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In a load tie-down system that incorporates a wind-down winch for securing and tensioning a hold-down member, the improvement consists of incorporating a tensioning spring that maintains a resilient loading upon the drum of the winch, such that in the event of reduction in the tension of the hold-do

In a load tie-down system that incorporates a wind-down winch for securing and tensioning a hold-down member, the improvement consists of incorporating a tensioning spring that maintains a resilient loading upon the drum of the winch, such that in the event of reduction in the tension of the hold-down member, the drum is driven in a winding-on sense, to maintain tension in the hold-down member. A releasable coupling between the spring and the winch drum enables independent operation of the winch and of the tensioning spring. One embodiment incorporates a spring mounted upon an extension of the winch drum, outside the frame. Helical springs are used. The spring torque is automatically connected to the winch drum, and is automatically disconnected when the spring is de-tensioned. In use, the torque provided by the tensioned spring can be used to boost the tensioning of the hold-down member, by re-applying downward loading torque with the tommy bar, operating on either of the capstans, and then re-tensioning the spring.

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1. A load restraint system for securing an elongated load hold-down member in secured, tensioned relation, including a winch having a rotatable drum; first capstan means for rotating the drum in a first loading direction to wind-on and apply load-securing tension to the hold-down member; first ratch

1. A load restraint system for securing an elongated load hold-down member in secured, tensioned relation, including a winch having a rotatable drum; first capstan means for rotating the drum in a first loading direction to wind-on and apply load-securing tension to the hold-down member; first ratchet means to prevent over-hauling of the drum by the tensioned hold-down member, and spring-loaded tensioning means connectable to the drum in tensioned relation, to drive the drum in tensioning relation with the hold-down member, said spring-loaded tensioning means including spring means; second capstan means for rotating said spring means in a second direction opposed to said first direction, in tensioning relation with said spring; and second ratchet means connecting said spring with said rotatable drum in load transfer relation therewith, whereby in use, upon diminishment of tile load-securing tension in the hold-down member, the spring-loaded tensioning means operates to rotate the winch drum, to thereby sustain tension in the hold-down member.