Removable attachment for a ratchet type load binder to actuate with handheld power tool

Abstract

A removable attachment for a ratchet type load binder includes a transmission device to mechanically interconnect a rotary handheld power tool and a ratchet gear of the load binder, which upon rotation acts to displace attachment members of the load binder, connected to one or more tiedowns, in opposite movement to tighten or loosen the tiedowns. The transmission device is rotatably supported in a mounting frame which forms a receptacle for receiving the ratchet gear of the load binder in a mounted condition of the attachment. The frame includes cooperative slots for receiving a tubular body of the load binder, thus locating the ratchet gear in the receptacle. The attachment features a handle fixed to the frame and extending substantially parallel to the slots, and a retention device supported on the handle and configured to removably attach to a load binder lever to secure the attachment in the mounted condition.

Description

[0001] REMOVABLE ATTACHMENT FOR A RATCHET TYPE LOAD BINDER TO ACTUATE WITH HANDHELD POWER TOOL

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a removable attachment for a ratchet type load binder to adapt the load binder to be actuated by a handheld power tool, such as a rotary drill or rotary impact driver, and more particularly to such a removable attachment which is secured to a lever of the load binder.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] It is generally known to provide an attachment for a ratchet type load binder to enable actuation of the load binder, that is opposite movement of movable attachment members connected to one or more flexible tensionable members, such as chains or cables, which may alternatively be referred to as tiedowns, using a handheld power tool, such as a drill or a driver, which outputs a mechanical rotation that can be transmitted to another device. Conventional arrangements of such an attachment do not engage or otherwise interface with a lever of the ratchet type load binder which is used for manual hand actuation or operation of the load binder.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a load binder attachment for a ratchet-type load binder. Generally speaking, the load binder has a longitudinally extending tubular body receiving at either opposite end thereof a movable attachment member of the load binder adapted for opposite movement to one another along a longitudinal axis of the body for tensioning one or more flexible tensionable members to which the movable attachment members are connected, the load binder including a ratchet mechanism adapted to drive the opposite movement of the attachment members, the ratchet mechanism including a ratchet gear defining a plurality of radially outwardly projecting teeth around its circumference and mounted to the body so that an axis of the ratchet gear which is encircled by the teeth is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, a lever of the ratchet mechanism extending transversely from the body and supported thereon for rotary movement relative to the body about the axis of the ratchet gear, and a pawl operatively supported on the lever for selectively engaging the ratchet gear so that the rotary movement of the lever relative to the body acts to drive the opposite movement of the attachment members in a selected rotational direction. The load binder attachment comprises: a mounting frame having longitudinally opposite leading and trailing ends, laterally opposite sides and a top and a bottom which are opposite in a height direction transverse to both a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction of the load binder attachment; wherein the mounting frame includes opposite sidewalls generally oriented in a lateral-heightwise plane and interconnected in laterally spaced-apart relation, wherein the mounting frame forms a receptacle between the sidewalls and configured to receive the ratchet gear of the load binder therein in a mounted condition of the mounting frame; a transmission member having a shaft extending along an axis of rotation of the transmission member and transmission elements carried on the shaft and projecting outwardly therefrom, wherein the transmission elements are configured to matably engage the teeth of the ratchet gear in the mounted condition, wherein the transmission member is supported by the mounting frame for rotation in adjacent relation to the receptacle for meshing with the ratchet gear of the load binder in the mounted condition; a coupler carried at one end of the shaft of the transmission member for connecting to a rotary drive member of a handheld power tool so as to drive rotation of the transmission member; wherein the mounting frame includes cooperative slots in the sidewalls, so as to be disposed on the sides of the receptacle, and in spaced relation from the transmission member relative to the height direction, wherein the slots are configured to receive the tubular body of the load binder on either side of the ratchet mechanism in the mounted condition, wherein the slots extend from front edges of the sidewalls at the leading end of the mounting frame, so as to have open ends of the slots, and generally in the longitudinal direction to closed ends of the slots; a handle configured to be received in a hand of a user and coupled to the mounting frame, wherein the handle extends from the trailing end of the mounting frame and generally in the longitudinal direction to a free end of the handle distal to the mounting frame, wherein the handle is elongated substantially parallel to the slots in the mounting frame; and a retention device supported on the handle and configured to removably attach to the lever of the load binder so as to be adjacent thereto in the mounted condition and so as to cooperate with the slots receiving the tubular body for securing in fixed relation to the load binder.

[0008] This provides an attachment for actuating the load binder with the handheld power tool, which may be quickly secured and detached from the load binder.

[0009] Preferably, the slots follow linear paths from the open ends of the slots to the closed ends thereof.

[0010] Preferably, the linear paths of the slots are directed along the longitudinal direction.

[0011] Preferably, the handle follows a linear path from the mounting frame to the free end of the handle.

[0012] Preferably, the handle is aligned with the slots relative to the height direction.

[0013] In the illustrated arrangement, the retention device comprises a pin configured to be received in a hole in the lever of the load binder.

[0014] In the illustrated arrangement, the pin is supported in a longitudinally- extending adjustment slot in the handle for slidably repositioning based on a location of the hole in the lever of the load binder.

