperture 94 and begins to wrap around itself. As the strap 10 wraps around the second aperture 94, the wrap radius becomes equal to the second radius r2, which is the radius at the edge of the second aperture 94, and is smaller than the first radius r1. Therefore, this 90-degree rotation from FIG. 6B-6C is easier than the previous 90-degree rotation from FIG. 6A-6B.

[0083] Next, as the tensioner rotates from 270° to its final tension position (e.g., about 300°), as shown in FIG. 6D, the strap 10 continues to wrap around itself. In the tension position, the wrap radius is equal to a third radius r3, which is significantly smaller than the first radius r1. Therefore, this final rotation is easier than the previous rotation in FIG. 6C.

[0084] The third radius r3 is the same as or approximately the same as the minimum radius of the winding surface 90. In the illustrated example, the minimum radius of the winding surface 90 is at the second edge of the first aperture 92, adjacent and opposite the first edge of the same first aperture 92.

[0085] If the rate of change of radius is variable to define a logarithmic spiral or equivalent growth spiral, this reduces the rate of change of an otherwise exponential increase in user force required toward the full stroke position of the lever 19. In other examples, other types of growth spirals, such as a hyperbolic spiral or an Archimedean spiral, may be used. During testing, some logarithmic spiral samples were found to allow for a more consistent force than other types of growth spirals.

[0086] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the above paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be understood that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. For example, different parts of the take-up assembly may provide different variable ratios than the tensioner.

[0087] The features set out in the above description may be used in combinations other than those expressly set out.

[0088] Although functions are described with reference to particular features, those functions may be performed by other features, whether or not described.

[0089] Although features have been described with reference to particular embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments, whether or not described.

[0090] Although the foregoing specification has attempted to draw attention to those features of the invention which are believed to be particularly important, it is to be understood that applicants claim protection for any patentable feature or combination of features referred to in this specification and / or shown in the drawings, whether or not specifically emphasized.

Claims

1. 1. A winding assembly comprising: a rotatable tensioner configured to receive a tension line therethrough; a manual control device for rotating the tensioner from the tensioner home position to the tensioner tension position; wherein the take-up assembly provides a variable ratio between movement of the manual control device and tension displacement of the tension line as the tension line is wound around the tensioner by rotation of the tensioner toward the tension position.

2. 2. The take-up assembly of claim 1, wherein the variable ratio decreases the tension displacement of the tension line as the manual control device moves toward the end of the stroke of the manual control device.

3. 3. The take-up assembly of claim 1, wherein the tensioner provides the variable ratio.

4. 4. The take-up assembly of claim 3, wherein the tensioner has an axis of rotation, and wherein the tensioner has a variable radius about the axis of rotation to provide the variable ratio.

5. 5. The take-up assembly of claim 4, wherein the tensioner comprises a take-up surface disposed about the axis of rotation of the tensioner, wherein the take-up surface defines the variable radius.

6. 6. The take-up assembly of claim 5, wherein the tensioner is rotatable toward the tensioned position in a direction of decreasing radius of rotation, wherein the direction of decreasing radius of rotation is defined by the variable radius of the take-up surface.

7. 7. The take-up assembly of claim 4, 5, or 6, wherein the variable radius of the tensioner has a variable rate of change about the axis of rotation.

8. 8. A take-up assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the angular distance from the home position of the tensioner to the tensioned position of the tensioner is greater than 180 degrees or at least 235 degrees.

9. 9. The take-up assembly of claim 1, wherein the tensioner comprises a slot through which the tension line can extend, the slot having a first aperture and a second aperture.

10. 10. The take-up assembly of claim 9, wherein rotation of the tensioner rotates the slot to wind the tension line around the tensioner.

11. 11. The take-up assembly of claim 9 or 10, wherein the tensioner provides the variable ratio by having a first radius adjacent the first aperture, the first radius being larger than a second radius adjacent the second aperture, the second aperture being opposite the first aperture.

12. 12. The take-up assembly of claim 11, wherein the variable radius of the tensioner decreases continuously from the first radius to the second radius.

13. 13. The take-up assembly of claim 11 or 12, wherein the tensioner is rotatable toward the tension position in a direction to take up the tension line around the tensioner at a decreasing take-up radius from the first radius to or through the second radius.

14. 14. The take-up assembly of claim 13, wherein the decreasing take-up radius is from the first radius, through the second radius, to a third radius that is smaller than the second radius, and wherein the take-up radius value is the third radius when the tensioner is in the tensioned position.

15. 15. The take-up assembly of claim 14, wherein the variable radius of the tensioner decreases continuously from the second radius to the third radius.

16. 16. The winding assembly of claim 14 or 15, wherein the first radius is the maximum radius of the winding surface, wherein the first radius is at a first edge of the first aperture, wherein the second radius, smaller than the first radius, is at an edge of the second aperture, wherein the minimum radius of the winding surface is at a second edge of the first aperture, and wherein the third radius is between the second radius and the minimum radius.

17. 17. The take-up assembly of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the manual control device has a stroke length associated therewith, and wherein actuation of the manual control device by a single stroke length in a first, tension direction rotates the tensioner from a home position of the tensioner to the tension position of the tensioner.

18. 18. A take-up assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein when the tensioned position is reached, a retainer is engaged to prevent movement of the manual control device and / or the tensioner in the opposite direction.

19. 20. The take-up assembly of claim 18, wherein the retainer is engaged in response to the manual control device reaching a full stroke position corresponding to the tension position of the tensioner, and wherein the engagement is automatic.

20. 20. A reel assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the manual control device is in the form of a lever.

21. 21. The take-up assembly of any one of claims 1 to 20, comprising a return spring, wherein the return spring is in a tensioner load path between the manual control device and the tensioner, and wherein the return spring applies a biasing force to bias the tensioner from the tensioned position of the tensioner toward the home position of the tensioner.

22. 22. A take-up assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 21, comprising a releaser.

23. 23. The reeling assembly of any one of claims 1 to 22, comprising a drum shaft configured to receive a drum from which the tension line can be unwound and from which the tension line can be wound.

24. 24. The reeling assembly of claim 23, wherein the drum shaft includes a biasing member attached to the drum shaft for biasing the drum in a reeling direction, the biasing member therefore biasing the tension line in the reeling direction.

25. A pallet lid comprising a take-up assembly according to any one or more of the preceding claims.

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