Abstract: A strap buckle features first and second ratchet gears fixed at opposite ends of a slotted axle, for corotation with the axle, a drive gear engaging the first ratchet gear, and a rotationally fixed holding gear engaging the second ratchet gear. A handle is connected to the drive gear for toggle ratchet rotation of the ratchet gears and axle without rotation of the holding gear, to cinch a strap in the slot. Each gear is circular, with an annular series of teeth and with each tooth having a planar surface oriented obliquely to the winding axis, thereby defining low and high edges on each tooth. Springs are provided for imposing an adjustable axial biasing force to the drive gear and holding gear, for selective engagement or disengagement with the ratchet gears. A tourniquet buckle and an industrial buckle are disclosed.

Abstract: A driver for eyebolts and hooks includes a body with a driver head bifurcated by a longitudinal slot to form a pair of side walls and a bottom wall. A hole through one of the side walls intersects the slot. A set screw installed in the hole releasably engages and secures the eyebolt in the slot.

Abstract: A line anchoring coupling is disclosed having a base attachable to a support surface and a complementary connector attachable to a line. The connector is insertable into a base cavity and rotatable therein into an operative position permitting the connector to swing into a position aligned with tensioning forces applied to the line.

Abstract: A driver for eyebolts and hooks includes a body with a driver head bifurcated by a longitudinal slot to form a pair of side walls and a bottom wall. A hole through one of the side walls intersects the slot. A set screw installed in the hole releasably engages and secures the eyebolt in the slot.

Abstract: A line anchoring coupling is disclosed having a base attachable to a support surface and a complementary connector attachable to a line. The connector is insertable into a base cavity and rotatable therein into an operative position permitting the connector to swing into a position aligned with tensioning forces applied to the line.

Abstract: A device is disclosed featuring a buckle removably attached to a size adjustment end portion of a strap having a series of size adjustment holes in the strap. A strap receiving retainer and a hook-like tongue are integrally formed in fixed relation to opposite sides of a frame of the buckle with the tongue extending through a selected hole in the underlying size adjustment strap end portion and through an aperture in a plate attached to an opposite end portion of the strap.

Abstract: An electrical utility box locator (11) is provided for convenient and accurate location of electrical utility boxes on the studs of a framed-in wall. The locator has a paddle shaped body (12) with a bottom portion (13) that rests against the floor and against a sole plate of the framed-in wall. The side of the paddle rests against a vertical stud extending upwardly from the sole plate. A recess is formed in the middle section (15) intermediate the top and bottom sections (13 and 14) of the body for receiving the front rim of a utility box to be affixed to the stud. The depth of the recess corresponds to the distance that the forward edge of the utility box is to protrude outwardly from the side of the stud to which it is attached. In use, the locator of this invention is positioned with its bottom portion resting on the floor and against a sole plate, its side resting against a vertical stud, and the side of a utility box in the recess also resting against the stud.

Abstract: The method of the present invention uses a combination of gap measurement methods to map the gap in a joint in a high pressure vessel such as a steam turbine or steam valve. An exposed and supported surface is hydraulically balanced allowing any twisting of the surface to be removed. The map is then created using a blue contact method, feeler gages, deformable gap measuring medium and laser profiling for both surfaces of the joint. A restoration plan is produced using the map which minimizes the restoration work and produces matching joint surfaces. The joint surfaces are welded and/or machined and finally finished in accordance with the plan. A laser can be used to guide or reference the machine tool. Matching joint surfaces, especially if relatively flat, provide a better high pressure seal than relatively flat surfaces that do not match while relatively flat surfaces that do match produce an even better seal.

Abstract: A retractable boat cleat which moves alternately between extended and retracted positions upon alternate depressions of the cleat. A pivotal latch with notched ends cooperates with a specially spaced recess in the cleat and a pair of compression springs to provide the alternate extension and retraction.

Abstract: The device of this invention includes a cleat disposed within a cavity formed by an exterior housing in a manner permitting the cleat to be moved between an extended position where the cleat is accessible to receive a boat line and a retracted position where the cleat is retracted into the cavity. The mechanism that allows the movement of the cleat between a retracted and extended position is within the cavity and includes a spring and a latching mechanism. The latching mechanism includes a latching member that pivotally moves within the latching mechanism between a latching position that holds the cleat in the retracted position and a release position where the latch memebr releases the cleat to the extended position under the influence of the spring. The latching mechanism allows for the cleat to be alternated between the extended and retracted position by successive depressions of the cleat into the cavity.

Abstract: A tandem blade spinner bait fishing lure. First and second spinner blades are coupled with a body portion of the lure by a V-shaped shank. A first swivel couples the first blade with one end of the shank. A blade bar couples the second blade with the first blade. A second swivel couples the second blade with the blade bar to allow independent rotation of the blades. The first swivel allows the blades to pivot about the end of the shank. The first and second blades freely rotate about an axis parallel to the path of travel of the lure through the water.

Abstract: A soft plastic shad type fishing lure having a nose cavity in its leading end for receiving a lead jig head in order to enhance the natural appearance and motion of the bait for greater appeal to fish.

Abstract: A boring bar assembly for boring large diameter turbine bores in the field, the assembly utilizing a small hydraulic motor which drives a boring bar through an in line double reduction gear drive with a reduction ratio in excess of 100:1 and an output shaft which compensates for as much as 6.degree. angular misalignment between the boring bar and the output shaft of the gear box.