Abstract: An anchor for securing a net cord to a base layer such as carpeting or a thin layer of plastic has a spiral-shaped flange at the end of the anchor which is disposed adjacent the rear surface of the base layer when the anchor is installed. The spiral flange allows the anchor to be mounted to the base layer with a simple twisting motion and without requiring access to the rear surface of the base layer. The anchor is able to swivel freely about its axis yet is highly resistant to being pulled out of the hole. An installation tool has prongs for engaging detent bumps on the anchor and is used by a worker to hold the anchor while it is being mounted the base layer.

Abstract: A clasp device includes a frame and a button for clasping a sheet material between the frame and the button by women and children without a great force. The button is engaged in an opening of the frame and includes an annular flange having a size greater than the opening of the frame for engaging with the frame and for preventing the button from being disengaged from the frame. The frame has one or more stops engaged with the annular flange of the button for securing the button to the frame and for preventing the button from being disengaged from the frame.

Abstract: A hook for suspending from a support, such as a rod or wire, a retractable roof covering such as that used for greenhouses, comprises a generally C-shaped body including a pin for engaging the covering, a cavity for retaining the rod or wire, an opening for the cavity, and a means for locking the pin opposite of the opening.

Abstract: A dielectric D-ring of the type having a hook receiving opening at one end and a strap or cable receiving opening at the other. The dielectric D-ring comprises a D-ring blank encased within a dielectric injection molded plastic shell. The blank has a plurality of plastic receiving holes therethrough that receive plastic when the dielectric plastic shell is injection molded about the blank. The plastic filled holes assist in holding together the portions of the plastic shell situated on opposite sides of the blank.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a combination of a bent fishhook and a miniature sports item, the shaft of the fishhook formed by bending back to form a gripping space for gripping a flat object, a section of the barbed point being cut off and the remaining section being bent up at 90°. A miniature sports item being pivotally mounted on the barbed point by inserting the barbed point within a hole formed in the bottom of the sports item. The sports item may be a race car, a golf bag, etc.

Abstract: A closure system and method of making a closure system for a disposable article. A substantially continuous closure system web is provided. One face of the web is provided with first fastening region at terminal end portion(s) of the web. A second fastening region, engagable with the first fastening region, is provided on a second face of the web in a region adjacent the terminal end portion(s). The closure system tab elements are cut from the web and attached to a second web, used in producing the disposable article, at longitudinally spaced locations. This second web is then cut at transverse cut lines separating the closure system tab element into two functional elements. A first functional element has a fastening tab portion and the second functional element has an attachment portion, The attachment portion of one closure system tab element interacts with a fastening tab portion of an adjacent closure system tab element to form a functional closure system on a disposable article made using the second web.

Abstract: A block cradle fastener (10) having a strap (12) which comprises a top strap (12T) manufactured from hook material and a bottom strap (12B) manufactured from loop material. A block (14) securely mounted to the strap (12). The block (14) comprises a block top (14T) positioned on top of the top strap (12T) and a block bottom (14B) positioned on top of the bottom strap (12B). The top strap (12T) comprises a block top right (14TR) and a block top left (14TL) having a concave block top cradle (14TC) therebetween. The bottom strap (12T) comprises a block bottom right (14BR) and a block bottom left (14BL) having a concave block bottom cradle (14BC) therebetween.

Abstract: The locking device of the present invention is provided to constantly and reliably maintain the locked state even under severe environments of use, such as an application of an excessive amount of impact force, for example, and to drastically improve reliability.

Abstract: A shoelace locking apparatus. The apparatus comprises a body attachable to a first end of a shoelace and a cup. The body defines a laterally opening locking passage therein for receiving a second end of the shoelace. The cup may be integral with the body or with a separate extension component. By tying a knot in a desired location in the second end of the shoelace and stretching the lace, the second end of the lace may be moved into an engaged position in which tension in the stretched lace tends to maintain the knot in the cup. The apparatus may also comprise a lock attachable to the second end of the shoelace such that the lock is also positioned in the cup and rotatable to a locking position preventing undesired longitudinal movement of the lock and shoelace.

Abstract: A simple and less expensive nonwoven female component for a mechanical refastenable fastening device (“touch and close fastener”) can be conveniently used in mostly disposable applications such as disposable diapers, disposable operating gowns, disposable underwear and other clothing. The nonwoven fabric female component includes projecting loops formed on one of the superficial sides of the nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric comprises a hydroentangled web, and the loops are projectingly formed by needle punching on or at one of the superficial sides of the hydroentangled web.

Abstract: A hose clip of the self-holding type includes a clamping ring made by circularly bending a band-shaped leaf spring. A first knob is formed by cutting off a central portion of the clamping ring at a side of its first end in a predetermined range of its length to obtain a groove-like opening and by raising the end of the clamping ring radially. The first knob includes a generally arch-shaped portion. A second knob includes a narrow portion at a side of the second end of the clamping ring, and os formed by fitting the narrow portion into the opening and passing under the arch-shaped portion of the first knob and by raising the second end of the clamping ring radially with respect to the clamping ring so that the second knob confronts the first knob. An abutment face is formed on a surface of the arch-shaped portion of the first knob opposed to a surface of the arch-shaped portion confronting the second knob.

