The present invention relates to a tensioning device for permanently or temporarily connecting together, slack eliminating and tensioning of strap-like material consisting of an elongated handle.

The most used types of strap tensioning devices today existing on the market are difficult to handle in that they have shown to be very hard to tension for example the lashing straps around an load, since the straps have to drawn from their end through a slit or slot in the strap tension devices before these can start to tension up the straps. This is very time consuming both during the tensioning and releasing moment. These types of strap tensioning devices comprise also many movable parts, as gear rings, helical springs and so on. This prevents that the strap tensioning devices can be manufactured of a soft material as plastic or light metal.

The purpose with the present invention is to solve the problem stated above and to provide a strap tensioning device which makes the lashing easier. The distinguishing features according to the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Thanks to the invention one now has achieved a strap tensioning device which in an exellent way fulfils its purposes at the same time as it is cheep and easy to produce. By the simple structure and formation of the strap tensioning device without using movable parts it can with advantage be manufactured in a plastic material, which makes it possible to use it also in fire hazardous environments, since it cannot give rise to sparking. By the strap tensioning device according to the present invention one now can simplify the lashing essentially, since it can be applied directly on those straps which shall be connecting together without any entering of the ends of the straps into

the device must be done before the real tensioning procedure is started. Also the unloading can be done very quickly and easily. As soon as the strap tensioning device has been wound some turns and the tension in the strap has been released the strap tensioning device can be removed in that the same is drawn away from the strap laterally. By the strap tensioning device according to the invention you can also reduce single purpose lashings.

The invention is described below more in detail by aid of a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawing enclosed, on which

Fig. 1 illustrates the tensioning device according to the present invention in a view from above having a strap which is tensioned as well as fastened,

Fig. 2 illustrates the tensioning device according to Fig. 1 in a view from above without used to¬ gether with a strap,

Fig. 3 illustrates the tensioning device according to Fig. l in a side view and illustrated from the right hand, i.e. in a direction from the protru¬ ding, strap fixing part and

Fig. 4 illustrates in a view from above the strap fixing part formed as a cotton spool having a slit.

As can be seen especially from Fig. 1 - 3 the tensioning device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention consists of an elongated handle l which in one end includes a spool formed part 2. This part is provided perpendicular to the handle l and is provided with a diagonally cut through slit 3. The other end of the handle 1 includes a likewise perpendicular, in relation to the handle and in the same direction as the spool formed part 2, protruding part 5, formed as a trap for the strap in order to be able to receive and in the same time fix the same in position by aid

of a locking groove 4 formed in the part 5.

The strap or strap end parts 6,7 are insertable laterally through the slit 3 in the spool formed part 2, whereupon the handle 1 is turnable clockwise or anti-clockwise, in such a way that the spool formed part 2 acts as a hub, on which the strap or straps 6,7 can be rolled up. In this way the strap end parts 6,7 are shortened and connected together, which now gets material inside the strap loop which now is endless to be pressed and lashed together. When the tension of the strap is big enough the protruding sharp part 5' of the tensioning device 1 is pushed in below the strap which now extends along the handle 1, until the strap is placed into locking groove 4. The tension of the strap thereby prevents the handle 1 to rotate backwards. The strap tension can be loosen when the strap is turned out from the groove 4, whereupon the sharp formed part 5' is drawn out under the strap until said part is free. The handle 1 is then turnable backwards until the tension in the strap decreases and can be taken out from the slit 3 laterally in the spool formed part 2.

The tensioning device can be used in the following manner. It can be mounted anywhere along the strap which shall be lashed and preferable over those parts of the strap the ends of which have been placed one upon the other. When rotating the handle 1 the strap is connected together, slacked and tensioned. The tensioning device is locked in a tensioned state by pushing the sharp part 5' in under the strap which after this is falling down in to the locking groove 4. The strap is slacked by turning the part 5 of the tensioning device laterally after that the strap has been taken up from the locking groove and the handle l is allowed to rotate in that direction which slackes the strap in order to at last be released from the strap by a pulling of the tensioning device laterally.

The tensioning device according to the present invention can be manufactured in different sizes depending on the strap width and can be used for securing load on all kinds of vehicles as well as keeping together load units of all

types. The tensioning device in many cases can replace single purpose lashings.

At last it has to be pointed out that the slit 3 extending diagonally in the spool formed part 2 is not allowed to have too big width, but it ought not to be bigger than that the strap 6 or two upon each other placed straps 6,7 can slip into the slit 3 with a small friction. Further the depth of the slit 3 ought to reach at least the width of the strap 6 in order to achieve a secure winding around the spool part 2 during the tensioning of the strap 6.