Abstract: A device which is a translucent boat or ship cleat constructed of polyurethane. The cleat is molded as one piece and can be either clear or have color added such as international orange. The cleat has a recess in its base in which a light source can be placed. Lighting such as incandescent, neon or LED may be used. The cleat can be powered from an external source either AC or DC. The cleat can also have solar cells placed in its horns which can store energy in storage cells mounted with the cleat at its base for powering LED during non-sunlight hours. The illuminated cleat makes it easy to locate the mooring for a boat in the dark. It also makes the cleat visible for the safety of persons walking on the mooring structure. The polyurethane construction provides for a lighter, more durable, and less abrasive device fo boat moorings.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting and maintaining slack of fiber optic cable or the like in an aerial installation comprises an elongate channel member having an arcuate section and a plurality of linear sections for receiving the slack and means for securing the apparatus to a messenger cable support structure. Methods for supporting and maintaining the slack in two preferred embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: For protecting cables, service lines and the like particularly in longwall face mining, an articulated arrangement is formed from a plurality of interconnected links. Each link has a central web (10) forming the common base for a pair of laterally open channels (16,18) on respective sides. At least some of the links have each channel side (12,14) formed with an inwardly extending bulge (28) which thereby define an entrance (30,32) for the respective channel of less width than the width of the respective channel. The apparatus is substantially formed of a plastics material with the channel sides being resiliently flexible whereby a cable or service line can be inserted into a respective one of the channels (16,18) by deflecting the channel legs apart. After the cable or service line passes through the channel entrance, the channel sides (12,14) regain their original position and prevent the line from moving inadvertently out of the channel.

Abstract: A "hanger support" suitable for use or reuse in hanging a receptacle or planter, the support comprising: a hanger from which the "hanger support" may be secured, the hanger having a plane or zone disposed or oriented in the vertical direction; a take-up reel having an endless channel defined between a pair of walls extending from either end of the reel, said reel secured to the hanger for accumulating material supporting the planter or other item, and said reel incorporating a plane or zone disposed in the vertical direction when the hanger support is secured for use; a lock vertically below the reel and hanger offset to the plane or zone of the take-up reel but in vertical alignment with the plane or zone of the hanger.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved deck cleat of the type that is mounted on a slide for repositioning along a slide track and wherein the improved construction is characterized by (1) a positioning lock such as a set screw, being placed between the legs of the cleat and (2) by the use of rigid threaded sleeves welded to the slide and serving to receive fasteners, such as screws, which fix the main structure of the deck cleat to the slide. This construction avoids stress being placed upon the fasteners during use of the cleat when stress is applied at the union of the cleat and its slide mechanism.

Abstract: A device for interconnecting tie-down ropes permitting the securement of rope segments in various angular relationships to one another. First and second members of the device each define multiple inset areas having an irregular surface for embedded engagement with the rope when the latter is tensioned. Pivot means couple the members to one another to permit the interconnecting of ropes throughout a wide range of angular relationships to enable securement of a load or load cover.

Abstract: A braking device for the frictional braking of ropes or belts is described which includes direction changing or guiding structure made in the shape of a loop with at least 360.degree. bending to obtain braking friction, an inlet for the one rope part and an outlet for the other load-supporting rope part, and an attachment for a load-supporting device having a direction of force which is essentially opposite the direction of force in the load supporting rope part, whereby the ingoing rope part can be used to regulate the speed of the rope through the braking device. The braking device consists of two substantially identical halves which are fastened together to form a unit with complementally engaging faces. In the inner face of the one half there is made a groove which, together with an identically similar groove in the inside face of the other half, forms a guiding channel for the rope or the belt.

Abstract: A line securing apparatus for attaching the line of a marine vessel to a dock, pier, or the like, has a base adapted with a post attached thereto. A plurality of rings is attached to the post and to each other whereby a boat line may be slipped through the rings and over the post to hold the line to the dock. A wedging member is also attached to the post for wedging a vessel line therein; and protruding rods give additional support to a line held in the wedging member.