Abstract: One preferred embodiment includes an elongate tubular body having a passage for insertion of a rope therethrough along the lengthwise axis of the body. A V-shaped or tapered notch is defined through a walling structure of the body with a wider open mouth portion of the notch open through a first end of the body, the notch extends in a narrowing fashion toward a second end of the body. Secured to the exterior of the walling of the body near the second end is a rope holding structure, the rope holding structure sized for receiving and holding a portion of the rope. A preferred embodiment the rope holding structure is a slotted tube or hook.

Abstract: A snap to be utilized with fishing tackle or for other purposes which is made of a singular wire which is bent at a focal region so as to define a first end and a second end. The first end has a bracing arm which integrally connects to an eye region, angularly offset from the bracing arm, shaving a radial portion connected to relatively straight brace and locking regions. The brace region of the eye is integrally connected to three loops which wrap around the bracing arm. The second end is provided with a lever arm and a latching hook with the latching hook being angularly and laterally offset from the lever arm. The latching hook is formed by an upward region and a downward locking region. In a closed position, the latching hook is placed over the brace region of the eye such that an end point of the locking region of the latching hook curves and extends laterally inward away from a plane which defines the locking region of the eye so as to form a durable and secure locking mechanism.

Abstract: A rope clamp is provided in the form of a hook to hang on a rail, ring or other object such as a ledge. The hook may be injection moulded plastics material. Rope is lodged in a channel around the hook. The channel is wider at its mouth than at its base so that rope may be wedged or clamped in the narrow part of the channel. Guides are provided for rope entering the channel and for rope leaving the channel to bias it into the narrow part of the channel. The rope may be easily manually moved into the wider part of the channel to allow adjustment of the rope on the clamp.

Abstract: A quick-release mechanical knot device for use in securing objects together having a novel means for quickly and safely releasing the mechanical knot device from the body of a rope or tether regardless of the amount of tension or load strain acting on the rope. The device comprises a semi-rigid elongated stock member having at least two circular orifices formed at opposing ends of a curvilinear intermediate portion. The first and second orifices are substantially perpendicular to the linear length of the stock member and formed with a substantially parallel and concentric axis to one another. A leading end of a rope is inserted through the first and second circular orifices of the stock member and wrapped around a stationary or movable object to form a hitch. The leading end of the rope is then placed between the curvilinear intermediate portion of the stock member and the portion of the rope passing between the first and second orifices to form a capture for the portion of the rope therebetween.

Abstract: Reusable closure for bags including a double cord loop and a cinch member which moves along the double cord with less resistance to close a bag and greater resistance to open same.

Abstract: A portable cleat including a primary connector element having a principal axis and opposed ends and a secondary connector element attached to the primary connector element at at least one of the ends, said secondary connector element having angularly disposed arms.

Abstract: A line hook for a fishing float comprises a wire which is bent to form long circles and another circle. The long circles are formed to insert therein a line and the other circle is made for inserting therein a ring of a float so as to easily set the float on the line without cutting off the line. At least one end of the wire is bent to cross the said another circle in order to control the ring of the float so that the ring may be prevented from engaging the proper portions of the long circles.

Abstract: A line tie assembly and various methods of installing a line tie to a conductor cable are described herein. The line tie is comprised of helical end portions and a generally undeformed, non-helical central portion therebetween. The helical end portions are adapted for circumferential gripping engagement with the conductor cable. The line tie is universal such that it will accommodate various size insulators and is adaptable to both "top tie" and "side tie" arrangements in single-support and double-support constructions. According to one set of installation methods, individual components of the line tie are spread apart along the non-helical central portions and positioned over an insulator. Another set of installation methods use the insulator as a mandrel for bending the line tie into a generally U-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A method for tying balloons and the like, having apertured ends and necks, comprising the steps of: looping the neck of the balloon around a pair of movable jaws resiliently urged toward one another and defining a channel therebetween perpendicular to their plane of movement; moving the end of the balloon over the loop and through the jaws, so as to extend through the channel; and, rolling the loop over the end of the balloon, continuing toward and off the ends of the jaws, whereby the loop resiliently snaps into place, forming a knot in the neck of the balloon. The method may further comprise the step of feeding a string through one of the pair of movable jaws so as to extend through the loop prior to rolling the loop over the end of the jaws, whereby a plurality of balloons can be sequentially and automatically tied on the string.

Abstract: A deadending device for guy cables and the like is provided which gives enhanced holding power (typically above the rated strength of the cable) while being relatively inexpensive to produce and easy to field install. The device includes a frustoconical, cable-receiving wedge block, preformed gripping wires for application to the cable and about the block, and a socket for receiving the block and surrounding wire portions. The gripping wires are permanently preformed during manufacturing using a novel method to present, adjacent one end thereof, an arcuate section configured to generally define a portion of an imaginary frustoconical surface complemental with the wedge block periphery. In this manner the wires substantially self-align in an even pattern about the block, and the need for wire-holding flanges or the like on the block or socket is completely eliminated.