[0015] In the illustrated arrangement, the retention device further includes a pair of flanges supported on the handle in spaced apart relation relative to the height direction and registered with the pin relative to the longitudinal direction, wherein the flanges extend longitudinally of the handle and project from the handle in a common lateral direction as the pin so as to form a channel for receiving the lever of the load binder.

[0016] In the illustrated arrangement, the transmission member is in the form of a sprocket and the axis of rotation thereof is oriented laterally of the load binder attachment.

[0017] In the illustrated arrangement, the transmission member is supported in fixed location relative to the mounting frame.

[0018] Preferably, the handle is offset from a lateral center of the mounting frame so as to be disposed closer to one of the sides of the mounting frame than another one of the sides.

[0019] Preferably, the handle extends longitudinally in the trailing direction from a corresponding one of the sidewalls located on a common side of the mounting frame to which the handle is offset, and laterally inwardly from the corresponding sidewall so as to present an end portion of the handle, which defines the free end thereof, for locating in intimate parallel relation with an end portion of the lever of the load binder in the mounted condition.

[0020] Preferably, the end portion of the handle is arranged to be registered with the lever in the mounted condition. Thus, the handle and the lever can be gripped together to handle the load binder and the attachment mounted thereto, to prevent movement of the lever so as not to impede operation of the transmission member actuated by the handheld power tool. In the illustrated arrangement, the handle is in the form of a plate generally oriented in the lateral-heightwise plane of the load binder attachment.

[0021] The load binder attachment may further include a pawl-neutralizing device configured to engage the pawl of the load binder in the mounted condition in a manner as to free the pawl from engagement with the ratchet gear.

[0022] According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of using a handheld power tool to drive a ratchet type load binder, wherein the load binder comprises a tubular body receiving at either opposite end thereof a movable attachment member of the load binder adapted for opposite movement to one another along a longitudinal axis of the body for tensioning one or more flexible tensionable members to which the movable attachment members are connected, the load binder including a ratchet mechanism adapted to drive the opposite movement of the attachment members, the ratchet mechanism including a ratchet gear mounted to the body so that rotation of the ratchet gear actuates the opposite movement of the movable attachment members, a lever of the ratchet mechanism supported for rotary movement relative to the tubular body about the axis of the ratchet gear, and a pawl operatively supported on the lever for selectively engaging the ratchet gear to effect unidirectional rotation of the ratchet gear responsive to the rotary movement of the lever, the method comprising: providing a removable attachment carrying a transmission device for meshing with the ratchet gear of the load binder and for receiving a rotary end of the handheld power tool, so as to mechanically interconnect the handheld power tool and the ratchet gear of the load binder, wherein the removable attachment has a housing carrying the transmission device and forming a receptacle for receiving the ratchet gear, a slotted entryway into the housing for receiving the tubular body of the load binder to locate the ratchet gear in the housing in meshed engagement with the transmission device, and a handle connected to the housing; using the slotted entryway, sliding the housing of the removable attachment onto the tubular body in a direction substantially parallel to the lever of the load binder to arrange the attachment in a mounted condition relative to the load binder, in which the transmission device is in meshed engagement with the ratchet gear; while in the mounted condition, attaching the handle of the removable attachment to the lever of the load binder so as to be parallel and adjacent thereto, thereby securing the attachment in the mounted condition; and after securing the attachment in the mounted condition, driving, using the handheld power tool, the transmission device to rotate the ratchet gear of the load binder thereby displacing the movable attachment members in the opposite movement thereof.

[0023] Preferably, driving the transmission device to rotate the ratchet gear of the load binder includes holding both the handle of the removable attachment and the lever of the load binder while using the handheld power tool.

[0024] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic bottom plan view of an arrangement of load binder attachment according to the present invention in a mounted condition relative to a load binder of a ratchet type.

[0027] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the arrangement of load binder attachment in isolation.

[0028] Figure 3 is a schematic end view of the arrangement of Figure 1 when mounted to the load binder, in which a portion thereof is shown in phantom to show components that otherwise would be invisible, and in which some components are omitted for convenience and clarity of illustration.

[0029] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the arrangement of Figure 1 as shown in Figure 1 .

[0030] In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The accompanying figures show a load binder attachment for a ratchettype load binder 1 .

[0033] The ratchet type load binder 1 has a longitudinally extending cylindrical tubular body 2 receiving at either opposite end 3 thereof a movable attachment member 5 configured to connect to a flexible tensionable member and adapted for opposite movement, one relative to the other attachment member, along a longitudinal axis 6 of the body for tensioning one or more of the flexible tensionable members or tiedowns 8, such as chains or cables, to which the attachment members 5 are connected. In the illustrated arrangement, the flexible tensionable members 8 are in the form of chains respectively formed by a plurality of linked annular elements defining spaced openings along lengths of the chains. Typically, the attachment members 5 are threadably supported by the tubular body 2, such that rotation of the body 2 relative to the members 5 causes them to be displaced along the axis 6 of the body. Each of the movable members 5 is threadably interconnected with the body 2 using threads of an opposite direction, so that upon rotation of the tubular body in a common rotational direction, the attachment members are displaced in opposite axial directions relative to the axis 6.

