Abstract: A retractable tow strap apparatus includes a housing containing a spool operably connected to a crank on the exterior of the housing. A tow strap is wound around the spool, the ends of the strap extending through a pair of apertures on opposite sides of the housing. Unwinding the strap from the spool through the apertures rotates the spool in a first direction. The strap is retrieved onto the spool by rotating the spool in a second direction using the crank. Springs within the housing apply a braking force on the portion of the strap that is on the spool, whereby slack in the strap and resultant tangling may be minimized as the strap is wound and unwound from the spool. The strap is formed of a unitary webbing element that extends through the spool, thereby minimizing the application of tension forces directly to the spool during a towing operation.

Abstract: For example, a first retaining tab may have a first (curved) surface and a second surface substantially parallel to the face of the card, wherein the first surface restricts movement of the padlock in a direction parallel to the face of the card (i.e., prevents the padlock from moving side to side) and the second surface restricts movement of the padlock in a direction orthogonal to the face of the card (i.e., prevents the padlock from moving out, away from the face of the card). Once the padlock is placed in the aperture and the back plate is attached to the card, the padlock is secured (e.g., between at least one retaining tab and the back plate) and ready to be displayed (e.g., on a hook, on a shelf, on a display rack, etc.).

Abstract: A system and method is provided for displaying a padlock. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a padlock, a card and a back plate, wherein the card includes a front side, a back side and an aperture sized to receive at least a body of the padlock, and the back plate is configured to be attached to the back side of the card (e.g., via coupling portions). The card further includes a plurality of retaining tabs that extend from a face of the card and are used to retain the padlock by restricting movement of the padlock in a direction orthogonal and/or parallel to the face of the card. Each retaining tab is configured to retain the padlock by providing at least one retaining surface.

Abstract: A luminaire including a light source mounted on a base having a plug-in style connector attached to the internal wires of the luminaire for supplying AC power to the light source. The connector is adapted to mate with a plug-in style connector connected to wires of a J-box. The luminaire may include a second connector for connecting to a conditional actuation device. If the conditional actuation device is not used, a continuous actuation device may be connected to the luminaire. A method of installing a luminaire includes connecting an electrical connector to the wires for connection to a J-box, connecting the luminaire connector to the electrical connector, and mounting the luminaire onto the J-box. A method of selling includes providing a choice from among different style luminaires, providing a choice from among different actuation devices to connect with the selected luminaire, and optionally selling the selected luminaire and actuation device.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for displaying a padlock. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a padlock, a card and a back plate, wherein the card includes a front side, a back side and an aperture sized to receive at least a body of the padlock, and the back plate is configured to be attached to the back side of the card (e.g., via coupling portions). Once the padlock is placed in the aperture and the back plate is attached to the card, the padlock is secured (e.g., between at least one retaining tab and the back plate) and ready to be displayed (e.g., on a hook, on a shelf, on a display rack, etc.).