Tensioning and locking strap device

Claim 1

A strap tensioning and locking device comprising, a frame having two laterally spaced side webs having opposed elongated grooves, a wedge member extending transversely between the side webs and movable axially on said webs in the grooves, a clamping lever pivotally mounted between the side webs to press a free end portion of a strap received between it and the wedge member reversely folded over the wedge member to clamp the strap therebetween, a control lever pivotally mounted on said frame and having two lugs spaced laterally, said control lever being operable to a locking position for effecting clamping of the strap and to an unlocked position releasing the strap, an elongated roller shaft extending transversely of the frame between the lugs, a pivot for said control lever disposed in a plane spaced laterally from a plane passing through an axis of rotation of said roller, said pivot and roller being disposed spaced relatively for said roller to engage the clamping lever and move it toward said wedge member for clamping said free end portion of said strap when disposed between the wedge member and clamping lever and said control lever is in said locking position and to move the roller in a direction away from said wedge member when said control lever is in said unlocked position to release said clamping lever and thereby release said strap.