Abstract: A surgical ring clip (10) for ligating linear organ structures is provided by a solid ring (12) of a non-tissue reactive elastic material, having a central lumen (14). A plurality of pins (18) or teeth (28) are partially embedded within the elastic ring (12) with their exposed ends forming a pair of diametrically opposite files extending across and obstructing the lumen in an interleaved or meshed array when the ring is in its relaxed state. When released around a loop of a linear organ structure drawn through the lumen (14), the pins (18) or teeth (28) protrude through the loop, grasping any intermediate membrane and obstructing passage of the loop through the lumen (14), thereby preventing the ring clip (10) from slipping over the knuckle of the loop.

Abstract: An adjustable support assembly is provided for suspending or otherwise attaching one article such as a conduit to another article such as a frame. The adjustable support assembly includes a pair of inelastic, flexible cables that are secured together at spaced locations by retainers in order to form a series of elongated eyes. One of the cables extends beyond the other cable and has a tapered stop secured to its free end. When used, the adjustable support assembly is wrapped around the article being suspended or attached, and the tapered stop is passed through one of the elongated eyes and wedged therein in order to secure the free end to the elongated eye of the adjustable support assembly.

Abstract: A drum tie-down apparatus for securing drum-like containers in an upright position to a floor or platform of a transportation vehicle having spaced apart cargo tie-down points. The apparatus comprises a pair of cylindrical, hollow tube segments horizontally oriented and engageable with a drum lid adjacent opposite rim edges, flexible strap segments for connecting upper and lower central portions of the tube segments together across the drum lid and a pair of elongated flexible tie-down segments, one extending horizontally through each of the tube segments, the ends thereof being attached to said spaced apart tie-down points such that end portions of the pair of tie-down segments extend downwardly and radially outwardly from the tube segments to the tie-down points.

Abstract: A connection unit, which may be undone, for rope ends and more particularly ropes in the form of belts for driving systems, rope conveyors or ropes for lifting loads has, as part of a preferred example, a plate with two rope keepers supported on pins and which keep the rope ends in position thereon by way of stops. These rope end keepers or takeup parts are designed so that they may be turned and locked in position so that, dependent on the direction of turning, the rope may be taken up and made shorter or let off and made longer. The plate, as part of a further example of the invention, has guide parts for positively guiding the rope end and furthermore there is a guiding structure, designed to match the form of a driving sheave so that it may be run thereover.

Abstract: An item of jewelry (10) is described which may be used as a necklace or an eyeglass strap for maintaining eyeglasses about the neck of the wearer. A necklace section (12) is adapted to form a necklace by connecting the rings (20, 22) at its ends together. The ends (14, 16) may be used in combination with the necklace section (12) to form a strap for eyeglasses. The ends include rings (46) for engagement with the rings (20, 22) on the necklace section (12). The ends further include either a resilient strap (34) or an O-ring (54) which may be positioned over the earpiece of the eyeglasses. Ends (60) can be provided which include resilient strap material (62) forming a loop (80) which is adjustable.

Abstract: A bead for connecting cords. The bead includes holes therethrough through which the cords extend and adhesive in the holes for bonding the cords to the bead. A method is also described for adjusting the lengths of and connecting cords and includes the steps of fabricating a bead with holes, inserting cords through the holes, attaching a clamp to a cord whose length is to be adjusted, inserting shims between the bead and clamp so as to position the bead, introducing adhesive into the holes, and removing the clamp and shims.

Abstract: A safety hook for elastic fastening and securing cables, comprising a head portion forming a hook, a guiding tunnel through which the elastic cable is passed, and an anchoring beak through which a loop of the elastic cable is secured. The anchoring beak forms an offset cavity with a facing wall of the base portion of the hook which is used to grip the cable. Elastic cable is looped through the guiding tunnel and is crimped and held within the offset cavity.

Abstract: A picture-hanging system comprising a section of metallic picture-hanging wire cable of limited stiffness having a loop at one end to engage a mounting member, such as a screw eye, for connection to a picture frame, the other end extending through a similar mounting member and having a small locking apertureformed at the terminal portion of said other end through which an intermediate portion of said wire cable extends, whereby the length of said cable between said two attaching members may be adjusted by moving said small locking aperture along said intermediate portion of said cable and then applying tension upon the cable to effect a locking offset crimp in the cable to prevent slippage of said small locking aperture along said cable in a direction to lengthen the same between said mounting members.

Abstract: Apparatus for guiding and clamping an elongated flexible rope comprises a body supporting a plurality of rotatively mounted guide rollers aligned for guiding said rope in a plane. One of said guide rollers is mounted on said body adjacent a tension end of the rope and is selectively lockable against rotation. The other guide roller is mounted on said body adjacent a portion of the rope that is looped around for tension and is mounted for movement toward and away from said first guide roller so that rope passing around both guide rollers and extended between adjacent portions thereof may be pressed into a clamped position when the second guide roller is moved toward said first guide roller. The rope is released upon movement of the second roller in an opposite direction. Anchor means is provided for securing said body to pivot about a fixed point between a rope clamping position and a rope releasing position, and a hook element is provided for securing the body in the rope clamping position.