[0034] The load binder 1 includes a ratchet mechanism 10 adapted to drive the opposite movement of the attachment members 5. The ratchet mechanism 10 includes a ratchet gear 12, which may be alternatively referred to as a spur gear, defining a plurality of radially outwardly projecting teeth 13 around its circumference and mounted to the body 2 so that an axis 15 of the ratchet gear which is encircled by the teeth 13 is oriented coaxially but at the least parallel to the longitudinal axis 6 of the body 2. That is, the ratchet or spur gear 12 is in the form of a sprocket. More specifically, when the tubular body 2 threadably receives the attachment members 5, the ratchet gear 12 is mounted in fixed rotational relation to the tubular body. A lever 17 of the ratchet mechanism 10 extends perpendicularly transversely from the body 1 at the location of the ratchet gear 12 and is supported on the body 2 for rotary movement relative thereto about the axis of rotation 15 of the ratchet gear. That is, the lever 17 has a generally II- shaped head 18 which straddles the ratchet gear 12, with an opening in either leg of the U-shaped lever head 18 receiving the tubular body 2. As the ratchet gear 12 is mounted in fixed relation to the body 2, the lever 17 is rotatable relative to the ratchet gear 12 about the axis 15. A pawl 19 is operatively supported on the lever 17 for selectively engaging the ratchet gear 12 so that the rotary movement of the lever relative to the body 2 acts to drive the opposite movement of the attachment members 5 in a selected one of two available rotational directions. The pawl 19 has a pair of opposite engagement ends 19A and 19B so that a common reciprocating movement of the lever 17 along an arc is usable to drive both extension and retraction of the attachment members 5, but not at the same time.

[0035] Turning now to the attachment 20, the load binder attachment comprises a mounting frame 22 having longitudinally opposite leading and trailing ends 23, 24, laterally opposite sides 26 and a top 28 and a bottom 29 which are opposite in a height direction transverse to both a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction of the load binder attachment. The mounting frame 22 includes opposite sidewalls 31 generally oriented in a lateral-heightwise plane, such that the sidewalls are oriented in planes oriented substantially axially of the load binder, and the sidewalls are interconnected in laterally spaced-apart relation. The mounting frame 22 forms a receptacle 33 between the sidewalls 31 and configured to receive the ratchet gear 12 of the load binder therein in a mounted condition of the mounting frame.

[0036] The attachment 20 further comprises a transmission member 36 having a shaft 37 extending along an axis of rotation 38 of the transmission member and transmission elements 40 carried on the shaft 37 and projecting outwardly therefrom. The transmission elements 40 are configured to matably engage the teeth 13 of the ratchet gear 12 in the mounted condition. The transmission member 36 is supported by the mounting frame 22 for rotation of the member 36 in adjacent relation to the receptacle 33 for meshing with the ratchet gear 12 of the load binder in the mounted condition. At least a peripheral portion of the transmission member 36 closest to the bottom 29 of the frame 22 is disposed in the receptacle 33 to be presented for meshing engagement with the ratchet gear 12 of the load binder.

[0037] Thus, the mounting frame 22 forms a housing for the transmission member 36 and for a portion of the load binder 1 receivable therein in the mounted condition.

[0038] To effect rotation of the transmission member, the attachment 20 includes a coupler 43 carried at one end of the shaft of the transmission member for connecting to a rotary drive member of a handheld power tool so as to drive rotation of the transmission member. For example, the coupler is in the form of a bolt head receivable in a socket forming the rotary drive member of the handheld power tool, which drive member is a rotary end of the tool. Typically, the coupler 43 is external to the mounting frame 22, so as not to be located in the receptacle, in order to be exposed and available for mechanical coupling to the handheld power tool.

[0039] The coupler 43 and the transmission member 36 collectively form a transmission device for meshing with the ratchet gear of the load binder and for receiving a rotary end of the tool.

[0040] To locate the mounting frame 22 on the load binder, it includes cooperative slots 45 in the sidewalls, so as to be disposed on the sides 15 of the receptacle 33, and in spaced relation from the transmission member 36 relative to the height direction. The slots 45 are configured to receive the tubular body 2 of the load binder on either side of the ratchet mechanism 10 in the mounted condition. The slots 45 extend from front edges 47A of the sidewalls at the leading end 23 of the mounting frame, so as to have open ends 49A of the slots, and generally in the longitudinal direction to closed ends 49B of the slots. As such, the closed ends 49B of the slots are located at intermediate locations on the sidewalls, spaced from peripheries thereof including from rear edges 47B of the sidewalls at the trailing end of the mounting frame 22. Thus, the cooperative slots 45 in the sidewalls 31 form a slotted entryway into the housing 22 for receiving the tubular body 2 of the load binder to locate the ratchet gear 12 in the housing in meshed engagement with the transmission device 36, 43.

[0041] That is, in the mounted condition, the tubular body 2 of the load binder is received in the slots 45, preferably at the closed ends 49B thereof, and the ratchet gear 12 is received in the receptacle 33. When the shaft of the transmission member 36 is supported in fixed location by the mounting frame 22, such that the transmission member as a whole is fixed in location relative thereto, then the ratchet gear 12 is in meshed engagement with the transmission member 36 in the mounted condition.

