US Patent 6929438 Cargo restraint apparatus

The present invention includes an improved cargo restraint apparatus (10). The cargo restraint apparatus (10) comprises a pallet (20), a reel (30) having a locking mechanism, and a lock release (43, 143, 243) having a pressure plate (44, 144, 244) and a release shaft (45, 145, 245) having a rotation restricting widthwise cross-section. A force is applied to the pressure plate (44, 144, 244) to unlock the reel (30). The pressure plate (44, 144, 244) allows a user to release the restraints quickly and easily by kicking the pressure plate while keeping the user's hands free.