Abstract: A wrist band is attached to the handle of a tennis racket for use in securing the tennis racket to the wrist of a player. The wrist band can be attached to the handle of an existing tennis racket without requiring removal of the grip. The wrist band includes a flexible strap having a pair of ends fixed together by a sleeve secured over the adjacent ends of the strap for forming a fixed loop of the wrist band. The sleeve has a generally rounded outer surface and a rim that projects outwardly from the rounded surface of the sleeve. A base plate loosely fitted around the outer surface of the sleeve protrudes outwardly away from the rim on the sleeve and is retained around the sleeve by engagement with the rim. The sleeve and the base plate can be inserted in a hole drilled in the end of the racket handle, with the base plate bearing against the end of the handle and bridging the hole to retain the strap in the end of the handle.

Abstract: An adjustable necklace or bracelet which comprises: a length of chain having a one end and another end; first and second engaging elements having passageways therethrough; means to secure the one end of the chain to the second engaging element, after the chain passes through the passageway of the first element; means to secure the other end of the chain element to the first engaging element, the chain element passing through the passageway of the second engaging element; and means to engage frictionally the exterior of the chain element in the passageways of the first and second elements, to permit the chain element to be engaged in a slidable manner in each passageway and to secure the chain element in position after movement.

Abstract: An adjustable tie-down for newly planted trees and other similar purposes includes a ground inserted stake and a hollow braided flexible line or rope for attachment between a tree and the stake. The line has a loop formed on one end for engagement with the stake and a loop at the other end for positioning around the crotch area or juncture of a tree trunk and limb and an intermediate portion that is longitudinally adjustable in a unique manner which enables the adjustment to be accomplished after the tie-down has been assembled with respect to the stake and tree. The longitudinal adjustment is obtained by doubling the end portion of the tie-down to define the loop with a portion of the doubled line passing interiorly of and longitudinally of the hollow braided line and with portions of the doubled line being provided with spaced plastic sleeves which serve as keepers to secure the line in an adjusted relationship, but enabling easy and quick longitudinal adjustment thereof.

Abstract: A resilient exercising device utilizing two highly elastic members and having handles at first ends of the members for the use of the hands and loops at the second ends of the members for the use of the feet is disclosed. An adjustable clip connector is provided to slidably connect and vary the lengths and the tension of the exercising device.

Abstract: Skis or other articles having curved ends are suspended by means of an inter-looped strand which forms adjustable loops through which the curved ends extend. A slide is used to adjust the loops and lock the article in place.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed of forming a tethered ball practice apparatus by attaching one end of a hollow braided tether line to a hollow perforated ball and the other end of the line to a handle. One end of the tether line is passed throug h a hole in the ball and then passed through a short length of plastic sleeve, the sleeve having been previously placed in the interior of the ball by insertion through an opening. After insertion through the sleeve, a loop is formed in the line by turning back and inserting the end thereof into an opening along the braided line and secured therein, the sleeve being included within the loop such that the loop and sleeve cannot be pulled through the hole when the apparatus is used.

Abstract: A device to be used in a swimming pool for in place swimming is disclosed. This device consists of a foam rubber belt attached to a flexible cord. The belt is placed around the abdomen of a swimmer and the cord is secured to the side of the pool. The swimmer then practices swimming strokes in place against the restraint of the cord. The belt is water absorbent so that it acts as a cushion against the body of a swimmer. This prevents slipping and excessive pressure on the swimmer's body.

Abstract: An article of jewelry to be worn encircling a portion of the body such as a neck piece or belt is formed from a length of flexible material, two portions of which are engaged by a plurality of hoops disposed on a slide, the hoops being positioned so as to receive the portions of flexible material in frictional engagement of each other, permitting adjustment of the length of flexible material between the two portions so engaged.

Abstract: A locking mechanism utilizing a cable in which the cable has been flattened so as to give it an oval or flattened shape and wherein an orifice into which the cable is inserted for one way motion is flattened so as to prevent the cable from being twisted or turned thus preventing the cable from being removed from the locking device. In certain embodiments the locking device may, when in the locked position, have a loop of cable extending from it and in another embodiment a cable with a flag attached thereon may be used with the locking device.

Abstract: An improved Cable Loc Seal which includes a staking operation which locks the fixed end of the cable to the lock and furthermore, prevents the integrity of the seal from being destroyed in that if the cable is cut and the fixed end removed a new end of the cable cannot be inserted into the lock which guarantees the integrity of the seal.

Abstract: A first portion or section of a flexible wrist cord is connected to a second portion or section of the cord by a sliding coupling device including a pair of mating identical housing sections which are assembled to form a housing having an internal cavity. A hook-like clip portion projects from each housing section on one side of the cavity and snap fits into a corresponding aperture within the other housing section to form a positive attachment of the housing sections. The housing sections also cooperate to define openings for receiving the cord sections, and the cavity provides space for receiving opposite knotted end portions of the cord or a crimped fastener which connects opposite end portions of the cord. The cavity also provides for extending the cord sections directly through the housing in parallel spaced relation or for crossing the cord sections when it is desired to increase the sliding friction of the coupling device along the cord sections.

Abstract: A ferrule encircles a continuous elastic band to form two loops therein. One of the loops is received about a fishing pole. The other loop engages tackle at the end of the fishing line. Tension exerted by the elastic band holds the line tautly.