[0042] To hold or handle the attachment and maneuver the same into the mounted condition, there is provided a handle 52 of the attachment configured to be received in a hand of a user and coupled to the mounting frame 22. The handle 52 extends from the trailing end 24 of the mounting frame 22 and generally in the longitudinal direction to a free end 54 of the handle distal to the mounting frame 22. Thus, the handle 52 is elongated generally in the longitudinal direction of the attachment. Furthermore, the handle 52 is elongated in a direction substantially parallel to a direction in which the slots 45 in the mounting frame extend, in order to be suited to maneuver the frame 22 into the mounted condition via the slotted entryway, as the direction of insertion is directed radially of the load binder. The handle 52 is supported in fixed relation to the mounting frame 22.

[0043] Once arranged in the mounted condition relative to the load binder, the attachment 20 includes a retention device 56 supported on the handle 52 and configured to removably attach to the lever 17 of the load binder so as to be adjacent thereto in the mounted condition and so as to cooperate with the slots 45 receiving the tubular body 12 for securing in fixed relation to the load binder.

[0044] In the illustrated arrangement, the sidewalls 31 of the frame 22 are in the form of plates, so as to be planar, and respectively oriented in a lateral-heightwise plane. The sidewalls 31 are oriented parallel to each other in their laterally spaced-apart condition. The sidewalls 31 are interconnected by a bridging member 60 spanning laterally between the sidewalls 31 and located at the top 28 of the mounting frame so as to bridge between sidewall peripheries at the top of the frame. The sidewall peripheries are defined by edges of the sidewalls including the front edges 47A and the rear edges 47B. The bridging member is shown phantom or omission in Figure 1 to provide visibility

[0045] The bridging member 60 also extends from the leading end 23 to the trailing end 24 of the frame, so as to interconnect the sidewalls 31 along leading portions of the sidewall peripheries, that is at or adjacent the front edges 47A thereof, and in opposite relation thereto at trailing portions thereof, that is at or adjacent the rear edges 47B thereof. Since the transmission member is disposed on a top side of the slots 45, so as to be located intermediate the slots 45 and the top 28 of the frame, and since the transmission member is in the form of a sprocket in the illustrated arrangement which has a generally rounded periphery, the bridging member 60 is arcuate in shape to circumscribe a top portion of the transmission member. Since the transmission member extends from the leading end to the trailing end at the top of the frame, it acts to enclose the frame at the top 28 thereof, while the frame 22 remains open at the bottom thereof. Moreover, the bridging member 60 acts to shield the transmission member 36 which is arranged on a top side of the slotted entryway. Yet further, the frame 22 is open at bottom portions thereof, which define the bottom 29 of the frame, at both the leading and trailing ends 23, 24, so that the tubular body 2 of the load binder 1 is insertable into the receptacle 33, and the lever 17 of the load binder can pass through the frame 22 from its rotatably mounted end at the tubular body and to the free end thereof.

[0046] In the illustrated arrangement, the receptacle 33 formed between the sidewalls 31 and the bridging member 60 extends from the bottom 29 of the frame, defined by bottom edges 47C of the sidewalls, on an underside or bottom side of the slotted entryway 45, to the top 28 as defined by the bridging member 60. Thus, the transmission member 36 is disposed in the receptacle 33 which is uninterrupted between the top 28 and the bottom 29 of the mounting frame to be presented for mechanical coupling with the ratchet gear 12 of the load binder when received in the receptacle 33 in the mounted condition of the attachment.

[0047] For efficient mounting of the attachment 20, the slots 45 follow linear paths from the open ends of the slots 45 to the closed ends thereof, and the linear paths of the slots are directed along the longitudinal direction of the attachment. That is, the slots are linear in shape between their opposite ends 49A, 49B. Thus, the mounting frame 22 is mountable onto the load binder, and more specifically on its tubular body 2, in the radial direction of the load binder relative to the longitudinal axis 6 of its tubular body.

[0048] The entry slots 45 are configured to abut the tubular body 2 in the mounted condition, so as to resist relative movement in the longitudinal direction of the attachment which corresponds to the radial direction of the load binder. This is achieved by sizing the slots so that the closed ends 49B are substantially registered in the height direction with a longitudinal center of the transmission member, that is the closed ends are offset slightly in the longitudinal direction towards the trailing end 24 of the mounting frame so that the axis of the tubular body 2 received therein is substantially in-line relative to the height direction with the axis 38 of the transmission member. When the transmission member is in the form of a sprocket, then the closed ends 49B are substantially registered with the shaft 37 of the transmission member. Furthermore, abutment between the closed ends 49B of the slots and the tubular body 2 is achieved by shaping the slots to be rounded at the closed ends, so as to conform to an outer surface of the tubular body which is cylindrical in the illustrated arrangement. Thus, relative movement is resisted in a plurality of radial directions, basically all radial directions except for that directed in the trailing longitudinal direction of the attachment.

[0049] To further enhance efficiency of mounting, the handle 52 follows a linear path, so as to be linearly elongated, from the mounting frame 22 to the free end 54 of the handle, and the handle 52 is aligned with the slots 45 relative to the height direction of the mounting frame 22. That is, the handle 52 is linearly elongated from its attached end at the frame 22 to its free end 54.

