A tie down capable of sustaining a load includes a drum assembly having an axle and a pair of drum wheels, a pair of slots, a pair of ratchets having gear teeth, and a pawl having a pair of flanges. One of the pair of flanges correspondingly engages in one of the pair of slots disposed within each of the pair of drums. The flanges of the pawl can simultaneously disengage from between the gear teeth of each of the pair of ratchets or simultaneously engage between the gear teeth of each of the pair of ratchets to selectively constrain rotation of the pair of ratchets.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a ratchet strap system configured with a ball-shaped handgrip adapted to manipulate a ratchet strap drive shaft. In an illustrative example, the handgrip may include a substantially spherical distal portion coupled to the drive shaft via a substantially cylindrical neck member. The handgrip may, for example, be configured for after-market installation by receiving a shaft extension member of the drive shaft. Some handgrips may include opposing radial apertures for a retention pin to longitudinally fix the handgrip to the shaft extension member. A pliable resilient member disposed at the distal end may prevent decoupling prior to tensioning the strap. In various embodiments, the deployment time of a ratchet strap system may, for example, be reduced by using the handgrip to facilitate initial winding of a load securing strap, and to wind excess strap length for storage in conjunction with an elastic retaining loop.

The invention discloses a tensioner comprising a belt shaft, a first bracket and a second bracket, a belt shaft hole is provided at a front end of the first bracket, the belt shaft passes through the hole and is hinged with the first bracket; a surface of the belt shaft is provided with a ratchet fixedly connected thereto and gaskets provided on two sides of the ratchet; one end of the second bracket is provided with a clamping portion, the clamping portion clamps two ends of the belt shaft and protrudes outwardly to form an accommodating cavity, balls are provided inside the accommodation cavity, and the balls are installed on an outer gasket of the belt shaft. The plastic gaskets greatly reduce the friction between the ratchet and the bracket, the balls provide a certain degree of freedom for the belt shaft to prevent the belt shaft from jamming.

Tie-down assemblies and methods of their use are provided. In one embodiment, a tie-down assembly may include a buckle, a first strap, and a second strap. The buckle may include a frame, a handle pivotably attached to the frame and configured to pivot about a first axis between an open position and a closed position, and a drum rotatably attached to the handle and configured to rotate about a second axis, wherein the second axis is spaced apart from and extends parallel to the first axis. The first strap may be attached to the frame, and the second strap may be configured to removably attach to the drum.

A tie down capable of sustaining a load includes a drum assembly having an axle and a pair of drum wheels, a pair of slots, a pair of ratchets having gear teeth, and a pawl having a pair of flanges. One of the pair of flanges correspondingly engages in one of the pair of slots disposed within each of the pair of drums. The flanges of the pawl can simultaneously disengage from between the gear teeth of each of the pair of ratchets or simultaneously engage between the gear teeth of each of the pair of ratchets to selectively constrain rotation of the pair of ratchets.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a ratchet strap system configured with a ball-shaped handgrip adapted to manipulate a ratchet strap drive shaft. In an illustrative example, the handgrip may include a substantially spherical distal portion coupled to the drive shaft via a substantially cylindrical neck member. The handgrip may, for example, be configured for after-market installation by receiving a shaft extension member of the drive shaft. Some handgrips may include opposing radial apertures for a retention pin to longitudinally fix the handgrip to the shaft extension member. A pliable resilient member disposed at the distal end may prevent decoupling prior to tensioning the strap. In various embodiments, the deployment time of a ratchet strap system may, for example, be reduced by using the handgrip to facilitate initial winding of a load securing strap, and to wind excess strap length for storage in conjunction with an elastic retaining loop.

Rack systems are disclosed for coupling accessories to crossbars on top of a vehicle. A coupling device may include a flexible strap member adjustably anchored at one end of a body. The strap member may be connected to the other end of the body and tightened. A mounting assembly may be provided on the top side of the body for connection to a cargo-specific carrier or accessory. A coupling device may also include a flexible fitting member configured to grip a round or rectangular crossbar. A cap member may be configured to be mounted on the fitting member and have one or more ramp surfaces which form a sliding interface with a corresponding surface on the fitting member, thereby providing a closing or tightening effect on the fitting member with respect to the crossbar. Other coupling devices are configured to grip or clamp a t-slot in the crossbar.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a ratchet strap system configured with a ball-shaped handgrip adapted to manipulate a ratchet strap drive shaft. In an illustrative example, the handgrip may include a substantially spherical distal portion coupled to the drive shaft via a substantially cylindrical neck member. The handgrip may, for example, be configured for after-market installation by receiving a shaft extension member of the drive shaft. Some handgrips may include opposing radial apertures for a retention pin to longitudinally fix the handgrip to the shaft extension member. A pliable resilient member disposed at the distal end may prevent decoupling prior to tensioning the strap. In various embodiments, the deployment time of a ratchet strap system may, for example, be reduced by using the handgrip to facilitate initial winding of a load securing strap, and to wind excess strap length for storage in conjunction with an elastic retaining loop.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a ratchet strap system configured with a ball-shaped handgrip adapted to manipulate a ratchet strap drive shaft. In an illustrative example, the handgrip may include a substantially spherical distal portion coupled to the drive shaft via a substantially cylindrical neck member. The handgrip may, for example, be configured for after-market installation by receiving a shaft extension member of the drive shaft. Some handgrips may include opposing radial apertures for a retention pin to longitudinally fix the handgrip to the shaft extension member. A pliable resilient member disposed at the distal end may prevent decoupling prior to tensioning the strap. In various embodiments, the deployment time of a ratchet strap system may, for example, be reduced by using the handgrip to facilitate initial winding of a load securing strap, and to wind excess strap length for storage in conjunction with an elastic retaining loop.

Tie-down assemblies and methods of their use are provided. In one embodiment, a tie-down assembly may include a buckle, a first strap, and a second strap. The buckle may include a frame, a handle pivotably attached to the frame and configured to pivot about a first axis between an open position and a closed position, and a drum rotatably attached to the handle and configured to rotate about a second axis, wherein the second axis is spaced apart from and extends parallel to the first axis. The first strap may be attached to the frame, and the second strap may be configured to removably attach to the drum.