Self Locking Chain and Freight Binder

A rigid locking binder for mechanically securing large, heavy loads and tie-down chains used for securing loads. The variable length binder comprises a rigid, threaded rod coaxially coupled within an elongated sleeve, such that relative axial displacements of the rod relative to the sleeve or vice-versa results in lengthwise expansion or contraction. The binder has chain hooks at opposite ends, that are pivotally associated with remote ends of the rod and sleeve for coupling to loads or anchor points. An assembly for selectively locking the sleeve and rod together establishing a selected binder length comprises a rigid lever pivotally mounted to the sleeve that controls a thread locking mechanism. The lever is pivoted between parallel pin plates secured to the sleeve. The thread locking mechanism comprises a threaded half nut that selectively engages or disengages rod thread portions that are exposed through an access window defined in the sleeve.