[0050] Based on configuration of the handle 52 and the slotted entry 45 to the mounting frame 22, the attachment 20 is mountable to the load binder in a radial direction of the load binder, relative to its longitudinal axis 6, which is parallel to, or inline with, the lever 17 of the load binder. Thus, so as not to interfere with the load binder lever during mounting, the handle 52 is offset from a lateral center of the mounting frame so as to be disposed closer to one of the sides 26 of the mounting frame 22 than another one of the sides. As such, the attachment 20 forms a passageway from the leading end 23 of the mounting frame to the free end 54 of the handle for the ratchet mechanism of the load binder to pass through upon mounting of the attachment. The passageway includes the receptacle 33 and space adjacent an inner side of the handle.

[0051] Due to the laterally offset location of the handle, the handle 52 is attached to a corresponding one of the sidewalls 31 located on a common side 26 of the mounting frame to which the handle is offset. The handle 52 extends longitudinally in the trailing direction from the corresponding sidewall 31 on the common side of the lateral center to which the handle is offset, and at a trailing distance from its attachment to the corresponding sidewall 31 , angles laterally inwardly from the plane of that sidewall 31 , to form a jog 70 in the handle, so as to present, in the mounted condition, an end portion 72 of the handle, which defines the free end 54 thereof, for locating in intimate parallel relation with an end portion 17A of the lever 17 of the load binder, which end portion 17A defines a free end 17B of the load binder lever 17. The handle end portion 72 is in intimate relation to the lever end portion 17A in that it disposed closely adjacent thereto and may be in slightly spaced relation or in abutment with a side of the lever defining a wide face thereof. From the jog 70, the end portion 72 of the attachment handle extends only in the longitudinal direction and away from the trailing end 24 of the frame, so as to be parallel to the load binder lever 17 relative to the lateral direction of the frame 22. The free end 17B of the load binder lever 17 is disposed in distal and opposite relation to the ratchet gear 12 and the tubular body 2, so as to be radially spaced therefrom relative to the load binder axis 6.

[0052] As the handle 52 is attached to one of the sidewalls 31 , both of which are in the form of plates in the illustrated arrangement, the handle 52 of the illustrated arrangement is, too, in the form of a plate generally oriented in the in the lateralheightwise plane of the load binder attachment, though the particular construction and geometry may vary in other embodiments.

[0053] Since the handle 52 is aligned with the entry slots 45 relative to the height direction of the mounting frame, and the lever 17 of the load binder is oriented radially of the load binder relative to the longitudinal axis of its tubular body, the end portion 72 of the handle is arranged to be registered with the load binder lever 17 in the mounted condition. That is, the attachment handle 52 is disposed laterally adjacent the load binder lever 17 so that they can be concurrently gripped by a user when the attachment is arranged in the mounted condition. When the handle 52 is in the form of a plate, the thickness of which is directed in the lateral direction of the attachment, a combined or collective handle of the system or assembly of the attachment mounted on the load binder is negligibly wider than the lever alone, enabling easy and comfortable gripping by a user. Typically, the lever 17 of the load binder has a hole 17C closer to its free end than its attached end, which forms the U-shaped head 18. As such, the retention device 56 of the illustrated arrangement of attachment comprises a pin 75 configured to be received in the hole or opening 17C in the lever. In the illustrated arrangement, the pin 75 projects laterally from the handle 52 and in a direction from the side to which the handle is offset and towards the opposite side. Thus, the pin acts to cooperate with the closed ends 49B of the slots 45 to maintain the attachment in fixed position on the load binder relative to the radial direction thereof.

[0054] To provide some flexibility in fit to different load binders, the pin 75 is supported in a longitudinally-extending adjustment slot 77 in the handle, which is closed at opposite ends thereof, for slidably repositioning to register with a location of the hole in the lever of the load binder.

[0055] To reinforce mechanical coupling between the handle 52 and the lever 17 to maintain them in fixed relation to each other during use of the attachment, the retention device 56 further includes a pair of flanges 79 supported on the handle 52 in spaced apart relation relative to the height direction and registered with the pin 75 relative to the longitudinal direction. The bottom one of these two flanges is partially cut away in Figure 1 for illustrative purpose. The flanges 79 extend longitudinally of the handle and project from the handle in a common lateral direction as the pin, so as to form a channel for receiving the lever 17 of the load binder. Thus, the flanges restrict movement of the attachment angularly of the load binder’s longitudinal axis 6 so as to maintain the attachment in fixed rotational relation to the load binder about the axis 6 of the load binder. In the illustrated arrangement, the channel is open at its distal end arranged proximal to the free end 54 of the handle, and registered therewith, because the retention device 56 comprises the pin 75 which restricts movement of the attachment in the radially inward direction relative to the load binder. In other arrangements, the distal end of the channel may be closed. However, an inner or proximal end of the channel is open as it lies along the passageway for receiving the lever of the load binder in the mounted condition of the attachment.

[0056] The channel formed by the flanges 79 may be tapered, so as to conform to a tapering width of the lever, and thus may decrease in width, directed in the height direction, from a proximal end thereof relative to the mounted frame 22 and to a distal end thereto, which is closer to the free end 54 of the handle as compared to the proximal channel end.

