US Patent 7503736 Retractable tie-down with rotation brake

The retractable tie-down provides an adjustable strap under control of a rotation brake during retraction and pay-out. The rotation brake impedes rotation of a spool on which the strap is wrapped and unwrapped during retraction and pay-out of the strap as the tie-down operates in one of either a pay-out mode or a retraction mode. Thus, the rate of retraction of the strap is user-controlled through the rotation brake. The tie-down is provided with a lanyard issuing from rearward from the tie-down and a strap issuing forward from the tie-down for securement without direct, or positive attachment of the tie down to an anchor point, such as a chassis of a vehicle or the like.