Improved Ratchet Tie-Down Tensioner

The ratchet tie-down tensioner includes a ratchet engagement head actuated by a tensioning bar, a tie-down engagement head connected to a tie-down winding shaft, a ratchet engaged with outer inclined teeth of the tie-down engagement head and a ratchet drive mechanism located between the two engagement heads. The drive mechanism includes a self-centering crown floatingly supported in the body and a gear attached to the ratchet engagement head and mounted in the self-centering crown. The gear has a toothing on the outer periphery thereof which is provided to engage with the inner toothing of the self-centering crown, at least one of said toothings comprising curved spring blades. Said tie-down tensioner makes it possible for tensioning cycles to be performed by moving the bar back and forth.