Abstract: A clip is disclosed herein which is composed of a resilient material and comprises a body having the following elements as in a relaxed state: opposing first and second ends, of which the first end is open to define a first slot, and the second end is closed; a first aperture adjacent to and communicating with the first slot, the first slot having a width less than the diameter of the first aperture; a second aperture adjacent to the second end; and a second slot extending between and communicating with the first and second apertures, the second slot having a width less than the respective diameters of the first and second apertures. The body of the clip is capable of deformation to temporarily increase the widths of the first and second slots for (i) receiving a pair of elongated member portions (i.e. electric cord portions) in respective first and second apertures, and for (ii) removing the clip from such elongated member portions.

Abstract: An elastomeric cord lock has two specially shaped passages extending through an elastomeric body. Lengths of cord pass through each of the passages and can be tied off at the ends to keep the cords from slipping out of the cord lock passages. Each passage has a cross section extending from a wide end to a narrower outwardly extending slot portion. The passages may, for example, have keyhole-shaped cross sections. When the lengths of cord are substantially parallel, the cord lock can easily slide along the lengths of cord. However, many applications for the cord lock require that the lengths of cord be maintained in a state of tension (for example, when the cord lock is being used to hold a drawstring tight). When outward tension is applied to the lengths of cord, the lengths are forced into the narrower slot portions, causing greater locking force to be exerted. The cord lock of the present invention thus provides greater locking force when greater force is needed. When not as much locking force is needed (i.

Abstract: A device for releasably fastening two string portions together includes a hollow housing and a movable locking member disposed within the housing. The housing extends in a longitudinal direction and includes a midportion disposed between first and second longitudinal end portions. The openings for feeding the string portions into the housing are disposed on opposite lateral sides of the housing entirely within the midportion of the housing. In this way, when the device is used to fasten string portions in a movable environment (e.g. shoelaces), the tension force of the string portions in conjunction with the first and second longitudinal end portions of the device inhibit the device from “flip-flopping” or otherwise moving relative to its environment.

Abstract: A one-piece bi-directional cable tie for bundling articles having a tail at one end, a locking head at the other end and an elongate strap body therebetween may feature one or more fixed locking teeth opposite a deflectable locking pawl so as to provide ratcheting locking engagement with the two major surfaces of its strap body. The fixed teeth may provide symmetrical performance characteristics or may provide selectable performance characteristics depending on the direction of strap body insertion through the locking head. The locking head may facilitate wedging the strap body against the deflectable pawl. The deflectable pawl may include a chevron-shaped upper surface so as to provide an undercut surface for improved engagement with the locking teeth of the strap body.

Abstract: The boot band is made of a belt-like metal band body having first and second ends, and includes first and second caulking portions which are plastically deformed during assembly. An engage nail is provided at the top end of a leg portion of the first caulking portion. The second caulking portion includes of first and second projection walls, and a receive hole in which the engage nail is inserted is formed in the second projection wall. When the winding diameter of the band body is decreased to some extent, the second caulking portion is inserted inside the first caulking portion, and the engage nail and the receive hole are engaged with each other. In this state, the first and second caulking portions are integrally deformed plastically by a tool.

Abstract: A clothing protective device which is particularly adapted to be worn by a person, such as a man, woman or child, and which in particular will assist in the protection of clothing while dining. In essence, the device is essentially in the form of a so-called napkin holder which can be readily transported in a clothing pocket or a purse and which is imparted a large number of uses in addition to being merely a clothing protective device.

Abstract: This invention provides a female-male engaging device with tapes having a flat shape and a good appearance, wherein a female engaging device and a male engaging device can be easily engaged and disengaged with each other.

Abstract: An end fastener for attaching the end of an eyeglass holder cord to a temple leg of eyeglasses, said end fastener comprising a body of elastomeric material having an elongated tubular shape and a hollow core, including a base and at least one open end, and having a long axis defined through said base and said open end, said axis running through the center of said hollow core, said open end being adapted to receive a temple leg of eyeglasses, said base having means for connecting said body at said base to said end of a holder cord, said means for connecting comprising a hole extending completely through said body substantially orthogonally to said axis in the region of said base.

Abstract: A magnetic fastener includes manually separable male and female assemblies, the female assembly including a movable lock member freely slidably positioned thereon and a lock release button movably mounted thereto. The fastener also includes a male assembly including a magnetic member, the male assembly being engageable with the lock release button. The movable lock member has an opening formed therein within which a portion of the male assembly is positionable such that, in a locked position, the movable member is shiftable to a position in proximity with the magnetic member and, upon engagement of the release button with the male assembly, the movable member is shiftable to a position spaced from the magnetic member. A method of fastening the fastener is also described. The location of the magnetic member and movable metal lock member are capable of being switched such that the magnetic member is slidable in a direction towards the metal lock member which is fixed in position within the male assembly.