Abstract: A versatile animal leash includes a cord with handles secured to both ends thereof. The width of each handle is less than the diameter of an animal's ring collar to enable the handle to be passed therethrough. The length of each handle is greater than the diameter of the collar ring. The cord is at least about twice the length of a standard leash length so that upon holding both handles, the leash exhibits normal length and upon releasing one handle, the same engages the ring collar and the full length of the cord is available as the leash length.

Abstract: A tensioning device for enabling application of a variable tension that may be securely maintained against an artist's canvas mounted on stretcher bars. The tensioning assembly includes a bracket member provided with a pair of ears or the like for threadably mounting an adjusting screw which may be locked upon appropriate adjustment. Preferably, a pair of tensioning devices are provided at intersecting corners of conventional mitered tongue and groove stretcher bars such that each device rigidly affixed to a corresponding bar is disposed to apply an adjustable and readily maintainable tension to the adjacent bar upon appropriate adjustment of respective adjusting screws. In this manner, a canvas or other flexible member affixed to the stretcher bars may be stretched to a desired extent by application of a carefully controlled tensioning force applied by adjusting screws.