RATCHET CLAMP BLOCK AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

The disclosure of the present invention relates to a clamp block or more specifically to a clamp block having an integrated ratcheting retainer strap mechanism. The ratchet clamp block configured to secure longer stock items and is particularly configured to secure items having a long irregular or cylindrical cross-section.

Claims

1. A ratchet clamp block assembly comprising; a clamp body, the clamp body having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion formed as a saddle, the saddle having a first end and a second end, a ratchet gear and pawl assembly formed at the first portion of the clamp body, the pawl assembly configured to allow the ratchet gear to move in only a first direction, the ratchet gear attached to a shaft, a retainer strap, the retainer strap having a first end and a second end, the first end of the retainer strap fixedly attached to the second portion of the frame body proximate the second end of the saddle, the second end of the retainer strap extending over the saddle and engaged with the ratchet gear shaft, and, when the ratchet gear is moved is the first direction the retainer strap is tensioned over the saddle.

2. The ratchet clamp block assembly of claim 1 wherein the pawl assembly is releasable to allow the ratchet gear to move in a second direction.

3. The ratchet clamp block assembly of claim 1 wherein the ratchet gear includes a tightening mechanism.

4. The ratchet clamp block assembly of claim 3 wherein the tightening mechanism is a hand knob.

5. The ratchet clamp block assembly of claim 3 wherein the tightening mechanism is configured to use one of a tool and a lever.

6. The ratchet clamp block assembly of claim 1 wherein the pawl assembly includes a spring to bias the pawl into an engaged position with the ratchet gear.

7. The ratchet clamp block assembly of claim 1 wherein the pawl assembly includes a release lever.

8. The ratchet clamp block assembly of claim 1 including; a stationary spindle formed in the first portion of the clamp body proximate the first end of the saddle, and, the second end of the retainer strap extending under the stationary spindle.

9. The ratchet clamp block assembly of claim 1 wherein; the shaft attached to the ratchet gear has a slot, and, the second end of the retainer strap extending through the slot.

10. The ratchet clamp block assembly of claim 1 including a strap retention spindle formed in the clamp body proximate the second end of the saddle.

11. The ratchet clamp block assembly of claim 10 wherein the strap retention spindle includes a slot configured to receive the first end of the retainer strap.

12. The ratchet clamp block assembly of claim 11 wherein the first end of the retainer strap is secured to the retention spindle by one of sewn in a loop, glued, melted, mechanically attached and a plastic over-mold.

13. A method of using a ratchet clamp block assembly comprising; providing a clamp body, the clamp body having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion formed as a saddle, the saddle having a first end and a second end, a ratchet gear and pawl assembly formed at the first portion of the clamp body, the pawl assembly configured to allow the ratchet gear to move in only a first direction, the ratchet gear attached to a shaft, a retainer strap, the retainer strap having a first end and a second end, the first end of the retainer strap fixedly attached to the second portion of the frame body proximate the second end of the saddle, the second end of the retainer strap extending over the saddle and engaged with the ratchet gear shaft, extending an object under the retainer strap and into the saddle, and, moving the ratchet gear in the first direction to tension the retainer strap over the object.

14. The method of using a ratchet clamp block assembly of claim 13 including releasing the pawl assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] The following description of the embodiments can be understood in light of the Figures which illustrate specific aspects of the embodiments and are part of the specification. Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of the embodiments. In the Figures the physical dimensions of the embodiment may be exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals or word descriptions in different drawings represent the same element, and thus their descriptions may be omitted.

[0012] FIG. 1, a perspective view of the ratchet clamp block assembly,

[0013] FIG. 2, a side view of the ratchet clamp block assembly,

[0014] FIG. 3, a top view of the ratchet clamp block assembly,

[0015] FIG. 4, an end view of the ratchet clamp block assembly,

[0016] FIG. 5, a section view of the ratchet clamp block assembly,

[0017] FIG. 6, a ratchet clamp block retaining a fire extinguisher, and,

[0018] FIG. 7, a ratchet clamp block retaining a shovel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] A first embodiment of the present invention or ratchet clamp block assembly 100 is shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, including a main body portion 101 formed as a substantially C-shaped channel having a bottom potion 112 and vertical sides 11, the vertical sides having an elevated portion 115 and a lower portion forming a saddle 114. In one embodiment the bottom portion 112 is substantially flat configured to mounted to a flat surface, in another embodiment the bottom portion 112 has a curved or convex shaped configured to be mounted on curved surface such as a tubular steel roll cage or a vehicle push bar. In each embodiment the bottom portion 112 includes a plurality of mounting holes 113. The elevated portion 115 configured to receive a ratchet and pawl assembly and a lower saddle portion 114 configured to restrain a round or irregular shaped item placed within the depressed portion of the saddle 114.

[0020] The ratchet and pawl assembly including a main gear 120 having a shaft 125 that extends perpendicular through two axially aligned bearing holes formed in the vertical sides 111, the first end of the shaft 125 configured be restrained against the outside surface of the vertical wall 111 using a mechanical fastener such as a c-clip or O-ring 129, the second end of the slotted shaft having a the main gear 120 which is movably restrained against the outside surface of the opposite vertical clamp body wall 111. The main gear 120 including a plurality of asymmetrical teeth, each of the plurality of teeth having a ramp portion 121 and overhung portion 122 configured to engage a reciprocal pawl tooth 131. The main gear including a manual turning handle or knob 128 formed on the outside surface of the gear 120. The pawl assembly 130 also having a shaft 135 which is configured to extend through two perpendicular bearing holes formed in the vertical sides 111, the pawl 135 shaft having a first end configured to extend through, and be restrained against the outside surface of the vertical body wall 111, again using a mechanical fastener, such as, a c-clip or O-ring. A pawl gear 131 formed on the second end of the pawl shaft 135, the pawl gear including one or more teeth 131 configured to ride over the ramp portion 121 of a main gear tooth when the gear is rotated in a first direction and then, the one or more pawl gear teeth 131 will drop into an engagement position with the overhung portion 122 of the main gear tooth and the following main gear tooth to prevent the main gear 120 from moving back in the second or opposite direction. A coil spring (not shown) configured around the pawl shaft 135 is used to bias the pawl gear 130 into the engagement position. A pawl release lever 137 is formed on the pawl shaft 135, coplanar with, and extending in a direction opposite from the pawl gear teeth 131. A retainer strap 200 is fixedly attached within the clamp body 101 proximate the saddle 114 end of the body. In one embodiment, the free end of the strap 200 is routed under a stationary spindle 150 located within the confines of the vertical walls 111, proximate the clamp block base on the side of saddle portion 114 proximate the main gear shaft 125; the free end of the retainer strap 200 then extends from the stationary spindle 150 and through a slot 126 formed in the main gear shaft 125. The clamp base 101 may include a strap retention spindle 140 that extends between the vertical walls 111 and the spindle having a slot 142 configured to receive the retainer strap 200.

[0021] Each of FIGS. 6 and 7 show a first embodiment of the present invention or ratchet clamp block assembly 100 attached to the roll cage 500 of a vehicle such as a, side-by-side, truck, sport utility vehicle, or Jeep. The ratchet clamp block 100 including retainer strap 200 extending around an object 300, the object such as a fire extinguisher or shovel and the retainer strap 200 securely tightened using the main gear handle 128 of the ratchet and pawl assembly including a main gear 120 and pawl assembly 130.

[0022] It is to be understood that the above mentioned arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present disclosure. Numerous modifications or alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present disclosure has been shown in the drawings and described above with particularity and detail, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein.