a problem to be solved? Ratchet strap tidy

We love finding problems to be solved, particularly if it’s a potential product that can help others and gives us an opportunity to learn at the same time.

Last week we were using the truck to collect some large parts for a future project, we got them easily loaded in the back and then spent way too much time untangling the ratchet straps, sound familiar? ‘You should have kept the tidy!’ I hear you say, well, when they were put away they were all neatly coiled up, but over time, rattling around in the back of the truck, they decided a tangled spiders web was much more fun! On the way home, it got us thinking about potential solutions to this problem that we, and so many other people experience - of course we could go out and buy some of the retractable straps, which are actually a really good idea, but we like a design challenge and have 3D printers that we can put to use.

As you can see in the video, the design went through quite a few iterations, back and forwards between printed prototypes and testing its operation to make it reliable and easy to use. The latest design includes a magnet to allow it to secure to the ratchet mechanism during storage and use.

What do you think, is this something you might be interested in to help keep your ratchet straps tidy?

Let us know in the comments.