[0057] As previously described, the transmission member 36 of the illustrated arrangement of attachment is in the form of a sprocket, and the axis of rotation 38 thereof is oriented laterally of the load binder attachment. Thus, the transmission elements 40 are in the form of teeth arranged at angularly spaced positions around the rotational axis 38 to form between a plurality of recesses respectively between each adjacent pair of teeth. Furthermore, the sprocket-type transmission member 36 is supported in fixed location relative to the mounting frame 22. Thus, the transmission member 36 is arranged in interacting or interfacing engagement with the spur gear 12 of the load binder, that is in meshed engagement, upon arranging the attachment in the mounted condition.

[0058] Even with the attachment 20 installed on the load binder 1 , it is possible to manually operate the load binder using the lever, when the transmission member 36 has a rotational plane which is parallel to that of the spur gear 12 of the load binder and when the transmission member 36 is in unbiased or in a freewheeling state, such that it is free to rotate responsive to rotation of the spur gear.

[0059] To enable the attachment 20 to freely rotate the spur gear 12 in either one of two rotational directions, the attachment 20 may be provided with a pawl-neutralizing device 85 configured to engage the pawl of the load binder in the mounted condition in a manner as to free the pawl 19 from engagement with the ratchet gear 12. The pawlneutralizing device 85 may be in the form of a pair of projecting guides, which may be in the form of tabs or flanges or pegs or pins, supported on an inner side of the handle 52, so as to face the lever 17, in spaced-apart relation to one another relative to the height direction of the attachment and disposed on the handle closer to the mounting frame 22 than the free end 54. The guides 85 form inner guide surfaces facing the pawl 19 and oriented in converging fashion to each other for butting engagement with the pawl when the attachment 20 is moved from a detached condition, in which the ratchet gear 12 is external to the receptacle 33, to the mounted condition in which the attachment handle 52 is positioned alongside the lever. The guides are configured, including by shaping thereof and location on the handle, in such a manner that the upon abutment with the pawl the guides act to pivot the pawl to a neutralized or disengaged position, in which the pawl is disposed angularly centrally within a range of pivotal movement thereof relative to the lever, limits of which define each of the two rotational directions of the ratchet gear. In the illustrated arrangement, as shown in Figure 4, the pawl-neutralizing device 85 comprises pins or pegs which have rounded peripheral surfaces to define the converging inner guide surfaces for butting engagement with the pawl 19. Since the pawl 19 is shown in an engaged position, which is one of two engaged positions, one of the neutralizing pegs is shown in phantom as its location is covered by the pawl.

[0060] This provides an attachment for actuating the load binder with a handheld power tool, which may be quickly secured and detached from the load binder.

[0061] There is also disclosed herein a method of using a handheld power tool to drive a ratchet type load binder. The method generally comprises the steps of:

[0062] -providing a removable attachment 20 carrying a transmission device 36, 43 for meshing with the ratchet gear 12 of the load binder 1 and for receiving a rotary end of the handheld power tool, so as to mechanically interconnect the handheld power tool and the ratchet gear of the load binder;

[0063] -using the slotted entryway 45 of the attachment, sliding the housing 22 of the removable attachment onto the tubular body 2 of the load binder in a direction substantially parallel to the lever 17 of the load binder to arrange the attachment in a mounted condition relative to the load binder, in which the transmission device is in meshed engagement with the ratchet gear;

[0064] -while in the mounted condition, attaching the handle of the removable attachment to the lever of the load binder so as to be parallel and adjacent thereto, thereby securing the attachment in the mounted condition; and

[0065] -after securing the attachment 20 in the mounted condition, driving, using the handheld power tool, the transmission device 36, 43 to rotate the ratchet gear 12 of the load binder thereby displacing the movable attachment members 5 in the opposite movement thereof.

[0066] Typically, during the step of sliding the housing of the attachment onto the tubular body of the load binder, the lever of the load binder is maintained stationary. Thus, the attachment 20, usually via the handle 52, and the lever 17 are simultaneously handled to maneuver the attachment into the mounted condition. This can be performed by a single user, using a different hand for each of the articles to be handled or manipulated.

[0067] In the illustrated arrangement, in the mounted condition, the handle 52 is registered with the lever 17, that is at least a portion thereof, and specifically the end portion 72 which is configured to be gripped by the user. Thus, driving the transmission device to rotate the ratchet gear of the load binder includes holding both the handle of the removable attachment and the lever of the load binder while using the handheld power tool. Both the attachment and load binder can be held with the same hand, so a single user can operate the attachment, as the other hand remains available to operate the handheld power tool.

[0068] It will be appreciated that the novel load binder attachment does not use any fasteners to attach to and operate the load binder. It slips on and off in one easy step. It attaches and is ready to use in a matter of seconds (more specifically, about two), and comes off just as quickly.

[0069] The novel attachment features a handle to work effectively. This handle is designed and built into the attachment, so as to be unitary therewith, and is not an add-on to an existing product. The handle performs several functions.

[0070] 1 . It serves as an easy means to carry the device, that is, the overall attachment.

[0071] 2. The handle is used to align and install the attachment device easily and quickly onto the load binder.

