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Title: Spring-biased take-up clamp assembly for mobile home tie-down straps
Claims: Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: 1. A clamp assembly for securing an element such as an elongated cable or strap to anchoring structure, comprising: mounting structure presenting first and second engagement surfaces and adapted to be affixed to said anchoring structure; and axially rotatable spindle means for receiving one end of said element and in engagement with said first engagement surface; spring means operatively coupling said spindle means and mounting structure for precluding significant loosening of the element under tension loads normally experienced thereby, said spring means including a first portion in gripping engagement with said spindle means, and a second portion in engagement with said second engagement surface, said mounting structure being located between said spindle means and the part of said second portion in engagement with said second surface, said second spring portion being loaded in tension. 2. The clamp assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said spindle means is configured to present an axially extending, strap-receiving slot for receiving one end of a tie-down strap. 3. The clamp assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said spindle means is configured to present a tool-engaging opening adjacent one end thereof for receiving a winding tool. 4. The clamp assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mounting structure includes spaced, spindle means-engaging legs in contact with said spindle means on opposite sides of said element. 5. The clamp assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said mounting structure is configured to present an element-receiving slot therein. 6. The clamp assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said spring means comprises spaced torsion spring portions respectively in gripping engagement with said spindle means, and a bail portion interconnecting said torsion spring portions and in engagement with said second engagement surface of said mounting structure for precluding said element loosening. 7. The clamp assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said mounting structure includes a plate-like member having opposed first and second surfaces, said spindle means being in engagement with said first surface, said bail portion being in engagement with the opposed second surface. 8. The clamp assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said torsion spring portions are configured for loosening when said spindle is rotated in a direction for take-up winding of said element about the spindle means. 9. The clamp assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein one of said torsion spring portions is wound in a clockwise fashion about said spindle means, and the remaining torsion spring portion is wound in a counterclockwise manner about the spindle means. 10. A tie-down assembly for securing mobile homes or the like, comprising: an earth anchor adapted to be embedded within the earth and including an elongated shaft having the upper end thereof protruding from the earth, and a generally transversely extending load-bearing member attached to said shaft adjacent the lower embedded end thereof; a mounting plate secured to said protruding end of the anchor shaft; an elongated, axially slotted and rotatable spindle in engagement with one side of said mounting plate; an elongated tie-down strap having one end thereof inserted within said spindle slot and wrapped around the spindle; and spring means including spaced torsion spring portions respectively in gripping engagement with said spindle and on opposite sides of said strap, and a bail portion connected between said torsion spring portions and engaging the side of said mounting plate remote from said spindle, said torsion spring portions being configured for loosening upon axial rotation of said spindle in a direction for takeup winding of said strap about the spindle, and for substantially blocking rotation of said spindle in a direction for loosening of the strap. 11. The tie-down assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said mounting plate is mounted with the longitudinal axis thereof generally transverse of the axis of said shaft. 12. The tie-down assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said mounting plate is slotted for receiving and guiding said strap. 13. A tensioning device for use in a tie-down assembly including anchoring means and an elongated tie-down element, said device comprising: an elongated element-receiving spindle; spring means including a pair of spaced torsion spring portions respectively in gripping engagement with said spindle, and a bail portion interconnected between said torsion spring portions and having a bight section in spaced relationship to said spindle; and means for engaging said bail portion for holding said element against loosening under tension loads experienced by the latter. 14. The tensioning device as set forth in claim 13 wherein said bail portion includes spaced legs connected to said bight section on opposite sides of the latter, said legs each being connected to the innermost convolution of a corresponding torsion spring portion. 15. The tensioning device as set forth in claim 14 wherein one of said torsion spring portions is wound in a clockwise fashion about said spindle, and the remaining torsion spring portion is wound in a counterclockwise manner about the spindle. 16. The tensioning device as set forth in claim 13 wherein said spindle is configured to present an axially extending, element-receiving slot between said torsion spring portions. 17. A clamp assembly for securing a tie-down element such as an elongated cable or strap to anchoring structure, comprising: axially rotatable spindle means for receiving one end of said element; mounting structure for said spindle means and adapted to be affixed to said anchoring structure; and spring means operatively coupling said spindle means and mounting structure for precluding significant loosening of the element under tension loads normally experienced thereby, said spring means comprising spaced torsion spring portions respectively in gripping engagement with said spindle means, and a bail portion interconnecting said torsion spring portions and engageable with said mounting structure for precluding loosening of said element. Other info: Inventors: Odom, James Thomas (Columbia, MO, US) Application Number: 695648 Filing Date: 1976-06-14 Publication_date: 1978-01-31 Assignee: A. B. Chance Company (Centralia, MO) Primary Class(es): 52/23 24/68CD, 24/269, 52/DIG11 Other Classes: US Patent Ref:
Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Purser, Ernest R. Assistant Examiner: Raduazo, Henry Attorney: Schmidt, Johnson, Hovey & Williams |
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