Tensioner for curtains
Page 60

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A RATCHET tensioner is now fitted by Boalloy Ltd, Congleton, Cheshire, to the winding spools which draw tight the load-bearing side curtains of the Tautliner body.
Both the ratchet and the pawl are of hardened steel and the whole assembly is replaceable, by removing a few bolts.
The ratchet mechanism is relieved of load when the curtains have been pulled tight because there is an adjacent quick-action screw-clamp brake acting on the winding spool.
As soon as the brake holds the tension, the ratchet level retracts into a pocket in the Tautliner's side rave. It is pivoted on the ratchet's drive-plate so that as it is folded into the pocket it automatically disengages from the ratchet — and stays disengaged while the curtain is unfurled. To slacken the curtain the screw-brake is simply undone and the spool spins freely.
The ratchet lever comes into action only for curtaintensioning.