[0072] 3. The handle is used to hold the device in place when operating with a handheld power tool such as a drill. The handle allows the drive gear, that is the transmission member 36, to maintain constant contact with the spur gear on the load binder, that is the ratchet gear 12 thereof, under load when both tightening and loosening the flexible tensionable members to which the load binder is connected by its attachment members 5.

[0073] 4. The handle is designed to connect to the lever of the load binder without any fasteners or other parts to install, operate or remove the attachment.

[0074] Generally speaking, the novel attachment 20 is located on the load binder by movement relative thereto in a radial direction of the load binder and substantially registered with the lever of the load binder. That is, for mounting, the attachment 20 is aligned with the load binder lever 17, radially of the load binder, and oriented such that the frame 22 is proximal and adjacent to the tubular body 2 and the handle 52 is distal thereto, so as to be adjacent and parallel to the lever 17. Then, the mounting frame 22 is displaced radially of the load binder onto the tubular body 2, which is consequently received in the slots 45 in the frame 22, thereby arranging the attachment in the mounting condition, and thereafter or substantially concurrently therewith, the attachment handle 52, specifically the end portion 72 thereof, is displaced longitudinally of the load binder towards the lever 17 to engage the retention device 56 therewith.

[0075] In the mounted condition, that is, when the transmission device 36, 43 is meshed with the ratchet or spur gear 12 of the load binder, actuation, that is driven rotation, of the attachment’s transmission device conduces rotation of a body of the attachment 20, substantially collectively formed by the mounting frame 22 and the handle 52 when the rotational force is resisted by the ratchet gear of the load binder. Thus, the attachment 20 is maintained in fixed rotational relation to the lever, and furthermore, the lever is maintained in fixed rotational relation to the tubular body, so that driven rotation of the transmission device is transferred or transmitted to the ratchet gear for displacing the attachment members 5 in opposite movement, which is achieved in the illustrated arrangement by rotating the tubular body. The retention device 56 at least partially facilitates maintaining the handle of the attachment, which is attached in fixed relation to the mounting frame, in fixed relation to the lever of the load binder.

[0076] Advantages of the novel removable load binder attachment over other attachments used to transmit rotation from a handheld power tool to actuate the load binder of the ratchet type include:

[0077] 1. A common attachment may be used in association with plural different load binders as it is removably mountable on each of the load binders.

[0078] 2. Since the attachment is removably mountable to any one of the load binders, the attachment may be stored after use to extend / expand or retract the respective load binder, so as to reduce likelihood of damage during transport of cargo tied down with the respective load binder as well as of being stolen.

[0079] 3. Since the attachment is removably mountable to the respective load binder, each load binder can be manually operated without interference by an external device attached thereto.

[0080] As described hereinbefore, the present invention relates to a removable attachment for a ratchet type load binder which includes a transmission device to mechanically interconnect a rotary handheld power tool and a ratchet gear of the load binder, which upon rotation acts to displace attachment members of the load binder, connected to one or more tiedowns, in opposite movement to tighten or loosen the tiedowns. The transmission device is rotatably supported in a mounting frame which forms a receptacle for receiving the ratchet gear of the load binder in a mounted condition of the attachment. The frame includes cooperative slots for receiving a tubular body of the load binder, thus locating the ratchet gear in the receptacle. The attachment features a handle fixed to the frame and extending substantially parallel to the slots, and a retention device supported on the handle and configured to removably attach to a load binder lever to secure the attachment in the mounted condition.

[0081] The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the specification as a whole.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A load binder attachment for a ratchet-type load binder having a longitudinally extending tubular body receiving at either opposite end thereof a movable attachment member of the load binder adapted for opposite movement to one another along a longitudinal axis of the body for tensioning one or more flexible tensionable members to which the movable attachment members are connected, the load binder including a ratchet mechanism adapted to drive the opposite movement of the attachment members, the ratchet mechanism including a ratchet gear defining a plurality of radially outwardly projecting teeth around its circumference and mounted to the body so that an axis of the ratchet gear which is encircled by the teeth is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, a lever of the ratchet mechanism extending transversely from the body and supported thereon for rotary movement relative to the body about the axis of the ratchet gear, and a pawl operatively supported on the lever for selectively engaging the ratchet gear so that the rotary movement of the lever relative to the body acts to drive the opposite movement of the attachment members in a selected rotational direction, the load binder attachment comprising: a mounting frame having longitudinally opposite leading and trailing ends, laterally opposite sides and a top and a bottom which are opposite in a height direction transverse to both a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction of the load binder attachment; wherein the mounting frame includes opposite sidewalls generally oriented in a lateral-heightwise plane and interconnected in laterally spaced-apart relation, wherein the mounting frame forms a receptacle between the sidewalls and is configured to receive the ratchet gear of the load binder therein in a mounted condition of the mounting frame; a transmission member having a shaft extending along an axis of rotation of the transmission member and transmission elements carried on the shaft andprojecting outwardly therefrom, wherein the transmission elements are configured to matably engage the teeth of the ratchet gear in the mounted condition, wherein the transmission member is supported by the mounting frame for rotation in adjacent relation to the receptacle for meshing with the ratchet gear of the load binder in the mounted condition; a coupler carried at one end of the shaft of the transmission member for connecting to a rotary drive member of a handheld power tool so as to drive rotation of the transmission member; wherein the mounting frame includes cooperative slots in the sidewalls, so as to be disposed on the sides of the receptacle, and in spaced relation from the transmission member relative to the height direction, wherein the slots are configured to receive the tubular body of the load binder on either side of the ratchet mechanism in the mounted condition, wherein the slots extend from front edges of the sidewalls at the leading end of the mounting frame, so as to have open ends of the slots, and generally in the longitudinal direction to closed ends of the slots; a handle configured to be received in a hand of a user and coupled to the mounting frame, wherein the handle extends from the trailing end of the mounting frame and generally in the longitudinal direction to a free end of the handle distal to the mounting frame, wherein the handle is elongated substantially parallel to the slots in the mounting frame; and a retention device supported on the handle and configured to removably attach to the lever of the load binder so as to be adjacent thereto in the mounted condition and so as to cooperate with the slots receiving the tubular body for securing in fixed relation to the load binder.