Abstract: A clamping arrangement for clamping a corona discharge wire in electrophotographic copying apparatuses has a bush member with an inner surface provided with a plurality of teeth, a clamping member located inside the bush and having an outer surface provided with a plurality of teeth, so that one end portion of the corona discharge wire can be clamped between the teeth of the bush and the clamping member, a sliding member displaceable in a longitudinal direction of the corona discharge wire so as to support at least the clamping member therein, and a spring member engaging the sliding member and acting in a direction which is opposite to the pulling direction of the corona discharge wire.

Abstract: A device to aid in the retrieval of anchors, lobster pots, fish traps and the like from the sea-bed. The device comprises connecting means to connect the device to a float, the connecting means being positioned between guide means, designed to guide a rope connected to the anchor, or like article and retaining means, through which the rope passes as it is raised and which serves to engage with an obstruction on the rope when the anchor is raised to the surface of the sea. The device may be formed integrally from a single piece of stainless steel rod.

Abstract: A helical member comprises a continuum of coaxial helixes disposed in spaced longitudinal relation which define an axial aperture that is adapted to receive an external connecting device such as a line or anchor pin. An elastic core is disposed within the aperture in frictional engagement with at least one of the helixes. One end of the core is attached to the member and a free end extends out of the aperture. Gripping the free end and stretching the core reduces its cross-sectional dimensions which releases the frictional engagement and provides sufficient space to admit the connecting device. Releasing tension on the core substantially restores its original dimensions and releasably grips the connecting device between the core and at least one helix to provide a simple, yet effective attachment.

Abstract: A suspension clamp for an electrical conductor or other filamentary member comprising an open-sided housing able to be presented transversely to a conductor to extend at least partially around it, said housing being adapted for securement to a support, a conductor engaging cradle supported by said housing provided with axially extending walls spaced inwardly from said housing, said housing and cradle being able to accept a plurality of helical conductor clamping rods between said housing and said cradle for surrounding and providing clamping force between said conductor and said cradle thereby to secure said conductor to said clamp.

Abstract: A termination anchorage for anchoring a circular termination member having an annular groove into a U-shaped slot contained in a bracket. A coil spring lock surrounds and engages the tubular member and has a tip which engages a hole in the bracket to lock the termination member into the slot.

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 device for securing and anchoring a telephone wire comprises a narrow helix with widely spaced coils with an open bight at one end. The invention further comprises a telephone pole with an internal fixing element such as a ring with the device securing a wire looped onto it.

Abstract: A device for tensioning the corona-discharge wires of e.g. electrostatic copiers has an internally toothed sleeve member in which an externally toothed clamping member is turnably received. Both members have openings transverse to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve member. When an end portion of a corona wire whose other end is fixedly secured, is inserted through both openings in aligned condition of the same, turning of the clamping member draws the end portion between the members, tensioning the wire and clamping the end portion between the teeth of the members.

Abstract: A fish stringer comprising a cord and a plurality of fish holders including links which are attachable to the cord between its ends in sliding relation thereon.

Abstract: A guide for a filamentary material, such as yarn, thread, rope or the like which comprises a coiled spring of spring steel having two extending ends on one of which is formed a pigtail to act as a guide and on the other of which is formed a hook for engaging the side containing the pigtail, thereby permitting the spring portion to be slid over a rod and the hook on the other side pressed to engage the first side thereby allowing the guide to be clamped onto the rod at any desired location and permitting ease of adjustment.

Abstract: A coupling device and method for attaching a length of flexible line thereto. The device is a spring member composed of first and second sections of aligned coils providing a longitudinally extending central channel having an entrance and exit port. The first section is integral with the second section and spaced therefrom to provide a gap into which is wound a segment of the line material after having passed through the central channel from the entrance port to the exit port. After winding through the gap, the material is wound clockwise toward the entrance port between pairs of adjacent coils to complete attachment to the coupling device.

Abstract: A releasable tube coupling wherein the tube is releasably retained in the coupling body by means of a coil spring which embraces the outer cylindrical surface of the tube. In the relaxed condition, the spring has an inner diameter less than and frictionally engages the outer diameter of the tube. When an axial outward force is applied to the tube the spring tends to contract as it elongates and more firmly grips the tube. The spring is axially compressible to insert the tube in the fitting body and to release it therefrom.

Abstract: A low cost, lightweight, helically preformed line tie is disclosed which is configured for yieldably securing an elongated conductor or the like to various standard sizes of conventional, grooved insulative supports without the need for specialized ties by provision of a unitary, substantially shape-retaining resilient metallic wire tie which includes a central, generally U-shaped, line-receiving bight and a pair of legs extending therefrom which have intermediate sections adjacent the bight and helically formed line-gripping terminal sections; in preferred forms, the intermediate sections include a pair of interconnected, generally straight segments disposed at an angle relative to each other, and the intermediate sections are wrapped under tension about the support body with the helical leg sections secured about the line for yieldably securing the latter to the support without creation of localized, rigidly held stress areas at the line support points which can lead to premature line failure by virtue of b