Abstract A tension latch assembly in which a handle pivotally supported adjacent to one end thereof on a mounting bracket for movement between an open position and a closed position adjustably receives and frictionally retains in adjusted position the free end of a tie-down webbing extending from an anchor and over an article to be tied down with the webbing engaging the handle at a point intermediate the ends thereof so that the point moves over the handle pivot and to a beyond dead center position as the handle moves from its open position to its closed position thus to increase the tension in the webbing and in which a releasable catch on the handle engages a strike on the bracket when the handle is in its closed position.
A latch and belt assembly for tensioning a flexible belt length along a line of action including in combination, a length of flexible belt having a free end, a mounting bracket having a base, a handle having a bottom and sides extending upwardly from said bottom, said bottom being formed with spaced openings providing a first bottom portion extending between said sides at a location adjacent to one end of said handle and a second bottom portion extending between said sides at a location intermediate the ends of Said handle, and means mounting said handle sides on said bracket at a location above said base for pivotal movement around an axis from an open position at which said second bottom portion is above said axis to a closed position at which said second bottom portion is between said axis and said base, said belt length base, the closed position of said handle extending from said free end thereof into said latch past said first and second handle bottom portions on one side of said bottom and around said second bottom portion and between said first and second bottom portions and around said first portion and past said first and second portions on the other side of said bottom and again around said second bottom portion and past said first and second portions on said one side of said bottom and outwardly and away from said latch along a line of action generally parallel to said base so that spaced portions of said belt adjacent to said free end are captured between said second bottom portion and the outwardly extending portion of said belt and between said first bottom portion and the outwardly extending portion of said belt.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
287 words
A latch and belt assembly for tensioning a flexible belt length along a line of action including in combination, a length of flexible belt having a free end, a mounting bracket having a base, a handle having a bottom and sides extending upwardly from said bottom, said bottom being formed with spaced openings providing a first bottom portion extending between said sides at a location adjacent to one end of said handle and a second bottom portion extending between said sides at a location intermediate the ends of Said handle, and means mounting said handle sides on said bracket at a location above said base for pivotal movement around an axis from an open position at which said second bottom portion is above said axis to a closed position at which said second bottom portion is between said axis and said base, said belt length base, the closed position of said handle extending from said free end thereof into said latch past said first and second handle bottom portions on one side of said bottom and around said second bottom portion and between said first and second bottom portions and around said first portion and past said first and second portions on the other side of said bottom and again around said second bottom portion and past said first and second portions on said one side of said bottom and outwardly and away from said latch along a line of action generally parallel to said base so that spaced portions of said belt adjacent to said free end are captured between said second bottom portion and the outwardly extending portion of said belt and between said first bottom portion and the outwardly extending portion of said belt.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A latch and belt assembly as in claim 1 including an abrasion reducing covering on said first and second handle bottom portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A latch and belt assembly as in claim 1 including means located substantially midway between said sides for releasably locking said handle in its closed position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A latch and belt assembly as in claim 3 in which said locking means comprises a catch carried by one of said handle and said base and a strike carried by the other of said handle and said base.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A latch and belt assembly as in claim 4 in which said catch is carried by said handle adjacent to the other end thereof and in which said strike is carried by said base, said catch comprising a thumbpiece accessible to an operator for operation by the operator as he grasps said other end of said handle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A latch and belt assembly as in claim 1 in which said base is flat.