2. The load binder attachment of any preceding claim wherein the slots follow linear paths from the open ends of the slots to the closed ends thereof.

3. The load binder attachment of claim 2 wherein the linear paths ofthe slots are directed along the longitudinal direction.

4. The load binder attachment of any preceding claim wherein the handle follows a linear path from the mounting frame to the free end of the handle.

5. The load binder attachment of any preceding claim wherein the handle is aligned with the slots relative to the height direction.

6. The load binder attachment of any preceding claim wherein the retention device comprises a pin configured to be received in a hole in the lever of the load binder.

7. The load binder attachment of claim 6 wherein the pin is supported in a longitudinally-extending adjustment slot in the handle for slidably repositioning based on a location of the hole in the lever of the load binder.

8. The load binder attachment of claim 6 or 7 wherein the retention device further includes a pair of flanges supported on the handle in spaced apart relation relative to the height direction and registered with the pin relative to the longitudinal direction, wherein the flanges extend longitudinally of the handle and project from the handle in a common lateral direction as the pin so as to form a channel for receiving the lever of the load binder.

9. The load binder attachment of any preceding claim wherein the transmission member is in the form of a sprocket and the axis of rotation thereof is oriented laterally of the load binder attachment.

10. The load binder attachment of any preceding claim wherein the transmission member is supported in fixed location relative to the mounting frame.1 1. The load binder attachment of any preceding claim wherein the handle is offset from a lateral center of the mounting frame so as to be disposed closer to one of the sides of the mounting frame than another one of the sides.

12. The load binder attachment of claim 11 wherein the handle extends longitudinally in the trailing direction from a corresponding one of the sidewallslocated on a common side of the mounting frame to which the handle is offset, and laterally inwardly from the corresponding sidewall so as to present an end portion of the handle, which defines the free end thereof, for locating in intimate parallel relation with an end portion the lever of the load binder in the mounted condition.

13. The load binder attachment of claim 12 wherein the end portion of the handle is arranged to be registered with the lever in the mounted condition.

14. The load binder attachment of claim 12 or 13 wherein the handle is in the form of a plate generally oriented in the lateral-heightwise plane of the load binder attachment.

15. The load binder attachment of any preceding claim further including a pawl-neutralizing device configured to engage the pawl of the load binder in the mounted condition in a manner as to free the pawl from engagement with the ratchet gear.

16. A method of using a handheld power tool to drive a ratchet type load binder, wherein the load binder comprises a tubular body receiving at either opposite end thereof a movable attachment member of the load binder adapted for opposite movement to one another along a longitudinal axis of the body for tensioning one or more flexible tensionable members to which the movable attachment members are connected, the load binder including a ratchet mechanism adapted to drive the opposite movement of the attachment members, the ratchet mechanism including a ratchet gear mounted to the body so that rotation of the ratchet gear actuates the opposite movement of the movable attachment members, a lever of the ratchet mechanism supported for rotary movement relative to the tubular body about the axis of the ratchet gear, and a pawl operatively supported on the lever for selectively engaging the ratchet gear to effect unidirectional rotation of the ratchet gear responsive to the rotary movement of the lever, the method comprising: providing a removable attachment carrying a transmission device formeshing with the ratchet gear of the load binder and for receiving a rotary end of the handheld power tool, so as to mechanically interconnect the handheld power tool and the ratchet gear of the load binder, wherein the removable attachment has a housing carrying the transmission device and forming a receptacle for receiving the ratchet gear, a slotted entryway into the housing for receiving the tubular body of the load binder to locate the ratchet gear in the housing in meshed engagement with the transmission device, and a handle connected to the housing; using the slotted entryway, sliding the housing of the removable attachment onto the tubular body in a direction substantially parallel to the lever of the load binder to arrange the attachment in a mounted condition relative to the load binder, in which the transmission device is in meshed engagement with the ratchet gear; while in the mounted condition, attaching the handle of the removable attachment to the lever of the load binder so as to be parallel and adjacent thereto, thereby securing the attachment in the mounted condition; and using the handheld power tool, driving the transmission device to rotate the ratchet gear of the load binder thereby displacing the movable attachment members in the opposite movement thereof.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein driving the transmission device to rotate the ratchet gear of the load binder includes holding both the handle of the removable attachment and the lever of the load binder while using the handheld power tool.

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